Hong Kong variety show: The mastermind behind the scenes is emerging.

In the early morning in Rome, the mist along the Tiber River had not yet dissipated. In the garden of the Sant'Angelo Private Hospital, dewdrops clung to the neatly trimmed leaves of the shrubs, glistening and translucent.

The bloodshed of last night seemed as if it had never happened; the ancient city awoke as usual, following its own rhythm.

At the hospital entrance, three black Mercedes-Benz sedans were already running, their deep engine roar breaking the morning's tranquility.

"Are you really leaving in such a hurry?"

Ruan Mei tugged at Lu Chen's sleeve, her eyes filled with reluctance. She was wearing a beige trench coat, a new seasonal item that Lu Chen had bought for her. She looked more stylish than when she arrived, but her doe-like eyes were now filled with fear of parting.

"There are still many things waiting for me to handle at the company." Lu Chen reached out to tidy her bangs that had been ruffled by the wind, his tone gentle. "We've won the Golden Needle Award, and now is the crucial moment for the Garreau brand to strike while the iron is hot and open up the market in one fell swoop. I have to go back and oversee things."

"Then I will too..." Ruan Mei bit her lip.

"Don't worry," Lu Chen interrupted her, smiling as he pinched her cheek. "It's a rare opportunity to come to Europe, so stay here and wander around, have a good rest, consider it a reward for yourself. You should also spend some time with Sophia. She just took over the family business, and she's surrounded by wolves and tigers. Having a close sister by her side will make her feel much better."

Lu Chen turned his head and glanced at Sophia, who was standing not far away, wearing a well-tailored black trench coat. Her gaze towards Lu Chen revealed a deep reluctance and a hint of barely perceptible depression.

"Besides, I'm not leaving you here alone," Lu Chen pointed to Tian Yang'en standing behind Ruan Mei, "A'en will stay with you. With her here, I feel at ease."

Tian Yangen remained aloof, nodding slightly to Lu Chen: "Don't worry, boss. As long as I'm alive, no one can touch Miss Ruan and Miss Sophia."

Ruan Mei glanced at Sophia's forlorn figure, and the lingering reluctance in her heart finally transformed into a sense of responsibility. She nodded: "Then...then when you get back, you must eat on time, don't stay up late, and...don't spend money recklessly!"

"Yes, sir, my little assistant." Lu Chen chuckled.

……

On the other side, the atmosphere was much more cheerful.

"Wow! It really arrived?!"

David stared wide-eyed at the photocopy of the check he'd just cashed at the bank, his mouth agape. "Fifty thousand dollars left after the deposit! Fifty thousand for each person! My God, I've never seen so many zeros in my life!"

"Hey! Boss Lu! You're so generous!" Mobi kissed the check repeatedly. "With this money, I can buy that shabby detective agency and renovate it! I'm going to be the best private detective in all of America... no, all of Italy!"

"You're so ambitious!" Thomas rolled his eyes at him, carefully putting the check into his pocket. "David and I are planning to upgrade our food truck, get a bigger engine. And then... we're thinking of coming to Rome."

"Coming to Rome?" Mauby was somewhat surprised.

"Yes," David smiled sheepishly. "Miss Sophia... oh no, she's a countess now. She said the medical conditions in Rome are better, and she's willing to sponsor my father's transfer to a private hospital here. We can't leave this kindness unrequited."

"And," Thomas said with a wink, "we think business might be better in Rome, since there are so many tourists! We're planning to open a shop near the Spanish Steps, called 'Kung Fu Fast Food'!"

"Want to open a restaurant? No problem!" At this moment, Lu Chen and his two companions also approached. Hearing Thomas's words, Sophia looked at her three friends who had stood up for her in this time of crisis and sincerely invited them, "The housekeeper told me there's a shop near Plaza de España, in a great location. We're giving it to you as an opening gift. Rent-free!"

"Mobi, didn't you want to open a detective agency? The upstairs area of ​​the restaurant is yours, how about it?"

"real?!"

The three looked at each other in bewilderment, and then burst into a huge cheer.

"Long live Miss Sophia! Long live Boss Lu!"

Seeing the three lively characters looking so happy, Lu Chen smiled too.

This is a good connection.

From now on, Sofia will be safe in Rome, with her family guards on the surface and these three top-notch experts on the side.

