Chapter 451: Probing

Li Dongling was surrounded by a group of beauties. Among them, Li Dongling even felt vaguely familiar with a few, having seen them play roles in Hong Kong TV series and movies.

In just this short while, Li Dongling's hands and pockets were filled with quite a few business cards, some of which were directly hotel room numbers.

The entertainment industry is a big dyeing vat, whether it's Hollywood in America or the "Oriental Hollywood" of Hong Kong. This is especially true in this era, unlike decades later when many people just treat it as a profession.

Now, whether in America or Hong Kong, many actors in the entertainment industry come from poor family backgrounds, and being an actor is their way to change their destiny!

After gaining fame, entering the spotlight, and being cheered by thousands wherever they go, having seen the days of luxury and dissipation, who would be willing to return to their former days? Even if they don't have to worry about hunger anymore, having grown accustomed to a life of luxury, not everyone can accept returning to simple meals.

For many actresses, they know clearly that marrying into a wealthy family might mean being subjected to media gossip and being made difficult by a wealthy mother-in-law, but even if they suffer, it's still better than suffering the hardships of life.

Traveling in sports cars, having afternoon tea at Bulgari, wearing Chanel, and having servants to wait on them—this is also the reason why many actresses use every means possible to marry into a wealthy family. Even if they can't marry in, they would rather be a mistress or a "third party."

This battle of Digital Port entering the board of Hong Kong Telecom, even if the name of Dongling High-Tech didn't appear in media reports, those in the know still made Li Dongling's reputation as a "diamond bachelor" resound throughout the Hong Kong celebrity circle!

And compared to those wealthy tycoons in Hong Kong, Li Dongling has higher wealth, and his looks go without saying. The same saying applies in Hong Kong: those with better looks than Li Dongling don't have his wealth, and those with more wealth than Li Dongling don't have his looks. How could they not make this group of Hong Kong actresses flock to him?

Although they all know that Li Dongling "risking everything for a beauty," spending over 2 billion USD for Ning Wenge to become a board member of Hong Kong Telecom and making the Ning family leap into one of Hong Kong's top wealthy families, is too outrageous a story spread by gossip tabloids,

for many actresses, what if it's true? Even if there is only a tiny bit of hope, some are willing to be moths flying into the fire to try. This led to the scene of Li Dongling being surrounded by this group of Hong Kong actresses, models, and some Hong Kong celebrities.

"Ahem!"

Just as someone wanted to pull Li Dongling to be their partner for the banquet, a cough came from behind.

Seeing Ning Wenge coming over, the group of women, although unwilling, still left. They are called actresses by the media now, but in reality, their status is still that of "theatrical performers."

And Ning Wenge is the boss of the agency they are signed to, the boss of the movie and TV production companies—a person of the same level, or even higher in status and wealth than their bosses. They wouldn't dare offend Ning Wenge. One word from Ning Wenge could make them disappear from the screen completely, leaving them to sit on the "cold bench" for the rest of their lives.

However, many actresses still left with a bit of unwillingness, giving Li Dongling looks to contact them later.

Li Dongling is not like those wealthy young masters in Hong Kong who hold banquets and parties every day, whom they can see as long as they attend. Since coming to Hong Kong, Li Dongling has kept a low profile. Such opportunities to contact Li Dongling are rare.

"Did I ruin your good time?"

Ning Wenge pulled a note out of Li Dongling's pocket. Seeing the Peninsula Hotel room number on it, she sneered and said.

Seeing Ning Wenge's pursed lips and the flash of annoyance in her eyes, Li Dongling couldn't help but laugh. "Is CEO Ning jealous?!"

Hearing this, Ning Wenge's face flushed, but then she returned to the look of a professional career woman, took a sip of wine, and held the note with her fingers. "I'm just afraid of ruining your good time. This note—how many men in Hong Kong would give anything for it? You can't get this hotel room number without spending hundreds of thousands of HKD!"

Li Dongling shook his head and raised the wine glass in his hand. "Congratulations on becoming a board member of Hong Kong Telecom. I look forward to the day you become the CEO of Hong Kong Telecom!"

"That day, Hong Kong Telecom will also belong to you... and Dongling High-Tech!" Ning Wenge said, downing a large glass of wine in one gulp. The glass was turned over, and not a single drop of wine flowed out.

Li Dongling was stunned for a moment, then downed his wine as well. Seeing this, a subtle smile appeared in Ning Wenge's eyes.

Looking at Li Dongling in front of her, and then looking at the group of actresses around, who still cast glances toward this side from time to time, Ning Wenge pursed her lips. Suddenly, she somewhat understood the mindset of those wealthy wives toward these actresses. Then, looking at Li Dongling, she seemed to have made a certain determination.

"CEO Li!"

Jin Xianhui suddenly walked over at this moment, interrupting Li Dongling and Ning Wenge, and said in a low voice, "Just received news, Brown, the CEO of Cable & Wireless, has arrived at the hotel entrance!"

Hearing that Brown had come, Li Dongling was slightly surprised. He had thought Brown wouldn't come over immediately, but he didn't expect the other party to come so quickly. This also showed that Cable & Wireless was even more anxious to sell Hong Kong Telecom than the outside world had expected.

