Chapter 60: What's the Harm in Meeting Him?
"Our neighbor? So he also lives in Deep Water Bay?" Li Ka-shing quickly sorted through the names in his mind.
Deep Water Bay was one of Hong Kong's most prestigious residential districts.
Although there were only a few dozen households, every resident was a prominent figure in Hong Kong's business world.
Li Ka-shing believed he knew nearly all of them.
Yet after carefully thinking it over, he still couldn't match Pao Yue-kong's description to anyone he knew.
"Brother Li," Pao Yue-kong said with a mysterious smile, "you'll understand once you meet him."
"I guarantee you'll never guess who it is."
Recalling his own reaction when he had first learned the truth, Pao Yue-kong couldn't help smiling.
Even now, the surprise he had felt remained vivid in his memory.
"Brother Pao," Li Ka-shing said after a moment of thought, "I'm willing to abandon the acquisition of Qingzhou Yingni."
"But there's one thing that's troubling me more than anything else."
"I need to know how news of our plans leaked."
"Please arrange a meeting with this neighbor of yours as soon as possible."
"I'd like to hear the answer from him personally."
After careful consideration, Li Ka-shing had ultimately decided to withdraw from the acquisition.
Naturally, there were several reasons behind that decision.
The first was to preserve his friendship with Pao Yue-kong and give him the respect and face he deserved.
After all, Pao's future support would likely prove essential if Li hoped to successfully acquire Hongkong & Whampoa Dock one day.
Secondly, Pao Yue-kong's certainty convinced him that the chances of successfully acquiring Qingzhou Yingni were already extremely slim.
Li understood Pao's character well.
He was not someone who made baseless judgments.
If Pao said the acquisition was virtually impossible, then that conclusion must be supported by solid facts and careful analysis.
Continuing to invest time and resources into the matter would be neither wise nor worthwhile.
Thirdly, Cheung Kong Holdings currently owned only a relatively small stake in Green Island Cement.
Since entering the market, they had merely been making cautious, exploratory purchases.
Even if they withdrew completely, the impact on the company's overall strategy and finances would be negligible.
From every perspective, it was a rational decision.
Most importantly...
What truly concerned Li Ka-shing was the source of the information leak.
How had someone discovered that Cheung Kong Holdings was targeting Qingzhou Yingni?
The mystery weighed heavily on his mind.
Until he uncovered the truth, he knew he wouldn't be able to sleep peacefully.
Finally, he had no intention of wasting valuable resources on a company whose acquisition had little chance of success.
Hong Kong was filled with outstanding British-owned enterprises.
There were plenty of attractive investment opportunities waiting to be explored.
There was no reason to become fixated on a single company.
Business was like a chess match.
It was constantly changing, requiring flexibility and foresight.
It was precisely this willingness to adapt and rethink his strategy that had made Li Ka-shing the businessman he was today.
Without it, he might never have achieved such remarkable success.
When Pao Yue-kong learned that Li Ka-shing had agreed to abandon the acquisition of Qingzhou Yingni, a tremendous sense of relief washed over him.
His purpose in coming tonight had been accomplished.
The trip had not been in vain.
For Pao, the decision also meant that he would soon obtain the 1.47 million-plus shares of Wharf Holdings from Lin Haoran.
That would significantly strengthen his own position and widen the gap between his side and the Jardine Group in the battle for control of Wharf Holdings.
Thinking of this, a satisfied smile spread across Pao Yue-kong's face.
It was a smile born from anticipation of victory—and gratitude for Li Ka-shing's wise decision.
"Brother Li, don't worry."
"As soon as I return home, I'll call him immediately and arrange the meeting."
"His company happens to be in Central, only a short distance from your headquarters."
"Would tomorrow afternoon or tomorrow evening be more convenient for you?"
Pao Yue-kong's cheerful mood was obvious.
"Tomorrow afternoon will do."
Li Ka-shing considered it briefly before agreeing.
"Very well."
"I'll head back now and call him."
"I'll let you know as soon as everything is confirmed."
"I won't keep you from your rest any longer."
"My apologies again for disturbing you so late."
"I look forward to seeing you another day."
Pao Yue-kong rose with a smile and politely took his leave.
By now, the night had grown deep.
The clock quietly approached 10:00 p.m.
Carrying both relief and anticipation, Pao Yue-kong returned home.
After arriving home, he scarcely exchanged a few words with his wife before heading straight into his study.
The matter weighed heavily on his mind.
Without delay, he picked up the telephone and dialed the number Lin Haoran had given him.
Hearing the phone ring, Lin Haoran put down his book and quickly walked over to answer it.
"Haoran."
"I have good news."
"I've successfully persuaded Mr. Li Ka-shing to abandon his acquisition of Qingzhou Yingni."
Pao Yue-kong's hearty voice came through the receiver.
"Uncle Pao, thank you so much!"
"To show my gratitude, I'll sell every share of Wharf Holdings that I own to you."
At last...
The heavy burden in Lin Haoran's heart finally disappeared.
Deep down, he had always believed in Pao Yue-kong's abilities.
He had been convinced that once Pao personally stepped in, the matter would be resolved.
Yet until he heard the answer himself, a lingering sense of uncertainty had remained.
Now...
With Pao Yue-kong's confirmation, he could finally relax completely.
Without Li Ka-shing as a competitor, complete control of Qingzhou Yingni now seemed almost within reach.
Given enough time, acquiring it would become only a matter of course.
"However..."
"There's one thing I'd like you to agree to."
Pao Yue-kong continued.
"Mr. Li Ka-shing hopes to meet you in person."
"He has something he'd like to ask you."
"Uncle Pao, may I ask what it's about?"
Lin Haoran asked.
"He wants to know how you discovered that Cheung Kong Holdings had set its sights on Qingzhou Yingni."
Pao Yue-kong answered honestly.
"I understand."
"Thank you for letting me know, Uncle Pao."
"I agree to meet Mr. Li."
"When would he like to meet?"
Like Pao Yue-kong, Lin Haoran was in an excellent mood.
"Tomorrow afternoon."
Pao replied.
"Then let's make it 5:00 p.m. tomorrow."
"We can meet at the Juquande Teahouse downstairs from my company."
Lin Haoran thought for a moment before deciding.
By then, the stock market would already have closed, leaving him free.
"Very well."
"I'll inform Mr. Li immediately."
"Oh, and one more thing, Haoran."
"How about we complete the share transaction tomorrow morning?"
"As for the purchase price..."
"We'll use today's closing market price."
"Do you have any objections?"
Pao Yue-kong asked.
"No objections at all."
"Let's settle the deal at today's closing price."
Lin Haoran agreed without hesitation.
To him, Li Ka-shing's withdrawal from Qingzhou Yingni was worth far more than squeezing out a slightly higher price for his Wharf Holdings shares.
Besides, Pao Yue-kong had solved one of his biggest problems.
There was no reason for him to demand a premium.
As for meeting Li Ka-shing...
Now that everything had been settled, what harm could there be in meeting him?
(End of Chapter)
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