Chapter 95: Visiting the Shipping King
Lin Haoran remained at Qingzhou Yingni until six o'clock in the evening before leaving the company with Li Weiguo and Li Weidong.
Tonight, he had no intention of staying at Universal Investment in Hengfeng Building. Instead, he asked Li Weiguo to drive him back to the Deep Water Bay villa district.
He had already arranged to visit Pao Yue-kong's home, and naturally, he had no intention of breaking his promise.
Before heading back, he deliberately stopped by a famous tea shop nearby and carefully selected a beautifully packaged box of West Lake Longjing tea.
From what he had learned, Pao Yue-kong neither drank alcohol nor smoked.
Since that was the case, tea from Zhejiang Province was the most appropriate gift.
After all, exchanging gifts was a long-standing Chinese tradition. Visiting someone's home empty-handed would hardly convey proper respect or sincerity.
After the car slowly entered the Deep Water Bay villa district, Lin Haoran did not head directly to Pao Yue-kong's residence. Instead, he first returned to the Lin family villa.
The two homes were only a little over two hundred meters apart, making it just a short walk. Besides, it was still a bit early.
"Haoran, you're back! Why didn't you tell us in advance? I'll have the kitchen prepare a few extra dishes," Madam Lin said joyfully as soon as she saw her son.
Now that Lin Haoran had become the chairman of a listed company, she couldn't have been prouder.
She had become the envy of her social circle—not only was her husband the chairman of a well-known listed group, but now her son had also become the chairman of a listed company.
The news had revealed even more astonishing details.
Her son's achievement carried extraordinary significance.
He had become the first Chinese businessman in Hong Kong's history to acquire a British-owned listed company.
How could she not be overwhelmed with pride?
"Mom, there's no need to prepare dinner for me. I'm going to Uncle Pao Yue-kong's house tonight. We've already made plans, and he invited me over for dinner," Lin Haoran said with a smile, waving his hand.
Madam Lin nodded.
"That's fine. Visiting Mr. Pao is an important occasion. Have you prepared a gift? You mustn't neglect proper etiquette."
Naturally, she knew who Pao Yue-kong was.
Given his status, she understood that if her son was visiting him personally, they certainly had important matters to discuss.
"Don't worry, Mom. I've already prepared everything," Lin Haoran replied with a smile.
At precisely 6:45 p.m., after checking his watch one last time, Lin Haoran left the house accompanied by his two bodyguards, carrying the carefully prepared box of West Lake Longjing tea.
Although the Lin residence was only a short distance from the Pao residence, night had already begun to fall.
For safety's sake, he still chose to bring bodyguards.
He remembered hearing in his previous life that Li Ka-shing's son had been kidnapped by Cheung Tze-keung's gang just before arriving home in Deep Water Bay, eventually paying HK$2 billion in ransom.
That incident proved that even Hong Kong's most prestigious residential area wasn't completely safe.
Having bodyguards was still the wiser choice.
Shortly after Lin Haoran left, Lin Wan'an returned home.
The moment he noticed his son's Mercedes parked outside, he hurried inside, only to discover that Haoran was nowhere to be found.
"Where's Haoran? I clearly saw his car parked outside," Lin Wan'an asked his wife in confusion.
"He did come home, but he left again almost immediately. He said he had an appointment with Mr. Pao Yue-kong and was going over to visit him. Mr. Pao even invited him to stay for dinner tonight," Madam Lin explained.
"Oh? He has an appointment with Pao Yue-kong?"
Lin Wan'an quietly repeated the words, his emotions becoming rather complicated.
He understood Pao Yue-kong's standing in Hong Kong and throughout the Chinese business world.
Recognized as both the wealthiest Chinese businessman and the world's Shipping King, Pao's influence extended across the globe. International magazines such as Fortune and Newsweek had even dubbed him "The Ruler of the Seas" and "The King of the Oceans."
Compared to Pao, although Lin Wan'an could be considered wealthy, the gap between them remained obvious.
The two had lived as neighbors in Deep Water Bay for over a decade.
Yet aside from exchanging greetings whenever they met, they had never developed any real friendship.
Likewise, Wan'an Group had never had any business dealings with Pao's Global Shipping Group.
And yet now...
His own son had received a personal invitation from Pao Yue-kong to visit his home and share dinner.
The very fact that Pao had extended such an invitation clearly showed how highly he regarded Lin Haoran.
Lin Wan'an couldn't help sighing with emotion.
It felt as though the future of the Lin family was shining ever more brightly with the rise of the younger generation.
The old saying truly held true—
"The waves behind the Yangtze River push those before them."
The distance of just over two hundred meters took less than three minutes on foot.
After the servants announced his arrival, Pao Yue-kong personally came outside to welcome him.
"Uncle Pao, this is just a small token of my appreciation. It's not much, but it comes from the heart."
Lin Haoran smiled as he presented the exquisitely packaged box of Longjing tea.
