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Chapter 31
Dominance…

Chen Songxian had left.

He didn’t leave peacefully.

After escorting Miss Lin to the young master’s office, Yang Minghui had gone off to handle some work downstairs. Who could have predicted that in that brief time, Young Master Chen Songxian had disguised himself and sneaked in?

Worried that Young Master Chen might suddenly come to Huanyu and bump into Miss Lin, Yang Minghui had strictly followed the young master’s orders and explicitly instructed security not to let anyone in. Yet, Young Master Chen was unwilling to give up — he stuck on a fake mustache, wore a hat, and disguised himself to get in.

He then relentlessly knocked on the young master’s office door, calling out for his cousin.

As Yang Minghui dragged him away, Chen Songxian even brazenly asked, “Brother Yang, is my cousin hiding a woman?”

A gossip-lover like Chen Songxian couldn’t possibly stay calm hearing something like that!

This really was like the sun rising from the west or knives falling from the sky — his cousin actually had a woman!

“Young Master Chen!” Yang Minghui twitched his mouth, nearly biting his own tongue, and looked at the oblivious man before him, sighing inwardly. “The young master doesn’t have any woman! You know him — all he cares about is business.”

“But I clearly saw a young and beautiful woman enter his office this evening,” Chen Songxian tried to find a reason for his cousin’s recent changes.

He could vaguely sense that his cousin seemed dissatisfied with him lately, though he couldn’t figure out why.

In the past, when he got reported in gossip tabloids for scandals and relationships every now and then, his cousin usually just had the articles taken down, gave him a few harsh words, and maybe a small punishment. But this time was different.

His cousin was actually ruthlessly planning to send him off to some godforsaken place again!

Secretary Yang didn’t dare let Chen Songxian know that the young master really did have a woman — and not just any woman, but the child bride he had never met.

“There’s no such thing. That was just a company representative here to discuss business. And think about it, Young Master Chen — does the young master seem like someone who would date?”

Chen Songxian was stumped: “That’s true, it doesn’t seem like him.”

Reluctantly dismissed by Secretary Yang, Chen Songxian, realizing he was about to be sent away, decided to play his trump card — call for backup!

…

After much effort sending Young Master Chen off, Yang Minghui returned to the 32nd floor, only to find the general manager’s office still tightly shut, the bright lights spilling into the dark corridor.

“Young mast—” Yang Minghui raised his hand to knock and report the situation, also intending to ask if the young master wanted a car arranged to take Miss Lin home, but just then, the lights in the office abruptly turned off.

Darkness enveloped the room, and there seemed to be faint movement inside—or perhaps not.

His raised hand paused mid-air before Yang Minghui quietly retracted it and left silently without making a sound.

——

9 PM, Cheng family mansion.

Head of the household, Cheng Guanjie, accompanied by his second wife, Fu Yuehong, listened to his nephew Chen Songxian rant away.

Fu Yuehong, adorned in jewels and dressed in an elegant deep-red silk qipao, her pearl necklace glowing with a soft luster, showed a rare expression of surprise on her well-maintained face. “Songxian, you say Wan Ting might have a woman by his side? Is that true?”

Chen Songxian had merely grumbled that his cousin might have a woman — living a sweet life himself while wanting to dump him in Africa to suffer was too much.

He hadn’t expected his aunt’s second wife to only focus on the first half of his sentence.

Thinking of his cousin’s methods, Chen Songxian pursed his lips and corrected himself: “I might have been mistaken.”

Fu Yuehong harbored suspicions but didn’t press further, merely saying casually, “Wan Ting wanting to send you to Africa is for your own good — to give you more experience so you can eventually shoulder the Cheng family business.”

“Aunt Hong, Uncle!” Chen Songxian got so agitated he almost jumped up. “How could I survive in Africa? Please help me rein in my cousin!”

The second son of the second wife, Cheng Zhihao, yawned on the side. “Songxian, didn’t you say last time that Africa was a land of talent and beautiful scenery?”

