After divorce, I can hear the voice of the future

Chapter 738 The Final Ownership of Chinese Estates

"Dear friends, thank you for attending the press conference of China Estates Group..."

Liu Mingwei stepped onto the stage, bowed deeply to the crowd, and a complex mix of emotions welled up within him.

He had previously considered replacing his stepmother and representing Chinese Estates Holdings in holding press conferences, but he never expected things to turn out this way.

By the time he is able to represent Chinese Estates Holdings, the company that his parents acquired together will no longer be the Liu family's business.

At 11:00 AM Swiss time, Mr. and Mrs. Liu watched the press conference and waited to connect remotely.

"Studying too much law will gradually make you lose your humanity. If you are good to him, he will not appreciate it and will only think it is his duty."

Chan Hoi-wan has reconciled with the relationship, but she is not yet at peace with it.

Because Lau told her that if he left all the shares of Chinese Estates Holdings to Lau Ming-wai, the Lau family roots would still be there, and they might still have the possibility of returning to Hong Kong in the future.

The Yang family can seek refuge with Lu Liang, and so can the Liu family. Lu Liang is new to the area and needs manpower the most. Liu Mingwei's talent and ability are undoubtedly superior to Yang Qisheng's.

Chan Hoi-wan does not deny Lau Ming-wai's abilities, after all, he inherited his parents' excellent genes.

If Lau's ex-wife hadn't died, no matter how long she had been with him, she would never have made it big.

However, she did not trust Liu Mingwei because the two were the same age and had fought each other at Chinese Estates Holdings for nearly ten years. As his stepmother, she understood her stepson's personality far better than his biological father.

"Then tell me, do we have any other choice? Are we really just going to take the money and leave without any hope left?"

Liu remained calm. Whether he was compensating his eldest son or leaving him a glimmer of hope, only he himself knew the answer.

Chen Kaiyun remained silent, glanced at the time in the lower right corner, and helped Da Liu tidy his clothes as the connection was about to begin.

"Don't overthink it." Da Liu looked at his wife with a gentle gaze, patted her hand lightly, and clicked to confirm when he saw the connection request notification on the screen.

"Hello everyone, I am Liu Junxiong. I am unwell and unable to attend the Chinese Estates Holdings press conference in person."

Despite his strained appearance, this is likely to be the last time Lau will appear in a formal setting in his life.

He announced three pieces of news to the public: first, he authorized Liu Mingwei to hold all the shares he owned; second, Chen Kaiyun stepped down as CEO of Chinese Estates Holdings; and third, Liu Mingwei would serve as CEO.

Upon hearing this, the Hong Kong media reporters present all showed excited expressions, confirming the rumors circulating in the public once again.

Liu admitted defeat, and Liu Mingwei won the power struggle, but it felt like he was pushed out to take the fall.

After all, whether he can continue as CEO in the future depends on whether Lu Liangtong agrees.

"Thank you for your remarks, Mr. Liu. I wish you a pleasant day and will not disturb your recovery any longer." Liu Mingwei's eyes were cold, as if he were facing a stranger.

No matter Zhong Wuyan, no matter Xia Yingchun.

Now he has his own family, a wife and children, and it's too late to make it up to him.

Liu Mingwei would only think it was his due, since the shares held by Da Liu belonged to both his mother and him.

Ignoring Liu's complicated gaze, he decisively ended the remote connection.

Liu Mingwei produced a prepared authorization agreement and announced that Huazhi Group would be suspended from trading indefinitely starting from the 27th of this month, which is the day after tomorrow, to carry out asset restructuring.

At the same time, based on today's closing price and a market capitalization of HK$467.4 billion, the 18.75% stake held by the Liu family will be transferred for HK$87.63 billion.

"Friends, we meet again."

Lu Liang smiled and walked onto the stage. He would represent Tianxing Financial Group to sign the equity transfer agreement.

Upon seeing the main character appear, the reporters went wild, each one like a student eagerly awaiting a teacher's call on, arms raised high with hungry expressions.

Lu Liang chuckled and said, "I know what you want to ask. As of this moment, our Tianxing Financial Group holds 39.12% of Huazhi's shares."

Unlike New World Development, Chinese Estates Holdings has given up resistance, so their 39.12% stake is enough for them to take control.

Trading will be suspended starting the day after tomorrow. Today is the 25th.

At that time, a shareholders' meeting will be held first to elect an executive director to join the board of directors of Chinese Estates Holdings Limited, and then work with Liu Mingwei to take charge of the delisting and privatization project.

As Lu Liang explained the follow-up handling of Chinese Estates Holdings, reporters took notes in the audience. Suddenly, someone shouted, "Mr. Lu, we are actually more concerned about the current situation of New World Development."

It was common knowledge that Liu had given up resistance; the press conference merely served to confirm it.

So, compared to the information they already knew, they were more curious about the situation in the new world and who would have the last laugh.
"You're really greedy. Aren't all these news stories about Chinese Estates enough for you to report?" Lu Liang couldn't help but chuckle.

Seeing that Lu Liang was so easy to talk to, the reporter who had just asked the question suddenly became bolder: "Of course, the more news the better, Mr. Lu, please satisfy our curiosity."

Lu Liang chuckled and turned to Liu Mingwei, asking, "Mr. Liu, may I use the Chinese Estates' press conference?"

"The announcement has already been made. Please proceed as you see fit," Liu Mingwei replied with a smile.

