Chapter 305

"Ah Ming, the person the old man asked us to find is named Wei Lingling. Is her surname also Wei?" A Long in the passenger seat asked.

"According to seniority, I have to call her 'Aunt.' A top student from Stanford University, with a double bachelor's degree in law and management. Finding her counts as finding the right person."

"Wow, so amazing. But can she help us?" A Long asked again.

"Then we'll help each other."

Old Ghost had said she took over a toy factory in Hong Kong, which could be considered the beginning of her gradually taking over the Wei family's industries. It was just that this factory's efficiency wasn't very good. Wei Ming could provide some help in this regard.

A Long added: "I thought about it last night. If we can take down *Joyful News*, I'll stay here for a few days. We'll return to Beijing together after you come back from London. While I'm here for these few days, I can also familiarize myself with the business and sort out my thoughts."

"That works too. Then let Biao Zi take Wu Jing back first. I reckon he's long been missing his wife." Wei Ming smiled.

"What about you? Do you miss home?" A Long said implicitly. Biao Zi only had one wife, but you have two sisters at home.

Wei Ming said stubbornly: "It's fun here, no need to think about Shu."

Mao Mao Amin, hiding in the back, couldn't help but guess: *Don't tell me Ah Ming is "fun here, no need to think about Shu" because of me? *

"I remember you have a Hong Kong pen pal, the one who often sends you magazines. Have you met her this time you came to Hong Kong?" A Long, who was chatting, suddenly turned the topic.

Mao Mao Amin in the very back felt her heart start to race. She had originally wanted to jump out herself, but she shrank back, wanting to hear what Ah Ming said about her.

Wei Ming: "I've met her. These past two days she has been accompanying me to collect materials, eating a lot of Hong Kong delicacies, seeing a lot of scenery, and experiencing a lot of local customs."

Mao Mao Amin: *Hmph, you have a conscience. *

"No wonder you're 'fun here, no need to think about Shu.' How old is she?" A Long asked with a smile.

"Fourteen."

*Fourteen? Doesn't look like it. * A Long suddenly felt a bit embarrassed. Making such a joke about a 14-year-old girl—even if Ah Ming were lustful, he couldn't have any ideas about a girl younger than Wei Hong, right? Then he wouldn't even be a person.

"You're lucky. You have a little sister accompanying you to collect materials. If I want to collect materials, I only have Ah Jiang, and he's not on call. He still has classes at the Wireless Training Class."

"My pen pal isn't on call either. She also has to go to school, and final exams are coming up soon."

Mao Mao Amin: *Nonsense, when am I not on call? It's you who won't let me accompany you. *

A Long laughed: "Not necessarily. Maybe your pen pal really can be on call."

Wei Ming was stunned: "What kind of cold joke is that?"

A Long: "Try calling her and see. What if she belongs to Cao Cao?"

Wei Ming shook his head with a bitter smile, but still called out perfunctorily: "Mao Mao Amin, Mao Mao Amin."

Mao Mao Amin realized she should have been discovered, so she sat up from under the third-row seat: "Mao Mao Amin is here!"

"Ah!"

The van on the road suddenly walked in a snake-like manner, walking for a long way before returning to normal, and stopped on the side of the road before entering the Cross-Harbour Tunnel.

In the car, Zhou Zhou Zhou Huimin had already moved from the third row to the second row behind Wei Ming. She said embarrassedly: "Ah Ming, don't be angry. I just wanted to give you a surprise, I didn't mean to scare you."

The little girl's pitiful look was too deceptive. A Long was the first to soften his heart and hurriedly helped her out: "Ah Ming, just forgive her. It's hard for a little girl not to be mischievous."

"I haven't even talked about you yet. You saw her get in the car and didn't tell me. You weren't afraid we'd run into bad people?" Wei Ming's shock had just subsided.

A Long pushed his glasses: "Wearing a school uniform, and a girl, it shouldn't be a problem, right?"

He had seen a schoolgirl circling the car when Wei Ming and Old Ghost were whispering upstairs, but she disappeared. He only realized she was in the back after driving for a while.

Moreover, A Long had heard from his father about the existence of Zhou's mother and Zhou Zhou Zhou Huimin, and also knew that the girl surnamed Zhou was Wei Ming's pen pal. After some probing, he guessed that the little girl who sneaked into the car should be Ah Ming's pen-pal little sister. It really was him who guessed right. Drawing comics also requires logic.

