Chapter 892
Welfare for Hong Kong Citizens
Within 24 hours of the wedding, the gears of the global media machine were already whirring at an unprecedented speed.
Lin Haoran and Guo Xiaohan's wedding of the century was like a nuclear bomb dropped into the depths of international public opinion.
It didn't create ripples, but rather a tsunami that swept across continents.
This wedding became headline news in all major media outlets around the world!
It's all of them!
The early morning headline of The Times of London began with an almost aria-like opening:
"What happened in Hong Kong yesterday forces us to re-examine the definition of the word 'influence.' Mr. Lin Haoran used a wedding to complete a textbook-level global 'soft power' roadshow."
Congratulations, Mr. Lin. You have shown the world that power in this new era can make an elegant entrance, dressed in a morning suit, accompanied by champagne bubbles and a wedding march.
The culture section of the French newspaper Le Monde took a different approach, with a title that carried French romance and philosophy: "Love, Power and Pearls: The Aesthetic Conquest of an Oriental Wedding".
The article devotes considerable space to describing the visual details of the wedding: the international design of Guo Xiaohan's wedding dress that incorporates Suzhou embroidery techniques, the banquet hall's arrangement that combines Western floral art with the artistic conception of Eastern bonsai, and even the intricate Chinese and Western patterns on the tableware.
The article concludes by saying: "The aesthetics of this wedding are a confident fusion, which humbly embraces the elegance of Western ceremonies while calmly showcasing the profound charm of the East."
Lin Haoran and his wife inadvertently defined a new aesthetic paradigm for 20th-century global elites: rooted in their own culture, yet possessing the ability to embrace and reshape global styles.
This heralds the arrival of a new era more powerfully than any economic data—an era that is Eastern, can be top-tier, and can even define trends.
The evening special on Japan's NHK television had a title that carried a complex emotion: "The Shockwave of the 'Lin-san Phenomenon': Reflections in Tokyo."
The program compared the guest list, international media attention, and social influence of some of the largest corporate family weddings in Tokyo in recent years with Lin Haoran's wedding.
Then, he bluntly pointed out: "The top global political and economic connections gathered at Lin Haoran's wedding, as well as the level of cultural discussion it sparked, are unmatched by any Japanese zaibatsu wedding."
Behind this lies Lin Sang's unique charm that transcends East and West, as well as Hong Kong's more open and international attitude.
Can Tokyo, and indeed Japan, produce another figure with such global value as "social currency" and "cultural symbol"? This is a question worth pondering.
The most down-to-earth report came from Hong Kong's local newspaper, Oriental Daily News, with the headline on the front page: "The whole city rejoices! Stock of Lin Sheng's wedding banquet ingredient supplier hits the daily limit, and the Peninsula Hotel is booked until next year!"
The article enthusiastically listed the economic impact of Lin Haoran's wedding: local florists who provided flowers for the wedding were overwhelmed with orders;
Even the sales of a certain brand of champagne used at wedding banquets in Hong Kong increased by 300% overnight.
The report concluded: "What is success? It's being happy yourself while also making the entire neighborhood happy, with jobs and wealth! Well done, Mr. Lin!"
On this day, almost all mainstream media around the world reported on the wedding.
Because of this wedding, more people remembered Lin Haoran, this wealthy Chinese-American.
No one expected that a wedding could become so "out of the loop," with its influence transcending national borders, social classes, and industry barriers.
This is no longer just a lavish party for the wealthy; it has evolved into a global cultural event, an economic phenomenon, and even a political symbol.
Even more surprisingly, some American readers were astonished to discover that the three major American financial magazines, Fortune, Time and Forbes, all featured Lin Haoran on the cover of their respective issues, a feat that is unprecedented in history.
The cover of Fortune magazine features a profile shot of Lin Haoran smiling and raising a glass at his wedding, with a sharp headline: "The New King of Hong Kong: How He Built an Invisible Empire in Three Years?"
Time magazine chose a black and white photo of Lin Haoran and Guo Xiaohan gazing lovingly at each other under the lights of Kowloon Hall, creating a strong atmosphere, and the headline was more humanistic: "A wedding that has the world's media on its mind."
Forbes continued its consistent data-driven style, featuring a portrait of Lin Haoran on the cover interwoven with a series of soaring graphs, with a straightforward headline: "A Changing Global Economic Landscape: A Chinese Man Enters the World's Center of Wealth, Is His Model Replicable?"
The fact that three top publications chose Lin Haoran in the same way is like giving him an "official endorsement" of his global influence.
