Chapter 128: Business Concluded in the Capital

"Twenty-five million!" 

Sun Tao muttered to himself, then grumbled, "Why is it always my leg that's broken?"

His only thought now was to break Li Dong's legs so that this spendthrift would be unable to go anywhere!

Fifty million wasn't enough; he actually wanted another twenty-five million!

"Brother Sun, are you alright?" On the other end of the phone, Li Dong heard Sun Tao's mumbling and quickly asked, "Is your leg hurting again?"

"My leg doesn't hurt; my heart does!"

Sun Tao moaned in pain, clutching his chest. The pain was genuine, more intense than a broken rib.

Li Dong understood and laughed awkwardly, "Brother Sun, this is serious."

"I urgently need the money within three days. Please transfer it to me as soon as possible."

"Mr. Li, are you trying to drive me to my grave?" Sun Tao finally lost his temper, exclaiming, "How can Far East possibly have twenty-five million to squander right now?"

"There's only a bit over eighteen million left on the company's books. If I give all of that to you, construction on all branches will halt! Plus, there will be no reserves, and Far East could collapse at any moment. Do you understand that?"

Sun Tao was almost hysterical; Li Dong had gone completely mad! Spending seventy million on stocks and using the last of the reserves was like leaving no escape route!

Li Dong hadn't expected such a strong reaction from Sun Tao and quickly tried to calm him down, "Brother Sun, don't get agitated. Your bones haven't healed yet."

"I'm not agitated, not at all!" Sun Tao shouted, then began groaning again, feeling as if his bones were breaking from the force of his yell.

Li Dong, bemused, tried to soothe him some more before saying, "Brother Sun, I genuinely have urgent matters at hand. I'm in desperate need of the money."

Sun Tao remained silent for a long time.

After a while, he sighed, "I'll transfer the eighteen million to you. Whether we succeed or fail depends on Far East's fortune."

"Don't—eighteen million isn't enough…"

Before Li Dong could finish, Sun Tao interrupted angrily, "This is all the money Far East has! It's all I can give you!"

"Could we consider a loan…"

"Even with a loan, can it be processed in three days? The bank isn't Far East!"

"Could we borrow from business partners temporarily?"

Sun Tao was exasperated, "Why don't you just kill me? Do you know what borrowing money means? Everyone will find out Far East's financial chain has broken, and all suppliers will come demanding payment. Are you trying to accelerate Far East's demise?"

Li Dong rubbed his ears, noting that even with broken ribs, Sun Tao's yelling was still vigorous.

When Sun Tao finally quieted down, Li Dong sighed, "But the money really isn't enough!"

At the current exchange rate, to acquire the five hundred thousand shares from Xu Yong, around seventy-three million yuan was needed.

Even with the eighteen million arriving, there was still a five-million-yuan shortfall.

This doesn't include the commission for Gu Honglou, which Li Dong could still manage for now.

Should he buy fewer shares?

But the deal was already settled. Renegotiating for fewer shares would be embarrassing and might make Xu Yong doubt his capability.

The contract wasn't signed yet; Xu Yong might still back out.

Li Dong sighed, thinking he shouldn't have been so greedy. Even buying thirty to forty thousand shares would have sufficed.

But it was too late to say this now. Moreover, he didn't want to let go of the opportunity.

Hearing Li Dong's concern, Sun Tao was furious, "If this ends up a total loss…"

"Pah!"

If it weren't for the phone line, Li Dong would have spat on him. Superstitious nonsense—who's going to lose everything?

Ignoring Sun Tao's complaints, Li Dong said directly, "Here's the plan: I'll mortgage the shopping mall in Dongping and the property in Pingchuan. Raising five million shouldn't be too hard."

Domestic real estate prices had been rising steadily, and just the shopping mall in Dongping was worth more than five million.

With property as collateral, borrowing money would be easier, and if handled discreetly, it wouldn't attract too much attention.

Sun Tao was stunned. Was it not enough that Far East was in trouble? Li Dong was even pulling out his own assets.

After a moment, Sun Tao hurriedly said, "Mr. Li, if this turns into a total loss…"

"Spit!"

If it weren't for the phone, Li Dong would have definitely given him an earful. He was seriously considering risking everything!

Ignoring Sun Tao's objections, Li Dong continued, "I'll send you an authorization letter by express. The property deeds are with Wanyuan, and the spare keys are in my office drawer. Please handle this as soon as possible."

Sun Tao was left speechless. At this moment, he realized that Li Dong had completely lost his sanity.

Since he had already put in sixty-eight million, he clearly wasn't worried about this additional five million.

...

Though Sun Tao was still recuperating in bed, his efficiency in handling matters remained steadfast.

By the next morning, Li Dong received the eighteen million transferred from Far East.

By around eight in the evening, Sun Tao called to inform Li Dong that the property deal had been finalized, and the five million would be transferred the next morning.

However, Sun Tao didn't forget to remind Li Dong that, due to the urgency, he had mortgaged the property to a loan shark.

The interest was fifty thousand a month, and Li Dong would have to deal with it himself.

Li Dong nearly spat out a mouthful of blood. Why did he have to resort to loan sharks? Was money not valuable anymore?

Fifty thousand a month in interest, and there's collateral? That was outrageous!

Moreover, Sun Tao mentioned that the interest was relatively low; some unscrupulous lenders charged up to thirty percent interest.

Li Dong was speechless. Was Sun Tao intentionally pushing him to his limits?

It seemed like he thought Li Dong was on a path of self-destruction and was making it even worse.

Li Dong took a deep breath. Fifty thousand was manageable for a month. Far East would stabilize in that time, and if necessary, he could get a bank loan to redeem the property.

As for the interest, fifty thousand was nothing compared to the potential profits from buying more shares.

Of course, this was Li Dong reassuring himself. Fifty thousand a month in interest was no small matter!

...

On the third day, the day for signing the contract.

The location was still at Xu Yong's company, with the time set for ten in the morning.

Both parties had hired lawyers, and the contract was jointly drafted by them. Li Dong and Xu Yong signed their names.

Once the contract was signed, Li Dong transferred the money, and the deal was officially completed. The matter with the Baidu board was also resolved, otherwise, the contract could not have been signed today.

Originally, Li Dong considered having the contract notarized.

Both lawyers advised against it, stating that their presence was sufficient for legal validity.

Since both lawyers said it wasn't necessary, Li Dong decided to forgo the notarization.

After the contract was signed, both Xu Yong and Li Dong breathed a sigh of relief.

The transaction involving over seventy million yuan was finally completed, and both appeared somewhat exhausted.

Given their fatigue, they skipped the celebratory meal.

When leaving, Li Dong and Xu Yong shook hands firmly.

Xu Yong remarked, "I hope this deal won't make me regret it."

"Absolutely!" Li Dong replied with a sly smile. Xu Yong would undoubtedly regret it, but by then, it would be too late.