Chapter 187: National Confidence: Planting Chinese Pride in Hong Kong Island's Business Circle

The atmosphere in the restaurant became unusually solemn because of Lu Qingshan's remark "1200 points," and everyone's face was filled with shock and unease.

These business tycoons were usually the ones who planned strategies, but facing this young man's prediction, their psychological defenses almost completely collapsed.

Li Fuying was the first to break the silence, his voice trembling slightly: "Mr. Lu, shall we move to a quieter place to continue talking? The tea room over there is quieter."

Good.

Lu Qingshan nodded, knowing the real main show had just begun.

The group moved to the villa's tea room.

Here the decoration is more elegant, a set of priceless Ru ware tea set is placed on the rosewood tea table, and the air is filled with a faint sandalwood scent.

Outside the huge floor-to-ceiling window, the night view of Victoria Harbor is fully visible, with myriad lights like scattered stars.

Several tycoons sat around Lu Qingshan, their expressions more respectful than before.

The shock from just now at the dining table made them fully realize that this young man before them is absolutely not a mere speculator, but a true financial giant shark.

The butler respectfully poured each person a cup of top-grade Da Hong Pao tea, then quietly withdrew.

Only these top figures of Hong Kong Island's business circle and Lu Qingshan remained in the tea room.

Li Zhaolong lifted his tea cup, took a sip, a hint of probing flashed in his eyes: "Mr. Lu, may I ask, besides stock market investment, do you have any other investment intentions? Such as industry, real estate?"

Lu Qingshan smiled faintly, he heard the deeper meaning in Li Zhaolong's words.

This was probing his financial strength and investment scale.

"Of course." Lu Qingshan set down his tea cup, his eyes deep: "As Hong Kong Island, as Asia's financial center, investment opportunities abound. The stock market is merely an appetizer; the real feast is yet to come."

Bao Chenggang's eyes flashed with sharp light: "Mr. Lu, could you reveal which industries you are optimistic about?"

"Real estate, finance, technology, infrastructure." Lu Qingshan said without hesitation, "These four industries will experience explosive growth in the next twenty years."

Several tycoons exchanged glances, feeling even more shocked inside.

This young man's vision is indeed extraordinary; these industries are indeed the pillar industries of Hong Kong Island's future.

He Zhiqiang suddenly spoke, his tone becoming especially solemn: "Mr. Lu, we want to ask a rather sensitive question." He paused, as if organizing his words, "You... do you have any special ties with the Chinese government?"

The tea room fell silent instantly, even the sound of breathing could be heard clearly.

This question is too sensitive, yet it is something everyone present wants to know the answer to.

A young man in his twenties from the mainland suddenly appeared in Hong Kong Island; amid a stalemate in government negotiations, he accurately predicted the financial market—if there were no strong political background behind it, nobody would believe it.

A hint of playful light flashed in Lu Qingshan's eyes.

He knew this question would eventually be asked, and he had already prepared a response strategy.

"You're overthinking it." Lu Qingshan chuckled lightly, "I'm just an ordinary investor with no special background. As for why I can accurately predict market trends, it's entirely based on my own analysis and judgment."

Guo Dongying obviously didn't quite believe that: "Mr. Lu, your investment level is indeed admirable, but..."

"But what?" Lu Qingshan interrupted him, his eyes turning sharp: "Do you people think mainlanders cannot have investment talent?"

This remark made several people feel a bit embarrassed.

Li Jiasheng quickly explained: "Mr. Lu, you misunderstood; we absolutely didn't mean that. It's just that your performance was too stunning, making us unable not to be curious."

Lu Qingshan nodded, his expression eased a little.

Then he stood up, walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, and gazed at the distant seascape.

"Gentlemen, I actually have a question for you." Lu Qingshan didn't turn back, his voice echoing in the tea room, "What do you think the future of Hong Kong Island will be like?"

This question left several people stunned.

Wang Qiting was the first to speak: "Mr. Lu, do you mean...?"

"I mean political prospects." Lu Qingshan turned around, his gaze sweeping over everyone present: "In the future, will Hong Kong Island return to China?"

The atmosphere in the tea room instantly became extremely tense. This topic is too sensitive, involving Hong Kong Island's political future, and also related to everyone present's vital interests.

Li Fuying swallowed: "Mr. Lu, this... this problem is too complicated."

"Complicated?" Lu Qingshan smiled faintly, a flash of profound light in his eyes: "I don't think it's complicated at all. British rule over Hong Kong Island has reached its end; China's rise is an unstoppable historical trend."

He walked back to the tea table and sat down again, his voice unusually firm: "Gentlemen, Hong Kong Island, as a wanderer away from home for over a hundred years, will surely return to the motherland's embrace. This is not my hope, but historical inevitability!"

Bao Chenggang couldn't help but ask: "Mr. Lu, are you so certain?"

"Of course!" Lu Qingshan's tone carried an unquestionable dignity: "China has five thousand years of civilization, a massive market of one billion people, and the strong momentum of reform and opening up. British rule? Just a declining empire on its last legs!"

Li Zhaolong nodded thoughtfully: "Mr. Lu, that makes sense. Indeed, there have recently been rumors that China and Britain are secretly negotiating over the Hong Kong Island issue."

"Not rumors, but fact!" Lu Qingshan's eyes flashed with a mysterious light: "Moreover, I can tell you all, the outcome of this negotiation will certainly be a victory for China! Hong Kong Island and Macau will both return to the motherland in the future!"

