Chapter 891
Five years after transmigrating, I've finally started a family!
The Peninsula Hotel, Kowloon Hall.
At this moment, important guests from all over the world, as well as relatives and friends from the Lin and Guo families, have gathered here.
In the center of the flower-strewn stage, Lin Haoran and Guo Xiaohan stood facing each other.
And standing next to them was none other than the famous Queen Elizabeth II!
Indeed, as the officiant for the couple, the Queen briefly took over the role of master of ceremonies herself.
The Queen smiled and asked, "Mr. Lin Haoran, the girl standing before you is the one you love deeply."
Please ask: Do you take Ms. Guo Xiaohan to be your wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, in sickness and in health, in poverty and in wealth, in good times and in bad, to love, respect, and protect her, till death do you part?
Standing on the long wedding stage in the Kowloon Hall, Lin Haoran smiled affectionately at Guo Xiaohan and said, "I do!"
The Queen continued, "Ms. Guo Xiaohan, the man standing before you now is the man who will spend the rest of his life with you."
Question: Do you take Mr. Lin Haoran to be your wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, through thick and thin, in joy and in sorrow, until your hair turns white?
Guo Xiaohan raised her head, her eyes glistening with tears of happiness, and answered clearly and lovingly, "I do."
Her Majesty the Queen wore a gentle and solemn smile. She surveyed the room and announced in a clear and steady voice: "In the name of the Queen and the Sovereign of the British Empire, and by the power granted by law, I hereby declare Mr. Lin Haoran and Ms. Guo Xiaohan to be husband and wife."
Thunderous applause erupted in the Kowloon Hall and lasted for a long time.
Countless cameras were focused on this historic moment, as the Queen personally officiated and announced the union of a Chinese couple, an unprecedented sight.
This is extremely rare, even in British history.
Her Majesty the Queen instructed the attendant to present the marriage certificate.
The attendant respectfully handed over an exquisite leather folder.
The Queen herself opened it and showed it to the newlyweds and guests present. Then, she picked up a specially made gold pen.
“Now, please sign your marriage certificate,” the Queen said.
Lin Haoran and Guo Xiaohan exchanged a smile and solemnly signed their names in the designated spot.
Then, Her Majesty the Queen, as the officiant, signed her name below the certificate—Elizabeth R.
The elegant yet powerful handwriting lends this certificate unparalleled weight.
"Please exchange rings," the Queen said again, her voice carrying a warm blessing.
The best man and maid of honor stepped forward and presented the rings.
In the presence of the Queen and all the guests, Lin Haoran gently placed the diamond ring on Guo Xiaohan's ring finger, and Guo Xiaohan also placed the platinum ring on Lin Haoran's hand.
The two held hands tightly.
“Now,” Her Majesty the Queen said with a smile, her gaze shifting between the newlyweds, “as is tradition, the groom may now kiss his bride.”
Lin Haoran stepped forward, gently cupped Guo Xiaohan's cheeks, and kissed her deeply.
This kiss was both a declaration of love and a crowning of this extraordinary moment.
Applause, cheers, and the clicks of camera shutters once again created a sea of sound, and many guests stood up excitedly.
After the kiss, Lin Haoran and Guo Xiaohan turned to the Queen and bowed deeply in gratitude: "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Regardless of the other party's motives for officiating his wedding, Lin Haoran was sincerely grateful for this blessing and witness from the highest level.
The Queen nodded in acceptance of the thanks, then turned to all the guests present and raised the champagne glass that a waiter had just handed her: "Ladies and gentlemen, let us raise a glass together to wish the newlyweds, Mr. Lin Haoran and Ms. Guo Xiaohan, a happy marriage and a lifelong bond!"
"Bless the newlyweds!"
The entire audience responded in unison, the clinking of glasses producing a crisp and pleasant sound, as the champagne bubbles rose merrily in the golden liquid.
After a brief toasting ceremony, Her Majesty the Queen handed the microphone back to the professional emcee and, accompanied by Prince Charles and the Governor and his wife, slowly stepped off the stage and returned to her special seats in the front row.
She always wore a smile and maintained an elegant demeanor, but a careful observer might catch a glimpse of deeper contemplation in her eyes.
