He Zhitong had just gotten her first taste of the stock market’s allure. Despite her wealthy family background and rich husband, she didn’t have unlimited access to their money. If she could make 10 million Hong Kong dollars in a day, both her natal family and in-laws would view her differently. Due to the strain in her relationship with Tang Yuanyue, the couple’s communication had become purely formal. When He Zhitong purchased 5 million shares of “Lu Family Media,” Tang Yuanyue remained unaware. He wasn’t even in Hong Kong at the time.

Du Zhaohui learned that Qihang had lost 40 million in three days and asked Xia Xiaolan if she needed assistance. She declined: “This is merely the beginning. You haven’t lost your pocket money yet, so don’t worry.”

Du Zhaohui wasn’t concerned. Truly, he couldn’t be bothered about losing tens of millions. Cheng Rong Group’s stock was falling, with daily market value evaporation far exceeding mere tens of millions.

Xia Xiaolan instead counseled him to remain calm: “The tide will turn when it reaches the bridge. Wait a couple of days, your company will see a turnaround.”

Du Zhaohui wondered about the source of Xia Xiaolan’s confidence. Still, her composure provided him comfort.

“I think so too!”

No, you know nothing, you mere follower, she thought.

Xia Xiaolan wanted to say that when the Hong Kong market opened Monday, everything would be falling, making Cheng Rong Group’s decline less conspicuous. After all, stocks would fall regardless. Companies with excellent financial reports would simply fall less. When the broader environment declined, one or two companies barely made a difference. Once investors lost confidence, panic selling became truly frightening!

Saturday morning, Xia Xiaolan opened the financial papers Young You had delivered. The column analysis in the Lu Family’s “South Hong Kong Financial Report” caught her attention. This morning’s papers largely addressed the three-day U.S. market decline, offering authoritative analysis. Regarding the potential impact on Hong Kong stocks, most reports remained subtle – expressing optimism while acknowledging possible U.S. market influence.

Only the “South Hong Kong Financial Report,” likely biased due to their stock being shorted, feared negative market reporting would trigger investor selling. So they wrote: “Last week’s severe U.S. market decline has led all investment experts to recommend purchasing U.S. securities… They believe the U.S. market stands ready to climb again, and investors should acquire stocks and trust funds while prices remain low.”

Heh, believing the U.S. decline temporarily and advising bottom-fishing would only lead to losses. Indeed, 1987’s market analysis proved as unreliable as 2017’s stock experts.

Xia Xiaolan tossed aside the newspaper.

“Director Xia—”

You Li burst in without waiting for permission: “Call from Pengcheng – they’ve found Tian Xiaoyan!”

Xia Xiaolan immediately discarded the financial paper: “Tell me the details. How did they find her?”

It seemed strange how Tian Xiaoyan had hidden in Pengcheng for so long. The police searched for her. The underworld hunted her. Residents sought her. After so many days without news, Xia Xiaolan wondered if something had happened. How could they not locate a living person… unless she lay buried or had fled Pengcheng?

Now that they’d found her, Xia Xiaolan burned with curiosity!

You Li hesitated, prompting Xia Xiaolan to raise an eyebrow: “Are you concealing something?”

You Li’s head nearly touched the desk. “Director Xia, they caught her at the Municipal Government compound entrance… Aunt Liu sustained minor injuries. Please don’t worry, truly just slight wounds…”

Xia Xiaolan had already grabbed her coat, striding quickly to the door: “Tell Zheng Feng to prepare. I’m returning to Pengcheng immediately!”

What constituted a “minor” injury?

Learning of Liu Fen’s injury, Xia Xiaolan couldn’t remain in Hong Kong. Never mind it being Saturday – even with Monday’s market crash looming, she lacked the composure to stay!

Xia Ziyu, who kept constant surveillance, learned of Xia Xiaolan’s departure and smiled: “Seeking reinforcements from the Special Zone? Unable to secure more Hong Kong funding, lacking confidence about Monday’s opening. Have someone follow her, observe whom she meets back in the Special Zone.”

Would she seek Mayor Tang’s financial support?

Xia Ziyu wondered about Xia Xiaolan’s funding sources.

Before crossing the border, Zheng Feng reported while checking the rearview mirror: “Director Xia, we appear to have a tail.”

Xia Xiaolan didn’t look up. “Let them follow!”

Zheng Feng fell silent.

After crossing, Xia Xiaolan headed straight to the hospital.

Liu Fen didn’t require hospitalization. She truly sustained only minor injuries – a knife slash on her arm. By Xia Xiaolan’s arrival, the wound had been stitched and bandaged.

Tang Hongen sat with her in the hallway.

“Mom, Uncle Tang!”

Liu Fen shot Tang Hongen a reproachful look. “Why tell Xiaolan? We agreed not to. It’s nothing serious.”

Tang Hongen shook his head. “It’s not just about your injury. One of Xiaolan’s employees was wounded protecting you. Both personally and professionally, she should visit.”

Liu Fen acknowledged his logic, her expression turning apologetic and grateful: “Yes, Xiaolan should return to check. Thank heaven Little Luo saved me, though he got injured.”

Xia Xiaolan nodded: “I know Luo Yaozong saved you. He took several stab wounds and remains in surgery.”

She gently touched Liu Fen’s bandaged arm. “Does it hurt?”

Seeing her daughter’s reddening eyes, Liu Fen quickly shook her head. “Not at all! Like accidentally cutting yourself while cooking – just a small bleed. The doctor disinfected and stitched it, and said it would heal faster this way!”

Bloodstained Liu Fen’s clothes – apparently what she wore during the attack.

Luo Yaozong, having taken multiple stab wounds, remained in surgery.

From Liu Fen, Xia Xiaolan learned what transpired.

That Saturday morning, Tang Hongen left early for overtime work, as recent weeks proved busy. However, he promised to return for lunch. After his departure, Liu Fen went grocery shopping alone.

Barely 200 meters from the Municipal Government compound, a large man suddenly charged at her with a knife. Liu Fen had no escort – driver Little Wang had taken Tang Hongen to work and hadn’t returned. Nobody expected an attack outside the government compound.

Liu Fen instinctively blocked with her arm.

The attacker shouted about “bad person” and “bad mother” while slashing at Liu Fen. Another figure tackled him, locked in an embrace as they fell, becoming entangled.

Liu Fen clutched her arm and screamed for help. The compound’s security rushed over.

Being Saturday, many officials were home. The response proved immediate – several people emerged to subdue the attacker.

“I don’t know him at all. Why would he suddenly attack me? Old Huang from security had the experience, and the police arrived quickly. Together they found Tian Xiaoyan hiding in the building across the street.”

Liu Fen’s voice still trembled with fear.

Tian Xiaoyan wanted her dead but, lacking the confidence to act personally, hired others!

Was this still a young girl? Too ruthless!