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

The Peninsula Hotel, Presidential Suite.

The morning sunlight playfully peeked into the room through the gaps in the heavy beige floor-length curtains, casting golden dappled patterns on the marble floor.

On the large European-style four-poster bed, the quilt rises in a gentle curve.

Lu Chen slowly opened his eyes, lazily stretching his arms as his fingertips touched a patch of delicate, warm skin. Beside him, Ruan Mei was still fast asleep, her long eyelashes like two small fans covering her eyelids, a few strands of dark hair falling onto her fair shoulders, her breathing long and steady.

The madness and passion of last night still seem to linger in the air, carrying a lingering, enchanting scent.

Looking at that pretty face so close to his, Lu Chen felt an unprecedented sense of satisfaction. As if sensing the movement beside her, Ruan Mei's eyelashes trembled, and she slowly opened her eyes.

Eyes facing each other.

In that instant, her cheeks flushed crimson at a visible speed, like a ripe peach.

The embarrassing images from last night flooded her mind, making her instinctively want to pull the blanket over her head.

Good morning, Mrs. Lu.

Lu Chen smiled and reached out to stop her "ostrich" behavior, then placed a good morning kiss on her forehead.

The word "Mrs. Lu" made Ruan Mei tremble slightly, her shyness instantly transforming into overflowing happiness. She reached out and wrapped her arms around Lu Chen's waist, pressing her face against his chest, listening to his strong heartbeat, her voice soft and sweet like a pool of water:

"Good morning... Ah Chen."

……

Fifteen minutes later, room service brought a delicious breakfast.

English black tea, Eggs Benedict, freshly baked croissants, and a bowl of congee with freshly cooked fish fillets that I specially asked the kitchen to prepare.

Ruan Mei opened her mouth and bit down, chewed twice, then suddenly put down her knife and fork. Her eyes flickered, as if she was preparing something important to say.

"What's wrong? Does it not taste good?" Lu Chen asked, puzzled.

No...no.

Ruan Mei took a deep breath and put down the silver spoon in her hand. She seemed to have been mentally preparing herself for a long time, her large eyes staring directly at Lu Chen with an unprecedented seriousness.

"Um... Ah Chen, there's something I want to tell you."

Ruan Mei took a deep breath and put down the silver spoon in her hand. She seemed to have been mentally preparing herself for a long time, her large eyes staring directly at Lu Chen with an unprecedented seriousness.

"Hmm? Go ahead." Lu Chen found her serious expression somewhat amusing. "Are you asking for an advance on next month's salary, or do you think this hotel is too expensive and you won't be staying here next time?"

"It's not about the money!"

Ruan Mei bit her lip, her little face puffed up like a hamster, but her eyes were unusually firm. "It's...it's about Sister Sophia."

Upon hearing this name, Lu Chen paused slightly.

"When I was in Rome... I talked a lot with Sofia. Even though I was sick at the time and didn't know if I would come back alive, Sofia said... she said she liked you, and I liked you too."

Lu Chen was about to explain something when Ruan Mei gently covered his mouth with her small hand.

"Amei, listen to me..." Lu Chen was about to interrupt her, but Ruan Mei gently pressed her small hand to her lips.

"Let me finish."

Ruan Mei's eyes were slightly red, but her gaze revealed a rare breadth and clarity in women of this era. "That night in Rome, we made a promise. If you really... really have feelings for us both..."

At this point, her voice lowered to a whisper, but Lu Chen, with his excellent hearing, heard every single word clearly.

"We're both willing to... stay with you."

Lu Chen was completely stunned.

He looked at the girl in front of him who would haggle over a few cents when buying groceries, yet at this moment she was saying the most "generous" and also the most heartbreaking words in the world.

This is not about "being open-minded" at all; it is clearly the greatest compromise and wisdom a woman makes in order to keep her lover, a love that runs deep in her heart.

