In Hong Kong, we build a global business empire

Chapter 782 Having ambition isn't a bad thing; winning over 'Fairy Mom'

The discussion on developing Pudong quickly came to an end.

Although Lin Haoran was the first to propose this, it is obviously difficult to implement it in the short term.

However, the shockwaves from this proposal continued to reverberate throughout the gathering.

At this moment, the leaders have already begun to envision the prosperous scene after the successful development of Pudong New Area.

Lin Haoran himself, however, seemed to have simply accomplished an ordinary little thing.

He calmly picked up a napkin to wipe his mouth, looked at the leaders and said, "When it comes to benchmarks and models, the development of Pudong requires time for planning and policy implementation, but Shanghai's current need to improve its international image and its urgent demand for high-end services is real and cannot be delayed."

Upon hearing this, the leaders all turned their attention away from their rosy visions of Pudong's future and focused their gaze back on Lin Haoran.

Lin Haoran, however, did not look back at the crowd. His gaze drifted leisurely to the brightly lit Bund, a collection of international buildings, outside the window, his tone tinged with a touch of melancholy.

He slowly said, "The Bund is the soul of Shanghai, a faithful witness to the long river of history, and a dazzling calling card to the world in the future."

However, if I may be frank, Shanghai, especially the Bund core area, still has very obvious shortcomings in terms of its capacity for top-tier business hospitality and international conferences.

Upon hearing this, the leader in the main seat instantly understood the deeper meaning behind Lin Haoran's words. A bitter and helpless smile appeared on his face, and he echoed with deep feeling, "Mr. Lin truly has keen insight and unique perspective! This is indeed a stubborn problem that has been troubling us!"
What you may not know is that sometimes, when receiving extremely important international guests or hosting high-level conferences, our existing Jinjiang and Peace Hotels, despite their rich historical heritage, do indeed lag behind top international standards in terms of updating hardware facilities, innovating service concepts, and improving management levels.

There were even times when we had to inconvenience our VIPs by arranging for them to stay at the Jinling Hotel in the neighboring city of Jinling! This made us lose face and caused us great anxiety!

The leaders present nodded in agreement, deeply agreeing.

This is indeed an extremely awkward yet urgent pain point that the Shanghai Stock Exchange urgently needs to address in its process of becoming internationalized.

Currently, the number of hotels in Shanghai that possess the qualifications to be important venues for foreign affairs receptions and can meet the accommodation needs of government officials and high-end business guests is extremely limited, even negligible.

Currently, the Peace Hotel is one, the Jinjiang Hotel is one, and the International Hotel is another.

Hotels that would later become quite famous, such as Huating Hotel and Shanghai Hotel, were either not yet in the planning stage or were still under construction at this time.

Take the Shanghai Hotel as an example; it wouldn't be completed until 1983.
The Huating Hotel didn't officially open to guests until 1986.

Even landmark hotels like the Peace Hotel, Jinjiang Hotel, and International Hotel, which carry historical memories, are old and dilapidated due to their age.

Even so, these hotels remain the mainstays of Shanghai's reception of foreign guests.

If there is a shortage of accommodation, some foreign guests will have to be arranged to stay in hotels in surrounding cities, such as the Jinling Hotel in Nanjing, and return to Shanghai the next day.

It must be said that as the city with the strongest economy in mainland China, Shanghai does have obvious shortcomings in terms of high-end hotel accommodations.

This is exactly the point of resonance that Lin Haoran has been waiting for.

When he was at the Peace Hotel, he could sense the hotel's strengths and weaknesses just by taking a quick look around.

After all, he owns two of the world's top luxury hotel brands: Mandarin Oriental and Peninsula Hotels.

In comparison, the Peace Hotel is indeed far inferior.

Take the Peninsula Hotel, for example. Although its architectural history is slightly less than that of the Peace Hotel, it is still 53 years old.

However, the Peninsula Hotels under his umbrella has been able to maintain its rich historical heritage while continuously and meticulously preserving and modernizing its facilities, thus remaining at the pinnacle of the world's luxury hotels.

"As you all know, my Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is one of the top luxury hotel groups in the world. I'm not exaggerating!" Lin Haoran looked at everyone and said with a smile.

