Chapter 882
Double Happiness
After successfully persuading Zhang Zhongmou, Lin Haoran did not intend to linger in the United States.
That afternoon, he and Zhang Zhongmou met again in the same private room for a more in-depth discussion.
Both parties held friendly discussions on various aspects, including equity incentives, salary and benefits, security clauses, and the company's future development direction.
Ultimately, the two signed a secret agreement.
Currently, Zhang Zhongmou is still an employee of Texas Instruments, and holds a high position.
Therefore, if he wants to resign, he must obtain the board's approval and complete all necessary handover procedures.
This process may take a month.
According to the agreement, Zhang Zhongmou will serve as the CEO and Chairman of Oracle Semiconductor, taking full responsibility for the company's technology strategy, operations management, and team building.
He will receive a substantial signing bonus, as well as a portion of the company's equity incentives. The value of this equity will be closely tied to the company's future performance and technological milestones.
Lin Haoran promised that before Zhang Zhongmou officially takes office, he will continue to advance the company's preliminary preparations, including completing the integration of SVLT Semiconductor, initiating the site selection and construction of the Hong Kong headquarters, and starting to contact potential core teams of Chinese engineers through headhunting firms.
At the same time, Lin Haoran also made it clear that he understands that Zhang Zhongmou still has responsibilities at Texas Instruments. In order to avoid alerting Zhang or causing unnecessary legal disputes, the cooperation between the two parties will be kept highly confidential before Zhang Zhongmou officially leaves the company.
All communications will be conducted through secure, private channels.
“Mr. Zhang, please rest assured, I will make all the necessary preparations to attract you before you officially join us.” Lin Haoran raised his teacup, using tea instead of wine. “I look forward to fighting alongside you and creating a new era of glory in Hong Kong.”
Zhang Zhongmou also solemnly raised his teacup and gently clinked it with Lin Haoran's: "Mr. Lin, thank you for your trust and this unprecedented opportunity. I will handle all matters at Texas Instruments as soon as possible."
I hope this adventure will live up to our expectations.
The two teacups clinked together, producing a crisp sound, as if marking the beginning of a new era.
After settling these matters, Lin Haoran did not linger and immediately boarded his private jet, flying towards Hong Kong.
For Lin Haoran, this trip to the United States was a secret trip, and he did not want it to be spread.
Therefore, he did not intend to meet with anyone except Zhang Zhongmou.
The purpose of this is too sensitive. If it gets out, it could alert or even suppress the global semiconductor industry chain, especially the United States.
After all, poaching a core executive from a giant like Texas Instruments in an attempt to establish an ambitious semiconductor company in the Far East has undoubtedly touched the most sensitive nerve in the industry.
Nearly twenty hours later, the plane landed again at Kai Tak International Airport in Hong Kong.
I left Hong Kong on the third day of the Lunar New Year.
I returned here on the eighth day of the Lunar New Year.
Lin Haoran spent five days trying to recruit a talent.
But in Lin Haoran's opinion, those five days were well worth it and not a single moment was wasted when Zhang Zhongmou agreed to join!
After all, highly skilled individuals like these are extremely rare.
If he wants to be a hands-off manager in the future, he needs a capable leader like Zhang Zhongmou who can take charge and even expand the territory.
Unlike real estate and finance, semiconductors are a highly technology-intensive and capital-intensive industry, requiring a visionary leader who understands technology, management, and strategy, and possesses sufficient prestige and charisma to steer it.
Zhang Zhongmou is undoubtedly the best candidate Lin Haoran could find, without exception.
As the plane's cabin door opened, the humid, warm air of Hong Kong rushed in, creating a stark contrast to the dry, finely filtered air inside the cabin.
Lin Haoran stepped off the gangway, his face showing no signs of fatigue from the long flight, only a deep, calm, and subtle joy.
The Rolls-Royce has been driven through Hung Hom, Tsim Sha Tsui, and Central. The festive atmosphere of the Lunar New Year is still strong, with shops on both sides of the street decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, and pedestrians wearing a relaxed and smiling expression on their faces.