Wei Ming: "Then we are going to the Peninsula Hotel, what about you?"

"I can go with you! I can also help you give directions. Is that okay?" Zhou Zhou Zhou Huimin's hand had already pulled on Wei Ming's arm. She rarely acted like a spoiled child from childhood to adulthood, but at this moment, she was self-taught and natural.

A big woman and a little girl—truly completely different experiences.

Wei Ming restarted the car: "Have you been to the Peninsula Hotel?"

"No, but our school organized a trip to the Hong Kong Space Museum, and the Peninsula Hotel is right across from the Space Museum, both on Salisbury Road." Mao Mao Amin answered.

The Hong Kong Space Museum was completed and opened last year, while the Peninsula Hotel had stood in Hong Kong for more than half a century. It belonged to the famous Kadoorie family, and successful people in the Hong Kong entertainment industry liked to have afternoon tea there.

Passing through the Cross-Harbour Tunnel, they drove all the way outside the Peninsula Hotel. The courtesy cars parked outside were all Rolls-Royces. As expected of the most luxurious hotel in Hong Kong, Wei Ming's van was too embarrassed to park with them.

After entering the lobby, A Long and Mao Mao Amin were both shocked. This lobby was truly too luxurious!

Only Wei Ming was relatively calm; after all, he had stayed there in his previous life.

He reported Wei Lingling's name to the front desk, and soon a call was made up.

Wei Lingling, who had just finished showering, heard that her cheap big nephew had come to the door and told the front desk: "Let him come up in ten minutes."

Then the front desk conveyed Wei Lingling's words, and they waited in the lobby for a while.

When the time was up, Wei Ming was about to take the two upstairs, but the front desk said.

"Only this Mr. Wei Ming can go up."

Wei Ming didn't force it: "Then you two have some morning tea on the side."

This made it difficult for A Long. He wasn't good at dealing with girls, especially girls other than his girlfriend.

So Mao Mao Amin guided the conversation the whole time. She already knew his name was A Long in the car, an NPC who often appeared in Ah Ming's letters. Now she also knew that Brother A Long was actually Uncle Bin's son!

So everyone was their own people!

"Brother A Long, you haven't been to the place where Uncle Bin works, right?"

"I have. I already ate McDonald's with friends before."

Zhou Zhou Zhou Huimin: "..."

After ringing the doorbell, a woman dressed in new clothes opened the door, about 22 or 23 years old, still carrying water vapor.

It was Wei Ming's first time seeing such a young little aunt. She was truly beautiful, not losing to any star, and the key was that she was learned and elegant. Although she didn't wear glasses, she gave people the feeling of a top student, and her aura was also strong.

It was a pity that the knot between her and Old Ghost wasn't untied until the old man passed away, and she didn't get to see her own brother.

"Aunt, I'm Little Ming!" Since there were no outsiders, Wei Ming called out disgustingly and affectionately.

Wei Lingling was caught off guard by his affectionate call and couldn't help but take two steps back.

"Stop, stop, stop." Looking at Wei Ming's emotional expression, tall and straight figure, and handsome and pleasing face, Wei Lingling, who had originally wanted to face him with a cold face, almost gave Wei Ming a hug, although she finally held back. However, her attitude softened quite a bit.

She began to reflect on herself. It was Wei Senhao who let her and her mother down, so why should she make things difficult for her own flesh and blood nephew? Moreover, he had written songs she liked very much.

After thinking this through, Wei Lingling revealed a warm smile: "Little Ming, sit down. How old are you?"

Wei Lingling asked about Wei Ming's current situation like an elder.

"I'm 20 this year."

"May I ask, do you have a girlfriend?"

"Aunt, you're too presumptuous."

Wei Lingling laughed. This kid was interesting and didn't have the rigidity of Mainland people she had imagined.

"Originally, I wanted to discuss the old Western-style house in Shanghai with you, but I didn't expect you to come to the door yourself. What's the matter?"

Wei Ming said: "It's like this. I know you study law and management. I'm preparing to acquire a comic publishing house in Hong Kong and want to ask you for help. It involves valuation and contracts."

Wei Lingling didn't ask why he wanted to acquire that thing, but said: "The law I studied might be a bit different from Hong Kong's, but I have a senior sister who is a licensed lawyer in Hong Kong. I can introduce her to you. As for valuation, I can help you."

