Chapter 90: The Press Conference
Although Wan'an Group was a publicly listed company and Lin Wan'an owned more than 50% of its shares, there was no way he would pour all of his personal wealth into the company.
After all, one of the reasons he had taken Wan'an Group public was to generate even greater wealth for himself.
When it came to financial management, Lin Wan'an had always maintained a clear separation between his personal assets and the company's finances, ensuring that business operations and private wealth never became intertwined.
Harold Centurion's 12.6% stake in Qingzhou Yingni amounted to 6.3 million shares.
At HK$4 per share, the total purchase price came to only HK$25.2 million.
Lin Wan'an could easily afford that amount.
Over the years, he had earned considerable profits through Wan'an Group.
For example, Huafeng Cement Factory and Wanfeng Fan Factory had both been established using his personal funds rather than Wan'an Group's capital.
Neither factory was a subsidiary of Wan'an Group.
That was why he was free to pass both businesses directly to his two sons.
As they chatted, father and son soon returned to the chairman's office.
This time, they also brought the legal counsel with them.
Meanwhile, the finance director and the rest of Wan'an Group's financial team had already gone to the finance department to sort through the company's accounts.
Even if they chose not to pursue the old accounts, the current financial records still had to be thoroughly reviewed.
When they entered the chairman's office, Harold Centurion was already waiting for them.
"Mr. Harold," Lin Haoran said with a smile, "it's time for us to take care of the share transfer."
"Of course."
Harold nodded.
"I intend to finish everything here as quickly as possible.
"I no longer have any intention of remaining in Hong Kong."
"Mr. He, please prepare a share transfer agreement."
Lin Wan'an turned toward the head of the legal team.
"Understood, Chairman Lin."
The legal advisor nodded.
Five minutes later, the agreement was complete.
After both parties carefully reviewed the document and confirmed that everything was in order, two identical copies were prepared.
Without hesitation, both sides signed the contract.
"Mr. Harold, I'll transfer the purchase funds into your account before the end of today."
Lin Wan'an smiled as he shook Harold's hand.
"Pleasure doing business with you."
This time, he had truly gotten an incredible bargain.
He had become Qingzhou Yingni's second-largest shareholder at a price far below market value.
In truth, all of this was thanks to his son.
The share transfer was now officially complete.
"Mr. Harold," Lin Haoran continued, "when do you intend to hold the press conference?"
Today's events had completely shaken Qingzhou Yingni's management.
A change of this magnitude naturally required a formal announcement to the public.
Although Qingzhou Yingni wasn't among Hong Kong's largest corporations, it was still a well-known publicly listed company recognized throughout the territory.
"Let's hold it at two o'clock this afternoon."
Harold answered without hesitation.
"Have the External Relations Department invite Hong Kong's major media outlets.
"It won't take very long."
At this point, all he wanted was to finish everything as quickly as possible.
Hong Kong's central business district wasn't particularly large.
Whenever major news broke, reporters could arrive within a short time.
Scheduling the press conference for two o'clock that afternoon posed no problem at all.
"Very well."
Lin Haoran nodded.
"I'll see you at two this afternoon."
After settling matters with Harold, Lin Haoran immediately met with the head of the External Relations Department and instructed them to contact Hong Kong's major news organizations at once.
Qingzhou Yingni would soon be holding a press conference.
At that moment, Lin Wan'an turned toward his son.
"Haoran, I need to transfer the payment to Mr. Harold.
"I also have matters to take care of back at Wan'an Group, so I'll be leaving now.
"The situation here has basically been resolved.
"My finance team will remain at Qingzhou Yingni for the time being to help organize the company's accounts.
"If you encounter anything you're unsure how to handle, just give me a call.
"I'll help you figure it out."
Lin Haoran looked at him in surprise.
"Dad, aren't you attending this afternoon's press conference?"
Now that the contract had been signed, Lin Wan'an had officially become Qingzhou Yingni's second-largest shareholder.
Naturally, he was fully qualified to attend.
Lin Wan'an smiled and shook his head.
"No.
"If there's anything you don't understand about Qingzhou Yingni, just ask me.
"But this company...
"You built it with your own ability.
"I won't interfere too much.
"Otherwise, people might think I'm trying to take my own son's company away from him."
He looked proudly at Lin Haoran.
"I've watched everything you've done over the past few days.
"You don't act like someone who's only just graduated from college.
"You're calm, steady, and capable of handling matters independently.
"Someone like you is more than capable of managing a publicly listed company.
"All right.
"I'm leaving now."
He waved goodbye before departing with the legal team.
Ever since Lin Haoran had secretly acquired Qingzhou Yingni without telling him, Lin Wan'an had realized that his son had developed ambitions and plans of his own.
For that reason, he had never intended to interfere in Qingzhou Yingni's affairs.
In fact, he was already considering handing Wan'an Group over to Lin Haoran someday.
There was naturally no reason for him to compete for control of Qingzhou Yingni as well.
Time quickly passed.
Before long, it was two o'clock in the afternoon.
A press conference was about to begin in the employee training hall on the fifth floor of Qingzhou Building.
The room normally served as the company's training facility.
When necessary, it could easily accommodate several hundred people.
Although a large number of reporters had arrived—bringing cameras, microphones, lighting equipment, and other broadcasting gear—the hall still had more than enough space.
The stage at the front had already been specially prepared for the event.
Behind the podium hung a large red backdrop displaying, in both Chinese and English:
Qingzhou Yingni Company Press Conference
Seated at the front were three people.
Former Chairman Harold Centurion...
Newly appointed Chairman Lin Haoran...
And newly appointed General Manager Mr. Burton.
By now, reporters from dozens of Hong Kong's leading media organizations had gathered inside the training hall.
Among them were journalists from TVB, Rediffusion Television, Oriental Daily, Ta Kung Pao, Hong Kong Economic Journal, Sing Tao Daily, Hong Kong Business Daily, and many other well-known news outlets.
At this moment, however, none of the reporters knew exactly what had happened at Qingzhou Yingni.
They only knew that something extremely significant had occurred within the company.
The hall buzzed with conversation.
Everyone's attention was focused on one particular person seated on the stage—
The young man in the middle.
As one of Hong Kong's major British-owned enterprises, Qingzhou Yingni naturally attracted considerable media attention.
The moment invitations to the press conference were sent out, every major news organization dispatched reporters immediately.
Most journalists suspected that today's announcement was somehow connected to this young man.
Up until now, Lin Haoran had never truly appeared before the public in Hong Kong.
As a result, none of the reporters recognized him.
Everyone quietly speculated about his identity.
A young Chinese man...
Appearing at the press conference of a major British-owned corporation...
The sight alone was enough to spark countless theories.
More importantly...
He wasn't seated off to the side.
He occupied the center seat on the stage.
Meanwhile, the familiar Chairman of Qingzhou Yingni, Haril Centurion, sat only to his left.
As for the man seated on the right, some reporters recognized him as Burton, the company's deputy general manager.
Every reporter waited in anticipation.
They all knew that Qingzhou Yingni was about to announce a piece of truly explosive news.
(End of Chapter)
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