Bab 114: Chapter 114: Barbie Doll
Hardy drove to USC to pick up Han Yezhen. He had promised to take her to a movie when "Red Dead Redemption" was released. Despite his busy schedule, he finally found the time to honor his commitment.
He parked the car downstairs and waited. Two young women emerged from the dormitory corridor. The Oriental woman was graceful and gentle, while the blonde beauty was tall and striking.
Passing male students couldn't help but admire the two beauties.
"Hi, Yezhen," Hardy greeted with a smile.
"Hi, Elaine. Are you joining us too?" Hardy asked as he noticed the two women together.
Irina raised an eyebrow and playfully placed her hand on her chest, "I'm so sad. You invited Yezhen to the movie, but not me?"
"Well, I didn't expect to have three people," Hardy chuckled. "Looks like our two-person movie plan has turned into a trio."
The three of them drove to the theater, had dinner together, and discussed various topics, including the auction house. They arrived at the cinema at 7 PM and requested a triple row of seats.
"Yezhen, I'm going to the bathroom. You two go ahead," Irina said before heading off.
Hardy and Han Yezhen found their seats and settled in. Shortly after, Irina returned and, with a playful look, asked to sit next to Hardy, effectively placing herself between Hardy and Yezhen.
The movie began soon after, and Irina naturally leaned into Hardy's arm. Han Yezhen observed with a faint smile, seemingly amused by the situation.
As the film played, Irina asked, "Boss, how's the box office for this movie?"
"It's been 11 days since the release. The box office has reached $4.3 million so far, and MGM estimates it could hit between $7 million and $8 million," Hardy replied.
"Wow, that's impressive. Will it be the North American box office champion this year?"
"Hopefully," Hardy said.
"How much do you stand to gain from this?" Irina inquired.
"Over $2 million."
"That's a huge profit! Is making movies always this profitable?" Irina asked with excitement.
"Not exactly. Out of ten movies, seven may be losses, two might break even, and only one will be profitable," Hardy explained.
Irina's eyes widened. "Boss, with all that money you're making, could you increase the budget for the auction house? It would help us avoid always having to cut corners when buying antiques."
Hardy smiled. "The money won't be available for a while, but I'll make sure to give you an extra $100,000 next month."
"Thank you, Boss," Irina said softly, her arm still resting comfortably on Hardy's.
Though Hardy often claimed to be short on cash, he was capable of providing such amounts. Cash flow was managed through various means, including movies, casinos, and antiques.
The film was thrilling, and Irina, who had initially been a bit restless, became captivated by the movie. The melodious whistle of the opening scene and Ava Gardner's performance in "Scarborough Fair" were highlights.
After the movie, Han Yezhen asked, "Is Miss Ava Gardner one of your contract artists?"
"Yes," Hardy confirmed.
"Her song was wonderful. Could you get an autograph for me?" Yezhen requested.
"Of course. We're currently working on an album for her. I'll make sure she signs a copy for you," Hardy promised.
Irina also leaned in, "I'd like a copy too."
"No problem," Hardy said.
---
A couple of days later, Andy brought good news: the toy factory had been acquired.
The factory, which had been struggling, was purchased for $68,000. The acquisition was straightforward since the boss held most of the shares, and the minority shareholders agreed to sell.
At the Los Angeles Stock Exchange Center, in a senior client room overlooking the trading floor, Hardy met with Andy. Several experienced traders were busy at their desks, handling multiple phones and trading books.
"How's it going?" Hardy asked.
"I'm in the process of washing the market—buying and selling to clear out floating shares and unsettled investors. We aim to acquire more than 50% of the outstanding shares for better control," Andy explained.
Hardy had a question, "What if other traders try to interfere?"
Andy smiled, "In such cases, it's best to avoid confrontation. If two traders target the same stock, negotiating a joint operation is more effective. Competing traders will either bid the price up or collaborate, leaving retail investors as the ones who get trapped."
"So retail investors are essentially the primary targets?" Hardy summarized.
"Yes. Brokers, financial companies, stock firms, institutions, and funds all target retail investors," Andy confirmed. "Institutional confrontations often arise from different strategic reasons, but the retail investors remain the primary prey."
Andy spent the next three days acquiring 75.5% of the toy factory's outstanding shares at $0.22 each. With the majority of shares secured, they were ready for the next step.
Hardy and Andy visited the toy factory with the new management team. The factory, previously abandoned by its workers due to financial issues, now had only two technicians remaining.
Hardy presented several pictures to the workers, showing new doll designs:
"Princess Ava": A 24 cm tall doll with a slender figure and sky-blue eyes.
"Princess Taylor": A 21 cm tall doll with violet eyes.
"Chinese Princess": A 23 cm tall doll with black jewel-colored eyes.
"Can these dolls be produced?" Hardy inquired.
The technician inspected the drawings. "It's feasible, though it will be more complex than the previous toys. The hair, eyes, and clothing will increase the cost, but the result will be a premium product."
"That's what we want—luxury dolls. We'll price them at $15.80 per set and offer a range of clothes and accessories," Hardy stated.
He instructed the team to register all relevant copyrights for the dolls and to set up production, including acquiring machinery and recruiting workers.
"Andy, it's time to announce the news," Hardy concluded.
Bab 115: Chapter 115: Heidi Rama, the Mother of Wi-Fi
Los Angeles Financial News:
"In the latest update, the toy company listed under the stock code XLG has undergone a change in ownership. The new owner, HD, now holds all shares of the toy company except for the outstanding shares."
There's an old adage in China: "The fewer words in the news, the bigger the matter."
