“Sir, are my shallow opinions correct?” Hao Jianguo asked politely after speaking.
“You’ve spoken well!” Little Swift nodded indifferently, his expression suggesting everything was under control. He actually had no idea why Boss Huang was so certain that oil futures would continue to rise; he was merely an emotionless tool executing orders.
“In that case, I shall go persuade these investors!” Hao Jianguo said, preparing to leave.
“No need!” Huang He waved his hand and then said to Little Swift and Hao Jianguo, “Do you see what their protest signs say?”
“Naturally!” Little Swift and Hao Jianguo both nodded. The English letters on the signs were written in large print, and they could see them clearly.
“So the problem is actually quite simple. Our company does have a policy for early fund withdrawal. Since they want their money back, let’s grant them their wish!” Huang He waved his hand. “I recall we have over 100 million US dollars in extra funds in the company account, right? Withdraw it all and return it to them at the original price, without even charging any fees. It’s better than them continuing to clamor at the company entrance. Let them take their money and get lost!”
“…Boss, that’s ruthless!” Little Swift and Hao Jianguo exchanged a glance, and both exclaimed inwardly. That’s right, if these people wanted their money back, they would get what they asked for.
Since it was determined that the future price of oil futures would surge, the profits earned from this money would have nothing to do with those who fled early.
This move was truly both ruthless and brilliant!
—
Downstairs at the company building, the human wall organized by the security guards was constantly being pushed back. As the surging crowd was about to storm into the company building, and some security guards were already preparing to lock the doors, a large group of people suddenly descended from the elevators and walked out of the company gates, standing on the steps and quietly looking down at the investors.
“Little Swift is out! The scammer is out!” The angry crowd below shouted, preparing to rush towards Little Swift’s face. Fortunately, at this moment, Little Swift produced a microphone and shouted loudly, “Dear investors, I deeply understand your feelings. Since you wish to see me, and I am here, can we now refrain from violence and conflict, and calmly discuss and reach a satisfactory outcome for everyone?”
“If we cannot reach any outcome, I will let you deal with me as you please!” Little Swift said loudly. This statement quickly calmed the crowd, and then Little Swift continued, expressing his hope that everyone below would elect a representative. Thus, the person who had been leading the shouts of demanding money back became the representative. Holding the microphone across the security cordon, he began a dialogue with Little Swift.
Meanwhile, a large number of reporters who had rushed to the scene seized this critical moment, raising their cameras and video recorders. Some even extended their microphones high up, recording this pivotal moment.
“Sir, may I ask what your demands are?” Little Swift asked first.
“Do you still need to ask our demands? They are all written on this board: Return our money! Return our money to us!” the representative shouted loudly.
“Oh, so that’s the demand. That’s naturally not a problem,” Little Swift said with a smile. “Everyone, and this representative, first, there is something I must clarify. According to our country’s fund management regulations and the rules of our Western Mustang Fund, you can come to the company to redeem your funds at any time. This is your right, and you don’t need to come to me to make a fuss. You can simply go to any Western Mustang branch!” Little Swift said.
“Huh?” Many people who had rushed over from below were stunned. They could redeem their funds directly? They had no idea!
“Brothers, don’t be deceived by this guy. He says that redemption is based on the current fund price. Now its fund has already lost more than 10%. Our 10,000 US dollars can only be redeemed for 9,000 US dollars. We absolutely do not accept such a redemption; this is exploitation and robbery!” The leading representative quickly shouted, and the crowd below finally understood.
“Little Swift, we demand a full refund. We want you to return the money exactly as much as we bought your fund for!” the representative continued to shout.
“This is against the rules. According to fund management regulations and rules, once you purchase a fund, you must bear the profits and losses generated by the fund.”
“Everyone, last year our fund generated several times the profit for everyone, and I distributed it all to you without withholding a single cent. Many of you must have seen your 10,000 US dollars turn into 40,000 US dollars! But now our fund has experienced a loss, and it has only lost 10%. Now you want me to refund it in full? Does such a thing make sense in this world?” Little Swift questioned.
Some investors felt they were indeed being unreasonable after Little Swift’s words, but more people were unconcerned.
Everyone understood these principles, but when it came to suffering huge losses themselves, those who could accept it wouldn't come here to make a fuss. Those who were making a fuss were generally those who couldn't accept it. They didn't care if he had helped them make money before; since their money was lost now, it was simply unacceptable.
Especially the leading representative, who continued to shout, “That’s the benefit for those who bought the first phase of the fund. We all bought the second phase of the fund later. We haven’t made a cent from you. Hurry up and return our money, or I’ll show you the power of black brothers!”
“That’s right!”
“Teach him a good lesson!”
The scene immediately became noisy again. Little Swift sighed helplessly, then continued, “Everyone, please believe me, wait patiently for another 5 days. After 5 days, oil futures will definitely rise. Not only will your lost funds be fully recovered, but you will also earn substantial profits. You just need to wait patiently for another 5 days!”
