Chapter 185: Mid‑Mount Villa Hosts Business Tycoons, Lu Qingshan Calmly Keeps His Appointment!

At dusk, the surface of Victoria Harbour was dyed golden by the setting sun, the distant mountains were like ink wash, and gulls circled among the cruise ship's masts.

Lu Qingshan stood before the floor‑to‑ceiling window of the Hilton Hotel, a steel pen in his hand, his gaze fixed on the cargo ship drifting slowly through the harbour.

Scattered across the sofa were countless sheets of draft paper, filled with various numbers, charts and analyses.

Lu Qingshan's handwriting was neat and forceful, each figure concealing his precise forecast of the future.

"Second brother, did you spend another night sleeping on the sofa last night?" Lu Qingjun stepped out of the bedroom, saw the messy papers and blanket on the sofa, and said with a hint of concern, "The presidential suite is so luxurious, the bed so comfortable—why didn't you go to sleep?"

Lu Qingshan didn't turn his head, continued writing on the paper: "When I lie down my mind isn't clear; I need to keep thinking, it helps me recall many things."

Ye Ning sat at the dining table, a trading report for today laid before her.

The Hang Seng Index closed at 1,397 points, down 46 points, while the figure in Lu Qingshan's account had risen to HK$135 million. She looked at the numbers, her inner shock beyond words.

"Mr. Lu, are you really not worried?" Ye Ning couldn't help asking. "There are rumors in the market that you might represent a major institution, and some even say you're a forward unit sent by Soros."

Lu Qingshan set down the pen, finally turned, a playful smile tugging at his mouth: "Soros? He's still dealing with junk bonds; how could he have time to meddle with Hong Kong Island affairs?"

"Then do you think these rumors will affect our operations?" Ye Ning continued.

"Impact?" Lu Qingshan walked to the dining table, picked up a newspaper whose front‑page headline read, "Mysterious Mainland Tycoon Earns HK$135 Million in Four Days, Hong Kong Island Financial World Calls It a Legend." "These rumors bring us a hundred benefits and not a single harm. The more mysterious, the more awe they inspire. Awe leads to following the trend, and following the trend brings an even larger movement."

Lu Qingjun leaned over to look at the newspaper, excitedly pointing at the photo: "Second brother, look how handsome this picture is! It even outshines those Hong Kong Island celebrities."

In the photo, Lu Qingshan was strolling the streets of Causeway Bay, the bustling commercial district behind him, his figure standing out among the crowd. That unhurried demeanor seemed as if the world's clamor had nothing to do with him.

"What's the use of being handsome?" Lu Qingshan said lightly, a hint of pride flashing in his eyes. "Qingjun, remember this— in this world only strength is the hard truth. Being good‑looking won't put food on the table, but the ability to make money lets you feast on the world's finest cuisine."

At that moment, the doorbell rang. Lu Qingjun ran to answer; Huang Chaowen stood outside in a crisp suit, a delicate gift box in his hand.

"Mr. Lu, hello!" Huang Chaowen's face beamed with smiles. "Chairman Li is already waiting for you at home, and Mr. Wang has also arrived."

Lu Qingshan glanced at the time; it was already 7:30 pm.

He changed into a deep‑blue suit, adjusted his tie, and in an instant transformed from a casual Tourist into a business elite.

"Let's go." Lu Qingshan picked up a small notebook on the coffee table; it contained the core points he had recorded over the past few days.

The car cut through Hong Kong Island's night, neon lights rippling across the windows. Huang Chaowen sat in the passenger seat, occasionally glancing at Lu Qingshan's expression through the rearview mirror.

"Mr. Lu, tonight's dinner is not simple," Huang Chaowen finally said. "Chairman Li and Mr. Wang are top figures in Hong Kong Island's business world; their desire to meet you is certainly not just to compliment your investment acumen."

"I know." Lu Qingshan's voice was calm. "They want to learn my background, to see if I have any special connections behind me."

Huang Chaowen was a bit surprised: "You already know?"

"That's normal." Lu Qingshan looked out at the night scenery. "If it were me, seeing a stranger in his twenties appear out of nowhere and make HK$135 million in four days, I would also be curious about his origins."

The car entered the Mid-Mount Villa district, one of the most expensive residential areas on Hong Kong Island.

The hillside‑by‑sea mansions, illuminated by night lights, looked especially opulent; each house signified immense wealth and status.

Li Fuying's villa sat on the mountainside, sprawling in size, its European architecture appearing solemn and elegant in the night.

The garden's fountain sparkled under spotlights, and several century‑old trees swayed in the breeze.

"Arrived." Huang Chaowen stepped out to open the door for Lu Qingshan. "Mr. Lu, tonight's dinner may change many things."

Lu Qingshan stepped out of the car, inhaling a deep breath of fresh mountain air. Memories from a past life told him that a dinner of this caliber usually signified some sort of partnership or test.

But now he was no longer the penniless youngster of his past; he possessed enough capital to stand on equal footing with these business magnates.

The villa's grand gate opened slowly, and a butler in a black suit greeted them respectfully.

"Mr. Lu, welcome." The butler's voice was warm and courteous. "Chairman Li and Mr. Wang are already waiting for you in the living room."

Entering the villa, Lu Qingshan was stunned by the luxury before him. Massive crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, European oil paintings covered the walls, and the floor was laid with priceless Persian carpets. This understated opulence left a stronger impression than the Hilton's presidential suite.

In the living room, Li Fuying and Wang Qiting were speaking softly on the sofa. Upon seeing Lu Qingshan enter, both rose simultaneously.

"Mr. Lu, finally meeting again!" Li Fuying stepped forward, extending both hands. "Your performance these past few days has truly impressed us!"

Wang Qiting also approached, his gaze both scrutinizing and curious: "Mr. Lu, I have long admired your reputation! Your investment skill truly commands respect."

Lu Qingshan smiled, shaking hands with the two, silently observing these important figures of Hong Kong Island's business world. Li Fuying seemed a shrewd merchant, while Wang Qiting gave off an air of seasoned scheming.

"You two are flattering me," Lu Qingshan said, neither humble nor arrogant. "I was merely luckier."

"Luck?" Wang Qiting squinted. "Hitting the mark so precisely in four days—that's not something luck can explain."

The atmosphere in the living room instantly grew subtle.

The three men stood facing each other, invisible smoke of tension lingering in the air.

Li Fuying swallowed nervously, while Wang Qiting's gaze was as sharp as a hawk's.

Lu Qingshan, however, gave a calm smile; that unhurried demeanor made the two business foxes feel a hidden alarm.

"Gentlemen," Lu Qingshan began slowly, his voice carrying a heart‑stirring confidence, "instead of speculating here, let's sit down and talk properly. I think tonight's dinner…"

He deliberately paused, a hint of profound meaning flashing in his eyes:

"It will certainly be very interesting."