A moment later, a figure stepped into the banquet hall. Seeing Brown enter, the banquet fell silent for a few seconds. Then, the British and people from British-funded companies were the first to greet Brown.

Cable & Wireless is still the major shareholder of Hong Kong Telecom and the head of the second-largest giant company by market value in Hong Kong. Plus, the British hadn't completely withdrawn yet, so Brown's status in Hong Kong was still quite high.

"CEO Brown!"

After a group of people, Li Dongling and Ning Wenge also went over and extended their hands toward Brown.

Inside the banquet hall, many people were casting glances toward this side, many with interested expressions.

The media had already dug up quite a bit of inside information. This time, Digital Port company seemed to be "forcing its way in," without notifying Cable & Wireless beforehand, but instead launching a blitzkrieg to forcibly obtain equity and enter the board of Hong Kong Telecom!

Now that the CEO of Cable & Wireless had come in person, everyone was watching to see what his attitude toward Digital Port company was.

But unexpectedly, facing Li Dongling, Brown still had the demeanor of a British gentleman on his face, and didn't seem angry or dissatisfied.

But when shaking hands with Li Dongling, the words Brown said were not so friendly. "To come uninvited is impolite. This is not the way to visit a guest!"

Hearing this, Li Dongling just said, "Isn't this the result Cable & Wireless wanted? The stock price soared by 20%. Is CEO Brown not satisfied with this visiting gift?!"

Hearing this, Brown was stunned for a moment, then couldn't help but burst into laughter. He took a glass of wine and raised it to Li Dongling. "On behalf of the board of Cable & Wireless, I thank Digital Port company for this visiting gift!"

Brown's task as the new CEO of Cable & Wireless was to sell Hong Kong Telecom, and to sell it at a high price. Li Dongling's move, which caused Hong Kong Telecom's stock price to soar, was definitely a big gift for Brown.

After Brown exchanged pleasantries with Ning Wenge and others, the two went to the open-air balcony outside the hotel hall. Li Dongling also knew that Brown hadn't come over just to drink that glass of wine.

"I have to say, CEO Li is indeed decisive. The speed was much faster than our Cable & Wireless board had expected."

Outside, Brown said appreciatively. Even from his perspective, Digital Port's action this time could be called exquisite, completing the plan without the slightest hesitation.

"So, in what way does Cable & Wireless want to sell Hong Kong Telecom?"

This was Li Dongling and Brown's initial probing of each other's plans.

"Cash. Cable & Wireless requires the acquirer to complete the acquisition of Hong Kong Telecom's equity in cash!" Brown said without hesitation.

"You know that's impossible!" Li Dongling shook his head and said. "No matter which acquirer it is, it's impossible to come up with over 10 billion USD in cash!"

This time, just to acquire 13% of Hong Kong Telecom's equity, Li Dongling had to "rob Peter to pay Paul" for Digital Port, raising funds across Southeast Asia. To acquire the 54% stake held by Cable & Wireless, the cost wouldn't be just a few billion USD; it could be 10 or 20 billion USD. It was absolutely impossible to really come up with that much cash.

"The Cable & Wireless board only requires cash!" Brown was unwilling to back down.

"The acquisition plan Digital Port can offer can only be Digital Port stock plus cash to acquire Hong Kong Telecom.

In the future, Hong Kong's PHS telecommunications business and the Little Smart mobile business will all belong to Digital Port. Dongling High-Tech will also have new businesses injected into Digital Port. Cable & Wireless getting Digital Port's equity will definitely not be at a loss!" Li Dongling said.

Hearing this plan, although it was an initial probe, Brown wasn't that resistant to it. However, given it was an initial contact today, he definitely couldn't agree directly.

"Digital Port company is not the only company that wants to get Hong Kong Telecom's equity!"

"Cable & Wireless company will only sell to the most suitable one!"

Looking at Brown, Li Dongling just laughed and didn't say anything more. This acquisition couldn't be decided immediately. It was normal for it to drag on for a year or half a year.

What Li Dongling needed to do was to build up the chips in his hands as quickly as possible and make Digital Port a "hot commodity" so that his chances of winning would be greater.

Returning to the banquet, Li Dongling and Brown were still the same, seemingly chatting and laughing. Outsiders couldn't tell what their attitudes were, which made those who had originally planned to buy into Hong Kong Telecom to make a profit somewhat hesitant.

At this celebration banquet, many people came to befriend Li Dongling. Even though Li Dongling felt he hadn't drunk much, he still felt dizzy at the end.

On the contrary, Ning Wenge was somewhat "not judging a book by its cover." Although she had drunk quite a bit and her face was flushed with wine, she didn't faint and even helped Li Dongling to the hotel room.

"You guys go out first. I'll take care of him!"

After saying this, seeing Yang Zhi Gao and another bodyguard still standing in the hotel room, Ning Wenge asked with a hint of shy anger, "What, are you afraid of what I might do to your boss?"

Yang Zhi Gao was stunned for a moment, then reacted. He pulled the other bodyguard, and when they went out, he even pulled the door shut. ===== CHAPTER 452 =====

Yang Zhi Gao paused for a moment, then reacted, pulled another bodyguard along, and even pulled the room door shut as they went out.