Chapter 410: The New Year's Holiday Ends

The New Year's holiday ended.

The Five Star Group returned to work.

Xie Weihao, the newly appointed General Manager of the film and television company, reported the release plan for "Infernal Affairs: if" to Guan Zu.

"We expect a one-week promotional period, followed by the official release on January 10th."

"Infernal Affairs: if" is just "if," as in "what if."

What would Chen Yongren's fate have been if Guan Zu hadn't existed?

This version is the original version of "Infernal Affairs," the tragic version of Chen Yongren.

"Good! Just follow the plan!"

After Xie Weihao left,

Fang Ting reported the auction invitation from the Guo family to Guan Zu: "Tomorrow, the Central Plaza auction will restart. It's at 10:00 AM at the Sotheby's Auction Center in the Jardine House, Landmark..."

Because the money from all the bidders, billions of Hong Kong dollars, is tied up there, not auctioning it off as soon as possible is a huge waste of capital.

Therefore, several bidders are urging the Guo family to auction it off as soon as possible.

Guan Zu nodded: "Good, go and prepare!"

Fang Ting left the office,

Guan Zu called Following Xiao Fu over: "Gong Wei's flight should arrive at 3:00 PM; you and Ah Xing go to the airport to pick them up."

Following Xiao Fu: "Understood, Brother Zu!"

At 3:00 PM, a plane skimmed over the abandoned Kowloon Walled City and descended toward Kai Tak Airport.

Gong Wei, accompanied by Li Xia and Gong Gu, got off the plane.

Following Xiao Fu and Ah Xing had arrived at the arrival gate long in advance, looking forward to it with eager anticipation.

Following Xiao Fu leaned forward slightly, his eyes fixed on the passageway without blinking, his joy evident, occasionally raising his hand to check his watch.

"They should be here soon."

Before long, the crowd surged out like a tide, and the figures of Gong Wei's family stood out from among them. Gong Wei carried a luggage bag, gently shielding his wife and child as they walked out.

Gong Gu kept turning his little head, looking around curiously, occasionally glancing at the high-hanging electronic display screen, then at the colorful taxis parked in the distance.

"Ah Wei!" Following Xiao Fu spotted them at a glance and immediately shouted at the top of his lungs.

Upon seeing Following Xiao Fu, Gong Wei was immediately moved.

"Brother Fu!"

Li Xia: "Brother Fu!"

Gong Gu: "Uncle!"

Both mother and son were extremely grateful to Following Xiao Fu.

Following Xiao Fu said: "Brother Zu has always remembered the time you were coming to Hong Kong, and he ordered me to come and pick you up early this morning. Brother Zu repeatedly urged me to make sure you were well taken care of."

Gong Wei was immediately touched: "Thank you, Brother Zu!"

Ah Xing walked up to Gong Gu, crouched down, and smiled: "You must be little Gu, you look especially sharp at first glance... call me Brother Xing!"

Ah Xing is only 19 years old this year; he is actually very young and looks slightly green.

Gong Gu was very well-behaved: "Brother Xing!"

Ah Xing laughed and gently patted Gong Gu on the shoulder: "Little Gu, there are plenty of fun places in Hong Kong. If there's anything you want to know, just ask your brother."

Gong Wei looked at the enthusiastic Following Xiao Fu and Ah Xing, his heart full of gratitude: "Thank you both for the trouble of coming all this way to pick us up."

The five of them left the arrival hall and came to the parking area,

An imposing black Chevrolet came into everyone's view, its body lines firm and smooth, showcasing an extraordinary temperament.

After getting into the car, Ah Xing held the steering wheel steadily, Following Xiao Fu sat in the passenger seat, occasionally turning back to interact with Gong Wei's family. The car sped toward the city center like a lightning bolt, and the bustling street scenes outside the window flashed by like scenes from a movie.

Skyscrapers towering into the clouds stood in rows, their glass curtain walls reflecting dazzling light;

Then they entered the Kowloon district, where the streets were bustling with traffic, colorful billboards were dazzling, and then they entered the Cross-Harbour Tunnel, arriving in Causeway Bay after exiting the tunnel, entering Causeway Bay all the way.

