1
Kurfürstendamm, Berlin's busiest commercial street, stretches as a long, tree-lined avenue lined with world-renowned brand stores, exquisite restaurants, theaters, cafes, and cinemas. Its vibrant atmosphere captivates visitors, making it difficult for them to part with its undeniable charm.
The Solinter Betting Company building stands prominently on this bustling street. This six-story building, with over 40 years of history, has maintained its legacy in the gambling industry despite experiencing changes in ownership and fortune. From the first to the fourth floors, the building operates entirely as a business zone, with casinos as its main enterprise, complemented by guest rooms, bars, and restaurants.
The company's conference room is located on the sixth floor in the office area. Spanning over 200 square meters, this venue was where the private equity fund settlement and dividend meeting took place. Four security guards stood vigil at the entrances on either end of the conference room corridor, imposing a heavy air of formality and tension that offered a striking juxtaposition to the lively and bustling Kurfürstendamm outside.
All 11 parties involved in the private equity fund were present, representing the following interests:
Trustees:Ding YuanyingEntrusted capital: 17 million Deutsche Marks (18.92 million USD)Post-conversion amount: 23,266,400 RMBRisk Guarantors:Jenny, Chairwoman of Solinter Betting Company, Guarantee: 3.8 million Deutsche MarksZheng Jianshi, Chairman of China Garden Restaurant Company, Guarantee: 500,000 Deutsche MarksLi Zhijiang, Private representative of Han Chufeng, General Manager of Beijing Zhengtian Commercial Building, Guarantee: 450,000 USDCapital Entrustors:Gersmann, Representative of Nitzler International Investment Company in Berlin: 8.5 million Deutsche MarksEnge, Representative of St. Michael Financial Investment Company in Bonn: 4.8 million USDKutzmann, Representative of M.T.D. Trust Investment Company in Berlin: 4 million USDBeck, Representative of STYL Venture Capital Company in Berlin: 7 million Deutsche Marks...The meeting was presided over by Jenny, the risk guarantor representative. Thirty-five years old, with blonde hair and blue eyes, she came from a prestigious family and held a law degree from the University of Berlin and a PhD in Business Management. During her time at Humboldt University in Berlin, she briefly ventured into modeling. Her stunning figure and captivating gaze on the catwalk became the muse of countless photographers. With an illustrious academic background and a commanding presence, she seemed an unlikely figure in the male-dominated gambling world, yet she carried the legacy of Solinter with poise and determination.
The meeting was conducted entirely in German.
Jenny glanced around at the attendees, including their assistants, and began her opening remarks:"Gentlemen, after 11 months of operation, Mr. Ding Yuanying has decided to terminate our collaboration due to personal circumstances and considerations for capital safety. While this outcome is not what we anticipated, I, as a risk guarantor, deeply regret it. Now, let's invite Ms. Xiao Yawen, the trustee representative, to present the operational results and profit distribution."
Xiao Yawen stood, nodded politely to the attendees, and spoke in fluent German:"According to the agreement, the private equity fund established proxy accounts across six stock exchanges in Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen. All funds and profits entering the Chinese A-share market were directly supervised by the investment parties. Every directive from the trustees and every transaction by the investors were confirmed and recorded by their respective proxies. After deductions for currency conversion, remittance, account setup, trading, and nine other expenses, the net profit amounts to 42.8 million Deutsche Marks, which has already been deposited and earmarked for distribution in Solinter's account."
She then distributed the profit allocation documents to everyone. The allocation figures were as follows:
Private Equity Fund Profit: 42.8 Million Deutsche MarksInvestment Return Rate: 82%Collective Pre-allocation to Investment Entrustors:42.8 million × 60% (allocation ratio) = 25.68 million Deutsche MarksReturn Rate: 50.35%Entrustors' Capital Dividends:
Nitzler International Investment Company: 4.28 million Deutsche MarksSt. Michael Financial Investment Company: 4.35 million Deutsche MarksM.T.D. Cultural Investment Company: 3.62 million Deutsche MarksSTYL Venture Capital Company: 3.52 million Deutsche Marks...Trustee Ding Yuanying's Pre-allocation:
42.8 million × 40% (allocation ratio) = 17.12 million Deutsche MarksDisposable Profit: 17.12 million Deutsche MarksDing Yuanying's payment to the Risk Guarantors:
17.12 million × 70% = 11.984 million Deutsche MarksRisk Guarantors' Investment Return Rate: 239.7%Risk Guarantors' Dividend Allocation:Jenny, Chairwoman of Solinter Betting Company:11.984 million × 74.5% = 8.928 million Deutsche MarksZheng Jianshi, Chairman of China Garden Restaurant Company:11.984 million × 9.8% = 1.175 million Deutsche MarksLi Zhijiang, Representative of Han Chufeng:11.984 million × 15.7% = 1.881 million Deutsche MarksDing Yuanying's Remaining Profit:
5.136 million Deutsche MarksJenny addressed the attendees:"Gentlemen, these dividend figures have been audited and signed by accountants from all parties. If you have no objections, please sign the documents, and we will process the payments immediately."