This not only means that his commercial success has received the most authoritative recognition, but also that he himself has become a phenomenal existence that the global elite cannot ignore and must study and understand.
Since Forbes bowed to Lin Haoran, Citigroup quickly invested and became Forbes' largest shareholder.
Therefore, the Forbes incident gradually subsided, and its influence gradually increased.
The bombardment of the covers of three top publications has thoroughly shoved the "Lin Haoran phenomenon" from professional discussions in the financial field into the deep understanding of the global public.
When someone appears on the cover of these three magazines simultaneously, it means that their story has transcended mere commercial success and become a "sample" that must be interpreted by the times.
The direct effect of this cover tsunami was immediate.
Not only the companies he directly controls, but also any company that has a public cooperative relationship with him, or that is rumored to be favored by him, have seen their stock prices fluctuate to varying degrees.
Top universities such as MIT Sloan School of Management, London School of Economics and Political Science, and Cambridge Business School have announced that they will incorporate the "Lin Haoran case" into their core courses or establish special research projects.
The scope of research extends beyond business management to sociology, communication studies, and even international relations.
At the seminar, a Cambridge professor jokingly remarked, "We might need to establish an interdisciplinary research branch called 'Lin Haoran Studies'."
……
On the morning of February 17th, Lin Haoran woke up from his dream.
Beside him was his lawfully wedded wife, Guo Xiaohan.
The morning light filtered through the gaps in the curtains, gently illuminating her peaceful sleeping face, her long eyelashes casting soft shadows beneath her eyes.
Her breathing was even and deep, and one hand rested unconsciously on her noticeably protruding belly, where the fruit of their love was growing.
Lin Haoran did not get up immediately, but lay quietly on his side, gazing at his wife.
Yesterday's clamor and the global media frenzy seem distant and unreal, as if separated by a thick pane of glass.
Only the tranquility and warmth right before our eyes are truly real.
He gently tucked a stray strand of hair behind Guo Xiaohan's ear, his movements so tender as if he were afraid of waking her.
In the fifth year since transmigrating to this world, from an ordinary rich second-generation to the wealthiest person in the world, from obscurity to global attention, he has experienced thrilling business battles, intricate relationship games, and now this world-shaking wedding...
The journey has been like climbing a treacherous peak; every step requires utmost effort and is fraught with peril.
Only now, with his wife and children in his arms, did he truly experience a sense of grounded security and fulfillment.
Guo Xiaohan seemed to sense his gaze; her eyelashes fluttered a few times, and she slowly opened her eyes.
Her eyes, still slightly dazed from just waking up, immediately filled with a gentle smile the moment she saw Lin Haoran.
"You woke up so early?" Her voice was soft and sweet, as if she had just woken up.
"Hmm, looking at you, I woke up without even realizing it." Lin Haoran smiled and leaned over to kiss her forehead. "Did you sleep well? Is anything bothering you?"
"I slept well. But, Haoran, last night was our first night as husband and wife, our wedding night, and I actually fell asleep like that, and slept so soundly. Wasn't that a bit of a spoilsport?"
As Guo Xiaohan spoke, a shy blush rose on her face, and she buried her face in Lin Haoran's arms.
Upon hearing this, Lin Haoran was taken aback at first, then couldn't help but chuckle.
He gently lifted her face, looking into her eyes filled with regret and shyness, his heart overflowing with love.
“Silly girl,” he gently stroked her nose, his voice so tender it could melt water, “you’re carrying our baby, that’s the most important thing.”
"What's the point of a wedding night? Nothing's more important than you and the baby getting some rest. Besides," he winked, a hint of mischief in his eyes, "we have a lifetime ahead of us."
Guo Xiaohan felt sweet inside after being coaxed by him, and her little bit of annoyance vanished instantly.
She wrapped her arms around Lin Haoran's waist, pressed her face against his chest, and listened to his steady and powerful heartbeat, feeling incredibly at ease.
"Yes, for a lifetime," she repeated softly but firmly.
The two snuggled together and whispered to each other for a while until the sunlight fully illuminated the room before getting up together.
Today, Lin Haoran stayed home with Guo Xiaohan instead of going anywhere else.
He knew that although Guo Xiaohan had bravely endured the whole process yesterday, her body definitely needed to recover properly after bearing such fatigue and pressure while pregnant.
Nothing is more important than spending time with and caring for your new wife.
After having a carefully prepared breakfast together, Lin Haoran helped Guo Xiaohan take a slow walk around the villa.
