In Hong Kong, we build a global business empire

Chapter 770 A Beautiful Prey
In an unassuming convenience store in Causeway Bay, an old ceiling fan spins listlessly overhead, emitting a buzzing noise.

Liu Xiaoli sat on the red plastic stool, her thoughts already drifting far away.

She was waiting, waiting for an opportunity that she didn't know if it would come true.

Just half an hour earlier, while she was practicing dance in the training room of the dance school, listening to her classmate, Miss Li, talk about those girls who were favored by the "big tap" in an envious and slightly frivolous tone, a strong sense of resentment and longing completely ignited within her.

A month in Hong Kong felt like opening Pandora's box.

Before my eyes, rows of skyscrapers pierce the sky;
In the shop windows, luxury goods gleamed and dazzled the eye;

Lin Haoran's legendary business exploits were widely publicized in newspapers and magazines...

This city is completely different from all other cities in the mainland, whether it is the familiar city of Jiangcheng or the renowned cities of Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.

The city's prosperity and the supreme power represented by Lin Haoran created a fatal attraction.

She is no longer the bewildered and lost girl from the mainland, Liu Xiaoli, who first arrived.

The intense yet professional training at the Hong Kong Dance Association branch honed her dance skills and subtly changed her mindset.

She observed how the girls here dressed, how they spoke, and how they seized every opportunity that might change their destiny.

Miss Li's words, "Find a big enough water tap like Mr. Lin and you'll never have to worry about money again," swirled in her mind like a curse.

She possesses a beauty that Miss Li and others cannot match, as well as dance skills honed since childhood. Furthermore, she has conditions that they can never attain. She truly knows Lin Haoran, and the two even have connections!

Thus, this almost desperate decision was made: to invite Mr. Lin to a meal under the pretext of "repaying Mr. Lin's great kindness in bringing me to Hong Kong to study".

Beneath this clumsy excuse lay the burning flame of her ambition to be seen and to get closer to the core of power.

"Ms. Zhou, please tell Mr. Lin that I would like to invite him to dinner to express my gratitude..."

When the call connected, her voice trembled with nervousness. She could even imagine how Zhou Meiqi on the other end of the line would frown. How could a mainland girl, who was casually arranged to meet someone, dare to take the initiative to invite a rising business tycoon from Hong Kong?

That's too presumptuous and overestimating my abilities.

She was prepared to be politely rejected, or even to be lectured by Zhou Meiqi.

However, Zhou Meiqi remained silent for a few seconds before calmly replying, "Okay, Ms. Liu, I will pass on your request to Mr. Lin."

Then came this agonizing wait.

She didn't go back to the dance studio, nor did she dare go back to the single apartment where she was temporarily staying, for fear of missing Lin Haoran's reply.

She chose this street corner store, not far from the dance school and with relatively few people, and stood guard by the public phone, as if awaiting her fate.

Time seemed to stretch out, thick and long, with each second filled with anxiety and self-doubt.

Sweat soaked through the T-shirt on his back, and stray hairs from his forehead clung to his skin.

Just as she was about to give up and drag her heavy steps away, the convenience store's phone suddenly rang shrilly!

The boss lazily picked up the phone, listened for a moment, and then called out, "Hey sis, it's for you!"

Liu Xiaoli jumped up from the plastic stool, grabbed the phone, and asked in a trembling voice, "Hello? Miss Zhou?"

“Ms. Liu, Mr. Lin asked me to tell you that he has agreed. Please go to the main entrance of the Elizabeth Building in Causeway Bay and wait there. His driver will arrive in about twenty minutes to pick you up.” Zhou Meiqi’s voice even carried a hint of surprise, but to Liu Xiaoli at that moment, it sounded like heavenly music.

accepted!
That man actually agreed!
A tremendous surprise surged through her body like an electric current, almost making her lose her balance.

All the anxiety and self-doubt vanished in an instant, leaving only a dizzying ecstasy.

"Thank you! Thank you, Miss Zhou! I'll go right away! Right away!" Liu Xiaoli thanked him repeatedly, her voice rising with excitement, which drew a strange look from the convenience store owner.

