Chapter 262: What

The four words "coronation ceremony" spoken by Li Fuying turned the living room's just‑now slightly eased atmosphere into one drenched with a ladle of hot oil, instantly flaring up again.

Liang Zhiwei's hand holding the teacup froze abruptly, the tea nearly spilling over. He stared at Lu Qingshan in horror, his eyes thick with reverence, and in his mind flashed the contradictory yet oddly harmonious phrases "gross treason" and "the Mandate of Heaven".

Coronation ceremony?

What a bold and apt metaphor!

Lu Qingshan merely gave a faint smile, slowly shook his head, his deep gaze sweeping the two, and said in a calm voice that carried an unchallengeable authority: "Uncle Li, you're mistaken. This isn't a coronation ceremony, because Hong Kong Island is too small to hold a true dragon."

He gently set the teacup down, producing a crisp clink, and the whole living room's air seemed to solidify with it.

"This is our Chinese Capital Alliance's 'Founding Ceremony'! It is I, Lu Qingshan, presenting a declaration of war to all Yingzi forces entrenched on Hong Kong Island! I want everyone to know that from now on, the rules of this land will be set by our own people!"

The words rang out like thunder! Li Fuying and Liang Zhiwei felt a surge of hot blood shoot from their soles straight to the crown, and every hair on their bodies stood on end!

This is the Lu Qingshan they envision, the one who can overturn the Shason Family! What dominance! What ambition!

"Well said!" Li Fuying slapped his thigh in excitement, his face flushed, "Exactly! Found a sect, start a new furnace!"

He calmed himself a bit, then recalled something: "By the way, for tomorrow night's banquet I want to announce publicly that it's a housewarming celebration; we'll accept the sentiment but refuse any gifts altogether."

"Refuse gifts?" Li Fuying was startled, quickly waved his hand, "Qing Shan, that might not be appropriate. We've organized this so hastily and invited only prominent figures from Hong Kong Island. They're taking time out of their busy schedules, coming empty‑handed; it would be a loss of face. Refusing gifts would make us seem distant, a bit aloof."

Lu Qingshan pondered briefly and agreed that Li Fuying made a reasonable point. He didn't want to profit from a banquet, but social etiquette indeed required careful consideration.

"Then we'll follow Uncle Li's suggestion," he said, going along willingly. "However, I have an idea. Since this is a founding ceremony, there should be founding rules. I hope this first gift can bring a good omen."

At that moment, a light tread of footsteps came from outside the living room.

"Brother! Brother! I've invited the person for you!"

Lu Qingjun burst in from the doorway, excitement on his face, followed by a squad in tidy white chef uniforms, led by a man in his forties, short in stature but standing upright, eyes sharp, exuding a calm aura uncommon among ordinary chefs.

"Brother, let me introduce him: this is Wang Hai, Chef Wang!" Lu Qingjun beamed with pride, announcing loudly, "Chef Wang is a top chef from the mainland, having earned three Michelin stars for two restaurants in France, and later was poached by the Paris Kriyon Grand Hotel as executive chef! I had to pull many strings to get in touch with him! Chef Wang has now returned to Hong Kong Island to form his own team, catering private banquets for elite tycoons—ordinary folks can't book him at all!"

Lu Qingshan rose and surveyed Chef Wang Hai.

The résumé was indeed impressive, but what impressed him more was Wang Hai's unflinching spirit. He showed no flattery or nervousness despite facing billionaire patrons, merely gazing calmly at Lu Qingshan and giving a slight nod. What he wanted was exactly this kind of dignified compatriot.

"Mr. Lu," Wang Hai's voice, like his demeanor, was steady and strong.

"Chef Wang, a pleasure," Lu Qingshan extended his hand and shook it, "Qingjun, you handled this excellently. Courage and strategy—commendable."

The simple compliment made Lu Qingjun's face flush bright red instantly, his chest puffed with excitement, and he felt as if two taels of bone weight had lifted from his body.

"I've already inspected Chef Wang's team, brother, and they'll definitely suit your palate! A blend of East and West, but rooted in our own Shandong, Cantonese, and Huaiyang cuisines, best at coaxing the true flavor from premium ingredients!" Lu Qingjun continued as if presenting a treasure, "The dishes are all purchased; tonight Chef Wang has prepared a few signature plates for us to sample, also to prep for tomorrow night's grand banquet!"

"Fine." Lu Qingshan replied succinctly.

He turned to Li Fuying and Liang Zhiwei, a sincere smile on his face: "Uncle Li, Mr. Liang, you've both worked hard today, especially you, Uncle Li, who went out twice. Don't leave; stay this evening for a simple meal and help me evaluate Chef Wang's skills, to see how our Chinese cuisine compares with those so‑called Western chefs."

Li Fuying had intended to decline, but seeing Lu Qingshan's unrefusable gaze, he smiled and agreed, "Alright! I'll have to taste it properly; a chef who made the Kriyon Hotel chase him three times must have extraordinary skill!"

Liang Zhiwei was even more flattered, nodding quickly as a warm current rose in his heart.

He knew this meal had already transcended a work lunch. Lu Qingshan was using this as a way to truly regard him as "one of us," bringing him into the innermost circle.

Night fell, and the castle's lights shone brightly.

In the massive dining hall, long rose‑wood tables were covered with pristine white linens, set with delicate silverware and crystal goblets.

Lu Qingjun went back to the hotel, cancelled the rooms, and brought Ye Ning, Li Zhi'an, Wang Yuyun and a few others to stay; at this time the two bosses sat at the table with them, since they had met Li Fuying many times and had helped Lu Qingshan handle the company's transfer paperwork, Ye Ning

Lu Qingjun cancelled all the hotel rooms, and with two cars transported Ye Ning, Li Zhi'an, Wang Yuyun and the rest of the core team grandly to the Shek O hilltop.

As the car entered the manor's gate, the cabin fell completely silent, save for the sound of breath being drawn in a cool gasp.

"Is… is this where we'll work from now?" asked Li Zhi'an. Usually steady, he now adjusted his glasses, pressed them tightly to the window, and watched the park‑like scenery outside, his Adam's apple bobbing.

Short‑haired, efficient Ye Ning remained silent, but her eyes—highly attuned to numbers and curves—swiftly scanned the lawn's area, the lake's outline, the architecture's style, and her mind began rapidly performing an appraisal she had never done before.

The conclusion: incalculable.

When the car stopped before the main building, everyone alighted, looked up at the magnificent castle bathed in the afterglow of sunset, and fell silent together.