Chapter 192: This Isn't Scientific
Yang Fei put away her book, paused, withdrew her hand, then nodded slightly and said, "Someone is manipulating it."
Qiao Xier responded, "Someone's probably shorting Yimao and planning a hostile takeover, right? But Yimao Group is mostly made up of industrial companies focusing on communications and electronics, mainly export-based. With rising labor costs and the Huayuan appreciating against the U.S. dollar, profits have dropped sharply. Their performance isn't bad, but it's not stellar either—barely self-sufficient, not much potential for growth. What big corporation would bother acquiring a company like that?"
As a daughter of a wealthy family and the biological daughter of business powerhouse Ye Jing, Qiao Xier naturally knew the ins and outs of corporate operations, stock funds, and even insider trading. After briefly reviewing Yimao Group's background, she immediately reached a conclusion.
Yang Fei glanced at her, walked over, and looked at the computer screen. "You're right. Yimao's being maliciously shorted. But they're not trying to acquire it—they just want to bring it down."
"Bring it down? How do you know?"
"There are three reasons Yimao's stock price is falling. First, its biggest clients—Denmark's GD Group and America's WB Group—have decided to terminate contracts after the first half of next year. Second, Yimao's stock was recently bought up by a non-hedge fund and then dumped in a short time to create panic. Third, that fund has never dealt in manufacturing before, only finance—so someone must be pulling the strings. Actually, there's a fourth reason…"
Yang Fei casually picked up the last book on the table, weighed it in her hand, and said calmly, "When Yimao was still a state-owned enterprise, my grandfather happened to be the general manager. Those shares were what he left to my mother."
"You mean, someone's targeting you?" Qiao Xier asked in surprise.
A woman as stunning as Yang Fei should've been the center of attention, yet she always kept a low profile.
She was the kind who stayed out of worldly affairs—so who would want to go after her?
Yang Fei glanced at her and replied calmly, "Maybe. Maybe not."
"Judging by your expression…" Qiao Xier studied her carefully, eyes narrowing. "You already know who it is, don't you?"
Yang Fei's lips curved faintly as she reached out and placed the last book back on the shelf.
"Money comes and goes. Just don't tell Zhang Yang about this," she said softly.
Comes and goes? Qiao Xier looked at Yang Fei's tranquil expression, smooth as water, showing no trace of disturbance. She couldn't help but admire her composure—something she herself lacked.
As for keeping it from Zhang Yang, Qiao Xier didn't ask why—because she already knew. If Zhang Yang found out…
He'd definitely dig into it and try to help Yang Fei, which would probably cause chaos again.
On the other hand, it also meant Yang Fei must know the person behind this wasn't simple and didn't want Zhang Yang getting involved and causing unnecessary trouble.
"Got it, Sister Feifei." Qiao Xier nodded, her gaze subtly catching the stock number for Yimao Group before changing the subject. "By the way, Sister Feifei, how do you like living here?"
"It's fine. Even with the construction outside, the soundproofing here is great. It's quieter than the school." Yang Fei looked around the room. In every way, this place was much better than her old dorm. Zhang Yang had even arranged it to match her old layout, so she felt right at home. Most importantly, though construction was loud during the day, it stopped at night, keeping things peaceful.
"That's good…" Qiao Xier chatted a bit longer, then got up to leave.
At the door, she paused, turned back, and smiled. "Oh, Sister Feifei, I almost forgot—something funny. When I went to Zhang Yang's room earlier, he was sound asleep. Just as I was about to leave, he suddenly rolled over and muttered something. Scared me half to death—I thought he woke up, but he was actually talking in his sleep."
She glanced at Yang Fei and noticed that, although she seemed indifferent, her body leaned forward slightly, hands curling unconsciously—she was clearly listening attentively.
Smiling, Qiao Xier continued, "He said, 'Crap, it's seven o'clock! I need to go to Teacher Yang's class. She'll be mad if I'm late—what do I do?'"
Qiao Xier giggled. "Sister Feifei, see? That guy's afraid of nothing in the world—except making you mad. So, don't hold it against him for not showing up tonight."
With that, she darted out.
After she left, Yang Fei sat still, replaying Qiao Xier's words in her head. That guy… even in his dreams, he was worried about class.
"She'll be mad if I'm late."
He really said that? Surely Qiao Xier wouldn't make that up.