She hurriedly hung up the phone, forgetting even to take her change, and practically ran out of the convenience store.

The Elizabeth Building is one of Causeway Bay's landmark buildings, its magnificent glass curtain wall gleaming in the afternoon sun.

Liu Xiaoli stood in a relatively inconspicuous corner next to the main entrance of the building, trying to calm her rapid breathing and tidy her hair and clothes, which were slightly disheveled from running.

She wore her best floral dress today, which is said to be from a big brand. As the saying goes, clothes make the man, and she felt that she looked even better in it.

However, she dared not get too close to the main entrance of the building, fearing that her out-of-place appearance would attract the attention of the security guards. She could only keep looking around, her heart pounding in her chest, a mixture of excitement and an indescribable tension and trepidation.

She was finally going to get up close and personal with the man who had changed her life.

About twenty minutes felt like an eternity to her.

Finally, a sturdy and imposing black sedan glided silently to the front of the Elizabeth Building, like a fish swimming in the water.

The car window rolled down, revealing a familiar face to Liu Xiaoli: Li Weidong!

Liu Xiaoli felt a sudden sense of relief, followed by an even stronger sense of security.

During the opening ceremony of Pengcheng Industrial Park and the days when he went through the formalities, this taciturn but sharp-eyed driver and bodyguard followed Lin Haoran almost the entire time. Liu Xiaoli remembers him.

She knew he was Lin Haoran's absolute confidant; his presence itself represented a form of recognition and security.

"Miss Liu, please get in the car." Li Weidong spotted Liu Xiaoli standing there at a glance.

"Thank you!" Liu Xiaoli quickly opened the back door and got in.

The car was spacious, the leather seats smelled nice, and the air conditioning was on full blast, instantly dispelling the heat of waiting on the street.

She sat upright with her hands on her knees, but her gaze couldn't help but wander curiously over the luxurious car.

The car started smoothly, merged into the traffic, and headed towards the Central Ring Road.

As the bustling street scene outside the window flashed by, Liu Xiaoli's heart gradually calmed down.

The car drove directly into the underground passage of the Kang Le Building and stopped at the door of a dedicated elevator that goes directly to the top floor.

Li Weidong did not get out of the car, but said, "Miss Liu, please wait a moment, the boss will be down soon."

A moment later, the elevator doors opened with a "ding".

Lin Haoran stepped out, followed by several bodyguards.

He wore well-tailored dark trousers and a fine light gray shirt, with the sleeves casually rolled up to his forearms, and no tie.

Compared to the solemnity of the opening ceremony in Shenzhen and the formality of his interviews with reporters on television, he appeared more casual, yet possessed a powerful aura of complete control.

As he walked to the back door, his gaze fell on Liu Xiaoli inside the car.

Li Weiguo bent down to open the car door for Lin Haoran.

"Mr. Lin!" Liu Xiaoli hurriedly tried to get out of the car; she was very nervous at that moment.

"No need to get down." Lin Haoran waved his hand and sat directly in the back seat, next to Liu Xiaoli.

The car door closed, isolating the outside world.

Inside the closed carriage, only the two of them remained.

Liu Xiaoli instantly felt as if the air around her had become thick.

She could clearly smell the cool and elegant scent of aftershave on Lin Haoran, mixed with an indescribable sense of oppression befitting a superior.

She could even feel her cheeks getting slightly hot.

"Have you been waiting long?" Lin Haoran turned his head to look at her, a faint smile on his lips, breaking the suffocating silence in the carriage.

His gaze swept calmly across her face, with a scrutinizing quality.

Compared to the dancer who had mustered up her courage and had a determined look in her eyes in the lobby of the Pengcheng Wenhua Hotel a month ago, Liu Xiaoli in front of me seemed to have undergone some subtle changes.

His skin seemed fairer and smoother, and his eyes held less of the fear of someone newly arrived in this noble place and more of an adaptation to the city. There was even a hint of barely perceptible ambition, nurtured by prosperity.

This change was within his expectations, and he also found it interesting.

