During this period, Zhang Yonghao, Vice President Wang, and the Chief Financial Officer were having a tough time.

After all, anyone who suddenly loses more than twenty billion would feel terrible.

But when they finally made the decision to part ways with Chen Yan, they felt completely relieved.

For them, it felt as if a nightmare had ended.

Especially in the following days, as oil futures prices continued to rise, confirming their correct judgement with the only issue being Chen Yan, their happiness increased even more.

After all, losing money is distressing, but if your enemy loses more than you, it's somewhat comforting.

What's more, they not only lost less money than Chen Yan but they also had a backup plan and were highly likely to take over Chen Yan's shares and oust him from the game.

So, they were even happier.

This also led them to take some pleasure in Chen Yan's misfortune when talking about him later, thinking that he had really screwed up this time.

When the crude oil futures prices were clearly in a downtrend, and Chen Yan was bound to take a significant loss, many people sided with them.

They were seen as decisive individuals who knew when to cut their losses and show impressive resolve.

But then...

When the "polar bear" made a sudden entry, when OPEC took action, when oil prices started to crash, everything reversed.

Watching those plummeting curves on the screen, browsing through online news flash after flash of dropping oil futures prices, seeing Chen Yan's account balance skyrocketing like a rolling snowball...

Their faces turned green.

In those two days, the three of them held at least seven or eight small meetings and smoked at least a dozen packs of cigarettes.

Regret filled every one of them.

If there's anything worse than losing money, it's knowing that if you had just held on for a few more days, you could've succeeded, but you didn't.

After walking 99 steps of a 100-step journey, stopping just before the last step is an incredible source of regret.

Such remorse could drown a person like a tide.

And this emotion reached its peak when word got out from the Hong Kong financial sector that Chen Yan had made 120-130 billion in this futures operation.

The Chief Financial Officer was pale as a ghost, his body cold. With bloodshot eyes, he looked at Zhang Yonghao and asked, "President Zhang, is there... any chance we could talk to Chen Yan again?"

Zhang Yonghao, with cracked lips and lifeless eyes, turned to the Chief Financial Officer. With a hoarse voice, he asked, "How do we find him?"

"What do we say to him?"

"Ask him to share some of the money with us?"

At this point, Vice President Wang collapsed on the sofa, already on the verge of a breakdown, muttering, "He more than doubled his money. More than doubled."

"If we had stuck with Chen Yan, that 40 billion could have turned into more than 100 billion."

"And now we're left with a mere dozen billion."

"In the end... we're off by nearly tenfold. We've lost over 80 billion!"

With that, he became overwhelmed with emotion, "80 billion! 80 billion in cash! How much do the rich on the domestic wealth ranking have?"

"We could have aimed for the top 100!"

"And it's all in cash! Cash!"

"Our company is worth what? 200 billion!"

"And to think, in just these few days, we've lost half the company!"

He pounded the sofa hard, clearly filled with immense frustration and regret.

Seeing Vice President Wang like that, the Chief Financial Officer licked his lips, his eyes lighting up with new hope as he looked eagerly at Zhang Yonghao, "President Zhang, are you saying we really can't talk to Chen Yan?"

"He himself made 130 billion, and we've lost over 20 billion following him in futures trading. By any moral or logical standard, shouldn't he bear some responsibility?"

"We're not asking to make back that 80 billion."

"But couldn't he compensate us to break even?"

"For instance, if he just gave us the spare change, like 20 or 30 billion. That way, we wouldn't lose or gain, maybe even make a small profit."

Upon hearing the Chief Financial Officer's words, Vice President Wang jumped to his feet as if grasping a lifeline, "That makes sense!"

"He led us in futures trading, he profited, we lost. He ought to compensate us a bit."

"That's a solid point, President Zhang!"

Despite feeling that such excuses would be useless, Zhang Yonghao, who had incurred the greatest loss, hoped to recover some funds.

Therefore, he also thought it was a good idea.

And he considered even more...

He said, "I feel that just saying this won't be enough to convince Chen Yan. But now that he's won, he's not just earned the money, but also holds 60% of the company's shares, making him the majority shareholder."

"I'll tell him we're his loyal supporter and have always worked well."

"We've made significant contributions to him and the company."

"However, now that this money is lost, we truly lack the heart to work."

"So, we want to ask him, considering our financial loss, to help us recover some funds."

He paused, then added, "As for how much he feels like compensating, that's up to him."

"We can't morally blackmail him, right?"

Hearing Zhang Yonghao's words, both Vice President Wang and the Chief Financial Officer quickly nodded in agreement, "That seems reasonable." "I think it's a viable plan." ....

........

Ever since Chen Yan had reaped a fortune from the entire Hong Kong financial circuit, amassing over 120 billion, his phone had been silent.

