raknovel Chapter 103 The younger brother steals his sister's wedding
Chapter 103 The younger brother steals his sister's wedding
After a day of work and study, Li Guoneng returned home and noticed that her father looked solemn.
They thought that Chen Guanjiang had obtained information about the Kowloon Society but had not reported it to the family in advance, which prevented the elders from coming to hold him accountable.
Little did he know, Li Guoneng was indeed unaware of the situation. He was genuinely shocked to learn that Chen Guanjiang had taken over the Kowloon Society without a word, but it was ultimately a great thing for the family.
"Tenaga, come and sit down."
Li Guoneng was taken aback, sensing her father's unusual behavior, and solemnly sat down on the sofa to wait for what he would say next.
Li Fuqiu sighed, holding his teacup, and slowly asked, "What do you think of Chen Guanjiang inviting you to be the Kowloon Club's legal advisor?"
"Me? That wouldn't be a good idea, would it?"
Li Guoneng felt that everything was strange today. Her father was obviously implying something, but what could be difficult for a father and son to say to each other?
Specializing in civil law was the life path his family had laid out for him. Unlike those foolish dogs in the story who ignored the perfectly good path to success, Li Guoneng insisted on forging his own way.
Although he specializes in civil law and his family provides him with resources, the family is large and everyone is eager to be fed, so how much can he actually get?
With the protection of his family, he is destined for a smooth life, but how high and how far he can go depends on his own abilities and fortune. There are only so many positions, and the higher you go, the fewer there are.
In contrast, commercial law is also a stepping stone to heaven!
The laws are interconnected, so it's not too late to switch to offense. The key is that the resources are right in front of us and readily available.
Moreover, these are resources he acquired in society, and this does not prevent the family's share of resources from continuing to tilt towards him.
Once he has thoroughly mastered commercial law and established himself in the Kowloon Society, why should the family's Far East Club legal advisor be an outsider?
Based on the second of the four exchanges, namely the merged Stock Exchange of Hong Kong, he will undoubtedly be the chief legal counsel and even one of the directors of Hong Kong's only stock exchange.
The road to heaven is so long that its distance is unknown.
The steps to heaven are right before our eyes.
Besides, that cunning little mad dog will only be fifteen years old after the New Year!
Chen Guanjiang was destined to go down the business path. Specializing in law would only lead the two of them to go their separate ways. Their friendship and background would not cause them to part ways, but they would never be able to work together again.
However, if one specializes in business law, not only will they have the Kowloon Society and the Far East Society as stepping stones, but they can also rely on Chen Guanjiang to go further while not losing the family's resource support.
If you can climb the stairs on two legs, who would want to walk on one?
however!
Li Guoneng understood what her father was worried about; when Guan Zhuoran was involved, things got serious.
His father, Kwan Tsu-yau, was the second Queen's Counsel in Hong Kong and became the president of the Hong Kong Bar Association in 1950 after the war.
Li Fushan, Li Fuhe, Li Fushen, Li Fulian, Li Fuheng, including his father Li Fuqiu and himself, who did not receive help from Guan Zurao?
Now, Guan Zuyao has been gone for less than three years, and to outsiders, this is the stepping stone for them to seize his offspring.
Rumors may not kill people, but they can really hurt their spirits!
If Li Guoneng were to give up this opportunity to ascend to heaven, he would be unwilling, as he might never have such an opportunity again in his life. Besides, this was originally a reward for his good relationship with Chen Guanjiang, not something he had to steal.
"Sigh..." Li Fuqiu sighed deeply.
When Li Guo was able to say "That's not a good idea" instead of a firm rejection, it meant that she had already fallen for him.
As a parent, Li Fuqiu naturally hopes his son will have a better future, but he is caught in the middle and has a difficult choice.
Looking at his son, who was too caught up in the situation to see clearly, Li Fuqiu put down his teacup and said, "That guy isn't after Guan Zhuoran, he's after Hu Baoxing and you."
Li Guoneng realized what was happening, blushed deeply, then turned deathly pale, opened her mouth but didn't know what to say.
Even though Hu Baoxing had seven older sisters, he did not marry into the Li Peicai family. Instead, he married into the Guan, Jian, and Luo families. The Guan family was not very large, which was also the case.
