Chapter 81: Clearing Away Obstacles
After the two of them had discussed everything that needed to be discussed, Lau Luen-hung hurriedly took his leave.
The meeting had been extremely satisfying for both parties—a win-win outcome.
Only about two hours after Lau Luen-hung left Hengfeng Building, Lin Haoran received a phone call from him.
On the other end of the line, Lau excitedly informed him that his business partner, Liang Yingwei, had gladly agreed to sell his 50% stake in Aimeigao Company for HK$200,000.
Upon hearing the news, Lin Haoran instructed them to come directly to Qingzhou Yingni's Qingzhou Building the following morning, where they would sign the contracts together.
As for the payment, he would accompany them to the bank afterward to complete the transfer in person.
The night passed quickly.
At nine o'clock the following morning, after the employees of Universal Investment Company had arrived for work, Lin Haoran left the office with Li Weidong and Li Weiguo, heading for Qingzhou Yingni's headquarters in Hung Hom, Kowloon.
Upon arriving at the company, he was still the company's Vice Chairman in name only.
The company's middle and senior managers all treated him with outward courtesy and respect.
However, Lin Haoran could clearly sense that beneath their polite smiles lay indifference and a lack of respect for his actual authority.
He remained completely unfazed.
He didn't care about superficial courtesy or the cold attitudes hidden behind it.
Ever since he had become Vice Chairman, the news had spread throughout Qingzhou Yingni.
Even workers on the factory floor—whether they operated the kilns, coal mills, or crushing equipment—had heard of him.
Compared to management, the ordinary employees' respect for him was far more genuine.
As he passed the reception desk on the first floor of Qingzhou Building, Lin Haoran specifically instructed the receptionist that two visitors would be arriving to see him later.
The receptionist on duty today wasn't the foreign woman from before.
She was also a Westerner, but her attitude toward Lin Haoran was noticeably more respectful and friendly.
People working at the reception desk understood their place within the company's hierarchy.
Even if Lin Haoran currently held little real power, he was still the Vice Chairman.
Someone of his status was certainly not a person they could afford to offend.
Returning to his office, Lin Haoran quietly waited for Lau Luen-hung and Liang Yingwei to arrive.
Meanwhile, in the Chairman's office...
Harold Centurion was discussing company matters with Qingzhou Yingni's General Manager, Mr. Ziegler.
"Mr. Ziegler, has Mr. Lin approached you during the past few days?" Harold asked.
Harold had been on a business trip to Macau over the past few days and had only returned that morning.
Macau was not only where Qingzhou Yingni had first established itself, but it also remained one of the company's most important markets.
Virtually all cement supplied there came from Qingzhou Yingni.
Ziegler shook his head.
"No."
"As far as I know, he has rarely even visited the factories. Most of the time he simply stays in his office.
"Apart from visiting the Human Resources Department to obtain personnel files, he hasn't made any significant moves."
Harold frowned.
"That's strange."
"I expected him to interfere with our management somehow, or at least try to obtain some real authority."
"But judging from his behavior, he hasn't done anything of the sort."
"Wasn't he determined to fight for power?"
"Has he really accepted being nothing more than a Vice Chairman in name?"
His confusion was obvious.
Harold also knew that Lin Haoran had gone to the Finance Department requesting confidential financial documents.
Naturally, there was no chance they would hand them over.
The Finance Director was Harold's man.
Rejecting Lin had been inevitable.
More importantly...
Most of the department's core financial records had already been meticulously altered and disguised.
On the surface, everything appeared flawless.
Only experienced financial professionals could detect the subtle inconsistencies hidden beneath the numbers.
Because of this, Harold had long resolved never to allow Lin Haoran any involvement with the Finance Department.
Otherwise...
The truth behind the company's finances might eventually come to light.
"If Lin Haoran had insisted on demanding authority," Harold mused, "I might eventually have granted him some limited powers.
"Recently, I've noticed a potential competitor buying shares in the stock market.
"At a time like this, having Lin Haoran's support could prove very important.
"But surprisingly, he hasn't mentioned authority even once.
"That really caught me off guard."
Ziegler smiled.
"Mr. Harold, isn't that exactly what we hoped for?
"As long as Mr. Lin doesn't interfere with management, nothing has really changed for any of us.
"The company simply has one more shareholder."
He truly didn't care about losing the title of Vice Chairman.
In fact, he understood perfectly well that as General Manager, he remained the true executive in charge of the company's daily operations.
The Chairman only appeared when major decisions had to be made.
Everything else was handled by him.
Besides...
He himself had long been one of Harold Centurion's trusted pawns.
Naturally, he would continue implementing policies that benefited Harold.
His personal title meant very little.
Harold nodded.
"Very well."
"If Mr. Lin continues to remain quiet, don't pay him too much attention."
"But keep a close eye on him."
"If he makes any unusual moves inside the company, report them to me immediately."
