Chapter 1 (7): The Board Turns
### Haotian's Perspective / The Silent Encirclement
### 1. Feifei -- Outline of the Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO)
Two in the morning.
The lights on Longteng Tower's top floor remained on.
"...I've connected the dots."
Feifei's voice was low, controlled.
Spread across the desk: offshore SPVs, trust agreements, collateral documents.
"The 'nominal' investors in the Middle Eastern fund form a three-tier structure.
First layer: a London investment vehicle.
Second layer: Cayman.
Third layer--"
What appeared on screen:
copies of real estate appraisals under Li family names.
"The 'family collective assets' managed by your uncles have been pledged as collateral overseas. The 'operational signatory' involved in the collateral arrangement is under Li family-related names."
Silence.
"Loan execution destination?"
"Flows back to the fund.
And with those funds--"
The graph switched.
"They've been systematically accumulating Longteng shares."
Haotian closed his eyes.
Not a hostile takeover.
This is--
"...Using company assets as collateral
to take back the company."
"Yes.
Formally it's 'overseas fund investment,'
but the actual ultimate beneficial owners are likely your uncles."
Feifei continued matter-of-factly.
"Breach of fiduciary duty.
Plus disclosure violations,
strong suspicion of capital regulation violations."
"Can we prosecute?"
"If financial authorities move, absolutely."
Haotian finally gave a small nod.
"...Good.
But don't release it yet."
"Understood."
Feifei knows.
Evidence is something you reveal when the opponent "can't escape."
---
### 2. Haoming -- The Man Working Behind the Scenes
Meanwhile, Hong Kong.
In a dimly lit private room at a bar,
Haoming tilted his glass.
"Figures the dirty work ends up with me, huh~"
Haoming was not part of the Li family's direct line.
He's the son of Haotian's father's younger sister. Haotian's cousin.
Blood-related, but outside the succession line.
Still, the label "Li President's right-hand man" is useful when he wants to use it.
A man approached quietly.
An intermediary for the overseas funds the uncle faction was using.
Haoming waved lazily, and the man sat.
"You're...lighter than the rumors suggest."
"Hear that a lot."
Haoming shrugged.
"But you know,
sometimes a light guy
makes heavy conversations easier."
The man's eyes searched warily.
"I'll be straight with you."
Haoming was smiling, but his eyes were cold.
"This deal? Not worth it."
"...What do you mean?"
"If Longteng gets 'bought as-is,' maybe fine.
If President Haotian stays--"
Haoming casually slid over a memo.
"Core technology licenses. All designed to transfer to separate entities.
Well, if you read through our materials, it's not exactly classified information."
The intermediary's expression changed.
"The moment the company gets dismantled,
all that's left is real estate and debt."
"I haven't heard anything about--"
"Did the uncles mention it?"
Haoming shrugged.
"They're just using 'the Li family name' as collateral.
But who do you think takes the fall?"
Silence.
"You do."
Haoming pressed quietly.
"Middle Eastern funds
hate 'politically sensitive deals.'
Especially with a whiff of breach of duty."
The intermediary reached for his glass, then stopped.
"...We may need to reconsider the terms."
Haoming smiled brightly.
"Smart move.
'Wait and see' is always wisest."
--One gear on the enemy's side just broke.
---
### 3. The Second Arrow to the Banking Syndicate -- The Pressure of Doing Nothing
The next day.
Haotian deliberately did nothing.
To the banks' follow-up questions,
to the market's expectations for "the next statement,"
Haotian maintained silence.
But beneath the surface.
---
"Terms?"
The foreign megabank representative answered.
"Committed credit line.
Total: 笳銀雷 billion.
Executable immediately, only in case of hostile takeover activation."
"Interest rate?"
"--High.
However,
as a 'white knight,' it's exceptional."
Haotian said without hesitation:
"That'll do."
He doesn't sign the contract yet.
Just secures its "existence."
That fact
--will leak to the banking syndicate, somehow.
---
"...Another bank
has committed to Longteng?"
"Yes. Rumor has it foreign capital is backing them."
The atmosphere shifted at the bank that had suggested reconsideration.
Credit tightening
carries the risk of being the only one left behind.
---
### 4. Counterattack Formation, Complete
Night.
Feifei spoke quietly.
"President. One of the overseas funds
has stopped buying."
"Haoming's setup worked."
"Yes. The other is only a matter of time."
Haotian stood.
"Then--"
Looking down at the city outside the window, he announced:
"Next, we shape the market mood. Legal judgment can come after."
Feifei nodded.
"Submission to authorities is ready."
--The storm isn't over. But the board is already ours.