Chen Songxian shot a glare at his second cousin and pinned all his hopes on his uncle. “If I go to Africa again for a few months, my body won’t survive. If it’s about gaining experience, I can do that anywhere in Hong Kong. Besides, Uncle, you’re the one in charge of the Cheng family — you can’t let my cousin trample over you.”

This statement hit Cheng Guanjie’s soft spot.

Seeing his nephew’s desperate plea, Cheng Guanjie waved his hand. “I’ll talk to your cousin for you.”

Once Chen Songxian left, Fu Yuehong brought up Cheng Wanting’s marital status. “Old master, Wan Ting hasn’t been coming home much lately. Could it be he really has a woman outside? That wouldn’t be easy… perhaps soon we’ll have to welcome someone into the family. But even so, he didn’t fancy the daughter of the HSBC board director — who is it he’s interested in now? It better be someone with a clean family background who can benefit the Cheng business.”

Cheng Guanjie’s face darkened deeply as he dialed his eldest son’s number and said coldly, “How could he possibly have a woman outside? Don’t I know his temperament?”

…

At the Mid-Levels villa, Lin Keying heard the house phone ring. The young master answered, and his expression grew worse and worse.

In the receiver, Cheng Wanting heard his father’s annoying voice: “Cheng Wanting, remember clearly — you are the head of the Cheng family. You carry the future of the family business and the livelihoods of tens of thousands of employees. Not just you, but your future wife must come from a prestigious family, someone who can support you in finance, economics, and politics. You must not be like Songxian, chasing after little starlets, bewitched by appearances.”

“My business is none of yours,” Cheng Wanting cut his father off.

Lin Keying could sense something was wrong. The young master rarely spoke in such a tone.

He was really angry!

The call only lasted about two minutes. When the topic turned to Chen Songxian, Cheng Wanting finally said coldly, “If he doesn’t want to go to Africa, he can go to Siberia. A man who only knows how to indulge in debauchery in Hong Kong won’t amount to anything. He can leave after Nian Ying’s wedding — that’ll give him an extra half month. When the time’s up, he’ll still have to obediently get on the ship, Africa or Siberia — he can choose.”

Lin Keying rarely saw her fiancé’s emotions so clearly displayed. Seeing the faint anger on his brows, she thought to herself, That person who offended Cheng Wanting is in for trouble.

++++

As autumn deepened, Lin Keying had been wearing silk scarves out for several days in a row — though stylish, it certainly caught attention.

In the dessert shop, high school student Tingting curiously asked while working on homework, “Sister Keying, why do you wear a scarf every day?”

Of course, Lin Keying couldn’t say it was all because of her fiancé suddenly going crazy in the office that night. She didn’t even know what had triggered him.

“High schooler, focus on your studies and work hard to become a lawyer,” Lin Keying put on an adult-like demeanor, making Tingting pout and bury her head back into her work.

The four adjoining shops next to the dessert shop had all been given to Lin Keying by her godfather. They were rented out as a roast meat shop, a clear broth brisket shop, a hardware store, and a barbershop.

Upon learning they had a new landlord, the shop owners came by to meet Miss Lin. Seeing her easygoing manner, they felt reassured.

“We were worried when we heard the landlord changed, but didn’t expect it would be Miss Lin.”

“Previously, we suffered too much under that steward Wang — we had to keep giving him bribes to get any peace.”

Hearing their complaints one after another, Lin Keying thought of the former steward Wang and also disdained him. “I won’t be managing the shops often. If you need anything, look for Butler Leung. He’s reliable.”

After Lin Keying had rescued Guo Changda, he learned she had trouble renting shops and replaced steward Wang with someone new.

In the short time of meeting their new landlord, Lin Keying had been given a bowl of roast pork rice and a bowl of clear broth brisket noodles. If she hadn’t refused repeatedly, she might have even lost her hair to the enthusiastic barber who almost dragged her for a new hairstyle.

In the end, Lin Keying and Tingting polished off the roast pork rice and noodles.

The culinary skills of Hong Kong’s street shops were exceptional — the char siu had crispy skin and firm meat, and once the secret sauce was drizzled, it gave off a rich aroma with a hint of sweetness.

