Chapter 894
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The wind from the top of Victoria Peak, carrying the salty smell of the sea and the roughness of dust, brushed against Lu Yang's cheeks.
He squinted slightly, watching the "boss's house," which had once symbolized the power and luxury of an era, collapse like a toppled block under the relentless tearing of the giant mechanical arm.
"Boom—!"
A dull, resounding boom echoed from the mountaintop, like the final sigh from the depths of history.
Bricks, wooden beams, and exquisitely carved window frames were instantly reduced to dust and ruins. A massive cloud of smoke, like a gray behemoth, roared into the air, rapidly spreading and swallowing the last vestiges of Victorian elegance, blurring the faces of the onlookers.
Lu Yang subconsciously hugged his sleeping son Lu An even tighter and gently covered the child's ears with his broad palms.
The little guy smacked his lips in his dream, completely unaware that the land beneath his feet had just experienced a symbolic "death".
Lu Yang's gaze pierced through the swirling dust and landed on the center of the makeshift interview platform not far away.
There, Du Lingling stood under the spotlight, facing a group of reporters who looked like wolves and tigers, and the constantly flashing cameras.
She wore a sharply tailored beige suit skirt, her long hair neatly pinned up behind her head, revealing her slender, fair neck. She was like a drawn sword, sharp and assertive, exuding an undeniable sense of control.
Her voice came through the microphone clearly, carrying a hint of coolness, yet every word was firm and resounding:
"...Century Properties has decided to transform this land, which carries special historical memories, into six uniquely styled, future-oriented top-tier detached villas. This is not destruction but rebirth. The symbols of the old era will eventually fade; we are committed to creating a more vibrant landmark for the new era."
“Ms. Du!” A female reporter squeezed to the front, her voice trembling with excitement. “This mansion was the exclusive residence of the HSBC taipan, a representative of colonial-era architectural art! Its unique English style is irreplaceable and is of immense historical value in itself! Isn’t it too short-sighted and reckless for Century Properties to demolish it so brutally? This is a desecration of Hong Kong’s historical memory!”
Du Lingling tilted her head slightly, her gaze sweeping over the questioner like lightning, a faint, almost imperceptible smile curving her lips: "The value of history lies in the lessons it teaches us, not in becoming a shackle that imprisons development. Its fall precisely signifies the complete departure of an old era and the arrival of a new era full of infinite possibilities. We respect history, but we focus even more on creating the future."
Her words were impeccable, deftly deflecting the accusation of "blasphemy" leveled against her, and then taking the opportunity to reiterate the concept of the "new era."
At this moment, another sharp voice rang out, carrying undisguised provocation and challenge: "Ms. Du, as everyone knows, Century Real Estate is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the mainland Century Group. Although your group claims to be a private enterprise, judging from its style of operation, especially its attitude towards these symbols of the colonial era, it seems to harbor a... strong 'resentment'? Rumors circulate that behind the Century Group, is there any 'mysterious force' from the mainland behind it? Does your action today have any... political implications?"
The reporter deliberately emphasized the words "mysterious force" and "political implications," his gaze aggressive.
The scene fell silent for a moment, with all the cameras focused intently on Du Lingling's face, capturing the most subtle changes in her expression.
This is an extremely sensitive issue, directly addressing the fundamental nature of the Century Group and the foundation upon which it has established itself in the port city.
The faint smile on Du Lingling's face vanished instantly, replaced by a cold, scrutinizing sharpness.
She slightly raised her chin, looked directly at the reporter who asked the question, and her voice clearly carried throughout the room through the microphone: "Sir reporter, 'mysterious force'? What specific force are you referring to? Is it the law? Market forces? Or some entity you personally speculate about?"
She paused, giving him no chance to breathe, "Century Real Estate's entire business activity in the port city strictly adheres to laws and regulations and conforms to market rules. Our investment and development are aimed at creating value and promoting development. As for your so-called 'resentment' and 'political implications'..."
She shook her head slightly, her tone carrying an undeniable air of disdain, "I'm sorry, I really don't understand what you're saying. Next!"
She decisively ended the dangerous topic, turned her attention to the other reporters, and dominated the pace of the interview with her commanding presence.
Although the questions that followed were still pointed, she resolved them one by one from the perspectives of business logic, development planning, and market prospects.
Lu Yang stood in the shadows on the outskirts of the crowd, a satisfied smile playing on his lips.
Watching Du Lingling perform with ease on stage, calmly facing difficulties and even subtly gaining the upper hand, he felt a surge of admiration and pride, like "my daughter has grown up."
He held his son, nodded slightly, and silently applauded her.
Little An'an squirmed in his arms, seemingly disturbed by the noise. Lu Yang quickly lowered his head, gently rubbed his cheek against his son's soft hair, and whispered to comfort him.
