The private room door slowly closed, shutting out all sight. In her last glance, Lin Wan saw Fu Mingjun happen to look over, his gaze impossible to explain.
This time, Kaihua Construction Company would undertake the construction of Jiangcheng’s largest department store building, creating the tallest building in Jiangcheng’s history. The building would be fifteen stories high, fashionable and imposing, even more spectacular than Jiangcheng’s previous department stores, which had at most six floors.
Hong Kong businessmen investing, with the Jiangcheng government acting as a bridge, was both adding bricks and tiles to Jiangcheng’s development and also a businessman’s way of laying out plans.
Yang Minghui briefly talked with Fu Xiuhuai and the others about the purpose of this investment: “Our Boss Cheng and Boss Lin came to the mainland more than ten years ago. They themselves also have deep ties with the mainland and have invested in projects worth hundreds of millions one after another. This time they chose Jiangcheng because they value Jiangcheng’s development potential.”
Fu Xiuhuai drank tea with the man and discussed the upcoming construction plan. Although he had not personally seen Hong Kong City’s Xitian Building, he had asked someone to find photographs, and then combined Jiangcheng’s terrain and characteristics to plan a construction adapted to local conditions.
Lin Wan listened as the two talked freely with the Kaihua people about building the commercial building. She caught a bit here and there, mainly eating and drinking.
Jinzhuang Restaurant was a century-old establishment. It was said that Boss He’s ancestors had made imperial meals for the emperor in the palace, enjoying unmatched glory for a time. Later, during the Republic of China period, one branch returned to their hometown to open a restaurant. Business was naturally booming and passed down through generations. Then they encountered the great movement. That bit of palace history from their ancestors became a target for destroying the Four Olds and feudal superstition. The restaurant was torn down, and the people suffered several rounds of struggle sessions and were sent to a farm for reform.
After the great movement ended and rehabilitations proceeded one after another, the He family restaurant reopened. Relying on good craftsmanship, it grew bigger and bigger, spreading its fame widely. After more than a decade of development following reform and opening up, it was now an imposing three-story restaurant, the finest in Jiangcheng.
Whenever there was a banquet or treat, this was the first choice.
Lin Wan was visiting for the first time. She had long heard of its fame but had never tasted the imperial cuisine craftsmanship passed down from the palace. How could she not find it novel?
Eighteen exquisite dishes came to the table. The boiled cabbage was fresh and elegant. It looked light, but she heard it was carefully simmered with all kinds of chicken, duck, ham, and pork to make a consommé, with no meaty smell visible, yet full of fragrance everywhere. The cabbage in the consommé bloomed like a lotus, extremely refined.
The waiter patiently explained, and Yang Minghui, this Hong Kong businessman, listened with great interest: “This is truly a thoughtful dish. Interesting.”
Lin Wan took a sip of the consommé. It was fresh and fragrant, slightly sticky, with a pleasant gelatinous texture, yet not thick or greasy. The mouthfeel was excellent. The umami flavor in her mouth seemed to crash in layer upon layer like ocean waves, rich in depth. It deserved the evaluation of showing craftsmanship within simplicity.
Among the other seventeen dishes, Lin Wan tasted each one. Her favorite was the snowflake chicken custard. Minced meat mixed with egg white was stir-fried into a snowflake shape, fluffy and floss-like like piled snowflakes. Finally, minced ham was sprinkled on top. Entering the mouth, it was fragrant, soft, dense, and smooth.
After tasting each dish once, Lin Wan glimpsed that the snowflake chicken custard was across from her. She waited for the next time the dishes rotated to her, but heard Fu Xiuhuai and Yang Minghui discussing construction issues. Fu Xiuhuai’s gaze met the other man’s, yet his slender fingers pressed the rotating transparent turntable. Before long, the snowflake chicken custard stopped neither too far nor too close, exactly in front of her.
Lin Wan glanced at Fu Xiuhuai, but saw him calmly introducing the method of dry-braised abalone to Yang Minghui: “Mr. Yang, you can try the difference between this and Hong Kong City’s abalone and chicken wing casserole.”
Yang Minghui gave face and, after savoring it carefully, praised it greatly: “Both are good dishes. If taken to Hong Kong City to sell, they would surely also be able to open chain stores.”
Lin Wan silently scooped another spoonful of snowflake chicken custard into her bowl. By her ear, Fu Xiuhuai spoke a few lines of Cantonese, host and guest both delighted. It was fairly passable, at least not as plasticky as Hong Kong businessman Wang Yuanzhong’s Mandarin.
Yang Minghui was curious: “President Fu, did you specially learn this? It sounds very standard.”
Fu Xiuhuai was frank and open: “My wife loves Hong Kong City songs, films, and TV dramas. Having been by her side a lot, influenced by what I see and hear, I also understand a couple of lines.”
