Chapter 304: My Stunning, Domineering Aunt

Wei Ming's words left Liu Rulong stunned—wasn't he here to submit a manuscript? Why was he talking about buying the company?

Biaozi was marveling—he could barely afford jewelry or cosmetics for his wife, yet Brother Ming wanted to buy an entire company!

Shangguan Xiaobao wasn't surprised, since others had previously offered to invest in and acquire "Xibao," on the condition that he and his brother remain to co-manage it.

Those bosses had hoped to ally with him to resist Huang Yulang, but this Wei Kuangren only wanted "Xibao" and showed no interest in his brothers, leaving them somewhat disappointed.

But without his brothers, "Xibao" was just an empty shell—Huang Yulang probably wouldn't even want it.

Shangguan Xiaobao narrowed his eyes and suddenly said, "You're not Wei Kuangren."

"Why say that?"

"I've read the news—you're Wei Ming, the screenwriter of 'Heroes Born in Youth,' and you wrote 'The Righteous Path of Humanity.'" Shangguan Xiaobao was annoyed—he'd read "The Righteous Path of Humanity," and felt deceived.

Wei Ming laughed: "Mr. Xiaobao, you're mistaken. Wei Ming and Wei Kuangren are like Kuang Dongyuan and Shangguan Xiaobao—except I publish more under my real name."

"Huh?"

Wei Ming: "I heard you also write under the pen name Shangguan Siwei. I have other pen names too."

"Oh, do you write erotic novels too?" Shangguan Xiaobao perked up—his main work under "Shangguan Siwei" was "Little Bar Girl," a risqué story about women in the pleasure quarters.

Wei Ming waved his hand: "I write fairy tales."

"Could it be Wei… what?" Shangguan Xiaobao immediately made the connection.

Now it was Wei Ming's turn to be surprised: "Mr. Xiaobao, you know Wei What?"

Shangguan Xiaobao slapped his thigh: "Mr. Why! When I took my family to England, I bought my son a copy of 'The Game of the Brave.' I couldn't read English, so I just looked at the pictures and understood the gist—I even planned to buy him your 'The Lion King.'"

Shangguan Xiaobao's son, a second-generation manga fan named Kuang Shijie, later produced the manga version of "King of Fighters '97"—he's only eight this year.

Wei Ming smiled: "I'll send him a Chinese edition later—though I wonder if he can read simplified characters."

Shangguan Xiaobao thanked Wei Ming on his son's behalf and asked for an autograph, then added: "Mr. Wei, you're from the mainland, right?"

"Of course."

"Then I don't understand—after buying 'Xibao,' how will you run it? Are you planning to emigrate?" If someone like Wei Ming emigrated to Hong Kong, he'd be far more valuable than laborers.

Wei Ming shook his head: "No plans to emigrate yet, but I'll be coming to Hong Kong often. I'm a storyteller—I'll find the best collaboration model with the lead artists."

In Hong Kong comics, the screenwriter and lead artist are paramount: the screenwriter designs plot and dialogue; the lead artist turns text into visuals. Overall, the lead artist holds more power, and most independent Hong Kong comic forces are led by lead artists.

This is also one major reason Hong Kong comics often collapse—since lead artists dominate, stories drift and fall apart; few ever end well.

Wei Ming wanted to build a model centered on himself as screenwriter, collaborating with multiple lead artists.

Of course, if a lead artist could write long-form stories himself, he'd give them that opportunity too.

Shangguan Xiaobao deeply admired Wei Ming's storytelling—Wei Kuangren's "Ancient War: Terracotta Warriors," Wei Ming's "The Righteous Path of Humanity," and Wei What's "The Game of the Brave"—whether short or long, their creativity and consistency defied the norms of a twenty-something.

If Wei Ming would join "Xibao" as screenwriter, Shangguan Xiaobao would even reject Huang Yulang's offer.

"To be honest, Huang Yulang has invited us to join Yulang International several times—we've been tempted—but he wants us to bring all of 'Xibao's' assets into Yulang International, which conflicts with your vision."

Shangguan Xiaobao spoke his true thoughts—clearly, he wasn't cut out for business.

Wei Ming asked: "Mr. Xiaobao, as a patriarch of Hong Kong comics, why would you consider joining Yulang International?"

"The capable are teachers. He's succeeded—I want to learn how he did it." Shangguan Xiaobao admitted, mainly to study Huang Yulang's cost control.

Wei Ming smiled: "So you might eventually leave Yulang International and start anew?"

