Chapter 657: Estrangement
Chapter 657: Estrangement
Hu Zhifeng didn't verify with Nie Zhan and instead called his investment advisor immediately, instructing him to go to Xiaori and offer Yanben Anshou to transfer the shares he held.
Yanben Anshou was a friend of an investment partner who was also interested in investing in the project Nie Zhan was working on. However, due to the project's promising prospects, everyone was reluctant to give up their shares, so this person wanted to buy them out. Naturally, everyone was focused on profiting, so there was no way they would easily give up their shares.
His investment advisor was puzzled by this sudden decision, as the two of them had been friends for many years. He asked, "Zhifeng, didn't you refuse to transfer your shares before? What changed your mind?"
Hu Zhifeng didn't need to fabricate an excuse and simply replied, "Nie Zhan is preparing a massive project that requires a substantial investment. I don't have enough cash on hand, so I have to liquidate these shares."
As soon as the investment advisor heard that it was one of Nie Zhan's projects, he dropped the subject. Over the past few years, every project Nie Zhan had undertaken had been profitable. Companies like Chery and Wufu Jewelry had already gone public, so this upcoming major project was bound to be a money-maker.
On top of that, Hu Zhifeng had also invested significantly in Xiaori's stock market. With New Year's Day being an international holiday, the stock market wouldn't open until Tuesday, so there was no immediate rush.
Zong Shimeng sat beside him and asked after he finished the call, "Didn't you buy several properties in Xiaori? Have you sold them all now?"
Since Jiaxin had sold off all her assets in Xiaori, it seemed apparent that she anticipated financial difficulties in the near future. And when the economy took a downturn, the real estate market would inevitably crash as well.
Hu Zhifeng had intended to tell her that he had sold the properties, but then he considered how Zong Shimeng had gone out of her way to inform him of this news, and he felt it wouldn't be right to deceive her. "The three properties I bought in Xiaori, I've given them all to Xiang Qing," he admitted.
After Xiang Qing went back on her decision to go to Australia, he had refused to give her money. But less than a month later, he had relented and even compensated her with several properties.
Zong Shimeng's expression turned stiff for a moment, but she quickly spoke up. "You gave all three properties to that woman, and I don't get so much as a brick?"
Hu Zhifeng immediately placated her, "Wait until I've liquidated my assets in Xiaori and the funds are back in my account. Then I'll give you 10 million. You can buy two properties you like in Hong Kong City."
Zong Shimeng wasn't pleased, and she said, "Jiaxin treats me like a sister, which is why she shared this news with me. Look, Nie Zhan didn't say anything to you about it."
Hu Zhifeng fell silent for a moment before replying, "Once the funds are back in my account, I'll give you 10 million."
Zong Shimeng felt that the investments were the more significant concern, as the stock market holdings were relatively minor. "If there's a significant shake-up in Xiaori's stock market, it will impact the real estate market and other industries..."
Hu Zhifeng understood the implication of her words. He was just as blunt in his response, "If Jiaxin's prediction comes true, I'll give you an additional 30 million."
Only then was Zong Shimeng satisfied.
Yume Tong and Hu Huihui also shared the news with their respective partners. Upon hearing this, Tao Yong decided to sell off all the Japanese stocks he had purchased as soon as the market opened on Tuesday. As for Su Heyuan, he had already received the news from Jiaxin, and he had liquidated all his assets in Xiaori, retrieving his invested funds.
Hu Huihui expressed her displeasure, "Why didn't you tell me about something this important?"
Su Heyuan hadn't informed her because he didn't think it was necessary. "You don't have any investments or stocks in Xiaori, so whether I tell you or not doesn't make a difference."
"But I should still know about it! I would have told my brother and sister-in-law. If Jiaxin hadn't mentioned it today, they could have faced significant losses if there really was a major shake-up in Xiaori's stock market."
Su Heyuan quickly dismissed that possibility. "Nie Zhan and your brother have been friends for over two decades. There's no way he wouldn't tell your brother about something this big. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if your brother has already sold off his investments in Xiaori."
Upon hearing this, Hu Huihui also felt that her brother might not have shared the news with her sister-in-law. "You guys never tell me anything, leaving me in the dark about everything."
Su Heyuan felt wronged. He had shared business matters with Hu Huihui in the past, but she hadn't been interested in listening. However, considering Hu Huihui's recent sensitivity, he took the blame. "I was wrong. I'll make sure to fill you in on important matters from now on."
Hu Huihui was satisfied with this resolution.
In the afternoon, the four men went to play golf together. Hu Zhifeng teased, "Azhan, your sister-in-law told my wife this morning that you've sold off all your investments in Xiaori. Is that true?"
Su Heyuan and Tao Yong stopped playing and watched the other two instead.
Nie Zhan looked at him in confusion and said, "Last week when we played golf together, I told you about this."
"You told me? When?"
Nie Zhan's lips twitched, feeling that Hu Zhifeng's memory was terrible. "I said that Xiaori's bubble economy is getting bigger and bigger, and one day it will burst. I'm preparing to sell off my investments and recoup my funds."
Hu Zhifeng looked puzzled, "Did you really tell me this? I don't remember any of it."
Nie Zhan frowned but quickly continued, "I remember that just before I told you this, you took a phone call. After I finished talking, you called me back to continue playing golf."
With this prompt, Hu Zhifeng quickly recalled the incident. He had indeed taken a call right after Nie Zhan shared the news, and his mind had been elsewhere, so he hadn't paid attention to what Nie Zhan was saying.
Seeing Hu Zhifeng's expression, Nie Zhan realized that he still didn't understand. He probably hadn't heard a word he'd said due to that phone call. Nie Zhan let it go, but he couldn't help feeling displeased. Just a moment ago, he had blamed himself for not informing Hu Zhifeng in advance. Even with his usually good temper, he couldn't help but feel annoyed at this moment.
Noticing Nie Zhan's unhappiness, Su Heyuan quickly changed the subject and asked Tao Yong about the preparations for his engagement banquet at the end of the month. With the date approaching, the question wasn't out of place.
Out of consideration for Nie Zhan, he dropped the previous topic, but he still felt somewhat uncomfortable. Later that night, when the two of them returned to their room, Jiaxin asked, "Why are you still upset? Who upset you?"
After hearing the whole story, Jiaxin regretted her actions. "I shouldn't have told Sister Shimeng. Now I wish he would lose a fortune and regret it deeply."
Nie Zhan quickly shifted his attention, "Are you so sure that not investing now will result in losses?"
Jiaxin simply replied with her usual two words—intuition. She consoled him, "Don't worry about him. Regarding our branch, you invited him to invest before, but he refused. Once he gets his money back from selling his investments in Xiaori, he'll probably come looking for you to invest. Make sure you refuse him. When our branch makes a lot of money, he'll regret his decision."
Hu Zhifeng had most of his assets invested, and his investments in Xiaori were particularly significant, which was why he had turned down Nie Zhan's invitation. Once he realized that he had missed out on such a lucrative opportunity due to his divided attention, he would surely regret it.
Nie Zhan was good at controlling his emotions in front of others, but he didn't hold back when he was with Jiaxin, "From now on, whenever there's a new investment opportunity, I won't actively invite him to join."
If someone wanted to buy in, they could come to him, and he wouldn't go out of his way to ask anymore.
(End of Chapter)
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