The clear broth brisket was cooked to tender, juicy perfection, easily torn apart with a bite. The broth had been simmered for hours with multiple ingredients, making it rich and delicious.

After the hearty meal, business at the dessert shop picked up again. With autumn arriving, cold desserts gradually left the menu, replaced by various rich, sweet offerings.

That day, Sister He and her husband went to Wanchai to look at potential branch shop locations — properties owned by Lin Keying’s godfather’s old friend. The rent was negotiable, and the focus was on foot traffic and nearby supply convenience.

With just two hired servers left in the shop, plus Tingting and Aqiang lending a hand, things were manageable.

Business was good, with customers coming and going, and soon, a familiar returning customer walked in.

“Boss.” Cheng Min had the day off and had been invited out shopping by her new acquaintance, Jiang Lixin. As they passed through Central, she craved some dessert and made a special stop. “One mango coconut sago, Lixin, what do you want?”

Jiang Lixin wasn’t interested in such street shops. The simple décor and furniture couldn’t compare to the luxury of five-star hotels. She covered her nose slightly but had to follow along. “Same as you.”

Through her connection to the Chen family, Jiang Lixin had successfully befriended Cheng Min. She flattered the third young lady of the Cheng family endlessly and had invited her out today to gather more intel about the eldest young master’s preferences. But unexpectedly, this young lady had such rustic tastes and came to eat street snacks.

When the server brought two bowls of sago, Lin Keying recognized the returning customer.

“Ah Min, thank you again for the flower basket you sent for my grand opening,” Lin Keying still remembered it.

Cheng Min’s eyes curved into a cute crescent. “Thank you for the dessert last time.”

Her university schedule wasn’t too tight, but since the school wasn’t nearby, she didn’t get to visit often.

“Ah Min,” Jiang Lixin glanced at the woman Cheng Min was speaking to and found her somewhat familiar. “Who is she?”

An oval face, almond-shaped smiling eyes, a perky nose, and rosy lips — the slightly upturned corners of her mouth outlined a beauty as flawless as jade.

She was even more beautiful than the Miss Hong Kong contestants and could compete with television actresses.

Seeing her dressed head to toe in the latest luxury brand outfit, Jiang Lixin quickly searched her mind, wondering if she came from some wealthy family.

“Miss Lin is the owner of this dessert shop,” Cheng Min didn’t talk much and only knew this much.

Since she couldn’t dig up any info, Jiang Lixin silently memorized Lin Keying’s face, planning to investigate later whether she was a relative or lover of any Hong Kong tycoon.

Proud of her extensive knowledge of Hong Kong elites, Jiang Lixin had been groomed from a young age by her mother and was now trying her best to gather information about Cheng Wanting.

“Ah Min, does your brother like desserts? Or does he have other favorite foods?”

Cheng Min shook her head. “He doesn’t like any. My brother doesn’t like food much.”

“Then does he have other hobbies besides work? Horse racing? Yachting? Bars?”

Cheng Min shook her head again. “No, he only loves work.”

Jiang Lixin: “…”

Unable to extract anything useful, Jiang Lixin could only smile along.

“Ah Xin, try the sago — it’s really good here,” Cheng Min urged when she saw Jiang Lixin hadn’t touched her spoon.

Jiang Lixin hadn’t forgotten to eat — she just had some aversion to street food. No matter how good it looked, it couldn’t possibly taste better than five-star hotel cuisine.

But since the Cheng eldest young master’s sister said so, she had to force herself.

Hmm…

One spoonful of sago in her mouth — the sweet and refreshing taste made her eyes widen.

This flavor didn’t just match — no, it surpassed any dessert she’d had!

After four or five spoonfuls, her craving subsided, and Jiang Lixin secretly marveled. She hadn’t expected such a small shop to be so impressive.

That afternoon, after several waves of customers, Sister He and her husband returned from viewing the branch shops, finally confirming a location.

“Keying, the shops at 55 Heping Street, Tsim Sha Tsui, and 28 Tiansheng Street, Sham Shui Po are both great — good locations. One is surrounded by office buildings and malls; the other is part of a vibrant food street with lots of foot traffic and a nearby market for easy supplies,” Sister He had learned a lot from Lin Keying and knew how to pick a site.

