Chapter 32: Fuck Risk Management!

Just as he stubbed out his second cigarette and returned to his workstation, still somewhat dazed, Liu Bo strode over with a document in his hand.
His face wore a complex expression that said, "I don't even know if this stuff is reliable, but what the hell can I do if the manager wants it?"
"Haiyuan, the research department has received the detailed analysis data they've revised according to the manager's requirements."
"Oh? So fast?" Liang Haiyuan was somewhat surprised and reached for the document.
"Yeah, I heard the manager personally called to urge them on, so the research department wouldn't dare to neglect it."
Liu Bo explained in a low voice.
Liang Haiyuan quickly flipped through the document. He had initially wanted to see which clueless analyst was so stubborn, so bored, daring to write such a "bearish" script.
But then he took a closer look…
Liang Haiyuan's heart sank to the bottom.
Holy crap! This wasn't a detailed, in-depth analysis report at all!
It was clearly just a few pages!
The content was pitifully thin, filled with ambiguous and meaningless phrases like "possibility exists," "cannot be ruled out," and "may face."
The conclusion was even more vague and evasive, clearly a work of art by the research department to get by and avoid responsibility.
And this was a hastily cobbled-together document, presented as "thoroughly considered and preventative," a "for internal reference only, no responsibility for consequences" type of document!
'No way... the manager... he couldn't possibly... have really made that earth-shattering decision, this decision to antagonize the whole world, just by looking at these few pages of paper?!'
This terrifying thought, like a cold, venomous snake, instantly coiled around his spine, sending a chill down his spine.
He felt not only like he was on a leaky ship, but the captain of that ship was likely a madman with a fake nautical chart!
He shook his head violently, trying to banish this absurd and terrifying thought from his mind.
"Okay, I understand," he said to Liu Bo, forcing a calm expression. "Give me this document; I'll deliver it to the manager myself."
"Ah, okay."
Liang Haiyuan took the thin document, which seemed to carry an ominous aura, took a deep breath, and, as if heading to his execution, knocked on the manager's office door again.
Pushing open the door, the office remained as serene as ever.
Su Hao was facing the computer screen, his fingers occasionally tapping the keyboard, his expression calm and composed.
It was as if the soaring stock market outside, causing countless traders to tremble with fear, had absolutely nothing to do with him.
The scene, no matter how you looked at it, exuded an indescribable eeriness.
"Manager, the data compiled by the research department has arrived," Liang Haiyuan respectfully handed over the document.
"Oh, thanks for your hard work. Just put it here."
Su Hao took the document, his gaze never leaving the screen. He casually flipped through it, then picked up a pen and began meticulously marking up the report, which he considered utterly nonsensical, as if selecting something.
Liang Haiyuan stood beside him, watching the manager earnestly making marks on what he considered utterly incomprehensible report.
The awkwardness in his heart, the unease as if a huge boulder were pressing down on him, grew wildly like weeds, almost bursting out of his chest.
He felt it was necessary, and obligatory, to make one last struggle, even knowing it was futile, even knowing it might anger his mysterious superior.
“Manager…we…really…decided to go in this…direction? Won't we…reconsider?”
Su Hao, who was busy marking “prey” on the report, finally stopped writing.
He slowly raised his head, looking at Liang Haiyuan standing before him, his forehead already beaded with sweat.
“Liang Haiyuan,” Su Hao began slowly, his voice soft yet exceptionally clear to Liang Haiyuan:
“Although we are a team with an overall strategy, ultimately, traders are responsible for their own trading results. The company looks at each individual's individual performance, right?”
He shifted his tone, still calm:
“So, if you are absolutely, absolutely certain that your own judgment is truly correct, then you are perfectly free to operate according to your own ideas. I respect your professional judgment and personal choice.”
This sounded so democratic, so enlightened, so considerate of subordinates, right?
But Liang Haiyuan, a seasoned professional, could hear the underlying message with his own eyes:
I'm the boss!
If you don't trust me, think I'm giving bad advice, and want to leave the team to work independently?
You'll see if I don't work you out!
Su Hao picked up the document he had marked and handed it to Liang Haiyuan:
"Take this document and distribute it to the team members. They can invest in the targets I've selected. If they feel they have better options, or discover other more suitable opportunities, they can decide for themselves what to invest in. Be flexible; I don't want to be a one-man show."
"...Yes, Manager."
Liang Haiyuan mechanically took the document, which felt incredibly heavy. Hearing the underlying threat in his manager's words, he felt his hands tremble slightly.
He nodded, then turned to flee the oppressive, suffocating office.
“Oh, right,” just as Liang Haiyuan was about to touch the doorknob, Su Hao called him back, adding in a tone still calm but carrying a chilling undertone:
“This investment strategy was decided by me. So, whatever the final outcome, I will bear all the responsibility.”
