1977: The beginning of the blind date with the daughter of the king

Chapter 732 New Year's Eve Fireworks!

boom!
Fireworks exploded in the sky.

Times Square in Causeway Bay has officially opened.

As the gates opened, the long-awaited crowds on Hong Kong Island surged into Times Square like a tide.

Although Hong Kong Island's economy has been sluggish in the past six months, and many people's wealth has declined, most people are still very interested in this exquisite urban architectural complex that resembles a work of art.

In particular, over the past two weeks, Hongkong Land has been conducting large-scale promotions on Hong Kong Island, distributing promotional brochures and offering various activities.

"Goodness, there are so many people. No wonder the boss told us to manage the flow of people."

Looking at the massive crowd on the top floor of Times Square, Ming Wang couldn't help but sigh.

Security at Times Square was naturally handed over to Ming Wang's security company, which was responsible for not only internal security but also external stability.

This includes cleaning up those community organizations.

"Alright, you stay here and keep an eye on things, I'll go down and check again."

Leng Fei spoke softly to Ming Wang.

He's somewhat free now, no longer constantly following Li Changhe around, but instead wandering around aimlessly.

Li Changhe naturally heard the sound of firecrackers in his office at Landmark.

However, he did not go to the scene.

Opening a business on Hong Kong Island is quite particular; you have to consider feng shui, find someone with auspicious fortune, prosperity, and longevity to perform the auspicious rites, and there are all sorts of rules. Li Changhe found it troublesome and didn't want to participate.

Moreover, Hong Kong Island properties are expected to rise steadily for the next few decades, and even if there is a sharp drop in the middle, they will quickly recover.

Unlike stocks, real estate is not something you can buy low and sell high. High-quality plots like those in Central are rarely resold after changing hands.

Therefore, Li Changhe didn't care about those things.

"Boss, Miss Gong just called and asked you to come home for dinner tonight."

Ella then walked in and reported to Li Changhe.

Now they are all familiar with their boss's fiancée, the lucky Miss Gong.

Although she doesn't come to the company often, her legend is now widespread within the company.

"Okay, I get it!"

Li Changhe nodded in agreement.

This also means that Li Changhe has decided on tonight's itinerary, so all other invitations he has received will be cancelled.

Standing in front of the window, Li Changhe sighed.

He knew the reason Gong Xue had called him was that she wanted to go to the Bao family's place for dinner.

As the Lunar New Year approaches, more and more people from the Bao family are gathering together, including many from the large house in Singapore, who have also returned to Hong Kong Island.

So the reunion dinners over there are becoming more and more frequent, since every reunion dinner like this is one less in the future.

With the Spring Festival approaching, Mr. Bao Zhaolong's health is deteriorating day by day, and it's hard to say how long he can hold on!

It seems he won't be able to go back this Spring Festival.

As evening approached, Li Changhe was preparing to leave.

The phone on the table suddenly rang.

"Boss, Mr. Wei Li wants to come up and meet you."

"That's what Ella said softly on the other end of the phone."

Li Changhe shook his head: "Tell him I'm going home tonight. If it's about the revenue situation at Times Square, then report it to me after the Spring Festival event is over."

"If it's something else, let's talk about it tomorrow."

"Forget it, just have Wei Li come over tomorrow morning, and bring the company's CFO with him."

Li Changhe thought for a moment, then spoke to Ella again.

He planned to give Wei Li some instructions and then distribute large bonuses to his employees during the Spring Festival.

This is also one of Li Changhe's secrets to controlling the company: high income!

The two main reasons for leaving a job, as summarized by later generations of internet users, are either being wronged or not being paid enough!
Li Changhe didn't care whether he suffered any injustice or not, but when it came to money, he was absolutely generous.

The compensation packages offered by Li Changhe's companies, including those in Europe and America, are among the best in the industry.

Li Changhe is very generous in this regard and is never stingy, even though this expenditure increases the company's operating costs significantly.

However, this also makes his company very stable, as the high salaries allow the company to continuously attract top talent from the same industry.

Even though Li Changhe didn't actually manage the company, the employees all knew that the high welfare and benefits were all provided by their "little bastard".

"Understood, boss. I'll contact Mr. Wellesley right away."

After leaving the Landmark office, Li Changhe got into his car.

Actually, he'd had enough of staying at Landmark Tower, since it's an old building.

Li Changhe has prepared a new office for himself in the trading plaza area. Once the trading plaza is completed, he plans to move his new office there.

They've already started planning for him on the blueprints, adding a separate parking area and a separate elevator system.

However, according to the plan, even if the Exchange Square is completed, it will not be until 1986 or 1987.