"That's great! I'm a layman in this regard. With you, I can rest easy!"

Wei Lingling said: "After finishing these things, you have to go back to Shanghai with me."

"That might not work. I have to go to England first."

"What are you going to England for?"

Wei Ming talked about the authorization of *The Lion King* musical.

"Isn't this kind of small matter something you can entrust to your editor?" Wei Lingling meant it wasn't worth a separate trip.

Wei Ming said: "This is no small matter. The potential of *The Lion King* musical is huge, and I must protect my rights."

Let's put it this way: the box office revenue of *The Lion King* musical was on the same level as *The Phantom of the Opera*, belonging to the pyramid tip of this field.

Because it had high appeal to children, the ticket price wasn't low, and it was enduring. After decades of performance, the cumulative box office was 8 billion US dollars, much higher than the total global box office of the animated and live-action *The Lion King* combined. The box office in New York's Broadway alone exceeded 1 billion US dollars.

Seeing Wei Lingling was unimpressed, Wei Ming added: "Moreover, my editor is my ex-girlfriend. I also plan to take this opportunity to see her."

Hearing this, Wei Lingling, who had always placed herself in the position of an aunt, perked up.

"Ex-girlfriend? You have an ex-girlfriend? She's in England? Is she a British Chinese? Are you planning to get back together?"

Wei Ming answered the key points: "She is a British girl. We met when she was studying at Peking University. Aunt, why don't you go to London with me? I'm afraid foreigners will cheat me. You study law, and the Anglo-American legal system should be about the same. You can just treat it as a graduation trip." Wei Lingling crossed her legs: "You kid, you want me to work for you for free, right? You think quite beautifully."

She didn't say whether she agreed or not. Wei Ming really hoped to bring her along. This little aunt was still very powerful in terms of professionalism. Even if he found a local lawyer, it would be safer to have her check it.

Wei Ming also came prepared. On the way here, he had already thought about how to tie Wei Lingling to his chariot.

"I heard from Grandfather that Great-Grandfather handed you a poorly managed toy factory in Hong Kong to manage."

"There is such a thing. It can't be called poorly managed, it's just that the competition in Hong Kong's toy industry is too fierce, and it doesn't rank, but it's still profitable."

Don't look at Hong Kong as small. Now Hong Kong has the title of "Global Toy Factory." In 1972, it had already surpassed Japan, and its export value jumped to first in the world.

"I also know a little about toys. If you help me, I will also help you."

Wei Lingling laughed: "This really isn't needed. I have my own way. I will use my connections in the United States to get orders from some toy manufacturers there."

Wei Ming laughed: "Just doing OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) then."

Wei Lingling heard the mockery in her nephew's tone and raised her volume: "What's wrong with doing OEM? Hong Kong's Choi Chi-Ming became the Toy King of Hong Kong by doing OEM."

The Choi Chi-Ming she mentioned was indeed very powerful. The company was established for less than ten years, and he became famous by doing OEM for Snoopy toys. Later, he even acquired American toy companies, and his business empire expanded to the whole world. When the family was at its most prosperous, their net worth was nearly 10 billion US dollars.

Wei Ming said: "Choi Chi-Ming is indeed powerful, but I admire another Hong Kong toy godfather, Mr. Lam Leung, more."

Since Wei Lingling knew she was going to take over the toy factory, she naturally had some understanding of the pattern of Hong Kong's toy industry.

Lam Leung was also famous. He first relied on the four little yellow ducks he independently developed to sell globally. The famous little yellow duck in later generations was also his.

Wei Ming continued: "OEM is of course no problem, this is also a way out. But if you can independently develop toys, everything upstream and downstream of this toy belongs to you. You can even shoot movies and make animations for your toys. Animation affects toy sales, and toys affect the popularity of film and television."

"You know toys very well, huh." Wei Lingling ate a grape and said a bit unconvinced.

Wei Ming didn't answer this question directly, but asked: "Aunt, do you know about figures (hand-made models)?"

"Figures?" This term sounded a bit unfamiliar.

"This is a concept born in Japan," Wei Ming said. "It can be traced back to *Space Battleship Yamato*, which launched character models. The *Mobile Suit Gundam* of the past two years deepened this concept, and the mecha models released triggered a buying craze."