Though brief, this news captured considerable attention.
"I saw someone manipulating the toy stock a few days ago. I assumed it was an attempt to increase arbitrage, not realizing it was an acquisition."
"HD Security has gained prominence recently. Following the release of the 'Los Angeles Bank Robbery' documentary, its reputation has skyrocketed. In just over six months, it has become the largest security company in Los Angeles, boasting over 1,000 employees."
"Moreover, HD Films, owned by the same individual, is currently producing the hit film 'Red Dead Redemption.'"
"What's the plan for the toy company?"
"Who knows? Perhaps they're optimistic about the toy industry."
This news generated buzz, and in the subsequent days, the toy factory's stock began to climb, reaching $0.31.
Three days later:
The Los Angeles Financial News reported:
"The toy company under stock code XLG has officially rebranded as HD Toys. The new majority shareholder has restructured the management, infused capital, and is investing in new production equipment to prepare for new toy lines."
This announcement further boosted optimism about HD Toys' future. Many investors began purchasing shares, causing the stock price to surge to $0.48.
At this stage, Andy's funds remained steady.
Days passed, and the Los Angeles Times published an advertisement featuring three exquisite Barbie dolls. Some wore evening gowns, others veil skirts, and some cheongsams. Each doll was crafted with meticulous detail, showcasing grace and elegance.
"HD Toys introduces the 'Barbie' series. The first doll, 'Princess Ava,' is inspired by Miss Ava Gardner. The second, 'Princess Taylor,' is modeled after Elizabeth Taylor. The third, 'Chinese Princess,' reflects the beauty of a distinguished Chinese noblewoman."
"The collection includes several outfits and accessories for each doll, representing different seasons and professions such as stars, teachers, engineers, and doctors. New outfits and accessories will be introduced each season."
A headline below read:
"Every girl, whether three or seventy, deserves a Barbie doll."
"Barbie dolls will be available before Christmas."
The advertisement captivated many, sparking a desire for these beautiful toys.
Following this, toy stocks experienced another surge. Andy strategically raised the stock price, with shares climbing from $0.50 to over $1 in just one day.
Hardy observed the rising stock prices with satisfaction.
---
The phone in Hardy's office rang, and Taylor picked it up.
"Hardy I saw the Los Angeles Daily. Is 'Princess Taylor' modeled after me?" Taylor asked excitedly.
"Hehe, indeed. Do you like it?" Hardy replied.
"Absolutely! For Christmas, I would love to have 'Princess Taylor' and the entire set," Taylor said.
"Of course, I'll make sure you get it," Hardy assured.
"Awesome! Does that mean you'll visit me in New York for Christmas? Director Hitchcock said we only have one day off, and I can't return to Los Angeles," Taylor said, her voice tinged with disappointment.
"Yes, I'll come to New York," Hardy promised.
"Fantastic!" Elizabeth Taylor cheered on the other end of the line.
Though she was primarily excited about Hardy's visit, she appreciated the gesture of receiving the doll.
After ending the call with Taylor, Hardy's phone rang again, this time with Han Yezhen on the line.
"Is there something wrong, Yezhen?"
"I was wondering, who is the 'Chinese Princess'?" Han Yezhen asked softly.
"That's you," Hardy answered succinctly.
There was a moment of silence before Han Yezhen responded, "I really like it. I'll want a full set later." She quickly hung up, leaving Hardy with a smile.
The phone rang a third time. As anticipated, it was Ava Gardner.
"Princess Ava sounds wonderful. I never imagined that a country girl like me could become a princess. Thank you, Hardy," Ava said with genuine delight.
---
As Andy continued to reorganize the toy factory, he shifted focus to magazines and health products, manipulating their stocks.
In the fluctuating stock market, Andy acquired 74% of the shares in a magazine and 61% of the shares in a health products company. He began negotiations for acquisitions.
The magazine owner was willing to sell but demanded a high price. Andy, however, leveraged the magazine's financial troubles, pointing out its imminent delisting. The owner reluctantly agreed to sell, with the condition that current employees' wages remain unchanged for six months.
The health products company posed a challenge. Several shareholders, aware of Andy's previous acquisitions and their potential for profit, inflated the price. Despite this, the stock price rose to $0.29, just above Andy's purchase price.
Andy decided to shift strategies. Instead of pursuing the acquisition further, he planned to operate the company and make a profit through strategic market moves.
Andy prepared for the next steps while Hardy met with Hefner, the editor-in-chief of the magazine.
"Hello, Hefner. I'm Jon Hardy," Hardy greeted, shaking hands.
Hefner, in his forties, responded, "Hello, Mr. Hardy. I assume you have a vision for the magazine?"
"I do," Hardy said. "I want to create a special men's magazine called 'Playboy,' featuring a rabbit with a bow tie as the logo. The cover will showcase the most beautiful and sensual women. We aim to push the boundaries of American conservatism, offering both aesthetic appeal and intellectual content."
Hefner's eyes widened. Hardy's vision for the magazine aligned perfectly with his own aspirations.
Hefner hesitated but mentioned, "I have a suggestion for the first issue's cover. Heidi Rama would be perfect. She's stunning and previously appeared on a highly coveted photo album."
Hardy remembered Heidi Rama, an actress and scientist known for her future invention, "wireless frequency hopping technology." Though her scientific achievements were yet to be recognized, Hardy saw potential in her.
"Let's proceed with Heidi Rama for the cover. Her inclusion will set the magazine apart and offer a unique appeal," Hardy concluded.
With a clear direction for the magazine, Hardy anticipated a new chapter in both the magazine's and the health products company's journeys.
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