357: Chapter 356 Ye Qingcheng advances on two fronts, Qin Yi wins the bet!

Ye Qingcheng met Xu Anguo's gaze, her tone certain. "Director Xu, based on the clues we currently have: the timing of Li Bing's promotion to director four years ago is a critical node. Chutian Group also had inextricable links to Li Bing in that case back then. Coincidentally, Boss Lei just happened to appear in Modu during this same period. If we call all of this a coincidence, it's a bit too far-fetched. It's hard not to suspect that the meeting between Boss Lei and Li Bing is related to that Chutian Group matter. Therefore, I believe that by starting the investigation with Chu Weiguo, we might find more Breakthroughs."

Xu Anguo's brow instantly furrowed into a deep frown. He remained silent for a full half-minute before speaking, his tone carrying a hint of caution. "Since you already have a plan in mind, then go ahead and investigate boldly! However, I must remind you that while investigating the case is important, stability is the top priority. The current Chutian Group is of a scale that can't be compared to four years ago. Before you have sufficient evidence, you must not impact the reputation of Chutian Group, understood?"

"Understood! Don't worry," Ye Qingcheng's eyes flickered with a hint of cunning, and a faint smile played on her lips. "I plan to approach Chu Weiguo in a private capacity. Did you forget? Before he retired, he was a soldier under my grandfather. With that relationship, many things will be much easier to handle."

Xu Anguo was taken aback for a moment, then nodded, a look of relief appearing in his eyes. "Haha... Good. Then go ahead and investigate freely."

The three of them chatted as they walked. Without realizing it, by the time they entered the conference room in the office area, the clock was already pointing to three in the afternoon.

...

Meanwhile, inside a private booth at the Southwest International Hotel, the atmosphere was somewhat 'tense'.

Qin Yi and the others had long since finished their luncheon, but since the bet hadn't yet determined a winner or loser, everyone remained in the booth as if under a freezing spell, continuing to wait.

However, by this time, the leftovers on the dining table had long been nimbly cleared away by the waiters and replaced with fragrant Pu'er tea and exquisite Cantonese dim sum.

As soon as it hit three o'clock, accompanying the closing of the A-share market, the expressions on everyone's faces immediately became interesting.

Si Hongjun's fingers slid rapidly across the screen, calculating the stock price increase of Southwest International. When he saw the final increase stop at 3.4%, only 0.1% off from Qin Yi's estimate of 3.5%, he suddenly gripped his phone tight, his eyes widening and his Adam's apple bobbing involuntarily—this margin of error was too small, it was as if it had been calculated in advance!

And what shocked him even more was that the closing prices of the other two stocks Qin Yi had chosen were exactly the same as his estimates, without a cent's difference.

Sharing Si Hongjun's shock were Zhao Lintai, Shen Jianan, and Si Yao.

They had only heard about this from Ye Ziming before and hadn't witnessed Qin Yi's abilities with their own eyes, so they instinctively felt there must be some exaggeration involved.

But now, reality was laid bare before them, forcing them to admit that Qin Yi was truly incredible!

Shen Jianan was already secretly regretting it: if she had known, she would have bought a few lots like Ye Ziming. Even if the principal wasn't much, she could have made a small profit tomorrow; it was better than just watching others make money.

Ye Ziming, however, was clutching his phone, his eyes glued to the screen, grinning like an idiot.

A moment later, he raised his hand and patted Qin Yi's shoulder, looking at him with a face full of admiration. "Young Master Qin, my dear Young Master Qin! The closing price really is 66.9! Young Master Qin, you are simply god-like!"

"Haha, luck, just luck!" Qin Yi slowly picked up his teacup, looking calm and composed as he waved his hand with a smile.

Si Yao leaned in curiously. "Then how much did Young Master Ye make this time?"

"Hehe, wait for me to calculate..." Ye Ziming counted on his fingers, muttering to himself, "Bought in at 60.92, ten thousand lots is sixty-one million. If I sell at this price tomorrow, after deducting costs, that's a net profit of over six million! However, Young Master Qin said this stock could rise to 80. If I wait until it hits 80 to sell, I could make... uh, nearly twenty million?!"

After figuring out the math, Ye Ziming's eyes instantly went as wide as copper bells. In his excitement, he actually leaned over and gave Qin Yi a loud "smack" of a kiss on the cheek.

"Eww... What the hell!" Qin Yi instantly bounced up, grabbed a tissue from the table, and vigorously rubbed the cheek that had been kissed as if trying to rub off something filthy. "Ye Ziming! Are you freaking crazy? I'm not interested in men!"

"Hehehe, Young Master Qin, don't, don't be angry. I was just excited for a moment... couldn't control myself!" Ye Ziming pressed his palms together, repeatedly apologizing with a smile, the excitement still lingering on his face.

Seeing this, Shen Jianan and Si Yao covered their mouths, their shoulders shaking uncontrollably as they struggled to keep from laughing out loud.

At this moment, Si Hongjun cleared his throat, breaking the awkward yet joyful atmosphere. "Qin Yi, you indeed have talent. A bet is a bet. Tell me, how much do you want me to invest in you?"

Qin Yi composed himself. Although he wasn't short on money, who would complain about having too much?

Especially since upgrading the System to Level 2 required him to spend ten billion, and it might become more and more in the future, like a bottomless pit. Why would he turn down an investment delivered right to his door?

But before he could speak, Si Yao cut in first. "Dad, if you ask like that, how could Young Master Qin feel comfortable saying it? Didn't you say before that you could decide on anything up to 20% of Yiqin Capital's total assets? Then invest 20%. It's only four hundred million, just a drop in the bucket."

Qin Yi silently gave Si Yao a thumbs up in his heart—this assist came at just the right time.

