Chapter 33 Deep Out-of-the-Dot Put Options!
The aroma of hot coffee, with a subtle bitterness, quietly permeates the air.
Ah~~~
Risk manager Zhang Wei leaned back in his chair, letting out a long sigh of relief as he savored this long-lost, almost stolen moment of leisure.
While the trading department was still bustling with activity, an unusual calm permeated the offices of the Risk Management Department.
Just a few days ago, the scene here was quite different—the entire department was like a tightly wound machine, everyone was on edge, and they were so busy they barely had time to breathe.
That's because during that period, the market fluctuated violently, like an epileptic seizure.
Those traders who get carried away and try to gamble recklessly beyond the limits of risk.
Zhang Wei and his team must act like the most vigilant sentinels, striking with an iron fist at the first sign of trouble.
Transaction prohibited! Warning message! 24/7 monitoring! Every moment is like walking on thin ice.
But today, none of that is needed.
Because almost all traders, like sharks smelling blood, flocked to the stock market, which was now booming and flourishing!
When the stock market is soaring and most stocks are frequently hitting their daily limit, the Risk Management Department naturally becomes an idle department with nothing to do.
That's why Zhang Wei can so leisurely savor the aftertaste of his coffee at this moment.
—At least, that was the case until that very moment.
"Supervisor," a slightly hesitant voice broke the silence of the office from behind, "about that… newly established Seventh Department …"
Seventh Department?
Zhang Wei's eyebrows twitched almost imperceptibly.
A name and a vague impression flashed through my mind in an instant.
Oh, that's the place.
Su Hao, who was parachuted in from behind a mysterious background and was internally referred to as the " Crown Prince, " took over as manager of the new department.
"What's wrong?" He turned his chair around and asked in a calm tone, but he had a vague premonition in his heart.
"Their transaction records... are very strange, extremely strange!"
The subordinate's voice carried an undisguised confusion and unease.
Something's not right?
Zhang Wei frowned slightly, paused in putting down his coffee cup, and spoke with a hint of impatience:
"Hmph, let me guess? It's the same old trick again, throwing all their money at a single stock like madmen, gambling like crazy, isn't it?"
He had seen this kind of reckless, impulsive behavior many times before.
"No, supervisor, it's not that kind of simple high-stakes gamble."
The subordinate immediately disagreed, lowering his voice even further, making him sound even more serious:
"They...they are investing a huge amount of money into a stock that nobody in the market is interested in, or even avoids like the plague! I'm worried about the risks, so I've sent a warning message according to procedure, but...they seem to be completely ignoring our warnings!"
"Hmm..." Zhang Wei subconsciously took a breath, feeling as if the air had become somewhat heavy.
He frowned and said in a deep voice, "Wait, bring up the detailed data so I can take a look."
Su Hao.
The name seemed to carry some kind of invisible pressure, causing Zhang Wei's heart to sink slightly.
This man... has an unfathomable background and an unconventional style of doing things.
Not to mention Zhang Wei, even the shrewd and manipulative head of their Risk Management Department wouldn't dare to mess with him in the slightest.
There are even rumors that within this hierarchical company, the only person who can truly restrain and manage him is probably the high-ranking Director!
It was precisely because of this elusive relationship and background that Zhang Wei had always chosen to turn a blind eye to some of the new manager's "outrageous" actions, unwilling to actively provoke trouble.
However--
When Zhang Wei saw the transaction data brought up by his subordinates, with the clear flow of funds and the list of holdings displayed on the screen, he could hardly believe his eyes!
"What the hell is all this?!"
He almost roared out loud, his eyes fixed on the screen, his pupils contracting instantly!
The glaring green loss figures on the screen felt like cold needles, making his eyelids twitch!
Trading Department Seven!
Trading Department Seven, led by Su Hao!
All of its investment actions are completely contrary to the mainstream trend that the entire market is currently pursuing!
It's a complete, 180-degree... reversal!
"He's only been a manager for a few days, barely settled in, and he's already starting to pull off these outrageous things?"
Zhang Wei's mind was in turmoil, filled with surprise and uncertainty:
"Could it be... that this kid is about to go crazy again?!"
"Shorting stock index futures... massive short selling... he even... even bought a huge amount of deep out-of-the-money put options?!"
Zhang Wei's voice trembled with shock, each word seeming to be squeezed out from between his teeth.
"Yes, supervisor." The subordinate's voice was strained with disbelief.
"As you know, the stock market is currently experiencing an unprecedented super bull market, and everyone is scrambling to get in, trying to make a fortune by riding this unstoppable wave. But... but Seventh Department has chosen the exact opposite direction!"
Zhang Wei is acutely aware of the current market trends! He knows them better than anyone else!