A beautiful prey walked into the hunting area on its own.

"No! Mr. Lin, I just arrived recently," Liu Xiaoli replied quickly, her voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible tension and an effort to maintain composure.

She quietly clenched her hands on her knees. "Thank you, Mr. Lin, for giving me this opportunity. I'd like to invite you to dinner to express my gratitude."

"Hmm," Lin Haoran responded noncommittally, turning his gaze to the rapidly receding street scene outside the car window, and casually asked, "Where are you planning to take me to eat?"

"I..." Liu Xiaoli paused for a moment when asked the question, as she hadn't really thought of a specific place.

Inviting Lin Haoran to dinner was just a lame excuse for her.

The most upscale restaurants she could usually access were the clean, tidy, and decent-tasting local tea restaurants or small eateries in Causeway Bay, which were definitely not luxurious.

She quickly searched her mind for places that she remembered as "high-class," and finally came up with a Cantonese restaurant that she and her dance classmates had been to and thought had great food and ambiance.

"Mr. Lin, I ate at a restaurant called 'Wing Kee' in Causeway Bay. Their typhoon shelter-style fried crab and roast goose were very authentic, and the ambiance was also..."

Before she could finish speaking, Lin Haoran gently interrupted her: "There are too many people and too many eyes in Causeway Bay, so the Rongji place you mentioned shouldn't be very big."

He turned his head, his gaze returning to Liu Xiaoli's face, as if he could see through her inner unease. "How about this, let's go to the Joyful Restaurant."

Joyful Restaurant?
Liu Xiaoli almost cried out in surprise.

Although she hadn't been there in person, over the past month, whether she heard her wealthy classmates talking about it at the dance academy or read about Hong Kong's top restaurants in newspapers and magazines, the name "Joyful Place" had become very well-known!
It is said that a single meal can easily cost thousands or even tens of thousands of Hong Kong dollars, and a bottle of wine is also something she can't afford with her entire fortune!

The corkage fee alone could be equivalent to her monthly salary as a part-time dance teacher!
She subconsciously touched the thin envelope in her small bag, which contained a little over three thousand Hong Kong dollars—her savings from a month of frugal living.

In Hong Kong, you have to spend money on food and accommodation, and the cost of living is not low. I was able to save more than three thousand dollars, which was thanks to the generous help from that Miss He.

How could this be possible?
Her face turned pale instantly, and she could hardly hide her embarrassment and panic.

Should we go to the Joyful Restaurant?

She might not even be able to afford a single main course, even if she gave up everything she had!
But for her to say "It's too expensive, I can't afford it" in front of Lin Haoran was worse than killing her!
This was not only a financial hardship, but also a fatal blow to her self-esteem and budding ambition.

Is her first attempt to take the initiative going to end in such an embarrassing way?
However, just as Liu Xiaoli was in a state of panic and almost wanted to disappear into the ground, Lin Haoran seemed to see her predicament: "Don't worry, this meal is on me."

He paused, looking at Liu Xiaoli's suddenly raised eyes, filled with surprise and confusion, and the faint smile on his lips deepened, as if he was quite satisfied with the dramatic effect he had brought.

“Joyful Place is a property under Hongkong Land Group, and Hongkong Land Group is under my control, so it’s nothing for me to have a meal at my own place.”

Joyful Arrival... was it opened by Mr. Lin himself?
Liu Xiaoli was completely stunned, her mouth slightly open, unable to utter a single word for a long time.

She knew that Lin Haoran was very rich and had a high status. She knew that he was the largest shareholder of Hutchison Whampoa and that even Li Jiacheng had to submit to him. But she had never so directly felt the incredible height that such wealth and power could reach!

A top-tier restaurant that she considered unattainable was actually just an insignificant piece of his vast business empire.

Liu Xiaoli had only been in Hong Kong for a short time. Although she had gained some understanding of Lin Haoran through the newspapers, it was still not comprehensive enough.

Following the initial shock came an indescribable sense of emotion.

He saw through her embarrassment, but instead of mocking her, he gently brushed away all her awkwardness in a considerate, even somewhat domineering, manner.

