Movie: Get Alpha Dog at the start

In a 30-story office building in Central, Hong Kong, Qin Hao sat in his top-floor office, a thick stack of reports spread out before him. Afternoon sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting bright dappled patterns on the floor. Outside, Victoria Harbour shimmered, and the skyscrapers of Kowloon across the water gleamed in the sunlight.

The office was quiet, save for the sound of Qin Hao turning the pages. He examined them intently, his brow furrowing and relaxing intermittently. The densely packed numbers on the reports, however, appeared to him like vivid pictures—the operating status of each branch, the sales trends of each product, and the rationality of each expenditure were all clearly visible.

Burger King has opened 50 branches in Hong Kong, and Chayan Yuese has opened 23. April's sales hit a new high, and profits increased by 18% compared to the previous month. This is undoubtedly influenced by the increasingly hot weather, as summer is the peak season for tea beverage consumption.

After finishing the last report, Qin Hao closed the folder, let out a long sigh, and stretched. His bones cracked slightly, a reminder that he had been sitting for too long.

Just as he was about to get up and stretch, the phone on his desk suddenly rang.

"Ring ring ring——"

The crisp ringing of the phone was particularly jarring in the quiet office. Qin Hao frowned and reached for the receiver:

"Hey?"

"Hey, Lao Qin..." A sweet female voice came from the other end of the phone, with a hint of hesitation and anticipation: "Are you free tonight? It's my birthday today, and my mom is having a party at home. I... I'd like to invite you."

Qin Hao was stunned for a moment, then slapped his forehead:
"Look at my memory! I was so busy I forgot it was your birthday! Damn it. I guess I'll have to prepare a decent gift for you later, otherwise it would be too rude."

Shi Xiaona laughed on the other end of the phone, her voice soft:
"Hi, it's just a regular birthday, no need to prepare a gift. I'm just happy that you could come. I've invited some relatives and friends, not many people, just to have a meal and chat together."

She paused and added:
"If you're not busy...why don't you come in and have a seat?"

Qin Hao glanced at the mountain of documents on the table, hesitated for a few seconds, and finally said:

"Okay. I'll go over after I finish what I'm doing. I should be there around six o'clock?"

"Okay!" Shi Xiaona's voice was filled with obvious joy. "Then... see you there."

"See you there or see you."

After hanging up the phone, Qin Hao stared at the receiver for a few seconds, then shook his head.

……

Inside the Shi family villa, Shi Xiaona had just hung up the phone, her face still flushed and smiling. She stood by the phone in the living room, her fingers unconsciously twirling the telephone cord, her eyes somewhat dazed, as if savoring the conversation she had just had.

"Yo yo yo—" A teasing voice suddenly came from behind: "Who are you talking to on the phone? You're all smiles."

Shi Xiaona was startled and turned around to see Fu Heming leaning against the stair railing, arms crossed, looking at her with a mischievous grin. Fu Heming was wearing a light blue dress today, her hair loosely tied back, revealing her fair neck, looking both elegant and playful.

"Hmph, I won't tell you." Shi Xiaona blushed, tossed her hair and was about to leave, but Fu Heming grabbed her arm.

“Even if you didn’t tell me, I could guess.” Fu Heming leaned close to her ear and whispered, “Anyway, it’s definitely not Yang Shumao… The only one left is Lao Qin, right?”

Her voice carried a mischievous chuckle.

Seeing that Fu Heming had hit the nail on the head, Shi Xiaona was both embarrassed and annoyed, and stomped her foot:

"Oh, what nonsense are you talking about! My parents asked me to invite Lao Qin!"

"Oh—really?" Fu Heming drawled, his eyes narrowing into slits. "Then why are you blushing so much? Like a boiled shrimp. And when you were on the phone just now, your tone was so gentle it was almost dripping with tenderness, completely different from how you usually talk. And you said you don't have those feelings for Lao Qin?"

"I didn't!" Shi Xiaona retorted stubbornly, but her face turned even redder, her ears even turning pink. "If you keep talking nonsense, I won't talk to you anymore!"

"Okay, okay, I won't talk nonsense." Fu Heming knew when to stop, but her smile grew even brighter. She put her arm around Shi Xiaona's shoulder, walked to the sofa in the living room, and sat down. Her tone suddenly became serious:

"Xiao Na, actually I think instead of being shy here, you should think about how to break the ice with Lao Qin. Don't forget, Lao Qin has Zhao Yajing by his side. Everyone can see that she's eyeing Lao Qin."