In this era, although polygamy has been legally abolished, the tradition of having concubines still exists in high society. Whether it's the gambling king or Shao Laoliu, the backyard of a wealthy family has never had more than one mistress. Ruan Mei clearly saw through this, or perhaps Sophia, that equally intelligent woman, instilled a sense of crisis in her.

"Amei..."

Lu Chen sighed, reached out and pulled her into his arms, letting her sit on his lap.

"I'm sorry you had to go through this." Lu Chen stroked her long hair, his voice full of pity.

"I'm not wronged." Ruan Mei buried her head in the crook of his neck, her voice muffled. "As long as you don't send me away, as long as you care about me, I won't feel wronged. Besides... Sister Sophia is really a good person, we get along very well."

Lu Chen felt both touched and amused. Was this what they called "harem harmony"? It seemed that he, as a transmigrator, was truly enjoying the blessing of having multiple wives.

"Silly girl." Lu Chen kissed the top of her head, then said with a smug grin, "Since you've all made up your minds, of course I'll listen to you. But remember this: no matter what happens in the future, you, Ruan Mei, will always be the first woman I, Lu Chen, personally bring home."

This breakfast was delightful and heartwarming.

……

At 10 a.m., the black Rolls-Royce slowly drove into Yau Yat Tsuen in Kowloon Tong.

Although Ruan Mei was in good spirits just now, she had experienced her first sexual encounter last night, and with her emotions fluctuating wildly, she had already fallen asleep in the car.

Lu Chen carefully carried her into the villa and settled her on the large bed in the master bedroom. Grandma Ruan was tending to the flowers and plants in the garden. When she saw this scene, the old lady smiled so much that her eyes narrowed into slits. She was very tactful and didn't ask any questions. She just gave Lu Chen a fashionable "OK" sign.

After settling Ruan Mei in, Lu Chen didn't linger.

The allure of pleasure is a hero's grave; after last night's indulgence, something even more important awaits him today.

Although Garreau became an instant sensation, he was well aware that his title as a "Golden Needle Award" designer was largely due to the system's advantages and his forward-thinking vision. With the company's rapid expansion, it was neither realistic nor sustainable for him to simply "copy" designs from later generations.

Moreover, as his business empire expands, he will have to deal with more and more things, including future real estate development, so he can't possibly spend all his energy on drawing design plans.

A top-tier fashion empire must have its own soul – a true genius designer.

……

Central, Golden Harvest International Headquarters, 33rd floor.

This is the newly renovated design headquarters of the Garreau brand. Unlike the administrative area downstairs, the style here is more avant-garde and bold, with fabric samples, design sketches, and unfinished mannequins scattered everywhere.

At this moment, an interview concerning the future aesthetic direction of Garreau is underway.

The meeting room doors were wide open, and the corridor was filled with people waiting for their interviews. Most of them were dressed in flamboyant attire, some even in outlandish costumes, clutching their portfolios tightly and looking nervous.

Among these people are top students who graduated from the Department of Design at Hong Kong Island University, master craftsmen who have worked in local garment factories for more than ten years, international students who flew back from the Japanese Culture and Fashion Institute, and several independent designers who are well-known in Southeast Asia.

Garreau is so famous now that getting in here means getting a ticket to the top fashion circle.

Inside the conference room, the atmosphere was completely different from usual. Lu Chen sat in the main seat, with the newly recruited HR director to his left and the current acting design supervisor to his right. This was today's interview team.

"Boss, today's interview schedule is all here."

The HR director handed over a thick stack of resumes. "We've made a big splash with this recruitment drive. Not only have local designers from Hong Kong Island submitted their work, but also designers from Japan, Southeast Asia, and even a few up-and-coming designers who have returned from studying in France. After the first round of screening, we've selected thirty candidates from over five hundred submissions to make it to today's final interview."

"Okay, let's begin."

Lu Chen casually flipped through the resume, somewhat nonchalantly.

