Chapter 407 Invitation Shocks the Entire Hong Kong Investment Community!
"I didn't expect it either. It was pure luck, and I'm very grateful for your recommendation that allowed me to become an investor in Apple!" Lin Haoran replied with a smile to Walter Wriston's congratulations.
"I wonder, Mr. Lin, what brings you here today?" Walter Wriston asked curiously.
Yesterday was a casual catch-up, but today's visit clearly had a purpose.
"To be honest, Mr. Wriston, I do have something to discuss today. You probably know that recently I acquired a major enterprise in Hong Kong called Land Holdings Group?" Lin Haoran said.
"Of course! That company's strength is impressive, with a market value exceeding 2 billion dollars. Even by American standards, it would be considered a major enterprise. I never imagined you had the power to privatize it — truly beyond my expectations!" Walter Wriston said, marveling.
As one of Citibank's most closely monitored clients, even if Walter Wriston hadn't personally paid attention to Lin Haoran's movements, the Hong Kong branch of Citibank would have regularly sent updates about him.
Thus, there was no way he wouldn't know about the privatization of Land Holdings Group.
"Although the acquisition is complete and privatization is almost finalized, the company's value was so high that it cost me dearly to acquire it. Otherwise, I wouldn't have needed a loan of 3 billion Hong Kong dollars from Citibank. So right now, I am very short on cash.
Now, with Apple's IPO going much better than I expected, I'm considering selling my Apple shares.
However, it's 10% of Apple, and I don't know many people in the U.S., so finding a buyer isn't easy.
That's why I'm hoping Mr. Wriston can keep an eye out — if you hear of any interested parties, perhaps you could connect us," Lin Haoran explained directly.
He used his cash shortage as a reason for selling.
It was an excuse that made perfect sense — in Hong Kong, everyone knew about his massive expenditures, and Citibank itself had loaned him 3 billion Hong Kong dollars.
They were fully aware of his situation.
Walter Wriston listened, a thoughtful look flashing in his eyes, but he wasn't surprised.
From Citibank's perspective, Lin Haoran clearly needed liquidity.
Selling Apple shares under these circumstances seemed perfectly reasonable.
After a moment's consideration, Wriston smiled and said,
"Mr. Lin, I appreciate your honesty. Regarding the sale of your Apple shares, I don't think it will be too difficult.
Given the current market environment and the strong outlook for Apple, I'm sure there will be plenty of interest.
As one of Citibank's most valued clients, we will of course assist you.
Our network spans globally, including many investors who are highly interested in technology fields.
I will immediately activate our internal channels to find the right buyer for you.
Once we have a suitable candidate, I'll inform you right away."
For Citibank, helping with this kind of transaction wasn't a big deal — it was part of their services for key clients.
"Thank you very much, Mr. Wriston. I look forward to hearing from you," Lin Haoran said with a nod.
With Citibank's help, finding a buyer for his Apple shares should be much easier.
After all, Apple was now one of the hottest tech companies in the world.
The only potential hurdle would be the price.
After all, 10% of Apple was a substantial stake.
Whoever acquired it would instantly become a major shareholder, with the ability to secure a board seat if they wished.
"By the way, Mr. Lin, how long do you plan to stay in the U.S. this time?" Wriston asked suddenly.
"I'm not sure yet — probably no more than a month. Why do you ask?" Lin Haoran replied after thinking a moment.
His main goal had been to participate in Apple's IPO ceremony, which was now completed.
Technically, he could return to Hong Kong at any time.
However, after traveling halfway across the world, he wasn't planning to leave immediately.
At the very least, he wanted to complete the sale of his Apple shares first.
"That's great! Citibank will be hosting our annual year-end gala on December 20th.
We've invited all of Citibank's important partners, and we would be honored if you could attend," Wriston said.
"Of course, I'd be delighted to attend!" Lin Haoran agreed immediately.
Today was December 13th — the event was just a week away.
Walter Wriston pulled out a golden invitation card, personally wrote Lin Haoran's name on it in English, and handed it to him.
Lin Haoran accepted the invitation but didn't rush to open it.
He placed it carefully in his briefcase and continued chatting with Wriston for a while longer.
An hour later, Lin Haoran left Citibank and returned to Times Square.
Back at the Universal Investment Company office, he used the office key Su Zhixue had given him to enter and handle some private matters.
Originally, Lin Haoran assumed the office would be empty.
But surprisingly, he found Su Zhixue inside, hunched over his desk, studying various company reports.
Approaching quietly, Lin Haoran saw that Su Zhixue was reviewing profiles of companies like Intel, Walmart, Coca-Cola, ExxonMobil, Chevron, and others.
The sound of his footsteps startled Su Zhixue, who quickly looked up and greeted his boss.
Lin Haoran smiled and said,
"Why not go out and enjoy the weekend?"
"Boss, there's nothing much to see outside. Besides, our company isn't fully stabilized yet in America.
As general manager, I have a heavy responsibility.
I've been studying these companies' performance reports, hoping to find good investment opportunities.
The companies you recommended are very promising.
I believe we can gradually build our positions," Su Zhixue said seriously.
"Good, carry on. I'm just handling some private business — no need to worry about me," Lin Haoran replied, nodding.
He then went into another office, sat down, and started calling back to Hong Kong.
First, he called Burton, Cui Zilong, Chen Shoulin, and others to check if anything had happened at the companies.
"Boss, you're on the front page again today!" Cui Zilong laughed as soon as he answered.
"Oh? Because of Apple's IPO?" Lin Haoran asked curiously.
Clearly, besides the Land Holdings Group privatization, the most prominent recent news would be his involvement in Apple's IPO.
Thanks to New York's status as the world's number-one city, news traveled fast.
Anything that happened there would quickly reach Hong Kong's news outlets.
Thus, it wasn't surprising that Lin Haoran had once again become a headline figure back home.
"Exactly! Multiple evening papers are reporting your investment in Apple.
Tomorrow morning's papers will likely be full of it too.
Even the TV news has covered it.
Your success in investing in Apple has shocked the entire Hong Kong investment community!" Cui Zilong said with a laugh.
In the past, Lin Haoran's investments in oil and gold futures had been done in secret.
Despite their enormous returns — far exceeding even his Apple investment — few people knew about them.
But this time, it was different.
At Apple's IPO, Lin Haoran had appeared publicly.
And as a major shareholder of a newly listed company, his name had been disclosed long ago.
Thus, his early $10 million investment in Apple was no secret.
As a Hong Kong businessman making such a splash in the U.S., the Hong Kong media had no choice but to cover it extensively.
After all, Apple's IPO valuation of $2.1 billion would rank it among the top three listed companies in Hong Kong — second only to Jardines Matheson, now that Land Holdings Group had delisted.
Lin Haoran exchanged brief words with his key lieutenants, making sure not to delay them too long, given the late hour in Hong Kong.
Every call ended with heartfelt congratulations.
Afterward, he made another important call.
This time, he dialed Shen Bi's home number — one Shen Bi had given him personally after the Hongkong Electric acquisition, for 24/7 direct contact.
The call was quickly answered.
At this hour — around 9 p.m. in Hong Kong — it was unlikely that Shen Bi would already be asleep.
"Good evening, Mr. Shen. I hope I'm not disturbing you?" Lin Haoran said cheerfully, as if the previous tensions between him and HSBC had never happened.
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