"Friends, thank you for attending Huazhi Group’s press conference..."

Liu Mingwei stepped onto the stage, bowing deeply to everyone, as a mixture of emotions surfaced.

Previously, he imagined replacing his stepmother to host the conference on behalf of Huazhi, but never in such circumstances.

When he was able to represent Huazhi, the company his parents jointly acquired was no longer part of the Liu family business.

In Switzerland, at eleven in the morning, Liu and his wife were watching the conference, waiting for a remote connection.

"Studying law extensively leads to losing one’s humanity. Show kindness, and it won’t be appreciated, only expected."

Chen Kaiyun reconciled, but hadn’t found peace.

Because Liu told her to leave all the Huazhi shares to Liu Mingwei, the Liu family roots would still exist, they might return to Xiangjiang someday in the future.

The Yang Family could rely on Lu Liang, and so could the Liu family. Lu Liang, being new, needed personnel, and Liu Mingwei’s talents undoubtedly surpass Yang Qisheng’s.

Chen Kaiyun didn’t deny Liu Mingwei’s abilities, having inherited his parents’ excellent genes.

If Liu’s ex-wife hadn’t passed away from illness, no matter how long she’d accompanied Liu, she would never have surfaced.

Yet she didn’t trust Liu Mingwei, because they were of the same age and had been contending within Huazhi for nearly a decade. As his stepmother, she understood this stepson’s character far better than his biological father.

"Then tell me, do we have any choices left? Do we really have to take the money and leave without a shred of hope?"

Liu remained calm, whether compensating his elder son or leaving a glimmer of hope, only he himself would know.

Chen Kaiyun remained silent, glancing at the bottom right corner for time, as it was nearing the connection time, she adjusted Liu’s attire.

"Don’t overthink it." Liu showed a gentle expression, lightly patting his wife’s hand, as a notification for the connection request appeared on the screen, he clicked confirm.

"Friends, hello, I am Liu Junxiong, unable to personally attend Huazhi’s press conference due to illness."

Liu forced himself to stay composed. Surprisingly, this was likely his last appearance in a formal setting in his lifetime.

He announced three pieces of news to the public: first, full authorization of his holdings to Liu Mingwei; second, Chen Kaiyun stepping down as Huazhi’s Executive President; third, Liu Mingwei assuming the role of Executive President.

Upon hearing this, Hong Kong media journalists at the venue displayed excitement, gossip was further confirmed.

Liu surrendered, Liu Mingwei prevailed in the power struggle, yet felt like pushed out to face the storm.

After all, whether he could continue as Executive President still depended on Lu Liang’s approval.

"Thank you, Mr. Liu, have a pleasant day, we won’t interrupt your recovery anymore." Liu Mingwei’s gaze was cold, as if facing a stranger.

Like an unsought solution, he had his own family now, a wife and children, any compensation for him was too late.

Liu Mingwei felt it was only right, as the shares Liu held included his mother’s and his own.

Ignoring Liu’s complex eyes, he decisively ended the remote connection.

Liu Mingwei produced the prepared authorization agreement, announcing that Huazhi Group would stop trading indefinitely for asset restructuring starting the 27th of this month, two days later.

Simultaneously, based on today’s close at a 46.74 billion Hong Kong Dollar market value, transferring the Liu family’s 18.75% share at 8.763 billion Hong Kong Dollars.

"Friends, we meet again."

Lu Liang smiled as he took the stage, representing Tianxing Financial Group to sign the share transfer agreement.

Seeing the main character appear, reporters went wild, resembling eager students waiting for the teacher’s attention, arms raised high, with a thirstful expression.

Lu Liang chuckled lightly, "I know what you want to ask, as of now, Tianxing Financial Group holds 39.12% of Huazhi shares."

Huazhi is different from New World since Liu has given up resisting. Thus, holding 39.12% of shares was sufficient for takeover and control.

Today is the 25th, trading halts two days later.

At that time, they would first hold a shareholders meeting to elect an Executive Director, entering Huazhi’s board and later overseeing the privatization delisting project with Liu Mingwei.

While Lu Liang discussed Huazhi’s treatment, reporters were recording below, suddenly someone shouted: "Mr. Lu, we are actually more concerned about New World’s current situation."

Liu giving up resistances was widely known, with the press conference serving to confirm.

Thus, compared to known news, they were more curious about New World’s situation: Who would laugh last?

"Greedy, isn’t Huazhi’s abundant news enough for you?" Lu Liang couldn’t help but laugh.

Seeing Lu Liang being so accommodating, the journalist who asked the question earlier suddenly gained courage: "The more news, the better. Mr. Lu, please satisfy our curiosity."

Lu Liang laughed speechlessly, turning to ask Liu Mingwei: "Mr. Liu, may I borrow Huazhi’s conference momentarily?"

"All the announcements have been made, please go ahead." Liu Mingwei replied with a smile.