Those who had become wealthy and established family enterprises are well-informed and know how to adapt to the winds of change.

Previously, the upheaval caused by Chen Yan and Zhang Yonghao's futures trading had garnered everyone's attention.

But now, with the unexpected arrival of a black swan event, and Chen Yan making a fortune, everyone received the news immediately.

Consequently, many came seeking a connection, reminiscing with Chen Yan and looking to get acquainted or partner with him.

After completing all his futures transactions, Chen Yan's landline and mobile phone never went silent.

It was a nonstop chorus of ringing tones like the tinkling of spring water.

Chen Yan took calls one after another, casually chatting with both familiar and unfamiliar tycoons.

Chen Yan felt that he had virtually met all the tycoons of Tiandu and Qindong in one day.

However, upon hanging up, Chen Yan realized there were two people among the tycoons of these two places who had yet to call.

One was He Ruifeng, and the other was Zhao Xuan...

They acted as if they were unaware of Chen Yan weathering the storm, showing no concern whatsoever.

If it had been before, Chen Yan might have felt disregarded by them, their failure to even call and congratulate him. But after recent events, Chen Yan understood that perhaps this truly signified family...

While he was contemplating this, suddenly his mobile phone ringtone went off again.

Chen Yan, out of habit, picked it up without even looking at the number.

Just as he was about to exchange pleasantries, Zhang Yonghao's voice came through the other end, "Hello, President Chen?"

Along with Zhang Yonghao's voice, Chen Yan felt goosebumps all over.

This was the first time Chen Yan had heard such a sycophant tone.

A grown man exhibiting such obsequiousness, a voice dripping with sycophantic sweetness that made Chen Yan's skin crawl.

He couldn't help but ask, "What's up?"

Zhang Yonghao coughed and said, "Nothing much, just wanted to congratulate you."

Chen Yan: .....

To be honest, after contending with Zhang Yonghao for so long, Chen Yan realized for the first time that the regular him didn't seem so irksome...

Subsequently, Zhang Yonghao, like cling film, relentlessly searched for excuses to keep the conversation with Chen Yan going. But when Chen Yan pressed him for his real intentions, he kept beating around the bush.

Chen Yan, exasperated to death, would have hung up immediately were it not for the unfinished procedures on Qin Ming's end.

Perhaps sensing Chen Yan's impatience, Zhang Yonghao, after several roundabout attempts, finally revealed his motive.

"It was you who led us in futures trading, and we lost, so you also bear some responsibility,"

"You made so much money, a little more or less doesn't make any difference, so why don't you give us the spare change from those 20 billion plus."

"We are your most loyal subordinates, devoted and diligent."

Chen Yan was about to vomit hearing this!

Who on earth gave Zhang Yonghao the audacity to say such shameless things?

Chen Yan had led him in futures trading, and when he lost, Chen Yan should be responsible? But let's not forget, it was Zhang Yonghao himself who wanted to back out, and Chen Yan had never persuaded him to stay.

Moreover, what did Chen Yan earning money have to do with him? To think Chen Yan should compensate him.

And more so... the spare change of more than 20 billion?

Who gave him the face to say such things? Just how much money did Zhang Yonghao have that more than 20 billion could be considered spare change?

And what was more regrettable was "devotion."

Chen Yan had just found out from Zhao Xuan that Zhang Yonghao had just betrayed him. Counting this time, Zhang Yonghao had already defected to Chen Yan's enemies three times in a row!

Chen Yan felt this guy really redefined what it meant to be "devoted."

The brazenness of these shameless words could only come from him.

Thus, Chen Yan flatly refused, "Mr. Zhang, I think your considerations are a bit too idealistic."

"At first, I gave you the opportunity to make money, and you didn't seize it."

"Now you want me to compensate you, which neither emotionally nor rationally seems appropriate."

Chen Yan's response was clearly not beyond Zhang Yonghao's expectations.

He had made the call because the three of them had already thought of the proper words to say.

So he coughed once and said, "President Chen, we can understand your choice."

"However, the three of us have lost money and are really unable to focus on work."

"We didn't have much money to begin with, and now we've lost our savings, how could we possibly handle it?"

"If we can't focus on our work, the company's development will come to a halt."

"If the company's development stalls, its valuation will decrease."

"And you are now the company's major shareholder."

"So, if you consider it, which loss is greater in the end?"

Hearing Zhang Yonghao's words, Chen Yan was dumbfounded, "Are you threatening me?"

Zhang Yonghao quickly denied on the other end of the phone, "I'm not, President Chen. I'm just stating a possible fact."

Hearing Zhang Yonghao's words, Chen Yan laughed.

He said, "Zhang Yonghao, you really are... resorting to all kinds of despicable tactics now."

Zhang Yonghao coughed, "President Chen, I have no choice. We really can't focus on work."

