Chapter 493: Another Bet!

Hong Kong Island. The Li Family Estate!

Although only two days had passed, the treatment Li Yi and Huang Lixing received upon returning to the Li Family Estate was completely different.

Although they were still stopped at the main gate, this time it wasn’t bodyguards who escorted them inside—it was Li Futiao himself, who had come out personally to welcome them.

“Mr. Li Yi, Hall Master Huang, welcome to the Li family estate!”

Saying this, Li Fuzhao extended his hand.

Li Yi gave it a light shake and said with a smile, “Judging by Chairman Li’s mood, it’s clear this stock market crash hasn’t had much impact on the Far East Association. That’s truly cause for celebration!”

“Hahaha, the Far East Association’s ability to weather this storm is entirely thanks to Mr. Li Yi.”

“Chairman Li, you’re joking. I wouldn’t dare take credit for that!”

Li Yi didn’t dwell on the topic any further. Instead, he looked at the two young people behind Li Futiao and asked, “Chairman Li, may I ask who these two handsome young men and beautiful young women are?”

“Let me introduce them to you. This is my son, Li Yunbao, and my daughter, Li Yunling. You’re all young people—I hope you’ll get to know each other better in the future!” Li Futiao said.

In truth, Li Yi had recognized them long ago. Standing behind Li Futiao were his son and daughter: Li Yunbao, Hong Kong’s most low-key rich kid, and his love-struck younger sister, Li Yunling.

That’s right—Li Yi was no stranger to the Li siblings.

In fact, the one in the Li family who was truly on good terms with Li Yi was Li Yunbao.

In his previous life, his company had run into major trouble in Hong Kong and needed to go to court. Someone then recommended Li Yunbao—who was already a top-tier lawyer—to Li Yi.

Although the guy was rather arrogant in his dealings with others, his professional skills were truly top-notch. Li Yi had originally thought the case had little chance of success, but this guy managed to win it outright.

Later, when Li Yunling went to the mainland for a trip and got into serious trouble, Li Yunbao had no choice but to turn to Li Yi for help.

Li Yi didn’t turn him down. After paying a hefty price, he managed to get Li Yunling out of trouble, and the two became very close friends as a result.

From then on, Li Yi entrusted all legal matters for his company on Hong Kong Island to Li Yunbao, and for decades, there had never been a single misstep.

“I’m Li Yi. It’s a pleasure to meet you both!”

Saying this, Li Yi extended his hand.

Li Yunling was eager to step forward, but Li Yunbao beat her to it—he certainly didn’t want his little sister shaking hands with this guy who looked like nothing more than a pretty-boy.

“Li Yunbao, attorney at Dingcheng Law Firm!”

Before Li Yunling could say a word, Li Yunbao spoke again: “This is my sister, Li Yunling, a student at the Chinese University of Hong Kong!”

Li Yunling hadn’t expected her brother to rob her of the chance to shake hands with the handsome guy, and she couldn’t help but shoot Li Yunbao a glare.

Li Yi wasn’t the least bit surprised by Li Yunbao’s behavior. Having spent so many years with him in his previous life, he knew full well that this guy was a die-hard sister-obsessed guy.

While he wasn’t exactly a pervert, he was exceptionally strict when it came to his own sister.

Of course, Li Yi was more than happy to see him stop Li Yunling from shaking his hand.

Li Yunling was an absolute beauty-obsessed person; in her eyes, looks were everything. In his previous life, ever since he saved her, she had been clinging to Li Yi.

That “clinging” lasted a full five years. If Li Yi hadn’t been completely opposed to marriage, he might have lost control.

In this life, he already had a wife and child, so it was naturally out of the question for him to have anything with her. Therefore, Li Yunbao’s intervention was perfectly timed.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Li Yi and Huang Lixing followed the Li family into the estate!

At that moment, in the estate’s dining room, the servants were ready to serve the meal!

This reminded Li Yi of his visit to the Li family estate a couple of days earlier. Back then, they had also been invited, but Li Futao had merely exchanged a few brief words with them in the living room—he hadn’t even offered them a drink of water.

In contrast, today’s treatment made them feel like honored guests.

Premium steak, Australian lobster, double-headed abalone, and tuna—every ingredient was of the highest quality.

In the decanter on the table, the deep red liquid exuded a faint, aromatic scent. Just from the smell alone, Li Yi knew it was Romanée-Conti—a true masterpiece of fine wine.

