In Hong Kong, we build a global business empire

Chapter 686 Divorce is possible, but money cannot be divided!
The discussions about the engagement went very smoothly.

What surprised Lin Haoran even more was Guo Xiaohan's understanding nature.

Lin Haoran had carefully considered the matter of revealing his affair with another woman, especially during this awkward time when both sides were meeting each other's parents.

If he didn't tell her, he wasn't sure what Guo Xiaohan would think when she found out.

Therefore, it's better to be open and honest.

Because it's not too late to say anything now.

However, if the engagement ceremony is already arranged before bringing up the topic, and Guo Xiaohan is unwilling, it will only put both families in an even more awkward situation.

Hong Kong abolished polygamy in 1971, so if Lin Haoran continues to be a Hong Kong resident, he can only have one wife on the surface.

However, it is actually very common for wealthy people to have multiple wives in Hong Kong's elite circles.

No wealthy family doesn't want to have many children and good fortune.

Whether you call Lin Haoran a scumbag or a womanizer, his situation is not unusual in Hong Kong, and many people even consider it to be a matter of course.

This is also a key reason why Guo Xiaohan accepted it so easily.

Now that Guo Xiaohan is so understanding, Lin Haoran finally felt relieved.

He originally thought that after saying those words, even if Guo Xiaohan didn't turn against him on the spot, she would still harbor resentment towards him, and the engagement might be put on hold.

But Guo Xiaohan's calm and understanding gaze surprised and moved him.

What a wonderful girl.

The back garden was very quiet, with many osmanthus trees planted there, and the whole garden was filled with the rich fragrance of osmanthus.

August is the peak blooming season for osmanthus flowers. The small golden or silvery-white flowers bloom densely, emitting a refreshing fragrance.

The voices of the elders conversing could be faintly heard from the hall.

Lin Haoran understood perfectly well that Guo Henian had specifically asked him to bring Guo Xiaohan out, which meant that the elders had something to discuss, and it was something that couldn't be brought up in front of Guo Xiaohan.

As for what they'll discuss, it's obvious it will be the terms of the marriage agreement.

On the way here, Lin Wan'an had mentioned this to Lin Haoran.

After all, the Lin family is now a large and wealthy family. In terms of the wealth they control, Lin Haoran's assets actually exceed those of the Guo family, who are the richest families in Southeast Asia.

Therefore, such a major event as a marriage between the two parties naturally requires utmost caution.

As a father, Lin Wan'an naturally didn't want his son to enter into marriage without a clear understanding of the situation. If the woman's motives were impure, it would be like planting a time bomb for the Lin family.

If the woman marries into the Lin family for their money, who knows how many troubles she might cause in the future.

At that time, it will not only affect the marital happiness of Lin Haoran and Guo Xiaohan, but may also bring unpredictable turmoil and losses to the entire Lin family.

This is actually an important procedure that must be followed in marriages between wealthy families.

Although Lin Wan'an had only barely entered the elite class before, he had long since figured out all the intricacies of life within those families.

Lin Haoran understood the importance of this matter. As the saying goes, it's better to be safe than sorry, so he had no objection to the elders discussing the wedding date agreement behind his back.

He was also very comfortable entrusting the matter to his father, Lin Wan'an, since Lin Wan'an was clearly more experienced and strategic in this area than he was.

In addition, he believes that Guo Xiaohan can understand, after all, this is related to the long-term future of both families and the stability of their families.

Having grown up in a wealthy family, Guo Xiaohan is certainly well aware of these rules and considerations.

"Brother Haoran, although I allow you to have other women, I hope you can grant me one request." Guo Xiaohan raised her head and turned to Lin Haoran to say.

"Tell me what you think?" Lin Haoran chuckled.

Guo Xiaohan took a deep breath, looked directly at Lin Haoran with deep affection, and said earnestly, "I hope that your other women will not become stumbling blocks in our relationship, nor will they cause any interference to our future little family."

They can exist in your life, but they must never interfere with our rhythm of life, and they must never harm our future children in the slightest.

At this point, Guo Xiaohan's thoughts drifted away, and she thought of her aunt who was far away in Southeast Asia.

Uncle Guo Henan, the richest man in Southeast Asia, eventually succumbed to worldly temptations in his middle age.

Besides his wife, he fell in love with another woman, his aunt who was also here tonight.

At first, the uncle's first wife thought she was an "enlightened" first wife and turned a blind eye to all of this.

But she later discovered that this twisted relationship was like a dull knife, slowly cutting into her heart and causing her unbearable pain.

Finally, she could no longer bear it and insisted that her uncle and that woman disappear from her sight, but the marriage would remain.

In recent years, Guo Henan has gradually shifted his investment focus from Southeast Asia to Hong Kong, and simply moved to Hong Kong with his second wife to settle down.

