Started from Hong Kong Island

Chapter 325 323 [Who Cares]

The Peninsula Tsim Sha Tsui
Gu Li, chairman of Tiexing Company, Li Wendi of Changxin Real Estate Company, and Chen Detai of Dachang Real Estate Company met in a private room of the hotel. The main purpose had been clearly told to Gu Li before they came.

Since Gu Li is willing to accept the appointment, he is inclined to sell his shares in Cathay Investment Company, which is good news for Li Wendi and Chen Detai.

After the waiters brought the steak and red wine to the table, they left obediently, leaving the three of them chatting and laughing.

"Mr. Guli, what do you think of Jardine Matheson?" Li Wendi saw that the time was ripe and asked with a polite smile. This seemingly unintentional question was actually related to the bargaining later.

Gu Li glanced at Li Wendi and said with a smile, "As one of the four largest foreign companies in Hong Kong, Swire Pacific is a representative of Hong Kong's aviation industry. It also has good performance in other fields and is a very strong company."

Li Wendi was indifferent to the "official language" spoken by Gu Li, but he could get a preliminary understanding of some of Gu Li's personality traits, that he was a common old fox in the business world.

Chen Detai felt a little strange about Li Wendi's question. This question was useless and it was the same as not asking it at all. He didn't know what Li Wendi's purpose was.

Seeing that Li Wendi had no intention of asking more questions, Chen Detai smiled at Gu Li and said, "Mr. Gu Li, let's start talking about the shares of Cathay Investment Company. We plan to bid 7000 million Hong Kong dollars to take over the 15% shares of Cathay Investment Company in your hands. What do you think?"

Gu Li cut a small piece of steak, put it in his mouth, thought for a while, and said, "7000 million yuan seems to be enough, but according to market practice, Cathay Investment Company is a good company. Don't Mr. Chen and Mr. Li plan to pay a higher price?"

Li Wendi didn't care. After all, the wool came from the sheep, and the money was just their help in advance.

However, Gu Li believed that Chen Detai wanted to take the opportunity to become a shareholder of Cathay Investment Company, to make the Shi Huaiya family uncomfortable and to avenge their grudge. As for Li Wendi, he was purely a speculator and would not let go of any favorable opportunity.

"Okay, let's offer a 3% premium, how about 9000 million yuan?" Li Wendi took the lead in expressing his opinion without asking Chen Detai's opinion, which also aroused a little dissatisfaction from Chen Detai.

Li Wendi simply ignored it. Chen Detai was too cautious. He would definitely hesitate at the price of 9000 million. He didn't want to miss such a good opportunity. The money was not paid by them.

Gu Li thought that Li Wendi was a good man with great wealth, and he also felt that the price was about right. In 75, Swire spent 1.12 million yuan to acquire 32% of Cathay Investment Company. Now he was bidding 15 million yuan for 9000%, which he was very satisfied with, as it was doubled after all.

"Mr. Li and Mr. Chen are indeed leaders in the business world. Let's have a pleasant cooperation." Gu Li stood up and extended his hand to Li Wendi and Chen Detai.

"Happy cooperation!" Chen Detai shook hands reluctantly.

Then the three of them went to the law firm to sign the contract. Li Wendi was worried that if the news got out, Swire would take the opportunity to "intercept" the deal, so he had to strike first.

By the time they had dealt with the three shareholders of Cathay Investment, night had already begun to fall. The two men successfully acquired 19.2% of the shares of Cathay Investment, becoming the second largest shareholder of Cathay Investment, spending 1 million yuan.

During dinner with Chen Detai, Chen Detai said to Li Wendi seriously, "Mr. Li's 3% premium is a bit too much, isn't it?"

Li Wendi didn't care about Chen Detai's dissatisfaction at all. Chen Detai was a good guy and he was just doing it for the sake of face. Moreover, according to Chen Detai's style of doing things, the stronger the person, the more tolerant Chen Detai would be.

"Not much. We are just helping Taikoo to pay first. The down payment is only 2%. The remaining 8% will be paid within two months. We have plenty of time."

"If my guess is correct, Taikoo Trading has received the news and will come after us soon. No matter how overbearing Taikoo Trading is, it can't let us suffer any loss."

Li Wendi said this with a laugh, which seemed to be an attempt to change the subject.

Chen Detai knew that there was no point in pursuing Li Wendi's evasion of the main issue because the contract had already been signed.

However, Li Wendi was still willing to take a step back and said with a smile, "If Mr. Chen has any problems with funds, I can pay the down payment by myself."

If Li Wendi gives up his interests at this time, he will naturally get more benefits later.

Chen Detai knew what Li Wendi was thinking and immediately shook his head. The evil had already been done and to withdraw his head would only lead to confusion and he would not get enough benefits and would get into trouble. It would be too stupid to do so.

"Dachang Real Estate can raise 10 to 20 million yuan in funds, so Mr. Li doesn't have to worry." Chen Detai said.