Upon hearing Zhao Yajing's name, Shi Xiaona's eyes dimmed slightly. She pursed her lips and whispered:
"She and Lao Qin are at most business partners... Otherwise, they would have been together long ago. They've known each other for so long, if they had feelings for each other, they would have gotten together already."

“But don’t forget, there’s a saying, ‘Those who are near the water get the moon first.’” Fu Heming said seriously, “They’re together every day, working together, traveling together, eating together… Over time, it’s hard to guarantee that feelings won’t develop. Aren’t you worried at all?”

"Then what do you think I should do?" Shi Xiaona looked up at Fu Heming, her eyes filled with confusion and pleading.

Seeing her like this, Fu Heming felt both heartache and anxiety. She patted Shi Xiaona's hand:

"Is that even a question? Of course, we should take the initiative and seize it in one fell swoop!"

She made a fist gesture, her eyes firm, as if encouraging Shi Xiaona.

Shi Xiaona spat out a sound, her face turning red again:

"I would never be as shameless as Zhao Yajing... How could a girl be so proactive?"

“What do you mean by shameless?” Fu Heming shook his head in disapproval: “Zhao Yajing is someone who dares to love and hate, and acts decisively. To be honest, I really admire her. If she likes something, she likes it; if she wants something, she goes for it. She never hides it and doesn’t care what others think. Not everyone has that kind of courage.”

She paused, looking into Shi Xiaona's eyes:

"Xiao Na, girls should be reserved, but Lao Qin isn't an ordinary guy. He's so outstanding and capable, there are plenty of people around him. If you keep putting on airs like this, he might really fall for Zhao Yajing."

Shi Xiaona bit her lip, remaining silent. She understood what Fu Heming was saying, but she just couldn't do it. Her upbringing and inherent reserve prevented her from being as proactive and direct as Zhao Yajing.

Fu Heming sighed, his tone softening somewhat:
“I know your personality, and it’s hard for you to change all at once. But tonight is a good opportunity. It’s your birthday party, you’re the star, and Lao Qin is a guest. You can take this opportunity to get to know him better and let him know more about you. Even if you can’t break through the barrier right away, you can at least get a little closer to him.”

Shi Xiaona nodded, but she was still uneasy.

Fu Heming circled her once, looking her up and down, then suddenly frowned:

"However, your current outfit doesn't quite work."

Shi Xiaona wore a beige dress today, a simple and elegant style that suited her usual taste. But Fu Heming thought it was too plain and lacked flair.

"Huh? Is this outfit not good?" Shi Xiaona looked down at herself. "I think it looks great."

"Hmm...not amazing enough." Fu Heming shook her head, and she took Shi Xiaona's hand, leading her upstairs.
"Come on, go change into your evening gown. It's the blue one, the one we bought in Paris last year, the one you've never had a chance to wear."

"Huh?" Shi Xiaona was startled: "That...isn't that too revealing?"

She really liked that evening gown; it was beautifully designed, a deep blue satin fabric that shimmered subtly under the lights. The problem was, however, that the gown was backless and had a high slit in the skirt, which she always felt was too revealing and made her embarrassed to wear it.

"What do you mean by 'revealing'? That's called sexy!" Fu Heming said dismissively. "Besides, with a figure like yours, it would be a waste not to show it off!"

"But……"

"No buts!" Fu Heming pushed Shi Xiaona into the dressing room without waiting for a reply. "Hurry up and change! I'll wait for you outside. Hurry up!"

The door to the walk-in closet closed. Shi Xiaona stood inside, looking at her somewhat flustered face in the mirror. After hesitating for a few seconds, she finally walked to the wardrobe and opened the door specifically for formal dresses.

The deep blue evening gown hung quietly inside, like a deep, still lake.

She gritted her teeth and reached out to take it.

Outside the walk-in closet, Fu Heming leaned against the wall, listening to the rustling sounds of changing clothes inside, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. After a while, she suddenly asked:
"Xiao Na, when did you start having feelings for Lao Qin?"

The noise in the walk-in closet paused for a moment. After a few seconds, Shi Xiaona's hesitant voice came through:
"Do you remember... that time when I completely broke up with Yang Shumo and went to a bar to drown my sorrows?"