“…Yes!”
This time, Liang Haiyuan's heart felt like it had been gripped tightly by an invisible hand, and he practically fled the manager's office.
Back at his seat, he relayed the manager's instructions verbatim to the other department members, who were already as frightened as birds in flight.
Then, as if his spine had been ripped out, he slumped into his chair, his mind still buzzing, Su Hao's words echoing repeatedly, and the chilling power behind them.
He stared blankly at the computer screen.
A trading software interface was open on the screen, displaying the market index and various index ETFs.
On the left, the market index was surging with increasing volume.
On the right, various ETFs were being frantically sought after by countless funds, with surging buy orders and active trading, clearly the mainstream choice in the market, a place where "smart money" was congregating.
Buying them would likely guarantee this month's performance, and might even yield a substantial profit.
'If I had actually followed my own idea and gone long... even if I was right and the manager was wrong, he has powerful connections, so even if he lost, he wouldn't be in any trouble. Then, this "disobedient" troublemaker would probably be the first to be singled out and made an example of, suffering a horrible defeat.'
Liang Haiyuan grew increasingly alarmed, and the cold sweat he had just wiped away on his back reappeared.
In private equity firms, especially in high-pressure trading departments like theirs, disagreements over investment strategies, and even open opposition from team members to the manager, are not uncommon.
According to the rules, a manager can't force department members to buy or sell anything; after all, everyone is a trader with an independent agreement with the company.
Theoretically, everyone can do their own thing; at worst, relationships will sour, and they can rely on their own abilities in the future.
But this guy... is this a "normal manager" as we would expect?!
This newcomer, with almost no experience, has directly taken up the position of powerful manager.
Throughout the company, from the board of directors to other departments, not a single voice has openly questioned or expressed dissent!
What does this mean?
It means his backing is so strong that he can completely disregard the rules! So strong that he can do whatever he wants!
Offending him is essentially the same as directly offending the company's chairman!
"Damn it!" Liang Haiyuan gritted his teeth, the last trace of hesitation in his eyes replaced by madness, gradually becoming resolute, "I'll gamble!!"
"Didn't the manager already say? If we made a mistake, he'll take responsibility! He'll shoulder the blame!"
That nonchalant statement, brimming with confidence and assurance, was practically a blatant declaration to the world: I have powerful backers!
Someone's got my back!
Even if the entire department loses all its money, I can afford it!
This department won't fall apart!
My position as manager is as solid as a rock!
You guys working for me, even if we lose money, you won't starve!
Just how powerful a patron is that?!
What an incredible backing!
What a powerful background! How dare they say such things in the ever-changing, brutally ruthless financial market?!
If I don't hold on tight, I'll be letting down my own desire for advancement and to keep my job!
Click, click.
Liang Haiyuan's fingers flew across the mouse, his movements precise and swift, carrying a do-or-die determination.
Short stock index futures! Place order!
Short short positions in related stocks across all sectors! Place order!
Deep out-of-the-money put options, according to the proportions set by that amazing manager, place an order!
He executed Su Hao's plan flawlessly, meticulously, and without hesitation, precisely investing all available funds in the department into assets that moved completely in the opposite direction of the market trend!
At this moment, it wasn't like he was engaging in a high-risk, unpredictable financial speculation, but rather carrying out a sacred, inviolable decree.
Just then—
[System Warning: Dear Liang Haiyuan, your current investment department's risk exposure has significantly deviated from the market benchmark and has triggered the department's maximum risk control threshold! Please adjust your positions immediately to control risk! Repeat, please adjust your positions immediately to control risk!]
The risk management department's damned automatic alarm system popped up precisely on time, flashing glaring, blood-red warning text in the center of the screen.
Nonsense!
What he's doing now is going against the tide, recklessly pouring huge sums of money into what everyone considers an abyss of fire. It would be a miracle if the risk control system didn't trigger an alarm!
If even this kind of operation doesn't raise an alarm, then all those highly paid guys in the risk control department could be laid off and stay home with their kids!
Liang Haiyuan's hand trembled very slightly, almost imperceptibly, because of this sudden, yet expected, warning.
His heart clenched sharply.
But only for a moment.
He stared intently at the flashing red warning text, and a twisted, almost manic smile, tinged with self-mockery and a desperate madness, suddenly appeared on his lips.
"Risk management?"
He muttered under his breath, then finished the sentence in a low, menacing voice, gritting his teeth:
"To hell with risk management! My biggest risk right now is not clinging to the manager!"
With that, he moved the mouse, aimed at the obtrusive warning window's upper right corner "X," and clicked it hard!