"Haoran, you're far too polite. Coming here is enough. Why bother bringing a gift? We're neighbors—just visit often."
Although Pao Yue-kong said so, the smile on his face clearly showed how pleased he was as he accepted the tea.
"Hmm?"
"How did you know I enjoy Longjing tea?"
He looked down at the gift box in surprise.
Lin Haoran smiled.
"I heard that you don't drink alcohol or smoke. Since it was my first visit, I felt it wouldn't be proper to come empty-handed. So I thought tea would be the best choice. Knowing that you're from Zhejiang, I guessed you might have a preference for Longjing tea. Fortunately... it seems I guessed correctly."
"Hahaha! You're quite thoughtful."
Pao Yue-kong laughed heartily.
"You guessed exactly right. I really do prefer Longjing tea."
"Come, don't stand outside. Dinner is already prepared. Let's eat while we chat."
He then looked toward Li Weiguo and Li Weidong behind Lin Haoran.
"The two young gentlemen should come in as well."
The brothers exchanged glances before looking at Lin Haoran.
"Come on. Since Uncle Pao invited you, let's all go in together," Lin Haoran said with a smile.
The four of them then entered the Pao residence.
The atmosphere inside the Pao household was much like that of the Lin family—quiet and peaceful.
Upon entering the dining room, they found only Mrs. Pao seated at the table.
None of their four daughters or sons-in-law were present, having long since established homes of their own.
"Good evening, Auntie. I'm Lin Haoran."
As soon as he entered, Lin Haoran politely introduced himself.
Pao Yue-kong was roughly the same age as Lin Wan'an, so addressing the couple as "Uncle" and "Auntie" felt perfectly natural.
"Haoran, please have a seat. I hope these dishes suit your taste."
Mrs. Pao smiled warmly, displaying her gentle and gracious nature.
The table was already filled with steaming delicacies that looked absolutely mouthwatering.
"Just looking at them makes me hungry. I've never had authentic Zhejiang cuisine before. Today I'll finally get to enjoy a proper feast," Lin Haoran said sincerely.
More than half an hour later, Pao Yue-kong and Lin Haoran moved to the study to drink tea and chat.
Seeing Pao Yue-kong about to prepare the tea himself, Lin Haoran quickly stood.
"Uncle Pao, you're my elder. Allow me to make the tea."
With practiced movements, he skillfully brewed the West Lake Longjing tea, filling the room with its refreshing fragrance.
Each of them lifted a teacup and took a gentle sip before naturally beginning their conversation.
"Haoran, I'm rather curious."
"What made you suddenly interested in acquiring Qingzhou Yingni?"
"As far as I know, your father's Wan'an Group mainly operates in the real estate industry."
Pao Yue-kong looked at him inquisitively.
Lin Haoran smiled.
"Uncle Pao, the Wharf Holdings you're currently trying to acquire is now famous throughout Hong Kong for its commercial properties—from office building rentals to the Harbor City project that's still under construction."
"But Wharf wasn't originally a real estate company."
"Its earliest business centered around port operations and cargo transshipment."
"That alone proves that Hong Kong's real estate industry is currently entering a golden age of rapid expansion."
"And cement is an indispensable material for both property development and infrastructure construction."
"The reason I valued Qingzhou Yingni wasn't merely because of its stable profits."
"What truly attracted me was the prime piece of land the company owns in Hung Hom."
"In the long run, I can relocate the cement production facilities to a more suitable suburban location and redevelop that valuable site into high-end commercial properties, allowing the land to realize its maximum value."
Pao Yue-kong nodded slightly, a trace of admiration flashing across his eyes.
The two continued discussing Hong Kong's future development and business opportunities in a warm and harmonious atmosphere.
Although Lin Haoran wasn't a true expert in every subject they discussed, his knowledge accumulated from living in the information age of his previous life allowed him to grasp key points quickly and respond with ease.
As their conversation deepened, the breadth of Lin Haoran's knowledge and his unique insights left Pao Yue-kong increasingly impressed.
The more they talked, the more Pao Yue-kong admired the young man before him.
To possess such remarkable vision and achievements at such a young age was truly rare.
He couldn't help thinking that perhaps this young man's future accomplishments might even surpass his own.
As the atmosphere became more relaxed, Lin Haoran felt the timing was right.
He smiled politely.
"Uncle Pao, you've spent decades in the business world and possess a wealth of experience."
"I actually have a question I'd like to seek your advice on."
"Oh?"
"What kind of question has captured your attention so much?"
Pao Yue-kong asked with obvious interest.
Lin Haoran spoke calmly and methodically.
"Recently I've noticed that the Middle East—particularly the Pahlavi Dynasty—is experiencing large-scale demonstrations against the current regime."
"The situation seems to be gradually slipping out of control."
"Considering the Pahlavi government's crucial role in global oil production, I'm curious whether continued deterioration of the situation could trigger another oil crisis."
"After all, even the slightest fluctuation in the oil market has the power to affect the entire global economy."
(End of Chapter)
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