“Oh—” Fu Heming suddenly realized: “It was when Lao Qin taught those gangsters a lesson, right? He was really cool that day, taking down several of them by himself.”

"Hmm." Shi Xiaona's voice was soft, as if she were recalling something: "Actually... the reason I liked Yang Shumao before was largely because he had protected me since I was little, giving me a strong sense of security. That day, the figure of Lao Qin standing in front of me was so tall, like a mountain..."

She paused, a hint of confusion in her voice:
"He Ming, tell me... is this love? Or is it just... dependence and gratitude?"

Fu Heming stood silent for a few seconds outside the door, then said:
"I don't know either. Who can explain matters of the heart? But if I had to choose between Yang Shumo and Lao Qin, I think Lao Qin is better. Yang Shumo is too immature and impulsive, and his family... if you marry into that family, you might suffer a lot of grievances. Lao Qin's family is much simpler, and Aunt Li is kind. You two will definitely get along well."

"Go away!" Shi Xiaona spat, her voice filled with embarrassment and annoyance. "It's not even a hint yet, how did you get involved with Aunt Li?"

"If it's not even close to being done, then let's finish it tonight!" Fu Heming laughed. "By the way, why aren't you dressed yet? If you don't come out soon, I'm going in!"

"Ah! Don't come in!" Shi Xiaona exclaimed in surprise, "I...I'll be right there!"

"We're both women, what's there to be afraid of? Are you afraid I'll look at you?" Fu Heming teased her on purpose.

"You...you female hooligan!"

"Ha ha!"

After the two joked and laughed for a while, the door to the walk-in closet finally opened.

Fu Heming turned his head, his eyes immediately lighting up.

Shi Xiaona stood at the door, wearing that dark blue evening gown. The design of the gown was indeed very sexy—the deep V-neck revealed her delicate collarbone and a patch of fair skin, and the back was open, with only a few thin straps crossing to outline her beautiful shoulder blades.

The skirt hugs the curves of the body, cinching at the waist before flowing down like water, forming an elegant arc at the ankle. The side slits are low, only reaching mid-thigh, revealing glimpses of long, straight calves as the wearer moves.

Her hair was loosely tied back, with a few stray strands falling on either side of her face, giving her a languid yet alluring look. She wore light makeup, her lips a soft mauve, and her eyes sparkled under the light.

She possesses both the innocence of a young girl and the allure of a woman; the two qualities are wonderfully blended together, creating a breathtaking beauty.

"My God..." Fu Heming covered his mouth, his eyes wide open: "Xiao Na, you're so beautiful! Old Qin will definitely be unable to take his eyes off you when he sees you like this!"

Shi Xiaona blushed with embarrassment at the compliment. She walked to the mirror, looked at herself, and was somewhat surprised. She rarely wore such sexy clothes, and she hadn't expected it to look so good.

"Really... is it okay?" she asked somewhat uncertainly.

"Great! Absolutely!" Fu Heming nodded vigorously. "Believe me, you'll be the center of attention tonight! If Lao Qin isn't tempted, he must be blind!"

Shi Xiaona was amused by her, and her nervousness eased a little.

……

The setting sun cast its golden glow on the stone path in front of the Shi family villa. Qin Hao's car slowly drove into the courtyard and stopped in front of the main building. He got out of the car, carrying a beautifully wrapped gift box, straightened his suit, and rang the doorbell.

The door opened almost immediately. It wasn't the maid who opened it, but Fu Heming. She stood smiling in the doorway, wearing a light blue dress, and her eyes lit up when she saw Qin Hao.
"Old Qin! You've finally arrived! Xiao Na was worried you were too busy to make it."

As she spoke, she naturally took the gift box from Qin Hao's hand, weighed it in her hand, and found it to be quite heavy.

Qin Hao smiled and said:
"What could be bigger than Xiaona's birthday? No matter how busy I am, I have to come."

His tone was very natural, as if he were saying something that was taken for granted.

Fu Heming raised an eyebrow and asked deliberately:
"What if it's about Sister Ya Jing?"

This is a tricky question, clearly a test.

Qin Hao glanced at her and shook his head:

"How come I never realized you were such a gossip?"

Fu Heming retorted, "I'm just looking out for Xiaona! Xiaona is my best friend, and I don't want to see her get hurt. If you don't have feelings for her, don't give her hope and let her get deeper and deeper into it."