The villa is large, with an exquisite courtyard and a spacious terrace, where the sun shines warmly on you.
After their walk, the two returned to the living room on the third floor and turned on the television.
On the television, TVB was rebroadcasting highlights from yesterday's wedding ceremony.
On the screen, Her Majesty the Queen is elegantly signing "Elizabeth R" on the marriage certificate with that golden pen.
The scene shifts to the moment Lin Haoran and Guo Xiaohan exchange rings, their eyes filled with deep affection for each other. Then comes the kiss of the century, which is met with thunderous applause and a sea of flashes from countless cameras.
Guo Xiaohan nestled in Lin Haoran's arms, watching herself on TV, feeling both familiar and strange.
"Yesterday felt like a dream, but watching the video now makes it feel like it really happened," she said softly.
"Of course it's true." Lin Haoran hugged her tighter, his chin gently brushing against the top of her head. "From now on, you are my rightful wife, Lin Haoran's wife."
The television screen continued playing, switching to a scene inside the banquet hall where celebrities from all walks of life gathered, clinking glasses and exchanging toasts.
The footage also captured a BBC commentator excitedly analyzing the political and economic symbolism of the wedding.
Then, the scene suddenly shifts to street interviews with several ordinary citizens of Hong Kong.
An elderly woman selling flowers beamed at the camera: "Mr. and Mrs. Lam are such a perfect match! I wish them a long and happy life together and many children! I went to the street yesterday to see them; it was so lively, like a festival!"
A young waiter at a tea restaurant exclaimed excitedly, "Mr. Lam is amazing! He even managed to get the Queen to work for him, which is a great honor for us Hong Kong people! I hope his business grows bigger and bigger and he hires more people, so I might even have a chance to work for his company!"
An elderly man playing with his grandson in the park spoke earnestly to the camera: "I've watched Hong Kong for decades. Young people like Mr. Lam are capable, responsible, know how to respect tradition, and have a clear vision for the future. They are a blessing to Hong Kong."
We hope he will do more good deeds for Hong Kong in the future; we, the neighbors, all support him!
These simple yet heartfelt street interviews offer a fascinating contrast and complement to the grand narratives previously presented by top global media outlets.
Guo Xiaohan's eyes welled up with tears. She hadn't expected that her wedding with Haoran would not only cause a sensation among the elite and internationally, but also stir up such sincere blessings and expectations in the hearts of ordinary Hong Kong residents.
"Brother Haoran, everyone, everyone is sending us their blessings," Guo Xiaohan said emotionally.
"Yes." Lin Haoran nodded, his gaze fixed intently on the television screen. "Therefore, we must not let down this blessing and expectation."
He understands that behind the citizens' praise lies pride in their own people achieving success, a yearning for a better life, and an expectation for a better future for Hong Kong.
The television news then broadcast a report from the Oriental Daily News about the "wedding economic effect." Looking at the beaming faces of local small and medium-sized enterprises and ordinary workers whose stocks had risen, orders had surged, and businesses were booming because of their weddings, Lin Haoran couldn't help but smile.
With great power comes great responsibility—a truth he understood particularly deeply at that moment.
Since that's the case, let's give these neighbors a return gift!
At that moment, Lin Haoran had an idea.
He casually picked up the mobile phone next to him and dialed Ma Shimin's number.
"Boss, happy wedding!" came Ma Shimin's sincere congratulations from the other end of the phone.
"Mr. Ma, thank you, but there's something urgent I need you to do."
Ma Shimin immediately straightened up: "Boss, please give your instructions."
"You saw today's Oriental Daily News, right? And the street interviews with well wishes in the news." Lin Haoran's gaze swept across the television screen.
"Boss, I've heard about it too. Your wedding has received blessings from everyone." Ma Shimin said with a smile.
"Therefore, I plan to have both ParknShop and Wellcome supermarkets under my umbrella offer a consumer discount for a month. As for how much the discount will be, you can discuss it with Mr. Wei Li."
At the very least, the goal should be to ensure that ordinary neighborhood families can clearly feel the savings when buying groceries and daily necessities this month, and save a real amount of money.
"You decide on the specific product categories. Focus on necessities like rice, flour, cooking oil, fresh food, and daily necessities. Offer significant discounts, even if you don't make a profit," Lin Haoran instructed.
Before Hutchison Whampoa was acquired by Lin Haoran, its ParknShop supermarkets were engaged in a protracted price war with Wellcome supermarkets, owned by Hongkong Land's Dairy Farm International.