It's not just the traders who charge into battle; those risk managers who are responsible for the rear and controlling risks must also be like the most discerning hunting dogs, accurately sniffing out and firmly grasping the current market trends!
Only in this way can we make the most accurate judgment at critical moments—when to decisively stop a potentially out-of-control transaction, and when to remain inactive and let it develop freely.
"While others avoid it like the plague, fearing to get even a little bit involved, they do the opposite, pouring such a huge amount of money into it like water being poured on..."
It was as if a bolt of lightning struck Zhang Wei's mind!
All the suspicious points suddenly connected!
He understood instantly!
Su Hao! That audacious guy! All his actions point to a chilling possibility—
He's gambling! He's gambling that the seemingly invincible, booming stock market is about to crash!
"Is he insane?! He's absolutely insane!"
The thought exploded in Zhang Wei's mind like a thunderclap, causing him to blurt it out unconsciously.
Are you kidding me!
Now, if you open any financial newspaper or any financial information website, you'll be bombarded with optimistic predictions and rosy hopes for the future of the stock market!
Numerous experts and analysts confidently assert that the market index will at least double again! Or even more!
In this atmosphere of nationwide fervor, there is absolutely no warning or warning about a bearish outlook that can be found!
This is the only indicator right now!
It is a golden rule that everyone must follow!
'Could it be... because he was just promoted to manager so quickly, and the pressure of proving himself led to impaired judgment?'
Or is it... that this guy is just a complete megalomaniac, totally immersed in his unrealistic fantasies, making such an incredibly stupid, suicidal decision?
Zhang Wei's thoughts raced like lightning.
Yes, such an astonishing speed of promotion must be accompanied by unimaginable pressure.
Perhaps this forces him to produce extraordinary, even shocking, 'achievements' to silence public criticism.
Or, more likely, this was simply a self-satisfied one-man show where he made a wrong judgment that could drag the entire team, along with that huge sum of money, into the abyss!
"Supervisor, what... what do we do now?"
The subordinate's voice pulled Zhang Wei back from his chaotic thoughts, his tone filled with anxiety and unease:
"Should we... should we immediately exercise our authority to revoke all their trading orders and forcibly stop their operations?"
The Risk Management Department has far more authority within the company than outsiders might imagine.
Their decisions can even supersede those of the heads of certain departments.
If they determine that a transaction carries an uncontrollable and significant risk, even if the other party holds a higher position, the Risk Management Department can forcefully stop the transaction, and the transaction will absolutely not be able to proceed.
However... this rule becomes ambiguous, or even... completely ineffective, when faced with certain special individuals.
When the target that needs to be stopped is Su Hao, who even the department director has to be wary of and who may even have direct access to the company's top management, the situation becomes completely different.
"…" Zhang Wei fell silent.
The only sounds in the office were the hum of the computer fans and the faint noise from other departments in the distance.
He subconsciously raised his eyes and looked at his nominal boss, Manager Pan Xun, who was not far away.
Mr. Pan, known for his smooth-talking nature, was looking down at the screen, pretending to be completely absorbed.
Seemingly sensing Zhang Wei's gaze, President Pan paused slightly, then awkwardly... and deliberately looked away.
"well."
A barely audible sigh escaped Zhang Wei's lips.
He finally waved his hand, his voice carrying a weariness and helplessness that he himself was unaware of.
"...Let him be."
"Huh?! Supervisor!"
The subordinate stared in astonishment, his eyes wide.
"But...but what if! What if that money...that's a whopping fifty million! What if it's all lost?! Right now, the only account in the entire company that's showing up is the Seventh Department's...a glaringly pale green!"
"Xiao Wu," Zhang Wei's voice was a little hoarse, as if each word had taken a great deal of effort:
"Working in this company... sometimes, no, most of the time..."
Whatever you see, you have to pretend you didn't see it.
You have to pretend you didn't hear anything you hear.
Don't ask questions you shouldn't ask.
"Don't meddle in things that aren't your business."
His gaze seemed to pierce through his subordinates, looking towards a more distant place, his tone carrying an almost cruel sense of reality.
"Now, that's the time."
He never imagined that one day he would say such words himself.
These words were full of compromise, helplessness, and even cowardice.
But what can be done?
That's just how reality is. Even a powerful Risk Management Department, which holds the power of "life and death," always has areas it cannot touch and must circumvent... forbidden zones.
'but...'
The chilling number resurfaced in Zhang Wei's mind once again.
'Fifty million... isn't that bet... way too damn big?!'
A chill, inexplicable in its depths, involuntarily swept through his heart.
A newly established team, on which high hopes were placed, seems... destined to vanish into thin air the moment it was born, without even making a ripple.