In the East, often referred to as a "fashion desert," most designers are still stuck in the stage of imitating major European and American brands. They either awkwardly pile up Chinese elements or completely copy the tailoring of Chanel or Dior, lacking any soul.

The interview begins.

The first person to enter was a Japanese designer wearing black-rimmed glasses, who brought a series of designs inspired by postmodern deconstructionism.

"Your design is very imaginative, but it's too eccentric and doesn't suit Garreau's minimalist and elegant style." Lu Chen rejected it after only a glance.

The second is a local veteran tailor with superb skills, but his design concept is still stuck on the modification of cheongsam.

"The craftsmanship is truly exceptional. If you'd like, you can seek technical guidance at a haute couture workshop."

The third... The fourth...

Time passed by, and before we knew it, we had interviewed more than twenty people.

Lu Chen leaned back in his chair, couldn't help but yawn, and idly twirled his pen with his fingers.

disappointment.

Still disappointed.

Among these people, there were many skilled individuals with solid fundamentals, but none of them could truly impress him. They lacked that "spirit," that keen sense that could lead the times.

"Boss, how about... we take a break?" The HR director asked cautiously, noticing Lu Chen's somewhat impatient expression.

"No need, let's continue." Lu Chen rubbed his temples. "How many more are there?"

"There are ten more outside," the HR director said, glancing at the list. "Some of them are promising candidates."

"Let's look at a few more then. If all else fails, we can just poach people from Europe." Lu Chen twirled the pen in his hand listlessly.

Just when he was bored out of his mind, and even his eyelids started to droop.

"Knock, knock."

The knocking sounded, rhythmic and unhurried.

"Enter."

The door was pushed open.

A soft sound of high heels clicking on the ground came from behind.

Lu Chen subconsciously raised his head, his sleepy eyes widening instantly upon seeing the person who had arrived.

The person who came in wasn't one of those designers dressed in bright, colorful clothes, but a woman.

A woman of breathtaking beauty.

She wore a very simple black turtleneck sleeveless knit top and off-white wide-leg pants, with a thin leather belt around her waist. This outfit is practically a textbook example of minimalism by today's standards, both capable and elegant.

But what's most striking is her face.

It was the face of a classic Eastern beauty, with excessively large eyes that resembled deep pools, a high-bridged nose, and skin as white as the finest mutton-fat jade. That beauty was not only striking, but also exuded an air of nobility and arrogance that could only be cultivated from a life of privilege since childhood.

However, what shocked Lu Chen was not the woman's looks, but rather her appearance...

Countless classic Hong Kong movie scenes flashed through Lu Chen's mind in an instant, finally settling on a famous name - Rosamund Kwan.

Good morning, examiners.

The woman's voice was clear and pleasant, spoken in standard Cantonese with a slight European accent. Unlike the others who were timid and hesitant, she stood there confidently, as if she were there to report to her supervisor rather than for an interview.

"My name is Laura."

She gently placed her portfolio on the table in front of Lu Chen, her movements as elegant as if she were performing a tea ceremony.

"This is my design, themed 'The Wandering Aristocrat'."

A playful smile curved Lu Chen's lips.

He recognized him.

She's the female lead from Jackie Chan's classic film *Armour of God*, the designer who was kidnapped and held hostage to force Jackie to find God's Armed Forces. In the film, Laura is not only a wealthy heiress but also a talented woman who has held her own fashion show in Paris. Although in the first half of the film she seems to be just a "pretty face" coveted by the villains, her ability to make her way in the European fashion scene alone in that era is enough to prove her talent.

At this point, Laura was clearly still in her "newbie" phase. Her eyes held a passion for art, as well as a hint of nervousness as she entered the workforce. That blend of naivety and pride was even more captivating than the mature Laura she became in the later film.

"A wandering nobleman?"

Lu Chen sat up straight, the drowsiness in his eyes vanishing instantly. He then picked up the collection of works and opened to the first page.

