We're building a super chaebol in Hong Kong

"Mr. Li, you are not one to visit unless there's something important to discuss. What brings you here today?" Su Cheng asked directly, his tone polite but straightforward.

He felt that the easygoing atmosphere of casual chats with Li Jiacheng was fading, as their lives and social circles had subtly diverged.

However, this didn't mean Su Cheng lacked respect for Li Jiacheng.

On the contrary, he deeply admired Li Jiacheng's talent and brilliance.

But this respect stemmed more from recognizing his abilities than from social closeness.

At that moment, Li Jiacheng couldn't help but feel a surge of indescribable jealousy.

He had not anticipated that Su Cheng's deal with Jardine Matheson was initiated by Jardine Matheson, rather than Su Cheng actively seeking it, as Cheung Kong Holdings had expected.

This made him mutter to himself: Why did Jardine Matheson choose Su Cheng instead of me?

Although he felt unwilling, he understood that dwelling on it now was pointless.

After all, those valuable shares had already securely landed in Su Cheng's hands, and it would be a fool's dream to think he would easily let them go.

Two or three hundred million Hong Kong dollars in stock, Cheung Kong Holdings could easily come up with that amount of money, let alone a world's richest man like Su Cheng. So, wanting Su Cheng to give up acquiring Wheelock and Company was basically impossible.

Li Jiacheng knew his situation and that he didn't have enough leverage to persuade Su Cheng to give up his shares in Wheelock and Company.

Therefore, he quickly adjusted his mindset, burying this jealousy and unwillingness deep in his heart, and instead faced reality with a more peaceful and pragmatic attitude.

He understood that the business world was like a battlefield, and opportunities were fleeting. Only by seizing the opportunities before him could he stand undefeated in the fierce competition.

At this moment, wasn't Li Jiacheng himself becoming the one actively seeking cooperation, just as Jardine Matheson had done with Su Cheng before?

He smiled wryly, with a hint of helplessness, and confessed to Su Cheng: "Mr. Su, I'm not afraid of you laughing at me, but I do hold a portion of Wheelock and Company's shares."

Upon hearing this, a trace of surprise appeared on Su Cheng's face.

He really hadn't anticipated this situation. After all, in his memory, Li Jiacheng had never made a move to acquire Wheelock and Company; Bao Yugang had been the key figure.

But the current reality was vastly different from his memory, causing him to fall into deep thought.

After a moment of contemplation, Su Cheng quickly grasped the subtle changes.

He realized that this was perhaps the charm of the ever-changing and unpredictable business world.

Since the wheels of history had already deviated from their predetermined course, he had to re-evaluate the current situation and make corresponding adjustments.

Therefore, Su Cheng, with a more cautious and curious attitude, asked Li Jiacheng about his purpose in holding Wheelock and Company's shares.

Perhaps he had preemptively seized Hutchison Whampoa, leading him to ultimately choose a new target, and that target was Wheelock and Company.

"Indeed, Cheung Kong Holdings holds a considerable number of shares in Wheelock and Company. Specifically, it's a 9.7% stake, and this has always been our trump card that we haven't disclosed to the public. Currently, we are actually the third-largest shareholder of Wheelock and Company, but the outside world is unaware of it," Li Jiacheng said, his words revealing a hint of heaviness, completely lacking his usual ease and smile.

After all, two years of effort wasted was enough to make anyone unhappy.

Upon hearing this, Su Cheng couldn't help but feel an even stronger curiosity and speculation: "Then, what is Mr. Li's true intention for this visit?"

He thought to himself, did Cheung Kong's move mean they intended to withdraw from the competition for Wheelock and Company, or did they have other deeper considerations?

"Could it be that they want me to give up my pursuit of Wheelock and Company?" Although Su Cheng had this thought in his mind, he immediately shook his head, laughing at his own overthinking.

"There's no reason to easily let go of fruit that's already in your hands," he firmly decided in his heart.

However, Su Cheng didn't rush to express his thoughts, but rather adopted a wait-and-see attitude, waiting for Li Jiacheng to explain further.

"Mr. Su, I know that you have become the second-largest shareholder of Wheelock and Company, and you must already have plans to acquire Wheelock and Company.

Cheung Kong Holdings naturally has no intention of competing with you head-on. Therefore, after careful consideration, I have decided to give up further pursuit of Wheelock and Company.

Since Mr. Su has a strong interest in this group, I am willing to transfer our shares to you, as a personal favor and a form of cooperation.

I wonder if Mr. Su is interested in this?" Li Jiacheng's words were sincere and direct, expressing his true intentions.

"Another one coming to sell shares?" This time it was Su Cheng's turn to be surprised.

He had thought that Li Jiacheng was likely unwilling to give up and wanted to seek his Wheelock and Company shares, hoping to buy them from him.

However, the reality was quite the opposite. The other party had no intention of doing so at all, and instead, like Jardine Matheson, directly intended to sell the shares to him.

(End of this chapter)