Last time when Lin Keying went shopping, she’d visited a few busy areas. Coincidentally, both shop landlords were Uncle Li, a key figure at Yongnian Industries, whom she’d met at her godfather’s recognition ceremony. The rental was soon negotiated and finalized.

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Lin Keying didn’t want a rent discount. For such a small matter, owing someone a favor was really a loss, a waste of a valuable favor from her godfather.

The rent for the shop in Tsim Sha Tsui was $2,500 per month, while the rent in Sham Shui Po was $2,200. The two shops were previously tea restaurants and ice parlors. The renovations were minimal, just a little tidying up, and soon they were ready to open.

In addition to following the marketing strategies used for the last opening, Lin Keying was also thinking about TV commercials this time.

With the opening of the two branches, there would be three He Ji Dessert Shops in Hong Kong, making the brand more noticeable.

After leaving the dessert shop, Lin Keying was preparing to approach Yang, the secretary at Huanyu, for some media resources when she saw a man humming a song on the street.

“Miss Lin! Have you eaten yet?” Tang Qiankun, a talent scout from Red Victory Entertainment, greeted her enthusiastically, and then complained, “Miss Lin, I’ve written the lyrics to ‘Under Lion Rock’ a thousand times. It feels like the song is playing in my ears even in my dreams. I think I’m done for. I’m addicted.”

Lin Keying laughed when she heard the scout humming “Under Lion Rock”: “Isn’t that great? Your stars aren’t popular, so why don’t you take a shot at it yourself?”

Tang Qiankun waved his hands repeatedly: “I’m not good-looking enough, and I have no talents.”

The two chatted for a while, and Lin Keying, realizing that he worked in the entertainment industry, casually asked about the cost of TV ads on the three-color television station.

As soon as the topic came up, Tang Qiankun became excited, eager to introduce Lin Keying to the advertising channels at the TV station.

When it came to dealing with gossip media, magazines, and TV stations, Yang Minghui wasn’t as skilled as the talent scout.

Tang Qiankun, who was also a scout, manager, and PR person, had extensive media connections.

Lin Keying went with him to the three-color TV station and saw the building that had produced countless classic Hong Kong dramas. It felt like scenes from various TV dramas flashed through her mind as she entered.

In her previous life, when she visited Hong Kong, she had specifically taken photos in front of the building, but it was her first time entering the TV station.

Tang Qiankun’s connections were indeed impressive. In just a few minutes, he had struck a deal with the marketing department in charge of TV sponsorship.

Lin Keying’s dessert shop ad could be placed in the first slot after the drama ended, aired eight times a day, for a fee of $1,500 per day, with payment made weekly.

“Miss Lin, the first slot after a TV drama is hard to get,” Tang Qiankun said proudly, “I know Director Sun, that’s how I got it.”

Lin Keying suspected that Tang Qiankun was so eager to help because he feared she might cut him off, but it wasn’t a bad thing.

She paid a 60% deposit and also gave the TV station a $5,000 ad production fee. Three days later, the He Ji ad appeared on TV.

TV ads were incredibly powerful, especially at a time when the internet had not yet taken off, and every household longed for its own television set.

Any high-quality TV drama could draw in large crowds.

He Ji Dessert Shop quickly became famous throughout Hong Kong, with the locations of all three stores clearly shown in the TV ad, instantly catching the public’s attention.

The flagship store in Central was crowded, and the two branches, once opened, were bustling with business. Now, Sister He mainly focused on training new staff, keeping the secret recipe for the desserts, and delegating the physical work to hired hands.

When Tang Qiankun saw Lin Keying, he worried about his position, so after helping with the task, he couldn’t help but boast: “Miss Lin, the TV ad was a huge success, wasn’t it?”

Lin Keying had no way to argue: “It was indeed good.”

“I know thousands of people in Hong Kong, at least hundreds,” Tang Qiankun continued, handing her his business card, “I can help you with anything—attending concerts, getting into TV stations, even paparazzi work…”

Lin Keying took the business card, glanced at it, and was a bit confused when she heard “paparazzi.” “Do you still work as a paparazzi?”

