I'm back in 1990

Chapter 1114: Unable to Refuse the Kindness

Finally, Mai Guangde asked the most important question: "Mr. Huang, may I ask what will happen to the money after these commercial properties are sold, given that the group's business will shrink significantly?"

Mai Guangde's question is very realistic. With so many commercial real estate projects to be sold over a five-year period, the final amount of funds recovered will definitely not be the current market value; it will only be more, not less.

Huang Xiaochuan had already made arrangements for this: "Of course, we can't let all this money sit in the bank account. Part of it will be used to clear all the group's debts, part of it will be used to increase our holdings of high-quality assets in prime locations in first-tier cities, and part of it will be used to invest overseas. We will also keep some as cash reserves."

Mai Guangde was somewhat puzzled: "Cash reserves?"

"The economy is cyclical. When the economy is in a downturn, having cash on hand means that no matter how the market changes, we have the initiative. Historically, every economic downturn has often been the time when the prices of many quality assets are at their lowest. At that time, others don't have money, but we do, so we can buy good things at cheap prices."

Mai Guangde carefully wrote it down. If someone else had said this, he certainly wouldn't have believed it, but who was Mr. Huang? He was a world-renowned economist who had built a vast business empire in just over twenty years.

However, he had another question: "Mr. Huang, if the real estate market continues to rise in the future, and we withdraw in advance, will the outside world question us? Public opinion may say that we are bearish on the market."

Huang Xiaochuan waved his hand: "Don't worry about those things. Just do it. If you're worried or concerned about what others think, then it's best if we do nothing."

"Okay, Mr. Huang, I understand! I will assemble a working group as soon as I get back, and I will personally develop a detailed implementation plan. I will send you the detailed plan by next Friday."

Huang Xiaochuan patted Mai Guangde's arm: "No rush, I'll give you a month."

After Mai Guangde left, Gao Song came in to report to his boss.

"Mr. Huang, you're attending a cocktail party tonight. I've already prepared your outfit; would you like to try it on?"

"good!"

After Huang Xiaochuan arrived in Hong Kong, invitations from various parties came one after another.

As Asia's richest man and a world-renowned economist, he is always sought after by local celebrities whenever he visits. However, he has never liked these occasions, so it is rare for him to accept an invitation even once out of ten.

He agreed to the Hong Kong Elite Association's reception for two reasons: firstly, the Han family is a partner of the Dadao Group, and he couldn't refuse their hospitality; secondly, he wanted to take this opportunity to chat with those established families and some financial tycoons and build closer relationships with them.

Just as he was trying on the clothes, Gao Song received a phone call. After hanging up, Gao Song reported to him: "Mr. Huang, the eldest son of the Han family called personally and said that if your time is inconvenient, they can postpone the start of the reception."

Huang Xiaochuan looked at his clothes in the mirror and said, "Tell him he doesn't need to adjust the time for me; I'll be there on time."

Gao Song responded, but then asked, "Young Master Han also asked if you would be bringing a female companion."

Huang Xiaochuan stopped what he was doing and frowned slightly.

In Hong Kong's high-end social events, it's almost a customary practice for celebrities to bring female stars along. This not only elevates their status but also provides fodder for private conversation among these socialites.

The sight of female celebrities, rising stars, or even has-been actresses attending cocktail parties arm in arm with tycoons, strolling among the clinking glasses, has long been a common occurrence here.

Gao Song had already seen his boss's expression in the mirror. He had followed his boss for many years and knew that this man had never been interested in people and things in the entertainment industry. It wasn't arrogance or pretense, but pure indifference.

So before Huang Xiaochuan could speak, he already knew how to reply.

Saturday night, Peninsula Hotel.

The Peninsula Hotel is a long-established landmark in Hong Kong and a preferred venue for various banquets held by established families. The Sky Pavilion on the top floor of the hotel is a private area that is not open to the public and is reserved for top-level private events.

The party was scheduled to start at 8 p.m., and Huang Xiaochuan arrived two minutes early.

He was wearing a dark navy blue bespoke suit, without a tie, and the top button of his shirt was undone, giving him a look that was both formal and casual.

Tonight, unlike other wealthy people, he didn't have a large entourage. He only brought Gao Song and Li Huan with him into Tianlan Pavilion, while the rest of his bodyguards stayed downstairs.

Inside Guanlan Pavilion, the lighting is warm and inviting. Waiters carry silver trays that weave through the crowd, laden with champagne and a variety of exquisite pastries. The air is filled with a blend of top-tier perfumes, cigars, and a unique fragrance.

By this time, there were already seventy or eighty guests scattered around in small groups. The men were almost all wearing suits of various colors, while the women were adorned with jewelry. Huang Xiaochuan felt that these women wished they could wear half a jewelry store on their bodies.

When Huang Xiaochuan entered the reception, some people near the entrance couldn't help but look at him.

Han Qiyan, the eldest son of the Han family, was the first to greet them.

He was about the same age as Huang Xiaochuan, thin, and wore gold-rimmed glasses. At first glance, he looked more like a scholar than Huang Xiaochuan.

He strode up to Huang Xiaochuan and extended his hand: "Mr. Huang, welcome, welcome!"

Huang Xiaochuan shook hands with him: "Chairman Han, you're too kind."

Han Qiyan then stepped forward and gestured for them to enter: "Tonight's guests are all celebrities from various sectors of Hong Kong society. I'll introduce them to you later."

The two walked into the venue together. It seemed that Han Qiyan was very good at controlling the situation. He had a good sense of propriety and did not rush to introduce everyone to Huang Xiaochuan. Instead, he first invited Huang Xiaochuan to sit down at a tea table that had been temporarily prepared by the window.

It seems this person had already learned about Huang Xiaochuan's preferences beforehand, which shows thoughtfulness.

"Mr. Huang, I'll go greet the other guests first. Please rest here for a while and have some tea. I'll introduce my friends later." Han Qiyan then left with a smile.

About ten minutes later, Han Qiyan appeared in front of Huang Xiaochuan with a man: "Mr. Huang, this is Mr. Zhao Shizhang, Chairman of Asia United Capital. Mr. Zhao previously served as the Chief Investment Officer of Temasek in Singapore for twelve years, and later joined Asia United Capital."

Zhao Shizhang looked to be in his early fifties and wore frameless glasses. He appeared quite amiable, but Huang Xiaochuan had heard of him before. In fact, he was Zhang Yun's business partner in the capital market.

This person now manages hundreds of billions of dollars and is said to have made a fortune in the financial markets, making him a prominent figure recently.

Huang Xiaochuan greeted him casually: "Mr. Zhao! I've heard so much about you!"

Unexpectedly, this person was very respectful: "Mr. Huang, I should be the one saying that. I read your article on the turning point of global liquidity published in the Financial Times last year several times. It was inspired by the article that I adjusted my asset allocation model and benefited greatly from it."

Huang Xiaochuan smiled and said, "That's just one person's opinion. The real market trend is always unpredictable."

Zhao Shizhang sat down opposite Huang Xiaochuan, leaning forward slightly: "But the general direction can be determined."