Chapter 605: The First Snow on the Mountain Peak

"What about Fanghuan Investment?" President BD finally got to the crucial point. "What...what's their reaction?"
"No reaction whatsoever."
"What?" BD's brows furrowed instantly. "You mean...no reaction at all?"
"Yes, Mr. President. Deathly silence."
"..."
For some reason, this answer sent a chill down BD's spine.
This was far more terrifying than Fanghuan's open declaration of war and mobilizing trillions of dollars to crash the market.
Normally, any normal company, faced with such blatant industry bullying and unfair treatment...
would have been furious, assembled the world's top legal team, held a press conference, and made a huge scene.
But Fanghuan Investment remained as quiet as a graveyard.
It was a suffocating silence, like the gaze of an abyss.
They simply remained there, like the calm before a storm.
No, it was more like a colossal beast lurking in the abyss, its presence completely concealed!
It was more like... a countdown to a nuclear launch!
President BD felt a cold sweat instantly run down his back.
"Has Fang Huan sent any messages through 'John'?"
"No, Mr. President. Not a single word."
For him, the president of the world's leading superpower, to be acting like a schoolchild, anxiously awaiting "instructions" from a private company—it was utterly a ridiculous joke.
But BD knew better than anyone who had secured his position.
“No statement, no action…” President BD muttered to himself. “This means they’re preparing… an even more vicious retaliation!”
“Go, pass on a message to those Democratic lawmakers who’re colluding with the insurance association.
Tell them they can play with fire, but they shouldn’t get burned.
When choosing sides, they’d better open their eyes wide and see clearly which side is good and which is bad!”
He didn’t want to experience another government shutdown and become a “lame duck president.”
The fear of being controlled by Fang Huan still woke him up in the middle of the night.
“But speaking of which…” A gloating smile suddenly appeared on President BD’s lips.
“Those arrogant bastards in the insurance industry really do need to be taught a lesson.”
He was genuinely curious about this lawless, exploitative insurance interest group…
How exactly would Fang Huan artistically crush us into a dazzling pile of fireworks?
***
Meanwhile, in Su Hao's office.
"Los Angeles also rejected our license application?"
Su Hao listened to Li Huilin's report, his brow furrowed.
"Yes, Chairman Su. The reason for the rejection is that our business model poses a significant risk of market disruption and does not meet the entry standards.
Of course, it was followed by a whole bunch of baseless accusations…
In short, someone doesn't want us to enter the market."
In China, Fang Huan's process of establishing an insurance company was incredibly smooth, with approvals flowing effortlessly.
But in this "free" land, things became complicated.
Under a federal system, each state is an independent kingdom with wildly varying rules.
Even so, the current situation, where almost all states unanimously refuse, is highly unusual.
“Is it all because of the Insurance Association?”
“That’s right. They see us as a monster and are using all their power to lobby the states, not only to prevent us from getting a license but also to try and completely expel us from the insurance industry.”
Clearly, Fang Huan’s investment, this formidable newcomer, has touched a nerve with the local powers.
“And,” Li Huilin continued,
“Didn’t we launch that campaign before, to provide compensation for policyholders who suffered unfair treatment?
Now, they even want to interfere with that, saying we’re maliciously defaming our competitors’ reputations, constituting unfair competition, and they’re clamoring for sanctions against us.”
Liang Haiyuan, standing next to Su Hao, couldn’t help but complain:
“Are these people out of their minds? Do they really think we’re here to steal their business?”
“Absolutely. In their eyes, our ‘helping the vulnerable’ thing is just a facade.
Actually, we want to use these underhanded methods to steal all their clients.
That’s why they’re acting like mad dogs, biting anyone they see.”
To be honest, Su Hao really didn’t intend to steal anyone’s business this time.
His initial intention was incredibly pure, like the first snow on a mountaintop.
He simply wanted to offer a light to those struggling in darkness.
To do some charity, to accumulate some good karma.
That’s all.
He had absolutely no interest in the stagnant, bloated, and abnormally profitable insurance industry.
However, this world is always full of prejudice and misunderstanding.
There are always people who habitually judge others' nobility with their own tainted hearts.
He clearly wanted to be a life-saving angel in white, but in others' eyes, he became a notorious thief sharpening his knife, preparing to rob a house.
“It seems this misunderstanding needs to be clarified,” Su Hao said calmly.
“Or, should we go straight to legal proceedings?” Li Huilin suggested.
“But that would be too time-consuming and exhausting. And…
We weren't originally in it to make money from insurance. To fight a protracted lawsuit for a charity project seems a bit… like making a mountain out of a molehill?”
Su Hao agreed. Fang Huan's actions, ostensibly business-driven, were in reality charitable.
If doing good deeds required first getting into a bloody fight, that would be too darkly humorous.
"...So, Chairman Su, why don't we sit down with the Insurance Association and have a calm discussion to clear up this misunderstanding?"
"That's fine. Send someone to send them a message expressing our willingness to communicate and see if we can have a chat."
Cartels—that's the terrifying aspect of monopolistic alliances.
From their perspective, the sudden arrival of Fang Huan, this behemoth, would indeed cause them panic and rejection.
Su Hao could understand their exaggerated reaction.
"But, Chairman Su, what if they don't appreciate our kindness?" Liang Haiyuan asked.
"How about we have the Strategy Department contact them?" Li Huilin suggested,
"Let them 'persuade' the Insurance Association to resolve this beautiful misunderstanding?"
Suddenly, a barely perceptible tingling sensation spread through Su Hao's fingertips.
Indeed, it's better to let professionals handle things professionally than to have these traders deal with the other party. It seems much more effective to have the department specializing in "difficult cases" handle it.
"Okay. Let the strategy department handle it 'properly'." Su Hao nodded.
"Remember, emphasize that our initial intention is to do good, not to take away their jobs."
Su Hao had a vague feeling that this matter was going to fall through.
But for some reason, his intuition had been sending him a strong signal from the very beginning.
This meant that a turning point was about to appear!