The Young Lady is a Bit Unruly [Fragrant Harbor] - Chapter 64: Securing the Win

Chapter 64: Securing the Win

Since becoming a billionaire, Ye Baoling always felt it was too unreal.

She took out one million and began spending lavishly in various ways, trying to find a sense of reality in her life.

However, she discovered that spending money was harder than earning it!

The main reason was that now that she had money, she was unwilling to spend it on status symbols or to send money abroad for luxury brands.

So, without buying cars, houses, or luxury items, spending money became quite challenging.

After a morning of shopping sprees at the mall, she had only spent a little over a hundred thousand!

She didn’t just spend on herself; she also spent on her family. Looking at the pile of loot, she felt quite satisfied.

That day, as she got out of the car, Sister Ping directed the Filipino maid and the children to carry all the food, daily necessities, clothes, shoes, socks, and other items they had bought into the house.

Her aunt, Shen Yue’e, came out of the kitchen. Surprisingly, she was wearing an apron.

Sister Ping! I’m so glad you’re back. Grandma wants to eat fish, but she doesn’t like how the Filipino maid cooks it, and she’s not satisfied with my cooking either. I was just worrying about it…

Seeing them bringing in so many things, Shen Yue’e smiled in surprise and said, Baoling, you’ve struck it rich! Why did you buy so much stuff?

Since Gu Man’er had recently made a hefty sum following Ye Baoling’s stock market tips, Shen Yue’e couldn’t help but ask quietly, How much did you make?

Ye Baoling whispered, One more zero than what Man’er made.

That much? Shen Yue’e gently poked her. Why didn’t you call me? I’ve saved up a few thousand in private funds. If I’d known, I would’ve invested it all.

Ye Baoling didn’t dare to casually involve others, especially her aunt, who loved playing mahjong and showing off. Who knew what unintended consequences it might bring?

She laughed and said, What if you lost money? Look at how the stock market has been wailing lately. Auntie, you should keep your money for mahjong!

Tsk! Shen Yue’e frowned. Mahjong is for making money, not losing it. Say that again!

Ye Baoling obediently repeated, Auntie, you should keep your money for making a fortune! Is Uncle not back yet?

He can’t come back. They’re busy recruiting and training workers.

Gu Zhen’er opened a box of new shoes and asked, Cousin, who are these shoes for?

Ye Baoling replied, The mall was having a sale. I bought two pairs. You and Third Cousin can pick which ones you want.

Thank you, Cousin!

The younger cousin asked pitifully, Cousin, what about me?

Ye Baoling smiled. I bought you a pretty dress and a hat. Look for them yourself.

As she spoke, she took the things she had bought for her grandmother and went upstairs.

Not long ago, Ye Baoling had taken her grandmother to get dentures. The old lady’s appetite had improved since then, and she had even gained a little weight.

Looking at the new clothes her granddaughter had bought for her, Grandma Gu chided, What a waste of money. I don’t even go downstairs. Who am I going to show off these nice clothes to?

Wear them for yourself. Your own happiness is what matters most. Ye Baoling helped her grandmother change into the new clothes, and the old lady instantly looked more spirited.

Zheng Junni swallowed hard, her heart aching as if cut by a knife, yet she also felt a sense of relief.

Buy him a better grave and bury him. I hope he can be reborn into a better life.

A Feng agreed to everything. I’ll handle it personally.

Later, I’ll have A Jin bring you the money.

Madam, there’s one more thing I’d like to ask of you.

What is it?

My boyfriend Ah Fa recently lost his job. Could he come work for the Ye family?

Zheng Junni didn’t want just anyone entering the Ye household. What’s so good about working here? People will just say he’s a servant or a laborer. Let me see if I can find him a job outside instead. Wouldn’t that be better?

A Feng was clearly displeased; who knew where he might end up working?

She said, When I took my child to the hospital in Shenzhen, it was chaotic, and I couldn’t find a taxi. I had no choice but to ask Ah Fa for help, or I wouldn’t have made it to the hospital.

This was her way of telling Zheng Junni that Ah Fa knew about their affairs, and it would be more appropriate to bring him in rather than leave him out.

Zheng Junni’s anger flared up instantly. How could you involve him?

