Chapter 77: Aimeigao Co., Ltd.?
Perhaps because of his naturally cautious and steady approach throughout his life, Lin Wan'an had never managed to stand shoulder to shoulder with the greatest titans of the business world. Even so, his achievements were enough to earn the admiration of countless people.
"Dad, your health has been getting worse these past few years. As your son, I don't want to see you continue exhausting yourself in the business world. It's time for you to retire early and focus on taking care of yourself. Since you've never liked taking risks in business, why don't we make a bet? Consider it your first real venture into taking a risk," Lin Haoran said with a smile.
"Oh? What kind of bet?" Lin Wan'an asked curiously, touched by his son's concern.
"If, within the next two months, I successfully gain control of Qingzhou Yingni and become its chairman, then I want you to hand over control of Wan'an Group to me. But if I fail, I'll willingly give up my position as Vice Chairman of Qingzhou Yingni and place my entire 13.7% shareholding under your management."
Lin Haoran spoke with complete confidence.
"Haoran, where does all this confidence come from?" Lin Wan'an asked in astonishment.
"Dad, I have my own plans and preparations. The only question is whether you're willing to take this bet with me."
A faint smile curved Lin Haoran's lips.
Lin Wan'an fell silent.
He knew his health was deteriorating, and the question of succession could no longer be postponed.
Originally, he had believed his eldest son had the greatest chance of inheriting the family business, while his youngest son had almost no hope.
Now, however, reality seemed to be the exact opposite.
In other words, the successor was practically destined to be Lin Haoran.
Since he had already promised to let his sons compete fairly, he couldn't simply take his words back. Otherwise, what kind of father would that make him?
After a long moment of contemplation, Lin Wan'an finally spoke.
"Haoran, since you're this confident, then I'll take the bet."
"If I win, everything will eventually be yours after I'm gone anyway."
"But if I lose, it means you've truly surpassed me and possess greater business talent than I ever did. In that case, I'll gladly hand Wan'an Group over to you."
"Very well. I accept."
He had already thought it through.
If Haoran could actually win this wager, it would mean that within just two months, he would become the man in charge of Qingzhou Yingni.
Such an accomplishment would not only surpass Lin Wan'an's own achievements as chairman of Wan'an Group but would also prove beyond doubt his son's extraordinary business ability and leadership.
If that happened, then Haoran would undoubtedly be qualified to inherit Wan'an Group and lead it toward even greater glory.
"Then it's a deal, Dad. You can't back out later!" Lin Haoran grinned brightly, a mischievous sparkle dancing in his eyes.
He had only proposed the wager as a trial, never expecting his father to agree so readily.
It genuinely caught him by surprise.
In Lin Haoran's eyes, control of Qingzhou Yingni was already as good as his.
He knew exactly how much influence his current shareholding carried.
In the business world, strength was what ultimately determined everything.
Although Harold Centurion had deep roots within Qingzhou Yingni, before overwhelming strength, all those schemes, connections, and political maneuvering would eventually crumble.
"Don't worry, Haoran. Your father always keeps his word. I won't go back on it."
Looking at his son's confident expression, Lin Wan'an felt both relieved and somewhat worried.
The business world was a battlefield.
Every step required extreme caution.
Still, since his son possessed such confidence and determination, he sincerely hoped he would carve out a world of his own.
What father didn't hope his son would become successful?
Who wouldn't wish for their child to surpass them and accomplish even greater achievements?
Besides, Lin Wan'an himself was already past fifty, while Haoran was still in his twenties—the prime years for chasing dreams.
Seeing his youngest son display such ability and courage filled him with pride.
Perhaps by walking a path completely different from his own, Haoran might one day truly stand at the pinnacle of Hong Kong's business world.
Lin Wan'an had wanted to ask for more details, but Lin Haoran had no intention of explaining everything.
Some matters were simply not meant to be fully disclosed.
Not long afterward, Lin Haoran went downstairs to the living room and watched television with his mother.
After being away for over half a month, it was only right to spend some quality time with his parents.
"Haoran, are you free tomorrow?" his mother asked expectantly.
"What's the matter, Mom?"
"If you're free, I'd like you to accompany me to Aberdeen tomorrow. It's been a long time since you've visited your grandfather."
"Of course, Mom. I'll go with you."
Without hesitation, Lin Haoran agreed.
According to the memories he had inherited, although his maternal grandfather's family wasn't wealthy, they had always treated him exceptionally well.
His grandfather lived in Aberdeen, not far from Deep Water Bay.
In fact, the eastern edge of Aberdeen bordered Deep Water Bay directly.
"Then it's settled. I'll call your grandfather right now and let him know we'll visit first thing tomorrow morning."
The moment Lin Haoran agreed, his mother's face blossomed with joy.
The night quietly passed.
By October, Hong Kong had begun to cool.
Although traces of summer warmth still lingered in the air, the unbearable heat had already faded.