The private jet he was on was Hawker Beechcraft, a famous American manufacturer of luxury private jets, which was extremely comfortable. Therefore, even though he had just gotten off the plane, he did not feel tired.
The car finally came to a smooth stop in the underground parking lot of the Kang Le Building.
The Kang Le Building has long since returned to its bustling state, with people going to work.
"Happy New Year, boss!"
"Boss, congratulations on your fortune!"
……
Along the way, many employees came over to greet Lin Haoran.
Lin Haoran responded to each one, and even had Li Weidong, who had prepared in advance, take a stack of red envelopes and distribute them to everyone he met.
This is a tradition in Hong Kong. After the Lunar New Year, when work resumes, bosses always give out red envelopes (containing money) to their employees to bring good luck and to boost morale.
Of course, the leaders of the various groups had already given gifts to their employees. Now, Lin Haoran was simply expressing his sentiments again as the group's big boss, and also demonstrating his presence.
Hong Kong's Lunar New Year holiday is short, usually from the first day to the third day of the Lunar New Year.
Lin Haoran's group started its holiday on New Year's Eve, which is equivalent to an extra day, and they have already been working for a few days now.
The red envelopes are small in amount, but they cover a wide range of people, from cleaning ladies to senior managers, everyone gets one.
This seemingly simple action can greatly enhance employees' sense of belonging and morale.
Lin Haoran only got into the elevator and went straight to the 51st floor when Li Weidong had almost finished handing out the large stack of red envelopes.
The top-floor executive office area is quieter than the downstairs area.
Lin Haoran greeted several senior executives of the local real estate group and then went into his office.
"Boss, you're back!" Liu Xiaoli, who was sitting in the office reading a book, stood up excitedly when she saw Lin Haoran walk in and quickly went to greet him.
Lin Haoran pinched Liu Xiaoli's cheek and laughed, "Yeah, just got back. How was the New Year? Was it boring?"
This is Liu Xiaoli's first Chinese New Year in Hong Kong, after all, she has only been here from the mainland for a few months.
Originally, Lin Haoran had consulted the other party before the Lunar New Year about whether he wanted to go home to spend the New Year with his parents. If he wanted to go back, he would approve his leave.
However, Liu Xiaoli ultimately shook her head and chose to stay in Hong Kong.
Firstly, I felt that I had only been here for a short time, and going back would be a long and troublesome journey;
Secondly, I also wanted to take advantage of the Spring Festival holiday to experience the Spring Festival in Hong Kong.
“No, Aunt Lin even came to visit me at my villa in Mid-Levels, Wan Chai on the third day of the Lunar New Year!” Liu Xiaoli couldn’t help but smile as she said this.
Lin Haoran has three women in Hong Kong: Guo Xiaohan, Guan Jiahui, and Liu Xiaoli.
He did not hide this from Lin's mother.
They even told him that Guan Jiahui was pregnant.
Lin's parents not only did not object, but were quite pleased.
After all, in the eyes of Lin's parents, Lin Haoran now has many businesses, so it would be better to have more children and grandchildren.
Lin's mother, in particular, repeatedly urged Lin Haoran to take good care of Guan Jiahui, hoping to hold her grandchildren soon.
Lin's mother treated Liu Xiaoli, who was well-behaved and sensible and came from the mainland, with great kindness and care. Fearing that she would be lonely spending the Lunar New Year alone in Hong Kong, she made a special trip to visit her at the Mid-Levels villa and gave her a large red envelope.
Of course, this matter should not be known to Guo Xiaohan. After all, she is the legitimate wife. Although she understands Lin Haoran's philandering, her mother's obvious favoritism towards the "third party" will inevitably cause some thoughts.
Besides, the wedding date is approaching.
Lin Haoran sat back in his office and listened to Liu Xiaoli report to him on what had happened in Hong Kong in the past few days.
