Courtyard Houses: From Bronze Compasses to Global Reach

Chapter 387 The Huo Family's Ambition

Two days later.

The invitation from Fok Ying-tung was personally delivered to Lin Yan by Lin Er.

The banquet was held at Bazhenfang that evening.

After a moment's thought, Lin Yan instructed Lin Er to reply: Be on time.

As night falls, Bazhenfang is brightly lit.

As Lin Yan stepped into the lobby, Xu Damao, who was behind the counter, immediately brightened up and instinctively went to greet him.

Lin Yan raised his hand and pressed it down slightly, indicating that he didn't need to make any arrangements, and then walked straight upstairs to the VIP room.

Pushing open the door to the private room, Fok Ying-tung was already seated, leisurely sipping his tea.

"Uncle Huo," Lin Yan walked in, casually unbuttoned his suit jacket, and sat down opposite Huo Yingdong.

"Even though I rushed as fast as I could, I still arrived a step later than you."

Henry Fok put down his teacup, waved his hand with a warm smile, and said, "Oh, that's not right. I invited you, so why should I keep my guest waiting? I just arrived a little early."

He gestured to the several exquisite dishes already laid out on the table, his tone warm:

"Here, I specially ordered a few of their signature dishes. Try them and see if you like them?"

Lin Yan picked up a piece of steamed grouper with her chopsticks. The fish meat was snow-white and tender.

"Yes, the heat is just right."

He put down his chopsticks and gave a fair assessment.

"Master He's skills are even better than before."

"I'm glad you like it." Fok Ying-tung smiled and raised his glass. "Come on, let's have a drink."

After several rounds of drinks, the atmosphere in the private room became increasingly relaxed. Only then did Fok Ying-tung put down his glass, his expression becoming slightly more serious.

"Xiao Yan," he began, getting to the point, "to be honest, the Huo family has been wanting to make some real investments in the mainland for years."

You have a deep understanding of the situation over there, so... do you have any suggestions or guidance?

Lin Yan, holding his wine glass, looked up at him upon hearing this, a knowing smile on his face.

"Uncle Huo, you must have already asked Lin Er about this, right? His suggestion is my suggestion."

"No, no, no," Fok Ying-tung quickly waved his hand, his attitude earnest, "I naturally admire Brother Lin's abilities and character. After so many years of friendship, I know what kind of person he is."

He leaned forward slightly and lowered his voice:

"It's not that I lack direction, it's just that... I have direction, but I can't find the 'door'."

"Oh?"

Lin Yan raised an eyebrow slightly, crossed his legs, and leaned back in his chair, appearing relaxed yet carrying an invisible scrutiny.

"As far as I know, the Huo family has always had a good image and reputation in the eyes of the government. Surely they wouldn't deliberately make things difficult for ordinary investment projects?"

Henry Fok gave a wry smile and shook his head.

"Xiao Yan, you don't understand. If the Huo family only wanted to open a factory and build a building, that would naturally go smoothly. But we... ultimately started out in shipping."

He paused, then looked directly at Lin Yan.

"What I really want to do is build our own port on the mainland. You see, this matter..."

Lin Yan took a sip of tea and put down the teacup.

"Uncle Huo, you've been too hasty in handling this matter."

He looked up at Fok Ying-tung, his gaze calm and unwavering.

"Domestically, we've only just begun to open the door. All investment projects, whether in terms of funding or nature, must undergo rigorous review at every level. This still refers to general manufacturing and commerce."

He paused briefly.

"Ports and wharves are vital to import and export, and are key checkpoints firmly held by the state. At this stage, do foreign investors want to enter?"

He shook his head.

"Impossible. You can give up on that idea for now."

The hope on Fok Ying-tung's face immediately dimmed. He remained silent for a moment before asking, somewhat unwillingly, "Really... there's absolutely no hope? Even you can't do it?"

"Hopefully, yes."

Lin Yan didn't say anything definitive; he gently stroked the rim of the cup with his fingertips.

"But not now. You need to be patient."