Si Hongjun smiled helplessly. "Yaoyao, you're still a member of the Si Family, aren't you? Why are you siding with an outsider? That's four hundred million; if we keep it, it's all your money!"

"Hmph," Si Yao stiffened her neck and argued, "Dad, don't you think that with Young Master Qin's ability, as long as people know he can make a guaranteed profit, anyone with any financial power would want to invest their money? If you ask me, four hundred million is too little. At least one billion is needed to reflect Qin Yi's value!"

"Cough, cough..." Qin Yi quickly coughed twice and waved his hand. "Uncle Si, Yaoyao is joking, don't take it seriously. The bet was just for fun. There's no need to force the investment; I'm not short on funds for the time being."

"How can that be?" Si Hongjun's father, Si Hongjun, suddenly spoke, his gaze sternly fixed on Si Hongjun. "My Si Family has always been as good as its word. We cannot go back on what we promised. It should be whatever amount it is!"

Si Hongjun hurriedly nodded. "Don't worry, Dad. I'll arrange for the group to transfer four hundred million to Yiqin Capital in the name of a project investment right away. Qin Yi, send me your company's corporate account details in a bit."

Qin Yi suppressed the joy in his heart, forced a helpless smile onto his face, and nodded in response. "Alright, then I've put Uncle Si to great expense."

"You kid, you're a real talent!" Si Hongjun said, giving Qin Yi a thumbs up, the sense of appreciation and approval in his eyes no longer hidden at all.

"Alright, save the praise for later. It's about that time, and I'm a bit tired. Let's head back." As soon as Grandpa Si finished speaking, everyone immediately stood up. Qin Yi stepped forward proactively to hold Grandpa Si's wheelchair.

Grandpa Si looked at everyone. "Qin Yi and Yaoyao, you two come back to the Old Residence with me first. Ziming, Nannan, you two stay here. A room has already been booked. Enjoy yourselves in the Southwest for these few days."

"Sure thing, Grandpa Si. Then please take good care of your health." Ye Ziming took the opportunity to grab Shen Jianan's hand.

Grandpa Si turned his gaze back to Si Hongjun and instructed, "Leave a car for Ziming and the girl; it'll be convenient for them to go out and look around."

"Alright, old man, I've already arranged everything," Si Hongjun responded with a nod.

Afterward, the group walked out of the booth and toward the hotel exit.

Arriving at the hotel lobby, two cars were already waiting outside.

Grandpa Si and Si Hongjun got into the Rolls-Royce, while Qin Yi and Si Yao got into the maybach in front.

As for Zhao Lintai, at this moment he seemed to have become invisible. He stood at the hotel entrance with clenched fists, his eyes full of anger and resentment.

Shen Jianan quietly nudged Ye Ziming, gesturing for him to look at Zhao Lintai. Ye Ziming let go of Shen Jianan's hand, walked over, and patted Zhao Lintai's shoulder. "Brother Lintai, look on the bright side. As the saying goes, there are plenty of fish in the sea; why obsess over one flower? It's not worth giving up the whole forest for a single tree!"

Zhao Lintai snapped out of it, glanced at Ye Ziming, suddenly shook off his hand, and questioned in a low voice, "Ye Ziming, I treated you like a brother for nothing. We grew up in the same compound, and not only do you not help me, you even help Qin Yi humiliate me!"

"Wait, Brother Lintai, you're wronging me. When did I help Qin Yi humiliate you?" Ye Ziming retorted with an innocent face.

"Fine! You won't admit it, will you!" Zhao Lintai let out a cold laugh. "Fine, then tell me, what did you mean by telling me to bet on the stocks Qin Yi picked just now?"

"Brother Lintai, I was trying to help you make money! Didn't you say before that if there were any profitable stocks, I should bring you along?" Ye Ziming pulled out his phone and shook the screen. "You saw it too. Tomorrow, when I sell this stock at 80, I'll have twenty million in hand! Isn't that making money?"

"Fine! You, just go ahead and make money with Qin Yi!" With that, Zhao Lintai gritted his teeth, said no more, and turned to walk toward the parking lot.

Ye Ziming shouted after him, "Hey, Brother Lintai, aren't you staying here?"

Zhao Lintai couldn't be bothered to respond, and his pace quickened.

Once he was far away, the smile on Ye Ziming's face instantly vanished. He leaned close to Shen Jianan's ear and whispered in a very low voice, "Jianan, I was just in the restroom and heard Zhao Lintai on the phone. He said he's going to the Shangri-La International Hotel tonight and told the other person to open a room first."

Shen Jianan's expression turned stern, and she immediately pulled out her phone. "I'll call Sister Qingcheng right away to report this."

At that moment, in the conference room of the Modu Branch Special Training Base, Ye Qingcheng was discussing personnel vacancies for the Modu Branch with Xu Anguo and Miao Fengren. Her phone suddenly rang. Seeing that the caller ID was Shen Jianan, she apologized to the two men and quickly walked out of the conference room.

"Jianan, you've arrived in the Southwest, right?" As soon as the call connected, Ye Qingcheng's voice came through.

"Sister Qingcheng, we arrived around noon and just finished eating with the Si Family. Now, there's a situation I think I need to report to you," Shen Jianan responded solemnly.

"Mm, go ahead," Ye Qingcheng's expression sharpened.

"It's like this..."

Subsequently, Shen Jianan reported Zhao Lintai's every word and action since arriving in the Southwest to Ye Qingcheng.

"During the luncheon, Zhao Lintai went to the restroom to take a call. Ziming had been secretly following him and heard him say on the phone to have that person go to the Shangri-La International Hotel and open a room first, and that he would meet them there tonight. But as for who was on the phone, whether it was a man or a woman, it wasn't mentioned."