A Feng: There was no other way. You’ve never been to Shenzhen; you don’t know how chaotic it is there. I couldn’t get a taxi, and Ah Fa happened to be driving me to Shenzhen, so I had to call him. He’s very discreet in handling things.

Zheng Junni paused. Let me think about it first.

After hanging up, she sat on the sofa, feeling utterly miserable. She had only caught a glimpse of her youngest son before he was gone.

A Feng was so cunning, always relying on relatives for help, thinking they were more reliable, but in reality, they were even less dependable than A Jin, who had no familial ties.

But it was too late for regrets now. Many things could only be entrusted to A Feng.

She had no choice.

After the stock market crash, Hong Kong stocks began a relentless decline. Even when they finally stabilized, they merely moved sideways with no upward trend in sight.

Ye Qizu didn’t need to sell stocks for cash, so although his net worth appeared to shrink, it had no real impact on him.

After all, the entire market was in the same situation—it wasn’t just Ye Qingtang’s stocks that plummeted. So, he wasn’t worried.

Once the market recovers, the prices will inevitably bounce back.

One day, while having tea on the third-floor terrace of the Hall of Flourishing Harmony and discussing work, Ye Qizu asked Ye Kaimin, You don’t have any conflicts of interest with Lü Dexiang anymore, right?

Ye Kaimin: There were never any conflicts of interest to begin with. We just speculated in stocks together for a while, but we’ve parted ways now.

Ye Qizu lightly tapped the armrest of his chair. Since the Stock Exchange was established and this Lü Dexiang became its chairman, he’s been forming cliques for personal gain. As long as the money is right, even the shabbiest companies can go public. This stock market crash was dragged down by these worthless companies. They even abuse the power of the listing committee to set IPO prices, skimming profits like plucking feathers from a goose. Every new listing, no matter how outstanding the company’s performance, has to take a hit—they’re forced to allocate preferred shares to them. What is this? It’s pure corruption!

He had to seize this opportunity to crush the Lü family thoroughly, to avenge the humiliation his grandson suffered at the hands of Lü Tianyou.

Ye Kais naturally supported his father: Get several listed companies to join forces, hire lawyers, gather evidence, and report it to the ICAC. Don’t stop until they’re completely incapacitated.

Ye Qizu nodded. Exactly, that’s the way to do it. A Cai, compile a list of all the stocks that have gone public since the Stock Exchange was established. Separate the excellent companies into one list and the garbage companies into another.

His assistant Chen Jincai promptly acknowledged.

Ye Kaimin didn’t dare speak, afraid his father would redirect his anger toward him.

After business discussions concluded and Chen Jincai left, Ye Qizu asked Ye Kaimin: Have you given Bao Ling the 8 million you promised?

Ye Kaimin put on a pitiful act: All my money is tied up in the stock market. I have no cash on hand. If I sell at a loss to free up funds, the losses would be huge.

Then do as I said – transfer two commercial properties on Huayang Street to Bao Ling.

Dad, if Bao Ling were a boy, I’d give them to her directly. But she’s a girl, you just bought her a top-tier V7 luxury car, the Family Foundation covers her monthly allowance, and now you want to give her two prime commercial properties… Ultimately, Ye Kaimin was unwilling to give them.

Ye Qizu: If Bao Ling marries beneath her station later, whether you prepare a dowry is your business. But if you want her to marry into a better family, if you don’t prepare a substantial dowry – you might not be embarrassed, but I will be. Consider this her early dowry preparation. This matter is settled.

Tyrant!

Ye Kaimin couldn’t help saying: Shouldn’t the dowry be prepared by the family?

You’re her father! You don’t need to prepare anything?! Just planning to freeload off the family? Have you no shame!

Ye Kais joined in mockingly: Too bad I don’t have a daughter. If I did, I’d prepare everything for her.

This remark angered the old man again: You can’t even discipline your own son properly, and you want a daughter? Any daughter of yours would just be trouble!

Facing the old man who was more temperamental than someone going through menopause, both sons fell silent.

Ye Baoling kept feeling like someone had been following her recently.

But whenever she quickly turned around, she never spotted anyone suspicious. She could only remind herself to be more cautious.

She didn’t go to Tumbleweed to find Bai Zhu, instead arranging to meet at a sauna.

During their sauna session, they were the only two in the room.