"Uh, well…" Shangguan Xiaobao, having spoken honestly, now worried Wei Ming was Huang Yulang's spy.

Before he could answer, Wei Ming added: "Would it be better for you if Hong Kong comics had only Yulang International—or if there were multiple competitors?"

Nearby, thirty-year-old Shangguan Xiaowei said: "The messier, the better."

Wei Ming smiled—history proved it: Huang Yulang later collapsed due to financial fraud, and only then did Shangguan Xiaobao and Xiaowei break free, reestablish themselves, and form a three-way standoff with Huang Yulang.

But without Huang Yulang's financial crisis, they'd have stood no chance against his monopolizing power.

Wei Ming continued: "I don't just want 'Xibao'—I'll let all your apprentices stay. Better to keep them here to trouble Yulang International than let you take them to strengthen it—perhaps you'll need them when you rise again."

Shangguan Xiaobao laughed: "Mr. Wei, you're willing to do all the work for others?"

Wei Ming: "You're master and disciples—I'll run a company where people come and go freely. As long as they value the stories I give them."

Shangguan Xiaobao thought: You're one man, thousands of miles away—how many stories can you possibly write?

The brothers exchanged glances and began seriously considering Wei Ming's words—if they took their apprentices to Yulang International, Huang Yulang would dominate Hong Kong comics, making it nearly impossible for them to ever reclaim market share.

"How much are you offering?"

After all that talk, Shangguan Xiaobao finally reached price—the scales had tipped to Wei Ming's side.

Wei Ming smiled: "First, tell me what you're leaving me."

Shangguan Xiaobao said: "A publishing house, the 'Xibao' brand, a circulation of about ten thousand per issue, our distribution channels, six months' rent on this office, all equipment, and contracts with the apprentices—but we keep the works."

Wei Ming had no interest in their works—their most famous, "Li Xiaolong," never amounted to anything, and the rest were worse. He had plenty of his own: Japanese, Hong Kong, American, Chinese comics—he could have anything.

Oh, and Korean comics too!

Wei Ming didn't give a price yet—he needed professionals to assess assets and gauge the brothers' psychological expectations, aiming to seal the deal in one go. He'd also need a lawyer—perhaps he'd have to ask Ah Long's father for help.

Meanwhile, the Shangguan brothers had to figure out how to tell Huang Yulang and their apprentices—they'd originally planned to take the apprentices with them.

After leaving "Xibao," Ah Long finally asked his question.

"Ah Ming, why suddenly want to buy this company?"

Wei Ming shrugged: "You saw it too—they're planning to sell to Huang Yulang. If that happens, we'll have zero platform in Hong Kong to publish our comics. No platform? Then we build our own."

"But we're both in Beijing—won't that be too far?"

Wei Ming: "That's a problem. So I'll have Uncle Liu temporarily manage it. When you graduate, you'll come here to join him—you'll take charge."

Ah Long had no objection to coming to Hong Kong—he was Cantonese, at home here. He'd studied every comic on the market these past days and felt more confident than ever about his and Ah Ming's future venture—though he wondered if Ah Ying would come with him.

Ah Long graduates in two years; by then, Wei Ming will likely be unable to stay in the mainland. Perfect timing to launch something here—but those two years will be tough—he must keep talents like Ma Rongcheng here for two years.

After leaving the company, the group didn't leave immediately—they waited for "Xibao" staff to finish work. When they began exiting, Wei Ming told Biaozi to bring over the mild-mannered glasses-wearer.

"Biaozi, be polite."

The task was easy—Ma Rongcheng had just met Zhao Debiao and knew Wei Ming had summoned him—he was eager.

Wei Kuangren was Wei Ming—he'd already figured it out. The office was small; he'd overheard at the door.

At a Hong Kong-style cha chaan teng, Ma Rongcheng expressed his admiration to Wei Ming.

"I loved your 'Ancient War: Terracotta Warriors'—a Qin soldier drinks immortality elixir and lives to the present. The premise is brilliant."

Wei Ming smiled: "I have another Qin-era immortality story—this time, not about love. The man lives forever, can't die, masters supreme martial arts, and delights in chaos, manipulating fates."

"A wuxia story?" Ma Rongcheng's eyes lit up—he loved wuxia.

Wei Ming nodded. The Qin man was Xu Fu—or he could be called Emperor Shitian.

"Fengyun" Part One centered on Nie Feng and Bu Jingyun's revenge against Xiong Ba, building a vast, dazzling martial world with divine arts beyond traditional wuxia—it was a stunning masterpiece.

