Chapter 893
Demolition of the Executive House
Victoria Peak Repulse Bay.
The convoy climbed up the winding mountain road, with the hustle and bustle of Shenzhen and Hong Kong being isolated by layers of greenery.
This crown jewel of the "Pearl of the Orient," overlooking Victoria Harbour, appears exceptionally serene and majestic as dusk settles in.
Along the roadside, hidden behind dense trees, are luxury homes worth hundreds of millions, symbolizing the city's top wealth and status.
Lu Yang leaned back in the back seat, his gaze fixed on the scenery rushing past outside the dark car window.
The outline of Repulse Bay was faintly visible in the darkening sky, and the golden sand and azure waters, known as "the No. 1 Bay in the world", had now merged into a deep indigo.
His destination was a secluded hillside villa in a prime location on Repulse Bay Road.
That place was his most secret and heaviest "home" in the port city.
The car finally stopped in front of a low-key yet heavy carved iron gate. Inside the gate was a meticulously maintained garden, and the brightly lit European-style villa exuded a warm and noble glow in the night.
Xiao Jiu respectfully opened the car door.
Lu Yang took a deep breath, temporarily suppressing the warmth of his home in Pengcheng, filled with the aroma of tea and his daughter's laughter, and put on a calm expression with a hint of weariness from returning home.
As soon as he stepped out of the car, his eyes precisely caught the figure at the entrance of the villa.
Du Lingling stood there.
She wore a well-tailored off-white cashmere dress with a matching cardigan. Her long hair was loosely tied up, with a few strands falling to her neck. Under the soft light of the porch, her silhouette was both gentle and capable.
She was holding a tiny baby wrapped in a soft baby blanket in her arms.
Their son, Lu An.
Seeing the convoy stop, Du Lingling smiled sincerely and took two steps forward, holding her child.
Her gaze lingered on Lu Yang for a moment, carrying a hint of longing and relief.
Lu Yang strode forward without hesitation, opened his arms, and gave Du Lingling a firm hug, one that carried the weariness of a journey.
This hug was brief yet powerful, conveying a tacit understanding and support that needed no words.
He then naturally released her, his gaze immediately drawn to the little one in his arms.
"An'an!" Lu Yang's voice softened instantly, filled with the doting affection typical of a father.
He carefully took his several-month-old son from Du Lingling's arms.
The little guy seemed to recognize his father's scent. He was still a bit sleepy, but now he opened his big, bright eyes and looked at Lu Yang curiously. He made a couple of babbling sounds and reached out his chubby little hand to grab his chin.
"My good son, did you miss your dad?" Lu Yang lowered his head and gently rubbed his son's soft cheek with the stubble on his chin, making the little guy giggle and then give him two loud kisses on the face.
The soft, creamy texture and milky aroma instantly eased the heaviness in his heart.
This heartwarming "family reunion" was witnessed by Xiao Jun, who got off the car shortly afterward.
Xiao Jun's signature nonchalant sunglasses were still perched on his nose, and an unlit cigarette dangled from the corner of his mouth.
He leaned against the car door, watching Lu Yang and Du Lingling hug and play affectionately with the child, without a trace of surprise on his face, as if what was happening before him was just an ordinary street scene.
He merely raised an eyebrow, a knowing yet slightly mocking smile curving his lips, thinking to himself:
"As expected. You cheap brother-in-law, who is this woman hiding in a golden house this time? Tsk tsk, the son is already so big... You've kept her well hidden."
He was naturally aware of the son his sister Qian Youyou had given birth to for Lu Yang, so he wasn't surprised at all by the appearance of another one. Instead, he had a subtle understanding that they were kindred spirits.
After all, he, Young Master Xiao, was no saint himself. When it came to romantic entanglements and "time management," he considered himself no less capable than Lu Yang, so naturally he had neither the standing nor the interest to meddle in other people's business.
Moreover, his core objective in coming to the port city this time is very clear.
They're just here to play around with women.
Lu Yang's private affairs provided him with an excellent cover and space to move freely.
He straightened his rather flashy Hawaiian-style shirt, his face instantly breaking into a warm, harmless smile. He stepped forward, bowed slightly to Du Lingling, and spoke with just the right amount of amazement and respect:
"This must be your sister-in-law, right? Hello, sister-in-law! It's an honor to meet you! My name is Xiao Jun, and I'm your sister... uh, no, no!"