No one objected to this.

As high-ranking government officials, they were naturally not as ignorant of the outside world as ordinary people. In fact, it could be said that they knew a great deal about Lin Haoran's development history.

Therefore, when Lin Haoran mentioned Mandarin Oriental, the leaders present all showed knowing expressions.

A leader in charge of foreign affairs remarked, "Mr. Lin is right. Last year, when I led a team to Hong Kong for an inspection, we stayed at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Central."

That stay was truly eye-opening; we were deeply impressed by both the service details and the level of facilities.

After returning, we kept thinking about when Shanghai would have a world-class hotel like this.

Lin Haoran nodded slightly and took over the conversation: "That's exactly what I wanted to express. An international metropolis not only needs well-developed infrastructure, but also a high-end service system to match it."

I have an idea to build a Mandarin Oriental hotel on the Bund. This would not only solve the current problem of insufficient high-end accommodation capacity, but also set a new benchmark for the service industry in Shanghai.

No one showed the slightest surprise upon hearing this.

After all, when Lin Haoran mentioned Mandarin Oriental earlier, they had already vaguely guessed his intentions.

Lin Haoran paused briefly before continuing his eloquent speech: "Coincidentally, the Mandarin Oriental and Peninsula hotel brands under my Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group have been approved to invest, construct, and operate in core cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou in the form of wholly foreign-owned enterprises."

He deliberately emphasized the phrase "wholly foreign-owned enterprise".

In this day and age, this is undoubtedly a major policy breakthrough!

The leaders present naturally understood what this meant.
This means that the cumbersome and complicated joint venture restrictions can be bypassed, and that the most advanced and authentic international top hotel brands and services can be introduced to the Shanghai market without any obstacles!
In fact, they had already received word of this.

"Therefore, I solemnly propose that a Mandarin Oriental hotel be built in Shanghai as its flagship store in mainland China! As for the location, I believe there is no more suitable and iconic place than the Bund!"

As he spoke, he raised his hand again and pointed out the window, this time to the brightly lit and dazzling Bund in Puxi: "The architecture of the Bund is itself frozen art, a treasure of history, and an excellent window for Shanghai to showcase its unique charm to the world."

If a prime location on the Bund, such as a historically significant building with a rich history but outdated functionality that urgently needs revitalization, could be entrusted to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group for protective restoration, renovation, and upgrading.

Transforming it into the 'Mandarin Oriental on the Bund', a hotel integrating top-tier luxury accommodations, international conferences, and upscale dining, will not only completely solve Shanghai's urgent need for high-end hospitality but also inject contemporary top-tier service into the century-old Bund, greatly enhancing Shanghai's image and soft power as an international metropolis!
It will become a new landmark in Shanghai, a shining city card, and a window to the world announcing Shanghai's openness and vitality!

Lin Haoran's description of the scene is extremely enticing: top brands, flagship hotels, renovation of historical buildings, prime location on the Bund, sole proprietorship operation...

Every word precisely hit the mark regarding the most pressing needs and the aspects that everyone present most wanted to improve.

This is no longer a distant blueprint for Pudong, but an urban upgrade and political achievement that is almost within reach and has immediate results!

Without any hesitation, the leader at the head of the table excitedly slapped the table and said, "Great! Excellent! Mr. Lin, this is truly a timely help, a stroke of genius! What we need is a top-tier hotel brand like the Mandarin Oriental Hotel!"

Your suggestion perfectly aligns with our urgent need to enhance the city's internationalization level. The protective reuse of historical buildings on the Bund has always been a key focus for us!
Your proposed "Mandarin Oriental, The Bund" hotel is forward-thinking, highly feasible, and of great significance! We fully agree with it!

He turned to his colleagues present and said in a resolute tone: "I think this matter can be handled as a special case! Mr. Lin has the state's sole operating rights, the management capabilities of a top international hotel, and the sincerity and plan to protect and utilize historical buildings. We in Shanghai should fully support and cooperate with him!"
After the meeting, please have the planning, housing management, culture and tourism, and commerce departments immediately form a joint team to sort out the available excellent historical building resources in the core area of ​​the Bund and give priority to Mr. Lin's right to choose!
We must allocate the best available location to support the flagship store's opening! We also need to streamline the relevant renovation approval process to ensure the project starts as soon as possible!