This act of care touched her heart more deeply than any expensive gift.

This allowed her to see a rare, subtle tenderness beneath the man's powerful exterior.

Or is it just a condescending act of charity?

"Mr. Lin, this, this is not right!" Liu Xiaoli realized what was happening and quickly shook her head, her tone sincere and insistent. "It was agreed that I would treat you to express my gratitude. Even if it's a joyful occasion, I should be the one to pay!"

This persistence contained her self-respect, as well as a certain attitude she wanted to show. She was not just thinking about currying favor, but also wanted to prove that she was capable of repaying this "kindness," even if it was very meager.

Lin Haoran's gaze lingered on her face for a few seconds. In the end, he didn't refuse again, but simply nodded and smiled, "Okay."

A simple word, yet it lifted a huge weight off Liu Xiaoli's heart and brought a faint sense of joy. She had won the right to "pay the bill," even if it might only be symbolic in the end.

"Go to the joy of Central," Lin Haoran instructed Li Weidong in the front row.

Then he added to Li Weiguo, who was sitting in the passenger seat, "Weiguo, call the restaurant and arrange a quiet private room."

"Yes, boss," Li Weiguo replied, picking up his mobile phone to make the call.

When Liu Xiaoli stepped onto the thickly carpeted, gilded steps of the Xiyuelai Restaurant and was respectfully led into the luxurious private room called "Guanlan" by a waiter in a smart uniform, she truly understood the meaning of the word "top-tier".

The huge floor-to-ceiling windows offer an unparalleled view of Victoria Harbour, crystal chandeliers reflect dazzling light, every piece of tableware is as exquisite as a work of art, and waiters are always by your side yet maintain just the right distance.

The luxurious scene instantly reminded her of the grand banquet at the opening ceremony of Pengcheng Industrial Park, but this place was more private and more prestigious, making her more aware of the insurmountable gap between herself and Lin Haoran.

"Take a look and see what you'd like to eat?" Lin Haoran pushed the beautifully presented menu, resembling a picture book, in front of Liu Xiaoli.

Liu Xiaoli flipped through the menu, her fingers stiffening as she looked at the unheard-of dish names and the astonishing prices.

She tried to remain calm and gently pushed the menu back to Lin Haoran: "Mr. Lin, I'm not familiar with this place. Please order. Whatever you think is good, it will be good."

She handed the choice back to her, which was the safest approach.

Lin Haoran did not refuse and casually ordered a series of dishes to the waiter: "Two bowls of Tianjiu shark fin, steamed grouper, cheese-baked Australian lobster with noodles, typhoon shelter stir-fried king crab, a serving of superior vegetable soup, and two bowls of bird's nest."

He spoke at a steady pace, as if he were ordering a casual meal.

As Liu Xiaoli listened to these names, she desperately tried to recall the corresponding exorbitant prices, especially the words "Tianjiu Wings," "Australian Lobster," "King Crab," and "Bird's Nest," which made her heart clench again.

The money spent on this meal is probably more than she could earn in her entire life with the Jiangcheng Song and Dance Troupe!

The dishes were served one after another, each one as exquisite as a work of art.

The bright red lobster meat, the snow-white and tender crab meat, the shark fin soup gleaming with an enticing sheen...

Liu Xiaoli sat opposite, her movements somewhat restrained.

She was born into a well-off family in Northeast China and had never lacked food or clothing since childhood, but the level of luxury she was witnessing was completely beyond her comprehension.

She carefully picked up her chopsticks and savored the exquisite delicacies she had never tasted before. Her taste buds were overwhelmed by the ultimate deliciousness, but her inner emotions were even more complex—shock, inferiority, a slight sense of guilt brought about by enjoyment, and an increasingly strong desire to stay in this world.

Soft music played in the private room, and the atmosphere seemed to ease somewhat thanks to the delicious food.

Lin Haoran ate with elegance and composure, occasionally asking Liu Xiaoli about her studies at the dance training school and whether she was adapting to life there.

