In Hong Kong, we build a global business empire

Chapter 769 Liu Xiaoli's Ambition
According to the date on the invitation, the economic symposium was scheduled for 9:00 AM on October 15th.

In other words, he must arrive in Beijing by at least October 14th.

However, judging from Lin Haoran's style, he would definitely go there a few days in advance.

Today is October 5th.

After thinking for a moment, he made a phone call.

The call was quickly connected, and on the other end was none other than the famous "Shipping King" Bao Yugang.

"Haoran, you're calling because of the invitation, right?" Before Lin Haoran could even speak, Bao Yugang on the other end of the phone guessed his purpose.

Lin Haoran smiled slightly, not surprised by Bao Yugang's keen insight. After all, the other party had been in the business world for many years and had a masterful grasp of interpersonal relationships.

“Uncle Bao, you are truly insightful. I did call you because of this matter. First, I wanted to ask when you plan to go there, and second, I wanted to ask what you need to be aware of,” Lin Haoran replied.

Bao Yugang's hearty laughter came from the other end of the phone: "Haoran, just as I guessed, I plan to leave on October 14th. I have a lot of important work to do, so I'm not in a hurry to go."

You probably haven't been to Beijing before. I suggest you go a few days in advance. As for things to be aware of, the rules in Beijing are quite different from those in Hong Kong.

Lin Haoran pricked up his ears and listened attentively. "Please speak, Uncle Bao. I'm all ears."

Bao Yugang slowly said, "First of all, people in Beijing value 'etiquette.' This 'etiquette' is not just about how you greet someone, but also about a sense of propriety. Hong Kong businessmen are straightforward when it comes to business, but when you go there, you need to be tactful and leave some room for maneuver in your words and actions."

Lin Haoran nodded knowingly: "I understand, Uncle Bao. It's like tasting tea; you have to savor it slowly."

“That makes perfect sense,” Bao Yugang praised. “Secondly, your attire should be more formal. It’s only early autumn there, but the venue will definitely be very formal. I suggest you bring two dark suits, and your ties should also be simple and elegant.”

"Okay, I've got it." Lin Haoran said with a smile.

"As for other things, there aren't many things to pay attention to. After all, we are guests, and the host will definitely make thorough arrangements to entertain guests. Just be careful with your words and actions, and don't say anything you shouldn't say, and that's about it. I believe you know how to do these things, Haoran, so I don't need to teach you."

"As for the economic symposium, I think Haoran, you should know more about the mainland's economic situation than I do. After all, if we're talking about who invests the most in the mainland from Hong Kong, it's definitely your company. I'm ashamed to admit that I can't compete with you in that regard, so I won't say more," Bao Yugang said with a smile.

In the past two years, companies under Lin Haoran's umbrella, such as Wanqing Group and Zhidi Group, have successively invested heavily in Guangdong Province, which is enough to show Lin Haoran's optimism about the mainland economy.

This is common knowledge in Hong Kong's business community.

It was precisely because of Lin Haoran's actions that more Hong Kong businessmen went to invest in the mainland earlier and have already tasted the benefits.

After all, the low labor costs and low operating costs in mainland China are advantages that Hong Kong cannot match.

Although Bao Yugang started a little later, he has already established several important projects in mainland China.

In another world, Bao Yugang, although he made contact with the mainland early on, rarely invested in the mainland in the early stages.

More often, it's donations to their hometowns, etc.

For example, in 1980, he proposed donating $1000 million to build a tourist hotel in Beijing and requested that the hotel be named after his father. Although this proposal caused controversy, it was ultimately supported.

For example, a donation of US$1000 million was made to build a library at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, which promoted the upgrading of higher education resources, and so on.

As for investment in real industries, there wasn't much in the early 80s.

But perhaps influenced by Lin Haoran, Bao Yugang has also established many businesses in Guangdong Province and his hometown of Zhejiang Province.

Bao Yugang's words were both humble and true; Lin Haoran was indeed at the forefront of Hong Kong's business community when it came to investing in the mainland.