Although Chinese Estates Holdings is nominally still owned by the Liu family, it has in reality taken the form of Lu Liang.

Lu Liang can do whatever he wants; what objections could he possibly have?

"Thank you."

Lu Liang looked at Guo Bingsheng and Li Jiajie, who bowed slightly, stepped forward, and said with a forced smile, "Sun Hung Kai Properties and Henderson Land Development will transfer their combined 11.01% stake in New World Development for HK$223 billion." That afternoon, Hengtai Group announced that it already held more than 26% of New World Development's shares, including the 11.01% held by the two companies.

But issuing a written announcement is one thing, while personally appearing in person is another. Just like when Lau fled Hong Kong, he didn't want to be publicly executed.

But they had no choice, because it was Lu Liang's strong insistence, and the Guo and Li families had reached a point where they had to make their stance clear.

"That concludes today's press conference. Please keep your anticipation until tomorrow. I believe we will provide you with a satisfactory answer then."

Lu Liang smiled and waved his hand. By stepping forward at this time, the Guo and Li families had lost the possibility of being fence-sitters and could only support him from now on.

Upon hearing the word "tomorrow," the reporter immediately thought of New World's announcement that they would be holding a board meeting tomorrow.

Logically speaking, whether it's Lu Liang or Xu Jiayin wanting to join the New World board of directors, they both need to go through a shareholders' meeting process.

The board meeting is about to begin.

There is definitely not enough time to hold a shareholders' meeting.

Since Lu Liang said that, it means he has other means to intervene in the board of directors of New World.

"Mr. Lu, may I ask, through what channels do you intend to join the New World Board of Directors...?"

Even though the reporter pleaded with him to stay like a woman in her boudoir, Lu Liang turned away resolutely, without the slightest hint of regret.

The 20-minute press conference, though short, was packed with valuable information, and news spread like wildfire.

"Chinese Estates Holdings to suspend trading the day after tomorrow? Will it be delisted and privatized?"

"Ganlin's mother, we finally broke even, and now we're going to lose it all again?"

The treatment of retail investors who voluntarily delist is hundreds or thousands of times better than that of those who are forced to delist.

However, the repurchase price is generally not too high. Normally, it is the average of the transactions over the past three months, with an appropriate premium.

Chinese Estates Holdings' current share price is HK$15.25, while the average price over the past three months was only HK$12.52. This means that retail investors holding shares would need to pay at least a 22% premium to make a profit.

However, the specific repurchase price will be decided by the board of directors after the trading suspension.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the price will drop by at least 10% tomorrow.

Based on past experience with companies that voluntarily delisted and then repurchased shares at a premium, the normal range for the premium is within 15%.

Although there are a few cases where the premium exceeds 20%, or even reaches more than 30%, they are still a minority.

After the press conference, Lu Liang went to the office that originally belonged to Liu to check on the financial situation of Chinese Estates Holdings.

Seeing HK$142.2 billion still sitting in his account, he smiled and said, "After all the twists and turns, the funds for buying property have come back."

In order to cope with the bidding war, Lau sold off many unnecessary high-quality assets and raised a lot of funds, including HK$72 billion from the sale of Chi Cheung Building.

However, he did not expect that it would end with the Liu family's surrender in just one day, resulting in a lot of funds not being invested in time, and now they have all benefited Lu Liang.

"Let's buy back the shares at a 22% premium." Lu Liang was in a good mood and planned to buy back the shares at today's closing price.

He summoned Li Junwei, introduced him to Liu Mingwei, and confirmed his future position as an executive director of Chinese Estates Holdings.

"The task of acquiring shares, privatizing the company, and eliminating substandard assets will be entrusted to you."

Lu Liang looked at Liu Mingwei: "Mingwei, if you don't have a better idea for the time being, then serve as the CEO for a while. After all, you are more familiar with the situation of Chinese Estates."

Liu Mingwei nodded and said, "Okay, Mr. Lu, I assure you that I will not resign voluntarily in the next year."

Whether he stays or not, Lu Liang really needs him now, and helping him is a favor in itself.

"I'll leave it to you guys from now on."

Lu Liang smiled, bid farewell to the two, and returned to Phase 2 of the Plaza Building.

There was still no news from Xu Jiayin's visit to the Bank of China. After thinking for a while, Lu Liang invited Yang Qisheng to dinner.

During the meal, he asked, "Qi Sheng, Hong Kong entertainment is getting worse and worse. What are Emperor Entertainment's plans for the future?"

Since the turn of the millennium, Hong Kong entertainment has been on its decline, although occasionally a few excellent films will emerge. But the people involved are still the same.

An industry without new talent has no future.

Chow Yun-fat, Jackie Chan, Stephen Chow, and other film and television superstars, as well as various singing gods and divas, are all at least in their fifties, sixties, or seventies. How many more years can they keep going?

Moreover, the arrogant attitude of Hong Kong entertainment in the past caused them to miss the best opportunity for development in the mainland entertainment industry. Now, even if they want to enter the mainland entertainment industry, there is no place for them.

Yang Qisheng humbly asked for advice: "Lu Liang, what do you think is the future direction of Emperor Entertainment?"

"Entertainment on the left, real estate on the right."

Lu Liang mentioned that he would split Chinese Estates Holdings into two, spinning off real estate and property projects, and he also holds shares in DC Studio.

He will push all these resources to Emperor Entertainment Group, and how things develop in the future will depend on Yang Qisheng himself.

(End of this chapter)