The impact of Hong Kong’s ‘67 incident’ last year was profound, leading many Hong Kong middle-class individuals, influenced by British propaganda, to emigrate. Some sold all their Hong Kong assets, leaving without a trace of nostalgia; while others, though retaining their wealth in Hong Kong, emigrated with their entire families, making money in Hong Kong and spending it overseas. Most of the properties Zheng Bai Cheng acquired were from the former group.
Returning from the Bai Shi Manor, he now needed to prepare for organizing these properties and injecting them into a new company.
“There are thirteen industrial buildings in total, scattered across Chai Wan, Kwun Tong, Sham Shui Po… and other locations. With Hong Kong’s recent recovery, these thirteen industrial buildings generate annual rental income of three million Hong Kong dollars, with room for growth. In Wan Chai, there’s a one-hectare plot of land, along with an old building next to it that was acquired together. Combining the two would allow for the construction of a nearly two-thousand square meter Class A building. There’s also a five-thousand square meter area of old buildings in Kowloon City, close to Yau Tsim Mong, where we could build a residential district with commercial spaces on the lower floors…”
This was Han Yu Fang reporting her work to Zheng Bai Cheng, who currently only had a little over three million Hong Kong dollars in cash, while Tao Da Food also only had a cash flow of over two million Hong Kong dollars, an amount he couldn't afford to draw from.
“…In addition to the large tracts of land, there are also a number of smaller properties acquired: a one-hectare villa in Repulse Bay, a three-thousand square meter villa in the same area, three villas in Happy Valley, and six tenements in Yau Tsim Mong…”
Listening to Han Yu Fang’s comprehensive report, Zheng Bai Cheng could only accept it with joy. Han Yu Fang was also quite surprised. The young man before her had amassed wealth in a short span of time that others might take several lifetimes to achieve, leaving her astonished and filled with admiration.
Zheng Bai Cheng knew his limitations. After the initial joy, he was quickly brought back to reality. He said, “With so many properties, spread out across different locations, managing them myself would be a huge hassle. I intend to establish a company, injecting some of the properties into it, while the remaining properties would be managed by this company.”
Han Yu Fang didn't expect Zheng Bai Cheng to have such ideas. This would save a significant amount of taxes, and she naturally agreed wholeheartedly.
“Mr. Zheng, do you have any specific plans?”
Zheng Bai Cheng replied, “I’m planning to establish a holding company, called Hong Kong Victoria Holdings, which will hold both Tao Da Food and the new company. The new company will be called Hong Kong Golden Integrity Real Estate, while Tao Da Food will become Tao Da Group, with a food company and a paper company under it. We’ll continue to refine these divisions in the future. For now, we’ll take things step by step, one bite at a time.”
After arranging his work, Zheng Bai Cheng returned home. However, they no longer resided in the rented accommodation in Central District. They were currently staying at the villa in Happy Valley, a temporary arrangement for him.
“Father, I’m back.”
In the villa, besides Hao Ming Qiang, there were also four or five servants and the housekeeper. He was no longer called Hao Ming Qiang now, and people outside referred to him as “Lucky Strong.”
“Good, good. Quickly bring the good soup I had prepared for the young master.” Hao Ming Qiang was living a comfortable life now, with a car for travel and servants at home. The housekeeper handled any issues that arose.
Seeing Hao Ming Qiang's radiant glow, Zheng Bai Cheng was delighted. He laughed, "Father, I can handle it myself.”
“Son, you’ve been working so hard outside. It's only right you get some good nourishment when you’re home.”
“I know, I know.”
Hao Ming Qiang saw Lin Xiao Hua following behind, and he was not as warm towards Zheng Bai Cheng. However, he still said, "Bring a good soup for Xiao Hua too."
In Hao Ming Qiang’s view, Lin Xiao Hua no longer matched up to his son, and he should find someone better to be his son’s partner.
Lin Xiao Hua remained silent, but Zheng Bai Cheng didn’t dare say anything in front of him. He simply held Lin Xiao Hua’s hand tighter, trying to comfort her. In Hong Kong, polygamy was still acceptable, so Hao Ming Qiang’s thoughts weren’t entirely wrong. However, what followed left Lin Xiao Hua feeling a little embarrassed.
“Ah Cheng, you’ll turn eighteen next year. It’s time we address your marriage. Many wealthy families in Hong Kong have daughters. If you like any of them, I’ll send someone to propose.”
Lin Xiao Hua lowered her head, biting her lip, feeling quite wronged.
Zheng Bai Cheng said, "I already have Xiao Hua. As for taking another wife…”
“Son, it’s not about taking another wife, it’s about getting married. Xiao Hua is good, but our status has changed now. You’re a world-renowned novelist. You need to find a match that is equally well-matched, someone worthy of your status.” Hao Ming Qiang sounded a little disappointed in his son.
Zheng Bai Cheng patiently explained, “Father, I came from mainland China, a nobody, with nothing. You didn’t dislike me back then. Xiao Hua and I met in the streets. Doing this would be a betrayal of her.”
The housekeeper and servants, though not allowed to participate in the master's family affairs, nodded in agreement. They had lived together for a few days and had come to understand him. Now, they admired him even more.
“Silly boy, I know. It’s not about abandoning her. You’re a celebrity in Hong Kong now. Naturally, you need to marry someone you can bring home, someone who can hold her own. Back then, I told Xiao Hua’s parents that if she came to our family, she should be prepared to be a concubine. I know you like Xiao Hua, but she… oh, forget it. Xiao Hua, I’m asking you, what do you think?” Hao Ming Qiang didn't ask Zheng Bai Cheng, but looked at Lin Xiao Hua instead, hoping to hear her opinion.
Lin Xiao Hua lowered her head, biting her lip. She remained silent for a while. During this period, the living room fell silent. After a while, it seemed like she had made up her mind, and she said softly, "I’ll follow your arrangements.”
Hao Ming Qiang was very happy to hear this. He said, "Xiao Hua, you will always be the daughter-in-law of our family. Son, you see how understanding Xiao Hua is, yet you’re still being stubborn. You went out for a while and you no longer listen to your father’s words.”
Zheng Bai Cheng looked at Xiao Hua, eyes wide, while she also looked back at him, a smile on her face that seemed more like a forced grin.
Hearing Hao Ming Qiang’s words, Zheng Bai Cheng turned back and said, “No, father, if that’s what you both want, then I have no objections. I’ll do what you say.”
“See, that’s right. Xiao Hua, we need to expand our family line. We can’t rely on you alone. Our family line is thin. If a family wants to establish itself in Hong Kong, how can it do so without people…”
Hao Ming Qiang looked into the distance, a smile on his lips, filled with aspirations for the future.
What could Zheng Bai Cheng do? He accepted it. He carried the burdens that a seventeen-year-old boy shouldn’t have to bear.