Chapter 103: The Sole Heir!
"Have you estimated how much the investment will cost?" Lin Haoran asked.
"We're only renovating the existing structure, so it won't cost much. I estimate around HK$500,000," Burton replied.
Lin Haoran nodded.
"If you want to pursue diversified development, then I support you."
"Consider this a chance for you to test the waters."
"I don't know how confident you are that it'll succeed, but an investment of a few hundred thousand Hong Kong dollars is a risk we can afford."
A general manager who genuinely wanted to create greater profits for the company was exactly the kind of person he needed.
After leaving Qingzhou Yingni, Lin Haoran did not return to Hengfeng Building.
Instead, he instructed Li Weiguo to drive directly to the villa district in Deep Water Bay.
After flying back from Cairo—with a layover in between—he had spent nearly twenty hours on airplanes.
It was time to get some proper rest.
Life at the Lin family villa, where servants attended to every need, was naturally far more comfortable than staying at the company.
Forty minutes later, the Mercedes slowly pulled into the parking space outside the Lin family villa.
"Haoran, you're finally back."
Madam Lin smiled happily the moment she saw him.
"Mom."
Lin Haoran greeted her with a smile.
"Oh, by the way, Haoran, I have something to tell you."
"Your eldest brother will be coming home tonight."
Big brother... Lin Haoning?
Lin Haoran frowned slightly.
Ever since transmigrating into this world, he had never had much affection for his elder brother.
The fact that Lin Haoning had secretly planted people around him to undermine him behind the scenes had already left a bad impression.
However, Lin Haoran no longer regarded him as a rival.
His desire to defeat him had gradually faded as his own status continued to rise.
After all, as his wealth grew, so did his vision.
Especially after acquiring Qingzhou Yingni, he had already established a certain standing within Hong Kong's business community.
Although he was still far from the level of the city's top tycoons, he was no longer an ordinary businessman.
He was now the chairman of a publicly listed company.
"I'm going upstairs to rest first."
"I've been on airplanes all day."
"I'm exhausted."
Without chatting much with his mother, Lin Haoran headed straight up to his attic suite.
More than half a month had passed.
Yet the attic looked exactly the same as when he had last stayed there.
Everything remained impeccably clean.
Not a speck of dust could be found.
The room carried a faint, refreshing fragrance, making one instinctively lower their voice, as though afraid to disturb its peaceful atmosphere.
Outside on the terrace, sunlight filtered through the clouds, scattering across the carefully maintained plants.
Their emerald-green leaves glowed vibrantly beneath the sun, each one seeming to symbolize resilience and hope.
A gentle sea breeze drifted by, carrying the fragrance of flowers and fresh grass.
It was wonderfully relaxing.
Lying back on a lounge chair on the terrace, Lin Haoran quietly enjoyed the ocean breeze.
In northern China, November often meant preparations for heavy snowfall.
But in Hong Kong, November weather was exceptionally pleasant.
For example, today's daytime temperature was still around 25 to 26 degrees Celsius.
As he lay there enjoying the breeze, he unknowingly drifted off to sleep.
He had no idea how long he had been asleep.
He was awakened by a gentle voice with a slight foreign accent.
It belonged to the family's cheerful Chinese-Filipina maid.
"Young Master, Master and Madam are waiting for you to have dinner together."
Her voice was soft and respectful.
"Alright."
"I'll be right there."
Lin Haoran yawned, washed his face, and headed downstairs.
Entering the dining room, his eyes immediately fell upon a man who felt both unfamiliar and strangely familiar.
Unfamiliar because, since arriving in this world, he had never actually met him in person.
Familiar because the memories he had inherited contained a vivid impression of him.
It was none other than his biological elder brother—
Lin Haoning.
"Haoran, come eat."
Before Lin Haoran could figure out what to say, Lin Haoning greeted him first.
Lin Haoran nodded, sat down, and smiled.
"Didn't Sister-in-law come back?"
"She took Jianbin back to her parents' home, so I came alone."
Lin Haoning explained.
Lin Jianbin was Lin Haoran's nephew and Lin Haoning's son.
"Come, everyone. Let's eat."
Madam Lin smiled warmly as she urged everyone to begin.
Although the entire family wasn't present, having both of her sons and her husband seated around the table already made her feel incredibly happy.
"Go ahead."
"No talking while eating."
Lin Wan'an reminded everyone.
The meal ended amid an oddly quiet atmosphere.
After dinner, Lin Haoning spoke first.
"Dad, Haoran."
"Let's go to the study."
"I have something I'd like to discuss."
Although puzzled, Lin Haoran said nothing and followed both men into the study on the first floor.
After closing the door, Lin Wan'an sat down and sighed softly.
"It's been a long time since the three of us sat together like this."
"Yes."
"It's been many years."
Lin Haoning nodded.
Lin Haoran smiled.
"Big Brother, if you have something to say, just say it."
"No need to beat around the bush."
Hearing that, Lin Haoning looked at him with a complicated expression before slowly speaking.