Part Two introduced powerful villains like Emperor Shitian; Nie Feng and Bu Jingyun grew. Though Hong Kong comics had flaws—green hats, power inflation—it was still a solid work overall.

Part Three collapsed completely in character design and power scaling.

Ultimately, the manga succeeded too well—author and publisher couldn't bear to end it. This happens often in Japanese manga and web novels too.

Wei Ming didn't rush into discussing "Fengyun." He said: "You know your master plans to partner with Huang Yulang. Once you're taken over, Hong Kong comics will have only Yulang International. Then Huang Yulang will dictate your salary—you'll have to accept it, because that's monopoly power. But if you stay, I promise you'll become lead artist immediately—I'll write stories just for you to draw. You're the first, because you're the first person I met in this company. I'll also gradually promote your fellow apprentices to lead artists. Here, you'll get more opportunities and higher pay than at Yulang International. Think about it."

Young Ma Rongcheng replied instantly: "No need to think—if you buy 'Xibao' from my master, I'll stay and work with you."

He wasn't sure when he'd become lead artist at Yulang International. Apprentices came from poor families—he wanted to earn quickly, become famous, even if he failed. With his own work, he'd be far stronger when he eventually joined Yulang International.

"Good. Agreed. You'll manage the company—you must keep all your fellow apprentices. We're building something to rival, even defeat, Yulang International."

Later, Ma Rongcheng became a giant in the comics world, with management talent. In professional matters, Wei Ming and Ah Long were too distant—they needed a leader. With Hong Kong, use Hong Kong. Wei Ming chose Ma Rongcheng, the most gifted.

Hearing Wei Ming's ambition, young Ma Rongcheng's blood boiled. The three of them toasted on the spot.

But after dinner, Ma Rongcheng's excitement cooled—he wondered: Was it even possible? Could a group of apprentices really defeat Yulang International, backed by Shangguan Xiaobao, Shangguan Xiaowei, and Huang Yulang?

As they were leaving, Wei Ming had Ah Long pull out the draft of "Qin Shi Mingyue" for Ma Rongcheng to see.

"This is a new work by me and Liu Rulong. After the company changes hands, it'll be our flagship title. Take a look."

Though Ah Long was only twenty-one, he had childhood training—he was a master of Lingnan style and a disciple of northern serial illustration's patriarch. After two years of study, absorbing knowledge from his teachers and Meiyingchang, and under Wei Ming's influence and his own study, his art had matured. Just the opening chapter—one man, one sword, fighting hundreds of Qin soldiers—was enough to amaze Ma Rongcheng.

The lines, the composition, the dialogue—so cool!

Ma Rongcheng was instantly hooked—too bad it was so short.

If all Hong Kong comics were this quality, he thought, Japanese manga wouldn't be scary at all.

At that moment, Ma Rongcheng's desire to follow Wei Ming became genuine.

At the same time, Lao Gui returned home early and hid in the shadows, watching to see how Ah Ming and Ah Min were progressing.

If they came back holding hands, it was settled. But that night, Ah Min returned alone.

What's wrong with Ah Ming? Why didn't he walk her home? Ah Min's face was written with disappointment.

"What are you watching?" someone suddenly asked.

"Oh, I'm just…" Lao Gui turned around. "Ah!"

"It's a ghost! Lingling, when did you get here?"

"I've been here a while. Saw you so focused, didn't want to interrupt." Wei Lingling remained cold and detached.

Lao Gui explained: "That girl is my partner's daughter—possibly your future niece-in-law."

"Oh." Wei Lingling didn't care—even her nephew meant nothing to her; they were all strangers.

"You came to Hong Kong to see me?"

"No," Wei Lingling said coldly. "I graduated. My uncle gave me a Hong Kong toy company to manage."

Lao Gui understood—his brother was just creating opportunities for them to get closer. He asked: "Aren't you studying law?"

"Law and management, dual degrees." Wei Lingling rolled her eyes—her father had no idea about her studies.

"Wow, amazing. If you added medicine too, it'd be perfect." Lao Gui laughed.

Wei Lingling replied: "Medicine can't save the Chinese people. Also, Auntie asked me to deliver a message."

She pulled out Wei Lindi's letter of authorization: Wei Lindi entrusted Wei Lingling to receive the old Western-style house in Shanghai, and to divide it equally among Wei Lingling, Wei Jiefang, and Wei Anping—Wei's second generation consisted only of these three.

"I can't handle this alone. Your grandson is in Hong Kong, right? I want to meet him, then go back to Mo Du together to reclaim the house." She explained her purpose—she dared not go to the mainland herself, which she saw as a den of dragons and tigers.

