Chapter 45: We Want to Buy the Capital-Protected Fund

On another Monday morning, as the Hong Kong market opened, Zhou Ming and Lin Muqing, accompanied by Wang Yunlong and Cao Haiyang along with several employees from the business department, arrived at the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The area was bustling as usual. Despite the stock market crash having lasted for over half a month, many people in Hong Kong were still hopeful, believing it was just a temporary setback. They held on to the hope that the Hong Kong government and the Stock Exchange would restore the market to its previous state, and their losses would be recovered.

Zhou Ming directed Cao Haiyang and his team to set up the tables and chairs and unfurled the company's banner. As financial professionals, they were quite skilled at setting up such stalls, and soon a temporary booth was ready.

During the stock market crisis, many brokerage firms and fund companies had set up booths outside the Stock Exchange, but Zhou Ming's capital-protected fund drew significant attention. Lin Muqing, with her elegant demeanor, also stood out, attracting curious onlookers.

A young man with glasses approached Lin Muqing and asked, "Is this Jinming Fund? I haven't heard of this fund company before. Is it new?"

Lin Muqing smiled professionally and explained, "Our fund company isn't new. We've been reorganized from Wanhe Fund. Jinming Fund not only inherits all the assets of Wanhe Fund but has also introduced many new services. Right now, the most important one we're promoting is our capital-protected fund."

"Capital-protected fund? What does that mean? Are you saying this fund won't lose the principal?" a portly man asked.

Lin Muqing nodded and said, "Yes, a capital-protected fund guarantees that no matter what investments we make, the principal will not be lost."

Upon hearing this explanation, the crowd erupted in jeers: "Miss, are you seriously trying to deceive us? The financial market in Hong Kong is in such a mess right now. Even large brokerage firms and fund companies can't guarantee no losses. How can a fund company we've never heard of possibly guarantee no losses?"

"Exactly!" another person chimed in. "Even the most profitable fund in Hong Kong, Fenghui Fund, couldn't make such a guarantee."

Another person added, "Miss, I can tell from your accent that you're from the mainland. People like you are easily fooled. Don't get tricked into becoming someone's pawn. Mainland people are always trying to scam others."

Facing these doubts, Lin Muqing tried to explain further, "That's not it. I understand that the economic situation in Hong Kong is terrible, but that's precisely why our fund company has launched the capital-protected fund, to provide you with a safe investment option."

Her explanation only led to more laughter: "Don't you think that's contradictory? If the economic situation in Hong Kong is bad, how can you guarantee that your fund won't lose money? Or is your company made of springs, gaining strength in adversity? If so, you must be a miracle!"

Lin Muqing, still trying to explain, was interrupted by Zhou Ming, who could see she was under pressure and wanted to help. He approached her and handed her a pack of tissues, saying, "Muqing, take a break."

Lin Muqing took the tissues, apologizing, "I wasn't able to explain it well."

Zhou Ming shook his head, "You've done enough."

As a man himself, Zhou Ming understood that Lin Muqing's beauty could attract attention, and men would generally listen to her. On a normal day, a few people might have believed her, but given the current economic conditions in Hong Kong, people were more afraid of the financial market. They were more interested in flirting with her than investing in the fund.

Zhou Ming stepped forward and addressed the crowd, "Hello everyone, I'm Zhou Ming, the owner of Jinming Fund. I understand your doubts about the capital-protected fund, which is normal given the current environment. But our fund company stands by its guarantee. If we're launching a capital-protected fund, it means we can guarantee that your principal won't be lost."

A voice from the crowd asked, "How can you guarantee that the principal won't be lost?"

Clearly, they took Zhou Ming more seriously than Lin Muqing.

Zhou Ming responded, "I apologize, but the details of the capital-protected fund are confidential."

This statement prompted a wave of boos: "What kind of fund has a confidential plan? Do you think your fund is some treasure? I bet it's just a scam designed to take our money."

Some people expressed concern: "If the fund's plan isn't disclosed, how can we trust that your investment is sound and will make money?"

Others criticized Zhou Ming's mainland origin: "I can tell you're from the mainland. Mainland people are known for being secretive and deceitful. You're hiding everything from us. This isn't the place for your mainland tricks!"

Faced with these criticisms, Zhou Ming remained calm: "Indeed, our fund's plan is confidential, but the capital-protected fund is guaranteed by the Stock Exchange to be 100% risk-free!"

This statement led to even more boos: "You're just making things up. With the Stock Exchange struggling because of the stock market crash, how could they guarantee your fund? Come up with a better story next time."

However, a young man approached with curiosity, asking, "How does the Stock Exchange guarantee your fund? Do they provide a deposit, or is it your own deposit with the Stock Exchange?"

"Of course, it's our own deposit with the Stock Exchange. We've deposited an amount equal to the fund with the Stock Exchange. This means that no matter how the fund performs, even if our fund company goes bankrupt, your principal won't be affected. The Stock Exchange's Market Manager, Deng Weidong, can vouch for this," Zhou Ming explained.

"Is that true? Can I go check with the Stock Exchange?" the young man asked.

"Of course, feel free to verify," Zhou Ming said.

The young man went to the Stock Exchange, while others laughed at him: "Little Zhang, you're falling for the mainland scam. He's probably long gone by the time you get back."

Others added, "Yeah! I know about Wanhe Fund, which was a scam. This new fund is probably the same."

Seeing the young man hesitating, Zhou Ming said, "You're a smart person. Judge for yourself."

Hearing this, the young man continued towards the Stock Exchange.

Zhou Ming turned to Wang Yunlong and Cao Haiyang, who looked dejected, and asked, "What's wrong? Do you think our fund won't sell?"

Cao Haiyang replied, "Mr. Zhou, while I acknowledge the concept of the capital-protected fund is excellent, these people just don't believe us. What should we do? It's hard to sell our fund."

"Is that so?" Zhou Ming said. "Then you'll witness a miracle soon!"

Just as Zhou Ming finished speaking, the crowd grew noisy. The young man, now back, pushed through the crowd and approached Zhou Ming, excitedly saying, "It's true! Manager Deng Weidong from the Stock Exchange confirmed that Jinming Fund has deposited six million with the Stock Exchange. If the fund incurs any losses, the Stock Exchange will use this deposit to cover them, ensuring our principal won't lose a single cent!"

"Then are you going to buy our capital-protected fund?" Zhou Ming asked.

The young man eagerly nodded, "Yes, I absolutely want to buy. Given the current state of Hong Kong's economy and that other funds are losing money, why wouldn't I buy a fund that guarantees no losses? I have twenty thousand HKD here, and I want to invest it all in the capital-protected fund!"

The young man's declaration caused an uproar. The crowd suddenly realized that Zhou Ming's fund was genuine and would not incur losses.

With the young man leading the way, the crowd surged towards Zhou Ming's booth like refugees receiving aid. People began pulling out their money and waving their cash, shouting, "Mr. Zhou, Mr. Manager, we also want to buy the capital-protected fund! I have fifty thousand HKD here... I have seventy thousand HKD..."

Seeing the crowd's dramatic shift, Wang Yunlong and Cao Haiyang were stunned. Wang Yunlong, having witnessed Zhou Ming's miraculous earning before, was less surprised. But Cao Haiyang was flabbergasted, unable to comprehend how Zhou Ming managed to turn skeptics into believers so dramatically.

Zhou Ming glanced at Wang Yunlong and Cao Haiyang and said, "What are you standing around for? Get to work! Don't you want your bonus today?"

At Zhou Ming's command, Wang Yunlong and Cao Haiyang snapped out of their daze and energetically began processing the fund purchases for the eager crowd.