Lin Wan knew her task on this trip. Besides eating famous dishes, she naturally also had to help close the distance. At this moment she followed the thread and expressed a few sentences in Cantonese: “I also learned by myself from listening to songs for many years. It is not too standard.”
Yang Minghui’s eyes lit up: “Mrs. Fu is modest. You speak very authentically. Back then, when our Boss Lin first went from the mainland to Hong Kong City, he also did not know Cantonese and learned later. It really seems you have fate.”
During the meal, they chatted from this construction task to the close ties between Hong Kong City and the mainland, and then from the cultural and entertainment customs of the two places to Fu Xiuhuai’s company and the investment of Hong Kong businessmen Cheng and Lin.
At the end, Lin Wan suddenly caught a bit of familiarity in what she had just heard and said with a smile: “Speaking of Xitian Building, I did find it familiar. Now I finally remember. Our garment factory also hosted a Hong Kong businessman, and he mentioned Xitian Building.”
Yang Minghui became interested: “Oh, which Hong Kong businessman? I have been in Hong Kong City for many years and, following our young master, have met all kinds of Hong Kong businessmen. Famous or unknown, there is no one I do not know. Could it be an old acquaintance?”
“Surname Wang, named Wang Yuanzhong, forty-eight years old. He said Xitian Building used to be his, and later he got tired of it and sold it.” Lin Wan saw Yang Minghui’s expression change upon hearing this and could not help finding it strange.
“Wang Yuanzhong? This name is rather unfamiliar, but the previous owner of Xitian Building was indeed surnamed Wang.” Yang Minghui searched his mind for memories from more than ten years ago. “Did that person have any characteristics?”
Lin Wan thought briefly: “He was quite tall, somewhat fat, square-round face. Oh, he had a black mole on the tip of his nose, quite obvious.”
“A black mole on the tip of his nose?” Yang Minghui’s thoughts drifted back many years, and he suddenly remembered someone. “Then his real name should be Wang Tianwei. I really do know him. But he is a businessman who went bankrupt long ago. How is he still trying to invest in the mainland? Mrs. Fu, you must keep your eyes open.”
Lin Wan’s brows furrowed slightly. She had not expected to hear the word “bankrupt” from Yang Minghui’s mouth: “He even changed his name? That Hong Kong businessman Wang Yuanzhong went bankrupt? Could he have struggled and made his fortune again over these ten-plus years?”
“That should not be the case.” Yang Minghui knew the major and minor companies and bosses in Hong Kong City clearly. But now the matter concerned an old acquaintance he had not seen for years, so he did not speak with absolute certainty. “Xitian Building really was in Wang Tianwei’s hands back then. This person was also superstitious and even had a master calculate whether the mole on the tip of his nose was good or bad. If it blocked his wealth, it had to be removed. Thus among Hong Kong businessmen, some who heard of it called him Black-Nose Wang. But this person was expert in eating, drinking, whoring, and gambling, and bankrupted the building. Our Boss Lin acquired Xitian Building at a court auction to recover debts. People all say people are different. Our Boss Lin knows how to do business. In just a few years he made Xitian Building famous throughout Hong Kong, and later opened chain commercial buildings in several other Asian countries and the mainland. As far as I know, Wang Tianwei later even picked through garbage for a living for a while. He made no progress. I have not heard of him making his fortune again… As for him now changing his name to Wang Yuanzhong and coming to the mainland to invest, I do not know whether it is true or false.”
It was a completely different account from that of Hong Kong businessman Wang Yuanzhong. Lin Wan was startled inwardly. Could the Hong Kong businessman the garment factory was hosting be a swindler?
The conversation had come this far, and Lin Wan could not be completely certain. But Yang Minghui was a shrewd man and proactively offered to help: “I will make a phone call to Hong Kong City in a while and ask someone to help inquire about Wang Tianwei’s current specific situation.”
“Then I truly thank you.” Lin Wan’s heart pounded. Surely the garment factory would not be that unlucky.
Over the course of one meal, the welcome banquet ended amicably. Fu Xiuhuai was likewise generous, booking a luxury suite at a four-star hotel for Yang Minghui and arranging a plan for touring Jiangcheng.
The group left their seats and walked out of the private room. In the magnificently decorated lobby, Fu Xiuhuai invited Yang Minghui to visit Kaihua Company tomorrow: “Mr. Yang, you just arrived in Jiangcheng today. Rest well tonight. Tomorrow you are welcome to visit Kaihua and, by the way, jointly discuss the building proposal.”
Yang Minghui had other work arrangements. Hearing this, he was very satisfied: “See you tomorrow.”