Another leader excitedly added, "Yes! This project is of extraordinary significance. It not only solves the hotel problem, but also represents an important step in enhancing the overall quality of the Bund and leading the coordinated development of both sides of the Huangpu River!"
Mr. Lin, rest assured, Shanghai will offer the most favorable terms, the best land, and the most convenient services to facilitate this benchmark project!
Let's open it to the public as soon as possible to relieve our urgent needs and let the world see a new look for Shanghai!

There wasn't a single dissenting voice, and the atmosphere in the meeting room reached an unprecedented level of enthusiasm.

The atmosphere of the banquet reached its climax at this point.

The grand strategic vision for the development of Pudong was like a bombshell, shattering the ceiling of thinking for Shanghai's leaders.

The Bund's top flagship hotel's solution, like a precise scalpel, cuts into the city's most painful nerve and provides the most perfect solution.

Lin Haoran's arrival not only brought astronomical investment figures, but also the golden key to reshaping the city's landscape and enhancing its capabilities.

Liu Xiaoli sat next to Lin Haoran, watching him casually outline the future of Pudong and the Bund amidst the clinking of glasses, his every move determining the direction of the city's development. That commanding leadership charisma brought her admiration for this young boss to its peak.

She knew that Shanghai, this vibrant and dynamic city, would become another important part of Lin Haoran's business empire.

And she herself is incredibly fortunate to stand at the forefront of this era, witnessing all of this unfold.

Outside the dinner window, the Huangpu River flowed quietly, its banks illuminated by twinkling lights.

The glorious history of Puxi and the dormant power of Pudong seemed to be awakened at this moment, in this banquet hall of the Peace Hotel, by Lin Haoran's words, and were about to usher in a great transformation.

"A toast to the future of Shanghai, to this land destined for greatness!" Lin Haoran said with a smile as he stood up, holding his wine glass.

All the leaders immediately stood up, clinked their glasses, and the crisp sound echoed in the banquet hall, filled with boundless anticipation for a shared future.

The banquet did not officially end until 8:30 p.m.

He won't be staying in Shanghai for long; Lin Haoran has already discussed this with his superiors.

He will stay in Shanghai for three days, which is October 22nd, before returning to Hong Kong.

Therefore, tomorrow a leader will take him on an inspection tour of the Shanghai market.

Today, Lin Haoran has become a distinguished guest of Shanghai's leaders, receiving the utmost courtesy.

After the banquet, the leaders personally escorted Lin Haoran to the hotel entrance. As they shook hands and said goodbye, they repeatedly reminded the relevant department heads to make sure to arrange the inspection itinerary for the next day.

After watching the leaders leave the Peace Hotel, Lin Haoran said to Liu Xiaoli, "Let's go back and rest."

Back in the presidential suite, the lights of the Bund and the sounds of ship horns on the Huangpu River were shut out from the windows, leaving only an almost stagnant silence inside the suite.

"Mr. Lin, would you like some tea?" Liu Xiaoli asked nervously.

This was the first time she had shared a suite with Lin Haoran, something that hadn't happened at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing.

However, while she was nervous, she was also a little excited.

This might be the opportunity she has been waiting for.

Lin Haoran loosened his tie, sat down on the sofa, crossed his legs, and said, "No need, I'm not thirsty."

Looking at his slightly tired profile, Liu Xiaoli said softly, "Then, shall I draw you a bath? A hot bath can relieve fatigue."

Lin Haoran nodded slightly: "Alright."

Liu Xiaoli stepped into the spacious bathroom, where the marble-paved space looked exceptionally luxurious under the soft lighting.

She adjusted the water temperature, poured warm water into the large jacuzzi, and carefully lit several scented candles.

The misty steam gradually spread, carrying a faint scent of sandalwood.

"Mr. Lin, the water is ready," she announced softly as she stepped out of the bathroom.

Lin Haoran got up and walked towards the bathroom, casually saying, "You've worked hard, you should get some rest too."