Just as Zhang Yonghao was speaking, Chen Yan's phone suddenly vibrated.

He picked it up and saw he had received a WeChat message from Qin Ming.

He opened it, Qin Ming had messaged him,

[Brother Chen, the notary has been done. That 5% of the shares is now yours!]

Reading this message, Chen Yan shook his head in thought.

Better timely than early.

Perhaps, even Tiandu couldn't stand Zhang Yonghao's foolishness anymore.

Thinking so, Chen Yan cleared his throat and then spoke to Zhang Yong, "Zhang Yonghao, since you keep saying you can't focus on work, then I won't force you."

"Take the initiative and resign from your position as general manager."

"I'll give you, Vice President Wang, and the Chief Financial Officer a break."

"Let go of work for now."

Hearing Chen Yan's words, Zhang Yonghao laughed and said, "President Chen. I will not resign."

"After all, the company is my life's work; even if I'm not in good condition, I don't want to leave the company."

Chen Yan said, "This isn't about what you want now."

"If you don't want to resign voluntarily, then for the sake of the company's development, I'll have to call a board meeting and then remove you from the position of general manager."

Chen Yan's words were something Zhang Yonghao had obviously predicted, and he said unconcernedly, "President Chen. Changing the general manager is a major matter. Although I'm no longer the biggest shareholder, our management collectively holds more than 35%, with veto power."

Chen Yan laughed and said, "Is that so? You exceed 35%. How come I wasn't aware."

"I just did the math, and I hold more than 65% of the shares."

Hearing Chen Yan's words, Zhang Yonghao "pfft" laughed, "President Chen, what joke are you telling..."

Before he could finish his mockery,

It was then he seemed to have suddenly guessed something and froze.

After a moment, he said with panic, "How did you get that 5% of shares?"

Chen Yan said with a laugh, "Where else could it come from? Didn't you sell them to Zhao Qingtian?"

Zhang Yonghao was silent on the other end for a very long time.

After a while, he seemed to have "guessed" everything and said in terror, "You and Zhao Qingtian are actually in cahoots?!"

"Did you set a trap just to snatch the company from my hands?!"

"You guys are too cruel!"

Seeing Zhang Yonghao's misunderstanding, Chen Yan was stunned for a moment, but then he suddenly found this development quite interesting.

This might actually cause Zhao Qingtian some amusing trouble.

So he laughed and said, "So what if you guessed? Now the shares are all in our hands."

"Zhang Yonghao, you win some, you lose some. Stop whining like a sore loser."

"The moment you first betrayed me, you sealed your fate for today."

After finishing, Chen Yan nonchalantly hung up the phone, ignoring Zhang Yonghao's slew of curses on the other end…

After hanging up, Chen Yan didn't idle around and instead called Qin Ming directly.

Once the phone connected, Chen Yan didn't make small talk but simply said, "Go ahead."

That afternoon, Qin Ming, following orders, went straight to Headline Technology with the authorization letter Chen Yan had given him and forcefully called a temporary board meeting.

At the meeting, Qin Ming tried to remove Zhang Yonghao but faced strong opposition from Zhang Yonghao and the directors who sided with him.

So, Qin Ming leveraged the absolute control of over 65% of the shares to re-elect the board of directors.

He ruthlessly ousted Zhang Yonghao's ardent supporters being probed, removing them from the game.

Afterwards, Chen Yan became the company's chairman, and his own people like He Mengxue and Pang Wenbo became directors.

Once the board of directors had been elected, Qin Ming convened another temporary board meeting and again proposed the removal of the original chairman and current general manager, Zhang Yonghao.

This time, since his own people were all in place, his wish was fulfilled.

Thus, Zhang Yonghao was completely ousted from Headline Technology.

Apart from the limited Headline shares he still held, he had no further ties with Headline Technology.

And even for those shares, Chen Yan could easily dilute them all using the method he deemed fit…

After ousting Zhang Yonghao, Qin Ming proceeded with the original plan, becoming the CEO of Headline Technology and the de facto person in charge.

By this time, the prestige he had built up in the company over the past few months, and the connections he had drawn, all came into play.

After the initial shock, the employees calmed down.

Once Zhang Yonghao's die-hard supporters were purged, Qin Ming brought in his own cultivated and rallied personnel, ensuring the company's operations weren't affected.

So, after a few days of adjustment, Headline Technology quickly resumed smooth operation.

And when everything finally settled, the result of the company's struggle began to emerge.

No one thought that the two "intimate" partners in futures trading would suddenly draw their daggers.

Moreover, no one imagined that Zhang Yonghao, the founder of Headline Technology, would be kicked out without a fight.

As more details were uncovered, and the shock of Chen Yan making billions trading oil futures spread, the impact of the event gradually started to resonate…

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