As they said goodbye, Fu Xiuhuai arranged for the driver to take Yang Minghui back to the hotel in the Santana. As the car slowly started, a noisy commotion came from behind.
A group of young men in their early twenties clustered out, every one flushed red from drinking, reeking of alcohol, arms around shoulders as they loudly shouted about going to the Golden Phoenix Karaoke Hall to keep drinking.
“That kid Liang Bin told us to come over. He said to drink freely and that he saved us the best booth.”
And the one in the middle was none other than Fu Mingjun.
Fu Mingjun’s face was also flushed from drinking, but when his gaze landed on the group ahead, it suddenly became clear.
Fu Xiuhuai adjusted his shirt cufflinks. His deep gaze swept over the group of young men and he spoke lightly: “Mingjun.”
The simple word seemed to carry no emotion that could be heard, yet they instantly silenced the drunken young men in the lobby.
Although the group did not know the mature man before them, members of the same sex always loved to compete. If the other party were a green young man, these people would probably not spare him a glance, disdainful and dismissive. But the other party was a tall, mature man with a steady aura. One light word made people unconsciously quiet down, showing his authority.
“Fu Mingjun, who is this?” Among the young men, a tall one with a square face was curious, yet lowered his voice out of intimidation by the man opposite.
Fu Mingjun was red-faced from drink, but could not do anything outside. He could only call out: “Uncle.”
They had long heard that the Fu family, wealthy merchants in Jiangcheng, had considerable financial strength. These people had eaten, drunk, and played a lot with Fu Mingjun, but had never seen the Fu family’s head. Now they all widened their eyes to catch a glimpse of Fu Mingjun’s uncle’s bearing.
“Hello, Uncle.”
“Uncle, we’re all brothers with Fu Mingjun!”
Fu Xiuhuai lightly swept his eyes over them and only gave a slight nod. Then he instructed his nephew: “If you’ve been drinking, don’t wander outside. Go home early and rest. I’ll have someone take you.”
Lin Wan watched with her own eyes as Fu Xiuhuai, like a loving elder, reminded his nephew, while the nephew’s eyes were red, his gaze landing on herself.
At this moment there were many people and it was chaotic. Lin Wan was somewhat nervous. Fu Mingjun’s appearance was indeed somewhat strange.
“Uncle brought his wife to eat, while poor me is alone.” Fu Mingjun sneered.
The others present only took this as a nephew teasing his uncle and all started joking. Only Lin Wan’s heart tightened, her toes curling into the ground.
How about you uncle and nephew chat by yourselves? She wanted to retreat first.
Fu Mingjun’s post-drinking demeanor was poor, making Fu Xiuhuai appear even more mature and steady. The man placed his hand on Lin Wan’s waist and said lightly with a smile: “Be more mature yourself. Marrying early is the proper path. No need to envy others. Go back and rest quickly.”
With that, Fu Xiuhuai turned his steps and led everyone to take taxis away.
Lin Wan did not know what was going on with this uncle and nephew being at odds every time, yet each also disparaging and slandering the other. She actually did not know whom to believe.
Behind her, Fu Mingjun and that group of fair-weather friends who did not look kind continued to make quite a commotion, drunken clamor. Faintly came one person’s question.
“Fu Mingjun, your uncle is right. You get married yourself. Stop envying your uncle. But where’s your girlfriend? I heard before that you had a super beautiful girlfriend. Why are you still hiding her…”
After Lin Wan left, Fu Mingjun looked at the departing figure ahead and slowly spat out a few words: “She was snatched away.”
After successfully receiving the Hong Kong businessman representative Yang Minghui of Xitian Building, Lin Wan headed alone toward Cuihu Villa, while Fu Xiuhuai had to take the company people back for a meeting.
When they parted, Fu Xiuhuai had invited Lin Wan to come along, but she politely declined.
Lin Wan did not agree to go to the office and wait for him, preferring to go back and rest herself.
After six days of work, Lin Wan returned to the bedroom and opened the computer she had not touched for six days, wanting to search for clues on BBS and in chat rooms. But mainland chat rooms had few Hong Kong City people, so naturally little was known about Hong Kong businessmen.
Occasionally a netizen from Yue City or Shen City mentioned a few bits of Hong Kong businessman information, but also expressed that they had not heard of any Wang Yuanzhong. They did know, however, of the renowned wealthy couple Cheng Wanting and Lin Keying from Hong Kong City across the water not far away. Even their secretary Yang Minghui was quite famous.
After hurriedly browsing chat room messages, Lin Wan could see that this wealthy couple had astonishing financial power and real substance. Even their investments in the mainland had appeared in quite a few newspapers, but only their names and surnames appeared, with no photographs published.
Compared with other top Hong Kong City tycoons who were high-profile and famous, they could not be called anything but low-key.