This was a rule established by Zhou Muchen and the others: every time the Yunshan Club admitted new members, they would get together first to get to know each other.
Liu Yutong naturally understood what he meant.
As a newcomer who had just joined the Yunshan Club and had suddenly become the "big sister" in Zhou Muchen and the others' eyes, she needed to show some real capability to earn everyone's genuine respect.
Especially when she heard the words "the Bai family" and "cross-border trade," a sharp glint flashed extremely quickly in her eyes.
This was one of the important reasons she had agreed to join the Yunshan Club—to utilize their resources.
"Alright, just notify me once the time and place are set."
Liu Yutong paused briefly before adding, "Actually, I've recently been looking into a potentially very lucrative opportunity. Perhaps we can all discuss it together then."
Zhou Muchen's eyes lit up. "Sister Yutong, do you have a good lead?"
Lu Hong, Zhu Silin, and even Li Xiaohui all turned to look at her in unison upon hearing this.
Liu Yutong first kept them in suspense, asking, "Do you remember the bet we made last time?"
Zhu Silin was the first to react. "I remember, Sister Yutong, you said Lehman Brothers would go bankrupt?"
Liu Yutong nodded. "I know, Silin, and all of you, actually don't quite believe that a major investment bank like Lehman could really collapse. That's understandable. After all, its size is enormous; even a slight disturbance could trigger a massive shock. When I dared to make that bet with you, it was based on some information I had learned and my own judgment."
She paused and asked again, "Have you been following the financial markets in the U.S. recently? Especially their subprime mortgage sector."
Zhou Muchen said, "I think I've heard something about it. They say their housing prices have gone crazy, maybe there's a bubble?"
Zhu Silin thought carefully for a moment and then said, "Hmm, there are indeed some signs. My family's recent business dealings with the U.S. side—it feels like the banks' funding reviews have become much stricter than before."
Liu Yutong nodded again and then revealed the earth-shattering idea she had been brewing for a long time: "Whether you believe it or not, I think it's not just a bubble, but a volcano about to erupt. Investment banks like Lehman Brothers, which are deeply involved in subprime business, will likely be the first to bear the brunt."
"So I believe, shorting Lehman or, more directly, shorting the U.S. stock indices, is a great opportunity to make a lot of money."
"Short Lehman?" Zhou Muchen drew a sharp breath.
Even someone with his family background was stunned by Liu Yutong's idea.
That was one of the giants of Wall Street!
"Sister Yutong, isn't the risk too high?"
"High risk means high return."
"I've analyzed some data and market reports. Their leverage ratios and holdings of high-risk assets are nearing a critical point. The storm is gathering; it's just that most people are still intoxicated by the false prosperity. What we need to do is prepare our hunting nets before the storm hits."
"However, this requires massive capital, professional traders, and, most crucially, secure and discreet cross-border fund channels. My own strength is limited. If we can combine everyone's resources, especially Miss Bai's family channels, we are sure to achieve returns far beyond everyone's imagination!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the private room instantly fell silent.
Zhou Muchen and the others looked at each other, seeing shock, hesitation, and a hint of indescribable excitement in each other's eyes.
Although Li Xiaohui only had a superficial understanding of financial operations, she unconditionally trusted Liu Yutong, her eyes filled with admiration.
If Sister Yutong said they could make a lot of money, then they definitely could.
Zhu Silin, however, frowned slightly, clearly quickly assessing the risks and feasibility.
Among the group, she had a deeper understanding of investing and stock trading.
Liu Yutong's idea went beyond her conventional knowledge; it seemed more like a high-stakes gamble, a cross-border capital game.
To be honest, she really wanted to believe Liu Yutong, but her experience and rationality were warning her that this probably wasn't an easy deal to pull off.
To put it bluntly, she still didn't believe Lehman would go bankrupt.
Just then.
Zhou Muchen's phone suddenly vibrated.
He picked it up, glanced at the caller ID, his expression changing slightly. He gestured "wait a moment" to the others, got up, and walked to the corner of the room to answer.
"Hello, Dad... Yes, still having dinner... What?!"
"The Xue family matter is already...? The investigation team is moving this fast?"
"Okay... I understand. I won't cause any trouble, don't worry, Dad."
After hanging up, he returned to his seat.
His gaze towards Liu Yutong now held a touch of complexity.
"Just got news. Regarding the Xue family matter, the investigation team is taking serious action, faster and harsher than imagined. Xue Chen's father... I'm afraid it will be very hard for him to get out. The higher-ups are determined to make an example this time."
This news undoubtedly poured cold water over everyone's heads, making them more acutely aware of the meaning of: one wrong step, and you face eternal ruin!
At the same time, it also made them more clearly sense Liu Yutong's terrifying capability—she had arranged the Xue family's outcome well in advance.
Thankfully, they hadn't offended her irreparably, otherwise who knows what might have happened.
"Sister Yutong, can we discuss this matter again after Shen Hao and Bai Shisui return?"
Liu Yutong, however, shook her head. "Time waits for no one. I understand your concerns about the high risk. Even if you don't participate, I will go ahead with this myself. You just need to help me make connections, secure some reliable overseas accounts and channel relationships. Once I make money, I naturally won't forget everyone's help. I'll host a banquet then to properly thank you all."
She had been thinking about shorting Lehman and the U.S. indices for a long time, mainly driven by financial pressure.
Although the Wanlong Association was thriving, its funding gap was also terrifyingly large.
To secure large sums of money in a short time, the stock market was the best choice.
She definitely wouldn't short the domestic stock market. Although she knew the A-share market would also plummet around this time, if she actually took action, she might face the regulatory iron fist first.
So, to get the wool, you have to go abroad.
Of course, if enough capital was prepared, the final returns would be greater, and they would have more force when selling off.
This was also one of the reasons she didn't hide her plan and told everyone directly.
At most, even squeezing everything, the Wanlong Association could only come up with five hundred million. That money would at best allow them to sip some broth.
To get a real feast, they ideally needed to raise two to three billion, preferably in U.S. dollars, to truly enjoy a full-course banquet.
Stirred by Liu Yutong's final words "I will go myself," Zhou Muchen suddenly stood up.
"Sister Yutong, what are you saying? Since we're all on the same side now, how can we let you take the risk alone? I'll contact Shen Hao and Shisui tonight, give them a heads-up first, have them return early. At the very least, we need to settle the overseas accounts and channels as soon as possible. As for how much to invest and how to do it, we'll talk directly as soon as they land!"
Seeing this, Lu Hong immediately chimed in, "Count me in. Just name the amount you need for cash flow, Sister Yutong, and I'll be there!"
He still had considerable faith in Liu Yutong's judgment, largely because of that last bet.
Zhu Silin was still somewhat hesitant, but seeing both Zhou Muchen and Lu Hong commit, she nodded. "I can contribute some funds. Also, I know a bit about overseas financial operations. If needed, I can help to mitigate some of the risks as much as possible."
Li Xiaohui also joined in the excitement, saying, "Sister Yutong, if you're taking me along to make money, my funds might not be huge, but I can definitely pitch in!"
"Good. Since you've all chosen to trust me, I won't let you down."
Liu Yutong took her laptop out of her handbag, opened the stock trading interface, and slid it in front of Zhu Silin.
"This is my proof of confidence for all of you."
Upon seeing the screen, Zhu Silin gasped in astonishment. "An annual return of 862%! Sister Yutong, is this... is this really the profit from your trading account?"
