Give her a newspaper?!

Xia Xiaolan pondered what a newspaper truly meant!

It wasn’t a limited edition designer bag or a custom-made dress.

Running a successful newspaper in Hong Kong’s highly competitive media environment was no easy feat.

Lu Guangfu’s face immediately darkened:

“You want the Star Finance Daily?”

If Xia Xiaolan dared to nod, Lu Guangfu would have lost his temper right there.

Xia Xiaolan knew her place well, “Mr. Lu, as a newcomer, how could I dare to take over the Star Finance Daily? My target is the South Harbor Financial Report.”

Lu Yunshi was furious.

Lu Guangfu’s attitude turned cold, “I’m sorry, but the Lu family has never considered selling the South Harbor Financial Report.”

Even though the South Harbor Financial Report wasn’t as prestigious as the Star Finance Daily now, it was still Lu Guangfu’s hard-built enterprise. The Lu family might sell real estate, but they would never sell the South Harbor Financial Report.

Xia Xiaolan finished the last drops of wine in her glass:

“Mr. Lu, I think you should seriously consider my proposal. You’ve suffered considerable losses in this stock market crash, haven’t you? The South Harbor Financial Report is already under the Lu Family Press Group. By buying the group’s stocks at rock-bottom prices, I could become a shareholder of the South Harbor Financial Report. Moreover, I’m also working on acquiring the Star Finance Daily. Why not sacrifice a pawn to protect the king? Separate the two newspapers and hand over the mediocrely performing South Harbor Financial Report to me, while you can travel light and continue guarding the Lu family’s stronghold. I’m an impatient person and willing to compromise some benefits to achieve my goals, but if I’m rejected, I don’t mind taking the slow approach, though it will take more time.”

The Lu family’s stronghold was the Star Finance Daily.

Unless the Lu family went bankrupt, this was an asset they would never sell.

However, the South Harbor Financial Report was different. It wasn’t a comprehensive newspaper, just a financial one, and the Lu family could afford to let it go.

Xia Xiaolan felt Lu Guangfu’s anger was just a show.

The Lu family had suffered heavy losses in the stock market crash, not just from the Lu Family Press Group’s plummeting stock prices. Hong Kong was such a small place, and people like Lu Guangfu were keen on investing in other companies besides their own… The losses were truly devastating.

If the Lu family wanted to buy back the 24 million shares in Xia Xiaolan’s hands, they’d need to pay a hefty sum.

With a premium of 2 dollars per share, Xia Xiaolan was adamant about not selling.

If the premium was higher, the Lu family would find it unreasonable and struggle to afford it.

Why not sell her the South Harbor Financial Report? Both parties could compromise and everyone would be happy.

Having finished her wine and said her piece, Xia Xiaolan stood up to leave.

Lu Guangfu sat in his chair, lost in thought.

Lu Yunshi worried, “Daddy, you’re not going to sell our newspaper to her, are you?”

Lu Guangfu frowned and asked:

“What do you find inappropriate?”

Lu Yunshi stammered, unable to articulate her concerns.

She knew the family had suffered heavy losses in this stock crash, making even the 30 million loan to Fifth Madam Du crucial, risking Du Chengrong’s displeasure to collect the debt.

Cash was tight, and buying back 24 million shares would be a struggle!

If they didn’t buy them back, with so many shares in Xia Xiaolan’s hands, what if she gradually consumed the Lu Family Press Group during the stock market crash?

Perhaps splitting the Lu Family Press Group in two was actually a good solution… but just thinking about selling the South Harbor Financial Report to that Northern girl made Lu Yunshi completely unwilling. That Northern girl said she didn’t want her apology – Lu Yunshi understood that the other party considered her apology statement worthless, at least not as important as doing business with the Lu family.

Thinking about the Northern girl becoming the new owner of the South Harbor Financial Report, Lu Yunshi felt not just her throat closing up, but all seven openings being blocked – she was practically suffocating!

Northern girl, wanting to split the Lu Family Press Group in two was truly going too far!

“President Xia, will the Lu family agree to sell the newspaper to Qihang?”

Yu Li thought both father and daughter’s expressions had looked quite terrible.

She wouldn’t comment on Lu Guangfu, but Lu Yunshi deserved it.

“Who else could he sell it to besides me? I’m holding their shares now and only asking for the South Harbor Financial Report. The Lu family should feel fortunate.”

She knew when the Hong Kong stock market would recover, but the Lu family didn’t.

After this heavy blow, the overall environment was very pessimistic.

If Xia Xiaolan didn’t want to waste too much time on the Lu family, she could take it slow.

Having a newspaper in Hong Kong, especially a financial one, would be extremely advantageous.

Starting a newspaper from scratch would be too troublesome and would take years to cultivate. How could that compare to the convenience of buying someone else’s already mature newspaper? Only during this stock market crash could she get such a bargain. Under normal circumstances, the transfer of such a profitable publication would sell at a premium.

Now, forget about the Lu family wanting to sell for 500 million – even if they halved the price, Xia Xiaolan wouldn’t agree.

Yu Li, this devoted fan, believed whatever President Xia wanted to do would succeed, and happily followed her back to the hotel.

In the hotel lobby, Xia Xiaolan encountered an unexpected acquaintance.

After some thought, she didn’t ignore Harold:

“Hi, what a coincidence. Are you on a business trip in Hong Kong?”

Harold had been waiting in the hotel lobby, “No, I was waiting for you. Do you have time to talk?”

What could Harold want to discuss with her?

“Let’s talk here then.”

Harold didn’t mind talking here at all.

“I’ve been in contact with shipping companies in Hong Kong.”

Xia Xiaolan was sensitive to this, “Why are you interested in this business again?”

Indeed, no one thinks they have too much money.

President Xia, who had just made 400 million Hong Kong dollars and was feeling a bit lightheaded, immediately sobered up.

Harold was already so wealthy, yet still working so hard.

His business involved hotels, golf courses, and many other ventures, and now he wanted to get into shipping. Hong Kong’s shipping was all maritime… Harold’s business empire seemed boundless, and Xia Xiaolan greatly admired someone born with a silver spoon who still worked so diligently.

Harold didn’t explain much, he only spoke about his current predicament:

“I was close to finalizing this acquisition when Tina’s family sabotaged it. How they did it doesn’t need to be said, and while I don’t approve, I can understand their anger. I hope the conflict with Tina’s family can end here.”

Xu Zhongyi had abandoned his identity as ‘Master Qiu.’

He paid a heavy price for it.

There were details Xia Xiaolan didn’t know about – Xu Zhongyi might have severely sabotaged Harold, destroying his acquisition plans.

“You want me to mediate, to get both parties to reconcile?”

Harold first nodded, then shook his head:

“I want you to meditate, but not for reconciliation. I won’t pursue this matter this time, but if they provoke me again, I’ll… Anyway, I’ve changed my acquisition target. I know which Hong Kong company still has similar assets, and I think they might be willing to sell these assets as a package if you act as an intermediary.”

Why did he need her as an intermediary?

Xia Xiaolan had a sudden realization:

“…You’re not talking about the Du family, are you?”