I'm in the county town, and you say I'm a big shot?

Chapter 753 Tense Wall Street, Relaxed Cocktail Party

The Sentinel system's fund tracing module provides the answer: despite the complex structure, there is an 83.2% probability that the ultimate control chain of these accounts points to the "Tuofang Fund" in Hong Kong.

Sophia looked at John and added, "As you know, the system cannot provide 100% certainty. This probability is a correlation likelihood value calculated by the algorithm based on the execution habits of trading orders, risk preference models, and the time-series characteristics of cross-market linkages. But if it exceeds 80%, it is sufficient to be regarded as a coordinated action under the same control in the internal judgment rules of the Sentinel system."

“The Tuofang Foundation? It’s them again?” John gave a wry smile.

"They were just causing trouble in the Chicago futures market not long ago, and now they've moved to the London foreign exchange market? How big is their capital?"

“The system calculates a weighted average based on identified positions and potential hidden exposure,” Sofia explained, pointing to the red numbers that popped up on the screen. “The risk exposure in the pound is equivalent to about $150 billion. And it’s increasing rapidly.”

This figure suddenly heightened tensions. For a Hong Kong-based fund to make a one-sided bet with a massive sum of money disproportionate to its size on the eve of such a sensitive political event is itself a strong and unusual signal.

Moreover, this fund has been deeply aligned with China's national strategic will and resonated with it in the past few commodity futures battles.

“Report to Chairman David. I think it’s necessary to convene a Wall Street global macro strategy meeting.” David pondered, looking out at the cloud-covered sky and muttering to himself, “The weather’s about to change again.”

Fang Qingye had a wonderful night. He didn't get drunk at the welcome banquet. The next morning, after washing up, he received a call from Qin Feng.

"Aoba, have you arrived in Hong Kong yet?"

"I just arrived yesterday afternoon and had dinner with my colleagues from Tuofang Fund," Fang Qingye said honestly.

"You finally arrived. I almost missed the charity fundraising cocktail party I booked for you."

"What kind of charity fundraising cocktail party?"

"Tonight's charity fundraising cocktail party for the 'Protecting Children Foundation' will be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The Protecting Children Foundation was founded in 98 by Ms. Josephine Siao, a famous Hong Kong actress, with the aim of protecting children and teenagers from sexual assault. This foundation is very well-known in Hong Kong."

"Xiao Fangfang? Is she the one who played Fang Shiyu's mother 'Miao Cuihua' in the movie 'Fong Shiyu'?" Fang Qingye asked curiously.

"Yes, that's her. She's not only an actress but also a famous social activist."

"Qin Feng, are you going to participate in this? It's not that I'm unwilling to donate money, it's just that we're pressed for time and need to take care of important matters first." Fang Qingye declined, as he disliked all kinds of socializing, especially large gatherings.

“Brother, this is what it means to do serious business.” Qin Feng on the other end of the phone actually started to lecture: “In Hong Kong, business is either discussed at the racecourse or in a private club on Victoria Peak. How many people actually sit in an office to discuss business properly? Don’t you often talk about serious business while fishing?”

Qin Feng's tone was somewhat helpless: "For this charity fundraising, traditional British and European financial groups such as HSBC and Jardine Matheson will send representatives to participate."

"In addition, the four major local Chinese-owned conglomerates in Hong Kong will also send their members to participate. Representatives from Chinese financial institutions such as China Merchants Group and CICC Hong Kong will also be present. Hong Kong's financial sector is their domain! Do you know how difficult it is to gather so many celebrities and tycoons together? I've thought it through. Taking this opportunity, after the reception, we'll hold an after-party to gather those interested in Ele.me's IPO and get their support for our proposal. Do you think the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and even the Hong Kong Monetary Authority wouldn't take it seriously?! This is called achieving great things with little money!"

Fang Qingye smiled.

"Hehe, that's quite a long-term plan, I admire you! I'll listen to you then."

"OK, I'll come pick you up at 5:30 this afternoon."

At 5 p.m., Fang Qingye received a call from Qin Feng. She changed into the new clothes she had specially bought at the boutique that day and went downstairs with Yue Kai. These charity cocktail parties had specially arranged rest areas for bodyguards and drivers.