Following Xiao Fu said to Gong Wei in the car: "The house Brother Zu arranged for you is in the same building as Brother Zu's, about 60 square meters; I hope you won't find it too small."

Gong Wei hurriedly said: "Not at all, not at all, and being able to live near Brother Zu is our honor."

Following Xiao Fu: "Whatever furniture, quilts, and the like, everything has already been fully prepared. If you find anything missing later, just go buy it yourself... By the way, regarding your wife's illness, go to Mingxin Hospital tomorrow to handle the procedures. Brother Zu has already arranged for someone to take you there to have a comprehensive check-up first, and then organize a consultation with experts."

Gong Wei, Li Xia, and Gong Gu all felt Guan Zu's care.

Following Xiao Fu: "By the way, there is one more thing. Since you are new here, he invites you to his house for dinner tonight."

Gong Wei's eyes turned red.

He couldn't handle this deep care!

In the evening,

Guan Zu held a family banquet, calling Abu, Gao Gang, Li Jie, as well as the two little brats, Gao Hu and Gui Yan.

Guan Zu called a neighborhood aunt over to cook a sumptuous dinner.

Guan Zu raised his glass: "Welcome Ah Wei to our team; from now on, we are one family!"

"Cheers!"

Abu, Gao Gang, Li Jie: "Cheers!"

Gong Wei and Li Xia (drinking tea) hurriedly raised their glasses: "Thank you!!"

Gao Hu, Gui Yan, and Gong Gu, the three little brats, drank fruit juice.

Gao Hu and Gui Yan looked at Gong Gu, and Gong Gu looked at Gao Hu and Gui Yan, staring at each other with big eyes.

Gui Yan was eager to try: "I heard you are the youth martial arts champion?"

Gong Gu: "Yes."

Gui Yan was excited: "Let's go to the ring tomorrow; I want to have a match with you."

Gong Gu was also excited: "Okay, but I have to go to the hospital with my mom tomorrow first."

Gui Yan: "Okay, I'll wait for you. No going back on your word, or you won't grow tall!"

Gong Gu: "............"

Ugh, so childish~~~

At this time, Guan Zu looked at the loyalty level on Gong Wei's head, which had already reached 100%.

"Dear fellow citizens... welcome to watch tonight's ATV News..."

"According to the latest news obtained from the police force... based on the great merit established by the OCTB and the Hong Kong Island Regional Police Headquarters in annihilating the fierce bandit gang last time..."

"The former Hong Kong Island Regional Headquarters Chief, Assistant Commissioner of Police Huang Bingyao, has been promoted to Senior Assistant Commissioner... and transferred to the position of Director of the Operations Department's subordinate Division B (Crime and Security)..."

"In addition, the former OCTB head, Chief Superintendent Situ Jie, has been promoted to Assistant Commissioner of Police and transferred to be the Chief of the Hong Kong Island Regional Police Headquarters!"

"Furthermore, other meritorious police officers have all received corresponding rewards."

Guan Zu was not surprised when he saw this news.

Because Guan Zu had already received the news yesterday, and had already celebrated by popping champagne halfway through last night.

This promotion and transfer was clearly the work of the Commissioner, winning over Huang Bingyao and Situ Jie without losing the base of the Hong Kong Island region and the OCTB due to the promotion.

In addition,

Chen Guozhong and Qiu Gangao were both promoted to Senior Superintendent, and the people behind them were all promoted.

And what about Lei Meng of West Kowloon?

He was so envious he was about to cry, calling Guan Zu to vent, asking when he would get a big case too.

However, cases like the fierce bandit team are hard to come by.

ATV News anchor Wen Huixin continued to report:

"Next, reporting a piece of new news..."

"Tomorrow, the auction plan for Central Plaza will restart, and the venue has been changed to the Jardine House in Landmark..."

"The list of tycoons participating in this project auction includes Boss Li Ji of the Zhao Ye Group, Boss Ma Lai Guo of the Swire Group and Kerry Properties, Boss Wu of Wharf Holdings... and Mr. Guan of the Five Star Group..."

"This time, who will Central Plaza fall to?"

"Please stay tuned..."

A new day,

The morning sun pierced through the gaps between the towering buildings of Hong Kong, spilling onto the Sotheby's Auction Center in the Jardine House, Landmark.

