Chapter 885
Super Platform
Before we knew it, it was February 15th, the last day before the wedding.
Lin Haoran woke up early in the morning, the sky outside the window still tinged with a hazy gray-blue.
He glanced at Guo Xiaohan, who was still fast asleep.
At this moment, her breathing was even, her face serene, and one hand unconsciously protected her lower abdomen, as if she was guarding their baby even in her sleep.
A gentle smile unconsciously appeared on Lin Haoran's lips, and a warm feeling welled up in his heart.
He didn't get up immediately, but just watched her quietly for a while.
A moment later, he very gently lifted the blanket, walked barefoot to the window, and pulled the curtains open a crack.
The first rays of dawn pierced through the clouds, the sky transitioning from deep blue to greyish-white, and the calm surface of Victoria Harbour reflected the sparse lights in the distance.
The whole city seemed to be asleep.
But Lin Haoran knew that today, the city would be completely awakened because of him, entering an unprecedented and highly anticipated state of excitement.
He needs to conserve enough physical strength and a clear mind for this day.
Lin Haoran turned and went into the bathroom, took a hot shower, and the water stimulated his skin, instantly dispelling the last trace of sleepiness.
He carefully shaved in front of the mirror and tidied his appearance.
Looking at myself in the mirror, my eyes were sharp and my face was calm, showing no trace of yesterday's fatigue.
When he dressed and walked into the bedroom, Guo Xiaohan was also awake, leaning against the headboard, looking at him with sleepy eyes.
"Why are you up so early?" Her voice was soft and sweet, as if she had just woken up.
“Once you wake up, you can’t fall back asleep. Why don’t you get up early? It’s still early, why don’t you sleep a little longer?” Lin Haoran said with a smile.
"I'm not sleeping anymore, I'll get up and have breakfast with you!" Guo Xiaohan said, shaking her head.
At 9:00 a.m. sharp, Lin Haoran and Guo Xiaohan appeared at Government House on time.
The meeting with the Queen and the Prince of Wales was solemn and brief.
Lin Haoran behaved appropriately and responded appropriately, demonstrating a demeanor befitting this grand event.
Although Guo Xiaohan was pregnant, she maintained an elegant demeanor and never lost her composure.
Although the entire process only lasted a short twenty minutes, its symbolic significance and the intangible capital it may bring in the future are immeasurable.
After the meeting, Lin Haoran first took Guo Xiaohan to the Peninsula Hotel to inspect the preparations for the wedding.
Today, this jewel of Hong Kong's hotel industry is home to many political and business tycoons from all over the world, and the Rolls-Royce chauffeured cars in the hotel are almost too busy to keep up with the demand.
Since Lin Haoran acquired the Peninsula Hotel, it has long been part of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group.
It can be said that his company now accounts for more than 70% of the luxury hotel industry in Hong Kong.
The hotel group's CEO, an Englishman named Anderson, was sweating profusely as he followed behind Lin Haoran, giving a detailed report on the preparations and services provided to the VIP guests.
The lobby was resplendent in gold, filled with the rich aroma of fine fragrances and fresh flowers. Well-trained staff moved with light steps, showcasing the prestige of a top-tier hotel.
"Boss, all presidential suites and top suites are now fully occupied, and all services are being provided to the highest standards. Mr. Buffett, Mr. Galvin, and other VIPs have expressed their satisfaction with the service and arrangements."
Regarding security, we are working closely with the police and Mr. Cui's team, and surveillance has been strengthened at all entrances and exits and key areas. "Anderson spoke quickly but clearly.
Lin Haoran nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping across the lobby coffee shop.
Several foreign faces were sitting there, talking in hushed tones. Judging from their demeanor and their entourage, they were clearly wealthy and influential.
Upon seeing Lin Haoran, the group nodded in greeting, and Lin Haoran politely returned the smile.
Lin Haoran even saw someone on the VIP list.
This place can already be considered a gathering place for industry giants.
Of course, some people may find it more convenient to live in Central, so they may choose the Mandarin Oriental or Hilton hotels there.
This also relieved a lot of pressure on the Peninsula Hotel. Otherwise, even with the Peninsula Hotel's strong reception capacity, it would probably be difficult to accommodate so many top VIPs with their own large entourages and security requirements at the same time.