Though Huazhi still nominally belonged to the Liu family, practically, it was shaped by Lu Liang.

Lu Liang had the freedom to proceed as he wished, what objections could he have?

"Thank you."

Lu Liang looked at Guo Bingsheng and Li Jiajie. The two nodded slightly, stepped forward, and said awkwardly, "New Hongji and Hengji Real Estate will transfer 11.01% of New World’s equity for 22.3 billion Hong Kong Dollars."

In the afternoon, Hengtai Group announced that it already held over 26% of New World’s equity, including the 11.01% from both families.

However, making an announcement on paper is one thing, personally appearing is another, just like how Liu Cixin fled Xiangjiang to avoid being publicly executed.

But they had no choice, as Lu Liang strongly requested it. The Guo and Li families had reached a point where they had to show their stance.

"That’s all for today’s press conference. Please keep your expectations until tomorrow. I believe, by then, we will provide you with a satisfactory answer."

With a smile, Lu Liang waved his hand. At this moment, the Guo and Li families had lost the chance to be fence-sitters and could only support him in the future.

Upon hearing the word ’tomorrow,’ the reporters immediately associated it with New World’s announcement that they would hold a board meeting the next day.

Traditionally, whether Lu Liang or Xu Jiayin wanted to join New World’s board, a shareholder meeting process was necessary.

Now, with the board meeting imminent,

There’s definitely no time to hold a shareholders’ meeting.

Lu Liang’s words imply that he has other means to intervene in New World’s board.

"Mr. Lu, may I ask what channel you intend to use to join New World’s board..."

Despite the reporters pleading like jilted women, Lu Liang turned decisively, without any nostalgia.

The twenty-minute press conference was short, yet packed with content, and the news spread like wildfire.

"Is Huazhi going to suspend trading the day after tomorrow? Will it delist and privatize?"

"Fuck, finally broke even, and now about to lose again?"

The treatment of retail shareholders in voluntary corporate delistings is far better than in involuntary ones.

But the buyback price is usually not very high, generally taking the average over the past three months and adding a reasonable premium.

The current stock price of Huazhi is 15.25, with an average of only 12.52 over the past three months, meaning a premium of at least 22% is necessary for retail shareholders to profit.

But the specific buyback price will be decided after suspension, through board discussions.

It’s expected that tomorrow will see at least a 10% drop.

Based on past voluntary delistings, the premium for stock buybacks typically falls within 15%.

Although a few cases exceed a 20% premium, even reaching over 30%, they are exceptions.

After the press conference, Lu Liang went to the office previously belonging to Liu Cixin to review Huazhi’s financial situation.

Seeing 14.22 billion Hong Kong Dollars still in the account, he smiled, "After all these twists and turns, the funds for building purchases are back."

To prepare for the takeover battle, Liu Cixin liquidated many non-essential quality assets and amassed considerable funds, including 7.2 billion from the sale of Zhixiang Building.

But he didn’t expect that, in just a day, with the Liu family’s surrender declared, much of the funds weren’t utilized and ended up benefiting Lu Liang.

"Repurchase the stock with a 22% premium," Lu Liang was in a good mood and planned to buy back stock based on today’s closing price.

He summoned Li Junwei and introduced him to Liu Mingwei, confirming the future executive director position at Huazhi.

"The subsequent stock acquisitions and privatization, as well as the removal of inferior assets, are now entrusted to you both."

Lu Liang looked at Liu Mingwei, "Mingwei, if you don’t have better plans for now, how about being the executive CEO for a while? After all, you’re quite familiar with Huazhi’s situation."

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

Regardless of whether he intends to stay or not, Lu Liang certainly needs his help now, which would earn Liu Mingwei a favor.

"I’ll leave it to you then."

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

Xu Jiayin’s visit to the Bank of China had yet to yield results, so Lu Liang thought for a moment and invited Yang Qisheng for dinner.

During the meal, he asked, "Qisheng, Hong Kong Entertainment is going downhill. What’s Emperor’s plan?"

Since the new millennium, Hong Kong Entertainment has been declining, occasionally producing a few excellent films but still relying on the same people.

An industry without newcomers has no future either.

The likes of film stars such as Brother Fa, Uncle Long, and Master Ye, along with various singing legends, are all at least in their fifties, sixties, or seventies. How much longer can they hold on?

Moreover, Hong Kong Entertainment’s once proud attitude made it miss the best time for Domestic Entertainment development, and now even if it wanted to enter Domestic Entertainment, there are no slots available for them.

Yang Qisheng humbly sought advice, "Lu Liang, what do you think Emperor should do in the future?"

"The left hand in entertainment, the right hand in real estate."

Lu Liang mentioned plans to split Huazhi into two, stripping away real estate properties and other projects. He also holds shares in DC Studio.

He plans to give all these resources to Emperor, and how it develops in the future will depend on Yang Qisheng himself.