Ultimately, it ended with Hutchison Whampoa's defeat.
Now that Hutchison Whampoa has been acquired by Lin Haoran, both ParknShop and Wellcome supermarkets have become his businesses.
While it may not be considered a monopoly, in the supermarket retail sector, no competitor can rival it anymore.
ParknShop and Wellcome together hold approximately 80% of the market share in Hong Kong.
Therefore, even without promotions, no competitor can actually shake its position.
But what Lin Haoran wanted was never just market share or commercial profits.
Now, his sights are set on the whole world.
Hong Kong is just a small market.
This is his headquarters.
He wants to make his base camp look beautiful.
As the owner of the global consumer goods group, Langwei Group, he is able to minimize product costs.
Therefore, even if he offers discounts, he will still not lose money.
"Boss, I understand what you mean. This is not a business competition, but a social contribution to all citizens of Hong Kong."
We not only want to offer concessions, but we also want to do it gracefully and thoroughly, so that every resident can truly feel our sincerity.
"I will immediately communicate with Mr. Wei Li to ensure that the two supermarkets are in agreement, come up with the most sincere solution, and ensure the supply chain is secure so that there will be no shortage of goods or a decline in quality," Ma Shimin said solemnly.
“Very good.” Lin Haoran nodded in satisfaction. “In addition, not only supermarkets, but also our restaurants, tea houses, department stores and electronics stores will launch discounts this month to meet people’s daily needs.”
Especially for durable consumer goods for households, we can consider interest-free installments or trade-in subsidies. We want this "return gift" to cover all aspects of the neighborhood's lives, so that they can feel the comprehensive benefits.
“Understood, boss! I will develop a comprehensive ‘Gratitude and Feedback Month’ plan, covering all relevant business segments.” Ma Shimin noted it down.
However, he then asked, "But boss, such a large-scale price reduction, while good for the neighborhood, might provoke a backlash from some other retailers or even suppliers. They might file complaints with regulators about 'unfair competition' or 'abuse of market dominance'..."
Lin Haoran smiled calmly and said in an unquestionable manner: "Our promotional activities are open to all consumers and are treated equally."
We did not force anyone to buy, nor did we coerce any suppliers. This was a normal business promotion based on corporate social responsibility, and it was aboveboard.
If anyone has any questions, let them have them. We have a clear conscience and are doing what we believe is beneficial to Hong Kong and the community.
Regarding regulation, open communication and cooperation in accordance with laws and regulations are sufficient. Remember, if we act uprightly and stand straight, we have nothing to fear from any dissenting voices.
He believed that even the Governor's Office would give him face and wouldn't cause him trouble over such a trivial matter.
"Yes, boss! I understand." Ma Shimin had no more worries.
He had followed Lin Haoran for many years and knew that his boss's actions, though seemingly bold, were actually calculated and far-sighted.
This seemingly "money-spraying" move contains political wisdom and social significance that far exceeds its commercial value.
After hanging up the phone, Lin Haoran felt a sense of relief.
He could almost see it: a few days later, on the streets of Hong Kong, housewives would be carrying shopping bags full of purchases from ParknShop and Wellcome, their faces beaming with the joy of saving money.
Seeing that the elderly are using more affordable appliances or daily necessities, making their lives more convenient;
Seeing those hardworking ordinary families, perhaps because of this extra savings this month, they can buy an extra book for their child or take their family out for a meal at a local tea restaurant...
These small, specific joys, when combined, constitute the warmth and vitality of a city.
And he was fortunate enough to add fuel to that fire.
Guo Xiaohan listened quietly the whole time, and only then did she speak softly: "Brother Haoran, what you did is really good. I can already imagine how happy the neighbors are."
Lin Haoran held her hand: "Xiaohan, the meaning of wealth lies not in the accumulation of numbers, but in how much real beauty it can create."
We are fortunate to have the ability to do this. This fortune also gives us a responsibility to do it.
He looked out at the bright sunshine and continued, "Moreover, this is not just about giving back. A stable, prosperous Hong Kong where citizens feel a sense of gain and happiness is the most solid foundation for the long-term development of all our undertakings."
This is called, "Taking from society and giving back to society, with long-term benefits."
Guo Xiaohan nestled against him, her heart filled with pride and tranquility.
Her husband not only possessed extraordinary talent, but also had a compassionate heart and a strong sense of responsibility for the country and the world.
Marrying such a man is the greatest blessing of her life. (End of Chapter)