“Laughable! Ten days ago, you told us to wait 10 days and even had the audacity to bet with Mr. Buffett. Now you want us to wait another 5 days. I think you plan to abscond with the money during these 5 days. We will absolutely not allow it!”
“That’s right, we will absolutely not allow it!” Everyone shouted again, completely disbelieving Little Swift. Even the reporters watching from the side generally regarded Little Swift as a fool, thinking that this scammer actually wanted to deceive people at this time.
“Alas!” Little Swift sighed again. “I must remind you that if you choose to receive a full refund now, you will lose your right to profit from the fund. You have entrusted your funds to us for over half a year. If you withdraw them now, all the profits will be lost. You cannot blame us, Western Mustang Fund!”
“Ah… according to this guy, it seems he intends to refund in full!” The leading representative was taken aback, and then he immediately realized that this must be Little Swift’s tactic to trick them into dispersing.
So, the leader immediately called out, “Don’t lie to us. We don’t care about profits anymore. We just want our money back, our hard-earned money!”
“Return our money!”
“Return our hard-earned money!” The crowd shouted again. Seeing that things had come to this point, Little Swift no longer hid his intentions and said, “Very well, since that is the case, I will make an exception and give everyone an opportunity for a full refund. I will lead you to the lobby to handle the procedures shortly. Each of you only needs to sign a letter of disclosure and a fund redemption agreement, ensuring that you are withdrawing your purchased funds of your own free will, giving up all potential future profits, and furthermore, you will not use this as a reason for any further protest activities. Then I can refund all your money to you, according to the amount you purchased the fund at!”
“What!” At this moment, everyone, including the distant reporters, was shocked. They actually hadn’t expected to get their money back; they just wanted to vent their dissatisfaction.
Now, Little Swift was actually giving them an opportunity to get a refund. This was simply unbelievable.
“Alright, those who want a refund, please line up at the entrance immediately. Five people will enter at a time, as there are only 5 service windows for you. However, please put down your protest signs, because I have already refunded your money, so don’t insult me by holding up signs anymore!” Little Swift said calmly.
After so much fuss and half a chapter of stalling, Little Swift had stated his intentions and promises. Under the witness of so many media lenses, he had told them that oil futures would definitely rise within the next 5 days, and that choosing to redeem their funds now would definitely result in substantial losses in profits. He had even presented them with an agreement to sign.
This way, after his fund rose in value, these damned people would have no face to complain again… Even if they did, did he really think Little Swift didn't have some connections with the police in this city?
Of course, these investors were unaware of Little Swift’s many thoughts. They only thought that their refund was within reach, so they immediately threw away their signs and began to line up. The first person in line was, naturally, the representative.
“Mr. Representative, you are the first. You go in and get your refund, and then tell everyone if I truly refunded all your fund!” Little Swift said with a smile.
“This… this… this is not necessary, perhaps…” The leading representative’s expression changed drastically, and he suddenly said somewhat awkwardly.
“Why?” Little Swift frowned and asked, “You were shouting demanding I refund your money, weren’t you? Why aren’t you redeeming it now?”
“Uh… what if I suddenly don’t want to redeem it anymore…” the leading person mumbled, and then wanted to leave.
“Stop right there. You must explain clearly why you are not redeeming, otherwise, I will send you to the police station.” Several security guards immediately grabbed the representative. Upon hearing that he might be sent to jail, the representative quickly said, “Please, I actually didn’t purchase your company’s fund. How can I redeem money?”
“……” The entire scene and the reporters outside were all stunned by this representative.
By afternoon, there was still a long queue at the entrance. However, the first batch of demonstrators who had arrived earlier were now coming out happily with their refunds. At this time, those who had come to redeem their funds in full after hearing the news were now lining up.
In the blink of an eye, nearly 50 million US dollars in funds had been returned.
Those still in line at the entrance anxiously watched the sky darken, fearing they would miss this opportunity. Fortunately, Little Swift stated that everyone who wished to redeem their funds would receive a full refund, as long as they signed the agreement!
“Huh, my 10,000 US dollars are all back!” A black man, holding his credit card, excitedly walked out of the company. He had completed all the procedures, and the bank had transferred the 10,000 US dollars back to him in a short period. His losses were all recovered.
Just as he was excitedly contemplating how to spend the 10,000 US dollars that night, suddenly, a commotion erupted from the crowd. Several people who were lining up suddenly rushed away from the queue in a hurry, startling others.
Someone grabbed one of the departing individuals and curiously asked, “Brother, what happened? Aren’t you redeeming your funds?”
“Redeem what? Oil prices have already risen to 21 US dollars. Our fund has gone from a loss to a profit. Only an idiot would redeem now!” this person grumbled. Fortunately, he had asked his wife to keep a constant eye on the futures market, otherwise, he would have had to kneel to do the laundry upon returning home.