"That's good!" Li Wendi nodded slightly.

Before Swire & Co. came to the door, Dah Chong Properties had already announced its cooperation with Hysan Development Company. The two companies planned to jointly develop Leighton Centre Shopping Mall and Hysan Place on Leighton Road and Hennessy Road in Causeway Bay. Dah Chong Properties would hold 40% and 25% of the equity respectively, and 6% of the construction costs would be borne by Dah Chong Properties.

Zhang Wentao sat opposite Li Wendi and reported on the situation of Causeway Bay properties. "The area of ​​the Lipton Center shopping mall has not been expanded, and the demolition of the Xingli Center Building has begun. If these two buildings are completed, they will be the largest shopping mall and the largest commercial building in Causeway Bay. It is estimated that the cost of capital can be recovered within 5 years."

Li Wendi nodded. He had to admit that good people were still very popular. Such a high-quality project fell on the shoulders of Dachang Real Estate Company. This was real high-quality property. He was even drooling.

Because of his bad reputation, the Li family would never let a wolf into the house, even if Li Wendi has considerable strength.

After all, everyone is afraid of having their ancestral property taken away, especially a family like the Li family. The properties in Causeway Bay are their foundation.

Li Wendi thought about it and wondered whether he could increase his efforts to acquire the properties on Enping Road in Causeway Bay. At this time, the Li family's energy was focused on the construction of those two properties, and they would not have sufficient funds. Even if their tracks were exposed, they would not overreact.

"How is the property acquisition in Enping Road going?" asked Li Wendi.

Zhang Wentao replied, "We have secretly acquired 6 properties. We dare not make a big move for fear of attracting the attention of the Li family. In addition, it takes a lot of money to acquire the other 1 properties besides the No. 35 Enping Road property, so I slowed down the acquisition speed."

Li Wendi thought about it and decided not to expose himself. After all, his main focus at the moment should not be on being enemies with the Li family, but on actively dealing with British companies and eliminating some of the bad reputation at the same time.

"Let's speed up without exposing ourselves." Li Wendi said, "The Li family is very busy right now and probably doesn't have the energy to pay attention to the properties on Enping Road. The old properties on Hysan Avenue are also going to be rebuilt."

Li Wendi also made his judgment based on his memories of his previous life. Li Mingze of the Li Hiu-shin family is a capable man. Li Wendi has dealt with him in the China Gas Company. He is not an easy person to deal with. Coupled with Li Ho-wo of TVB, he still feels a lot of pressure.

"Yes, I will control the limits." Zhang Wentao saw Li Wendi's serious expression and knew that the matter was not simple.

“How are the three small properties in Causeway Bay progressing? When can they open?” asked Li Wendi.

"The building has been completed, and there is still some finishing work. It is expected to open in September. Will the boss go to cut the ribbon in person?" Zhang Wentao asked happily.

Li Wendi shook his head. It was just a small property. There was no need to waste time. "You should go and cut the ribbon on behalf of Changxin Real Estate Company. I probably won't have time to spare by then."

"Okay!" Zhang Wentao was a little disappointed.

Swire Development Company Meeting Room
Li Wendi received an invitation letter from Swire Group, inviting him to Swire Development Company to discuss the shareholding of Cathay Investment Company.

He was led by the front desk staff to the conference room, where the Swire Group's bosses, Barber Swire and Chen Detai, were already there, chatting and laughing, as if the conflict between them did not exist.

Li Wendi exchanged a few pleasantries with Bob Swire and then began the formal conversation.

"Mr. Li, Mr. Chen, Swire is willing to buy 1.3% of Cathay Investments from you for 19.2 million yuan. I know that you bought it from those shareholders for 1 million yuan. In just five days, you made 1520 million yuan. I think this is a very good deal."

"I think Mr. Barber has misunderstood. Mr. Chen and I acquired shares of Cathay Investment Company because we are optimistic about the prospects of this company, especially the earnings of Cathay Pacific Airways. We have no intention of selling them." Li Wendi knew that Chen Detai was a guy who was afraid of wolves in front and tigers behind, so he had to lead by example.

Before coming here, Barber had read Li Wendi's information and knew that Li Wendi was not easy to deal with. "It seems that the price is not right. Mr. Li, please name a price."

Li Wendi was also unambiguous, "I hope to allow Changxin Real Estate Company and Taikoo Chang Development Company to participate in the second, third and fourth phases of the Taikoo City project, and Changxin Real Estate Company will hold no less than 25% of the shares."

Li Wendi believed that investing in Taikoo Chang Development Company would be of temporary benefit but would be a trouble in the future, so it would be better to directly seek profits from the Taikoo City project.

Barber was a little shocked. He didn't expect that Li Wendi's target was Taikoo City, not the "big profit" as he had predicted.

