Hong Kong Comprehensive: Who said that those who practice martial arts have no money?

Chapter 240: Xin Chai, Secretary

Wang Yunwu took a visiting card and walked across the yard into the lobby. His master was sitting on a chair with a newspaper in his hand, reading it seriously with his eyes half closed.

"Lee Ang has won numerous Bajiquan battles in Hong Kong and Kowloon, making him famous in the Hong Kong martial arts community!"

Wang Yunwu glanced at the eye-catching headline in the newspaper, his face showing no emotion.

In just three days, Li An had kicked the ball in almost all the martial arts schools in Hong Kong and Kowloon. Even the Hongsheng School, which had always been highly respected in the Chinese Martial Arts Association, was visited. This matter had already become the front-page headlines in the streets.

"Master."

Wang Tianlai put the newspaper on the table beside him and looked up at the visiting card in Wang Yunwu's hand: "Did Li An send it?"

"Yes."

"I heard that Li An always came to ask for advice directly. Many masters always complained about this, saying that Li An, a young man, didn't know the rules of martial arts. It's rare that he handed in a visiting card before coming to the door this time. It seems that he gave a lot of face to an old man like me."

Wang Tianlai was not angry, on the contrary there was a hint of smile in his tone.

"Master...how about I be the one to take over when Ang Lee comes to visit and seek advice?" Wang Yunwu put the visiting card aside, refilled the tea for his master, hesitated for a moment, and then asked.

After the last incident in the underground boxing ring, he recovered from his injuries and made rapid progress. However, compared to Lee Ang, who fought all the martial arts gyms in Hong Kong and Kowloon in just three days and defeated Master Choy Li Fut and Master Chen, he knew that he was no match for him.

This time, Li An sent a visiting card to ask his master for guidance. The Mo family boxing gym could not avoid the fight. The reason why he asked this question was that the young and strong were better at boxing, and he was worried that his master would be injured accidentally.

"If the name is not right, then the words will not flow. You are not the owner of the gym, so you cannot represent the Mo Family Boxing Gym."

Wang Tianlai shook his head, still half-closed his eyes, and said softly: "Lee Ang has fought against major schools of Bajiquan in Hong Kong and Kowloon, and his name has spread all over the martial arts world! Newspapers are competing to report it. He has already fought four of the three schools, Hung, Liu, Cai, Li and Mok, and only our Mok school is left. Among the famous masters in Hong Kong, only I and I have not tried our hands on him. What the northern boxing lacks in opening a school in the south is reputation. If he wants fame, just give it to him. You go to Nanjing Street and take care of this matter on my behalf. Just say that I will wait for him to come to my house for instruction tomorrow at noon."

"I understand, Master."

Wang Yunwu paused for a moment, but he swallowed the words on his lips. After a respectful response, he turned around and left, leaving Wang Tianlai sitting alone in the lobby. He picked up the teacup on the table and took a sip of hot tea, looking at the disciples practicing boxing in the courtyard, lost in thought.

“Perhaps it’s time to add some new firewood to the furnace of Hong Kong’s martial arts world.”

Wang Tianlai sighed after a long time.

In recent years, with the widespread circulation of martial arts novels and movies, people have further admired and yearned for martial arts. The martial arts culture in Hong Kong has become increasingly strong, and martial arts schools have sprung up in large numbers, at one point outnumbering rice shops.

Wang Tianlai used to be quite happy about this, but the incident with the Muay Thai performance troupe shattered the illusion of grandeur. He suddenly realized that such a large National Martial Arts Association with so many masters was helpless in facing the provocation of Muay Thai masters.

The older generation of boxers are getting old, and there are no outstanding young people. The martial arts world is like a stagnant pool, with a lack of successors. After this incident, although almost all Thai boxing troupes died in underground boxing rings, and even the leader Nai Feng was beaten to death in the boxing ring by Ang Lee, they also made a name for themselves in Hong Kong, and several boxing gyms were opened in Hong Kong Island.

Wang Tianlai has experienced the Chinese Wushu Association's Southern Kung Fu being passed down to the North. Unlike other masters who attach so much importance to the distinction between the North and the South, he hopes that the Northern Kung Fu can inject a bit of vitality into the now lifeless martial arts world.

.........

.........

"Still reading so late."

When Li An returned to the Walled City, it was already 11 o'clock in the evening. Hua Man, wearing a silk nightgown, was sitting on the sofa in the room, concentrating on reading the books in her hands.

Ang Lee has been very busy these days. The Bajiquan gym opened yesterday. In order to build momentum for the gym, Ang Lee has been visiting gyms in Hong Kong and Kowloon. Even the lease matters that have been negotiated have been fully entrusted to Charlie.

"Hey, you're back."