"Uncle Bao, you flatter me. I'm just following the times," Lin Haoran replied modestly. "But your investment in your hometown of Zhejiang Province demonstrates not only business acumen but also a deep sense of patriotism, which is truly admirable."

Bao Yugang laughed heartily on the other end of the phone: "Haoran, you always know how to talk. But to be honest, this symposium is of great significance. I heard that in addition to economic issues, we may also discuss the next steps in the development of the special economic zone."

You have extensive experience in this area; you should share your insights on behalf of Hong Kong businessmen.

Lin Haoran said sincerely, "Uncle Bao is too kind to me. I just went ahead and have some practical experience in Guangdong Province. If it is needed at the meeting, I will definitely speak my mind."

The two exchanged a few more pleasantries before ending the call.

After putting down his mobile phone, Lin Haoran sat down in a chair and began to think.

Originally, he planned to go with Bao Yugang, but now it seems that the timing is not right.

However, it's fine if he goes there first.

No matter what, he is now a well-known business tycoon, and he will receive appropriate treatment wherever he goes.

Moreover, he has already established a considerable number of investment projects in mainland China, and local governments attach great importance to his visits.

Pick up another document on the table, which Ma Shimin had just left there; it concerns the progress of the planning for the Galaxy Strategic Development Committee.

Lin Haoran flipped through it once and then put it down.

He already knew the details by heart.

This committee, which he personally proposed, will integrate the strategic plans of all his companies to ensure coordinated development in a rapidly changing market environment.

Now, with Ma Shimin in charge and several of his most capable generals, such as Burton, Cui Zilong, Wei Li, Chen Shulin, and He Shanheng, assisting him, he no longer needs to worry too much.

Lin Haoran leaned back in his chair with satisfaction.

This team, which he meticulously assembled, consists of individuals who are all capable of working independently, and together they form a powerful synergy.

Ma Shimin excels in diversified business operations, Wei Li is proficient in capital operations, Chen Shulin is experienced in energy and diversification exploration, He Shanheng is skilled in financial business, Cui Zilong is skilled in public opinion, intelligence, media, etc., plus Burton, a capable assistant who is good at opening up overseas markets, this team is capable of handling any business challenge.

In addition, the loyalty of these people is at least 95, and Ma Shimin's loyalty is even as high as 100. What else could he not trust?

……

Meanwhile, on Hennessy Road in Causeway Bay, there is a branch of the Hong Kong Dance Association's dance training institution.

At this moment, in the dance classroom of the institution, Liu Xiaoli, who came from the mainland, has just finished a day of training. Her face is rosy and her sweaty hair sticks to her cheeks, adding to her charming beauty.

She leaned against the railing, slightly out of breath. Her figure in the mirror was graceful, clearly showing the effectiveness of her recent professional training.

Dancers generally have great figures, but it must be said that even among the many students in this training institution, Liu Xiaoli's figure is definitely top-notch.

Coupled with her stunning beauty, her delicate features appeared even more three-dimensional under the lights, especially her bright eyes, which remained lively and spirited even when she was tired.

Sweat trickled down her graceful neckline, soaking the neckline of her dance costume.

"Xiaoli, aren't you going back to rest?" Miss Li, a classmate, passed by carrying her bag and couldn't help but glance at her a few more times.

Even though she was a woman herself, Ms. Li had to admit that Liu Xiaoli was indeed a rare beauty, and in her heart, she even felt a little envious.

She couldn't help but think how wonderful it would be if she had such conditions.

Both of them were speaking Mandarin. Liu Xiaoli had only been in Hong Kong for a month, so she was naturally not very familiar with the Hong Kong dialect.

Ms. Li is a Chinese from Malaysia. Due to the language environment, she is fluent in several Chinese dialects, including Hokkien, Hakka, Cantonese, and Mandarin, so she had no communication barriers with Liu Xiaoli.

Liu Xiaoli straightened up and wiped her sweat: "I'll practice a little longer. I still feel that this spinning motion isn't perfect enough."

"You're working way too hard," Miss Li shook her head. "I heard you're always the last one to leave. If you ask me, with your talent, even without working so hard, you'd definitely become a star performer someday. If you could find a big fish in the sea like Lin Sheng, you'd never have to worry about anything for the rest of your life."