He seemed to have suddenly bitten his tongue, exaggeratedly slapped his mouth, and then chuckled as he corrected himself, "He's President Lu's friend! My best buddy! My closest brother!"
Lu Yang, holding his son, glanced at Xiao Jun and introduced him to Du Lingling: "This boy is Xiao Jun. He is your sister Youyou's half-brother and one of the partners in our Century Group. He is currently the president of the listed company Xiaoshentong Electronics."
The introduction specifically mentions "Youyou's younger sister" and "half-sister," which serves to explain Xiao Jun's background to Du Lingling and also implies that Xiao Jun knows the inside story but will not say anything.
Upon hearing this, Du Lingling showed no change in expression, maintaining her poised and generous smile as she extended her hand to Xiao Jun: "So it's President Xiao. Hello, President Xiao, I'm Du Lingling, temporarily serving as the head of Century Real Estate's Gangcheng branch."
Her voice was clear and pleasant, with the unique accent of the port city, yet she exuded a calm and capable aura, displaying the presence of a workplace elite in every gesture.
Xiao Jun quickly dropped his playful grin and put on a slightly "serious" expression. He rubbed his hands on his pants, which looked spotless, before nervously and very briefly grasping Du Lingling's outstretched fingertips. He quickly let go in less than a second, as if her hand were a branding iron.
"It's a pleasure to meet you! Sister-in-law, you're truly... a woman who doesn't yield to men. Mr. Lu is so lucky!" Xiao Jun flattered her, but in his heart he thought: This Du Lingling has an extraordinary aura; no wonder she can stand alone for Lu Yang in Hong Kong. My brother-in-law's eye for women is indeed sharp.
"Alright, stop standing at the door, let's go inside." Lu Yang, carrying his son, turned around first and strode into the brightly lit villa.
His movements were natural and fluid, as if this were his rightful home in the port city.
Stepping into the living room, a warm atmosphere mixed with the aroma of food greets you.
On the long table in the restaurant, a sumptuous feast was already laid out, clearly prepared by the servants at Du Lingling's prior instruction.
The ownership of this top-tier hillside villa in Repulse Bay had already been quietly transferred from Lu Yang's name to Du Lingling's name.
This was a tangible guarantee he was giving to the mother and child, a heavy responsibility, and a kind of material compensation for his inner guilt.
Century Real Estate's Gangcheng branch was entirely managed by Du Lingling.
In the future, barring any unforeseen circumstances, this vast real estate empire will most likely be handed over to Lu An, the little guy who is currently babbling in his arms and wearing diapers.
"How's An'an been lately? Has he been disobedient?" Lu Yang asked casually as he paced around the spacious living room with his son in his arms.
He named An'an; his formal name is Lu An, and his nickname is An'an, which means peace and good fortune.
When it came to naming her, Lu Yang displayed an unusual domineering attitude, leaving Du Lingling no choice whatsoever.
He already has one child who takes his mother Qian Youyou's surname, and he would never allow this second son, who has been lost in Hong Kong, to take Du Lingling's surname.
Those who are of the Lu family bloodline must bear the surname Lu.
Du Lingling stood beside him, watching the interaction between the father and son, her eyes gentle: "He is very obedient, but he is also very clingy. I originally wanted to leave him with the nanny so I could concentrate on dealing with company matters. But this little guy, if he is out of my sight for even a short while, or if he can't see me for a long time, he will cry and fuss so much that I can't soothe him no matter what I do. I really have no choice but to bring him to the company office and have my assistant help out; or I can only bring the work back to the villa and have my subordinates bring all the documents over for approval."
Upon hearing this, Lu Yang stopped and turned to look at Du Lingling, his eyes filled with understanding and a hint of apology: "Compared to business, of course our son is more important. You did the right thing."
He paused, then thought of someone: "If the company is really too busy, we could consider delegating some authority to capable people. Shelley would be a good example. She's a Stanford graduate with a background in a British noble family. Although she's only 1/8 Chinese, her abilities are undeniable. She managed the company's business very well in Hong Kong. Letting her share some of the workload and assist you should be more than enough." Lu Yang didn't want Du Lingling to work too hard, and he didn't want his young son to shuttle between the company and the villa with his mother.
The recommendation of Shelley is based on both recognition of this mixed-race female executive's abilities and compassion for her and her son.
Du Lingling nodded calmly, without a trace of doubt or jealousy: "Yes, Shelley's abilities are indeed outstanding. Okay, since you recommended her, I will try to give her more responsibilities and let her share more core business."