Half an hour later, the interview ended with Du Lingling's impeccable concluding remarks.
The reporters gradually dispersed, their expressions ranging from satisfaction to dissatisfaction, excitement to frustration.
Du Lingling stepped off the interview platform, her high heels clicking crisply and confidently on the ground. She walked straight towards Lu Yang, the tense lines on her face softening instantly, her eyes showing a hint of weariness after completing the challenge and a look of anticipation for recognition.
"How was it? Did your sister do a good job?" She naturally reached out and took the newly awakened An'an from Lu Yang's arms.
When the little one saw his mother, he immediately stretched out his chubby little hand and started babbling.
Du Lingling's heart melted instantly. She lowered her head and kissed her son's rosy cheek hard, making a "pop" sound. Then she looked up at Lu Yang with a smile in her eyes.
Lu Yang gave a thumbs up without hesitation, his smile radiant: "Very good! Absolutely brilliant! I knew you could do it, Sister Du. Your presence and your response make you a rising star in Hong Kong's business world!"
His praise was generous, and it was full of genuine appreciation.
"Hehehe..." Du Lingling was amused by his words and covered her mouth to laugh. In the blink of her eyes, her sharpness in the workplace was completely transformed into a charming and alluring beauty.
Sunlight filtered through the lingering dust, illuminating her radiant smile, making her breathtakingly beautiful.
"Let's go down the mountain for lunch. We've been up all morning and we're starving." Lu Yang naturally took Du Lingling's hand, and his other hand habitually wrapped around her waist, the gesture intimate and familiar.
Du Lingling held her son and nestled beside him. The three of them stood together, like a warm and harmonious family scene.
"Mmm," Du Lingling responded, her smile growing even brighter.
Surrounded by Shelley and several other core executives of Century Real Estate, the group left the mountaintop, which had just witnessed an "end of history" and a "storm of public opinion," and drove down to the restaurant they had booked.
Just as Lu Yang, Du Lingling, and their family, along with executives from Century Real Estate, were enjoying a sumptuous lunch at the mountaintop restaurant in a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere, a storm they themselves had ignited was sweeping across the entire port city through invisible radio waves and the roar of printing presses.
During the midday news broadcast, major television stations almost simultaneously aired the shocking footage of the demolition of the Grand Mansion on Victoria Peak—slow-motion replays of giant robotic arms swinging, smoke billowing into the sky, and the century-old building collapsing were played repeatedly, creating a powerful visual impact. Immediately following this was Du Lingling's resounding statement at the press conference: "...announcing the departure of an old era and the arrival of a new one."
Her image was frozen on the screen: calm, confident, and with a rebellious edge.
The newspaper's online edition even used bold headlines to grab attention:
[A century-old executive house vanishes! Century Real Estate in mainland China aggressively "destroys the old and establishes the new"]
[Du Lingling: Colonial Symbols Fall, Century Villas Rise!] [Reporters Press for "Mysterious Power," Century Villa Executive Responds Coldly!]
Repulse Bay, Victoria Peak, Lee Family Estate.
In the luxurious study, a huge floor-to-ceiling television screen was fixed on Du Lingling's exquisite profile, which held a cold, scrutinizing look as she faced reporters' questions.
Li Zekai sat back in an expensive leather sofa, holding a glass of amber-colored whiskey in his hand, but his face was as gloomy as the sky before a sudden rainstorm outside the window.
As he watched the images of the collapsed mansion playing repeatedly on the screen, and the renderings of the plans for building six detached villas announced by Du Lingling, an indescribable feeling of suffocation and frustration welled up in his chest, almost bursting out.
He should have acted sooner!
He should have decisively taken over that damned executive house when his father first mentioned that there was something unusual about the land on Victoria Peak!
Instead of watching helplessly as it is now, being smashed to pieces by a "country bumpkin" from the mainland, and then having six glittering treasure troves built on top of it!
Luxury homes on Victoria Peak, where every inch of land is incredibly valuable.
Once completed, the six top-tier detached villas will each fetch astronomical prices, given their prime locations and the "symbol of the new era" hype that Century Real Estate is currently creating!
This should have been a piece of cake for the Li family, and it was a perfect opportunity for Li Zekai to prove his vision and ability to his father!
But now, they've all become that mainland bumpkin's meal!
"Humph!"
A suppressed, angry snort escaped from Li Zekai's nostrils.
He downed the strong liquor in one gulp, the burning sensation rushing down his throat, but it did nothing to extinguish the raging fire in his heart.
"That bumpkin from the mainland beat me to it again!" he muttered through gritted teeth, his fingers unconsciously clenching until his knuckles turned white.
