Chapter 237: Steve Jobs' Call and Apple's IPO Plan
Regarding the acquisition of Hong Kong's TVB shares, Lin Haoran was in no rush. With Li Mingze as a connection, he felt confident. After all, Li Mingze still wielded considerable influence within the Li family. As long as Li Mingze was willing to help him, acquiring the majority of the Li family's shares should not be too difficult. Moreover, during his recent visit to the Li family gathering, Lin Haoran had made an effort to express goodwill toward the other family members. Judging by their attitudes, it was clear they were all eager to build a good relationship with him.
Given Lin Haoran's control over several major listed companies and involvement in multiple industries, in a city as small as Hong Kong, it was inevitable that future collaborations would arise. Once Li Xiahe passed away, there would be no one left in the Li family interested in managing TVB. That would be the perfect opportunity to buy their shares. Lin Haoran had already researched it thoroughly: Li Xiahe held 6% of TVB's shares.
Of course, that wasn't all of the Li family's holdings. In fact, the entire Li family controlled more than 20% of TVB. Several of Li Xiahe's brothers also held shares, and combined, they were the largest single shareholder group. If Lin Haoran could acquire all of the Li family's TVB shares, he would become the dominant force within the station.
Currently, TVB's ownership was complicated. Though it wasn't listed, its shares were divided among multiple forces: the Li family, Run Run Shaw, the Eu Yan Sang family, Britain's Independent Television Company, Gilman's Company, and even America's NBC and Hutchison Whampoa all held portions. But the Li family, counted as a single bloc, was the largest shareholder, followed by Run Run Shaw.
Time passed quickly, and two days later it was June 8.
That morning, after getting up around nine o'clock and enjoying breakfast served by his Chinese maid, Lin Haoran was preparing to head to Hongkong Electric's headquarters when the phone in the study rang. He picked it up — it was a call from his father.
"Dad, what's the matter?" Lin Haoran asked curiously.
"Haoran, it's not me. A man named Jobs from America called looking for you. Luckily, I know a little English; otherwise, I would've just hung up," Lin Wan'an chuckled.
"Jobs? Alright, Dad. Thank you. I'll call him back," Lin Haoran replied, laughing.
While in America, Lin Haoran had invested $10 million in Apple, acquiring 10% of the company. Almost half a year had passed since then. He had left the Deep Water Bay villa's number as his main contact, so it was natural that Jobs would have called his home.
"Who's Jobs? Why would an American be calling you?" his father asked, puzzled.
"He's the chairman of an American computer company. You wouldn't know him. I met him when I was in the States. He's a pretty talented young man," Lin Haoran explained. "Anyway, Dad, I'll hang up now. I have to call him back."
Back then, Steve Jobs wasn't yet famous. Apple had some recognition in the U.S., but almost none in Hong Kong. Even if a few media outlets had reported on Apple, few would have paid attention. After all, computers at that time were still niche, expensive toys. Only a handful of big corporations — banks, accounting firms, and the like — used them in Hong Kong. Technology wasn't a major sector there; manufacturing low-end electronics dominated the industry. High-end research talent was rare, and there were few tech companies. Even companies like Fairchild Semiconductor, which opened Hong Kong's first chip assembly line, mainly used Hong Kong for packaging and testing, with the real R&D still happening in the United States.
Following Fairchild's success, Texas Instruments, Motorola, and some Japanese firms had also opened plants in Hong Kong. But again, they were manufacturing hubs, not centers of innovation. Hong Kong remained dominated by trade, finance, and real estate. Without research labs and tech ecosystems, high-end talent naturally didn't stay.
"I'll leave you to it then," Lin Wan'an said, hanging up.
After the call, Lin Haoran flipped open his phone directory and quickly found Jobs' number.
He dialed.
"Mr. Jobs? This is Lin Haoran," he said in fluent English when the call connected.
"Good morning, Mr. Lin. I hope I'm not disturbing you. I figured it should be morning in Hong Kong," Jobs said warmly.
