Chapter 257: Reporters Swarm the Celebrity

Li Fuying walked to the edge of the sofa and sat down, the smile on her face unchanged since last night: "Qing Shan, Qingjun told you, right? The matter of that house."

"He told me, Uncle Li, it's far too expensive; I can't accept it." Lu Qingshan shook his head and said, "Two hundred million Hong Kong dollars—that's no small sum."

"It must be accepted!" Li Fuying stood up, her tone resolute, a gleam of undeniable certainty flashing in her eyes, her whole demeanor unusually agitated, "This isn't just my opinion; it's the unanimous decision of all thirteen members of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce! Last night we held an emergency meeting, and everyone agreed to this decision!"

He walked to the window, pointed at Hong Kong Island outside, his voice becoming impassioned, even a little hoarse: "Qing Shan, do you know? Since yesterday, Chinese people all over Hong Kong Island have been spreading your story. In cha chaan tengs, factories, schools—everywhere people are talking about the name Lu Qingshan. You are not only the hero of our Chinese Chamber of Commerce, but also the hero of all Chinese on Hong Kong Island!"

He continued, his excitement evident: "On my way here just now, I saw those Chinese compatriots, each face beaming with pride. A cha chaan teng owner told me that yesterday, they offered free tea to every Chinese guest all day, just to celebrate the Chinese victory! And those Chinese students—now at school they can hold their heads high, no longer looked down upon by foreign classmates!"

Chen Zhihao added from beside him, his voice tinged with awe: "Mr. Lu, I've been in real estate for twenty years and have never seen anything like this. When Chairman Li and the others contacted me last night, I thought it was a joke. Thirteen companies pooled two hundred million together just to give you a house—that's unprecedented in Hong Kong Island's real‑estate history!"

He went on: "Moreover, these companies voluntarily gave up all preferential terms, insisting on buying at market price just to express their respect for you. In all my years in real estate, I've never encountered such a situation!"

Lu Qingjun added excitedly from beside him, his voice trembling: "Brother, on my way back last night, Ah Keung said even taxi drivers were talking about you. One driver said, finally a Chinese person has given the British guys a taste of defeat—how satisfying! And the cha chaan teng owner, after hearing of your deeds, immediately offered free tea to every Chinese guest they encountered!"

He kept his excitement: "Also, when I went downstairs just now, the Chinese hotel staff treated me with special respect; as soon as they heard I was your brother, their attitude changed instantly. One staff member even said their whole family was celebrating last night, saying the Chinese finally got their revenge!"

Li Fuying nodded, tears of excitement flashing in her eyes: "That's exactly the point! Qing Shan, you're staying at the Hilton now, and every entrance and exit is swarmed by people—this can't continue. That house is in Shek O, quiet and secure, perfect for your current status. Plus it has a private beach, a helipad, and easy access."

He continued: "More importantly, it's far from the city, so you can think calmly about your next plans. Wilson may have been defeated, but Yingzi's other forces are still active; we need a safe place to plot the future."

Chen Zhihao opened an elegant folder containing professional photographs of the mansion, each exquisitely produced: "Mr. Lu, take a look at these pictures. The castle‑style building has five floors, thirty‑two rooms, sixteen bathrooms, an indoor pool and an outdoor pool, a private cinema, a wine cellar, and a gym. The grounds feature a tennis court, a golf practice area, and a private dock."

He went on, pride in his voice: "The most special feature is the underground garage that can hold thirty cars. There's also a helipad; you can fly directly to and from the city. The entire structure uses only top‑tier materials—renovation alone cost fifty million Hong Kong dollars back then!"

Lu Qingshan stared at the photos, involuntarily inhaling a breath of cold air. The building in the pictures truly resembled a castle—dark‑red brick walls glinting in the sun, spire‑topped towers piercing the clouds, exquisite carved ornamentation, just like a scene from a fairy tale. Its level of luxury far exceeded his imagination.

The garden photos were even more breathtaking: the verdant lawn stretched all the way to the sea, rare flowers and trees dotted the landscape, and there was an artificial lake with crystal‑clear water teeming with ornamental fish.

"Is… is this really for me?" Lu Qingshan still couldn't fully believe it. "A mansion of this caliber— even the richest person on Hong Kong Island might not be able to afford it."

"Of course!" Li Fuying pounded her chest in assurance, a steadfast gleam in her eyes. "The thirteen members of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce each contributed fifteen million, totaling two hundred million. This isn't just a house; it's a symbol of us Chinese! From now on, this will be the Chinese spiritual fortress on Hong Kong Island!"

He continued, his excitement evident: "Qing Shan, do you know? Before dinner last night, when the thirteen of us met, everyone cried. We old guys have endured contempt on Hong Kong Island for so many years; today someone finally gave us our revenge! This house isn't just for you; it's also a symbol of Chinese dignity!"

Chen Zhihao added: "Mr. Lu, the previous owner of this house was Sir William Harrison, a British noble who lived on Hong Kong Island for thirty years. Yesterday, after hearing the news that you defeated Sir Wilson Sashun, he voluntarily offered to sell the house to Chinese people, saying it was the course of history."

Lu Qingshan pondered for a moment; indeed, staying in a hotel now was unsuitable. Every entrance and exit attracted crowds, even affecting his normal work. Moreover, this gesture was more precious than the house itself. It isn't just a house—it's the Chinese Chamber of Commerce's recognition of him, and the entire Chinese community's expectation of him.

"Alright, let's go see it." Lu Qingshan finally nodded in agreement, his voice tinged with emotion. "But Uncle Li, I'll remember this favor. The kindness of all the uncles and elders of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, I, Lu Qingshan, will never forget."

"Hahaha, that's right!" Li Fuying laughed heartily, tears of excitement flashing in her eyes. "I've already had a car ready; we'll go right now. I can't wait to see how you look living there! That will be our Chinese pride!"

He continued, his excitement evident: "Qing Shan, once you move in, we'll hold a grand celebration there, inviting all Chinese elites. Let everyone on Hong Kong Island know that Chinese people have not only strength but also taste!"

When the three went downstairs, the hotel lobby was indeed packed with people again. The moment Lu Qingshan appeared, a crowd swarmed around him, the atmosphere instantly boiling. Flashing lights kept flickering like a star's entrance.

"Mr. Lu, I'm a reporter for the South China Morning Post, may I have an interview? We'd like to do a feature report!" a young female reporter shouted excitedly, pushing forward.

"Mr. Lu, I'm a manager at the Chinese Bank, and I'd like to discuss cooperation with you!" a middle‑aged man in a suit shouted loudly.

"Mr. Lu, I represent a wireless television station and hope to invite you to appear on our talk show!"

The crowd kept swelling, the hotel lobby became jam‑packed. Everyone who wanted to see Lu Qingshan had eyes sparkling with excitement, as if on a pilgrimage.

Li Fuying, seeing this, became even more determined to have Lu Qingshan move out: "Qing Shan, look, this can't continue. That house has a dedicated security system, so you won't face these hassles."

Under the escort of bodyguards, the three finally pushed through the crowd and boarded the Rolls‑Royce waiting at the entrance. As soon as the car started, someone chased after it, and the scene turned chaotic.

"Brother, you're now the most popular person on Hong Kong Island." Lu Qingjun watched the pursuing crowd and remarked, "This kind of treatment even outshines that of big stars."

Lu Qingshan looked through the car window at the excited faces, a complex feeling welling up inside him. This adulation was something his past life had never experienced, but he knew that behind this glory lay greater responsibility and expectation.