In Hong Kong, Lin Haoran has long been the dream lover of countless young girls.

Therefore, Lin Haoran is often used as a benchmark for choosing a partner, even though they know it's just wishful thinking.

In Hong Kong, people often regard water as wealth, so "big water pipe" is used to describe those with abundant financial resources or tycoons, that is, people with a lot of money coming in and going out, rich people, tycoons.

What was said without malice may have been taken to heart by the listener.

Upon hearing this, Liu Xiaoli paused slightly as she wiped the sweat from her brow.

She looked up at herself in the mirror and couldn't help but think of the young tycoon who had helped her come to Hong Kong from the mainland.

Miss Li's unintentional joke was like a pebble thrown into Liu Xiaoli's heart, which she had been trying to keep calm, instantly stirring up a thousand waves.

Her smile was a little stiff: "Miss Li is joking. Dancing is my dream, and it's worth it no matter how tiring it is."

She tried her best to keep her voice calm, but the name "Lin Sheng" seemed to have a magical power, instantly piercing through the mental defenses and self-control she had painstakingly built up over the past month.

Lin Sheng, Lin Haoran.

In just one month, this name has rapidly expanded from the image of the young tycoon who took her away from the Jiangcheng Opera House and gave her a Hong Kong pass to a behemoth that she looks up to, reveres, and even feels suffocated by.

She dared not have any thoughts.
Yes, she kept telling herself that.

However, the cold realization that "the gap between the two sides is too big" took a strange turn under the catalysis of Miss Li's words "find a big water tap," giving rise to a strange idea and a desperate courage.

A month of learning, a month of being shocked!
When she first arrived in Hong Kong, Lin Haoran assigned her Zhou Meiqi as an assistant who was very responsible. She helped her obtain a Hong Kong ID card and arranged for her to check into the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Central, a place that made her feel helpless amidst its glittering splendor.

Assistant Zhou is a man of few words, but extremely efficient. The information he inadvertently reveals in his speech weaves an invisible, vast web:

"Mr. Lam owns many businesses. Hongkong Land Group is one of the largest real estate companies in Hong Kong, and HK Electric is responsible for electricity..."

"Langwei Group's Wanqing-Shekou Industrial Park is one of the largest production bases in mainland China, and its products are exported all over the world..."

"Lin Shenggang donated HK$100 million to Pengcheng University..."

Newspapers and television relentlessly amplified this man's presence. She personally witnessed Lin Haoran taking over Hutchison Whampoa on television news; his calm and confident demeanor, and his ability to easily defeat competitors, made her truly understand what a "business tycoon" was.

Not to mention that for the past month, she has been buying newspapers every day and reading them. Lin Haoran has become a regular on the front page of financial news, and his words exude a powerful and influential presence.

Only then did she realize that the young man who had asked her about her difficulties at the banquet in Shenzhen and comforted her on the boat had accumulated wealth and power at a terrifying level that she could not even imagine, enough to influence the economy of a region or even a country.

A month of baptism in prosperity, a month of complete transformation.

The prosperity of Hong Kong is something that Wuhan cannot compare to at all.

The dazzling lights of Victoria Harbour, the oppressive feeling of the towering skyscrapers in Central, and the bustling extravagance of Causeway Bay's shopping paradise all dazzled her, and also made her feel a great resistance to returning to the "relatively superior" life on the mainland in the past.

She doesn't want to go back!

She wants to stay here!

This bustling international metropolis offers a broader stage and more advanced artistic concepts, and she is eager to learn the cutting-edge international dance techniques taught by the Hong Kong Dance Association.

She knew that her only assets were her top-notch dance skills, which were among the best in the country, and her naturally beautiful appearance and temperament.

To survive, and more importantly, to prove her worth, she took the initiative.

Over the past month, Liu Xiaoli has successfully won over a wealthy young lady, Ms. He, who is studying at a dance studio, thanks to her solid foundation in classical and folk dance from mainland China and her outstanding demonstration skills.