Indeed, with daylight savings time in effect, there was a 15-hour time difference between Silicon Valley and Hong Kong. It was now June 8, 9 a.m. in Hong Kong — and June 7, 6 p.m. in California.
"No, it's a good time. What's the matter, Mr. Jobs?" Lin Haoran asked.
"Mr. Lin, Apple plans to go public this December. Our board has unanimously approved the IPO. We hope to raise significant capital to boost R&D, production, and marketing, accelerating our growth," Jobs explained enthusiastically.
Lin Haoran wasn't surprised. He already knew from memory that Apple would IPO at the end of 1980, creating multiple millionaires overnight.
"I see. I fully support the decision," Lin Haoran said cheerfully.
"Also, on the day of the IPO, as a major shareholder, I hope you can attend the Nasdaq opening bell ceremony with us," Jobs added.
"It would be an honor. Barring unforeseen circumstances, I will definitely attend," Lin Haoran agreed without hesitation.
After all, witnessing Apple's IPO would be a historic moment.
Though Apple wouldn't truly explode until the mid-to-late 1990s, Lin Haoran wasn't concerned.
His investment was always meant as a long-term bet.
He wasn't worried about the company's ups and downs along the way.
He knew that by 2012, Apple would set a record $623.5 billion market cap, and by 2023, it would break $3 trillion — becoming the world's most valuable company.
If he could maintain his 10% stake, that would mean a personal holding worth over $300 billion!
Enough to be the richest man in the world.
Of course, Lin Haoran knew future rounds of financing would dilute his shares.
But he wasn't worried.
He could always buy back more later.
He remembered that even by 2001, before the massive boom, Apple's market cap was only $6.38 billion —
then, over the next two decades, it would grow nearly five hundredfold.
Thus, he wasn't stressed about dilution.
Holding a significant stake at this early stage was enough to secure a strong long-term position.
"Very well, Mr. Lin. I won't take up more of your time. See you soon," Jobs said warmly.
"Goodbye!" Lin Haoran replied before hanging up.
After setting down the phone, Lin Haoran gathered Li Weidong and Li Weiguo and left the house.
Apple's IPO was still half a year away — no need to rush.
Besides, he had never experienced ringing the opening bell at an IPO ceremony.
Though he owned multiple listed companies — Hongkong Electric, Hong Kong and China Gas, and now Kowloon Motor Bus — they had all been acquired post-listing.
His private companies, like Wanan Group and Green Island Cement, had been privatized.
"It's about time to experience it," Lin Haoran thought to himself while riding comfortably in his Rolls-Royce.
And even before Apple's IPO, he had another listing plan already underway —
listing Aimeigao Company.
With June here, Aimeigao had entered its busiest season.
Orders were flooding in from the Americas, Europe, and even Oceania.
This summer promised to be extremely profitable.
Orders would remain strong through September, ensuring massive revenue.
This year, barring surprises, Lin Haoran expected Aimeigao to net another $200 million HKD.
Not bad at all, considering he owned 50% of the company.
Aimeigao was arguably Hong Kong's most profitable manufacturing company now —
and just two years ago, it had been a tiny workshop with only a few dozen workers!
Success came from seizing opportunities.
Without it, even someone like Liu Luanxiong might never have become one of Hong Kong's top ten richest men.
"Boss, we've arrived at Hongkong Electric headquarters," Li Weiguo's voice gently interrupted his thoughts.
"Alright, let's go," Lin Haoran said, stepping out after Li Weidong opened the car door for him.
Instead of heading straight to Chen Shoulin's office, Lin Haoran first took a leisurely stroll around the building.
After all, he was the chairman of Hongkong Electric, a company now valued at over $3 billion HKD — firmly among Hong Kong's top ten listed companies.
And with the ongoing bull market, its market cap was steadily climbing toward $4 billion HKD.
Though it was still far behind giants like HSBC and Hongkong Land, Hongkong Electric's position in the top tier was now unshakable.
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