She understood Lu Yang's character and was also clear about Shelley's role.
If Lu Yang really had any connection with this tall, capable mixed-race beauty, it should have happened long before he returned from Frankfurt to take over, and there would have been no way he would have been parachuted in as the president of Century Real Estate Port City.
She still has that much confidence and trust.
The sumptuous dinner began in a subtle atmosphere that was both like a family gathering and a business dinner.
Lu Yang and Du Lingling chatted about their children, the company's recent situation, and the upcoming demolition ceremony of the executive house tomorrow.
Xiao Jun fully utilized his role as the "atmosphere-maker," cracking jokes and telling harmless anecdotes, which dispelled much of the gloom.
However, before he had even finished half of his meal, Xiao Jun's phone started vibrating in his pocket. He took it out, glanced at the screen, and a knowing, knowing smile instantly spread across his face.
He covered the phone, made an apologetic gesture to Lu Yang and Du Lingling, and walked aside to answer the call.
"Hello? Director Wang?... Hahaha, I'm here, I was just eating... Okay, okay! No problem! I'm coming right now!... Don't worry, I've got it covered!... Alright, alright, see you later!"
The person on the other end of the phone was clearly Wang Jing, the chubby director known for making erotic films and for discovering actresses known as "Crystal Girls".
After hanging up the phone, Xiao Jun walked back to the dining table, his "you know what I mean" expression practically overflowing.
He rubbed his hands together and said to Lu Yang and Du Lingling, "Boss, sister-in-law, I'm so sorry! Director Wang Jing has some urgent business to attend to, and he insists I go over there right now to discuss some details of the new film... uh, investment! What do you think of this..."
He deliberately drew out the words "investment details," winking and making faces, "Then I won't disturb you two any longer! Enjoy your meal! Haha, a moment of bliss is worth a thousand pieces of gold!"
He grinned lewdly, grabbed his coat from the back of the chair, and slipped out as if he were greased, afraid that staying even a second longer would delay Lu Yang's good time.
Lu Yang watched his retreating figure disappear as if his pants were on fire, shook his head helplessly, and said to Du Lingling beside him, "Ignore him. This guy came with me with no good intentions to begin with. Let him have his fun." He was referring to Xiao Jun's true intentions in coming to Hong Kong for pleasure.
Two barely perceptible blushes appeared on Du Lingling's face, clearly indicating that she understood Xiao Jun's teasing remark about "a fleeting moment of spring night."
She picked up a napkin and elegantly wiped her mouth, then steered the conversation back to business: "Everything is ready. The ceremony will begin promptly at eight o'clock tomorrow morning. The media has also been notified, and we expect quite a few reporters to be there. After all, the Grand Mansion on Victoria Peak is more than just a house; it witnessed an era. Now that it's being demolished... it won't be a small affair."
"Hmm." Lu Yang nodded, his gaze becoming profound.
The demolition of this grand mansion, a symbol of the powerful elites of the old era, and the reconstruction of a new-style villa complex belonging to the Century Group, is itself a highly symbolic declaration of power.
He picked up his wine glass, took a sip of red wine, and felt the rich liquid slide down his throat, bringing a sense of warmth and also hinting at the turmoil that would ensue tomorrow.
The two tacitly stopped talking and quietly finished the rest of their dinner.
During this time, the nanny, being very perceptive, came over and quietly asked if they wanted to take An'an, who had already eaten and drunk her fill and was dozing off in the baby chair.
Du Lingling nodded in acknowledgment, and the nanny then gently carried the little one away from the restaurant.
Only the two of them remained in the restaurant.
The air seemed to thicken, filled with the aroma of food, the lingering aftertaste of red wine, and an indescribable tension.
Du Lingling's cheeks appeared even more rosy under the soft light. She lowered her eyes slightly, and her long eyelashes cast a small shadow under her eyes.
Lu Yang put down his wine glass, his gaze fixed intently on her. No words were needed; a tacit longing flowed between them in the silence.
He stood up, his tall figure exuding an invisible sense of oppression.
Under Du Lingling's slightly shy yet expectant gaze, he walked to her side, bent down, and easily lifted her up by the waist with his arms that were once powerful and decisive in the business world, but now held an irresistible tenderness.
Du Lingling gasped softly and instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck.
Her weight felt weightless in Lu Yang's strong and powerful arms.
Lu Yang carried her as if she were a rare treasure, striding towards the thickly carpeted spiral staircase, his destination clear: the master bedroom upstairs.
