Chapter 105: The Betting Agreement!

Fanghuan Investment's quarterly earnings release was like a bombshell, sending shockwaves through the financial world.
The most bewildered were none other than Fanghuan Investment's own employees.
Especially those who had worked tirelessly throughout the quarter, only to find their departments' performance lackluster or even negative—they were utterly stunned!
"Holy crap! Our company…made this much this quarter?! Really? Am I seeing things?"
"What a joke! The market was terrible this quarter, our entire department lost a fortune! The manager got a severe dressing-down from upstairs because of it!"
"Where did this astronomical profit come from? It's outrageous!"
Fanghuan Investment's employees were completely dumbfounded by their company's earnings report, feeling like they were dreaming.
"Hey, what's so strange about that?" a well-informed source said in a low voice, feigning mystery.
"Most of the profits came from that newly established 'Top-Tier Trading Department.'"
"More than that! I heard that even before the Top-Tier Trading Department was established, that legendary CEO Su was already on a killing spree, making a fortune!"
"That's right! Before, this was just a rumor, and everyone was skeptical.
But now that the results are out, wow, it's undeniable!
The whole company is buzzing with the news, saying that the average bonus per person in the Top-Tier Trading Department is enough to make other departments envious!
HR's phones are ringing off the hook; everyone's scrambling to get into the Top-Tier Trading Department!"
Unfortunately, it's not a place you can just walk into.
It's said that only those chosen by CEO Su's almost divine "intuition" are qualified to enter!
Top-Tier Trading Department, conference room.
"Hey, I heard that the junk shares we bought back were bought by Changqing Group for a whopping 10 billion, and they even took out a mortgage loan!"
Newcomer Liu Yang exclaimed excitedly.
"Pshaw, 10 billion sounds scary, but for a behemoth like Changqing Group, it's nothing.
They're only temporarily short of cash because they were busy with internal power struggles and spending money on that new real estate project.
Once their European hotel project starts, the cash flow will be pouring in, and Changqing Group's good days are yet to come!"
Liang Haiyuan analyzed with feigned profundity.
At this moment, Shen Zekai was indeed "working himself to the bone" for the future of Changqing Group.
It has to be said that the old guys at Changqing Group weren't without reason in risking betraying the former chairman to support his rise to power.
This kid's business acumen and shrewdness are truly impressive. He's only been in charge for a short time, but he's already stabilized the nearly sunk Changqing Group, and it looks like it's about to set sail again.
Especially with this foray into the European hotel industry; their first flagship store in France is about to open, and the initial market feedback is reportedly overwhelmingly positive.
"Leaving aside Europe, just the successful completion and opening of their new Shanghai property next year will be phenomenal! I heard the valuation has already soared to 70 billion!"
"Sigh, what a pity. I didn't expect Changqing Group to recover so quickly."
"I was thinking, what if they're unlucky, mismanage, and their cash flow dries up?
Our company might be able to snag their flagship project, 'Changqing Tianxi,' a bargain!"
Liu Yang said regretfully.
"Dream on! Do you think big companies are made of paper? If they were that easy to collapse, what kind of big company would they be? Even a starved camel is bigger than a horse, don't you understand?"
Liang Haiyuan scoffed beside him.
Theoretically, if Changqing Group really did experience a cash flow crisis, Fanghuan Investment could indeed acquire that new Shanghai property project.
But that was a five-star difficulty level!
Having collateral doesn't mean you can just take it; it all depends on the contract. The intricacies and legal procedures can be incredibly frustrating.
"However, as far as I know," Liang Haiyuan lowered his voice, instantly silencing the small group,
"Our CEO Su added a 'debt-for-goods' clause to the contract and even signed a ruthless 'betting agreement'!"
"Holy crap! He even used a 'betting agreement'? He's betting he can't pay back the money! That's ruthless!"
A gasp escaped the person next to him.
"It seems Shen Zekai has truly been driven to the brink this time, he has no other choice.
Otherwise, why would he use a flagship project like this new development to sign such a contract that's practically a noose around his neck?
It's like he's willingly putting his neck in a noose!"
Everyone was astonished, and for good reason.
The contract clearly stipulated the method of asset disposal in the "debt settlement with assets" clause, but the "betting agreement" was even more ruthless!
It effectively granted Fanghuan Investment a special privilege:
If Changqing Group defaulted—for example, by failing to repay on time and in full, or by failing to meet other key performance indicators stipulated in the agreement—it would lose the "bet."
At that point, Fanghuan Investment would have the right to acquire the new property at an "internal price" far below the market price, or even a symbolic price!
"That's what they say, but can it really work? Wouldn't Changqing Group fight tooth and nail to prevent this from happening?" Some people were still skeptical.
"That's true. This contract is entirely beneficial to us, but to be honest, it's probably only a matter of time before Changqing Group pays off this debt.
That's why Shen Zekai agreed to sign this contract; after all, the possibility of triggering these clauses is extremely low."
The implication is that this new housing development is just a pie in the sky—it smells good, but is unattainable.
Su Hao, listening from the side, chuckled inwardly:
"When the contract was drafted, the chairman probably thought, 'Since we can't have it anyway, we might as well add some spice to make things worse,' and crammed in every imaginable unfair clause!"
"Alright, stop overthinking. Let's just focus on our own business." Su Hao interrupted the discussion.
"If Changqing Group pays back the money promptly, we'll have an extra 10 billion in cash flow for nothing. Why not?
Even if they can't pay it back right now, we can still steadily collect high interest. It's a win-win situation no matter how you look at it."
"Mr. Su, shall we begin the meeting?"
"Yes, let's begin. We've been rambling on a bit too much today." Su Hao sat in the main seat, looking at the projection screen.
Liu Yang quickly cleared his throat and began his report:
"Breaking news: The Federal Reserve has finally ended its long-standing zero-interest-rate policy. The dollar exchange rate has risen accordingly, while the euro has fallen quite sharply..."
The US has finally ended its long-standing zero-interest-rate era.
Back then, the subprime mortgage crisis of 2008, which swept the globe, almost brought the global economy to a standstill.
To save the market, the Federal Reserve had no choice but to maintain zero interest rates.
Now, with the economy gradually recovering, an interest rate hike is imminent.
"..." Su Hao picked up a pen and lightly touched the dollar and yen sections on the document.
Sure enough, that familiar, mysterious premonition had returned!