Although he had long desired her body, he never intended to force himself on her; he disdained to do such a thing.

The bathroom door closed gently. Liu Xiaoli stood outside, her heart pounding involuntarily.

She took a deep breath, and countless thoughts flashed through her mind.

From the first time she met Lin Haoran, to her request for him to take her to Hong Kong, to his repeated displays of charisma and wisdom in the business world, and finally to his commanding leadership at the banquet tonight.

She knew this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

A faint sound of water could be heard coming from the bathroom.

Liu Xiaoli finally made up her mind. She gently pushed open the bathroom door and went inside.

In the bathtub, Lin Haoran was resting with his eyes closed, the warm water flowing over his muscular chest.

Hearing footsteps, he opened his eyes and saw Liu Xiaoli standing by the bathtub, her face showing a hint of shyness, but her eyes were unusually firm.

“Mr. Lin,” her voice trembled slightly, “please allow me to serve you during your bath.”

As she spoke, she began to unbutton her shirt, her movements slow but without any hesitation.

Her clothes slipped off one by one, until finally she was completely exposed to Lin Haoran.

Lin Haoran's gaze lingered on her for a moment, a hint of appreciation flashing in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.

He didn't show much surprise, just nodded slightly: "Since you're so willing, then come on."

Liu Xiaoli's cheeks flushed as she carefully stepped into the bathtub, where the warm water instantly enveloped her body.

She took a bath sponge, squeezed on some shower gel, and began to wipe Lin Haoran's back.

Her movements were a little clumsy at first, but she quickly became skilled.

“You’ve done very well during this time,” Lin Haoran suddenly said.

Liu Xiaoli paused slightly, then continued: "It's all thanks to Mr. Lin's excellent guidance."

“No,” Lin Haoran gently shook his head, “It’s because you’re perceptive. Do you know why I brought you to the mainland this time?”

"Because I'm familiar with the situation in mainland China?"

“That’s one reason,” Lin Haoran turned to face her, “but more importantly, you know how to assess the situation and when to say and do things. Just like now.”

In reality, the main reason Lin Haoran brought her to the mainland was simply because she was familiar with the situation there, and also because he wanted someone to keep him company.

In Lin Haoran's view, Liu Xiaoli's role was merely that of a pretty vase.

But at this moment, looking at the proactive and docile woman in front of him, he didn't mind giving her more opportunities.

Liu Xiaoli felt a pang of heart palpitation, but she did not avoid his gaze: "Mr. Lin is my benefactor, I just want to share Mr. Lin's burdens."

Lin Haoran smiled slightly and reached out to stroke her wet hair: "You are very smart, Xiaoli, but you should know that being smart is not enough to stay by my side."

"I understand, and I will prove my worth."

She continued to wipe his body, her movements becoming increasingly gentle and meticulous.

The warm water, the delicate touch, the faint fragrance—everything made this night exceptionally ambiguous.

"To be honest, I don't need you to know anything. I have plenty of management talent under my command. There are only two things I value in you: your courage and..." Lin Haoran stopped there.

Liu Xiaoli didn't ask, because she knew in her heart that it was also because of her beauty!

She massaged his shoulders and neck even more vigorously, her slender fingers pressing the acupoints precisely.

The water in the bathtub rippled gently, and the distance between the two people closed without them even realizing it.

Liu Xiaoli could feel the powerful aura emanating from Lin Haoran, a confidence and composure that had been tempered by the business world.

“Xiaoli,” Lin Haoran suddenly grabbed her wrist, “do you know what I admire most about you?”

Liu Xiaoli's heart raced, and she gently shook her head.

“It’s your ambition,” Lin Haoran looked directly into her eyes. “You never hide what you want and are willing to work hard for it. In that respect, you’re just like me in the past.”

This statement flattered Liu Xiaoli.

She never imagined that she would be compared to this business tycoon.

"Mr. Lin, you flatter me. How can I compare to you..."

“No need to be modest,” Lin Haoran released her hand and leaned back against the edge of the bathtub. “In this era, having ambition is not a bad thing. The key is that you have the ability to support your ambition.”