At nine o'clock the following morning, after enjoying a hearty breakfast, Lin Haoran was practically dragged out of the house by his eager mother.
It was obvious how much she had been looking forward to returning to her parents' home.
Her excitement was written all over her face.
The Mercedes slowly drove out of the Lin family villa and headed west.
Li Weiguo had never been to Aberdeen before.
Fortunately, there was only one direct road from Deep Water Bay to Aberdeen.
No directions were necessary.
The road was narrow and winding, however, so despite the short distance, they couldn't drive very fast.
More than ten minutes later, the Mercedes entered the village where his grandfather lived.
Though located only a short distance from the luxurious mansions of Deep Water Bay, and blessed with the same southern Hong Kong sea views, the atmosphere couldn't have been more different.
Deep Water Bay and Repulse Bay were lined with magnificent villas that exuded wealth and prestige.
Aberdeen, on the other hand, presented an entirely different scene.
Warehouses, factories, busy docks, small workshops, and fishing villages blended together into a simple yet vibrant picture of everyday life.
It was astonishing that such dramatically different environments could exist so close to one another.
Lin Haoran's grandfather lived in Wong Chuk Hang Village, an ordinary village in Aberdeen.
Interestingly, just beside the village stood the famous Hong Kong Ocean Park, which had officially opened in January of the previous year.
It had quickly become one of Hong Kong's most popular tourist attractions while also serving as an invisible boundary separating Aberdeen from Deep Water Bay into two completely different worlds.
After Lin Wan'an achieved success in business, he had specially built a magnificent five-story house in the village for his father-in-law.
As Aberdeen's industrial district flourished, rental income from the family's properties allowed his grandfather's household to live comfortably without worrying about making ends meet.
Although his grandfather was already over eighty years old, he remained remarkably energetic and healthy.
His posture was straight, his steps steady, and he showed none of the frailty associated with old age.
He looked capable of living well into his nineties—or even to one hundred.
After lunch, Lin Haoran chatted with his grandfather for a while before growing bored and heading downstairs.
There he saw his youngest uncle carrying a briefcase, looking as though he was about to head out.
Curious, Lin Haoran walked over.
"Uncle, where are you off to?"
His uncle turned around and smiled.
"Oh, Haoran. I'm going to collect the rent. Several tenants in the village are due to pay this month's rent."
As lifelong villagers—and with Lin Wan'an, a prominent businessman, as their son-in-law—the family naturally enjoyed a very comfortable lifestyle.
More than ten years earlier, they had wisely purchased a large amount of land throughout the village.
Those properties had since become their family's "money trees."
Some plots had been leased to companies for warehouse use, while others were rented out to entrepreneurs operating small workshops.
"Collecting rent?"
Lin Haoran looked puzzled.
"Uncle, today's only the twenty-first. Isn't rent usually paid at the beginning of the month?"
His uncle laughed.
"Haoran, you don't know much about this."
"Most tenants do pay at the beginning of the month, but there are always exceptions."
"Some have payment schedules in the middle or at the end of the month."
"Others adjust their payment dates according to their business cash flow."
"Besides, we always collect rent in advance, so we're not worried about late payments."
"I'm just collecting rent from the tenants whose payments are coming due."
"I see."
Lin Haoran nodded in understanding before his eyes lit up.
"Uncle, I'm getting bored sitting around here. Mom will probably be chatting with Grandpa for quite a while."
"Why don't I come with you? It sounds like an interesting experience."
"Haha! Sure!"
"Hop on my motorcycle and let's go."
Although his uncle was already over fifty, he remained energetic.
For prosperous villagers like them, motorcycles were still the most convenient means of transportation.
However, Lin Haoran shook his head and pointed toward his Mercedes parked nearby.
"Forget the motorcycle."
"Let's take my car instead. It'll be much more comfortable."
His uncle burst into laughter.
"All right then. I'll take advantage of my nephew's luxury car."
He accepted without hesitation.
Most of the tenants were located around the outer edge of Wong Chuk Hang Village.
Although they were only a few hundred meters from his grandfather's house, walking under the blazing sun would still have been troublesome.
Fortunately, the family's properties were clustered together, making rent collection particularly convenient.
Led by his uncle, they first entered a small workshop that specialized in manufacturing gloves.
A short while later, his uncle emerged wearing a broad smile.
Clearly, collecting the rent had gone smoothly.
Following behind him, Lin Haoran found the whole experience surprisingly interesting.
They then passed through a narrow alley beside the workshop.
Led by his uncle, Lin Haoran, along with Li Weiguo and Li Weidong, arrived at another small workshop behind it.
Just as Lin Haoran was about to follow his uncle inside, the workshop's signboard suddenly caught his attention.
He stopped in his tracks.
"Aimeigao Co., Ltd.?"
He quietly read the name aloud.
For some reason, it sounded incredibly familiar, as though it had awakened a long-forgotten memory buried deep within his mind.
(End of Chapter)
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