Guan Zu, Fang Ting, and Following Xiao Fu got out of the car and entered the auction center.

As soon as they entered, they saw a huge mammoth skeleton.

"Mr. Guan!"

At this moment, a familiar voice came from behind.

Guan Zu looked back and saw it was Mr. Wu of the Wharf Group.

"Mr. Wu..."

Guan Zu glanced at the dozen or so bodyguards behind Boss Wu, all in black suits and leather shoes, and couldn't help but be speechless.

Are you that afraid of dying?

Boss Wu was also speechless: Guan Zu has already been kidnapped once, why did he only bring one bodyguard!

What kind of self-confidence is this!

Guan Zu: "Mr. Wu, your Wharf Group isn't short of landmark buildings either, no need to fight for this project, right?"

"Haha, who would complain about having too little? Right."

Guan Zu: "Alright, then I won't be polite later, I hope it won't hurt our friendship."

The two are now in a cooperative relationship; Guan Zu rented 150,000 square meters of Harbour City for 10 years for 1 HKD to open a Five Star Supermarket. Boss Wu: "Hahaha~~ No, no."

While the two were chatting, they saw Boss Ma Lai Guo again, leading a dozen bodyguards in a grand manner.

When Guan Zu saw this Boss Guo arrive, his expression immediately tightened.

He didn't have a good impression of this Boss Guo.

Hmm... anyway, he just didn't like him, after all, things like Jin Longyu or Hu Ji Hua... what blended cooking oil, what scientific technology...

By the way, Five Star Supermarket doesn't sell Boss Guo's cooking oil.

After Boss Guo saw Guan Zu, he walked over and said enthusiastically:

"Mr. Guan... long admired, long admired, I've always wanted to meet you, after the auction, I wonder if you have time..."

As for the reason, it's that Five Star Supermarket didn't put his rice, flour, oil, and grain on the procurement list.

There is also a reason for this from Boss Guo; at that time, Five Star Supermarket was being prepared, and Boss Li found Boss Guo and said not to supply Guan Zu with Guo family goods.

At that time, Boss Li's supermarket empire occupied 75% of the market share, a proper monopoly, and Boss Guo didn't dare to offend him, so he shut Tan Meili out.

Please... collect... (!)

And now...

Five Star Supermarket is beating Wellcome and ParknShop supermarkets, and it's Boss Guo's turn to be uncomfortable; his sales of rice, flour, grain, and oil have been directly broken.

Therefore, Boss Guo has repeatedly wanted to find Tan Meili and Guan Zu to discuss, and then was shut out.

Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river.

You looked down on me before, now you can't afford to climb high.

Tan Meili was proud of this for a long time.

"Heh..."

Guan Zu just chuckled, and just as the elevator arrived, he took Fang Ting and Following Xiao Fu inside, ignoring Boss Guo completely.

Boss Wu saw the conflict between Guan Zu and Boss Ma Lai Guo and didn't participate, entering the elevator with a blank expression.

A bunch of bodyguards squeezed in, and the elevator was full.

Boss Guo, who couldn't get on the elevator: "............"

His face turned livid instantly.

Auction hall.

Soon, Guan Zu took Fang Ting, and Boss Wu took his secretary, and walked into the hall.

At the entrance of the hall, two life-sized bronze sculptures stood on both sides, one was Hermes, the ancient Greek god of commerce and wealth, and the other was Zhao Gongming, the God of Wealth in ancient China.

The entire hall had an oval layout, with an auction stage half a meter above the ground in the center, carved from a single piece of black marble.

Above the dome, a giant crystal chandelier fell like stars.

The walls were inlaid with precious walnut decorative panels, hanging paintings by famous masters, from classical European landscape oil paintings to abstract modern art...

Inside the auction hall, Boss Li Ji, the ghost guy from Swire Group, had already arrived. And there was also the young master Huang from Singapore who came to soy sauce.

As soon as Guan Zu and Boss Wu entered, everyone's eyes looked over.

"Mr. Guan~~"

"Mr. Wu~~"

"Mr. Li~~"

They greeted one by one.

At this time, the hosts, the eldest son Guo, the second son, and the third son, walked in and started chatting with everyone. And there was also

Behind them, Boss Guo squeezed out a smile and walked into the auction hall.

