Chapter 214: Calm Before the Storm!

Ye Ning, as usual when Lu Qingshan is on Hong Kong Island, booked a guest room on the same floor as Lu Qingshan's suite at the Hilton and moved in, and also arranged two standard rooms on that floor for A Qiang and three others, assigning Lu Qingshan's security to stand watch.

Early in the morning, Ye Ning knocked to wake Lu Qingshan's luxury suite; bodyguard Ahu was in the living room with the TV set to mute, still half‑asleep.

Ye Ning stood in the Hilton suite's living room, her gaze fixed on the muted TV. The eight‑o'clock morning news was on, and the Hong Kong Island stock market's previous‑day opening data scrolled across the bottom of the screen. She noted several key figures: the Hang Seng Index rose 0.8%, with turnover reaching HK$1.23 billion.

Ahu lounged lazily on the sofa, his eyelids half‑closed, clearly not fully awake. He still clutched yesterday's South China Morning Post, whose headline reported that the United Kingdom Prime Minister Mrs. Thatcher was about to visit China.

Ye Ning gave a light knock on Lu Qingshan's door, the crisp sound echoing through the quiet suite.

"Boss, breakfast is ready; get up and eat."

The sound of running water came from the room, presumably from washing up. Ye Ning could hear the electric shaver's hum and the faint clatter of a toothbrush against teeth.

Ye Ning waited in the living room, her fingers lightly tapping the edge of the coffee table while she mentally mapped today's trading plan. She had stayed up late last night, scrutinizing recent market trend charts and spotting some interesting patterns. The minute hand pointed to 8:15, yet the room was completely still; even the water sound had ceased.

Ye Ning frowned; this was unlike Lu Qingshan's style. She knocked again, her voice a bit louder than before.

"Boss, the market is about to open; let's head to the exchange in a moment. Today's Hang Seng Index opening price may fluctuate."

A few minutes later, Lu Qingshan finally appeared at the living‑room doorway. A deep‑blue silk nightgown draped loosely over him, his hair still in the disheveled state of just‑woken. Yet his eyes were unusually bright, as if contemplating something important.

"Has Lu Qingjun been called?"

Lu Qingshan's voice still carried the hoarseness of just having gotten up as he walked to the dining table and sat down. His fingers unconsciously tapped the tabletop, a habit of his when thinking.

"Not yet; I thought you would get up first."

Ye Ning hurriedly poured him a cup of warm water; the temperature was just right, neither hot nor cold.

"Ahu, go inside and wake Lu Qingjun, that sleepyhead, too."

Lu Qingshan waved, signaling Ahu to go to the next room. A trace of indulgence flashed in his eyes; his brother's laziness reminded him of some pleasant moments from his past life.

Ahu sprang up from the sofa at once, smoothing his uniform. The black suit was neatly pressed, and his tie was tied perfectly straight.

"Yes, boss."

Watching Ahu's back disappear into the doorway, Lu Qingshan leisurely picked up his chopsticks. The breakfast on the table was lavish: Hong Kong‑style dim sum, plain congee, pickled vegetables, plus fresh milk and coffee.

"Take it easy today; no rush."

He lifted a shrimp dumpling, chewing slowly. Yet Ye Ning noticed his gaze remained thoughtful, as if mentally calculating a complex equation.

"Today, observe the market, and have Ahu and A Long buy me extra newspapers on the way."

Ahu happened to push the door open and immediately responded to the request.

"Yes, boss."

Lu Qingshan squeezed his eyes toward him and lowered his voice.

"Make sure to get a copy of every newspaper: South China Morning Post, Ming Pao, Ta Kung Pao, and even the financial specialist Hong Kong Economic Journal."

Ahu instantly understood the boss's meaning and straightened his back.

"Yes, boss!"

Ye Ning watched the scene from the side, silently admiring Lu Qingshan's meticulousness. Even buying newspapers was considered so thoroughly—that's the caliber of a big boss. She recalled the data she had studied last night and felt a vague premonition that whatever the boss was planning this time would be far from simple.

A short while later, Lu Qingjun rubbed his eyes and emerged from his room. His hair was even messier, resembling a chicken's nest; his clothes were wrinkled, and his face bore the imprint of the pillow.

"Second brother, up this early? I just had a dream where we got rich."

Lu Qingjun yawned as he spoke, his voice tinged with the grogginess of just waking up.

"It's already 8:30; still early?"

Lu Qingshan glanced at his brother's disheveled state and chuckled inwardly. In his past life, Lu Qingjun hadn't been this lazy; it seems a life of wealth does indeed make one complacent.

"Go wash up quickly; we'll head to the exchange later."

"I've never gotten up this early in Capital City," Lu Qingjun yawned, his eyes still a bit dazed.

"This is Hong Kong Island, not Capital City," Lu Qingshan set down his chopsticks, his tone turning serious. "The market waits for no one, and opportunities wait for no one either."

A flash of profound light flickered in his eyes, reflecting his grasp of the future and keen sense of timing.

"Then can I have a coffee first?" Lu Qingjun stared at the coffee pot on the table, his nose lightly inhaling the coffee aroma.

"Drink after you finish washing up; if you go out like this, people will think I'm mistreating you."

As soon as Lu Qingshan finished speaking, Lu Qingjun instantly realized something. Being on Hong Kong Island meant they represented not only themselves but the image of mainland investors as a whole.

Ye Ning suppressed a laugh beside them; the brothers' banter was always this entertaining. Yet she also noted that, though Lu Qingshan was joking, his gaze conveyed an undeniable authority.

After breakfast, the four bodyguards naturally gathered around Lu Qingshan. A Qiang led the way, Ahu and A Biao took the two flanks, and A Long covered the rear. This formation had been meticulously designed to ensure safety without appearing overly ostentatious.

The formation stood out especially in the Hilton lobby. Other guests turned their heads, whispering speculation about which dignitary it was. Some guessed a young heir of a conglomerate, others thought a government official, and still others suspected a major entertainment star.

The front‑desk staff bowed respectfully, and the manager personally came out to see them off. This treatment made Ye Ning even more convinced that Lu Qingshan's status was far from ordinary.

The convoy traversed Hong Kong Island's streets, Lu Qingshan watching the bustling scenery through the car window. Skyscrapers rose in endless rows, neon signs crowded together. Crowds surged on the streets, and various luxury sedans weaved among them, each corner showcasing the city's vitality and wealth.

His gaze suddenly deepened, as if seeing something more profound beyond the surface. In his past life he had seen such scenes countless times on television, but experiencing them firsthand produced a shock that words could not describe.

Lu Qingshan couldn't help but recall a classic line: "Lu Qingshan is back again!"