Chapter 489: Liu Luanyong's Investment Invitation
"Ah Xiong, aside from catching up, I suppose you had something else in mind when you asked me out?" After the dishes were served, Lin Haoran raised his glass to clink with Liu Luanyong's and asked with a smile.
"You really can't hide anything from you," Liu Luanyong admitted cheerfully.
"I do have something I wanted to ask your advice about."
"Alright, just say it. We're old friends by now," Lin Haoran said casually, picking up a piece of roast goose with his chopsticks as he spoke.
"I've been back in Hong Kong for a few days now," Liu said, "and I've spent this time studying the events of the past two or three months here.
I noticed you've been selling off real estate projects and land.
I don't believe it's simply because you need cash.
You must have other reasons."
"You know," Liu continued, "after following your advice, I spent several hundred million Hong Kong dollars buying up land and properties. Now, the value has at least doubled.
I'm really grateful to you for that.
But I also want to understand — do you know something I don't?
Why the sudden large-scale sell-off?
And don't tell me it's just because you're short on cash.
I've known you long enough: if something has value, you wouldn't sell it easily, even if you needed money."
Lin Haoran looked at Liu Luanyong with a bit of surprise.
This guy was sharp — he had figured out so much just by observing.
No wonder he would eventually become one of Hong Kong's top ten tycoons.
After a moment's silence, Lin Haoran decided it wasn't necessary to keep the truth from him.
After all, Liu Luanyong was not only a business friend but also somewhat like a little brother.
Although Lin Haoran could now be called Hong Kong's richest man, he couldn't afford to make enemies everywhere.
It was still important to cultivate allies.
Liu Luanyong might not yet be among the top businessmen, but with his talent, his future was certainly bright.
Wiping his mouth with a hot towel, Lin Haoran said,
"Since you've studied my moves carefully, you should have noticed that the assets I sold weren't exactly prime properties — they weren't located in core areas."
"I sold them for two reasons," he continued.
"First, yes, I needed liquidity.
I've been acquiring a lot of businesses lately, and selling some properties helps lower my debt ratio."
"Second, and more importantly, I'm hedging risks.
I feel that Hong Kong's real estate sector has grown too rapidly over the past two or three years.
There's a real risk of a bubble — much like the crash we saw in 1973–1974.
If another real estate crisis hits, the industry will suffer greatly."
"So I'm reducing my exposure — that's all.
It's just my personal view, a guess really.
You don't need to overanalyze it."
After listening carefully, Liu Luanyong nodded thoughtfully.
He paused for a moment before asking,
"Then, in your opinion, should I sell the properties I'm holding too?
After all, I invested quite a lot alongside you, and now the value has gone up substantially."
"But hearing what you said, I'm a little worried.
If the market crashes like you predict, my assets could depreciate badly."
Lin Haoran chuckled, shaking his head.
"Ah Xiong, this is a decision you have to make yourself.
Everyone's situation is different."
"My decisions are based on my financial structure and market outlook.
You, on the other hand, need to consider your cash flow, your debt situation — can you withstand market volatility?"
"Also, consider the locations and potential of the properties you hold.
Are they truly high-risk?"
"And finally, what's your risk tolerance?
Can you accept potential losses?"
"In the end," Lin Haoran said, "it's a gamble — you're betting on the future direction of the market.
If you think the risk is too high, there's nothing wrong with selling and locking in profits.
If you believe the properties are still valuable and you're willing to shoulder the risk, hold onto them."
"Just don't follow blindly — and don't be too conservative either.
Balance is key."
"Besides," Lin Haoran teased, "where's that bold, confident Ah Xiong I knew?
You're asking me to decide something so important for you? That's not like you at all."
"No, Haoran," Liu Luanyong said seriously.
"In all of Hong Kong, you're the one I trust most."
"If not for you, I might still be a small-time shop owner today.
Two years ago, I couldn't even imagine having a net worth of over two billion Hong Kong dollars."
"You're my benefactor.
Without you, there would be no me."