His work scope really was broad.

Tang Qiankun proudly puffed out his chest: “Of course! It’s a side job. You can’t survive just by being a talent scout. Nowadays, it’s not easy to make a star famous. Miss Lin, if you ever suspect your husband is keeping a mistress, I can help you take clear photos. I’ve done it before for a rich woman; when she divorced, she used the photos to get an extra two billion!”

Lin Keying: “…”

Was that even a human thing to say? This guy curses himself!

But then she thought about how Cheng Wanting might have a mistress… Lin Keying shook the thought out of her head. No need to connect this with her fiancé!

Wait, her husband might not even be him…

The dessert shop ad played daily on TV, helping boost the store’s performance. Sister He’s family was already looking at properties and planning to visit a building by Hongji Real Estate on Monday.

Lin Keying sat on the sofa, eating the beauty-enhancing bird’s nest soup made by Sister Hua, her long red velvet dress casually draped over the sofa. With every movement, it seemed to bloom like the rose brooch on her chest, a gift from Cheng Wanting two days ago—small and delicate, shimmering faintly with tiny diamonds.

After watching an episode of TV, Lin Keying looked at the commercial and was satisfied.

However, someone upstairs didn’t appreciate the mood. The man in the second-floor hallway seemed dissatisfied with his own serious work and lazily ordered from above: “What’s so interesting about TV? Bring the book to the study.”

Lin Keying gave the man a glare from the living room sofa and reluctantly got up.

…

Having basically mastered the language, Lin Keying wasn’t very eager to continue studying.

Especially with her fiancé’s always serious demeanor and lack of humor in his teaching style, Lin Keying lost interest over time.

At the moment, Cheng Wanting was in the study, reading documents, while Lin Keying sat on the sofa reading a book on her own. But this time, it wasn’t a language book; it was related to finance and economics, making Lin Keying drowsy.

She had traveled through time and didn’t come here to struggle with learning!

Seeing that he was focused on his work, Lin Keying gradually shifted from sitting to lying on the sofa, and soon enough, she took out her gossip magazine, absorbed in reading it.

So engrossed in the gossip, she didn’t even notice when the man had quietly approached behind her.

“Always reading this kind of rubbish,” Cheng Wanting casually remarked, glancing at the magazine with various stories about infidelity, mistresses, and family feuds.

Lin Keying, no longer afraid of him, asked eagerly: “Young Master, do you know the feud between the Li family’s four wives? Is it true they’re constantly at odds?”

“Is it true that the wealthy Yang family man used his father-in-law’s power to rise in rank? Then his first wife died, and he took his third wife, burying his first wife’s ashes in a tomb shaped like a mysterious feng shui tower to suppress her spirit?”

“The head of the fashion empire and his son fighting over the same woman, is that true?”

“Did you hear that a widowed rich woman has been supporting many young male models?”

Seeing Cheng Wanting’s increasingly speechless expression, Lin Keying thought to herself, “It’s a pity this man is living in the 1980s Hong Kong rich circle and doesn’t know anything about the latest gossip!”

You’re not useful at all!

Cheng Wanting finally spoke, after seeing her dismiss him completely. “How would I know about those gossips? But if you really want to know…”

Lin Keying’s ears perked up.

“Have Yang Minghui look into it for you.”

Lin Keying sat up excitedly: “Okay!”

Rich family gossip from first-hand sources—this would be the best!

At 9 p.m., after spending over an hour in the study, Lin Keying grew tired of the serials she was reading. She was already familiar with these stories, and it was just to kill time now.

She calculated the time; the version of Jin Yong’s TV drama hadn’t aired yet, and she was eagerly looking forward to revisiting it.

Cheng Wanting had called her to the study, but didn’t speak much. He spent most of the time focusing on his own matters. But whenever she tried to move, especially when trying to sneak away, he would notice.

“Read the books I gave you.” His voice was calm, with no emotion.

Lin Keying walked over to him, seeing that he was reading documents about land he had won in an auction. Mimicking him, she said, “Why are you always looking at me? Focus on your documents.”