Ms. He is very interested in traditional Chinese dance, but it is difficult to find a good teacher and the price is high.

Liu Xiaoli volunteered to become Miss He's private dance teacher, offering a price lower than the market rate, which was a huge sum for her. She taught Miss He classical dance and folk dance combinations three times a week.

Miss He was very generous, and in addition to the tuition fees, she often gave her brand-name cosmetics and clothes as gifts.

Over the course of the month, Liu Xiaoli had actually saved up a considerable amount of "secret money" for her—several thousand Hong Kong dollars.

This money gave her the sense of security that comes with economic independence for the first time in Hong Kong, and it also gave her the confidence to think about more things.

Miss Li's words were like a key, unlocking the desires and plans that had been suppressed in her heart for a long time.

"Isn't my connection with Lin Haoran my advantage?" Once this thought popped into his head, it grew wildly like weeds.

Yes, she was personally brought from the mainland by Lin Haoran, who arranged for an assistant to take care of her, giving her a chance to change her fate.

Isn't this the biggest "label" that distinguishes her from the masses in Hong Kong?

Despite the huge gap behind this label, a slight connection is better than none at all.

She dared not hope for too much.

Status?

Looking at the family background of Lin Haoran's fiancée Guo Xiaohan, and then at the women in the vague rumors surrounding Lin Haoran, she knew it was impossible.

But she knew that Lin Haoran was interested in her; otherwise, he wouldn't have agreed to bring her along, nor would he have shown that possessive look in his eyes on the ship.

That day, she didn't even feel any aversion to that possessiveness; on the contrary, she was secretly pleased.

Now, after a month of reflection, he clearly understands that what she seeks is to climb this high branch, truly settle down in this bustling city, and gain protection and the possibility of sustainable development.

Even if it's just an ambiguous relationship, as long as she can gain his favor and resources, it's enough to change her life.

But what reason could you give to contact them?
Please have dinner?
Yes, that's the excuse!

Repaying his kindness was a perfectly legitimate reason that no one could criticize.

Moreover, the fact that she used money she earned through hard work and part-time jobs makes her seem more sincere and independent.

Her true purpose deep down was to create an opportunity to get closer to him, an opportunity to present herself to him and make a deeper impression.

But who is Lin Haoran?

He controls a business empire worth tens of billions or even more, handling major events that affect the livelihoods of tens of thousands of people every minute.

Would he even look at her insignificant meal?
Would you make time out of your busy schedule for her?

The immense uncertainty and the agonizing feeling of possibly being rejected instantly gripped her.

"What's there to be afraid of? The worst outcome is just being rejected, but if you don't try, you'll never have a chance!" Liu Xiaoli looked at her eyes in the mirror, which shone brightly with ambition and trepidation, and clenched her fists.

The opportunity was fleeting, and she couldn't wait any longer.

Miss Li's words acted as a catalyst, igniting her long-suppressed desires.

That day, she asked Lin Haoran for his contact information, but he didn't give it to her.

However, this didn't stump her. She knew that Zhou Meiqi, the temporary assistant Lin Haoran had assigned to her, would definitely be able to contact the other party.

She needs Zhou Meiqi's help.

The only way to contact Lin Haoran is through Assistant Zhou.

Taking a deep breath, Liu Xiaoli suppressed her wild thoughts and stopped practicing. Instead, she returned to her residence, took a quick shower, and changed into a simple yet elegant dress, a gift from Miss He, which was said to be worth several thousand Hong Kong dollars.

She found this place herself in the neighborhood. After she started earning money as a part-time teacher, she moved out of the hotel and, with the help of Assistant Zhou, found a studio apartment nearby that cost a little over a thousand Hong Kong dollars a month.

Carefully combing her long, smooth hair and applying a touch of makeup, she looked fresh and refined in the mirror, yet gentle and charming.

After leaving her residence, Liu Xiaoli went straight to a nearby convenience store, where she could make and receive phone calls for a fee.

She didn't have Lin Haoran's personal phone number, nor could she find his office. She couldn't even get into the Kang Le Building, so Zhou Meiqi was her only connection.

She dialed the office number that Zhou Meiqi had left for her.