It wasn't until this generation that the two families began to intermarry. Cousin Li Guochang married Guan Dexia, while he was preparing to marry Hu Muying.
Although Hu Muying was born to a concubine and raised by a stepmother, he was also the second son of Li Peicai's second son, Li Zifang's second son, and Li Fuqiu's second son, so the two could be considered a good match in terms of social status.
But now, Chen Guanjiang's third sister is in love with him, and he also likes Chen Xiangshui, so things are a bit complicated.
Even before the stock market crash, Li Guoneng dared to mention making Chen Xiangshui a concubine, but Chen Guanjiang transformed into a Hong Kong financial tycoon, so saying it again would be no different from making an enemy.
As for making Hu Muying a concubine? Or one without any title or status? We're all decent people, there's no need to resort to such vulgar insults.
With the situation laid bare, Chen Guanjiang has already made the stakes clear. Choosing Hu Muying won't necessarily lead to a falling out, but the relationship between the two sides will gradually drift apart.
The Li family owes the Guan family and the Hu family far too much for past favors and old friendships. Choosing Chen Xiangshui would be a betrayal of principles for personal gain, and would even cause a rift between the families.
They can't choose not to, but they can't afford not to either. Right now, the most crucial thing for the family is the Far East Association, which can rebuild the foundation for the family's century-long and invincible legacy. They need Chen Guanjiang's support.
Normally, Chen Guanjiang's failure to assist Far East would be considered a breach of faith, while Li Guoneng's decision to refuse Chen Xiangshui and then establish his own faction would be morally justifiable.
Whether he refused or not, Chen Guanjiang could advance or retreat at will, but at this crucial moment, he put him in a dilemma. Perhaps this was also part of his calculations?
"Father... what should I do?" Li Guoneng turned to Li Fuqiu for help, unable to make a decision.
"Think about it carefully."
"Uncle Qiang!"
As the eldest son of Jian Dongpu, Jian Yueqiang succeeded to the position of head of East Asia Bank. With the Li Peicai family acting as guarantor for Chen Guanjiang, Jian Yueqiang approved a five-fold leverage to help him succeed.
The ambiguous relationship between Li Guoneng and Chen Xiangshui meant that their collaboration was no longer purely business, and only Jian Yueqiang could break the deadlock.
Li Fuqiu nodded in satisfaction and said, "Your Uncle Zhao has already asked Yue Qiang to intervene. Now, invite Chen Guanjiang out!"
"Okay." Li Guoneng breathed a sigh of relief.
In fact, Li Fuzhao had already relayed the situation to Jian Yueqiang in the Wenhua Suite, and Jian Yueqiang certainly wouldn't sit idly by.
after all!
The Kowloon Club was not only important to the Far East Club, but also of paramount importance to the Bank of East Asia.
During the reception, Chen Guanjiang and Hu Hanhui had close conversations, which put pressure on the interest groups of the Bank of East Asia.
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) is a British-owned stock exchange, and its brokerage firms and stock financing for investors are mainly British-owned banks.
The Far East Club is a business owned by the Li Peicai family, and it's obvious that the business will be handed over to the Bank of East Asia.
How could Hu Hanhui, the chairman of the Gold and Silver Association, let the benefits go to outsiders? Hang Seng Bank was naturally the one to step up.
Only the Kowloon Society!
Chen Guanjiang had a good relationship with the Li Peicai family, so it was only natural to hand it over to the Bank of East Asia. However, unexpected changes occurred.
Hu Hanhui represented not only the Gold and Silver Association and the Gold and Silver Exchange, but also a group of Chinese-funded banks led by Hang Seng Bank.
Although both Hang Seng Bank and Bank of East Asia are Chinese-owned banks, they both strive to become the leading Chinese-owned bank in Hong Kong.
In the 65 banking stock market crash, Hang Seng Bank was sold to HSBC, and other Chinese-owned banks also accepted investments from British-owned banks.
Bank of East Asia, thanks to its predecessor, Chan Tung-po, who completed a modern banking transformation in 1963, not only avoided the collapse of the banking stock market crash in 1965, but also obtained A1-level banking qualification in 1965.