Tumbleweed had recently gained popularity among financial readers for accurately predicting the stock market crash, with the latest issue’s circulation surpassing 20,000 copies.

Bai Zhu’s connections in the industry were now stronger than before.

Ye Baoling handed Bai Zhu the storage locker key: I’ve placed the materials and payment in the external storage locker. You can retrieve them yourself later.

Okay. Bai Zhu took the key and asked: What kind of materials are they roughly?

Several days earlier, Ye Baoling had someone mail a whistleblower letter to the Stock Exchange, primarily questioning Ye Qingtang’s fraudulent financial reporting.

First call the Stock Exchange to inquire about Ye Qingtang’s financial fraud situation, then quote the Exchange’s statements in your reporting. This perfectly avoids legal risks – Ye Qingtang won’t be able to sue you because you won’t be spreading rumors.

Bai Zhu gave her a thumbs-up: That’s quite clever.

But she was puzzled: Why target your own company?

Ye Baoling couldn’t tell the truth, only saying: Internal strife.

Rich family infighting – ruthless as always.

The next day, several newspapers simultaneously reported that Ye Qingtang might be facing financial crisis, hence needing to commit financial fraud before going public to raise funds.

One particularly sharp journalist began with: The recently scandal-plagued Ye family’s Oldest Branch that was involved in the window-licking gay incident…

Ye Qingtang and Su Manzhu’s stock prices immediately plummeted!

Even Hongtong Industry was affected.

Coincidentally, the Xian Bi advertisements that had been airing daily were pulled that same day, making investors even more suspicious about the Ye family’s Oldest Branch facing financial crisis.

Moreover, Stock Exchange Chairman Lü Dexiang was involved in corruption and bribery, approving numerous new listings—including Ye Qingtang.

Meanwhile, Ye Baoshun, grandson of Ye Qingtang’s owner Ye Qizu, had just been exposed as having a homosexual relationship with Lü Dexiang’s son Lu Tianyou. Shockingly, the esteemed Ye family’s eldest young master Ye Baoshun was the submissive partner in the relationship. Could there be some deal behind this?

When men engage in conspiracy theories, their imaginations surpass even women’s.

Investors who had stubbornly held on through the stock market crash now watched stock prices plummet, triggering panic selling and stampedes to dump shares.

Combined with Liu Haonan’s market manipulations, Ye Qingtang’s stock price kept falling relentlessly!

The closing price that day dropped to 4.2 yuan per share.

While Ye Qizu was discussing countermeasures with his team, he summoned Ye Baoling and asked: What’s going on with Xian Bi’s advertisement? Why hasn’t it been airing these past few days?

Ye Baoling explained: I’m in the marketing department now, and promotional matters are no longer under my jurisdiction. However, I did inquire and learned there was an issue with the advertising reel. It’s already been re-recorded and sent to the television station, and will air on schedule tonight.

Everything seems to be going wrong at once—what an unfortunate coincidence! This time, Ye Qizu wasn’t particularly angry.

Because he believed the real culprit behind this was: Lü Dexiang.

Ye Qingtang had joined forces with several listed companies to report Lü Dexiang to the ICAC, and the other party must have gotten wind of it and was deliberately retaliating.

In his imagination, it was Lü Dexiang who leaked information to the media, causing Ye Qingtang’s stock price to crash.

After all, Ye Qingtang hadn’t engaged in any earnings fraud, and its financial data remained quite healthy. The old man believed that as long as he responded calmly, the stock price would recover.

He instructed Lin Zhong: Prepare the materials for a press conference. I’m going to confront Lü Dexiang head-on—I refuse to believe I can’t outmaneuver this country bumpkin!

Lin Zhong replied: We can prepare the materials overnight and hold the press conference tomorrow morning.

But Ye Qizu said: No need to rush. Wait a couple of days.

Ye Baoling, who hadn’t finished bottom-fishing that day, wondered: Could her grandfather also be planning to enter the market for bargain hunting?

Ye Kaimin didn’t understand: Shouldn’t we hold the press conference as soon as possible under these circumstances?

Ye Qizu didn’t answer but instead discussed other matters with Lin Zhong for a while. Only after Lin Zhong left did he say: Ye Qingtang’s financial crisis is fabricated, but I’ve heard the Second Branch’s crisis is real.