10:00,

The auction officially began.

Everyone took their seats.

The female auctioneer walked onto the stage, wearing a black backless dress, her posture elegant:

"Distinguished guests, good morning everyone..."

"The 45% stake in Central Plaza auctioned today is located in the core area of Wan Chai, Hong Kong Island, integrating high-end commerce, top-tier offices, luxury shopping, and other diverse business formats..."

The project was introduced for more than 10 minutes.

Then the auction rules were stated.

"The starting price is 3.5 billion HKD, and each price increase must not be less than 1 million HKD. Please raise your placards to indicate, and be sure to follow the auction order."

After speaking, she tapped the auction hammer lightly:

"The auction officially begins!"

Guan Zu raised his hand, and the placard was held high: "3.6 billion!"

Instantly breaking the brief silence of the opening.

Boss Wu of Wharf Holdings was not to be outdone and quickly followed up: "3.65 billion."

Although the three Guo brothers were the sellers, their eyes were also tightly locked on the auction situation at this moment.

The representative of Swire Properties immediately raised his placard: "3.67 billion."

Boss Li Ji added to the price without hesitation: "3.68 billion."

Back and forth, the bidding placards rose and fell, and the price soared all the way.

The tycoons constantly clashed, each with their own thoughts, and every placard raise seemed like a silent contest.

After 5 minutes, the price approached 5 billion.

The competitive pressure was still not small.

This price had already exceeded the 4.5 billion that everyone originally thought, and it was clear that several tycoons were very optimistic about this project.

Guan Zu was the same; making money on this project was a small matter, the main thing was reputation and strength.

"5.1 billion!"

"5.2 billion!"

"5.3 billion!"

Up 300 million in a row!

At this point, several tycoons flashed looks of hesitation.

"5.31 billion!"

"5.32 billion!"

The speed began to slow down next.

Boss Li Ji calculated, he still had a project plan, there was a piece of land in Central (the future International Finance Centre (1998 Phase I) (Phase II is that building that Hong Kong citizens complain about as 'mosquito coil', as shown)).

(ps: the short one on the left of the picture is Phase I.)

Now this Central Plaza was not Boss Li Ji's only choice.

So, he chose to give up.

And at this time, Boss Wu also hesitated; just as Guan Zu said, his Wharf Group has Harbour City, so he is not short of landmark buildings. Now the price is a bit beyond expectations.

So, Boss Wu also chose to give up.

On the Swire Group side, Swire Group has several landmarks, watching Guan Zu and Boss Ma Lai Guo still showing no signs of stopping.

Thinking about it, they also chose to give up.

So, only Guan Zu and Boss Ma Lai Guo were left at the scene, fighting back and forth.

Boss Guo needed a building to reflect his strength.

Guan Zu: "5.4 billion!"

Boss Guo: "5.41 billion!"

Guan Zu: "5.5 billion!"

Boss Guo: "5.51 billion!"

Guan Zu didn't hesitate: "5.6 billion!"

Boss Guo: "............"

He hesitated.

Next, he began to be in a dilemma.

He is different from Guan Zu; Guan Zu's money is the citizens' money, with 7 billion as a base, and he can continue to raise more if the money is not enough later!

And himself?

If he auctions off this part of the equity, he will need to invest more than 2 billion in the future to continue building... which means more than 7 billion, nearly 8 billion, cannot be cashed out in the next two years.

Can he handle it?

Even if he puts it in the bank for mortgage, will it increase the risk of capital turnover?

Thinking of this,

He sighed and stopped raising his placard.

He felt that the 'local gang is too impolite', how can you use citizens' money to fight against tycoons like us?

Is it amazing to have citizens' support?

Can you do whatever you want!

Damn!

"5.6 billion, is there any higher price?"

"5.6 billion for the second time..."

"5.6 billion for the third time..."

Bang~~~

Finally, the auction hammer fell heavily.

The result was settled.

Auctioneer: "Congratulations to Mr. Guan Zu for successfully auctioning 45% of Central Plaza's shares at a high price of 5.6 billion HKD!"

Guan Zu smiled.

The Central Plaza project is officially in hand!

(End of chapter)