These words made Liu Xiaoli fall into deep thought.

She understood that these were not just tender words spoken during a moment of passion, but also words spoken by a business tycoon, so there must be a reason behind them.

The two did not discuss work for the rest of the time.

Liu Xiaoli carefully washed Lin Haoran's body and massaged him to relax him.

Her movements were professional and gentle, clearly indicating that she had prepared thoroughly beforehand.

When Lin Haoran got out of the bathtub, Liu Xiaoli immediately draped a bathrobe over him.

Her gaze inadvertently swept over his muscular physique, and a blush rose on her face again.

"Stay tonight." Lin Haoran fastened his bathrobe belt, his tone calm but leaving no room for refusal.

Liu Xiaoli nodded gently: "Yes, Mr. Lin."

In the bedroom, soft lighting casts a warm and inviting glow over the entire space.

Liu Xiaoli helped Lin Haoran take off his bathrobe, and the two lay down together on the spacious bed.

"Don't worry," Lin Haoran seemed to sense the barely perceptible tension in her heart, and gently comforted her, "Just follow my rhythm, and everything will be fine."

After speaking, he slowly lowered his head and gently touched her lips. The kiss was like the warm spring sun, gentle and lingering, filled with endless tenderness.

Liu Xiaoli gradually let down her guard in his kiss, wholeheartedly responding to his embrace, as if the whole world had shrunk to just the two of them.

At this moment, she was no longer the temporary personal secretary who always maintained a professional distance from Lin Haoran, but a woman completely immersed in love and tenderness, with only him in her eyes and heart.

Overwhelmed with emotion, Liu Xiaoli unconsciously leaned close to his ear, her voice as soft as the wind: "Mr. Lin, I will always follow you, through thick and thin..."

Lin Haoran didn't say anything, but simply held her hand tighter.

As night deepened, the passion gradually subsided.

Liu Xiaoli nestled in his arms, feeling his steady heartbeat and enjoying this rare moment of peace.

"We have an inspection tomorrow, you should rest." Lin Haoran gently stroked her long hair, his tone mild.

"Hmm," Liu Xiaoli nodded obediently, but couldn't help asking, "Mr. Lin, did I... did I do well tonight?"

Lin Haoran glanced down at her, then at the red stain on the sheet, and smiled slightly: "Are you talking about work, or just now?"

He managed to win over the famous "Fairy Mother" from his previous life.

"They all have..."

"I'd give you an 80 for your work performance; as for now," he paused, a hint of a smile flashing in his eyes, "a 90."

This compliment made Liu Xiaoli overjoyed.

She knew that this was already a very high compliment for Lin Haoran.

"Go to sleep," Lin Haoran said, turning off the bedside lamp. "We still have a lot of work to do starting tomorrow."

In the darkness, Liu Xiaoli nestled in the arms of this strong man, her heart filled with anticipation for the future.

She knew that starting tonight, her relationship with Lin Haoran had entered a completely new phase.

And under his guidance, she will step onto a broader stage.

Outside the window, the faint sound of ship horns on the Huangpu River could be heard, as if providing accompaniment to this turbulent night.

As night deepened, tranquility returned to the suite.

Lin Haoran's breathing became steady and long, as if he had fallen asleep.

But Liu Xiaoli couldn't fall asleep for a long time. The transformation from a girl to a woman was a completely new experience.

She carefully turned to her side, using the dim light coming in from the window to gaze at the sleeping face of the man beside her.

At that moment, she remembered many things.

From the first time I met Lin Haoran in Shenzhen, to the nervousness when I mustered up the courage to ask him to take me to Hong Kong, to the awe I felt witnessing his strategic brilliance in the business world along the way.

She never imagined that she would be able to get so close to such a figure who stood at the pinnacle of the era.

What I never expected was that I would take such a bold step tonight.

But Liu Xiaoli has no regrets.

In this era of change, she knew that opportunities are fleeting.

Although she loved dancing since she was a child, she did not want to be just a dancer forever.

Being able to climb up to Lin Haoran's big tree was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for her.

She not only wanted to seize the opportunity, but also to hold onto it firmly.

(End of this chapter)