Chapter 183 Collapse

"No matter how big the situation is, don't lose your composure," Zeng Xinlin said in a deep voice.

Land Tao, panting heavily, managed to stabilize himself and said, "Just received a report. In Hong Kong, our stocks were massively sold off at low prices just now, and now even individual investors are starting to sell. They are being bought back now at more than twice the rate of just now. If this continues..."

Zeng Xinlin's gaze was sharp as a blade. He picked up the phone on the desk and directly connected to Liu Musheng, the head of the finance department. Liu Musheng had been with Changhai Media for half his life and was also an internationally renowned financial trader, always steering the ship of Changhai Media's stocks.

"Uncle Liu, how's the situation?" Zeng Xinlin asked as calmly as possible.

A deep voice came through, "Xinlin, the funding gap is too large. I've already started buying back the stocks that were sold off, but the total amount of funds is not enough. We simply can't make it. If this continues, we will collapse!"

Collapse?!

This news made Zeng Xinlin clench his fist, wishing he could smash the phone right away.

"Alright, I'll raise funds as quickly as possible," Zeng Xinlin said.

After hanging up the phone, Zeng Xinlin immediately instructed Land Tao, "You immediately have all the branch companies send money to headquarters. We'll figure out everything else after we get through this crisis!"

"Yes, President!" Land Tao understood that it was a fight to the death and didn't dare to delay. He immediately ran out.

Zeng Xinlin took a deep breath and dialed a number.

"Hey, Zeng, it's rare for you to call. Missing your old buddy, huh?" The man on the other end of the line laughed heartily.

Hearing the familiar voice, Zeng Xinlin felt somewhat relieved. "Director Wang, I'm really troubled now. Why did so many media outlets report negative news about Changhai Media this morning? The General Administration of Press and Publication is under your jurisdiction. You have to help me out with this. We can't do anything about the news that's already out, but at least provide some remedy."

"What? Are those newspapers just idle and bored after eating? Don't worry, buddy, I'll look into it for you right away."

"Thanks a lot." Zeng Xinlin hung up the phone, sighing. Yes, he still had connections, and the political status of the Zeng family!

However, this was naturally not enough. The most important thing was the funding gap.

Zeng Xinlin picked up the phone again and dialed a number. A woman's voice came through on the other end.

"Master Zeng, why do you have time to call me?" The woman's voice on the other end carried a mature charm.

Zeng Xinlin cursed inwardly, calling her a sly fox, but on the surface, she flattered, "President Zhuang, such a beautiful woman like you wouldn't have time to bother with us little people."

"Giggles, Zeng Gongzi's words are still so sweet. Come on, what brings you to me?"

"Well, it's like this. Suddenly there's an urgent matter at Changlin Media, and I hope President Zhuang can help by allowing me to borrow more money." Zeng Xinlin was anxious and got straight to the point.

President Zhuang remained silent for a moment before saying, "Zeng Gongzi, it's not that I'm being stingy. You know about the bank robbery incident last time. Our bank is in a bit of chaos right now, and many things are inconvenient. Without collateral, the maximum loan can't exceed 150 million. What do you think?"

"Then I'll provide collateral! My subsidiary companies and real estate are all available!"

"If you provide collateral, the money won't be available immediately," President Zhuang said.

Damn it! Are they playing me?!

Zeng Xinlin gritted his teeth and sighed, "Fine, let it be 150 million!"

Every penny counts. After contacting more than a dozen banking institutions, Zeng Xinlin managed to raise several billion funds. However, when he checked the stock market dynamics online, he found it still wasn't enough. To halt this fierce battle, he needed more money!

After much thought, Zeng Xinlin dialed a number he wouldn't call unless absolutely necessary.

It took a while for the call to be answered, and a slightly hoarse voice came from the other end, "Xinlin, I already know about your situation."

"Grandpa, I was careless about this matter, but I've raised enough funds now. I just need another billion, and I believe I can turn the tide! We're the Zhuang family; we have natural advantages, and we can definitely do it!" Zeng Xinlin said earnestly.

There was silence from Grandpa Zeng's end for a while before he asked, "How much funding do you need?"

Zeng Xinlin's face brightened. He knew that although his father was technically the current head of the Zeng family, the real helmsman was undoubtedly this reclusive old man. As long as he nodded, the existing funds of other industries owned by the Zeng family wouldn't be an issue.

"A billion! I just need one billion. Once we get through this difficult period, I'm sure we can earn it back!" Zeng Xinlin said, swallowing hard.