Ye Kais had also heard something about this: What does the Second Branch’s financial crisis have to do with us?

The Second Branch suffered heavy losses during the stock market crash and can’t cover their cash flow gap. They want to sell their Ye Qingtang shares. I was thinking we should take this opportunity to buy them out.

The brothers finally understood—their father didn’t want Ye Qingtang’s stock price to rebound too quickly, so he could conveniently snap up the Second Branch’s shares at bargain prices.

No wonder he wasn’t angry today and showed no intention of rescuing the market.

Ye Baoling couldn’t help but silently admire the cunning old man.

Ye Qizu said: Today Ye Qingtang’s stock closed at 4.2 yuan per share—tomorrow it will definitely go even lower. We should find a way to acquire all of the Second Branch’s 4.3% stake in Ye Qingtang. Boss…

Ye Kaimin quickly looked up.

How low do you think Ye Qingtang’s stock will fall tomorrow?

Ye Kaimin: If we release some more bad news ourselves, it might drop another 30%!

Ye Qizu nodded: Good. I’ll leave this matter to you.

At the same time, he instructed Ye Kais: Go contact the Second Branch and negotiate a transaction at tomorrow’s closing price. Let them know we’re also facing difficulties, but the payment will be gathered and given to them after signing the agreement.

Ye Qizu wasn’t short of money at all – he was just pretending to be struggling while secretly planning to acquire the Second Branch’s shares.

Ye Baoling stood nearby feeding the goldfish, pretending complete disinterest in these topics.

Her grandfather also assumed she didn’t understand, thinking she was merely amusing herself with the fish.

After finishing feeding the fish while they were still discussing other matters, Ye Baoling said: Grandfather, if there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.

Go ahead. Oh, and about Xian Bi’s advertisement – no need to rush it these couple of days.

Okay. Only then did Ye Baoling leave the study.

Outside, dusk was just falling. Returning to her room, she called Ye Huaizhang to ask where he was.

He had just arrived home.

Ye Baoling went directly to the Third Branch through the Blue Brick Tunnel.

In Ye Huaizhang’s bedroom, she seriously discussed with him: I heard the Second Branch wants to sell Ye Qingtang’s shares. Go negotiate for me – I want to buy them.

Ye Huaizhang was surprised: Do you want to buy them, or does your Oldest Branch want to buy them?

My grandfather indeed wants to buy them, but now I want to intercept the deal so my grandfather can’t acquire them. You go negotiate on my behalf – you’re the most suitable person.

Ye Huaizhang gently pressed the back of his hand against her forehead, checking if she had a fever.

Do you know how much money is needed at minimum? The Second Branch originally held 10% shares, but after IPO dilution they only have 4.3%. Even with Ye Qingtang’s stock price plunging today, calculated at today’s closing price, this 4.3% stake is still worth 180 million. Moreover, they might not be willing to sell at today’s closing price.

Ye Baoling: I have money, but it’s not convenient for me to approach the Second Branch directly now. You just need to negotiate for me. I’ll give you compensation.

She rubbed against him, almost saying she could pay with her body.

You have money? 180 million? Clearly he was astonished.

I made several hundred million short selling US stocks.

She wasn’t telling the complete truth.

But this half-truth was enough to make Ye Huaizhang’s eyes pop out.

She had indeed mentioned before that she was short selling US stocks, but he never expected she could make several hundred million!

His wife was truly an economic genius!

He asked: What do you plan to do after buying the Second Branch’s Ye Qingtang shares?

Ye Baoling: Ye Qingtang’s stock price dropped abnormally. Rather than letting my grandfather benefit from such a huge bargain, why shouldn’t I benefit instead? Don’t you think so?

He was amused by her and agreed to negotiate with the Second Branch.

You just mentioned giving me compensation – how will that be calculated?

I’ll serve you tonight. Hanging on his neck, she whispered in his ear: You just lie down.

He didn’t fall for it, knowing that once in bed, she’d be too lazy and he’d end up serving her instead.

He proposed another condition: Tomorrow you treat me to movie, dinner, and hotel room – the full package.

Movie, dinner, hotel room…

For a married couple, this request wasn’t unreasonable. Ye Baoling withdrew her hand: You drive a hard bargain! Deal!