"Then I wish you all great success in your business." Lu Chen shook hands with each of the three men. "Let's keep in touch. If I encounter any trouble in Rome, I'll have to rely on you three heroes."

"Leave it to us!" Thomas assured him, patting his chest.

Everything is arranged properly.

Lu Chen glanced at Ruan Mei and Sophia one last time, waved, and turned to get into the bulletproof Mercedes.

Tian Yangsheng, along with the remaining five brothers, followed closely behind like silent guards.

The convoy slowly drove away.

Ruan Mei stood there, watching the taillights disappear around the corner, and finally, tears streamed down her face.

Sofia walked over and gently put her arm around her shoulder.

"Don't cry, it's not like we're going to die. We'll see each other again in a couple of days."

Although Sofia's voice was calm, there was a hint of disappointment hidden deep in her eyes.

……

Ten hours later, at Kai Tak Airport on Hong Kong Island.

The feeling of weightlessness as the plane landed came over me, followed by the screeching sound of tires rubbing against the runway.

When the hatch opened, a wave of hot, humid air, carrying the salty smell of seawater and the odor of fuel, rushed out.

This is the taste of Hong Kong Island.

It's a unique atmosphere that blends money, desire, and a fast pace.

Compared to Rome's antiquity and leisure, this place is like a never-ending money-printing machine, instantly waking people from the dream of the Renaissance and throwing them into the hustle and bustle of the world.

Lu Chen led Tian Yangsheng and others out of the VIP passage, where Cheng Yiyan, who had been waiting at the exit for a long time, greeted them with a group of senior executives.

"Boss! Welcome home!"

Cheng Yiyan was wearing a brand new Armani suit today, his face glowing with excitement, looking even more thrilled than if he had won the lottery jackpot.

"We'll talk about it in the car."

Without wasting any words, Lu Chen climbed into the Maybach that had been prepared beforehand.

As soon as the car door closed, shutting out the noise from outside, Cheng Yiyan eagerly handed over a thick stack of newspapers.

"Boss, it's blown up! It's completely blown up!"

Cheng Yiyan pointed to the headline in the newspaper, his voice trembling, "The news that you won the Golden Needle Award reached Hong Kong Island last night, and today every newspaper in Hong Kong, whether it's the Oriental Daily News, the Sing Tao Daily, or those gossip magazines, has Golden Harvest on its front page!"

Lu Chen took the newspaper.

An Oriental Miracle! Jiahe Conquers Milan!

Lu Chen: A Fashion Godfather Who Emerged from Kowloon Walled City

Breaking a century of prejudice, Chinese design reaches the top in Europe.

The photo shows Lu Chen holding the trophy at La Scala, looking triumphant.

"And then there's Jiahe Textile," Cheng Yiyan said, pulling out another stock market chart. "Affected by this positive news, Jiahe Textile's stock price hit the daily limit as soon as the market opened today! Retail investors are frantically buying our shares, and the market value has surged by 300 million in just one day!"

"Many investment institutions that were previously hesitant are now frantically inquiring about Golden Harvest's background and waving their money, eager to invest."

Lu Chen looked at the data that was flashing red and a faint smile appeared on his lips.

This is the effect of "gilding".

In this era, despite Hong Kong's booming economy, a deep sense of inferiority persisted in the cultural and fashion spheres. Everyone felt that the grass was always greener on the other side; French perfume smelled better, and Italian clothes were more expensive.

Now, Golden Harvest has received the highest honor recognized even by Europeans, which is a huge boost to the national pride of Hong Kong people.

"This is just the beginning." Lu Chen closed the file and said calmly, "Old Cheng, don't let the stock price cloud your judgment. Now is the most crucial moment."

"First, immediately contact all the mainstream newspapers, TV stations, and radio stations in Hong Kong. I want tomorrow's front page headlines to be all about Garreau's victory, and I want to plaster the streets and alleys of Hong Kong Island with that photo of Sofia wearing 'Dark Forest'! I want even the illiterate old ladies to know that our Golden Harvest has won the world championship!"

"No problem! There's no budget limit, I'll get on it right away!" Cheng Yiyan replied excitedly.

"Secondly, the flagship store in Landmark needs to have its renovations expedited. Now that we've established a reputation, we need to be prepared for this immense wealth. Tell Zeng Jianqiao to have the workers work three shifts, with triple pay for overtime. I want it open within a month!"

"clear!"