This is why Guo Henan, despite being the richest man in Southeast Asia, now lives in Hong Kong year-round.

Guo Xiaohan is completely different from her aunt in Southeast Asia.

Perhaps it was because she had seen too many wealthy men having multiple wives, or perhaps deep down she felt that she was not good enough for Lin Haoran. Moreover, her uncle Guo Henian had told her about the complicated emotional situations in wealthy families beforehand, so that she could think it through and he had given her a "precautionary shot" in advance.

Therefore, although she could barely accept that Lin Haoran had other women, she was still terrified, fearing that those women would wantonly interfere in her and Lin Haoran's lives, and even do things to harm her and Lin Haoran's future children.

Lin Haoran was slightly taken aback. He immediately understood the deeper meaning behind Guo Xiaohan's words. What she was most worried about was that other women would openly appear in her life.

He turned around, grabbed Guo Xiaohan's hands, and looked her straight in the eye, saying, "Xiaohan, don't worry, I swear to you, this kind of thing will never happen. Although I, Lin Haoran, can't be faithful in relationships, I am more clear-headed than anyone else when it comes to you and our future family."

Upon hearing this, Guo Xiaohan nodded and rested her head on Lin Haoran's shoulder again.

In fact, she also knew that no matter how many promises Lin Haoran made now, the future was still full of uncertainty.

But at this moment, the warmth from Lin Haoran's palm and his firm words were like a reassurance, making her willing to temporarily put aside her worries and choose to believe in the man in front of her.

Moreover, ever since she fell in love with Lin Haoran, she has known that she could never fall in love with another man.

After all, where else in the world can you find a man as outstanding as Lin Haoran?
She gently closed her eyes, savoring this rare moment of peace, and silently prayed that the future would be as they wished.

"Brother Haoran, don't worry, after we get married, I won't interfere in your company's affairs. I will stay at home to be a good wife and mother, and be a qualified wealthy lady," Guo Xiaohan said softly, her voice tinged with shyness.

Upon hearing this, Lin Haoran couldn't help but smile.

Indeed, people from wealthy families possess an extraordinary level of insight and tact.

In this respect, ordinary girls certainly can't compare.

He gently stroked Guo Xiaohan's hair and said softly, "Silly girl, who says that a wealthy wife has to stay at home and be a stay-at-home mom? You're a top student who graduated from a prestigious university, and even your uncle says you have a great talent for business. Wouldn't it be a shame to let your talent go to waste?"

Guo Xiaohan looked up, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes: "But... Uncle said..."

“That’s the thinking of the older generation,” Lin Haoran interrupted her, smiling as he said, “When I, Lin Haoran, get married, it’s not to find someone to serve me, but to walk hand in hand with the one I love. If you are interested in business, I can arrange for you to manage a company after marriage; if you want to develop your own career, I will fully support you.”

In fact, Lin Haoran was very clear that having a strong, independent woman as his wife would not be good for him, especially since he openly had other women outside the marriage.

However, Guo Xiaohan is so understanding that's why he said that.

However, even if Guo Xiaohan wishes to continue her business career after marriage, Lin Haoran will restrict her and not allow her to interfere too much in his business empire.

He has enough money to earn; he doesn't need a woman to earn money for him.

History has taught him enough to know how harmful it is for the empress dowager to interfere in domestic affairs!
Like Guo Henian's wife, Li Jiacheng's wife, and Bao Yugang's wife, most of them were willing to stay at home, devoted themselves to their husbands and children, and rarely interfered too much in their husbands' careers.

Even Lin Haoran's mother was the same; for many years she had been single-mindedly managing the household affairs and keeping the family in good order, never interfering in or asking about Lin Wan'an's work.

However, at this moment, when facing Guo Xiaohan, Lin Haoran wanted to give her some warm and beautiful promises.

His words just now were merely to please Guo Xiaohan and make her smile.

He was certain that a girl like Guo Xiaohan, who came from a wealthy family and was well-educated and reasonable, would understand the proper boundaries and wouldn't make unreasonable demands in these matters.

As expected, Guo Xiaohan was deeply moved upon hearing this.

Her eyes glistened with tears, and her voice trembled slightly: "Brother Haoran, thank you for respecting me so much. Actually, I do have a small dream."

Born into a wealthy family, Guo Xiaohan naturally knows what she should do after getting married.

Therefore, although Lin Haoran said that, she would not deliberately make things difficult for him.

Born into a wealthy family, she knew exactly what she should and shouldn't do after marriage. Lin Haoran gazed at her tenderly: "Tell me?"

Guo Xiaohan raised her head slightly, her eyes filled with longing, and said softly, "I have always had a wish, which is to establish a charitable foundation."

During my time in Southeast Asia, I witnessed too many heartbreaking scenes: many bright and lovely children were forced to drop out of school simply because their families were poor; many elderly people were lonely and helpless, with no one to take care of them.
Many families have also suffered from natural disasters such as floods and mudslides, where their houses were destroyed instantly, and their once happy homes were torn apart.