Actually, there weren't many major events; it was nothing more than some social activities during the Spring Festival, fluctuations after the stock market reopened, and some routine reports within the group.
Not long after the report was finished, Ma Shimin arrived.
Lin Haoran told him in detail about what he had gained from his trip to the United States.
"Boss, I have to say, it's only when you take action that things work!" Ma Shimin said, his face filled with excitement and admiration.
“Mr. Zhang Zhongmou is a true top figure in the semiconductor industry. If we can invite him to Hong Kong to take charge of the overall situation, our game will suddenly come alive!”
I was worried before that "even a skilled cook can't cook without rice," but now, with this "skilled cook," and the "rice" and "cooking utensils" you provided, it's hard not to make a delicious meal!
Originally, after investigating Zhang Zhongmou's situation, Ma Shimin was pessimistic about whether he could be invited over.
In his view, Zhang Zhongmou held a high position at Texas Instruments and had reached the peak of his career. It was hard to imagine that he would give up all of this and run to Hong Kong, a city with almost no semiconductor industry, to start an adventure full of uncertainty from scratch.
This is not just a career choice, but also a matter of personal reputation and the ultimate fate of one's career.
Therefore, when Lin Haoran went to the United States and brought back such significant results in just a few days, Ma Shimin was deeply shocked.
He not only admired Lin Haoran's accurate judgment and boldness in judging people, but also found Lin Haoran's almost magical ability to "persuade" people incredible.
This boss of his always seems to be able to create amazing miracles in seemingly impossible situations.
"Boss, I originally thought there was at most a 30% chance of success, but I never expected that with your personal involvement, it would actually be a success!" Ma Shimin's tone was full of emotion and admiration.
“A man like Mr. Zhang must have extremely discerning eyes. The fact that he agreed shows that he not only saw your substantial capital, but also the unique value and potential of doing this in Hong Kong, as well as your immeasurable personal charm and commitment.”
Lin Haoran smiled, not taking credit: "Mr. Zhang saw the opportunity of the times, and he also saw our shared determination."
He has the blood of a pioneer in his veins. The challenges at Texas Instruments are no longer enough for him. What we offer is a larger, more autonomous, and more challenging new stage.
This is a two-way selection process.
He paused, his expression turning serious: "Shimin, Mr. Zhang's agreement to join is only the first step. The real challenges we face are just beginning. Over the next month, you also need to prepare Oracle Semiconductor so that when he arrives, we won't be caught off guard, without even a decent foothold or a platform to get started."
"Boss, please rest assured, the company's preparations are proceeding smoothly. I've also entrusted a headhunting firm under Citibank to secretly contact Chinese engineers and top experts in semiconductor companies in Silicon Valley and Texas, and we'll have feedback soon," Ma Shimin said confidently.
Lin Haoran nodded; he liked Ma Shimin's decisiveness and foresight.
Many things didn't require him to say much; Ma Shimin had already thought of them and started making plans.
Using Citibank's channels to reach Chinese engineers and experts is a good strategy, as it allows one to leverage their professional network while also concealing their true intentions to some extent.
As expected of the head butler he chose!
After discussing Oracle Semiconductor with Simon Murray, the two chatted for a while about recent events in Hong Kong and the group's affairs.
After that, he left the office and went about his business.
Lin Haoran stood up from the chair, stretched, and walked to the oval window.
Today, Hong Kong is experiencing a cloudy day. A thin layer of mist shrouds Victoria Harbour in the distance, making the outlines of the buildings on the Kowloon Peninsula on the opposite shore appear somewhat hazy.
But this weather did not dampen Hong Kong's vibrancy; the streets of Central remained bustling with traffic and pedestrians hurrying by.
Lin Haoran's gaze, however, stopped at a construction site a hundred meters away.
That's where the world's tallest building project is under construction.
It has been more than a year since construction began. In terms of height, the project has already surpassed the height of the Kang Le Building, and is estimated to be more than 200 meters high.