Lu Chen's eyes lit up at just one glance.

It was a set of design sketches that perfectly blended Bohemian style with British aristocratic elements. Bold color blocking and intricate embroidery, yet the extremely simple silhouettes prevented any sense of clutter. Isn't this exactly the "affordable luxury resort style" that later swept the globe?

In this day and age, to have such a forward-thinking aesthetic is like finding a treasure!

"That's interesting."

Lu Chen closed his portfolio, looked up at the stunningly beautiful "Guan Da Meiren," and his eyes gleamed with the light of a hunter eyeing his prey.

"Miss Laura, right?" Lu Chen interlaced his fingers and placed them on the table, his tone carrying a hint of testing. "I've seen your design, and it's indeed very imaginative. Now I have a question for you."

Laura straightened her back, her eyes, clear as still water, looking directly at Lu Chen: "Please ask me."

"Garreau's core brand philosophy is 'minimalism and power.' Your designs, however, are full of bohemian freedom and complexity." Lu Chen posed the crucial question, "If you were to lead a sub-brand of Garreau, how would you balance these two? Or, to put it another way, what is your understanding of Garreau?"

This is a test, and also a trap.

If she agrees with Lu Chen and is willing to change, it means she is not persistent; if she argues too fiercely, it makes her seem like she doesn't understand business.

But Laura just smiled slightly, confidently walked to the display board, picked up a marker, and sketched a flowing skirt line on the whiteboard with a few strokes.

"Mr. Lu, I greatly admire your 'Dark Forest' series. It's minimalist and aloof. You also said in an interview that Garreau is armor for modern urbanites."

Laura's voice was clear and melodious, carrying a convincing power: "But beneath the armor, there are flesh and blood people. Minimalism is the outer shell, a way to resist the indifference of the world; while my designs are the lining, protecting that little spark within me that wants to wander, to adventure."

"This is how I understand Garreau—cold as ice on the outside, passionate as fire on the inside. The designers you have now are all trying to imitate you, trying to maintain that 'coldness.' But I want to do something different. My goal is to fill the missing half of Garreau's soul—'warmth.'"

"Once the hot and cold elements merge, Garreau will no longer be just a Hong Kong brand; it will become the Chanel of the East."

Quiet.

The entire conference room was deathly silent.

The HR director and design manager were dumbfounded. No one had ever dared to speak to the big boss like that before, and no one dared to arrogantly declare that they wanted to complete Garreau's soul right away.

"Hahaha!"

A burst of hearty laughter broke the silence.

Lu Chen clapped as he stood up. Looking at the confident, beautiful, and talented woman before him, he finally found the last piece of the puzzle in his heart.

This is the kind of genius he wants.

They possess aesthetic sense, technical skills, and, more importantly, ambition and courage.

"Wonderful."

Lu Chen walked up to Laura and extended his hand. "Although your analogy is a bit arrogant, I like it."

"Congratulations, Miss Laura."

"From today onwards, you are a member of Garreau. We'll discuss your specific compensation with HR later. I look forward to your performance in the design department."

Laura looked at the outstretched hand, her arrogance fading slightly, replaced by a sly smile. She extended her slender hand and gently shook hands with Lu Chen.

"It's my honor, boss."

【Ding--】

[Key plot character detected: Laura]

[Checking in at the movie "Armour of God"]

[Check-in successful!]

[Reward: +1 Free Attribute Points]

Without hesitation, Lu Chen added that attribute point to his spatial ability, doubling his personal space.

[Personal Space: Lv2 (Can hold two cubic meters of items)]

After allocating the attribute points, Lu Chen looked at the stunningly beautiful face so close to his, and thought to himself:

Now things are really messed up. There's a first wife at home who's the housekeeper, a second wife abroad who manages the business, and a young policeman outside whom I haven't yet won over. And now, a talented and beautiful chief designer has joined the company...

Life in the world of Hong Kong variety shows is really getting more and more unpredictable.