It's still a long way off.

Back at the Deep Water Bay villa, Li Changhe entered and happened to see Gong Xue reading a newspaper.

"So relaxed. How was your visit to the foundation with your older sister today?"

Li Changhe entered the room at this moment and asked Gong Xue with a smile.

"It was alright. Today I mainly familiarized myself with the general procedures, but I couldn't understand the specific accounts. Ah Yang, are you really going to have me managing these foundations in the future?!"

Gong Xue put down the newspaper and asked hesitantly at this moment.

Li Changhe then sat down next to him.

"Of course, I will be making a lot of charitable donations in the future, and I will need your help with that."

"Furthermore, in addition to those directly under your jurisdiction, you also need to understand the auditing of some foundations."

"You don't need to worry about the finances. I've already set up an auditing firm in the US, and they'll handle the audit for you."

Li Changhe said gently.

As Mrs. Bao, attending public events appropriately is a must. What Li Changhe is thinking of for her is charity, not the kind of social charity, but real charity.

"Okay, I'll try my best!"

"Actually, you'll find it's very simple when the time comes."

"Let's go, let's go to Uncle's!"

Afterwards, Li Changhe took Gong Xue to Bao Yugang's house.

After the family finished their meal, they sat there chatting.

"The Spring Festival here sounds like it will be very lively!"

"Yes, it seems there's also a fireworks show. I'll take you to the fireworks show then."

"Fireworks show? Where's the fireworks show? Uncle, can you take me with you?"

The little ones in the house heard what Li Changhe said and immediately came over curiously.

"Isn't there a fireworks show over Victoria Harbour during the Spring Festival?" Li Changhe asked curiously.

He remembered that in later years, there would be a fireworks show at Victoria Harbour on Hong Kong Island every Lunar New Year.

"No, we've never seen it!"

"Yeah, nobody's putting on a fireworks show!"

The little ones all shook their heads.

After listening, Li Changhe seemed to be deep in thought, and then found Wu Guangzheng, who was chatting over there.

"Pete, have there been no fireworks displays at Victoria Harbour for the past two Chinese New Years?"

Because Victoria Harbour is right in front of Wharf Holdings, that's why Li Changhe asked him. Anyone who's involved in this kind of thing will inevitably have to go through Wharf Holdings.

When Wu Guangzheng heard Li Changhe's question, he looked at him with some surprise: "Nobody's putting on a fireworks show. What, are you going to do one?"

Upon hearing Wu Guangzheng's answer, Li Changhe began to ponder.

In other words, no one is putting on a fireworks show in Victoria Harbour right now?

Li Changhe was unaware that, in fact, it wasn't that no one was involved, but rather that he had eliminated the person who was involved.

The fireworks display for the New Year on Hong Kong Island was actually first organized by Jardine Matheson Group.

In 1982, to celebrate its 150th anniversary, Jardine Matheson set off a fireworks display in Victoria Harbour on the second day of the Lunar New Year, which sparked enthusiasm among the public.

Seeing this spectacle, the Hong Kong government, perhaps to win over the people of Hong Kong Island, started setting off fireworks over Victoria Harbour every year from 83 onwards, which has since become a tradition.

But now, Jardine Matheson has been driven out of Hong Kong Island by Li Changhe, and its Hong Kong Island business has been sold to Li Changhe's Hongkong Land. Naturally, they will no longer hold any fireworks shows in Victoria Harbour.

Therefore, the fireworks show that Li Changhe originally wanted to take Gong Xue to see was never going to happen.

"Yes, I have that idea. Since it's Chinese New Year, let's all have some fun."

"Moreover, Hong Kong Island is in a mess this year. I think we should set off some fireworks together during the Lunar New Year to let all the citizens of Hong Kong have some joy."

"How about this, I'll pay, and we set off fireworks over Victoria Harbour?"

Li Changhe didn't care why it was gone; since it wasn't there, he would take care of it himself.

This also happens to be his first Lunar New Year in Hong Kong, and having Gong Xue with him makes it quite memorable.

"Setting off fireworks in Victoria Harbour is a good idea."

"However, it will cost a lot, and we also need to arrange manpower and apply to the Hong Kong government."

"For safety reasons, I suggest you launch it from a barge at sea. It's safer and will also provide a view of both sides of Victoria Harbour."

Wu Guangzheng said earnestly.

Li Changhe smiled and said, "It doesn't matter. I'll arrange for someone to take care of it tomorrow."

"My idea is not only to set off fireworks this year, but to set them off every year in the future, making the Spring Festival fireworks show our signature event."

