Chapter 1 (8): The Morning the Market Held Its Breath
### 5. Before Disclosure -- The President Who Says Nothing
8:30 AM.
Just before the Shanghai Stock Exchange opened.
Longteng Group's IR floor was wrapped in an eerie silence.
"President, media inquiries are--"
"Same response to all."
Haotian didn't look up from his documents.
"No additional disclosure items at this time."
Nothing more, nothing less.
--But the market knows.
Li Haotian is at his most dangerous when he says nothing.
---
### 6. The Numbers Begin to Speak
Market open.
Longteng shares
were expected to open with heavy selling.
But--
"...The buy side is...thick?"
A dealer's voice rose.
Foreign funds that had been selling until yesterday
were beginning to unwind their positions.
"Short squeeze."
"Rumors are circulating.
'There’s deep-pocketed capital behind them.'"
Haotian remained motionless, staring at the screen.
--Not yet.
This is only the prologue.
---
### 7. The Uncles' Morning
Meanwhile, at the Li family's old mansion.
"...What the hell is this."
One uncle slammed down his newspaper.
"The stock price isn't falling."
"The overseas funds--"
"They've stopped buying."
The messenger's voice trembled.
"One has completely withdrawn.
The other is demanding 're-examination' of contract terms."
"This is absurd!"
--Yet no one speaks Li Haotian's name.
The moment they do,
they'd be admitting he's behind it all.
---
### 8. Feifei -- Final Confirmation
Same time.
"President."
Feifei quietly extended her device.
"Authorities.
Accepted as 'voluntary material submission.'"
"Who's handling it?"
"...Central."
Haotian exhaled briefly.
Not local authorities.
No escape routes remain.
"Uncle faction nominee accounts--
trading restrictions have begun."
"As planned."
Haotian checked his watch.
9:30 AM.
--Thirty minutes until disclosure.
---
### 9. The President's Decision
"Press conference script, final version."
The text Feifei presented--
Haotian never touched with his pen.
"Leave it as is."
"...Won't you show emotion?"
For just a moment, Haotian considered.
"Personal feelings are unnecessary."
He raised his gaze, speaking quietly.
"This isn't a family matter.
It's about corporate governance and law."
Feifei bowed deeply.
--The moment Li Haotian set emotion aside.
---
### 10. The Bell Tolls
9:58 AM.
Beyond the conference room doors,
camera flashes layered like waves.
Haotian straightened his tie and stood.
"Let's go."
This step forward
isn't to save the market.
It's a step to expose the family feud.