Hua Man came back to her senses and put the book in her hand on the coffee table.

"Modern accounting? Accounting theory? Preparing for the accounting exam?" Li An walked forward, glanced at the books on the coffee table, and asked with a smile.

"I just want to study accounting, but the University of Hong Kong doesn't want me."

Hua Man sighed and complained, "Actually, I just wanted to find some books and materials on finance. Unfortunately, most of these books in Hong Kong are in English, and I don't speak English. I had to run all over Kowloon to buy these two books translated into Chinese."

She had seen all kinds of people in the dance hall, but she had never done a legitimate business. Now Baihui's stall was getting bigger and bigger, and she had nothing to do in the evening, so she thought of buying some financial books and materials to read in the evening during the free time when the shop was under renovation and not yet open.

“It would be good to read some books on this subject.”

Li An nodded in agreement, sat down next to Hua Man, hugged her waist, and said apologetically: "My senior brother has opened a school to teach disciples, and I, as his junior brother, have no choice but to take over. I am also busy looking for a shop, so I have been busy recently and have no time to accompany you."

"I know."

Hua Man rolled her eyes at him when she heard that, but the corners of her mouth unconsciously curled up.

"You smell like sweat. Go take a shower first. I'll make you some sugar water and bring it to you."

Having said that, she stood up and walked outside.

Li An just smiled, and when he saw Hua Man leave, he turned and went to the bathroom.

Not long after, Li An came out with his upper body naked and a bath towel wrapped around his waist. Hua Man had already returned to the room and was sitting on the sofa with her knees hugged, reading a book. There was a bowl of sugar water on the coffee table.

“It’s delicious, with good color, aroma and taste.”

Ang Lee was knowledgeable and tactful. He picked up the sweet potato syrup on the coffee table and put it into his mouth with a spoon.

"Hmm... not bad, not bad."

Seeing Li An's serious look, Hua Man couldn't help but laugh out loud: "Sweet potato soup is relatively simple, you don't need to cook it for so long. In fact, this is my first time making sweet soup. If you like it, eat more. There is more in the kitchen."

After she finished speaking, the sugar water in Li An's hand was already empty.

"Help me get another bowl."

"it is good!"

When Hua Man served the second bowl, Li An reached out to take it. He did not wolf it down like he did with the first bowl. Instead, he took a bite slowly, looked up at Hua Man and said, "I have asked Charlie to help contact the Institute of Chartered Secretaries to recommend a suitable secretary. You don't have to be too tired then."

"secretary?"

"Yes, I plan to register a trading company to manage the retail business. Doing business outside is not like doing business in the Walled City. Everything must be legal and compliant. Besides, many things in the company cannot be done without secretaries." Li An saw Hua Man's puzzled expression and explained. In Hong Kong, the role of secretaries in a company is indispensable.

Different from the inherent image of secretaries who serve tea, answer phone calls, arrange itineraries, etc., the members of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries during this period can be seen as the prototype of professional managers.

In fact, Li An had only heard about the news of his sky-high salary in his previous life. Out of curiosity, he looked up some information and got to know a little about the Institute of Chartered Secretaries.

The Hong Kong Institute of Chartered Secretaries (HKCSSA) is an independent professional organization dedicated to developing and implementing good corporate governance policies and promoting the profession of "Chartered Secretary" and "Chartered Governance Professional". Founded in 1949, it is a subsidiary of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA) in London, UK.

The association's members are professionals with extensive knowledge and experience in corporate law, finance, corporate governance, company secretarial practice and corporate management.

In fact, not only Hua Man felt a sense of urgency, but Li Ang also felt exhausted during this period.

Newspaper offices, newsstands, supermarkets, convenience stores, docks... Although Li Ang has a forward-looking vision, he was just a small shop owner in his previous life. Of course, he cannot have rich management experience. The stall is getting bigger and bigger, and the retail industry's land grabbing cannot stop. For now, it is urgent to find a management talent who can share the burden, execute and provide accurate and feasible suggestions for him.

After eating two bowls in a row, Li An put down the porcelain bowl and Hua Man got up to clean up.

When Huaman returned to the room, Li An walked up to her and put his arms around her waist.

"Don't make trouble. You still have to fight with others tomorrow. Go to bed early. I will read some more books."

Hua Man rolled her eyes at Li An and supported his chest with her hands.

"Why, are you worried that my legs and feet will be weak tomorrow?"

Li An laughed, hugged Hua Man and fell on the bed, leaned close to her ear and whispered: "Have you forgotten that I know how to use the iron shirt?"

.........

Early in the morning, Li An had breakfast with Hua Man as usual and then left the walled city.

Twenty-eight wins, this is his record in the past three days of coming to seek advice.