Lin Haoran inspected the private suite prepared for tomorrow's bride, several meeting rooms for small private meetings, as well as the main kitchen and logistics area.
After confirming that everything was in good order and the details were in place, he gave Anderson a brief affirmation: "Anderson, this reception task is very important, thank you for your hard work and that of the team."
We must ensure that every guest feels at home, and any reasonable and legal request must be met immediately.
"Yes, boss! Please rest assured, I will never let you down on such an important occasion!" Anderson straightened his back, his tone full of a sense of mission.
He knew that the success of this wedding reception was not only related to the group's reputation, but also directly related to the boss's personal image in the international social circle.
Moreover, this opportunity allows Mandarin Oriental Hotels to let more top billionaires and dignitaries experience its unparalleled service firsthand, which is an excellent brand promotion in itself.
It's important to understand that the reputation and choices of these VIPs often influence the direction of the entire high-end social circle.
In the future, both the Mandarin Oriental and the Peninsula hotels will definitely continue to expand.
The image of a world-class hotel group is of paramount importance.
In the foreseeable future, as the company expands to Tokyo, Seoul, and even further afield to London, Paris, and New York, the prestigious reputation of having "successfully hosted the Hong Kong Wedding of the Century and served the world's most elite guests" will be an unparalleled competitive advantage.
"What about the catering and banquet preparations?" Lin Haoran asked.
The wedding feast is the real star of tomorrow.
The Peninsula Hotel will host tomorrow's world-renowned wedding of the century, where all the VIPs will gather.
The pressure was immense, but the glory was unparalleled.
"Boss, the final plans and ingredient confirmations for all banquet catering have been completed." Anderson's expression became extremely serious. "We have conducted three full-process rehearsals for Kowloon Hall, the main banquet venue."
From guiding VIPs into the venue, the flow of service staff, the pace of food serving, and the service of drinks, to the changing of music and the control of lighting ambiance, every step was precise down to the second.
He led Lin Haoran back to the banquet hall, recounting the dishes as they went: "The menu is a twelve-course fusion feast, based on classic Cantonese cuisine, cleverly incorporating the refinement of French cuisine and the romance of Italian style, catering to the tastes of distinguished guests from all over the world."
Anderson spoke with confidence, “We have brought together local Cantonese cuisine masters from Hong Kong, a Michelin three-star chef from France, and a star-rated restaurant owner from Italy to create this unique menu.”
Lin Haoran nodded. He already knew about these things, and they had been personally approved and confirmed by him.
He has even tasted it, and the taste absolutely meets the highest standards, while also possessing an artistic aesthetic.
But what he cares about most right now is the stability of the final product and how well it can be adapted to changing circumstances.
"Were any problems discovered during rehearsals resolved?" Lin Haoran asked.
“Yes, boss,” Anderson replied immediately. “During the first rehearsal, there was a slight disconnect between the rhythm of serving dishes and the music switching, and we have already adjusted the command signals.”
During the second rehearsal, some waiters hesitated to provide service for special seating arrangements. We have since regrouped them and reinforced their memory skills.
The third rehearsal went smoothly, but we still simulated unexpected situations such as a sudden increase in guests and unforeseen food shortages, and conducted emergency drills to ensure the team could handle these situations calmly and quickly.
Lin Haoran nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping across the banquet hall once more.
The spacing between tables and chairs, the angle of the lights, and even the concentration of fragrance in the air have all been carefully calculated.
He walked to the main table, picked up a menu, and found it with gold lettering, in Chinese, English, Italian, and French, on paper with an excellent feel and luxurious details.
"Is the seating arrangement for the guests finally confirmed?" Lin Haoran put down the menu.
The seating arrangement at this wedding is itself a complex political and social issue, where a single move can have far-reaching consequences.
"It has been finalized and has received joint approval from the Governor's Office and your office."
Anderson took a thick chart from his assistant and continued, "Besides you and your wife, and your closest relatives, the most distinguished guests at the head table are the Queen, the Prince of Wales, Dr. Kissinger, Minister Amani, and others."
Other tables were also arranged in the most reasonable way according to status, region, and relationship to ensure that no awkward or impolite situations would occur.