"Think about it, on one side of Victoria Harbour is Wharf Holdings, and on the other side are Central and Causeway Bay. The most core real estate is all in our hands."

"The Spring Festival is a peak season for consumption. If we use a fireworks show to attract people to both sides of our store, it will be very beneficial for our brand and the store."

Upon hearing this, Wu Guangzheng looked at Li Changhe with considerable surprise. His brother-in-law, whom he had taken for granted, was indeed quite clever.

At this moment, several of the family's leaders also gathered around, including Bao Yugang.

"I just heard that A-Yang is going to set off fireworks, is that right?"

Bao Yugang asked with a smile at this moment.

"Father, he's going to put on a fireworks show in Victoria Harbour."

Wu Guangzheng replied with a smile.

"Fireworks show?"

Bao Yugang looked at Li Changhe in surprise.

Li Changhe nodded: "Uncle, since it's the New Year, why don't we all have a little fun together?"

"I plan to set off fireworks over Victoria Harbour on New Year's Eve, starting at 9:09 pm and continuing until 1:14 am, symbolizing a long and lasting love."

In Cantonese, the pronunciation of 1314 is very similar to "一生一世" (yīshēng yīshì), which is the origin of the 1314 in later generations.

Of course, people aren't aware of this yet.

"Wow, young people are so romantic. Ah Yang is probably confessing his feelings to Xiao Xue."

"I estimate that if this statement gets out, it will definitely become a new trend among many young people in Hong Kong."

The older sisters also exclaimed in surprise.

"Four hours, it must have cost at least ten million. Ah Yang, your confession is going to be the most romantic thing ever in Hong Kong."

Wu Guangzheng shook his head and said with a smile.

"Ten million or twenty million doesn't matter. It's just spending some money for the New Year. Consider it sharing the joy with the people!"

Li Changhe really didn't care about ten or twenty million Hong Kong dollars; he could earn that in no time in the stock market.

“How about this, let’s do it together this year. Wharf Holdings and Hongkong Land will jointly host the ‘Celebrating the Chinese New Year Fireworks Show on Hong Kong Island.’ Each of our companies will contribute ten million, and we’ll pool together twenty million to do this.”

"Just like you said, sharing joy with the people is also a way to accumulate blessings for Grandpa!"

No wonder Wu Guangzheng was able to inherit most of the Bao family's wealth; his mind worked incredibly fast, and he immediately grasped the key points.

During the Lunar New Year, it's a great opportunity for the entire Hong Kong Island community to celebrate with the Bao family, and it's also a way to bring good fortune to the old man. It's such a good chance to show his face in front of his father-in-law.

He definitely wants to seize this opportunity and participate in it.

“Okay, then let’s apply jointly under the names of Hongkong Land and Wharf Holdings. I’ll have someone arrange it tomorrow and set up a dedicated team. You can arrange for them to come over then, brother-in-law.”

Li Changhe didn't mind if the other party joined; if they were willing to pay, then so be it.

"it is good!"

"That's great! That way, after our whole family finishes eating, we can all go over there to watch!"

Bao Yugang also became somewhat interested; such a grand event was indeed very enjoyable.

The next day, Wu Guangzheng sent several people with money to the Landmark Building.

Li Changhe then handed the matter over to Catherine, his former secretary.

Catherine had just returned from the mainland for vacation and was celebrating the Spring Festival. Seeing that she was free, Li Changhe simply assigned this task to her.

Landmark, Harbour City, and Times Square have also started their promotions simultaneously. This year, a fireworks show will be held in Victoria Harbour, which has aroused heated discussions among citizens.

Meanwhile, Li Changhe led Ming Wang and Leng Fei to a private office.

"This time, I will be holding a fireworks show in Victoria Harbour on Hong Kong Island, which will attract a lot of people. Your security company should make good plans for it."

"Also, remember this: I will arrange for you to visit and offer your regards to the police force on Hong Kong Island. When that happens, make sure you build good relationships with the people there and be prepared!"

At this moment, Li Changhe earnestly shared his thoughts with Ming Wang and Leng Fei.

The fireworks show was initially just a casual suggestion from Li Changhe, but he quickly found a deeper angle to explore it.

This kind of thing would probably require the Hong Kong Island police to get involved. Li Changhe was considering taking this opportunity to get Ming Wang to establish a complete relationship with them.

After all, it was a group activity during the Spring Festival, and with the police involved, Li Changhe could have "reasonably" offered his condolences and given some Spring Festival gifts.

This would allow his security company to become "somewhat" familiar with the Hong Kong Island police.

After listening, Ming Wang and Leng Fei immediately nodded in understanding: "Understood, boss."

(End of this chapter)