A black Mercedes-Benz V-Class seven-seater van was waiting at the building entrance. Qin Feng, sitting in the second-row executive chair, saw Fang Qingye come up and his eyes lit up. He joked, "Qingye, you look even more handsome than me in this outfit. It's a pity it's a Giorgio Armani ready-made; it would be even better if it were a custom-made Armani Privé."

"With such a short time, how can we possibly have time to customize it? We'll just have to make do." Fang Qingye said, sitting down in the president's chair next to her. Yue Kai sat in the row behind him, where a muscular man, who appeared to be Qin Feng's bodyguard, was already seated.

"These are the invitations." Qin Feng took out two burgundy invitations from his briefcase, handed one to Fang Qingye, and said jokingly, "These invitations to the charity cocktail auction aren't cheap. These two tickets cost me HK$10! Qingye, you'll have to reimburse me." "No problem," Fang Qingye readily agreed.

The Mercedes quickly arrived at Expo Drive in Wan Chai, next to Victoria Harbour. Fang Qingye and Qin Feng got out of the car, handed the invitation to a waiter in formal attire and white gloves at the door, and then entered the banquet hall of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

In an instant, a dazzling world that rivals the night view of Victoria Harbour unfolds before your eyes.

The banquet hall featured a high-ceilinged dome, with a huge crystal chandelier casting a soft glow that illuminated the elegantly dressed guests. There were no assigned seats; guests gathered in small groups, chatting freely with wine glasses in hand.

Most of the men were dressed in standard Black Tie attire, their dark suits accentuating their tall and slender figures; the women wore various evening gowns, their jewelry sparkling under the lights.

The air was filled with the complex aromas of fine perfumes, the aftertaste of cigars, and specialty drinks.

Qin Feng whispered to Fang Qingye with a smile, "Look, almost all of Hong Kong's wealth, power, and star power have gathered here."

Fang Qingye nodded slightly, her gaze sweeping over the crowd. Not far away, an elderly woman in a light green satin long-sleeved evening gown was exchanging pleasantries with guests. She clinked glasses lightly with an older gentleman and chatted amiably with a socialite.

Fang Qingye recognized her as Xiao Fangfang, the initiator of the charity gala. She looked much older than her "Miao Cuihua" character in the movie. Indeed, that movie was filmed in 1993, more than twenty years ago.

“That’s Ms. Josephine Siao. Shall we go over and say hello?” Qin Feng suggested.

"Never mind, she's busy," Fang Qingye replied softly.

To be honest, Fang Qingye appreciates Hong Kong stars more for their film works than for the real people in real life.

Several famous Hong Kong stars were gathered in another place, chatting and laughing. Andy Lau and Tony Leung stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, raising their glasses and whispering, while Michelle Yeoh was having a pleasant conversation with a man who looked like a wealthy businessman.

Unfortunately, the years have left their mark on them, making them look completely different from their glamorous selves on screen.

Fang Qingye accepted the wine glass from the waiter; they weren't the target tonight.

"Hey, Qin Feng!"

Three men were chatting to the left, one of whom, a young man in a tailored suit, greeted Qin Feng with a smile in somewhat broken Mandarin.

"Hi! Changxi!" Qin Feng greeted him with a smile, then whispered to Fang Qingye:

"He is Li Changxi, a director of Cheung Kong Holdings, and a third-generation member of the Li family. Let's go over there!"

The two walked over, and Qin Feng introduced Fang Qingye beside him: "This is Mr. Fang Qingye, Chairman of Ele.me Group."

Li Changxi merely glanced at Fang Qingye, politely raised his glass in a toast, and then began chatting warmly with Qin Feng.

"Qin Feng, what's that new horse you mentioned last time like? Don't just talk the talk, walk the walk!"

"Don't rush... it will be racing this Friday!"

The two of them started chatting about horse racing.

The other two guests were middle-aged men in their forties, one of whom was a foreigner. When they saw Fang Qingye and her companion arrive, they simply nodded politely to Fang Qingye and continued their private conversation in English.

(End of this chapter)