When Hu Xian and Xia Yu appeared together in front of the employees of the Star Island News Group, all the staff put down their work, watching the podium with a mix of anticipation and unease.
Looking at the familiar faces in the crowd, Hu Xian had originally planned to say a lot, but in the end, all she could do was sigh. She deeply bowed and apologized, saying, "I'm sorry to everyone. I am not a qualified chairman!"
"From today onwards, the Star Island News Group will be merged into Nine Ding News. Mr. Xia will be your new boss!"
"Let's welcome Mr. Xia to speak."
"Clap, clap, clap, clap..."
Everyone was stunned, but their actions didn't stop. Many were still excited, amazed that they had become employees of Nine Ding News! They had just been worried about unpaid wages, and now they were being handed a golden opportunity. The turnaround had happened so fast, it was beyond their imagination!
"Hello everyone, I'm Xia Yu. I'm very pleased to meet you all..."
After completing the handover, Xia Yu handed over all the matters to Yan Wenhan and left first.
With Xia Yu's departure, the news spread like a hurricane throughout Hong Kong!
A shocking revelation!
Nine Ding News had acquired the struggling Star Island News Group!
"How is this possible?"
In the office of *Ming Pao*, Jin Yong and Pan Yuesheng stared at each other in disbelief, unable to accept that it was real.
Pan Yuesheng quickly made a phone call to a friend who was an executive at the Star Island News Group. After hanging up, Pan Yuesheng looked at Jin Yong with a dazed expression.
"Old Cha, it's true!"
Jin Yong was silent for a long time before shaking his head with a bitter smile, saying, "From now on, Nine Ding News's dominance in the media industry will be unshakeable. This mountain is too big; we all have to look up to it now!"
Pan Yuesheng also smiled wryly. With his mind in turmoil, he just wanted to find a quiet place to reflect.
"How is this possible!"
"How... is this possible..."
...
One incredulous exclamation after another was heard in newsrooms across Hong Kong. All the industry peers who learned of the news were shocked, finding it hard to believe the result.
The Star Island News Group was in trouble, and the news that Hu Xian was looking to sell the company had spread throughout Hong Kong. Many were guessing the outcome of the Star Island News Group.
Would it go bankrupt due to a lack of buyers, or would a prominent figure take over?
They had considered many possibilities, but no one had expected Nine Ding News to take over because it seemed impossible!
Nine Ding News didn't need to make the acquisition, and Hu Xian shouldn't have been willing to sell it to Nine Ding News.
Yet, this most improbable scenario had happened, defying everyone's expectations.
After the shock, all the industry peers fell silent.
The media industry's structure was already one of "one dominant, one strong, and others." Nine Ding News was the dominant force, the Star Island News Group before its decline was the strong one, and the rest were in a third tier. The only entity that could threaten Nine Ding News was the Star Island News Group.
But now, the Star Island News Group, which had been damaged by its own actions, was being swallowed by Nine Ding News.
Once the Star Island News Group was restructured and the newspapers resumed publication, Nine Ding News would have *Fengyun Daily*, *Nine Ding Daily*, *South China Morning Post*, *Daily News*, *Nanyang Business News*, *Sing Tao Daily*, *Star Island Daily*, and *English Tiger News*. The combined circulation of Nine Ding News's newspapers would likely surpass that of all other newspapers combined.
Nine Ding News had effectively completed a practical monopoly of the print media industry.
The sky over Hong Kong had changed!
As other industry peers received the news, Charles Kessick, who had been eyeing the Star Island News Group, was the first to learn of it.
"Damn nouveau riche, completely opposing me, damn it…"
Charles Kessick, usually so poised, was now smashing desks, chairs, and cups in his office.
He was genuinely furious. He had thought the Star Island News Group was in his pocket, but now the duck that was about to be served had flown away!
His perfect plan had collapsed prematurely!
And the one who ruined his plan was none other than the person he despised, Xia Yu!
Moreover, he had been flattered at the party last night, and many knew he intended to acquire the Star Island News Group, and knew his plan.
But just one night later, he was slapped in the face. Although his office was empty, Charles Kessick could vividly imagine how his rivals would mock him upon learning the news.
Furthermore, there were other consequences that Charles Kessick was reluctant to think about but had to consider.
After last night's plan was leaked by Cory Shah, the Yihe Insurance Consulting Group would definitely find out. If they learned that his plan had failed before it even began, it would be a significant blow to his reputation.
He had just joined the Yihe Insurance Consulting Group, with no accomplishments yet. He was in the early stages of his tenure, but before he could make an impression, it had already been doused with cold water. There would surely be people laughing at him behind his back. How could this not make him furious?
"Damn Cory, if it weren't for him blabbing last night, it wouldn't be this bad!"
"And that damn Chinese nouveau riche kid…"
Charles Kessick muttered angrily, his face still flushed with rage.
"This is unacceptable. You've caused me so much trouble; I can't let this go!"
"You bought the Star Island News Group? I'll make you pay dearly. If the Star Island News Group goes bankrupt, let's see what you can salvage!"
Charles Kessick thought, planning to call his contacts in the Hong Kong government to make life difficult for the Star Island News Group. He also decided to instruct the advertisers he had manipulated to sue the Star Island News Group and send that uncooperative woman to jail!
Just as Charles Kessick was about to make the call, the phone rang. He paused, surprised.
The caller ID showed an internal number from Yihe Air Cargo Company.
Charles Kessick didn't think too much, composing himself before answering the call.
"What? Stock prices are fluctuating wildly? Suspected attack on our stocks, and an urgent meeting? Alright, I'm on my way!"
Charles Kessick hung up quickly, grabbed his coat, and hurried out. He put aside his plans to trouble the Star Island News Group for the moment.
There was no choice. Before taking on the role at Yihe Insurance Consulting Group, he had been in management at Yihe Air Cargo Company for two years, and he had developed a substantial loyal following within the company. He regarded Yihe Air Cargo as his own stronghold, his base!
Now that his base was in trouble, how could he not be anxious?
"I'll see who dares to trouble us at Yihe!"