Lin Haoran noticed that before the Queen took her seat, her gaze seemed to casually sweep over the direction of several low-profile representatives from the mainland with special status in the guest seating area.
The following activities, hosted by the emcee, included speeches from the newlyweds, cutting the cake, and tossing the bouquet.
Lin Haoran's speech was concise and sincere, in which he thanked his parents, wife, and all the guests.
He specifically stated, "Today, Xiaohan and I make a lifelong commitment here. This commitment is not only about our little family, but also reminds me of my responsibility to this land and society as a member of Hong Kong."
We will take today's happiness as our motivation, strive forward, and live up to the expectations of all those who care about us and wish us well.
His words, though lacking in grand pronouncements, possessed a calm and steady strength that once again won him thunderous applause.
In front of the nine-tiered wedding cake, Lin Haoran carefully held Guo Xiaohan's hand as they cut the first slice together.
Then, with her back to the group of unmarried female guests, Guo Xiaohan smiled and tossed her bridal bouquet behind her.
The bouquet traced a graceful arc in the air before being caught by one of Guo Xiaohan's cousins, eliciting good-natured laughter and applause.
The ceremony concluded successfully, and the guests began to move to the banquet hall.
In the corridors and banquet halls, champagne flowed, and the air was filled with the fragrance of fine clothes and the rustling of hair. Elites of different languages and skin colors gathered in small circles, talking in hushed tones and exchanging business cards. The social function of this wedding was truly being fully displayed at this moment.
As the groom, Lin Haoran naturally couldn't immediately extricate himself from the conversation to participate in the substantive discussions.
He needed to bring his newlywed wife to toast and thank the distinguished guests.
This is not only physically demanding, but also a test of emotional intelligence and adaptability.
They first went to the VIP area where the Queen and Prince Charles were.
The Queen had already replaced the glass with water and was smiling as she accepted the toast from the newlyweds.
“Bless you again,” the Queen said gently. “It is always a pleasure to see young people building their own businesses and families.”
Prince Charles nodded in agreement: "It is an honor to witness this day. I wish you all the best in the future."
After a brief and polite exchange, the Queen said she needed to rest for a while and left the banquet hall surrounded by her entourage and security personnel.
Her departure noticeably eased the atmosphere at the scene.
Next, Lin Haoran and Guo Xiaohan turned to the area where the older generation of Chinese businessmen gathered.
The atmosphere here is much more lively.
"Good lad, you've really got it!" Bao Yugang, beaming, patted Lin Haoran's shoulder hard.
"The Queen officiated the wedding and personally signed the papers! This level of prestige is unparalleled, not only in Hong Kong but also throughout the entire Far East! From now on, your name, Lin Haoran, will carry a very different weight!"
Zheng Yutong also laughed and said, "Yes, Mr. Lin, this is a brand that is priceless. In the future, who will dare not give you face in business?"
Li Jiacheng pushed up his glasses, his smile subtle yet meaningful: "Face is given by others, but substance is earned by oneself. Mr. Lin's composure and calm demeanor today are the foundation for longevity."
However, Her Majesty the Queen's presence is of great significance. What follows may be new opportunities, but also new considerations. Mr. Lin, you must seize them.
His tone was full of envy.
The Queen herself officiated at the wedding, which Li Jiacheng found incredibly incredible.
At this moment, he had only one thought: his defeat at the hands of Lin Haoran was not unjust!
Lin Haoran understood immediately, raised his glass and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Uncle Bao, Mr. Zheng, and Mr. Li. I know that my foundation is still shallow. Today's honor is inseparable from the opportunities created by your hard work over the years, as well as your care and support all along."
Looking ahead, I hope my seniors will continue to offer their guidance and advice.
His humble and grateful attitude pleased the several prominent Chinese business leaders present.
Bao Yugang laughed loudly, "Good! Not being arrogant in victory and being mindful of potential dangers in times of peace—that's the kind of demeanor that leads to great things! Haoran, if you ever need our help in the future, just let us know!"
Zheng Yutong nodded in agreement: "Yes, Mr. Lin, let's cooperate more in the future and work together for the prosperity of Hong Kong."
Although Li Jiacheng had mixed feelings, he maintained a polite smile and clinked glasses with Lin Haoran.