He visited all the five and thirteen martial arts schools in Hong Kong and Kowloon, as well as masters of other prominent martial arts schools, leaving only Mok Gyu-kun and Wing Chun.

Wang Yunwu had replied yesterday. The agreed meeting time was noon. Now it was morning. Li An was in no hurry to visit. He drove to Andre Law Firm on Granville Road after leaving the city.

In Hong Kong, there are two types of lawyers: solicitors and barristers.

Barrister refers to a litigation lawyer, also known as a court lawyer, and is affectionately called "big lawyer" by citizens. His right to appear in court is unrestricted and he has the right to speak in all courts.

The lawyers in Andre Law Firm are all transactional lawyers. They mainly handle various legal matters and have a wide range of responsibilities, but their right to appear in court is greatly restricted. They can only appear in the magistrates' court, the district court and the in-house court of the court of first instance (i.e., closed court).

"Mr. Li, please take a seat."

Charlie gestured with his hand, and after Lee Ang sat down, he cleared out three documents from the pile on the desk and handed them over.

"Mr. Li, these are three lease contracts."

Li An took the two documents in his hand. One was a shop lease and the other was an office lease in the building. This kind of sale and lease can be handled by a lawyer without the need for the person himself to appear.

"Thank you."

"It should."

As a lawyer, Charlie never looks at people with tinted glasses. In his eyes, whether they are Chinese or British, they are all treated equally. As long as they can afford the commission, they are his customers. What's more, Ang Lee is generous enough to invite him to be his permanent legal adviser. This is a long-term deal.

While looking through the contract, Li An asked:
"By the way, Lawyer Charlie, do you have any news on the matter I entrusted you with yesterday?"

Charlie spread his hands and said apologetically, "I'm sorry, Mr. Li, your situation makes it difficult to attract experienced and highly professional talents. Salary has a price, but they often value the company's prospects more, so the association only recommended Miss Feng Huiya, who only graduated from the University of Hong Kong and has no experience of studying in a world-renowned university, let alone working in a well-known foreign company. If you are not in a hurry, you can wait. Of course, maybe you can also increase the salary and offer a price they can't refuse. After all, even God will not refuse a generous customer."

Charlie's words were not unexpected to Li An. His company had not yet been registered and was even more inconspicuous than those trading firms with tens of millions of assets. The guild was able to recommend someone because of Charlie's identity as a British lawyer.

He shook his head and said, "It's okay. Can you contact this lady and arrange a time for us to talk?"

"Of course no problem, I have the lady's contact number here."

.........

The Miss Feng Huiya that Charlie contacted on the phone was a capable woman who wore black-framed glasses, a blue dress, and had short hair that reached her shoulders. She was about twenty-six or twenty-seven years old.

This is a cafe in Tsim Sha Tsui. The woman happened to live in Kowloon. Seeing that he had plenty of time, Li An asked her if she had time in the morning, and the two of them made an appointment to meet in this cafe.

The woman gave Li An a polite smile and said, "My name is Feng Huiya. I graduated from the University of Hong Kong with a Bachelor of Business Administration and I am a certified public accountant of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants."

"Hello, Ms. Feng Huiya, I'm Li An."

The waiter came over with a tray and placed the coffee in front of the two.

"Mr. Li... Excuse me, I've seen your news and photos in the newspapers, but they don't seem to match the introduction of the guild. Do you run a martial arts school?"

Feng Huiya frowned and asked. When she saw Li An just now, she felt that he was somewhat familiar. When Li An introduced her name, she recalled the newspapers she had read in the past two days. She felt a little dissatisfied with the guild's recommendation.

Li An noticed the subtle change in the other person's expression and asked with a smile: "Does Miss Feng think that those of us who practice martial arts are too strong and unsuitable for doing business?"

Although Feng Huiya agreed with what Ang Lee said, her basic professional ethics prevented her from admitting it. She smiled awkwardly:

"No, don't mind, Mr. Li. It's just an introduction by the guild. You're in the supermarket business."

"I don't mind. Miss Feng, you can just take what I said just now as a joke to liven up the atmosphere. The one who opened the martial arts school is my senior brother, and the guild's introduction is true."

Li An controlled his tone to avoid embarrassment for both parties. In fact, he was quite satisfied with Feng Huiya in front of him. With a bachelor's degree in business administration and the ability to become a member of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries, Li An was not worried about her professional qualities.

What's more, the other party is a certified public accountant of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants, an identity that is widely recognized not only in Hong Kong but also internationally.

With such excellent conditions, he still wants to find a job again. Is it because his standards are too high? Or is it because his previous job was not satisfactory?

What Ang Lee was thinking about was how to convince Feng Huiya.

(End of this chapter)