If we could help these people in difficult circumstances and change their tragic fate, how meaningful that would be! So, I'm thinking that after we get married, we should start a charitable foundation, and I'd like to name it after you, Haoran.

A hint of admiration flashed in Lin Haoran's eyes.

Named after him, it is the Lin Haoran Charitable Foundation.

This proposal was exactly what he wanted, allowing Guo Xiaohan to utilize her strengths without interfering too much with his business empire.

More importantly, philanthropy can also enhance the reputation of the Lin family.

“That’s a great idea,” Lin Haoran said gently, his gaze softening. “I can allocate a special fund each year to support your foundation. You can start with educational funding in Hong Kong, and once you’ve gained experience and figured things out, you can gradually expand to other areas.”

Seeing how sensible Guo Xiaohan was, Lin Haoran gazed at the girl in front of him, who was devoted to him, his eyes filled with relief and tenderness.

At the same time, a sense of guilt quietly welled up deep inside me.

In his eyes, such a wife was almost perfect.

Marrying Guo Xiaohan seemed like a wonderful arrangement made by God; the term "perfect match" was truly fitting.

As for the charitable foundation, Lin Haoran had this idea even if Guo Xiaohan hadn't brought it up.

As the saying goes, with great power comes great responsibility.

For the wealthy, engaging in philanthropy is simply their duty and a matter of course.

Lin Haoran has now joined the ranks of the world's top billionaires, and naturally has a deep understanding of the social responsibilities he bears.

He knew in his heart that he must never become the kind of miser who was stingy and only knew how to hoard money.

With his vast and powerful business empire now in operation, it's time to establish a charitable foundation to give back to society in a more systematic and effective way.

Most importantly, charity brings him a good social reputation and influence.

Guo Xiaohan jumped up from the stone bench in surprise, her eyes shining with excitement: "Really? I was worried..."

She bit her lip slightly, seemingly wanting to say something but holding back.

“Of course.” Lin Haoran gently took her hand and pulled her into his arms. He continued, “After the foundation is established, I will arrange a professional financial and management team to assist you. From project planning to fund usage, every step will be strictly controlled to ensure that every penny is used effectively.”

Guo Xiaohan nodded solemnly, her eyes full of determination: "Of course, I will learn diligently from the team and do everything well."

The moonlight, like water, shone upon them, outlining a faint silver edge around them.

They looked at each other and smiled, their smiles filled with understanding and anticipation for the future.

Lin Haoran secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and couldn't help but sigh in his heart that his fiancée was far more sensible than he had imagined.

She neither interferes excessively in her own career nor fails to build a positive image for the Lin family and enhance the family's reputation through philanthropy, making her an ideal candidate for a wealthy wife.

With such a wife, what more could a husband ask for?

"Brother Haoran, I'm so happy tonight. I really want to become Mrs. Lin as soon as possible." Guo Xiaohan leaned against Lin Haoran's chest, watching the half-moon set in the sky, and murmured.

Lin Haoran gently kissed Guo Xiaohan's forehead and said tenderly, "That day won't be far off. After the engagement ceremony, we'll start preparing for the wedding. I want all of Hong Kong to know that you are the woman I, Lin Haoran, have chosen for this lifetime."

Guo Xiaohan blushed, lowered her head shyly, and unconsciously twisted the hem of her clothes with her fingers: "Brother Haoran, the wedding must be grand, but I also want to leave some special moments that belong only to the two of us."

Lin Haoran smiled, his eyes full of doting: "Whatever you want, arrange it however you want. No matter what kind of wedding it is, as long as you are by my side, it will be perfect."

The two snuggled together, enjoying this peaceful and beautiful moment.

Lin's father and the Guo family discussed the matter in the hall for more than an hour before it ended.

When Lin Wan'an, Guo Henian, Guo Hechuan, and others walked out of the hall with smiles on their faces and steady steps, Lin Haoran and Guo Xiaohan quickly got up to greet them.

Lin Wan'an's gaze slowly fell on Lin Haoran and Guo Xiaohan, his eyes filled with satisfaction and approval.

He gently patted Lin Haoran's shoulder and said softly, "Haoran, it's getting late. Tell the elders we should head back now."

Guo Henian smiled and nodded, then looked at Lin Haoran and said, "We are very relieved to have Xiaohan in your care. You two must work together to make a good life for each other."

Lin Haoran quickly and respectfully replied, "Dad, Uncle Guo, Uncle Guo, please rest assured, I will definitely treat Xiaohan well and never let her suffer any grievances."

Guo Xiaohan blushed and said shyly in a soft voice, "Uncle, Daddy, I will try my best to be a good wife to Haoran and manage our little family well."