His gaze was fixed on Du Lingling's radiant face on the screen. "Lu Yang, this is your woman, isn't she?"
A sinister smile curled at the corner of his mouth, filled with undisguised malice. "She may be a bit older, but her looks, her demeanor, her fiery temper—she's definitely not someone like those pretty faces in Hong Kong who're just pretty faces. Tsk tsk, quite the lucky lady..."
He paused, his malice deepening. "However, I've heard that you have a legally wedded wife in mainland China. To so openly bring your mistress around, and even give her a high position in the group, managing such a large project... Aren't you afraid of trouble at home? Aren't you afraid that your legal wife will find out that you're keeping a mistress here and that you've even had a son?"
A dark thought crept into Li Zekai's mind like a venomous snake.
He stared at Du Lingling's confident smile on the screen, his sinister grin growing more and more pronounced.
Once the seeds of revenge are sown, they grow wildly.
He needs leverage, a deadly weapon that can strike at Lu Yang and shake Century Real Estate's foundation in the port city.
Lu Yang's seemingly perfect "family" appears to be an excellent entry point.
"Lu Yang, we'll see." Li Zekai put down his wine glass, picked up his phone from the table, and began scrolling through his contacts.
A sinister plan targeting Lu Yang's private life quickly took shape in his mind.
three days later.
Tai Ping Shan Repulse Bay, and Lu Yang's equally valuable seaside mansion.
The atmosphere in the lunch room was relaxed. Sunlight streamed in through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, and delicate Cantonese dim sum was laid out on the table. Lu Yang and Du Lingling were eating, while their son, Xiao Yang, played with a baby spoon in his high chair next to them, babbling away.
Just then, a series of light, dragging footsteps approached from afar.
Xiao Jun, with messy hair, sunken eyes, and heavy dark circles, sauntered in wearing a wrinkled designer casual outfit. He still carried a faint smell of nightclub smoke and alcohol, along with a lingering scent of cologne.
"Oh, everyone's here."
He greeted Lu Yang listlessly, plopped down in the chair opposite him, grabbed a shrimp dumpling and stuffed it into his mouth, mumbling, "I'm starving..."
Lu Yang put down his chopsticks, glanced at him, his eyes showing a mixture of understanding and helplessness: "Have you had enough fun?" His tone was flat, revealing neither joy nor anger.
Xiao Jun swallowed the shrimp dumpling with difficulty, grabbed the water glass next to him and took a big gulp before panting and saying, "I've had enough fun... This time was really... Director Wang was so kind, the arrangements were... tsk tsk, no complaints."
A lewd smile, seemingly savoring the moment, spread across his face. Then, as if remembering something, his eyes lit up. "Director Wang has a new script, an art film, with depth! He's got Andy Lau to carry it! I think it's pretty good. I'm planning to invest five million to play around with, and while I'm at it... promote a little vixen to be the female lead. That girl has a spark; she's sure to be a star!"
Lu Yang picked up a piece of steamed grouper with his chopsticks, without even lifting his eyelids: "Suit yourself. It's your money, how you want to spend it is your business. However,"
He paused, looked up at Xiao Jun, and said with a hint of warning in his eyes, "Take it easy, don't go too crazy, and don't lose your mind and throw away all your savings for your future wife. Art films can be a dangerous business."
He knew perfectly well that Xiao Jun's so-called "investment" and "promotion" were nothing more than a playboy's excuse for dabbling and womanizing.
"Hehe, don't worry, I know what I'm doing! Five million is nothing!" Xiao Jun patted his chest to assure them, then lowered his head and began to devour the food on the table like a whirlwind, clearly having consumed a great deal of food in the past three days.
Du Lingling quietly fed Xiao An'an, seemingly oblivious to their conversation. A subtle, almost imperceptible curve appeared at the corner of her mouth, conveying a sense of understanding and a touch of aloofness.
She was already used to Xiao Jun's behavior.
The next day, early in the morning.
The garage door of the Repulse Bay Residence slowly rose.
Three black Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedans drove out in a row, their surfaces gleaming with a cool, composed light in the morning glow. In the back seat of the middle car sat Lu Yang and Du Lingling.
Lu Yang wore a custom-made dark gray suit, exuding a calm and reserved demeanor; Du Lingling, on the other hand, changed into a more sophisticated navy blue suit, her long hair neatly styled, her makeup exquisite, and her aura commanding.
Xiao Jun sat in the passenger seat. Although he had changed into a sharp suit, he still looked somewhat haggard and was forcing himself to be energetic.
Their destination was the Island Shangri-La Hotel.
This morning at 10:00 AM, the most anticipated land auction of the quarter in the port city will be held there. (End of Chapter)