He knew that after this battle, Lin Haoran's status in the Hong Kong Chinese business circle and even the entire East Asian business community was different. From now on, Lin Haoran was no longer a businessman of the same level as him, but had jumped to a higher level.
After paying their respects to the senior figures in the Chinese business community, Lin Haoran and Guo Xiaohan headed to an area frequented by international political and business elites. They chatted with Warren Buffett about the adaptability of value investing in Eastern markets, discussed the foundational role of geopolitical stability in business confidence with Dr. Kissinger, and briefly exchanged views with Steve Jobs on their shared commitment to the user-centric philosophy.
Lin Haoran's every brief conversation was well-prepared, substantial, and precisely targeted at the other party's interests, earning the silent approval of these seasoned bigwigs.
As he approached George Soros, who stood by the window seemingly detached from the hustle and bustle, the latter appeared to have anticipated this and slowly turned around.
“Congratulations, Mr. Lin,” Soros said calmly. “A successful wedding, a successful debut.”
"Thank you for taking the time to come, Mr. Soros." Lin Haoran raised his glass in a gesture of appreciation. "Your presence has added much to today's occasion."
Soros's glasses reflected the lights of the banquet hall, making it impossible to see his eyes.
"I'm curious, Mr. Lin, at this juncture of transition, what do you hope to gain by holding a wedding that brings together the attention of both East and West?"
Is it merely a matter of commercial convenience, or some longer-term strategic advantage?
This question gets to the heart of the matter, and is even somewhat pointed.
Lin Haoran smiled slightly and replied calmly, "Mr. Soros, marriage is a commitment, a new beginning. For me, this wedding is first and foremost a milestone in my personal happiness."
As for the attention it brings, that's a side effect. I believe that no matter what stage we are at, those who uphold integrity, create value, and respect the rules will always find their place.
Hong Kong's future needs builders, not mere speculators.
He deliberately used a neutral tone when referring to the word "speculator," but Soros, being a man of great stature, naturally discerned the subtle difference.
A barely perceptible smile curved his lips: "Builders, a very good way of putting it. I hope that Hong Kong, this unique city, can find the 'builders' who are truly suitable for it in the face of future upheavals."
He raised his water glass, said nothing more, and turned his gaze back to the night view of Victoria Harbour outside the window, ending the brief conversation.
Since Lin Haoran rejected his cooperation, Soros had no intention of staying in Hong Kong any longer.
However, Soros at this time did not yet possess the power he would later possess, so he could not simply skip the wedding and return to the United States ahead of schedule.
If it were the Soros of a decade or more later, he would have already walked away in a huff, and wouldn't care about such social face.
But at this moment, he is still inexperienced and needs to maintain basic dignity and a network of relationships in this lucrative arena.
Lin Haoran's wedding, which brought together so many of the world's top figures, was itself an excellent signal and observation window. Even if Soros was unhappy, he wouldn't miss this opportunity.
After paying his respects to Soros, Lin Haoran did not linger.
He knew that his conversation with this "financial tycoon" should be brief and to the point; further entanglement would be pointless.
In fact, he himself was unwilling to have much contact with the other party.
After all, Soros is destined to be a notorious figure in the future, and too much contact with him will only lead others to mistakenly believe that he has a deep connection with Soros, which will not be beneficial to his future positioning and image.
Especially in a sensitive and complex environment like Hong Kong, any ambiguous connection with speculators, particularly international financial raiders, could become a handle for future attacks.
Soros's brief appearance and few words were more like an observation and a marker, indicating the continued attention of international speculative capital to Hong Kong as a special stage.
And this is precisely one of the external factors that Lin Haoran needs to be wary of.
The wedding banquet continued amidst clinking glasses and hushed conversations.
The guests didn't leave until midnight, having enjoyed themselves to the fullest.
After seeing off the last group of local celebrities and international friends who were still reluctant to leave, Lin Haoran was finally able to take off the perfect social mask that the groom had to maintain, and a trace of deep-seated fatigue quietly crept onto his brow.
Lin Haoran and Guo Xiaohan, along with their parents, stood at the entrance of the banquet hall, smiling broadly as they saw off each distinguished guest.
This was another test of physical and mental strength, but no one dared to show the slightest sign of fatigue.
The commotion at the Peninsula Hotel entrance finally subsided when the last guest, a tipsy old British nobleman, finished offering his well wishes with the help of his entourage and left by car.