"I promise you this: no matter how Hong Kong's business world changes, I will always stand firmly by your side."
Liu Luanyong's gratitude was genuine.
He firmly believed that meeting Lin Haoran had changed his fate.
Furthermore, Lin Haoran's string of dazzling victories in Hong Kong's business world only reinforced Liu's trust and admiration.
Lin Haoran smiled lightly.
"I'll just say this," he said.
"If you're satisfied with your current situation, you should think about balancing your portfolio.
Real estate has its value — especially in land-scarce Hong Kong — but every industry has its cycles."
"We're probably at a peak right now.
An adjustment is likely coming."
"It doesn't mean real estate will collapse forever — just that you should be more cautious when planning your next moves."
Liu Luanyong nodded.
Even though Lin Haoran hadn't given a definitive answer, he understood the message.
"I know what to do.
No matter what, Haoran, thank you!" Liu said gratefully.
"We're good friends — no need to be so formal," Lin Haoran replied with a grin.
"Haoran, I've been studying the investment industry lately," Liu said suddenly.
"I have an idea.
I want to establish an investment company focused on targeting undervalued companies to maximize returns.
If you believe in me, I'd like to invite you to invest."
Now, after cashing out from Aimco, Liu Luanyong was flush with cash.
He had nearly ten billion Hong Kong dollars at his disposal.
And if he sold some of his land and property holdings, he would have even more.
He wasn't lacking money — he just wanted to stay connected to Lin Haoran's success.
"Oh? An investment company?" Lin Haoran said, interested.
"How do you plan to operate it?"
He knew that in the future, Liu Luanyong would be famed as a master capital player, successfully executing countless big deals.
From humble beginnings, Liu would eventually become a billionaire — without any family help.
It was a testament to his incredible investment ability.
Thus, Lin Haoran didn't mind teaming up with him again.
After all, it would be another way to profit — and diversify his investments.
Besides, two hundred million Hong Kong dollars was a tiny sum to Lin Haoran — hardly worth worrying about.
"I plan to start with a total investment of five hundred million Hong Kong dollars," Liu explained.
"I'll invest three hundred million; you'll invest two hundred million.
I'll hold 60% of the shares; you'll hold 40%.
Of course, you can send someone to oversee the company's finances."
"Alright, sounds good," Lin Haoran agreed immediately.
"You can go to Concordia Building later, find Galaxy Securities, and sign the contracts there.
I'll arrange for the funds to be transferred to the company account."
Lin Haoran didn't even blink at the ownership split.
He wasn't investing for control — he was betting on Liu's future success.
And he was very confident he would profit handsomely.
"You trust me that much?" Liu asked, his heart full.
In truth, in the investment world, Liu was still a rookie — but Lin Haoran showed complete trust.
"Ah Xiong," Lin Haoran laughed,
"If I hadn't trusted you back then, I wouldn't have invested in Aimco with you.
That investment turned out beautifully — I'm very happy with the returns.
I'm sure you'll bring me even greater profits in the future."
"Haoran, I swear, I won't let you down!" Liu said solemnly, feeling the weight of responsibility.
They chatted about many things after that.
Mostly Liu talking about his own plans.
From his words, Lin Haoran learned that Liu planned to eventually reacquire Aimco.
Although he had cashed out at its peak, Liu knew that Aimco's stock would eventually crash as its profits declined.
When that happened, he intended to buy back in quietly.
Lin Haoran didn't mind.
Aimco no longer held much interest for him.
He had already extracted enough value from it.
That original investment of just over a million Hong Kong dollars had paid off spectacularly.
As for Liu, though Lin Haoran had used him to build his own wealth, their relationship had grown into a mutually beneficial alliance.
Now that they had both sold off Aimco stock, their collaboration had largely ended —
but their personal friendship remained.
"Plan your future carefully," Lin Haoran said warmly, clapping Liu on the shoulder as they finished lunch.
"I believe one day you'll be among Hong Kong's top tycoons."
"Thanks for your blessing," Liu said with a smile.
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