"Xinlin, give it up. Forget about a billion, I can't even immediately give you five hundred million. Moreover, from what I know, even if I give you two billion, it might not be enough to pass this hurdle," Grandpa Zeng sighed.

Zeng Xinlin's face turned pale with anger, and he asked unwillingly, "Why are you so sure, Grandpa, that you can find out who's behind this? Is it Yulei, isn't it?!"

"Yes, according to current intelligence, it's Lin Ruoxi from Yulei,"

"Then Grandpa should be very clear. Yulei invested a whopping fifty billion this time. Even if they're wealthy, they can't suddenly come up with another fifty billion!" Zeng Xinlin confirmed it was Lin Ruoxi's doing, feeling annoyed.

Grandpa Zeng asked, "What if we add Donghua Technology and Xu Jia's Xu Zhihong?"

Like a thunderbolt, it made Zeng Xinlin's hand tremble as he held the phone!

Xu Zhihong?! The Xu Zhihong whom the three families had been dealing with all along was allied with Lin Ruoxi?! Everything became clear in Zeng Xinlin's mind, but simultaneously, he felt chilled to the bone.

What terrifying things had that woman done?!

"Xinlin, you're still young. You're too confident in your abilities and personal charm. In the business world, there's no distinction between men and women, no depth of affection. It's all about deceit and manipulation. Successful businessmen won't give up any opportunity for profit." Grandpa Zeng said, "You've lost this time, thoroughly. Because Lin Ruoxi didn't resort to any illegal means, she won very cleanly. Even I have to admire this girl's wit and methods."

"Grandpa, I can't accept this! I've worked so hard to establish Changlin in Zhonghai, and we just secured such a big deal. How can I just retreat like this?!" Zeng Xinlin's emotions were difficult to contain.

Grandpa Zeng said sternly, "Losing is losing. There will always be opportunities. If you want to defeat your enemies, never fear failure!"

Zeng Xinlin's hand holding the phone stiffened for a moment. After a while, he let out a sigh, "Yes, Grandpa, I understand."

Meanwhile, in Lin Ruoxi's private resort, in a secluded computer room, the atmosphere was entirely different.

Dozens of computers of varying sizes were running at high speed. Nine casually dressed staff were sitting in the center, manipulating them swiftly.

On the large screen, the stock prices of Changlin Media fluctuated, but the overall trend was downward, appearing lifeless.

Lin Ruoxi stood on a raised platform behind, her hands crossed in front of her chest, her expression cold as she watched the flickering screen in silence.

Behind her, Yang Chen sat with Mo Qianni and Xu Zhihong at a round table, also watching as Changlin Media's entire building rapidly headed towards collapse.

Wu Yue walked onto the stage, pushed her glasses up her nose, and reported to Lin Ruoxi, "Ms. Lin, Changlin Media is no longer capable of acquiring any more of their stocks. In a few hours, all the shareholders will stop buying stocks and only continue to sell. Changlin Media will collapse."

"Understood. Let the Athena team continue monitoring the situation here. After it's done, you bring them to join the celebration banquet," Lin Ruoxi said calmly.

Despite having dealt a heavy blow to an almost equally matched opponent, this woman didn't seem particularly excited. A young female member of the Athena team turned around in the audience. She was a chestnut-haired European girl, still chewing on a lollipop, speaking in the fiery summer language with a British accent, and said with a smile, "Boss, we've been busy with this job for so long, can we have a vacation?"

Lin Ruoxi rarely smiled faintly. "Sure, you'll have a month off, and each of you will receive a travel bonus of two hundred thousand."

"Oh yes!" Several male foreign members applauded happily.

Watching this scene from behind, Yang Chen frowned and asked Mo Qianni beside him, "Is she paying them like this?"

"Just two hundred thousand, the members of the Athena team, with their annual salary plus bonuses, get at least three million each. Do you think talent comes cheap?" Mo Qianni rolled her eyes at him.

Yang Chen grumbled discontentedly, "How come I only get tens of thousands a year? This isn't fair, I'm talented too."

Xu Zhihong chuckled nearby. "Mr. Yang, asking your own wife for a raise isn't a good look."

"You're blatantly jealous," Yang Chen said without paying him any mind, then turned to Lin Ruoxi. "Honey, asking for money seems a bit off. Let's talk about it privately when we get back. Can you tell me what's going on here?"

Up until now, Yang Chen had only observed Changlin Media's imminent collapse, but as one of the responsible parties in this three-party cooperation, he had absolutely no idea why all of this was happening!