The concept of figures was still relatively new. Later, it was carried forward by the Japanese, sucking out all the money in the pockets of the "two-dimensional" fans. Wei Ming told Wei Lingling about this. If she could become the first manufacturer in Hong Kong to make figures, she should be able to eat a mouthful of hot soup.

Wei Lingling really took it to heart and planned to go back and investigate it carefully.

However, it sounded like the playability of this kind of toy wasn't very high, more to satisfy the collection psychology of hardcore fans. This destined that this market wouldn't be too big.

After all, there weren't that many hardcore fans, nor were there that many anime works that could cultivate hardcore fans.

But Wei Lingling had to say: "You did provide me with a line of thought. Alright, I can accompany you to London."

"That's great. We can exchange ideas on how toys and anime can benefit each other along the way. It just so happens I want to make anime, and you want to make toys."

If he produced a hit comic on his side, his little aunt's toy factory could produce corresponding figures and matching weapons. He estimated there would be something to do. For example, *The Legend of Qin* could be used as a pilot to see. There were many beautiful characters and cool weapons in it.

Wei Lingling smiled: "I'm just practicing with the toy factory; I won't stay here for long."

Grandfather hoped she would inherit his industry in Taiwan, and Aunt also hoped she would go to San Francisco to help her manage the industry. She was destined not to be a thing in a pool.

Wei Ming said: "But if you can make this toy factory big and strong, whether it's Grandfather or Great-Aunt, they will definitely be very happy. After all, this toy factory is called 'Long Ning'."

Wei Lingling's heart trembled. Wei Lang, Wei Ning—those two cousins of hers who died in the war.

Yes, Grandfather named this toy factory "Long Ning," which must have entrusted deep and heavy love.

"I will definitely do it well, no need for you to remind me. Have you eaten? I'll treat you. Let's go find my senior sister in the afternoon," Wei Lingling said.

"Haven't eaten. It just so happens my two friends are drinking tea downstairs. Let's go together."

When going downstairs, he introduced the identities of A Long and Mao Mao Amin in advance. Both were children of Old Ghost's business partners.

"Actually, the fast food he is doing can also cooperate with toys. For example, children can buy specific set meals and get some inexpensive small plastic dolls. But the premise is that his shop must be big enough and have enough locations, otherwise, the sales volume is too small to be interesting."

Wei Ming gave Wei Lingling another idea. He remembered that McDonald's did this in later generations.

Actually, this marketing method was officially launched by McDonald's two years ago, but Wei Lingling didn't know. First, she ate Western fast food relatively rarely, and second, there were no children around her. This kind of toy was only available in children's set meals.

"I didn't expect you to have so many ghost ideas," Wei Lingling praised with a smile. "Looking at it this way, I should support him in opening that Holiland all over the world."

Wei Ming felt that the possibility wasn't high and said calmly: "Actually, if your toys are loud enough, it's also possible to cooperate directly with McDonald's."

Wei Lingling nodded and looked at Wei Ming approvingly: "Have you ever thought about studying abroad in the United States? You are so smart, and have works and popularity. I can help you get a recommendation letter, for example, go to Berkeley to study music."

Wei Ming waved his hand with a smile: "Keep the recommendation letter for your niece. She has good grades. I'll forget it. I still have to finish the correspondence courses at Peking University first."

While talking, they arrived at the tea garden in the lobby on the first floor. Mao Mao Amin and A Long had finished their drinks and were chatting about Wei Ming's embarrassing things during middle school.

A Long spoke very slowly. He finally waited for Wei Ming to return. If they chatted any longer, they would talk about Ah Ming's entry into Beijing, and then Zhu Lin and Gong Xue might not be able to be hidden.

Wei Ming directly greeted the waiter to order formally. This meal today would be on his little aunt's account.

"Have we met somewhere before?" Zhou Zhou Zhou Huimin looked at Wei Lingling and felt she looked familiar.

Wei Lingling still remembered Zhou Zhou Zhou Huimin, but she didn't want her embarrassing things of crying and crying to be brought up again, so she denied it: "No, I have a common face."

"Not at all, Aunt, you are super beautiful!" Zhou Zhou Zhou Huimin said sincerely. Compared with such a mature big sister, she even felt ashamed of herself.

"What did you call me?" Wei Lingling was stunned.