However, compared to its total height of nearly 500 meters, the current height of 200 meters is only equivalent to half of the total height.
Of course, this construction progress is already considered very fast.
As a new landmark attracting attention in Hong Kong and even the world, this project has brought together top global architectural teams and adopted the most advanced design and engineering technologies since its groundbreaking. Funding is fully guaranteed by Hengsheng Group, and the project is progressing at an astonishing pace, with workers working day and night.
Every time Lin Haoran stood in front of his office window, he could clearly see that this steel behemoth had grown even taller.
This is not only an increase in building height, but also a direct symbol of his strength and ambition.
According to the original plan, the building was supposed to be completed around October 1983.
Now, Lin Haoran is looking forward to this day even more.
Once this world's tallest building is completed, he will move his office there.
When the time comes, standing in the cloud office nearly 500 meters high, overlooking the entire Victoria Harbour and even the wider Hong Kong, the feeling will definitely be completely different from the current view from the 51st floor.
That would not only be a physical elevation, but also symbolize a whole new level of achievement for his business empire.
Turning his gaze away, Lin Haoran said to Liu Xiaoli, "You do your own thing in the office. I'm going out to take care of some things. I'll come over to your place in a couple of days when I'm free."
"Yes, boss, I understand. I've been learning English and Cantonese lately. I feel like a lot of documents here in Hong Kong are in English, so it's easier to communicate with my colleagues in Cantonese." Liu Xiaoli looked up, her face showing a serious attitude towards learning.
Lin Haoran nodded approvingly: "Very good, you have ambition. Language is a tool, and you can work better if you master it. If you don't understand something, you can ask your colleagues or me."
"I will try my best!" Liu Xiaoli said earnestly.
Lin Haoran patted Liu Xiaoli on the shoulder and strode out of the office.
Back in the car, Lin Haoran picked up his mobile phone and made a call.
Today is February 1st.
His wedding date with Guo Xiaohan is February 16th.
That means there are only two weeks left until the wedding.
Although most of the wedding preparations were handled by Guo Xiaohan, Lin's parents, the Guo family, and a professional wedding planning team, Lin Haoran only needed to make decisions at some key points.
But as the groom, he couldn't completely stay out of it.
Moreover, this wedding is attracting much attention in the global business and social circles, and it is also an important occasion for Lin Haoran to demonstrate his strength and influence. There are still many things that he needs to personally coordinate and confirm.
"Brother Haoran, you're back from America?" Guo Xiaohan was clearly very excited to hear Lin Haoran's voice on the other end of the phone.
"Yeah, where are you? I'm going back to the Deep Water Bay villa to talk to Daddy and Mommy about the wedding," Lin Haoran said with a smile.
"Perfect timing! I'm with Mommy right now. Haoran, come over quickly! We're waiting for you. We have some good news to tell you!" Guo Xiaohan's voice was playful on the other end of the phone.
Since their engagement, Guo Xiaohan has started calling Lin Haoran's parents "Daddy" and "Mommy," showing a closer bond.
Upon hearing this, Lin Haoran's heart skipped a beat. Good news?
What will it be?
Is it about a wedding?
still is……
"Okay, I'll be right there," Lin Haoran replied.
Without thinking further, he looked up at Li Weidong and instructed, "Go to the Deep Water Bay villa."
The car turned around and headed towards Deep Water Bay in the Southern District of Hong Kong Island.
Half an hour later, the Rolls-Royce successfully parked in the parking space at the Lin residence.
Hearing the engine start, Lin's mother and Guo Xiaohan had already come out to greet them.
"Hao'er, you're back. You must be tired from the flight. Come in and sit down," Lin's mother said with concern.
"Mommy, I'm not tired. I rested well on the plane." Lin Haoran smiled and stepped forward, giving his mother a gentle hug. He then naturally put his arm around Guo Xiaohan's waist and kissed her on the forehead.
"Wait for a long time?"
"No, we only came out because we heard the car." Guo Xiaohan's face was flushed, and her eyes were filled with undisguised joy.