Yang Fei unconsciously smiled, her soft pink lips curving into a gentle arc. "That guy… what nonsense. I was only worried about him, not angry."
She slowly closed the door, turned to look at her computer, smiled faintly, then reached out and shut the laptop.
Picking up her phone, she noticed a message from an unknown number:
"Miss Yang Fei, may I have the honor of hiring you as my private tutor? —Du Yuheng."
She thought for a moment, then her slender finger swiped the screen and deleted the message…
Meining City, Jingyue District, Royal Hee Hotel. On the top floor, the presidential suite's viewing balcony.
Cai Yu held a glass of red wine, swirling it gently as he gazed down through the glass wall at Meining's glittering night skyline.
His dark face revealed no joy or anger. After watching for a while, he slowly closed his eyes.
He took a sip, smacked his lips, and smiled. "Not bad. Young Master Du's wine stash is indeed top-shelf."
Behind him sat Du Yuheng, the eldest grandson of the prestigious Du family from Southeast Province, looking respectful.
Sitting upright on a beige leather sofa, he quickly waved his hand modestly. "Young Master Cai, you flatter me. I was worried this wine wasn't good enough for someone of your taste."
"Heh, don't be so formal. Our Cai and Du families are united now—no need for such formality. Come, a toast." Cai Yu raised his glass, gesturing toward Du Yuheng.
Du Yuheng quickly raised his own and clinked it lightly.
Smiling, he said, "Here's to Young Master Cai's success in winning over that stunning beauty Yang Fei. When that happens, I'll be sure to come for a wedding drink—surely you won't refuse me, right? Haha."
Then he downed the wine in one gulp.
Cai Yu, however, didn't show the same triumphant look. Instead, he lowered his glass and asked, "How long has it been since you sent the message? Did she reply?"
Du Yuheng's expression turned awkward when he noticed Cai Yu hadn't drunk his wine.
Hearing the question made him feel even more uncomfortable. He knew well that, compared to the Cai family, the Du family was like a mosquito next to an elephant.
A while back, Young Master Cai had somehow encountered that breathtaking beauty Yang Fei at Meining University.
And that was it—the heir of the Cai family had fallen for her. Of course, it wasn't that Yang Fei was unworthy of the Cai family, but Du Yuheng knew her too well. He'd already made a fool of himself in front of her not long ago. Now this young master also liked her—guess great minds think alike. Everyone wants a goddess like that.
He liked Yang Fei too, but as the Du family's heir, the ice-cold beauty wouldn't even talk to him. Yet she was close with that nouveau riche Zhang Yang. Seeing them together, he'd almost thought they were a couple if he hadn't known Zhang Yang already had Xu Danlu and Qiao Xier.
Later, he found out Yang Fei was Zhang Yang's private tutor. Du Yuheng had nearly spat blood when he heard that—how could that guy get all the luck? Having such a gorgeous woman as his personal teacher?
So, the young master of the Du family lost his temper. Seizing the Bai family's downfall as an excuse, he made his move—if he could get rid of Zhang Yang, the rest would be easy.
That led to the Spade Eight assassination attempt on Zhang Yang. But instead of killing him, it destroyed the Bai family and dragged the Du and Peng families down with it.
Du Yuheng then realized he hadn't gained anything—he'd nearly doomed his own family.
Luckily, that was when Cai Yu appeared.
They were around the same age, but the difference was like night and day. Same two legs, two hands, one head—but somehow worlds apart.
Cai Yu liked Yang Fei too, but he wasn't reckless. He started by gathering every detail about her—family background, favorite places, food, colors, even the elementary school she'd attended. Everything.
But that wasn't enough. He even spent huge sums investigating her finances—and went further. For Yang Fei's sake, Cai Yu secretly bought a fund company, then used it to short Yimao Group maliciously, all just to crash the value of the shares she held. Of course, Du Yuheng now understood how important those shares were to her.
But the amount involved was in the hundreds of millions. For a woman he wasn't even sure he could win, Cai Yu had thrown that money down without hesitation. And this was only the beginning—the next moves would be even more shocking.
Du Yuheng couldn't help but admire him. If even this didn't win Yang Fei's heart, there'd truly be nothing left to say.
Still… that message had been sent for quite a while now. Why hadn't there been a reply yet? This isn't scientific!