"Haoran..."
"Seeing you become the chairman of Qingzhou Yingni has made me realize that I simply can't catch up with you in just a few short months."
"So..."
"I've already formally told Father that I'm willing to give up my position as the family's heir."
"There's something else I need to confess."
"The customer losses at Huafeng Cement Factory over the past several months..."
"They were related to my actions."
"I used the Cao family's connections to persuade some customers to purchase cement elsewhere."
"I wanted to gain the upper hand in our business competition."
"But the business world is far more complicated than I imagined."
"I believed victory was already within my grasp."
"In the end..."
"I became nothing more than the clown in this competition."
As he spoke, Lin Haoning gave a bitter smile.
Loneliness and self-reproach flashed across his eyes.
A trace of surprise appeared on Lin Haoran's face.
Thanks to his ability to judge people's loyalty, he had long suspected that Huafeng Cement Factory's difficulties were connected to Lin Haoning.
Still, hearing his brother admit it so openly caught him off guard.
He looked toward his father.
Lin Wan'an's expression remained calm.
It was obvious he had already known everything.
He had simply chosen not to interfere.
"Haoran."
Lin Wan'an's steady voice interrupted his thoughts.
"I'm telling you this because the business world is far more complicated than you imagine."
"I've been keeping an eye on both you and your brother."
"Whether it was Huafeng Cement Factory or Wanfeng Fan Factory, someone regularly reported everything to me."
"The reason I never intervened..."
"...was because I wanted you to experience the unpredictable nature of business firsthand."
"I wanted you to grow through challenges."
"And to truly understand what business competition means."
His eyes became deep and thoughtful as he continued.
"In business, there are no eternal winners."
"And there are no absolute losers."
"What matters more..."
"...is that you demonstrated extraordinary vision and courage."
"You didn't limit yourself to Huafeng Cement Factory."
"Instead, you stepped onto a much larger stage."
"You directly acquired the largest cement company in Hong Kong."
"That wasn't merely a business success."
"It was proof of your personal growth, your wisdom, and your ambition."
"It completely exceeded my expectations."
He then turned toward Lin Haoning.
"Ning'er."
"This incident has taught you an important lesson."
"Never underestimate any opponent."
"And never allow confidence to blind your judgment."
"You believed you already held an overwhelming advantage."
"But you failed to realize that the true battle often takes place where you cannot see it."
"Meanwhile..."
"Your opponent may already have reached heights that you can no longer catch."
"But remember."
"Failure itself is not frightening."
"What is truly frightening is losing the courage and determination to fight again."
"I hope you learn from this experience."
"And become more cautious..."
"...and more humble in the business world."
At that moment, everything suddenly became clear to Lin Haoran.
He realized he should have anticipated this all along.
His father had always maintained complete control over the overall situation between the two brothers.
After all, both Huafeng Cement Factory and Wanfeng Fan Factory had originally belonged to Lin Wan'an.
Naturally, the employees remained deeply loyal to him.
Any unusual development would have been reported to him immediately.
From beginning to end, Lin Wan'an had merely watched from the sidelines.
He had never intended to interfere.
Clearly, his purpose had been to give Lin Haoran—a newcomer to the business world—a profound lesson.
However...
Even Lin Wan'an himself had never expected Lin Haoran to achieve such extraordinary success.
Not only had he firmly established himself in Hong Kong's business community...
He had also gone far beyond anyone's expectations by bringing Qingzhou Yingni, whose market value greatly exceeded that of the Wan'an Group, under his control.
This achievement was the greatest proof of Lin Haoran's business acumen and courage.
Seeing that Lin Haoran remained calm without showing much emotion, Lin Wan'an slowly continued.
"Haoran..."
"The competition between you and your brother wasn't something I arranged recklessly."
"I had already anticipated the small tricks your brother would play."
"I've spent many years in Hong Kong's business world."
"I've witnessed countless family feuds..."
"...and tragic stories of brothers turning against one another."
"But the two of you are different."
"I have only two sons."
"Everything I own will eventually belong to both of you."
"Traditionally, in Chinese families, the eldest legitimate son inherits the family business."
"I did originally lean toward making your elder brother the heir."
"He has his own strengths."
"I knew he would compete..."
"...but I also knew he would never go so far as to destroy his own brother."
"So..."
"From the very beginning..."
"I never actually expected you to win this competition."
"My true intention was simply for you to learn..."
"...to grow..."
"...and to build a foundation for your future."
"Even if you didn't inherit the Wan'an Group..."
"You would still inherit a considerable fortune from me."
"And you would still have a bright future ahead."
"But..."
"Your performance exceeded every expectation I had."
"It brought me immense surprise..."
"...and even greater pride."
"Having a son as outstanding, mature, and composed as you..."
"...is the greatest honor of my life."
"Now that the competition for the position of heir has officially come to an end..."
"I will naturally respect the result."
"So, Haoran..."
"From today onward..."
"You are officially the sole heir of the Wan'an Group."
(End of Chapter)
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