The three entered the living room. Lin's father was sitting on the sofa reading a newspaper. When he saw his son come in, he put down the newspaper and smiled gently: "You're back? How did things go in America?"
Lin Wan'an had no idea what Lin Haoran was doing in the United States, because he never interfered in the affairs of Lin Haoran's companies.
He asked casually, just out of concern for his son, not to find out anything specific.
"It went very smoothly, Daddy." Lin Haoran sat down on the sofa opposite his father, with Guo Xiaohan sitting next to him, while Lin's mother was busy arranging for the maids to serve tea and snacks.
"I hope everything goes smoothly!" Mr. Lin nodded.
"By the way, Xiaohan, didn't you say you had some good news to tell me? What is it?" Lin Haoran turned to look at Guo Xiaohan and asked.
Upon hearing this, Lin's father and mother both smiled knowingly and looked at Guo Xiaohan with loving eyes.
Guo Xiaohan blushed even more, lowered her head shyly, and unconsciously twisted the hem of her clothes with her fingers.
Seeing this, Lin's mother couldn't help but laugh and say it for her: "What other good news could it be? Hao'er, you're going to be a father! Xiaohan might be pregnant!"
Although he had suspected it beforehand, Lin Haoran's heart still skipped a beat when his mother confirmed it with her own words, and a huge wave of joy instantly swept over him.
He looked at Guo Xiaohan in disbelief and asked excitedly, "Xiaohan, really? You're pregnant?"
Guo Xiaohan raised her head, her eyes glistening with happiness and shy tears, and nodded vigorously.
Her voice was barely audible: "Well, actually last Monday, I started feeling nauseous and vomiting frequently, but I didn't take it seriously at the time. A few days ago, when you left the United States, I had my private doctor check me up, and the results showed that I'm almost a month pregnant!"
"Great, great, great, this is truly double happiness!" Lin Haoran laughed heartily.
With the wedding date fast approaching, another piece of good news came unexpectedly.
Previously, when Guan Jiahui told him she was pregnant, he felt somewhat sorry for Guo Xiaohan.
Now things are looking up, Guo Xiaohan is pregnant too.
In other words, he's ready to be a father of two right away!
This sudden double surprise left Lin Haoran feeling dizzy, overwhelmed by a wave of happiness.
He hugged Guo Xiaohan tightly again, this time with even gentler movements, full of tenderness and care.
Guo Xiaohan's face was also full of happiness at that moment.
She had long hoped to have children with Lin Haoran.
As Lin Haoran's legal wife and soon-to-be bride, she has always longed to have a child of their own as soon as possible, to solidify their family, and to make her position in Lin Haoran's heart more secure.
Although she didn't know that Guan Jiahui was also pregnant, she already knew that Lin Haoran had more than just her as a woman.
In Hong Kong and even Southeast Asia, it is not uncommon for wealthy families to have multiple wives and concubines, especially for young and successful business tycoons like Lin Haoran who are incredibly wealthy.
Having grown up in such an environment, Guo Xiaohan was mentally prepared for this.
All she wanted was to have a place in Lin Haoran's heart, to become his rightful wife, to bear his children, and to share in his wealth and the warmth of family.
Now, with the wedding just around the corner, and her pregnancy with his child, which is likely to be his eldest son or daughter, she feels an unprecedented sense of security and happiness.
"Hao'er, Xiaohan, this is a joyous occasion." Lin's father put down his teacup, his face beaming with undisguised delight.
"With the wedding just around the corner and the arrival of a new baby, our Lin family is truly blessed. Haoran, you must treat Xiaohan even better. No matter how busy you are with work these days, you must make time to spend with her."
"Wedding arrangements should prioritize Xiaohan's health; simplify what needs simplifying and adjust what needs adjusting," Lin's mother added.
"Don't worry, Daddy and Mommy, I know," Lin Haoran replied with a smile, tightening his grip on Guo Xiaohan's hand. (End of Chapter)