Although Lin Haoran owned slightly more shares than he did, Harold still believed that amount wasn't enough to overturn the situation.
Nevertheless...
Lin was still the company's largest shareholder.
He couldn't afford to ignore him completely.
"I understand."
"I'll monitor his every move and report anything unusual immediately."
Harold nodded with satisfaction before waving him away.
"Good. You may return to work."
Meanwhile...
Next door, inside Lin Haoran's office...
Lau Luen-hung and Liang Yingwei had already arrived.
Thanks to the excellent soundproofing between the offices, Lin Haoran knew absolutely nothing about the conversation that had just taken place in Harold's office.
At this moment...
Lau Luen-hung had completely confirmed that Lin Haoran truly was Qingzhou Yingni's Vice Chairman.
Having someone this influential backing him made him even more confident that Aimeigao would develop much faster.
Comparing himself with Lin Haoran, Lau couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Lin was still so young...
Yet he had already achieved extraordinary success.
That level of ability and courage left Lau feeling deeply impressed.
He knew that with Lin Haoran's support, Aimeigao's growth would become explosive.
He himself would also be able to achieve much greater ambitions.
Liang Yingwei, however, thought very differently.
In his opinion...
If someone as wealthy and powerful as Lin Haoran joined Aimeigao, there would hardly be any profits left for him in the future.
Forget making real money—
He might not even get a share of the leftovers.
For him...
Leaving Aimeigao was actually the best option.
With HK$200,000 in hand, he could start another business.
This time...
He would be starting from a much stronger position.
Lin Haoran had no idea what either man was thinking.
Nor did he particularly care.
"Mr. Lin, good morning!"
Lau Luen-hung entered enthusiastically.
"This is my partner, Mr. Liang Yingwei."
"Mr. Liang, nice to meet you."
Lin Haoran smiled and extended his hand.
"Mr. Lin."
Liang shook his hand politely.
Yet nervousness remained obvious in his eyes.
Unlike Lau, Liang came from a much more ordinary background.
Standing before a senior executive of a listed company naturally left him lacking confidence.
"Mr. Liang, have you made your decision?"
Lin Haoran asked with a smile.
Liang nodded firmly.
"I've thought it through carefully.
"I've decided to sell all of my shares in Aimeigao Company to you for HK$200,000.
"From this day onward, I will have nothing more to do with Aimeigao."
His voice was filled with anticipation.
It was obvious that he couldn't wait to complete the transaction.
"Very good."
"Since you've made your decision, let's sign the contract."
Lin Haoran opened his drawer and took out two copies of the prepared share transfer agreement before handing them over.
"I've clearly stated in the contract that the payment will be transferred into your account today.
"If the funds don't arrive before the end of the day, the agreement will automatically become void.
"So you can rest assured."
Liang Yingwei carefully read the contract several times.
After confirming that everything was correct, he signed his name.
Lin Haoran then signed as well.
The share transfer agreement officially took effect.
"Ah Hung... Mr. Lin..."
"Since everything has been completed successfully, I won't disturb you any longer."
"I'll be leaving first."
Holding his copy of the contract, Liang Yingwei smiled broadly.
To him...
HK$200,000 was already a considerable fortune.
His happiness was impossible to hide.
"Take care, Mr. Liang."
"I wish you every success in your future ventures."
Lin Haoran replied politely.
In truth...
Lin Haoran had always preferred Liang Yingwei's departure.
According to his long-term plans, Liang Yingwei's presence was unnecessary.
He believed Aimeigao should ideally have only two shareholders.
That way...
As the company continued growing, the returns would be concentrated between the two of them.
After all...
If Aimeigao eventually became a huge success while three shareholders continued dividing the profits equally...
His own future earnings would inevitably be diluted.
That was something Lin Haoran had no desire to see.
So when Liang Yingwei readily agreed to leave the company for HK$200,000...
Lin Haoran secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Not only did he avoid having to play the villain...
He also ensured that Aimeigao's ownership structure would develop exactly as he had envisioned.
Even if Liang Yingwei had originally agreed to outside financing, Lin Haoran would eventually have found a reasonable way to persuade him to leave before Aimeigao truly took off.
Fortunately...
None of that was necessary anymore.
Liang Yingwei's voluntary departure had quietly removed a potential obstacle from the company's future.
After Liang Yingwei disappeared through the doorway...
Lin Haoran picked up another contract from his desk.
It was the cooperation agreement that he and Lau Luen-hung had finalized during the previous night's discussion.
The two men carefully reviewed every clause once again.
After confirming that everything accurately reflected their intentions, Lau solemnly signed his name.
In addition...
Lau also prepared a separate loan agreement for Lin Haoran.
It was a personal loan of HK$1 million.
"Mr. Lau..."
"Happy cooperation."
"Mr. Lin..."
"Happy cooperation."
The two men shook hands firmly.
Both wore satisfied smiles.
(End of Chapter)
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