"Mr. Li, this is impossible! Taikoo City is an important investment project of Taikoo Foreign Trade Co., Ltd. It is impossible for outsiders to interfere in some major plans of the design company."

"Mr. Barber, you should have heard of my reputation. I usually get the projects I like." Li Wendi had a smile on his face, which Barber thought was a shameless smile.

"I know Mr. Barber thinks I'm shameless, but Swire Properties doesn't seem to be a gentleman either. Swire Properties has learned a lot of real estate experience from Dachang Real Estate Company, but now it has abandoned Dachang Real Estate Company." Seeing that Barber was angry, Li Wendi continued to speak sarcastically.

Since a good talk is no longer possible, it is better to use a worse strategy and provoke Barber in order to gain benefits.

Barber countered that "Swire Chang Development and Swire Properties had never signed a contract to develop the second phase of the project, and Swire Properties did not breach the contract."

“But Mr. Barber once revealed to reporters that the second phase of the project would still be handed over to Taikoo Chang Development Company to complete. As a result, Mr. Barber, do you want me to find the newspaper at that time and show it to you?” Li Wendi sneered.

"." Barber had nothing to say, and he did tell reporters that.

"Okay, Mr. Li, Mr. Barber, let's get back to the topic. The conditions just now were discussed by Mr. Li and I. If Mr. Barber cannot agree immediately, he can go back and call a board meeting and talk to the directors." Chen Detai came out to smooth things over.

"Mr. Barber, I really hope you can give me a reply within three days." Li Wendi said calmly.

After leaving Taikoo Chang Development Company, Li Wendi and Chen Detai found a place to sit down and discuss.

"Mr. Li, do you think Jardine Matheson will agree to our conditions?" Chen Detai asked with a serious expression.

"Compared with Cathay Investment's shares, the immediate benefits of the Taikoo Shing project are very important. In the long run, Cathay Investment's dividend returns will crush the Taikoo Shing project. If I were to choose, I would definitely choose Cathay Investment's shares." Li Wendi smiled and added, "If Mr. Chen feels that Cathay Investment's shares are hot, I am willing to buy them at the original price."

"." Chen Detai glanced at Li Wendi and was a little hesitant. It seemed that Li Wendi was very optimistic about Cathay Investment Company. He probably felt that Cathay Investment Company was a hot potato and it was not worth spending a lot of energy on it. It was not as profitable as the Taikoo City project.

"It depends. If Swire chooses the Taikoo Shing project, I will sell those shares to you, Mr. Li." Chen Detai still wanted to be conservative. Of course, there was also the reason of insufficient funds. After all, the Hysan Place and Lipton Centre shopping malls in Causeway Bay required a lot of construction costs.

"But we also have to be prepared for them to choose the Taikoo City project. Mr. Chen has been cooperating with Taikoo for a long time and should know some of Taikoo's weaknesses. It would be better for him to tell us so that we can be prepared." Li Wendi said thoughtfully.

Now the arrow is on the string and has to be shot. Retreating will only result in heavy losses (not getting what you want).

Chen Detai nodded and began to talk about some secrets of Jardine Matheson.

Qi Nian Newspaper Company
He Qijun took out an invitation letter with a red cover, handed it to Li Wendi, and motioned Li Wendi to take a look.

Li Wendi opened it and found that it was an alumni invitation letter from Hong Kong University, inviting outstanding alumni to return and attend a reunion.

"This is your invitation letter. It has nothing to do with me, right?" Li Wendi said with a smile.

"My advisor called me, and he really wanted you to come with me." He Qijun pouted and said, "They want to increase the school's facilities, and they want alumni to donate generously."

Donate money!

Li Wendi was slightly stunned. Why did they target him? How much did Hong Kong University need money?
"I'm not an alumnus and I don't have an invitation letter. You go by yourself. If anyone asks about me, just say I can't come because of something." Li Wendi didn't want to be the scapegoat.

He Qijun smiled and said, "You really don't want to go? Isn't the Gard Electronics Company trying to attract electronics talents from major universities in Hong Kong? Maybe this is a good opportunity."

Li Wendi thought so, but still couldn't accept being 'taken for a ride', and said helplessly, "Talent is also about money. The money donated to them is better used to attract talents. No one will complain about having too much money."

In fact, what Li Wendi cares about is that as a person without any academic qualifications, if he goes to such an alumni association without an invitation letter, he will be laughed at.

Donating money is a small matter, being laughed at is a big matter!
"Okay, then I'll reject your offer, mentor." He Qijun no longer forced Li Wendi. There was no need to waste their mutual affection for such a thing. It was not worth it.

So, the two began to talk about new topics, including the recent situation of Yuanhe Newspaper.

Li Wendi gave some suggestions, which were a temporary and unconventional approach and He Yongjian might not adopt them.

Li Wendi couldn't care less about so many things. She just did her best. He Yongjian still had to walk his own path.

(End of this chapter)