Zhou Zhou Zhou Huimin shrank her neck: "Ah Ming calls you Aunt, I am friends with him, so I also call you Aunt."

Wei Lingling glanced at Wei Ming, who looked calm. Although this nephew of hers was a bit old, the two looked like a match.

However, he hadn't told her yet whether he would get back together with his British ex-girlfriend when he went to London this time?

Or get back together while hanging the little girl from Hong Kong?

*Hmph, same virtue as his grandfather! *

Wei Lingling had a good impression of the obedient and beautiful Zhou Zhou Zhou Huimin and frankly accepted her title of "Aunt." However, seeing Liu Rulong also want to call her Aunt, she stopped him.

"Let's talk about each other's own. You call me Sister."

A Long agreed happily, feeling he was a generation older.

After eating, Wei Ming said to Mao Mao Amin: "We are going to see a lawyer, so..."

"Don't worry, I'll take the bus back to school myself." Having had a beautiful meal at the big hotel and meeting the aunt, Mao Mao Amin was in a good mood.

Wei Ming: "Mm, what about tomorrow? Do you still want to follow us?"

"Not tomorrow. Final exams start tomorrow," Mao Mao Amin said.

"What? Final exams tomorrow, and you still dared to get in our car today!" Wei Ming was shocked.

Zhou Zhou Zhou Huimin felt Wei Ming was about to explode, so she hurriedly got up and left: "Oh my, I will study hard. I'm leaving first."

Wei Lingling called her: "Let the hotel's courtesy car send you back. I'll go with their car."

And then she regretted it. *You said you had a car, but it's a van! *

Although she was disgusted, Wei Lingling still took the two big boys to see her senior sister and began to understand the situation of *Joyful News*.

Wei Ming had given her so many ideas beneficial to the toy factory, so Wei Lingling was also very concerned about her nephew's affairs. The next day, she started running around for Wei Ming's matter, bypassing Old Ghost. This aunt and nephew got along very happily.

The little aunt didn't even need Wei Ming to take action himself. She told him to wait for news, and Mao Mao Amin couldn't accompany him either, so Wei Ming simply drove the car around himself.

He went to Shaw Brothers and Golden Harvest, the two leading film companies in Hong Kong, and both times he took out a script, wanting to ask how much it could sell for.

When he went, he brought Biaozi and Wu Jing along, and made clear his identity as the screenwriter and author Wei Ming of "Heroes Born in Troubled Times."

This film could be considered a dark horse this year; the script was solid and the marketing sharp, which the heads of both companies naturally knew.

However, Shaw Brothers adhered to their consistent tradition of stinginess, only willing to offer 5,000 Hong Kong dollars, even less than what Li Hanxiang had given.

For Li's two scripts, and those weren't even written from start to finish—belonging to the category of writing from semi-finished products—he had still given 15,000.

Golden Harvest was much more generous, offering up to 10,000 Hong Kong dollars.

Because of income restrictions in the mainland, Wei Ming's scripts topped out at 1,500 RMB, so Golden Harvest's price was acceptable.

But Wei Ming didn't sell to them immediately; he just wanted to test what a script from himself, now having a bit of fame, was worth.

After asking both Shaw Brothers and Golden Harvest, Wei Ming finally went to Cinema City, which had been established not long ago.

Although Cinema City had been established for a short time, the performance of "Happy Ghost" produced this year was quite good, with box office receipts second only to "Heroes Born in Troubled Times," and with "Funny Boys" and "Aces Go Places" waiting to be screened this year, all of which were top-ten contenders for the year, it could be said to be a hidden dragon just waiting to take flight.

At 22 Kent Road in Kowloon City, Wei Ming and his group had just arrived when they encountered a girl running out from inside in a fit of anger, as if she had aimed for it, crashing right into Wei Ming.

Biaozi is as wide as a double-door and she didn't crash into him, Wu Jing is so small and she didn't crash into him, yet she had to crash into me?!

"Sorry, I'm sorry, I..." Li Zhi, who was almost about to cry, apologized profusely, and only recognized him when she raised her head.

"Wei Ming?!"

Wei Ming, who hadn't been hurt by the collision, laughed: "Miss Li Zhi, what a coincidence, are you here at Cinema City for business?"

Li Zhi glanced at the Cinema City office building and wiped her eyes: "I think you'd better not go in; this group of people looks down on us mainlanders too much!"

(End of chapter)