No one raised objections. All attendees signed the documents placed before them, which were then promptly collected by Solinter's staff.
A heavy silence blanketed the room as no one responded. Yet all eyes, brimming with unspoken curiosity and doubt, fixated on Ding Yuanying. Their collective gaze formed a sharp, unrelenting question mark: Why?
After a few seconds, Jenny stood up and said:"In that case, today's meeting is concluded. Please sign the meeting records."
The minutes were circulated for signatures, and after everyone signed, Jenny said graciously:"Gentlemen, please forgive me for taking up a bit more of your time. I propose a toast to our successful collaboration."
Prepared staff promptly entered with trays of red wine, offering each attendee a glass.
Jenny raised her glass, her tone warm and gracious:"To the success of our collaboration and the promise of future endeavors together. Cheers!"
The clinking of glasses echoed across the room, a sound that, for a fleeting moment, masked the undercurrent of tension. Everyone, regardless of their inner thoughts, finished their wine.
2Jenny exchanged a few polite remarks as she saw the guests out. The investors departed swiftly.
Zheng Jianshi, a close friend of Ding Yuanying, lived in the same city as Jenny. Although they were not well-acquainted, the private equity fund had brought their paths to cross. Zheng said courteously, "Ms. Jenny, we'll be heading back now. Tonight, I'm hosting a farewell dinner for Yuanying, and it would be a great honor if you could join us."
Jenny replied politely, "Thank you, but I have other commitments tonight. I'll see him off at the airport tomorrow."
Zheng nodded. "That works too. See you tomorrow then. We'll take our leave now."
With that, Zheng, Li Zhijiang, and an assistant departed.
Jenny quietly instructed her assistant, who then left as well.
Now, only Jenny, Ding Yuanying, and Xiao Yawen remained in the conference room.
Jenny suggested, "Let's head to the bar for a drink."
As they walked toward the bar, Jenny asked, "Are you buying records again this time?"
Ding replied, "Yes, I bought over 60."
Jenny smiled. "With such a big collection, can you even keep track of them all?"
Ding said, "Sometimes I accidentally buy duplicates, but it's just a little hobby of mine. It doesn't bother me much."
They continued chatting as they arrived at the bar on the fourth floor. The place could only be captured in one word: pure, unadulterated luxury.
...The bar was an expansive space divided into six themed sections, including an art bar and a passion bar. Each section exuded its unique atmosphere, created through distinct design, decor, and music. While the sections stood independently, they also blended seamlessly together. Immersed in this elegant, romantic, and opulent setting, sipping a glass of European fine wine felt like the epitome of indulgence.
At this hour, the bar was not crowded. Jenny chose a secluded spot to avoid interruptions, and the three of them sat around a table. Soon, a waiter in his thirties approached. Jenny gave him a few instructions, and before long, he returned with wine, glassware, a box of women's cigarettes, and an exquisite lighter.
Seeing the wine bottle, Ding casually asked, "What's this about?"
The wine was priced at over 10,000 Deutsche Marks, equivalent to more than 40,000 RMB. It was a Louis XIII Black Pearl Cognac by Rémy Martin—a masterpiece among aged brandies. Its crystal-engraved bottle and the diamond embedded in the crystal stopper symbolized its timeless appeal as a collector's item and the refined prestige of its owner.
Jenny opened the bottle and poured three glasses, saying, "I'm sorry, but I must follow protocol."
Ding took out a pack of 555 cigarettes from his pocket and lit one. "If it's protocol, there's no need to apologize. I should thank you instead. Without your guarantee, I wouldn't have raised a single Deutsche Mark."
Jenny lit a cigarette as well and replied, "If I thought it was risky, I wouldn't have guaranteed it. Neither would Han Chufeng or the others. You made us all money—that's the essence of it."
Holding her cigarette in her left hand, Jenny raised her glass with her right, gesturing to Ding and Xiao. Ding lifted his glass in response, and the three took a sip.
Thus, this bottle of wine, adored and revered by so many, fulfilled its mission in the most unceremonious manner.
At this moment, Jenny's assistant approached, placing a document envelope on the table. "Eighty thousand dollars," she said.
Jenny nodded, signaling her to leave.
Jenny poured another round of wine and asked, "Why did you choose this path?"
Ding offered an apologetic smile. "It's nothing. I just want some peace and quiet for a while… Even I feel like that's a shallow excuse."
Jenny laughed. "You're not as talkative as you were back at the University of Berlin."
Ding said, "I don't want people to think I'm crazy. Besides, as a Chinese person, there are things I'd rather not discuss with foreigners. Please understand."
Jenny took a drag from her cigarette, her two fingers holding it against her lips. Her eyes lingered on Ding's face, filled with quiet confusion, as if posing a lingering, unspoken question.