"Good! You two aunt and nephew should meet. Ah Ming has done well—you must have heard his name in America."

"Never heard of him. In America, besides the late Li Xiaolong, there aren't many famous Chinese."

Lao Gui: "That's not right. I saw the news—he had songs topping some chart, what's it called, Billboard number one? He should be famous."

Wei Lingling looked at the old man before her: "Oh oh oh, he even knows Billboard."

"Isn't he a novelist? Do you think Billboard is a bestseller ranking?"

"I know it's a music chart. Though his books did appear on the New York bestseller list, he never reached number one—but his music charted number one with 'Moonlight Shadow.' You really haven't heard it?"

"What? 'Moonlight Shadow'! He wrote that?"

"You wrote all these?!" Ah Long stared in disbelief at Ah Ming's small notebook.

The ideas inside covered wuxia, romance, historical fiction, mystery, horror, and absurd comedy—all wildly innovative, making one wonder how his mind was built.

Wei Ming: "These are just opening concepts. The later developments take time. With limited time, before leaving Hong Kong, I could only focus on 'Feng Yun.'"

Ah Long studied them tirelessly and sighed: "I was worried your investment would lose money, but now I'm not so concerned. If these works are drawn by talented artists, Yu Lang International won't stand a chance."

Wei Ming sighed: "The problem is there aren't enough talented artists."

Even his most promising candidate, Ma Rongcheng, is still immature—he only reached his peak during the second part of 'Feng Yun.' Right now he's too green to match the two Shangguans or Huang Yulang, let alone Ah Long. Wei Ming saw them as potential stocks, yet feared they'd vanish before their potential exploded.

"So before we two officially come to Hong Kong, my goal is for the company not to make money—just give them two or three stories to draw, enough to keep them alive."

Hearing Ah Ming say this, Ah Long fell silent for a moment, then suddenly said: "I've got it!"

"What have you got?"

Ah Long said: "I know a few workers at Meiyingchang who handle line drawing. Their skills are solid—they've trained for over a decade—and they all want to earn money."

"You mean?"

Ah Long said: "I can ask if they'd be willing to come to Hong Kong. If they do, our drawing strength will improve dramatically—but I worry their style won't blend."

Meiyingchang's art style differs greatly from Hong Kong comics, but Wei Ming didn't believe the uniform Hong Kong style was correct; his comic company would embrace diversity, serve all Chinese people, and become a world-class IP!

"Alright, it's settled. When we get back, summer vacation will start—then you go to Mo Du, and take Ah Ying along to visit her parents."

At the mention of Ah Ying, Ah Long grew anxious again—he didn't know if she'd ever want to come to Hong Kong to work with him.

The next day, as the day of departure drew nearer, Wei Ming had to act quickly.

He drove his van with Liu Rulong to find Uncle Liu Bin. Early in the morning, the car pulled up outside the cottage where Ah Min lived.

Wei Ming and Ah Long went upstairs and knocked on the door of two single men's apartments. Across the building, Zhou Hui was descending with her schoolbag, just as she spotted Ah Ming's van.

Zhou Hui circled the van, delighted: "Ah Ming came to find me—but where is he?!"

"Hey?" Ah Min touched the car door and was surprised to find it unlocked!

Inside Lao Gui's room, only he was present.

"Oh, Ah Bin has gone out looking for a new shop location. Ah Long, missing your dad?"

"No, we're here for something serious." Ah Long spoke to the mysterious "Ghost Uncle," carefully avoiding questions about Ah Ming's identity.

Then Wei Ming explained he wanted to buy a comic company in Hong Kong and needed Uncle Liu's help with valuation and contracts, and later, to manage the company's finances until Ah Long took over.

"Better to find... than Ah Bin," Lao Gui paused, "I'll introduce you to someone. She's more professional—returned from studying in America, with outstanding grades in every subject."

Hearing this, Wei Ming already guessed—it must be his brilliant, overachieving, bossy aunt.

According to the timeline, she should have just graduated university and begun managing Grandpa's assets from a small factory.

Lao Gui wrote down an address and told Ah Ming to find Wei Lingling.

"She wants to meet you too," Lao Gui patted Wei Ming on the shoulder.

Wei Ming nodded, glancing at the address on the slip: Peninsula Hotel.

"Let's go, Ah Long—let's see what a Hong Kong luxury hotel's like."

They went downstairs, got in the car, and headed straight for Tsim Sha Tsui.

Wei Ming, Ah Long, and Zhou Hui~

(End of Chapter)