Chapter 68: Setting His Sights on Li Ka-shing's Shares
"Mr. Lin, if you ever have some free time, you're more than welcome to visit my home. Since we're neighbors, I think it's only natural that we get to know each other better."
Although Lin Haoran was still very young, after their conversation, Li Ka-shing no longer regarded him as a junior in the slightest.
On the contrary, the more they talked, the more highly he thought of him.
He had already begun considering Lin Haoran someone worth befriending.
Such was the nature of the world.
True ability naturally earned the respect of others.
"It would be my honor to accept your kind invitation, Mr. Li." Lin Haoran replied politely.
As one exquisitely prepared dish after another was served, the two men continued enjoying their meal while naturally steering the conversation toward business and investment.
Lin Haoran's unique insights, keen business instincts, and remarkably accurate understanding of industry trends left Li Ka-shing genuinely impressed.
"By the way, Mr. Li."
Lin Haoran suddenly shifted the conversation toward his real purpose.
"May I ask how many Qingzhou Yingni shares you're currently holding?
"If possible, I'd like to purchase them from you.
"To demonstrate my sincerity, I'm willing to pay HK$6 per share, ensuring that you won't suffer any loss from this transaction.
"What do you think?"
Although Li Ka-shing had already stated that he was withdrawing from the acquisition of Qingzhou Yingni, Lin Haoran knew that as long as those shares remained in Li Ka-shing's hands, there would always be an element of uncertainty.
By acquiring them outright, he would not only strengthen his control over Qingzhou Yingni but also completely eliminate any lingering possibility of Li Ka-shing changing his mind.
Only then could he truly rest easy.
Li Ka-shing's average purchase price had probably been only slightly above HK$5 per share.
Offering HK$6 was already an exceptionally sincere proposal.
A premium was simply unavoidable.
Otherwise, why would anyone sell to you?
That was the reality of business.
Even in his previous transaction with Bao Yugang, Li Ka-shing had earned HK$60 million in profit.
Friendship was one thing.
Business interests were another.
The two should never be confused.
To Lin Haoran's surprise, Li Ka-shing agreed almost immediately.
"I currently hold approximately 3.91 million shares of Qingzhou Yingni.
"If you need them, Mr. Lin, I'd be more than happy to transfer them to you."
Li Ka-shing answered with a smile.
Ever since losing the opportunity to acquire Qingzhou Yingni, those shares had already lost much of their strategic value in his eyes.
Selling them at HK$6 per share would allow him to make another respectable profit.
Although the amount was insignificant compared with his overall wealth, it was still an excellent deal.
More importantly, he had developed a genuine interest in Lin Haoran.
He believed this young man possessed extraordinary potential and an unconventional way of thinking.
His future achievements would almost certainly be remarkable.
Since that was the case, why not do the young man a favor?
After all, if someone even Pao Yue-kong valued so highly, what reason did Li Ka-shing have to look down on him?
At this stage of his life, Li Ka-shing had not yet reached the legendary heights he would one day attain.
Nevertheless, his ambitions were already extraordinary.
Within Hong Kong's business world, Pao Yue-kong—the world-famous Shipping King and widely acknowledged richest Chinese businessman in the world—remained the towering peak he still had to surpass.
Without the future support of both Pao Yue-kong and Michael Sandberg, and without gradually swallowing the giant Hutchison Whampoa "like an ant devouring an elephant," Li Ka-shing would never have surpassed Pao Yue-kong to become the next generation's richest Chinese entrepreneur.
Hearing Li Ka-shing's answer, Lin Haoran felt a surge of delight.
At the same time, however, the result wasn't entirely unexpected.
Every trading day after the market closed, Universal Investment's trading team, led by Su Zhixue, carefully analyzed the day's transactions.
Not only did they calculate precisely how many shares they themselves had accumulated, but they also estimated how many shares their competitors had likely purchased.
According to their detailed analysis, Li Ka-shing's team was estimated to have acquired roughly four million shares.
Now that Li Ka-shing had personally revealed his holdings, the actual number matched Su Zhixue's estimate almost perfectly.
It was a remarkable demonstration of the team's analytical ability.
Naturally, the stock market was a complicated and open marketplace.
Besides Universal Investment and Li Ka-shing's team, countless retail investors and smaller institutions also participated in trading.
For that reason, no estimate could ever be perfectly accurate.
Even so, coming this close to the real figure clearly demonstrated both the team's professionalism and its outstanding coordination.
At this moment, Lin Haoran couldn't have been more satisfied with his trading team.
3.91 million shares.
That alone represented approximately 7.8% of Qingzhou Yingni.
Deep down, Lin Haoran silently thanked his good fortune.
He knew that if Li Ka-shing had been given more time, even though Lin Haoran already held a significant lead in market purchases, Li Ka-shing could simply have approached Qingzhou Yingni's major shareholders directly.
If that happened, he might easily have overtaken Lin Haoran's holdings.
It was precisely because of that potential threat that Lin Haoran had rushed to dispose of his Wharf Holdings shares.
He understood that even a slight delay could leave the final ownership of Qingzhou Yingni hanging in the balance.
Fortunately...
Truly, fortunately.
"Mr. Li, thank you very much."
"If it's convenient, I'd like to visit your company personally tomorrow so we can complete this important transaction.
"What do you think?"
Although Lin Haoran was inwardly thrilled beyond words, his expression remained perfectly calm.
Not the slightest trace of excitement appeared on his face.
At this very moment, he was already calculating something.
Once he successfully acquired Li Ka-shing's Green Island Cement shares, his ownership stake would officially surpass the 30% threshold.
That number represented far more than just another percentage point.
It meant he was one decisive step closer to taking control of Qingzhou Yingni—the largest cement manufacturer in Hong Kong.
It also marked a qualitative leap in his business strength.
For the first time...
He would surpass the Wan'an Group founded by his father, Lin Wan'an.
Thinking of this, Lin Haoran couldn't suppress the excitement and pride rising within him.
Qingzhou Yingni—
A corporate giant worth more than twice the market value of the Wan'an Group—
Was about to become one of the cornerstones of his growing business empire.
His commercial empire...
would truly begin with Qingzhou Yingni.
"Of course, Mr. Lin."
"I'll be waiting for you at my company tomorrow."
"This has been a delightful meal."
"I hope next time I'll have the opportunity to be the host and properly entertain you."
Li Ka-shing said with a smile.
"Mr. Li, it's been my honor to become acquainted with a business leader such as yourself."
"And I'm sincerely grateful that you're willing to transfer your Qingzhou Yingni shares to me, giving me the opportunity to secure firmer control over the company."
Lin Haoran spoke earnestly.
He understood perfectly well that within Hong Kong's highly competitive business world, his own strength and influence were still far from sufficient.
For that reason, he had to proceed cautiously.
There was absolutely no benefit in offending influential figures like Pao Yue-kong or Li Ka-shing.
To become arrogant before truly rising to prominence—to recklessly offend countless powerful people before establishing oneself—
That would only destroy any chance of future success.
Only a fool would behave that way.
Toward these senior business leaders, respect was both appropriate and necessary.
Perhaps one day, when his wealth and influence equaled—or even surpassed—theirs, he could casually sit before them with his legs crossed without anyone finding it inappropriate.
But today...
That time had not yet come.
For now, he had managed to avoid offending any of Hong Kong's business titans while simultaneously securing the greatest possible benefit for himself.
Without question...
It was the perfect beginning.
(End of Chapter)
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