He Zhiqiang excitedly slapped the table and stood up: "If that's truly the case, for us Chinese it's simply tremendous good news!"

"Therefore," Lu Qingshan looked around at everyone, his voice booming like a great bell, "I hope everyone here can stand tall as Chinese! Contribute your strength to the rise of the Chinese nation!"

Several tycoons were deeply shaken by Lu Qingshan's words.

They had never heard such generous and impassioned words filled with national pride.

The sense of national confidence emanating from this young man made them all feel their blood boiling.

Guo Dongying excitedly stood up: "Mr. Lu said it wonderfully! We should indeed be proud to be Chinese!"

Li Jiasheng also nodded repeatedly: "Exactly! The era of the Chinese people is coming!"

Seeing everyone's reaction, Lu Qingshan smiled satisfied.

He knew his words had deeply moved these people's hearts.

"As for investment," Lu Qingshan sat down again, his tone becoming relaxed, "To be frank, I indeed need more funds for expansion. Current operations are just a small trial; the real show is still to come."

Li Fuying's eyes gleamed: "Mr. Lu, how much funding do you need?"

"The more, the better." Lu Qingshan smiled lightly, "Give me one billion, and I can stir up a real storm in Hong Kong Island's stock market!"

"One billion?!" Several people exclaimed in unison.

Wang Qiting took a deep breath: "Mr. Lu, this figure..."

"What? Think it's too much?" Lu Qingshan raised his eyebrows, "Gentlemen, think bigger. One billion in Hong Kong Island is nothing; Li Chaoren's single project is already several billion!"

"It's not that I think it's too much, I think..." Bao Chenggang gave a bitter laugh, "Mr. Lu, your appetite is really huge!"

"How can you accomplish great things without a big appetite?" Lu Qingshan declared heroically, "Everyone, I can assure you, my investment vision will absolutely not disappoint you!"

Li Zhaolong asked tentatively, "Mr. Lu, if we provide financial support, what guarantee can you give us?"

"A guarantee?" Lu Qingshan laughed loudly, "My investment record is the best guarantee! I made a net profit of 675 million in four days— isn't that enough to prove my ability?"

Several people exchanged glances, each weighing the pros and cons in their minds.

Lu Qingshan's investment ability is indeed astonishing, but a fund scale of ten billion is simply too large.

"Everyone," Lu Qingshan saw their hesitation, "I won't force it. Those with vision will naturally seize the opportunity; those without it have no one to blame if they miss it."

He Zhiqiang gritted his teeth, "Mr. Lu, I'm willing to invest ten million!"

"I'll also invest ten million!" Guo Dongying followed suit immediately.

"Count me in for ten million as well!" Li Jiasheng also declared his stance.

Several other people also expressed their stance, and soon they had pledged a total of eighty million Hong Kong dollars in investment intent.

Lu Qingshan nodded satisfactorily, "Excellent! Your vision is indeed not bad! I guarantee this investment will be unforgettable for you all!"

Time passed unnoticed, and it was already late at night.

After chatting a bit more about investment details, they reluctantly ended the gathering.

Lu Qingjun and Ye Ning had been listening quietly at the side, both feeling extremely excited.

Especially Lu Qingjun, watching his second brother mingling effortlessly with those business magnates, his pride was indescribable in words.

As they left the villa, Li Fuying personally saw them to the door, her attitude especially respectful: "Mr. Lu, tonight's discussion has benefited me greatly. I hope our cooperation can last long!"

"It will surely happen." Lu Qingshan grasped his hand, a deep meaning flashing in his eyes, "Chairman Li, remember my words tonight—the era of the Chinese will arrive!"

The car drove through the night scenery of Hong Kong Island, neon lights' shadows flowing across the window.

Lu Qingshan sat in the back seat, feeling exceptionally relaxed.

Tonight's gains exceeded his expectations; not only did he secure eighty million in funding, but more importantly, he established connections with Hong Kong Island's top business circles.

"Second brother, you were amazing tonight!" Lu Qingjun exclaimed excitedly, waving his arms and legs, "Those big bosses practically worshipped you!"

Ye Ning also said excitedly, "Mr. Lu, your performance tonight was truly shocking! Especially your words about the rise of the Chinese—they made my blood boil!"

Lu Qingshan smiled faintly, "This is just the beginning. Wait and see—the real show is still to come."

Returning to the Hilton Hotel, it was already 2 a. m.

The evening breeze was gentle, Victoria Harbor's night scenery still brilliant.

Lu Qingshan stood on the balcony, gazing at the distant myriad lights, a hint of contemplation flashing in his eyes.

Tonight's success is merely the first step; the road ahead is still long.

But he has confidence and the ability to create his own legend in this era!

"Mr. Lu," Ye Ning walked to his side, her voice somewhat weary, "Shouldn't you rest early? You still have to go to the exchange tomorrow."

"Yeah, second brother," Lu Qingjun also yawned, "Although you just glance at the exchange each time, you still ought to go take a look, right?"

Lu Qingshan was amused by their words, tightened his suit jacket, "Alright, everyone go rest. Tomorrow morning I indeed still need to go glance at the exchange."

Ye Ning and Lu Qingjun exchanged a glance and simultaneously rolled their eyes.

They had grown accustomed to the boss's godlike maneuver of just taking a glance, but each time that glance could create a miracle—this is probably the difference between genius and ordinary folk!

As the night deepened, Hong Kong Island's financial center quietly awaited the arrival of tomorrow.

And in a certain corner of this city, a young man is rewriting the course of history...