Chapter 315 HKD 1.1 Billion, Deal!
For Liu Luanzhong, the future Chinese tycoon he had personally watched rise, Lin Haoran had no intention of making an enemy out of him.
On the contrary, he intended to nurture him, treating him almost like a younger brother.
After all, the business world was vast, and making everyone your enemy was never a good strategy.
It was crucial to cultivate a network of allies.
Now, under Lin Haoran's guidance, Liu Luanzhong was steadily rising in Hong Kong's business community —
meaning Liu owed him a huge favor.
Even Huifeng Bank was now actively cultivating its own circle of allies, including figures like Bao Yugang, Li Jiacheng, and even Lin Haoran himself.
Thus, forming alliances was a fundamental survival tactic in every industry.
Ultimately, Liu Luanzhong was persuaded and accepted Lin Haoran's reasoning.
"Once you quietly cash out your shares in Aimeigao Company," Lin Haoran said with a smile as Liu prepared to leave,
"plus your accumulated wealth, you'll have over HKD 1 billion in cash.
With that kind of money, there's almost nothing you can't do.
Why cling stubbornly to Aimeigao?
Right now, Aimeigao thrives because of you.
Without you, it would lose its soul.
Even a valuation of several billion dollars would be overestimated."
In reality, Aimeigao's fixed assets amounted to no more than tens of millions of Hong Kong dollars.
Without its lucrative fan orders, it was just another ordinary manufacturing plant.
"Haoran, I understand now. Thank you for your guidance,"
Liu Luanzhong said sincerely.
He had learned much from Lin Haoran.
After the stock market opened, Lin Haoran specifically instructed Su Zhixue to monitor Aimeigao's share price.
Unexpectedly, although the price dropped slightly at opening, about 0.5%,
it quickly rebounded.
In other words, Aimeigao's stock price had not been significantly affected by Lin Haoran's announcement of his intent to sell.
This was reasonable —
after all, the public knew Lin Haoran was just an investor,
whereas Aimeigao's success was entirely attributed to Liu Luanzhong, the founder.
Thus, Lin Haoran's exit wouldn't deeply impact the company's core operations.
Moreover, Lin Haoran was selling not because Aimeigao lacked prospects,
but because he needed liquidity to pursue Jardines Matheson.
Seeing the price stability, Lin Haoran felt relieved.
As long as the price remained high, he could maximize profits from the sale.
Meanwhile, Jardines Matheson's share price continued to climb —
though unknown to the public, Lin Haoran had already halted further acquisitions.
There was no point in chasing shares at inflated prices.
Land Development Corporation's share price also remained steady.
Universal Investment was carefully keeping its market cap around HKD 110 billion.
And there were no signs of the mysterious competitor absorbing more shares.
"Boss, Mr. Chen Songqing from Karson Group is in the lobby. He wants to see you,"
the receptionist informed him during Su Zhixue's report.
"Bring him up to my office," Lin Haoran instructed.
After hanging up, Lin frowned.
What was Chen Songqing after?
He had no close ties with the man.
In fact, in his past life, Lin Haoran had known the eventual fate of Karson Group —
so when Chen had sought a partnership earlier this year, he had politely declined.
Still, since Chen had come knocking, it was only proper to meet him.
"Boss, I'll get back to work then," Su Zhixue said.
"Keep a close eye on Jardines and Land Development. Report any major movement immediately," Lin ordered.
"Understood, boss!"
A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door.
"Come in," Lin called, standing to greet his visitor.
Though he knew Chen's shady background, he maintained politeness —
after all, Chen was currently a major figure in Hong Kong's business world.
In came a security officer escorting Chen Songqing.
"Mr. Lin, we meet again!"
Chen greeted warmly after the security officer withdrew.
Lin Haoran shook his hand and gestured to a seat.
"Please sit, Mr. Chen."
"Mr. Lin, I'll get straight to the point," Chen said after sitting down.
"I saw the newspapers. Are you really planning to sell your shares in Aimeigao?"
Lin Haoran instantly understood —
he had assumed Chen sought business collaboration, but it turned out he was after Aimeigao shares.
Much better.
"Yes, that information is accurate," Lin said.
"I need liquidity for my Jardines Matheson acquisition.
Thus, I'm looking for a suitable buyer for my Aimeigao stake."
"Mr. Lin, you truly are a role model for all Chinese businessmen,"
Chen said, full of admiration.
"Acquiring Hong Kong Electric was already impressive.
Now you're aiming at Jardines Matheson — truly extraordinary!"
Lin Haoran responded with a smile,
"Karson Group's success is equally inspiring. Your rapid growth has amazed us all."
After exchanging pleasantries, Chen moved to business.
"Mr. Lin, I'm very interested in your Aimeigao shares.
I'd like to buy them at the current market price."
Given Aimeigao's market cap of about HKD 23 billion,
Lin Haoran's 40% stake was worth roughly HKD 9.2 billion.
Frankly, that price was quite satisfactory.
But Lin Haoran wasn't going to agree immediately.
He knew Chen's reputation.
Selling without extracting more would be foolish.
Moreover, selling shares was just a transaction —
different from entering into a long-term business partnership.
"Mr. Chen," Lin said, shaking his head,
"to be honest, your offer is too low.
If I only wanted that much, there are plenty of interested buyers."
"Mr. Lin, this is almost HKD 10 billion,"
Chen countered.
"Not many groups in Hong Kong can handle a deal this big!"
"Mr. Chen, you're from Southeast Asia —
you must know how much foreign capital has poured into Hong Kong these years.
Even if no single group could buy alone, they could band together."
"And Aimeigao's value is obvious to all," Lin said calmly.
"Then what price are you asking?" Chen pressed.
"HKD 1.2 billion," Lin said without hesitation.
"If you pay HKD 1.2 billion, the shares are yours."
"Impossible!
That's outrageous!"
Chen stood up in frustration.
A HKD 1.2 billion price tag would value Aimeigao at HKD 30 billion — a stretch.
But Lin Haoran knew exactly what he was doing.
"Mr. Chen, think carefully,"
Lin said.
"You're not just buying 40% of Aimeigao.
You're buying control.
Combined with a few more shares from the market, you can easily dominate the company.
Such control is priceless."
Chen hesitated.
He had initially hoped to spend less than HKD 1 billion.
But Lin had seen through him completely.
"Mr. Lin, HKD 1.2 billion is too much.
Let's compromise — HKD 1.1 billion,"
Chen said at last, desperate to clinch the deal.
To his surprise, Lin Haoran smiled and said,
"Deal!"
HKD 1.1 billion —
an excellent price, beyond Lin's expectations.
From Chen's eagerness, Lin Haoran could tell how badly Karson Group wanted Aimeigao.
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