Cheng Yiyan wrote down every instruction with lightning speed, but then looked up hesitantly: "Boss, all of this is fine. But... relying solely on GG bombardment might attract ordinary citizens, but for the real upper class... those wealthy ladies and tycoons, they might not be so interested in this."

After a period of intensive study, Cheng Yiyan has mastered the essence of creating luxury goods—that is, a sense of class.

Lu Chen nodded.

Cheng Yiyan is right.

GG bombing is a tactic targeting the mass market, which can quickly build brand awareness for Jiahe and make it a topic of conversation.

but……

Lu Chen was well aware that the logic behind luxury goods was different from that of mass-market consumer goods.

True luxury doesn't rely on ubiquitous GGs, but on "social circle recognition."

Those wealthy ladies living in hillside mansions, those tycoons and celebrities frequenting the Jockey Club and Yacht Club—they look down on TV shows and disdain wearing the same brands as ordinary citizens. What they need is uniqueness, a sense of scarcity, and that feeling of superiority that "only people in our circle understand."

If Garreau only relies on the GG brand, it will be at best a "famous brand," not a "top luxury brand."

To truly establish a foothold, one must create a genuine trend within high society circles.

"We need another spark..."

Lu Chen tapped his fingers lightly on the table, his gaze falling on a fashion magazine beside him.

That was the latest issue of Tatler, a magazine that the flight attendant just brought over. It's a magazine that reports on the lifestyle of the upper class.

The cover features a giant silhouette of a cruise ship, with the title printed in large, gold lettering:

"The Floating Palace – the Fuki Maru – will set sail from Victoria Harbour in three days! The most luxurious maiden voyage party in history, exclusively for the most distinguished guests!"

Lu Chen's gaze froze.

Fugui Pill No.

These four words were like a key, instantly unlocking the memories in his mind about movies from his past life.

City Hunter.

It is in this movie that countless laughs, fights, and the luxury cruise ship with Meng Bo's classic "Chun-Li" look are contained.

In the movie, the ship is filled with the richest people, celebrities and gambling kings from all over Asia, making it a true "golden age".

"Wealthy Pills..."

Lu Chen's eyes grew brighter and brighter, and the smile on his lips deepened.

Isn't this the best runway?

Isn't this the best "ticket to high society"?

A meaningful smile appeared on Lu Chen's lips.

"Old Cheng."

"exist."

"Get me a ticket for the 'Fuki Maru' ship, the top-of-the-line VIP cabin."

……

At this moment.

Rome, Lupus Castle.

The night was as gentle as water.

Although the castle had just undergone a bloody ordeal, thanks to the efficient work of butler Giovanni, all traces had been thoroughly cleaned up. The broken windows were replaced with new glass, the blood-stained carpets were removed, and a faint rose fragrance was sprayed into the air.

On the large bed in the master bedroom.

Ruan Mei, wearing a silk nightgown, hugged the small pillow she had brought all the way from Hong Kong Island and curled up in the quilt.

Beside her, Sofia, also in her pajamas, had her long, dark brown hair casually draped over the pillow. The two girls sat head to head, as if they had endless whispers to share.

"Sophia, are you going to stay in Rome from now on?" Ruan Mei turned to look at Sophia beside her, her voice tinged with reluctance. "Then will it be difficult for us to see each other again?"

"fool."

Sofia reached out and gently tapped Ruan Mei's forehead with her finger. "With transportation so convenient these days, it's quick to take a plane. Besides... I won't stay here forever. I'll come to Hong Kong to visit you guys after I've finished dealing with family matters."

"Really?" Ruan Mei's eyes lit up.

"Of course. I'm also a contracted model with Golden Harvest, and the boss hasn't fired me yet," Sophia said with a smile. "Besides, I also want to see Hong Kong Island and the place where you all lived."

When the word "boss" was mentioned, both girls fell silent for a moment.

The atmosphere in the room became somewhat subtle.

Moonlight streamed through the French windows, illuminating the two girls' delicate faces.

Looking at Sophia's breathtakingly beautiful face, even without makeup, and seeing the fleeting tenderness and admiration in her eyes when she mentioned Lu Chen, Ruan Mei finally couldn't hold back the question that had been nagging at her for so long.

She took a deep breath and gripped the small pillow in her arms tightly, as if she had mustered all her courage.

"Sophia..."

"Um?"

"Do you...like Lu Chen?"

"?!"