Her tone was serious, and her eyes held a scrutinizing gaze.

Qin Hao was silent for a few seconds, then said:
"You're worrying about things that don't concern you. Instead of wasting your time, you should be thinking about how to deal with Shi Xiaojun."

These words struck a nerve with Fu Heming. Her expression changed, and her eyes dimmed.

The marriage between Fu Heming and Shi Xiaojun was arranged long ago by both families. The Fu and Shi families were old friends, and Fu Heming often visited the Shi family since she was a child. Shi's parents liked her very much and had long regarded her as their daughter-in-law. However, Shi Xiaojun kept delaying the wedding, saying that she had not yet graduated from university and that they would wait until she graduated.

In reality, Shi Xiaojun was a womanizer and had been romantically linked to many female celebrities and models. Fu Heming knew this, but what could she do? Make a scene? That would only make Shi's parents think she was inconsiderate.

"Hmph!" Fu Heming snorted dejectedly, "You're no better than me! All that effort I put in for Xiaona to speak so highly of you!"

Qin Hao said seriously:
"Do not do to others what you would not have them do to you. How things are between Xiaona and me is between us, and no one else has the right to interfere. Xiaona is an adult, she has her own judgment, and no one else has the right to interfere."

Fu Heming was rendered speechless by his words. She glared at Qin Hao, wanting to retort, but didn't know what to say. In the end, she could only huff and puff:

"You always have so many reasons! Alright, alright, go inside!"

As the two were talking, a sweet voice came from the direction of the stairs:
"Old Qin, He Ming, what are you two talking about?"

Qin Hao looked up and met Shi Xiaona's clear eyes.

Shi Xiaona stood at the top of the stairs, wearing her deep blue evening gown. The afterglow of the setting sun streamed in through the window behind her, bathing her in a golden halo. The deep blue silk shimmered softly in the light, like the surface of the sea at night. The gown's design accentuated her perfect figure—a slender waist, a full bust, and long legs. The open back revealed a large expanse of fair skin, which shimmered like smooth jade under the lights.

Her hair was loosely tied back, with a few stray strands falling on either side of her face, making her face appear even smaller and more delicate. She wore light makeup, with gentle lips and bright eyes that seemed to be filled with starlight.

She stood there, like a blue rose quietly blooming in the night, elegant, mysterious, and breathtakingly beautiful.

Qin Hao had seen Shi Xiaona in many different outfits—in her school uniform, in her dress… but he had never seen her like this before—sexy, charming, and full of womanly allure, yet also carrying the shyness and innocence of a young girl.

This contrast really caught Qin Hao's eye.

"Today is beautiful."

A flicker of secret delight flashed in Shi Xiaona's eyes, but she tried her best to remain calm. She tilted her head slightly and deliberately asked:

"Really? So you mean I wasn't pretty before?"

Her tone was mischievous, and her eyes were sly.

Qin Hao snapped out of his daze and smiled:
"She was beautiful before, but she looks especially beautiful today."

This answer was clever; it praised her beauty today without denying her beauty in the past.

Shi Xiaona covered her mouth and chuckled softly, her eyes brimming with laughter:

"You know how to talk. Let's go inside. My dad was just asking if you've arrived yet."

She walked down the stairs to Qin Hao's side. As they got closer, Qin Hao could smell a faint perfume on her—a fresh, floral scent, not overpowering, but very pleasant.

The three of them walked into the villa's lobby together.

There were already quite a few people in the hall. Mr. and Mrs. Shi were sitting on the sofa at the head of the table, talking to several people. Besides them, there were four or five other people—a middle-aged couple in their fifties, a young man in his thirties, and a girl who looked to be in her early twenties. They must be Shi Xiaona's uncle's family.

Upon seeing Qin Hao enter, Mr. Shi immediately stood up and greeted him with a smile:
"Little Qin is here! Come, come, let me introduce you."

He pulled Qin Hao along and walked to the middle-aged couple:
"This is my eldest brother, Shi Fangming. This is my sister-in-law."

Shi Fangming looked a few years older than his father, slightly overweight, with his hair neatly combed, wearing a well-tailored suit and gold-rimmed glasses, giving him a refined appearance. However, the way he looked at Qin Hao was clearly scrutinizing and distant.

"Mr. Shi, Mrs. Shi, hello." Qin Hao nodded politely.