The moonlight outside the window had quietly climbed to the summit of Victoria Peak, its cool and bright radiance pouring like mercury into the luxurious interior of the villa through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows.
In the distance, the faint chirping of cicadas, a sound unique to summer nights, could be heard, rising and falling in waves.
However, within this tranquility, another, more private and more passionate voice soon emerged (the rest of the text is omitted).
The next day, early morning.
As the first rays of dawn pierced the thin mist over Victoria Harbour and shone upon Victoria Peak, this tranquil and elegant hilltop, which should belong to the wealthy, unexpectedly became bustling early on.
The long convoy wound its way up the mountain from the foot, like a steel dragon, breaking the silence of the mountain road in the early morning.
The convoy included gleaming luxury cars as well as heavy trucks bearing the engineering company's logo and carrying large demolition equipment.
The roar of engines and the dispatching commands coming from the walkie-talkie intertwined to form an undeniable sound wave, startling the birds roosting in the dense forest and attracting the attention of the residents in the top-tier mansions halfway up the mountain.
On the terrace of one of the mansions with a superb view overlooking the entire demolition area, Li Ka-shing, dressed in a Tang suit for morning exercises, was slowly practicing Tai Chi.
His youngest son, Li Zekai, frowned, holding a high-powered telescope, staring intently at the busy construction site and the crowd gathered on the mountaintop.
"Daddy, what's going on? Why such a big fuss?" Li Zekai put down his binoculars, his tone clearly showing displeasure and confusion.
Li Ka-shing slowly came to a stop, calmly picked up a hot towel and wiped his hands, his voice calm and even: "I heard that it's that mainland student who came from the mainland, who plans to demolish the entire historic 'boss house' on the mountaintop and rebuild several more modern townhouses on the same site."
"Hmph!" Li Zekai snorted coldly, his face full of disdain and resentment. "Nouveau riche! That mansion is a landmark on the hilltop, it's history! He thinks he can just demolish it like that? It's really... absurd!"
He paused, then his voice suddenly rose, filled with intense resentment, "And Cyberport! Daddy, that kid used underhanded means to seize our land in the core area of Cyberport last year, held onto it for a year, and now, with land prices soaring, he's putting it up for auction again! This money, these profits, should have belonged to our Li family, and should have been safely pocketed by us! Now this mainland kid has made it all! Are we just going to let it go like this? Just watch him gloat?"
Li Ka-shing's deep gaze swept over his emotionally agitated youngest son, a hint of disappointment flashing in his eyes, but more so a calm composure born of experience.
He spoke slowly, his voice not loud, but carrying an undeniable authority: "So what do you want? To continue sending the gang to deal with him?" He stared intently at Li Zekai, his gaze piercing. "Wasn't the lesson from last time enough? Have you forgotten what happened to 'Broken Tooth Giant'?"
Li Zekai felt a chill run down his spine under his father's gaze. Recalling Lu Yang's thunderous counterattack, his momentum weakened slightly, but he still stubbornly insisted, "But... but are we just going to let this go? I'm not reconciled! Daddy!"
"Not reconciled?" Li Ka-shing walked to the edge of the terrace, hands behind his back, overlooking the gradually awakening Hong Kong Island below. His voice seemed to come from a distant place. "Remember, Ze Kai, the business world may be like a battlefield, but we are businessmen. Businessmen should solve problems using businessmen's methods. If you can win something fair and square at the table, don't think about overturning the table. Overturning the table is the worst strategy, a sign of being unable to accept defeat."
He turned around, his gaze sharpening again. "Since Lu Yang is willing to put the land up for auction, that gives us an opportunity. Get the money ready. It's just a matter of spending a little more money. Problems that can be solved with money aren't the real problems. Getting the land back is the key."
He paused, then raised his voice, his tone becoming more stern and admonishing: "Also, put away those underhanded ideas. This Lu Yang is not someone you can deal with using those江湖 (jianghu) methods. If I find you harboring such thoughts again, you'll be punished according to family rules. Understand?"
Looking into his father's unquestionable eyes, Li Zekai, despite still harboring a burning anger within him, could only lower his head and mumble a reply: "...I remember, Daddy."
At the mountaintop, the engines of the construction machinery roared even louder, like a steel behemoth about to awaken, ready to devour the symbols of the old era.
Li Ka-shing's gaze swept over the mountains, landing on the bustling center of the area, his eyes deep and unfathomable. (End of Chapter)