All name tags and seating charts have been completed and will be placed precisely tomorrow morning.
"very good."
Lin Haoran took one last look at the banquet hall, which was about to become the focus of the world, and said to Anderson, "Tomorrow's success depends half on the ceremony and half on the banquet. I'm leaving this to you." "Please rest assured, boss!" Anderson's tone was resolute.
As Lin Haoran left the Peninsula Hotel, he glanced at his watch; it was nearly 11 a.m.
Guo Xiaohan did not come with him, but stayed at the Peninsula Hotel to discuss some details with the bridesmaid team.
At 11:00 AM sharp, at the VIP lounge of Kai Tak Airport.
When Henry Kissinger's familiar figure appeared, Lin Haoran put on a polite smile and quickly went to greet him.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the two returned to the Peninsula Hotel by car.
Lunch was ready in the private suite on the top floor that overlooked the entire Victoria Harbour.
As a former Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger wielded significant influence in American politics. His ideas profoundly impacted American foreign policy and even shaped the landscape of contemporary international relations to some extent.
Being allowed to personally attend a wedding is a great recognition of Lin Haoran's status and influence.
Lin Haoran has made many arrangements in the United States, including the future development of semiconductors, which requires a lot of resources and "green light" from the United States.
The value of establishing a good personal relationship and communication channel with a master like Kissinger who is well-versed in American political operations and international rules is immeasurable.
This is not just about appearances, but also about the underlying factors that can influence key future decisions.
The atmosphere at lunch far exceeded that of ordinary social gatherings.
Kissinger acted as a guide, leading the discussion toward global changes and the future order.
Relying on his knowledge from his previous life, Lin Haoran's calm and insightful responses during their conversation clearly won the wise man's approval.
The two discussed Lin Haoran's recent prediction of a US stock market decline, the profound impact of Reaganomics on the US, and the potential chain reaction this could have on global capital flows.
For Lin Haoran, knowing a big shot like Kissinger would naturally be of great benefit.
Although he has strong allies like Citibank in the United States, he is still a blank slate in American politics.
Today, the former Secretary of State's appreciation and expectations have undoubtedly opened a crucial door for him in American politics.
Behind this door may lie heavyweight members of Congress, key figures in the government cabinet, or even peripheral advisors to the White House decision-making circle.
These connections may play an unexpected, even decisive, role when Lin Haoran ventures into sensitive high-tech fields such as semiconductors, aerospace, and biotechnology, or when he needs to conduct complex cross-border mergers and acquisitions or deal with trade frictions.
It's important to understand that in the United States, the boundaries between policy and business are often blurred, and the influence of lobbying groups and private networks should not be underestimated.
While relying on Citibank can solve many problems.
However, if one has connections in American politics, things will obviously be much easier and more convenient.
Although Kissinger is no longer in office, his network of connections and intellectual influence remain enormous.
His endorsement is equivalent to an invisible endorsement of credibility, which will reduce many unnecessary doubts and obstacles when Lin Haoran contacts high-level political and business figures in the United States in the future, and make him more easily accepted as a partner who can engage in dialogue, rather than simply foreign capital or a potential threat.
The value here is immeasurable.
After Kissinger left, it was nearly 1 p.m.
Lin Haoran had no time to ponder the deeper meaning of their conversation and immediately rushed to the airport to pick up Yamani.
If Kissinger represents the potential for soft power and strategic depth, then Yamani represents solid hard capital and the lifeline of energy.
To be honest, Lin Haoran doesn't have any plans for the oil industry yet.
At most, they stockpiled a lot of crude oil a few years ago before the oil crisis, but they sold it all at a high price later.
In the past two years, the focus has been on secretly acquiring shares in oil companies such as ExxonMobil and Chevron in the United States. This acquisition is more of an investment and does not involve any substantial strategic layout or control of the oil industry itself.
However, as the lifeblood of industry and a core bargaining chip in global geopolitical games, the importance of oil is self-evident.
Lin Haoran naturally understood that the future energy landscape was undergoing profound changes, with both competition and integration between traditional oil interest groups and emerging clean energy and financial capital.
