chapter 14 Do not believe

Egbert Zhang's words directly took everyone by surprise.
Zhang Property Group was a top-quality enterprise in Zhonghai City and was among the best in a plethora of companies.
Before this, their shares were hard to obtain, but now, they actually planned to increase their capital and issue more shares?!
"Mr. Zhang, are you joking with us? You're increasing capital and issuing shares. Does your company lack funds?" Polly Li asked, immediately forgot about Baldwin Qi's matters.
Egbert Zhang smiled lightly and said, "Of course not. Our company is preparing to go public!"
"Everyone is well aware that our Zhang Group is a very competitive enterprise and an old established one. Many of Zhonghai City's properties were built by us."
"This capital increase is quite discreet. It's a benefit for internal employees, allowing them to buy shares in advance. After going public, they can then share the dividends!"
"If it wasn't for our good relationship, and with April here, I wouldn't have mentioned this matter to you all."
April Qiao and Polly Li were both a bit surprised and then excited.
If they could buy some shares of the Zhang Group, once the Zhang Group goes public, they would certainly earn a considerable profit! After all, this was a benefit the Zhang Group prepared for internal employees, but Egbert Zhang informed them. He treated them like insiders!
"Mr. Zhang, count me in. I'll invest ten million to buy some shares. However, given our relationship, can you give me a bit more?" Polly Li laughed.
"Of course, since you and April are close friends, I'll give you this favour! I'll give you an additional ten percent. Would that be generous enough?" Egbert Zhang responded heartily.
After pondering for a moment, April Qiao said, "Mr. Zhang, I am willing to invest twenty million to buy shares!"
Egbert Zhang laughed heartily and said, "Alright, April, for the shares you buy, I'll give you an additional fifteen percent."
Marisol Pang joyfully said, "Mr. Zhang is so generous!"
Clyde Qiao, the old fox, had his suspicions. After all, he was very clear that Egbert Zhang was there because of April Qiao.
Since gold doesn’t strike, but since Egbert Zhang wanted to pursue April Qiao, offering these benefits seemed appropriate.
April Qiao didn't have much capital on hand. Twenty million was her upper limit, and she would have to ask Marisol Pang and Clyde Qiao to chip in. However, this was an opportunity. Once they had shares in the Zhang Group, and after it went public, they would receive significant annual dividends.
"Mr. Zhang is so magnanimous, I toast to you!" April Qiao raised her glass to Egbert Zhang.
"You're too kind, April. You can call me Egbert!" Egbert Zhang said with a grin.
Marisol Pang immediately pinched April Qiao and said, "Exactly, Mr. Zhang treats you so well; you shouldn't be too distant!"
April Qiao subtly said, "Then, I'll call you Brother Zhang from now on."
Egbert Zhang nodded with joy. This was a significant step forward. After this step, why worry about the next ones?
After dinner, Egbert Zhang had someone send April Qiao and the others home.
Clyde Qiao shook hands with Egbert Zhang and said, "Mr. Zhang, April has had a tough time recently. Thank you for helping her like this."
"Clyde, you're too polite. This is what I should do!" Egbert Zhang responded heartily.
In the car, Clyde Qiao called Baldwin Qi, asking him to come to the Qiao residence, saying there was something important to discuss.
Baldwin Qi respected Clyde Qiao and arrived at the Qiao residence in advance.
"Baldwin, I have some good news here that should allow you to make some money," Clyde Qiao smiled.
"Thank you, Uncle Qiao." Baldwin Qi smiled. He wasn't very interested in money. The oligarchs in the Underworld Prison frequently bribed him with amounts in the hundreds of millions.
Clyde Qiao said, "Prepare as much money as you have. If it's not enough, I'll cover for you."
Baldwin Qi laughed and asked, "Uncle Qiao, what kind of business makes you so confident?"
"Hmm, Zhang Property of Egbert Zhang's family is preparing to go public. But this news hasn't been disclosed. It's only known to internal staff, offering them benefits, willing to increase capital and expand stocks. Today, Egbert Zhang informed us about this news. Zhang Property Group is a high-quality company. Holding their stocks would be a sure-fire profitable move!" Clyde Qiao told Baldwin Qi.
A smirk formed at the corner of Baldwin Qi's mouth. He had just heard Fredric Huang say that Zhang Group had significant losses in real estate, and Harold Sun, the president of Zhonghai Bank, was not willing to lend them money.
Now, they were going public out of the blue?
"Zhang Property Group... Isn't the chairman named Jason Zhang?" Baldwin Qi asked.
"You're more informed than I thought, knowing about Mr. Zhang's father, Mr. Jason Zhang!" Polly Li, who had come back with April Qiao, interjected with a hint of sarcasm.
Baldwin Qi calmly responded, "If that's the case, it's best not to buy their stocks. The Zhang Group has severe internal losses and could go bankrupt at any time. Their current internal and external capital increase and stock expansion, I suspect, is mainly to raise funds and then flee."
"What?!"
Everyone was shocked.
April Qiao said sternly, "Baldwin Qi, just because you're incompetent doesn't mean you should begrudge others. Mr. Zhang is trying to help us out of kindness!"
Marisol Pang added, "Exactly. Mr. Zhang said this is a benefit for internal staff. He informed us in advance because of his relationship with April. You ungrateful jerk, don't be so clueless!"
However, Polly Li remained silent, uncharacteristically not saying anything against Baldwin Qi.
"Ego can be detrimental. Since you're unwilling to invest, I'll cover three million for you. Consider it a dowry for marrying April," Clyde Qiao said with a shake of his head.
Baldwin Qi wryly responded, "No, Uncle Qiao, you have to believe me! I had dinner with Fredric Huang today. They said it themselves."
Marisol Pang scoffed, "Nonsense!"
"Today, Mayor Huang personally welcomed esteemed guests at the entrance of the Tiandi Hotel. It must have been some top leader from the provincial government."
"Do you even know your place? A mere second-level prison guard from some unknown, run-down prison gets a personal welcome from Mayor Huang?"
"Next time you brag, be a bit more detailed, so you don't get tongue-tied!"
April Qiao looked displeased, "Baldwin Qi, it's okay if you can't recognize goodwill, but please don't spout such laughable nonsense and don't curse Mr. Zhang."
Baldwin Qi spread his hands helplessly. There was no way to continue explaining.
Clyde Qiao decided, "Let's settle it then. I'll invest three million on your behalf to buy the stocks. Hold onto them and don't sell them carelessly."
Baldwin Qi could only say, "Thank you, Uncle Qiao."
Clyde Qiao looked at him, shook his head, thinking perhaps Baldwin Qi's attitude was due to growing up in a prison. After spending a few more years in the metropolis, he might improve.
However, when Baldwin Qi left, Polly Li excused herself to April Qiao, followed him out, and coldly blocked his path.
"What do you want?" Baldwin Qi asked, slightly raising an eyebrow.
If Polly Li weren't April Qiao's best friend, Baldwin Qi wouldn't have bothered with her.