Liu Xiaoli carefully replied, "Everything is fine, thank you for your concern, Mr. Lin. The teachers at the school are very professional, and I have learned a lot of dances that are not available in mainland China. I also do some part-time work teaching students Chinese classical dance."

She specifically mentioned the part-time job to show that she was not entirely dependent on his financial support and was also trying to integrate and earn money.

Lin Haoran nodded, seemingly unconcerned about these details.

He picked up his bone china teacup, took a sip of fragrant tea, and looked at Liu Xiaoli through the rising steam. Suddenly, his tone shifted, becoming casually inquisitive:

"Miss Liu, have you ever been to the capital?"

The capital? Liu Xiaoli was slightly taken aback, not understanding why Lin Haoran suddenly asked about this.

She put down her chopsticks and answered seriously, "I've been there many times, Mr. Lin. I used to go to Beijing with the song and dance troupe for performances, and I also went there for tourism during holidays. I've been to famous attractions such as the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, the Summer Palace, and the Temple of Heaven."

I also enjoy exploring the hutongs and trying the time-honored snacks hidden deep in the alleys, such as Baodu Feng, Luzhu Huoshao, Wandouhuang, and Lvdagun...

When she spoke of Beijing, her words unconsciously carried a hint of familiarity and nostalgia, and her voice became a little lighter.

"The red leaves of Fragrant Hills in autumn, the golden ginkgo avenue at the end of October, and the sunset over the Forbidden City from the Wanchun Pavilion in Jingshan Park are all beautiful."

She tried her best to depict the unique beauty of the capital, hoping to pique Lin Haoran's interest.

Lin Haoran listened quietly, his fingers unconsciously tapping lightly on the gleaming dining table—a habitual gesture when he was thinking.

His gaze fell on Liu Xiaoli's face, which appeared vivid and bright as she reminisced.

This appearance gradually overlapped with that of the famous Liu Tianxian in later generations.

Liu Xiaoli is only 22 years old now, in the prime of her youth.

The later Liu Tianxian clearly inherited her beauty, which is enough to show that she was very beautiful.

What Liu Xiaoli was showing at this moment was a sense of familiarity with that ancient city and an appreciation for beautiful things, not deliberate flattery or affectation.

This made the idea that had just begun to sprout in his mind even clearer.

He just received an invitation letter today from the mainland's representative in Hong Kong, inviting him to attend an economic symposium to be held in Beijing in the middle of the month.

He had originally planned to arrive in Beijing a few days earlier than planned.

Besides official business, he also needs a companion who is familiar with the local environment, can help him with some daily chores, and is also "safe" enough.

Guo Xiaohan was busy with the foundation's disaster relief work in Guangdong Province, and her status as the daughter of the Guo family in Southeast Asia sometimes attracted attention in Beijing.

It's even less likely that generals like Ma Shimin and Burton would do these things.

Lin Haoran's gaze lingered for a moment on Liu Xiaoli's beautiful face and elegant demeanor.

She comes from the mainland, is familiar with the customs and culture of Beijing, and has a relatively simple background, so having her around won't arouse too much political speculation.

Moreover, she clearly harbored a strong sense of gratitude, or rather, ambition, for herself, eager to seize the opportunity.

More importantly, she was beautiful enough that taking her out was appropriate for his status.

However, is this beautiful vase clever enough and sensible enough?

When Liu Xiaoli mentioned watching the sunset at Jingshan Park, Lin Haoran made a decision.

He looked into Liu Xiaoli's eyes, leaning back in his chair. The soft light in the private room was partially blocked by his broad figure, casting a shadow on Liu Xiaoli and conveying an invisible sense of control.

Lin Haoran's voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached Liu Xiaoli's ears: "I'm going to Beijing for a meeting in the middle of the month, and I'll be there a few days early. Since you know Beijing so well..."

He paused deliberately, looking calmly into the other person's eyes, and asked, "Would you like to come with me?"

These words were like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples in Liu Xiaoli's heart.

She froze instantly, and the spoon she had just held in her hand, ready to scoop up the soup, jingled softly as it slipped back into the bowl.

Going to Beijing with Mr. Lin?
(End of this chapter)