Soul Returns to Hong Kong: From Tailor Shop to Richest Woman

Lin Ying followed Chen Meishan down the solid wood stairs. The gossip she had overheard in the small meeting room on the second floor was still making her a little excited.

The two returned to the duplex living room on the first floor, where the atmosphere was even more lively than before. A group of people surrounded the sofa area; Su Zhihao had invited many friends from the film, television, and publishing industries today.

Lin Ying didn't go over. Instead, she leaned against the bar counter by the floor-to-ceiling window, picked up a glass of juice, and quietly watched Zhou Yawen on the main sofa.

Zhou Yawen was holding a cup of tea and talking to a middle-aged man.

"Mr. Zhou, the TV station still feels that there aren't enough clues revealed in the script for episode seven of 'Night Taboo.' Do you think we could add a monologue by the female supporting character in this episode to reveal a little bit of the truth?" The man was the TV station's assistant director.

Zhou Yawen replied with a smile, "We can't reveal it. The worst thing for a suspense drama is to show the cards too early. In the seventh episode, the audience can only know that the female secretary's death is not simple. Once they connect the movie tickets with the old building, all the suspense for the next dozen episodes will be lost. If you want high ratings, you have to be patient."

A young assistant screenwriter in a plaid suit nodded: "Understood, Mr. Zhou. I'll go back and tell the directing team to keep it as is."

Su Zhihao plopped down on the sofa next to Zhou Yawen, casually picked up a piece of apple from the coffee table and handed it to her. Zhou Yawen glanced at him, said nothing, took it and took a bite.

Not long after, Su Zhihao loudly called to the guests in the room, "Everyone! Everyone's here! I've booked three large tables at the hotel downstairs. Grab your coats and head over there. Tonight's main meal will be over there—we'll drink until we drop!"

The first floor became lively as guests grabbed their coats and put them on.

Lin Lanying and He Dazhu also came over, with Lin Qian following behind, his eyes constantly glancing upstairs, eyeing Su Jun's Famicom.

"Let's go, Ying." Lin Lanying patted her daughter's shoulder.

Upon arriving at the nearby upscale hotel, the private rooms were already set up. The Su family patriarch sat at the main table, along with Su Zhihao, Zhou Yawen, He Dazhu, and several big bosses. Lin Ying, who didn't drink, was seated at the second table with Lin Lanying, next to Chen Meishan.

Dishes were served one after another: abalone, lobster, steamed grouper—the lavishness was typical of Su Zhihao's style.

Halfway through the meal, people started offering toasts to everyone. Su Zhihao, holding his glass, accepted every toast and downed it in one gulp. The scene became slightly awkward when a film investor, his face flushed, staggered up to Zhou Yawen with a glass of brandy.

"Miss Zhou! I've heard so much about you. I'll drink this, and you should too!" The investor, a little tipsy, lost his composure.

Just as Zhou Yawen was about to refuse, a large hand reached out from the side and blocked the glass of brandy.

Su Zhihao smiled amiably, but his words were firm: "Old Zhang, that's not very nice. Teacher Zhou has to go back to school to teach those students early tomorrow morning, and she also has to help me oversee the editing in the afternoon. She doesn't drink hard liquor. I'll drink this one for her. If you're not satisfied, I, Su Lao Er, will drink a whole bottle with you!"

After saying that, Su Zhihao tilted his head back, downed the glass of brandy in one gulp, and then casually turned the empty glass upside down on the table.

Seeing that Boss Su had stepped in to stop him, Old Zhang naturally didn't dare to argue any further. He smiled and said, "Boss Su is so generous! Let's have a drink!"

The people around joined in the commotion, and the matter was thus easily dismissed.

Zhou Yawen sat in the chair and glanced up at Su Zhihao; Su Zhihao looked down and smiled at her, then casually used serving chopsticks to place the boneless steamed fish maw from the turntable into the small dish in front of Zhou Yawen.

"The fish has no bones, you eat it," Su Zhihao said softly, then turned back to continue drinking with the bosses.

Lin Ying, who was sitting at another table, took in the whole scene.

Lin Lanying also saw it, and she whispered to Lin Ying, "Boss Su usually seems loud and hot-tempered, but when it comes to taking care of people, he's actually quite meticulous despite his rough exterior."

Lin Ying nodded, agreeing with her mother's opinion.

Uncle Su was very thoughtful at times. He knew that Zhou Yawen disliked drinking culture, so he took the initiative to shield her from all the trouble without her having to say a word.

The dinner lasted until after 9 p.m., when most of the guests had left.

Su Zhihao stood at the hotel entrance, beaming, and arranged for the driver to take the bosses away.

Zhou Yawen, carrying a handbag, walked towards Lin Ying's family.

"Mr. He, Mrs. Lin." Zhou Yawen walked closer.

"Teacher Zhou, thank you for your hospitality tonight. Your new house is truly magnificent," Lin Lanying said with a smile.

Zhou Yawen nodded, her gaze falling on Lin Ying: "Lin Ying."

"Yes, Teacher Zhou." Lin Ying stood up straight. No matter how many tens of thousands of yuan she was holding in her hand, her student instincts were still awakened in front of her homeroom teacher.

"You'll be starting middle school in a month," Zhou Yawen said seriously. "Have you finished the five English reading reports I assigned?"

"I've finished writing four chapters, and I've already read the book for the last one. I'll start writing it in the next day or the day after," Lin Ying replied fluently.

Zhou Yawen gave a satisfied "Mmm".

Su Jun and Su Cheng, who were originally fighting with Lin Qian for the last mint, wanted to move back against the pillar when they heard the words "reading report".

"Su Jun, Su Cheng." Zhou Yawen called out softly, but to the two brothers, it was more frightening than a gang fight in Kowloon Walled City.

Su Jun forced a smile that looked more like a grimace: "Aunt Zhou... Aunt Zhou."

Zhou Yawen looked at him: "Next Wednesday, bring all your summer homework to me. Especially you, Su Jun, although you made it into the top ten in math last time, don't think I don't know that Lin Ying forced you to guess the questions. Your foundation is still very weak."

Su Jun looked pleadingly at Su Zhihao, who had just seen off some guests not far away: "Old Dou! I'm going to play basketball with my classmates next Wednesday..."

Su Zhihao walked over and overheard this: "What are you two doing playing ball! From now on, you two good-for-nothings will have to listen to Ya Wen's homework. If she says you both fail, she'll take away all your allowance next month!"

Lin Ying laughed as she looked at the interactions.

Once, these two young masters were terrified of their stepmother moving in, afraid of being kicked out, and even went so far as to steal birth control pills for their father. Now, their crisis is over, but in return, they have a permanent homeroom teacher who checks their homework and cuts their allowance at any time. And after teaching these two troublesome sons who are always ready to cause chaos, where would Teacher Zhou find the energy to have another child?

The night breeze outside the hotel dispelled some of the summer heat; Lin Ying got into the car with her parents, leaned back in her seat, and looked out at the brightly lit street scene, feeling relaxed.

Whether it's the millions in box office revenue in the film industry or the chaotic daily life inside a large house, these are all real lives. In Hong Kong, things that are more interesting than any script unfold every day.