Father Shi then pointed to the young man:

“This is my nephew, Shi Xiaolong.”

Shi Xiaolong was probably around thirty years old. He looked a lot like Shi Fangming, but his eyes were sharper, even carrying a hint of arrogance. He glanced at Qin Hao and snorted through his nose as a greeting.

Finally, there was that girl:

"This is my niece, Shi Xiaoyu. She's still in college."

Shi Xiaoyu looked to be around twenty years old and quite pretty, but her eyes were somewhat timid, suggesting she was rather introverted. She nodded to Qin Hao and said softly, "Hello."

After introducing everyone, Mr. Shi smiled and said:
"Please sit down, everyone. We're all family, no need to be so polite."

Everyone sat down again. Qin Hao sat on the single sofa next to Shi's father, while Shi Xiaona and Fu Heming sat on the long sofa opposite him.

The atmosphere is a bit subtle.

Sure enough, Shi Xiaolong spoke up as soon as Qin Hao sat down. He crossed his legs, glanced at Qin Hao, and sneered:
"Second Uncle, this person... doesn't seem to have the surname Shi, does he? How did he become family?"

His voice wasn't loud, but it was shrill. Instantly, the atmosphere in the hall became somewhat strange.

Shi Xiaona's expression changed, and she couldn't help but speak:
"Brother Xiaolong! Lao Qin is my friend! Please show him some respect!"

Her tone was harsh, clearly showing her dissatisfaction.

Shi Xiaolong, however, didn't care at all and snorted coldly:
"Am I wrong? It was supposed to be a family dinner, but so many outsiders showed up... Fu Heming is one thing, at least he's related to our family. But this Mr. Qin... who is he? I've never heard of him before?"

His tone was clearly provocative and sarcastic.

"Have you said enough?" Shi Fangming finally spoke. He glared at his son, then smiled at his father, his tone sounding like he was trying to smooth things over, but there was little apology in his eyes: "The child is ignorant and speaks without thinking. Second brother, please don't take offense."

Qin Hao instantly understood. This wasn't some "childish ignorance" at all; it was clearly a fierce competition between Shi's father and his elder brother for control of the group, with Shi's father gaining a slight advantage and threatening the eldest branch's inheritance rights. Shi Xiaolong was deliberately provoking trouble, trying to give Shi's father a warning.

And I am nothing more than a pawn in their power struggle.

Having figured this out, Qin Hao felt calmer. He picked up the teacup on the coffee table, took a slow sip, his face expressionless, as if those words hadn't been spoken to him at all.

Father Shi's expression was also not good, but he was very shrewd and did not immediately lash out. He simply said calmly:
"Xiaolong, Xiaoqin is Xiaona's friend and also my guest. All guests are guests, and you should understand basic hospitality."

This statement was neither too soft nor too hard, protecting Qin Hao without directly confronting Shi Xiaolong.

Shi Xiaolong wanted to say something, but Shi Fangming stopped him with a look.

But at the rest of the meal, Shi Xiaolong continued to make sarcastic remarks from time to time. For example, he said that the mainland's economy was "backward," that the Big Circle Boys had come to Hong Kong and disrupted public order, or he implied that Qin Hao was only after the Shi family's money when he approached Shi Xiaona.

Although Shi Fangming verbally reprimanded her, he did not actually stop her, clearly indicating that he was prepared to break ties with the second wife.

However, Mr. Shi remained silent, his face ashen. Every time Shi Xiaojun tried to retaliate, he was stopped by a single look from his father. Shi Xiaojun was seething with anger, but dared not lash out, so he could only eat in silence, his face grim.

Qin Hao remained calm throughout. He ate and drank as usual, responded politely when he was supposed to speak, and listened quietly when he shouldn't. He seemed not to have heard Shi Xiaolong's words at all.

This composure only made Shi Xiaolong more annoyed. He felt like he was punching cotton, unable to exert his strength and feeling extremely frustrated.

Finally, the meal ended in an awkward atmosphere. The Shi Fangming family got up to leave. Before leaving, Shi Xiaolong couldn't resist saying sarcastically:

"Second Uncle, you'd better keep your eyes open and not bring just anyone home. Although our Shi family isn't a top-tier wealthy family, it's not a family that just anyone can climb up to."

After saying that, he walked away.

