When the final training session concluded, Yun Qingyang kept Ou Yunchen and Ren Xiaoguang behind.
Yun Qingyang: "As per the tradition of each graduating class, I will be awarding an Outstanding Student badge to one student."
Ou Yunchen and Ren Xiaoguang exchanged glances. Ou Yunchen was already certain of winning the Outstanding Student award.
This was because Ou Yunchen and Colin had presented Yun Qingyang with a condition he could never refuse: to make his Elite Association a permanent member of the Bilderberg Club.
As agreed, they would be allowed to nominate one student to become a member of the Elite Association.
The reason Yun Qingyang sought to recruit outstanding talents from universities into the Elite Association was his realization that money isn't always everything; some connections cannot be bought.
Just like the Bilderberg Club, Yun Qingyang, despite his immense assets, was still barred from entry.
But now, with Ou Yunchen and Colin, Yun Qingyang could finally approach that threshold.
Yun Qingyang: "In this cohort, I have seen the shining points in everyone. Every student is qualified to be my outstanding student…"
Yun Qing turned around and picked up a small box from the table, inside which lay a gleaming golden badge.
Yun Qingyang: "Xiaoguang, you have always been a student I highly value. This badge belongs to you."
With that, Yun Qingyang pinned the badge onto Ren Xiaoguang. Ren Xiaoguang glanced at Ou Yunchen and said nothing.
Yun Qingyang: "Yunchen, this one is for you."
There were two identical badges in the box, yes, two!
Yun Qingyang: "I am making an exception for you, because you are a rare talent I have seen."
"Do you remember the topic your group presented on immortality in the metaverse?"
"It deeply moved me. I hope you will persist in your ideals and make that a possibility in the future."
Ren Xiaoguang gently patted Ou Yunchen's arm.
Ou Yunchen: "Thank you, teacher. I will definitely live up to your expectations and work hard."
Yun Qingyang: "There is one more thing, and I believe you both already know that becoming an outstanding student means you can join my Elite Association."
Ou Yunchen and Ren Xiaoguang both nodded.
Yun Qingyang: "As the President of the Elite Association, I now formally invite you to join."
Ren Xiaoguang and Ou Yunchen were both very excited, as if their three years of hard work had not been in vain. This was the best graduation gift!
Following this, Yun Qingyang introduced them to the Elite Association and the prominent figures already in it. As new members, they would attend the triennial welcoming reception in three days.
After Ou Yunchen officially joined the Elite Association, he finally understood why Maggie and Colin believed this association was crucial for his eventual entry into the Bilderberg Club.
If the Bilderberg Club could manipulate global economic trends, then this Elite Association could control the nation's economy!
Imagine, if the few major conglomerates with the most say in the country's economy gathered together, and shared a common goal, wouldn't it be possible to effortlessly resolve all issues?
Of course, the issue they were discussing now was how to ensure the nation's economic stability amidst global economic uncertainty.
Yun Qingyang: "Inflation in country M is reaching new highs, now at 5%. Some European countries have reached 6%. You must know that anything above 2% is a warning line."
Ren Xiaoguang: "That's right. Housing prices in some countries have risen by nearly 20%, yet ours are still being suppressed. This has pushed our real estate industry into a deep winter."
Xiong Rongfan: "We need some economic measures to stimulate and support the development of domestic small and medium-sized enterprises."
Yun Qingyang: "Yunchen, you are most experienced in dealing with capital. ATL seems to have been hit hard. Is there anything you need us to do?"
Ou Yunchen: "ATL developed too rapidly before, consuming too much. It seems to have encroached upon the interests of some major overseas capital. I cannot say for sure when they will loosen their grip, but any capital that tries to help ATL now might get caught up in it…"
Ou Yunchen's words were veiled, but he was sure everyone present understood. His implied meaning was for them not to get involved, whether with good intentions or other motives, they should stay away from this battle.
Yun Qingyang nodded. He had been paying attention to ATL for quite some time.
Therefore, this conflict seemed to be an attempt by someone to carve up ATL, a common tactic used by capital.
However, as members of the Elite Association, they did not want to see a newly admitted company go bankrupt within days.
With Ou Yunchen's consistently ambiguous answers, Yun Qingyang gave up on the idea of everyone finding ways to save the company and shifted the topic back to how to survive the difficult global economy.
***
Ou Yunchen was now busier than ever, but he still made time to return to ATL.
Lawyer Ma concisely summarized all the recent events. Ou Yunchen, looking at the sharply declining performance, felt helpless.
Crystal: "Mr. Ou, Mr. Ma, perhaps we should shut down all overseas investment projects as soon as possible."
Lawyer Ma: "Ninety percent of ATL's business is overseas. If we close it all down, it would be equivalent to bankruptcy."
Crystal: "Although our main threat comes from the attacks of overseas consortiums, from the perspective of the overall global situation, investments are currently on a downward trend. Even if we switch to different stocks, it will be difficult to achieve half of the previous returns in the short term."
Ou Yunchen: "Continue."
Crystal: "I suggest ATL shift its focus domestically and invest inward…"
It was clear that Crystal had done a lot of homework for this meeting.
Ou Yunchen had also heard in the Elite Association that many companies, after being severely impacted overseas, had to turn to the domestic market to survive.
For an investment company, would this approach alleviate their urgent needs?
Lawyer Ma: "Then should we also shut down the secondary market of Swartz?"
As Lawyer Ma and Crystal discussed how to save ATL, Ou Yunchen made a bold decision.
Lawyer Ma and Crystal: "Shut down the Swartz headquarters?"
Ou Yunchen: "Not shut down, but move it all here."
Lawyer Ma: "This…"
Ou Yunchen: "I agree with Crystal's suggestion. Perhaps we can try to shift our focus and, conveniently, avoid the pursuit of overseas capital. They are not adept at investments here, but we have a good grasp of all the information…"
Crystal: "Yes, the authorities have decided to lower the reserve requirement ratio, which is a great opportunity for us. Once 1.2 trillion in long-term funds enters the market, the domestic market will surely form a bullish trend."
Ou Yunchen: "It's decided then. Lawyer Ma, the relocation of the headquarters will be your responsibility. Those unwilling to move will be compensated according to local regulations, and for those who are willing, all their living needs and benefits will be arranged."
Lawyer Ma quickly nodded and recorded Ou Yunchen's requirements in his notebook.
Ou Yunchen: "Crystal, convene a meeting with all PMs to discuss the new strategy. I require a report on the shift in investment within a week. Expedite the development of new products and deliver them to existing customers. We should be willing to lower profit margins to retain them."
Crystal: "Understood."