"Alright, then we'll head back now. In-laws, let's keep in touch and communicate anytime if needed!" Lin Wan'an pulled Lin Haoran aside and said to the two elders of the Guo family.

"Alright, Mr. Lin, I'll call you as soon as the dates are set. I'll ask Feng Shui Master Chen Lang to personally select auspicious dates for Haoran and Xiaohan's engagement and wedding!" Guo Henian said with a hearty laugh.

Clearly, the conversation between the two sides was very pleasant and harmonious, and they both expressed high expectations and strong approval for the marriage.

Lin Wan'an responded with a smile: "That's wonderful. Mr. Chen Lang is renowned. With him choosing this auspicious date, the newlyweds will surely be blessed with good fortune and a smooth and happy life."

Guo Hechuan stepped forward, patted Lin Haoran on the shoulder, and said earnestly, "Haoran, Xiaohan is a thoughtful and loyal child. From now on, I entrust her to you. You must cherish her."

Lin Haoran nodded solemnly and said with a firm gaze, "Uncle Guo, rest assured, I will live up to your trust and work hand in hand with Xiaohan. I will not let her suffer any injustice."

"Yes, I'm relieved to hear that." Guo Hechuan nodded upon hearing this.

After chatting for a while, Lin Haoran and Lin Wan'an left the Guo family villa under Guo Xiaohan's reluctant gaze.

Upon returning home to the Lin family villa, Lin's father summoned Lin Haoran to the study.

In the study, Lin's father explained to Lin Haoran in detail the matters that had been agreed upon with the Guo family, one by one.

As expected, the conversation focused on the prenuptial agreement between Lin Haoran and Guo Xiaohan, with all the details explained clearly.

Furthermore, it was explicitly stated that Lin Haoran and Guo Xiaohan must each sign this agreement before the engagement ceremony takes place.

In Hong Kong, and even in Southeast Asia, marriages between wealthy families often involve enormous assets, complex family interests, and intricate wealth structures.

Therefore, agreements signed before marriage are usually called "prenuptial agreements" or "marital agreements," and they are a key means of protecting assets and clarifying the rights and responsibilities of all parties.

These agreements do not involve the simple division of property like those in ordinary families, but rather focus on core interests such as family trusts, corporate equity, and intergenerational wealth transfer.

At the same time, the content of the agreement must strictly comply with the provisions of Hong Kong law regarding the validity of prenuptial agreements, such as ensuring fairness and voluntariness, and requiring independent legal advice at the time of signing.

The agreement includes clauses on "absolute segregation" of assets acquired during the marriage and "limited common ownership" of assets acquired after the marriage.

Moreover, it elaborates in great detail on the pre-arranged division of property in divorce, the standards for alimony, the agreements on matters related to children, and the protection of family interests and confidentiality clauses.

Prenuptial agreements in Hong Kong's wealthy families are essentially a "firewall for family wealth."

By clearly defining asset ownership, effectively separating debt risks, and pre-setting divorce rules, it minimizes the negative impact of marriage on family businesses, trust structures, and intergenerational wealth transfer.

Its core logic is that "marriage is a union of emotions, while assets always belong to the family," ultimately achieving the bottom line goal of "divorce is possible, but money cannot be divided."

This may seem unfair to the woman at first glance, but in reality, other wealthy women who marry into the Guo family would also face similar agreements.

Therefore, neither the Guo family nor the Lin family raised any objections.

After all, if the woman's side really objects, it will inevitably lead people to speculate about what her true motives are in marrying into the family.

This is not a good thing for either of them.

It is important to understand that the interests involved in marriage alliances between wealthy families are complex and intertwined, like a huge and intricate web. The slightest misstep could trigger a huge uproar within the family, as well as attract much speculation and discussion from the outside world, thereby damaging the family's reputation and disrupting business plans.

Lin Wan'an looked at Lin Haoran with a gentle smile on his face and slowly said, "Haoran, this prenuptial agreement may seem a bit inhumane and cold at first glance, but it is an indispensable and solid guarantee for marriage between wealthy families."

You have worked hard all the way to develop your career to its current scale. Every step has been filled with hardship and difficulty. You must not make any mistakes in terms of assets because of your marriage.

The Guo family is in the same boat; their acceptance of these terms, and even their proactive cooperation, is also based on considerations of the family's long-term interests.

Lin Haoran nodded slightly, his eyes thoughtful, and slowly said, "Daddy, I understand what you mean. Actually, from another perspective, this agreement can help us to clearly define each other's responsibilities and obligations in the marriage, and can also avoid unnecessary disputes over property issues in the future."

Moreover, I believe that Xiaohan is reasonable and will definitely understand the reasons behind this.

"Yes, you don't need to worry about Xiaohan. Guo's father will explain things to her." Lin Wan'an said gently with a smile.

(End of this chapter)