After they left, Shi Xiaojun finally couldn't hold back any longer and slammed his chopsticks on the table:
"Dad! Listen to what he's saying! It's outrageous! How can you tolerate this?"

His face turned red with anger, and his chest heaved.

Father Shi merely glanced at him indifferently and raised his hand in a gesture of "calm down":

"No matter what, he's still your uncle, your cousin. It's common for family members to have disagreements; there's no need to make a fuss about it."

"Family?" Shi Xiaojun sneered, "When have they ever considered us family? When Grandpa handed the company over to Uncle and the others, it wasn't in this half-dead state! If it weren't for your hard work over the years, the company would have collapsed long ago! Now that you've achieved some success, you come to reap the rewards and suppress us at every turn! Is this what you call family?"

"Enough." Mr. Shi's voice turned serious. "Focus your energy on company projects and stop hanging out with those spoiled brats. Produce some results to show the board; that's the right path. What's the use of just complaining?"

Shi Xiaojun was speechless, but his face was still full of resentment. He stood up:
"Okay, I'll go to the company!"

After saying that, he stormed off.

Watching his departing figure, Shi's father shook his head, a hint of weariness on his face. He turned to Qin Hao, forcing a smile:
"Xiao Qin, I'm sorry, you must have seen this funny."

Qin Hao waved his hand, his tone relaxed:

“Not at all. You said it yourself, everyone here today is family. It’s common for families to have disagreements. Since you don’t treat me like an outsider, I won’t treat myself like one either.”

Upon hearing this, Father Shi's eyes lit up. He carefully examined Qin Hao for a few moments, then suddenly smiled:

"Good! Well said! Xiao Qin, your magnanimity is much better than Xiao Jun's."

The two looked at each other and smiled, understanding each other tacitly.

Shi's mother, Shi Xiaona, and Fu Heming also breathed a sigh of relief. The atmosphere just now was really too oppressive, and they were all worried for Qin Hao.

The servants brought tea and snacks, and everyone moved to the sofa in the living room to sit down.

Father Shi took a sip of tea, looked at Qin Hao, and suddenly asked:

"By the way, I heard from Xiaona that your 'Burger King' has already opened 50 branches? And you also started something called 'Tea Yan Yue Se,' which has more than 20 branches?"

Qin Hao waved his hand, speaking modestly:

"Hey, these are all small businesses, nothing to brag about. Compared to your Shi Group, they're just small fry."

“Well, you can’t say that.” Father Shi shook his head: “You young people of your generation have done a remarkable job to build this up from scratch. If my two good-for-nothing sons had half your ability, I wouldn’t have to go through all this trouble.”

His tone was filled with emotion and admiration.

But Qin Hao remained vigilant. Unsolicited kindness is always suspicious. That old fox, Shi's father, was no pushover. His sudden praise of him must have an ulterior motive.

"Not at all, you flatter me," Qin Hao continued modestly. "I was just lucky to have caught a good time."

"When opportunity knocks, you need the ability to seize it." Mr. Shi waved his hand, his tone serious: "To be honest, when you first came to Hong Kong and said you wanted to open a Western fast food restaurant, I didn't think you could succeed. Hong Kong is such a competitive place. There are countless local tea restaurants. You came from the mainland, with no capital and no connections. What makes you think you can compete with them?"

He paused, looking at Qin Hao with admiration in his eyes:

"But you proved yourself with your abilities. In just two years, you went from one store to fifty stores and even launched a second brand. That kind of ability and courage is remarkable."

Qin Hao smiled but didn't speak. He was waiting, waiting for Shi's father to reveal his true purpose.

Sure enough, Father Shi changed the subject:
"However, as far as I know, you've opened so many branches, you're probably nearing saturation, aren't you? Hong Kong is only so big, and there are only so many prosperous areas. Expanding further probably won't be so easy."

Qin Hao nodded to himself. This old guy has a sharp eye; he saw the crux of the problem at a glance.

“You’re right.” Qin Hao readily admitted, “The fast food market is indeed nearing saturation. That’s why I spun off milk tea as a separate business to open up a second front. Milk tea shops require less investment, expand quickly, and can complement fast food restaurants.”

“The idea is right.” Mr. Shi nodded. “But Xiao Qin, have you thought about what to do next? Although milk tea shops can be expanded, they are ultimately small businesses. Are you content with opening hundreds of milk tea shops and earning a meager living?”

His tone was tentative.

