What harm is there in seeing him?

"Our neighbor—meaning someone who also lives in Deep Water Bay?" Li Ka-shing quickly sifted through the possibilities in his mind.

Deep Water Bay, an exclusive residential area, had only a few dozen households, yet all of them were prominent figures in Hong Kong's business elite. He considered himself well-acquainted with most of them.

However, after careful recollection, he still could not immediately match Pao Yue-kong's description to a specific neighbor who fit those criteria.

"Brother Li, you'll know once you meet him. You'd never guess!" Pao Yue-kong said with a mysterious smile.

Recalling his own reaction when he first learned of the matter, Pao Yue-kong couldn't help smiling slightly; that sudden, unexpected astonishment was still fresh in his memory.

"Brother Pao, I can agree to drop the acquisition plan for Green Island Cement. But right now, my biggest puzzle is how the news leaked. To fully clear up this mystery, please arrange a meeting for me with that neighbor as soon as possible," Li Ka-shing finally replied after careful consideration.

His ultimate decision to abandon the acquisition of Green Island Cement was naturally backed by multiple well-thought-out considerations.

The primary reason was to preserve his friendly relationship with Pao Yue-kong and grant him the respect and courtesy he deserved.

After all, in his future business blueprint, successfully securing Hutchison Whampoa would largely depend on Pao Yue-kong's staunch support and cooperation.

Secondly, Pao Yue-kong's clear stance made him realize that the chances of successfully acquiring Green Island Cement were practically negligible.

Li Ka-shing knew Pao Yue-kong's character well; such a judgment was certainly not made in passing, but rather based on deep analysis and factual evidence. Therefore, continuing to spend time and energy on this matter appeared neither wise nor cost-effective.

Furthermore, judging by their current shareholdings, Cheung Kong Holdings held a relatively small stake in Green Island Cement. Ever since entering the market, they had only made tentative purchases. Even if they chose to exit, the impact on the company's overall strategy and financial status would be minimal. Such a decision was undoubtedly rational.

Above all, he was intensely concerned about the source of the leak.

How the other party found out about Cheung Kong's interest in Green Island Cement was a mystery that hung like a heavy stone in his heart, leaving him unsettled.

Only by uncovering this truth could he sleep peacefully at night; otherwise, insomnia would likely be his companion.

Finally, he was unwilling to pour precious resources into a company with such slim prospects for acquisition.

In the fertile business soil of Hong Kong, there were numerous high-quality British-funded enterprises. He had both the capability and the willingness to explore more investment opportunities with greater potential, rather than confining himself to a single corner.

Business chess games are always full of variables, requiring flexible adaptability and profound insight.

It was precisely this wisdom—refusing to be bound by rigid patterns and daring to adjust strategies—that forged the Li Ka-shing of today.

Without it, he might have struggled to brave the treacherous seas of commerce and achieve such brilliant success.

Upon learning of Li Ka-shing's decision to drop the acquisition of Green Island Cement, a sense of relief and ease welled up in Pao Yue-kong's heart.

His purpose for this meeting had been achieved; it could truly be called a worthwhile trip.

For Pao Yue-kong, this decision also meant he was about to acquire over 1.47 million shares of Wharf Holdings from林浩然 (Lin Haoran). This would undoubtedly drastically strengthen his own standing, causing the competitive balance between him and Jardine Matheson to shift once more in his favor, widening the gap even further.

At this thought, a satisfied smile bloomed on Pao Yue-kong's face—a smile of anticipation for future success and victory, as well as recognition and gratitude for Li Ka-shing's wise choice.

"Brother Li, please rest easy. The moment I return home, I will call the other party and ensure a proper meeting time is arranged for you. Their company happens to be in Central, just a stone's throw from your corporate headquarters. Tomorrow afternoon or evening—which time slot suits you better?" Pao Yue-kong asked, beaming, his words brimming with pleasant cheer.

"In that case, let's tentatively set it for tomorrow afternoon," Li Ka-shing mused briefly before giving a prompt reply.

"Very well, Brother Li. I'll head back right now to give them a call, and I'll give you a definitive answer as soon as it's confirmed. I won't cut into your rest any further. I've intruded quite a bit tonight, and I look forward to chatting again another time." Pao Yue-kong smiled as he stood up and politely took his leave.

By this time, the night had grown deep, the hands of the clock quietly pointing to ten.

Carrying a sense of ease and anticipation, Pao Yue-kong embarked on his journey home.

Back at his residence, barely taking a moment to exchange pleasantries with his wife, his mind preoccupied with that crucial matter, he strode quickly into his study, his fingers lightly pressing the telephone buttons to dial the string of digits Lin Haoran had left him.

Hearing the phone ring, Lin Haoran put down his book and walked briskly over to the telephone.

"Haoran, I have good news for you. I've successfully persuaded Mr. Li Ka-shing to drop the acquisition of Green Island Cement," a hearty voice echoed through the receiver into Lin Haoran's ear.

"Uncle Pao, thank you so much! To show my gratitude, all the shares of Wharf Holdings in my hands will be sold to you!" Hearing Pao Yue-kong's confirmation, the heavy stone in Lin Haoran's chest finally hit the ground.

Though deep down he had long placed immense faith in Pao Yue-kong's capabilities, knowing that with him personally stepping in, the matter would undoubtedly be resolved smoothly.

Yet before this definitive reply arrived, that lingering uncertainty had clung to him like a shadow, preventing him from feeling entirely at ease.

Now, with Pao Yue-kong's confirmation, Lin Haoran could finally let go of all worry.

Without Li Ka-shing as a competitor, control over Green Island Cement felt within arm's reach; it was merely a matter of time before he effortlessly reeled it in.

"However, there is one thing you need to agree to, Haoran. Mr. Li Ka-shing hopes to meet you in person; he has something he wishes to ask you," Pao Yue-kong continued.

"Uncle Pao, can you tell me what it's about?" Lin Haoran asked.

"Mr. Li Ka-shing wants to know how you figured out that Cheung Kong Holdings was eyeing Green Island Cement," Pao Yue-kong answered truthfully.

"Very well, Uncle Pao. Thank you for letting me know. I agree to meet with Mr. Li. Do you know when he'd like to meet?" Like Pao Yue-kong, Lin Haoran was in an exceptionally pleasant mood at that moment.

"Tomorrow afternoon," Pao Yue-kong replied.

"Let's make it five o'clock tomorrow afternoon, then. We can meet at the Juhuantan Tea House downstairs from my building," Lin Haoran thought for a moment and suggested.

At that hour, the stock market would have long since closed, and he would be free.

"Good, I'll inform Mr. Li Ka-shing shortly. Oh, and Haoran, regarding those shares in your hands, let's execute the transaction tomorrow morning, shall we? As for the acquisition price, we'll base it on today's closing market price. Do you have any issues with that, Haoran?" Pao Yue-kong continued.

"No problem at all. Let's trade at that price!" Lin Haoran agreed readily.

To him, since Li Ka-shing had given up the acquisition, what harm was there in meeting the man?

As for the Wharf Holdings shares, at a price of over seventy Hong Kong dollars per share, he was already quite satisfied. Furthermore, since Pao Yue-kong had helped him resolve a major problem, he naturally had no intention of driving up the price.