She stood beside his desk, where he had to raise his head slightly to meet her gaze. Hearing her words, a faint smile appeared in his eyes, and after lingering on her face for a few seconds, he shifted his gaze.

“If you’re bored, help me organize these files.”

Lin Keying refused: “I’m not your secretary, and you haven’t paid me for that!”

She was curious, as last time, her godfather had mentioned that the Sha Tin land wasn’t desirable, so why did her calculating fiancé bid for it?

“What are you trying to ask?” Cheng Wanting seemed to sense her hesitation.

“Why did you buy that land in Sha Tin? It’s not in demand right now, and not many people are after it.” Lin Keying analyzed. “Besides, you didn’t want anyone to know, so you arranged for another company to bid.”

Cheng Wanting handed her the detailed documents on the Sha Tin land, leaned back in his chair, and with his arm casually draped over the side, looked like an eagle spreading its wings, his features sharp. “Guess.”

Lin Keying casually took the documents, half-sitting on the edge of the desk, and muttered as she flipped through the pages, “You want me to guess? If you don’t want to tell me, just say so. It’s business secrecy, I won’t ask.”

“Guess.” Cheng Wanting lightly tapped the wooden armrest with his fingers. “Guess correctly, and there’s a reward.”

“What reward?”

Cheng Wanting leaned closer to her ear, his deep voice dropping. “Guess right, and I’ll give you 5% of the Sha Tin shares.”

Lin Keying: “…!”

Just as she was about to say something, she stopped herself, quickly asking, “What if I guess wrong?”

“That’s right, there’s a reward if you guess correctly, and of course, there’s a punishment for getting it wrong,” Cheng Wanting’s lips curved into a faint smile.

Lin Keying blinked, a bit shocked, but quickly nodded. “Okay!”

With the details of the Sha Tin land in hand, Lin Keying analyzed it carefully and began to formulate a theory.

5% wasn’t a small amount of shares. She wondered if her fiancé was planning something bigger.

“Got it?” Cheng Wanting asked, his voice low.

“Mm.” Lin Keying laid out her guess. “Wan Xin is your company, right?”

Cheng Wanting’s expression changed slightly, a half-smile tugging at the corner of his lips. Lin Keying confirmed her guess and continued: “At the auction, you really wanted the Sha Tin land. The Central land was just a smokescreen to raise the price with Liu Zhigao and Wang Weiliang, while hiding your true target. No one knew you quietly won the Sha Tin land.”

Cheng Wanting’s fingers lightly tapped to match the rhythm of her speech. “Why would I want to acquire Sha Tin?”

“You have a way to develop the Sha Tin land,” Lin Keying speculated. “It must offer a better return on investment than Central.”

His eyes deepened as he listened, as if intrigued by her answer.

“Do you have a plan to develop the land?” Lin Keying asked.

“I may be able to use other land’s momentum,” Lin Keying continued, thinking out loud. “Perhaps if multiple plots of land are sold at once, the scarcity of land in Hong Kong could work to your advantage.”

She continued speaking her thoughts, unaware that Cheng Wanting had already stood up, his tall figure blocking the light, casting a shadow over her.

“How would you borrow momentum?”

Lin Keying shot him a glare: “How should I know? I’ve never dealt with you rich businessmen.”

Her information was limited, so even reaching this conclusion was already impressive.

“Well, that’s not exactly correct,” Cheng Wanting smiled and added.

“That’s not fair!” Lin Keying pouted. “I got most of it right, but you’re being slippery!”

Cheng Wanting stepped back quickly. “Well, you got half of it right.”

“Really?” Lin Keying started calculating the value of the 2.5% shares, feeling a rising joy.

Before she could even smile, he spoke again.

“You got half right, so I’ll give you 2.5% of the shares,” Cheng Wanting leaned forward, his voice low and captivating. “But you also lose half. Starting tomorrow, you’ll be my secretary for half a month.”

Seeing Lin Keying frozen, Cheng Wanting gently adjusted the rose brooch on her velvet dress, his fingers brushing softly.

“Don’t be late, Secretary Lin.”

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