Qin Hao's heart skipped a beat. He roughly guessed what Shi's father wanted to say.

"Uncle Shi, what do you mean?" he asked, feigning ignorance.

"Have you ever thought about taking Burger King public?" Mr. Shi asked, staring into Qin Hao's eyes.

Qin Hao's heart skipped a beat. He remained outwardly calm, but his heart was in turmoil.

That old guy... he's really got some ideas; he's thinking the same way as me.

"Actually," Qin Hao carefully chose his words, "Zhao Yajing and I discussed it last year. We plan to take Burger King public within three years."

The living room fell silent immediately after he said that.

Mr. and Mrs. Shi exchanged a glance, both seeing surprise in each other's eyes. Shi Xiaona and Fu Heming were even more shocked, their mouths slightly agape and their eyes wide open.

In their minds, Burger King is just a fast food restaurant. Even if it has more branches and makes more money, it's still just a business. It has absolutely nothing to do with the lofty concept of a "listed company."

But now, Qin Hao is saying that they plan to go public within three years?
This...this is such a huge leap!
"Oh?" Mr. Shi's eyes lit up, and he leaned forward slightly. "So, you already have plans to go public?"

Qin Hao nodded slightly:

"This year, we have already invited an accounting firm to conduct a financial audit. We will officially launch the IPO plan at the end of next year. If everything goes smoothly, we should be able to list on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 85."

He spoke calmly, as if he were talking about something very ordinary. But the weight of his words shocked everyone present.

Father Shi stared at Qin Hao for a long time, then suddenly smiled. He leaned back on the sofa, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest:

"Little Qin, I really underestimated you. I never expected that you would have such great ambition and vision at such a young age."

His tone carried admiration, and also a hint of... excitement?
"However," Mr. Shi changed the subject, "going public isn't as simple as you think. It's not just about doing well in business. It involves many complex procedures—financial audits, legal compliance, equity structure, and various resources and connections."

He paused, looking at Qin Hao:

Have you considered all of these things?

Qin Hao nodded:
“We have hired the best accounting firm in Hong Kong for our audit and a professional legal team to handle our legal matters. As for the underwriters… we are in contact with several securities firms, but nothing has been finalized yet.”

He and Zhao Yajing had already discussed the IPO, and all the necessary preparations were underway. The only thing they lacked was connections and resources—after all, they had only been in Hong Kong for two years, and their foundation was still shallow.

Mr. Shi's eyes lit up: "Little Qin, the Shi Group has been rooted in Hong Kong for more than 30 years. I dare not say that we have accumulated a lot of connections and resources in various aspects."

He leaned forward, his tone becoming eager:

"How about we team up? You provide the project, we provide the resources. Together we'll take Burger King public, and you'll give us a stake in the company as a reward. How about that?"

Well, the old fox's tail has finally been revealed.

Qin Hao remained unmoved. For him, cooperation wasn't necessarily a bad thing. After all, the Shi family had been operating in Hong Kong for many years, possessing extensive connections and resources. With their help, the listing process would be much smoother.

However, Qin Hao was also well aware that the reason why Shi's father wanted to cooperate with him was more about achieving results through this project and taking control of the group from his elder brother.

The Shi Group is rife with internal power struggles. Although Mr. Shi is exceptionally capable, he is not the eldest son and is at a disadvantage in the right of succession. If he can successfully take a company public, it will become a crucial bargaining chip in his competition for control of the group.

Having figured this out, Qin Hao calmed down. He didn't mind being used, as long as the price was right. But the prerequisite was that he had to maintain control.

"Regarding the cooperation..." Qin Hao pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "I still need to discuss it with Zhao Yajing. I can't make such a big decision on my own."

Now that he had caught the old fox by the tail, Qin Hao naturally wouldn't let go easily. At this point, whoever showed the most eagerness would be at a disadvantage at the negotiating table later.

Mr. Shi clearly realized this as well. His eyes flickered for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure. He leaned back on the sofa and said casually:
"Of course. Such a big matter certainly requires careful consideration. You can discuss it slowly, there's no rush."

Shi Xiaona and Fu Heming were still reeling from the shock of Burger King's impending IPO. While they had previously admired Qin Hao's capabilities, they had never truly connected him to the image of a listed company owner. Now it seemed they didn't know their "old friend," with whom they had shared a rural experience, well enough. (End of Chapter)