The call was quickly answered, and Zhou Meiqi's efficient and formulaic voice came through: "Hello, this is Zhou Meiqi."

Liu Xiaoli's voice carried a hint of barely perceptible nervousness. She tried her best to make her tone sound natural and calm before she spoke: "Ms. Zhou, hello, I'm Liu Xiaoli. I'm sorry to bother you, but I need your help with something."

"Please speak, Miss Liu." Although Zhou Meiqi was somewhat surprised, she didn't say much.

“It’s like this,” Liu Xiaoli said, carefully choosing her words, her palms slightly sweaty. “Mr. Lin brought me to Hong Kong and gave me such a valuable learning opportunity, for which I have always been very grateful.”

During this time, I've saved up some money by teaching others to dance. I'd like to treat Mr. Lin to a simple meal to express my gratitude.

Although this meal is insignificant, it represents my goodwill. I would like to ask you to help me contact Mr. Lin and see if he has any free time recently.

There was silence on the other end of the phone for a few seconds.

This brief silence felt like centuries to Liu Xiaoli; her heart was pounding in her chest.

She could imagine what Zhou Meiqi was thinking at that moment—this girl from the mainland seemed to have a big heart?
As expected, Zhou Meiqi's voice carried a hint of businesslike detachment: "Ms. Liu, you're very kind, but Mr. Lin is extremely busy. His schedule is definitely packed, and his personal time is very limited. I'm just an assistant at Landmark Group..."

She didn't finish her sentence, but the meaning was clear.

Liu Xiaoli's heart sank suddenly, overwhelmed by a huge sense of loss.

Sure enough, it still doesn’t work?
I am still too naive.

She forced herself to be cheerful and prepared to accept the rejection: "I understand, Mr. Lin is very busy. I was presumptuous. I'm sorry, Ms. Zhou, for bothering you..."

"Wait," Zhou Meiqi suddenly spoke just as Liu Xiaoli was about to hang up the phone, her tone seemingly carefully chosen, "Ms. Liu, I will convey your sentiments to Mr. Lin."

As for whether Mr. Lin has the time or is willing to accept, that depends on his own decision and schedule. I cannot give you any guarantees. I will call Mr. Lin personally later, and I will contact you again if I have any news.

What a twist!

Liu Xiaoli's heart instantly soared from the depths of despair. Overwhelmed with joy, she was almost speechless. She quickly composed herself and said with sincere gratitude, "Thank you! Thank you so much, Miss Zhou! Thank you so much!"
Regardless of the outcome, I am very grateful that you were willing to pass on my message!

"You're welcome. Keep the phone accessible." Zhou Meiqi said and then hung up.

Hearing the busy tone on the phone, Liu Xiaoli slowly put down the receiver, her body trembling slightly, and a thin layer of sweat had seeped out from her back.

The brief conversation just now seemed to have exhausted all her strength.

Hope, like a faint flame, was rekindled after Zhou Meiqi said, "I will pass it on." Though faint, it was real.

She sat on a red plastic stool in the convenience store, looking out at the still bustling Causeway Bay in the evening, during the rush hour.

The dazzling lights reflected in her eyes, shimmering with complex emotions: anxious anticipation of the unknown outcome, a sense of powerlessness at her own insignificance, and a resolute determination to go all out.

Success or failure rests entirely on Lin Haoran's decision.

She picked up a copy of the Hong Kong Commercial Daily next to her. The headline of the financial section was an analysis of the future development of Hutchison Whampoa after Lin Haoran took over the company.

In the photo, Lin Haoran stands in front of the floor-to-ceiling window of the conference room on the top floor of the Kang Le Building, overlooking Hong Kong with a deep gaze, as if he is in control of the entire world's chess game.

This man, so distant, yet so profoundly influenced the course of her destiny.

Liu Xiaoli gently traced the cold profile of Lin Haoran on the newspaper with her fingers, murmuring softly, as if encouraging herself, or as if making a ritualistic declaration: "Mr. Lin, please, give me a chance."

Even if it's just... the time it takes to eat a meal.

(End of this chapter)