The person who moments ago wanted to drag him to bed immediately changed her tone: Let’s discuss how to negotiate with the Second Branch.

Ye Huaizhang: You just need to tell me your bottom price. I’ll handle the rest – you don’t need to worry about it.

He was familiar with the Second Branch.

She liked his take-charge style that required no effort from her. If only she could keep manipulating him into working for her…

My bottom line is today’s closing price, while my grandfather’s bottom line is tomorrow afternoon’s closing price. My father will release news tomorrow, and Ye Qingtang’s stock will continue to fall. Of course, even brothers keep clear accounts – the less money spent, the better.

Ye Huaizhang nodded slightly: Alright, I understand.

The next day, Ye Qingtang’s stock continued to decline.

Ye Baoling instructed Liu Haonan to buy as much as possible.

After acquiring the target position, with funds still remaining, she told Liu Haonan to purchase shares in Hongtong Industry, which had recently suffered alongside Ye Qingtang.

She couldn’t become a major shareholder in Hongtong Industry, but she could certainly become a minor one.

She spent the entire day busy at the company. Lisa and her husband would arrive in Port City a week later to discuss cooperation, and their team needed to prepare for the reception work.

During the meeting, they were brimming with confidence, determined to secure L&D, the largest beverage sales agent in the United States, in one fell swoop.

At 3 p.m. when the stock market closed, Ye Qingtang’s stock price hit a new low of $3.12!

Two hours later, Ye Huaizhang called her: It’s done. 150 million. Your colleague and Chen Yulan signed the agreement and left. I provided the money—you can repay me later.

Ye Baoling jumped up excitedly and blew him a kiss through the phone: Perfect. I’d love to see my grandfather’s face right now.

He must be furious!

After all his maneuvering, she ended up snatching the advantage.

And the old man didn’t even know who had outsmarted him—he was probably seething with rage.

As agreed, she left work early and went with him to watch a movie.

Around 5 p.m., the cinema was nearly empty. Ye Baoling wore a baseball cap and entered separately from him.

They watched Beauty and the Beast. With only about seven or eight people in the theater, the American film from that era felt less dated than Hong Kong movies and was easier to get immersed in.

By the time they left the cinema, it was past 7 p.m. They went to a Thai restaurant in Shangyun for dinner.

Over the meal, Ye Baoling asked him, Do you know how much my grandfather offered?

130 million.

His bid was indeed ruthless.

Ye Baoling asked, Couldn’t the Second Branch have pledged their shares? Why didn’t they?

Ye Huaizhang sipped his tom yum soup and replied, The pledging process is slow, and they’d only get half the amount. They needed money urgently and had no choice. They couldn’t bear to sell their Su Manzhu shares, so they sold Ye Qingtang instead.

Didn’t they try borrowing from your bank?

They already did. They mortgaged several properties and can’t borrow more.

Ye Baoling was surprised: Did they mortgage the Second Branch mansion too?

Yes, they did.Noticing her subtle expression, Ye Huaizhang knew she was still thinking about the possible cellar beneath the mansion and chuckled, Even though it’s mortgaged, as long as they repay on time, the mansion won’t be ours. Don’t get your hopes up. They should be able to pull through. He patted her head gently.

Unfortunately, the original plot never mentioned the Second Branch, so their eventual fate remained unknown.

As they ate, Dong Jian came in and whispered something to Ye Huaizhang.

It turned out someone was secretly photographing them.

Ye Huaizhang clearly didn’t mind and simply said, Ignore it.

After Dong Jian left, Ye Baoling asked, What was that about?

Nothing important.

After dinner, they headed to a hotel where a room had been booked in advance, allowing them to check in directly.

On the way, Ye Huaizhang was driving. While stopped at a red light, he suddenly leaned over and kissed her.

It wasn’t a passionate kiss—just soft, repeated presses against her lips.

Ye Baoling laughed and pushed him away, Did you take something? Why so excited?

In an inconspicuous car in the next lane, a private investigator excitedly clicked the shutter, finally completing this major assignment.

When the photos reached Zheng Junni, her palms were sweaty with excitement!

Having ambiguous ties with one woman while watching movies, dining, kissing, and checking into hotels with a male relative…

This time, she was determined to thoroughly control that wretched girl Ye Baoling.

Author’s Note: Ye Huaizhang: Thank you.