Gao Qiaohao, having calmed down after his turbulent mood swings, quickly reported, "Don't worry, Xiaolin. As instructed, I'll be purchasing small batches of outstanding shares from eight small listed companies in the secondary market, both personally and under the name of Longteng Newspapers. Progress is going smoothly, with each holding approaching 4.8%. Pay special attention to controlling the pace of purchases to avoid triggering drastic stock price fluctuations. Tomorrow morning..." A glint flashed in his eyes. "I'll instruct traders to intensify their efforts and concentrate funds on several large purchases to push the total shareholdings of these companies above the 5% threshold. This will require approximately HK$10 million in total." He listed the eight companies: Hang Lung Garment, Jiali Properties, Rongxing Trading, Zhaoji Industrial, Dexin Engineering, Huawei Electronics, Far East Travel, and Haishan Shipping—all of which were small-capitalization, mediocre performance, low stock prices, and virtually no presence in the Hong Kong stock market at the time. While the amount of capital required to acquire a 5% stake was certainly not large, the key lies in the legal rights that come with that critical 5% threshold.
"Good! Very appropriate!" Lin Huowang nodded approvingly, a gleam in his eyes. "Tomorrow, when the Asia Daily publishes its response to Jin Yong, you must also have someone spread the word to a few familiar brokers at the stock exchange. Tell them that I, Xiaolin Tianwang, have been feeling down lately and, just to vent my anger, need to find a place to spend my spare cash. Focus on those eight small companies with 'high quality and low prices'. Hang Lung Garment, Jiali Properties, Rongxing Trading, Zhaoji Industrial, Dexin Engineering, Huawei Electronics, Far East Travel, Haishan Shipping... Just mention a few of the names on the list, and it's okay to be vague about one or two. Make it a big announcement, make sure the market, Young Master Huo, and those British investors watching from the sidelines know clearly that I, Xiaolin Tianwang, am furious, and I'm going to spend money to buy 'status' and position."
Gao Qiaohao's anxiety faded, replaced by a calm, understanding expression. He quickly reviewed tomorrow's plan in his mind: "Don't worry, Xiaolin. Tomorrow morning, as soon as the exchange opens, we'll buy in big and drive a nice opening price. We'll release the news simultaneously. I guarantee that within half an hour, all of Hong Kong will be talking about Xiaolin Tianwang's rampant buying of 'junk stocks' to decorate their doors." He understood Lin Huowang's intentions. This was a brilliant deception. The superficial disagreement with Ho Chun-ting at Repulse Bay had been magnified into a public feud. Acquiring shares in a few obscure, "mosquito-sized" listed companies with market capitalizations of only tens of millions of Hong Kong dollars would cost only tens of millions of Hong Kong dollars, within the rules and sufficient to generate enough publicity. No one would truly care about the value of these small companies, and British investors would even scoff at them. But this was exactly the effect Lin Huowang wanted—his true strength, hidden beneath a seemingly arrogant and foolish facade. After this move, his image of "unfamiliar with the customs of Hong Kong people, having some abilities but being impulsive and irritable" will only become more three-dimensional in the minds of Newbigin, Murray MacLehose and others.
"Yes." Lin Huowang nodded, his expression becoming indifferent again. "Go ahead. Make sure you do it beautifully tomorrow and leave no trace."
Gao Qiaohao bowed and took his leave.
In the living room of the vast Repulse Bay Villa No. 3, Lin Huowang was once again alone. Outside the window, the nightscape of Victoria Harbour remained as dazzling as ever, its dazzling lights reflected in his calm, unwavering eyes, transforming into a cold, calculating expression. British capital had already offered a helping hand, and the dinner invitation was on its way. Step by step, he edged closer to the center of the vortex of capital and power.
As the night deepened, Lin Huowang retreated to his attic bedroom. Thick curtains blocked out the dazzling light from the outside world, leaving only a warm yellow reading lamp by the bedside. He couldn't sleep at all, his mind racing, calculating every detail to ensure it was impeccable. Newbigin's elation, MacLehose's arrogance, the Fok family's reaction, tomorrow's market turmoil... Everything was unfolding according to his preconceived trajectory.
He picked up the encrypted, dedicated line by the bed and dialed. After a brief click of the line connecting, Liu Rumeng's slightly tired but unconcealedly cheerful voice came through the receiver, instantly injecting a touch of warmth into the cold calculation. "Awang?" Her voice was soft, with a subtle hint of anticipation.
"Yes, it's me. I just finished some business." Lin Huowang's voice softened instantly, and he leaned towards the head of the bed with deliberate relaxation. "How did you feel about the treatment today? From the sound of your voice, it seems pretty good?"
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, and then Liu Rumeng's voice was filled with a hint of disbelief and surprise: "Awang...it's just, it's amazing. When I did the check-up today, Dr. Sophie said that my physical condition is pretty good, and the treatment effect should be very good. Later, when I started the treatment, that feeling...well..." She seemed to be feeling carefully and organizing her words, "It's not just what the test data told me. I myself, when I was lying there, even had an illusion...as if...deep in my stomach, that place that had been cold and numb for a long time, felt a little warm for the first time today? It seemed...a little bit, awakened?" Her voice was filled with cautious expectation and imprecise description, for fear that this was an illusion caused by psychological effects.
Lin Huowang's heart felt like it was being tugged at by an invisible hand, then suddenly released, a surge of soreness and warmth washing over him. He gripped the receiver tightly, his voice as steady as possible, though a subtle sob couldn't be concealed. "Good! Mengmeng, that's right! This is a good sign! Doctor Sophie is an authority, and her methods are sure to work. Hang in there, get treatment on time, and get enough rest. Everything will be fine."
"Yes! I will!" Liu Rumeng's voice became firm, with infinite longing for the future.
However, this yearning lasted only a few seconds before it was replaced by a deep sense of guilt. "But... Awang..." Her voice trailed off, filled with self-reproach. "Dr. Sophie made it clear that the entire treatment process will take two or three years, and... and in between... you can't have sex at all... That's going to be hard on you..." She paused for a moment, took a deep breath, and then, as if making a profound decision, spoke with a tone of almost resigned, forced generosity: "Awang, I know you care about me the most. But... but you're now a wealthy Hong Kong businessman, Xiaolin Tianwang... Hong Kong law... you know... is the same as it was during the Qing Dynasty... men can..." Her speech quickened, a hint of panic. "How about... you... you just find a few young, beautiful girls in Hong Kong... it's okay... I... I really... won't be jealous... I promise!" This was the first time she had so bluntly expressed this seemingly "virtuous" yet actually aggrieved thought lurking deep within the minds of women from traditional, established families. It wasn't a test, but more like a "way out" she felt she should consider for her husband. This is the "generosity" and "duty" instilled in her by her growing environment and the changes in her state of mind and emotions after she came to Hong Kong Island.
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