Chapter 267: Star Han Settles In! Hong Kong Island

The banquet officially began, but the atmosphere was completely different from before. The air was filled with a complex scent mingling awe, Fear and excitement. Everyone's gaze, intentionally or not, drifted toward that corner and the carefree young man.

Li Jiasheng left early.

No one saw what he said when he left, but many saw his back, stiff to the point of distortion, and, before getting into the car, the eyes behind his lenses that stared fixedly at the castle lights, full of resentment and horror.

When he left, it was as if the great mountain weighing on everyone's hearts was instantly moved, but another higher, more mysterious mountain rose up from the ground.

After a brief silence, the few tycoons who had been around Li Jiasheng exchanged a glance, instantly raised their wine glasses, piled on smiles ten times more sincere than before, and almost jogged toward Lu Qingshan.

"Mr. Lu, truly a hero in his youth! Those words just now got us old fellows all fired up!"

"Yes, yes, this sky over Hong Kong Island should have had our Chinese voice long ago! Mr. Lu, whenever there's any place that needs our brothers, just a word from you!"

Character from New World walked over, heavily patting Lu Qingshan's shoulder, and said, "Qing Shan, today you let out a fierce burst of malice for all of us Chinese merchants!"

On the other side of the crowd, Liang Zhiwei's hand holding a wine glass still trembled slightly; he leaned toward Miss Ye, lowered his voice, his tone a mix of post‑disaster exhaustion and extreme excitement: "Miss Ye, did you see… that was Li Jiasheng! I… I feel like I'm dreaming! The boss… he actually treated Hong Kong Island as his own yard!"

Miss Ye's eyes shone astonishingly; she didn't look at Liang Zhiwei, but fixed her gaze on the Lu Qingshan surrounded by the crowd, as if worshipping a deity. In a barely audible voice she replied, "Mr. Liang, from today you must get used to it. We're not following a dragon that has crossed the river, but a Dragon King who will set the rules in this sea… And his 'own yard' may have another meaning…"

At that moment, amid applause, Lu Qingshan was surrounded and walked onto the temporary podium set up in the center of the lavish banquet hall.

He took no script, merely scanned the room, his eyes passing over the influential faces on Hong Kong Island, finally resting on Li Fuying, Character and the other Chinese merchants.

"Ladies and gentlemen, friends, good evening."

"Thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to visit my new home. The place isn't large, but having distinguished guests fill it is my honor, Lu Qingshan."

"I come from the mainland, newly arrived, and have been generously supported by Chairman Li and the senior friends and colleagues of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce present. Here, I toast you all!"

He raised his glass, drank it in one gulp, drawing cheers from the whole hall.

"Today, taking advantage of this house‑warming joy, I formally introduce my company." His voice was booming, carrying an undeniable penetrating force, "My company is named 'Star Han', taken from 'The sun and moon travel, as if emerging from within; the Star Han shines, as if emerging from its depths'! Star Han Investment Group, from today, officially establishes its presence on Hong Kong Island!"

"I hope that in the future we can work together with everyone here and all friends willing to build Hong Kong Island and optimistic about our Chinese future, to polish this Eastern pearl even brighter! Let this sky forever bear our own colors!"

As his words fell, thunderous applause erupted!

Li Fuying's face flushed with excitement, leading a shout, "Well said!"

Miss Ye, Liang Zhiwei, Li Zhi'an and others stood in the crowd, watching the radiant figure on stage, feeling a surge of hot blood rush to their heads, proud indeed!

The cocktail party officially began, glasses clinking.

Lu Qingshan's gaze unintentionally swept the crowd, then suddenly fixed on a corner.

A fashionably dressed, sharp‑looking middle‑aged man, accompanied by a young couple, seemed to be looking for an opportunity. The man was full of vigor, a lingering youthful green in his brows, yet his eyes burned with fire—desire and ambition. The woman beside him was breathtakingly beautiful, not the frail, sickly kind, but a healthy, radiant, naturally graceful beauty, each smile and frown like a star from a movie poster.