The night breeze carried the unique salty and humid scent of Victoria Harbour, dispersing the lingering aromas of champagne and perfume in the air.
Lin Haoran and Guo Xiaohan got into the Rolls-Royce and went back to their marital home on Shixun Road.
Although he could stay in a suite at the Peninsula Hotel, according to tradition and the wishes of both sets of elders, it would be more fitting for the newlyweds to return to their own new home on their first night together.
The villa on Shi Xun Road had already been carefully decorated, and the atmosphere was filled with the joy of a newlywed couple.
The convoy drove smoothly through the quiet streets late at night.
Guo Xiaohan was so tired that she almost fell asleep leaning on Lin Haoran's shoulder.
Lin Haoran held her close, feeling her steady breathing and slightly protruding belly, his heart softening.
No amount of scheming or heavy responsibility can compare to the peace of his wife and children in his arms at this moment.
"Xiaohan, you've worked hard today," Lin Haoran said with concern.
Guo Xiaohan is, after all, pregnant. Although it is early pregnancy, such long periods of standing, socializing, and highly concentrated mental work are undoubtedly a huge burden on her body.
Lin Haoran had tried his best to let her rest more during the second half of the wedding banquet, but there were some occasions where she, as the bride, had to appear.
Guo Xiaohan stirred in his arms, her voice heavy with sleepiness: "It's not tiring, Brother Haoran, I, I'm very happy."
Before he could finish speaking, his breathing became even and long again, indicating that he had fallen into a deep sleep.
Lin Haoran stopped talking, but hugged her more gently and instructed Li Weidong to adjust the car's air conditioning to the most comfortable temperature.
Back at the villa on Shi Xun Road, the servants who had been waiting quietly helped us.
Lin Haoran personally carried Guo Xiaohan out of the car and carefully carried her back to the bridal chamber on the third floor, placing her on the bed covered with a bright red wedding quilt.
Guo Xiaohan just mumbled something and fell into a deep sleep without even opening her eyes.
Lin Haoran covered her with a blanket, dimmed the light, and stared at the beautiful woman by the bedside.
From this day forward, Guo Xiaohan officially became his wife.
An indescribable sense of security and responsibility filled my heart.
In his past life, he struggled alone; in this life, he is the richest man in the world. Even with immense wealth and a prominent network of connections, there is always a corner in his heart that feels adrift and rootless.
At this moment, he looked at his wife sleeping peacefully on the bed, and the new life quietly growing in her womb.
In his fifth year in this world, Lin Haoran truly felt the completeness and weight of "home" for the first time.
He leaned down and planted another tender kiss on her smooth forehead, whispering, "Sleep well, my bride."
As he left the bedroom and gently closed the door, the tenderness on Lin Haoran's face slowly faded, replaced by calmness and contemplation.
It was late at night, and although he had been busy all day, Lin Haoran was not sleepy at all.
Today, he is destined to be the focus of the world.
Every frame of the wedding, every smile and speech from the Queen, and every brief conversation between him and international dignitaries will be repeatedly interpreted and broadcast by global media.
Starting tomorrow, the name "Lin Haoran" will no longer be limited to the business landscape of Hong Kong or East Asia, but will become an internationally renowned symbol.
A Chinese business prodigy who rose to prominence in the gap between East and West during the late colonial era, receiving rare personal support from the highest ruler of the old empire.
This brings unparalleled glory, but it also means endless scrutiny, suspicion, expectation, and even scheming.
The British courting and probing are just the beginning; the mainland's attention and expectations are already clear; international capital is eyeing the market covetously; and the local Chinese business community has mixed feelings...
He has been thrust into the spotlight, with no way out and no option to keep a low profile.
Instead of returning to his study, he strolled up to the rooftop terrace of the villa.
The night wind was biting, blowing away the last traces of alcohol and fatigue.
The neon lights across Victoria Harbour still shone brightly, outlining the luxurious and bustling silhouette of this city that never sleeps.
But Lin Haoran's gaze seemed to pierce through the prosperity before him, casting it into the deeper historical fog and future turbulence.
He knew that from this moment on, his personal fate was more closely intertwined with that of the city of Hong Kong.
Every major decision he makes can have ripple effects far beyond the realm of business. (End of Chapter)