Clearly, Li Futiao had sent people to investigate Li Yi’s preferences; he had this aspect down to a tee.

Once everyone had taken their seats—host and guests alike—the servants immediately poured wine for them.

Then, Li Fuzhao raised his glass and said, “It is a great pleasure to have Mr. Li Yi and Hall Master Huang join us for dinner. I am also deeply grateful to Mr. Li Yi for helping the Far East Society avoid disaster. Here’s to you both!”

With that, Li Futiao tilted his head back and downed the half-full glass of red wine in one gulp.

Seeing this, Li Yi and Huang Lixing had no choice but to follow suit and down their glasses as well.

“Mr. Li Yi, as far as I know, the Hang Seng Index has plummeted to around 1,500 points. I wonder if you’re ready to close the net?” Li Futiao asked again.

Li Yi smiled and said, “No rush—it’s not time yet!”

Hearing this, Li Futiao looked at Li Yi and said, “Mr. Li Yi, it seems you aren’t very optimistic about the Hong Kong stock market this time!”

“No, quite the opposite. I’m still very bullish on the Hong Kong stock market; I just don’t think the Hang Seng Index has hit rock bottom yet!” Li Yi said with a smile.

“If I may ask, at what level do you think the Hang Seng Index will finally hit bottom?” Li Futao asked with interest.

“Below 700 points!”

At this remark, everyone present was stunned.

Especially Li Futiao and Huang Lixing—their expressions shifted from shock to delight.

Li Futiao, of course, was the one who looked shocked. As the head of the Far East Club, he was taken aback by Li Yi’s remark.

If the Hang Seng Index were to plummet below 700 points, that would mean the Hong Kong stock market would revert to levels seen three years ago—a blow that could hardly be called minor.

He couldn’t help but silently calculate the potential impact on the Far East Club!

Huang Lixing, on the other hand, was naturally delighted. He was calculating in his mind just how much money they could make if the Hang Seng Index plummeted below 700 points.

He hadn’t realized it until he did the math—and the result gave him quite a shock.

If the Hang Seng Index really did fall below 700 points, his and Li Yi’s profits would reach a staggering 9 billion Hong Kong dollars. If it actually reached that level, both he and Li Yi would become among the top 20 wealthiest people in Hong Kong overnight.

The Li siblings standing nearby were equally stunned by Li Yi’s words, especially Li Yunling, who was rather innocent and, to top it off, a total sucker for good looks.

Seeing that Li Yi’s looks were exactly her type, she immediately said with admiration, “Mr. Li, you’re so amazing!”

Seeing her sister swooning again and gazing so adoringly at this foreigner, Li Yunbao frowned and said, “Mr. Li, if we go by your calculations, wouldn’t two-thirds of Hong Kong’s stock market value evaporate? Is that even possible?”

“Why not?” Li Yi retorted.

“The government won’t let that happen. Didn’t they step in to rescue the market before? They’ll definitely do it again this time!” Li Yunbao said firmly.

However, Li Yi replied calmly, “Once the stock market crashes, even if the government is willing to bail it out, it won’t take effect overnight. Besides, the British Hong Kong government might not be willing to keep plugging this hole.”

“If you don’t believe me, ask Chairman Li—he knows this better than either of us!”

Li Yunbao instinctively glanced at his father. He knew that, as a leading figure in Hong Kong’s Chinese business community, the British Hong Kong government would have to go through his father if it wanted to rescue the market.

Li Futao saw that everyone’s gaze had turned to him, and he immediately set down his knife and fork.

After a brief silence, he finally sighed and said, “Mr. Li Yi is right. The British Hong Kong government has no intention of rescuing the market anymore. In fact, they began cutting their losses and exiting the market yesterday afternoon. The plunge in the Hang Seng Index is directly linked to their actions yesterday!”

Upon hearing this, Li Yunbao was completely taken aback—this “mainland-born” man had actually hit the nail on the head.

But he still retorted defiantly, “Even if the British Hong Kong government doesn’t step in to prop up the market, I still don’t believe the Hang Seng Index will fall below 700 points!”

Seeing that this guy was just as stubborn as he remembered, Li Yi couldn’t resist the urge to knock him down a peg.

“In that case, why don’t we make a bet?”

Hearing this, Li Futao, Huang Lixing, and Zhou Xinghua on the other side all instinctively shuddered inwardly.

To them, Li Yi—with his smile plastered across his face—now looked like a fox luring little chicks into a trap!