The future king‑maker Hua Zi and the stunningly elegant Hong Gu.

Lu Qingshan's mouth twitched slightly as he whispered a few words to Lu Qingjun beside him.

Lu Qingjun immediately understood, pushed through the crowd, and approached the three. Moments later, the shrewd middle‑aged man wore a look of ecstatic disbelief, leading the nervous young couple, and hurried over.

"Mr. Lu, I have long admired your reputation! I am Huang Baiming of New Art City Pictures." Huang Baiming extended his hand enthusiastically, his excitement making him a bit incoherent, "I apologize for the intrusion, but your presence today truly inspires us filmmakers! This is our company's rising newcomer, Liu Dehua, and this is Zhong Chuhong."

Liu Dehua and Zhong Chuhong quickly bowed, nervously and curiously looking at the man before them, younger than them yet already a legend.

"No need for flattery, Mr. Huang." Lu Qingshan shook his hand, his gaze shifting to the two newcomers. He didn't utter the usual "dragon‑and‑phoenix among men" pleasantries, but looked deeply at Liu Dehua and said slowly, "Young man, there is fire in your eyes, good. But remember, cleverness isn't your greatest asset; that stubborn 'stupid' drive is the foundation of your future stability."

Liu Dehua shivered as if electrocuted! His biggest worry had always been being called handsome but not smart, forced to rely on hard work, and this "stupid" drive struck his deepest self‑perception with pinpoint accuracy!

Before anyone could react, Lu Qingshan's gaze shifted to Zhong Chuhong, his smile softening a bit: "Miss Zhong's beauty is like Hong Kong's evening glow, radiant and naturally unadorned. This healthy beauty is the rarest. With red clouds filling the sky, the future looks promising."

Zhong Chuhong's cheeks instantly flushed with two genuine crimson clouds, both startled and delighted. Others praised her as beautiful and sexy, but only this person saw through the core of her beauty and used her name as a metaphor; this praise surpassed a thousand words.

Huang Baiming's heart roiled with waves of awe! He felt Lu Qingshan's gaze was terrifyingly sharp. In just a few words he pinpointed the newcomers' core traits; this was not a businessman, but a top‑tier talent scout and director!

He steadied himself and quickly continued, "Mr. Lu, you have excellent taste! May I ask if you're interested in the film industry? New Art City is preparing several big productions, and if we could have funding support from someone like you…"

"Mr. Huang, today we only discuss pleasures, not business." Lu Qingshan laughed, cutting him off, then turned to Lu Qingjun, "However, I am very optimistic about Hong Kong cinema's prospects. Qingjun, note this: later you will represent Star Han Investment, talk to Mr. Huang, and set up a dedicated film fund. Phase one, invest one hundred million, specifically to support our Chinese films."

One hundred million?!

Huang Baiming's breath halted instantly, his mind went blank! He had only intended to raise a few hundred thousand, and the other side opened with a hundred‑million fund?!

Lu Qingshan ignored his astonishment, continuing to instruct Lu Qingjun, "Our only requirement is to film our Chinese stories and promote our Chinese spirit. We must fight the financial battles, and we cannot abandon the cultural front. I don't want a mere film company, but an aircraft carrier that can carry our culture and sail worldwide."

He turned to the still‑dumbfounded Huang Baiming, smiled, "Mr. Huang, this job—do you dare take it?"

Huang Baiming trembled violently, not from fear but from extreme excitement; he bowed sharply, his voice hoarse, "I dare! Rest assured, Mr. Lu, I, Huang Baiming, even if I stake my life on it, will definitely see it done for you!"

Watching their excited departure, Lu Qingshan lifted his glass and gazed out the window.

Tonight is only a beginning. Finance, real estate, banking… now even the cultural pieces have been set.

This pool will grow larger, and the water will become deeper.

And he has already prepared the net, ready to capture the entire future of this pool.