His company, Hong Kong and China Gas, began venturing into the oil industry two years ago, starting by acquiring and integrating several gas stations in Hong Kong into an independent oil retail company.
This company not only sells gasoline and diesel, but has also gradually introduced value-added services such as car maintenance and convenience stores, thus gaining a foothold in the local Hong Kong market.
However, this is only the very downstream retail end, with limited profits and is greatly affected by fluctuations in international oil prices.
The meeting with Yamani was a crucial step for Lin Haoran in moving upstream in the oil industry chain and expanding his global footprint.
He was not content with being a gas station owner or an investor who bought and sold oil company stocks in the stock market.
He is interested in the massive capital flows and geopolitical influence behind oil, as well as the key role that traditional oil giants may play in the future energy transition.
Therefore, he will inevitably expand into all industries on a large scale sooner or later.
However, this matter is not urgent for the time being.
During the meeting, Yamani spoke highly of Lin Haoran's accurate prediction of the oil crisis three or four years ago and his early stockpiling of crude oil.
"Mr. Lin, that crisis back then caused many people to lose everything, but it also brought huge rewards to a few farsighted people like you. I'm very curious, how did you foresee the trend in advance?"
Lin Haoran smiled modestly, without mentioning any "prophetic" factor, and instead gave a logical business analysis: "You flatter me, Minister."
At that time, we observed that the situation in the Middle East remained tense, production in major oil-producing countries fluctuated, and the global economy, especially industrialized countries, became increasingly dependent on oil, with the supply and demand relationship on the verge of a fragile balance.
Coupled with certain geopolitical events at the time, we judged that the risk of supply disruptions or panic buying was increasing.
As a business entity, it's normal to make certain risk hedging and strategic reserves. They were just lucky to catch that particular market trend.
This explanation is reasonable and demonstrates both a keen market sense and data analysis ability, while also appearing low-key and pragmatic, without boasting about mysterious predictive capabilities.
Yamani nodded; he had seen too many businessmen who attributed their success to intuition or luck.
People like Lin Haoran, who can clearly trace back the business logic, are more professional and reliable.
“It’s not just luck, Mr. Lin,” Yamani said earnestly. “Accurate judgment is based on a comprehensive grasp and deep understanding of information.”
This is precisely the quality of a great strategist. We at Saudi Aramco desperately need to collaborate with partners who possess strategic vision to jointly address the complex challenges of the future energy market.
He then steered the conversation toward more specific areas of cooperation: “We are very interested in Mr. Lin’s energy distribution network in Hong Kong and the surrounding areas.”
Asia, particularly East Asia and Southeast Asia, is the region with the fastest growing energy demand in the future.
We are not only considering a stable supply of crude oil, but also exploring investments in downstream refining, petrochemical products, and a more efficient energy logistics system.
Perhaps we could start by exploring some specific projects, such as collaborating on the construction of more modern and efficient refining facilities or storage and transportation centers in Hong Kong or Singapore?
This is precisely the direction Lin Haoran hopes to guide the conversation in.
He immediately responded: "The Minister's proposal is very constructive. Hong Kong, as a free port and financial center, has unique advantages in terms of capital, technology and information, but is limited in terms of land and heavy industry development."
Singapore, Malaysia, and even Thailand may be more suitable for large-scale refining and chemical projects.
I have a certain market presence in these countries, which can provide a certain market entry point for downstream products.
If Saudi Aramco is interested, I would be happy to assemble a professional team to conduct a feasibility study with you and explore a mutually beneficial cooperation model.
Neither party immediately finalized any projects, but both expressed a strong desire to explore further and agreed to initiate working group-level coordination as soon as possible after the wedding.
For Lin Haoran, this means that he has already stepped into the circle of players in the global energy industry, and is no longer just an outside investor or retailer.
After seeing Amani off, Lin Haoran couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
I checked the time; it was already 2:30 PM.
He couldn't help but sigh that today was so busy that he barely had time to catch his breath.
But this is precisely another layer of meaning to this wedding of the century.
It is not just a grand personal celebration, but also a super platform that brings together top global resources, expands networks, and finalizes future cooperation directions.
Every meeting, every handshake, has the potential to translate into tangible business opportunities or strategic advantages in the future. (End of Chapter)