"After another ten years or so of domestic development, large-scale foreign investment will enter the market, and cargo throughput will increase exponentially. The existing port facilities will inevitably be insufficient, forcing the country to consider upgrading, expanding, and even introducing new management and capital."

He looked into Fok Ying-tung's eyes.

"By then, the Huo family might have a chance. Of course, the premise is that—in the next ten years, every move the Huo family makes in China can continue to win that crucial 'trust'."

He leaned back in his chair and said meaningfully.

"Uncle Huo, you can't rush things. Some things can only be accomplished when the water is ready."

Upon hearing this, Fok Ying-tung let out a long sigh of relief, his solemn expression vanishing and replaced by a smile. He raised his glass and sincerely said:

"Xiao Yan, after hearing your analysis, I finally feel relieved. Okay, then I'll wait patiently and focus on building a solid foundation first."

With his major concern resolved, his thoughts turned elsewhere. He looked at Lin Yan with the concern of an elder, and his tone became teasing:

"Now that we've finished with the business, let's talk about personal matters. Xiao Yan, you're not getting any younger, do you have a girlfriend yet?"

He chuckled and boasted, "Uncle Huo knows quite a few beautiful and talented young ladies in Hong Kong, would you like to...?"

Lin Yan was taken aback by this sudden "concern," and then touched his nose with a slightly embarrassed expression.

"Uncle Huo, please don't worry about me."

He immediately shifted the blame, his expression innocent and sincere.

"Why don't you try to find someone for Lin Er first? He's getting on in years and still all alone, it's so pitiful. I'm not in a hurry, anyway... I'm much better looking than him. Aren't there plenty of women who like my type on the street?"

(Lin Er, it's better to sacrifice yourself than your friend. The time has come for you, young master.)

Lin Yan picked up his teacup, using the rising steam to conceal the fleeting, guiltless, "sinister" smile in his eyes.

Huo Yingdong was taken aback at first, then burst into laughter, pointing at Lin Yan and shaking his head repeatedly: "You little rascal... alright, alright, I've got Lin Er's name on me too!"

"Uncle Huo, I'm not being willful, I'm just afraid of trouble. We're both men, and what man isn't fickle? Rather than marrying them all and causing chaos at home, it's better not to marry any of them. If we don't like one, we can just find the next one. Each one will be new!"

He spread his hands.

"Perfect!"

"You're still so willful!" Fok Ying-tung actually found his twisted logic quite plausible.

The atmosphere relaxed completely amidst laughter and conversation.

Lin Yan deftly deflected this overly enthusiastic "personal concern."

After watching Fok Ying-tung's car leave, Lin Yan turned and walked towards his car parked by the roadside.

He opened the car door and got into the driver's seat. The engine hummed softly, and he turned on the radio.

After a slightly noisy electrical hum, a familiar melody suddenly burst forth:

"The Great Wall will never fall, the Yellow River flows on and on..."

The powerful male voice and stirring music made every word seem to carry the weight of an era, crashing into the eardrums.

Lin Yan's hands, which were resting on the steering wheel, suddenly tightened.

My heart felt like it was being gripped by an invisible hand, contracting unexpectedly, followed by a surge of tingling heat that instantly overwhelmed all my rational defenses.

My eyes started to feel hot and moist without warning.

He stood there, frozen, letting the singing echo in the cramped carriage.

At that moment, he suddenly understood everything.

Since that winter of 1958, when his soul fell into this unfamiliar time and space, he has seemingly calmly cultivated, planned, and controlled everything, managing the advantages of being a person in two lifetimes with almost ruthless rationality.

He stubbornly remained "outside" and participated in it, not just for resources or plans.

It turns out that, subconsciously, he had been waiting all along.

Waiting for this era he is familiar with.

When these melodies etched into our bones sound again.

When those movies, stories, and sights we once watched become readily available.

And... there's another possibility: to go see those people he knows.

The neon lights outside the car window blurred into a shimmering patch of light in his eyes. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and slowly exhaled.

The singing continued, passionate and stirring.

A warm drop of liquid finally escaped its eye socket and silently slid down its cheek.

This year is 1981, the year he was born in his previous life.