Logically, the Bank of East Asia should be the first truly Chinese-owned bank, but in reality, Hang Seng Bank, which has already been sold to British ownership, still holds the title of the first Chinese-owned bank.
As a result, the relationship between the interest groups of Bank of East Asia and Hang Seng Bank is not good.
Not to mention the Jian and Feng families, who have no offspring to marry into the He families, even the prosperous Li Peicai family, now in its fourth generation, has no wives with the surname He.
Thus, Chen Guanjiang could not only rely on the Far East Club to stabilize the chaos and factions within the Kowloon Club, nor could he obtain five times leverage solely through the Bank of East Asia.
It is believed that the Gold and Silver Club, Hang Seng Bank, and even HSBC would be very willing to help Chan Kwun-kong in order to obtain the Kowloon Club's business.
The relationship between the two parties was completely reversed from the moment Chen Guanjiang acquired the Kowloon Club.
They could accept parting ways due to interests, and they could even accept Chen Guanjiang's treacherous behavior for personal gain.
If we lose an important partner like the Kowloon Society because of trivial matters like personal feelings, that would be absolutely unacceptable.
Therefore, Jian Yueqiang had to step forward.
Because this is no longer just a matter for Li Guoneng personally, nor for the second wife's family or even Li Peicai's family; it concerns the interest groups formed by the Bank of East Asia and the Far East Association.
…………
After hanging up the phone, Chen Guanjiang glanced at his third sister, whose face was flushed, and said, "Don't worry, the golden bachelor won't run away! You can just enjoy your wedding."
"Isn't this going too far?" Chen Xiangshui tugged at the hem of her clothes shyly and uneasyly, feeling that something was wrong.
"What else?"
Chen Guanjiang retorted, "Are you going to make that guy marry Hu Muying according to the marriage agreement? Or are you planning to be his concubine? Or listen to your parents and go hook up with a rich guy?"
"I, I..." Chen Xiangshui stammered for a long time, unable to utter a complete sentence.
Chen Guanjiang, however, had no intention of letting her off the hook and continued to provoke her: "But you don't need to fish for rich guys. Your brother is pretty awesome now. You can cast your fishing rod and the fish will find the hook and get caught themselves."
This is a joke, but it's also the truth.
The stock market crash caused a liquidity crunch, and loan interest rates increased financing costs, leaving many companies with barely any cash flow.
Real estate developers, in particular, need to raise funds to make money, and they have to leverage their investments to make big money. With rising financing costs and no time to exit, cash is the life-saving medicine.
At this point, Chen Xiangshui would cast his fishing rod out. In order to get Chen Guanjiang's cash to survive, they would not hesitate to put the fishhook in their mouths, and they would even fight tooth and nail to get the fishhook.
However, it was ultimately for profit. As long as Chen Guanjiang remained in power, he would treat Chen Xiangshui like a goddess once he married her.
In comparison, mutual affection is the best, even if it's stolen. But what good things in this world can be obtained by waiting?
Chen Xiangshui seemed to have tears welling up in his eyes, and said with a pursed lip, "I...I'm afraid I'm not good enough for him."
One was a dashing young man, the other a textile worker;
One is a top law student, the other didn't even finish junior high school.
Some people are born into privilege, while others are born into poverty. The differences between people can be so vast that they can make one feel inferior.
"Third sister is so beautiful, marrying him is a step down for her."
Chen Guanjiang stood up and hugged Chen Xiangshui, his eyes reddening without him realizing it, a heart-wrenching pain welling up inside him.
People from poor families, who are not favored, have an inferiority complex ingrained in their bones. Even if they gain status, wealth, or social standing, they will subconsciously reveal their origins.
Chen Xiangshui always unconsciously peeks at the price tags when buying clothes;
Chen Jiagang liked dolls so much but didn't dare to ask for one;
Chen Mangniu was so hot and sweaty that he couldn't bear to turn on the air conditioner;
Looking at ourselves, aren't we the same?
Even though he profited HK$3000 million from the "bull market battle," he still lived in a rented luxury apartment, and the convoy of eight bodyguards and assistants was also rented.
Even now, with HK$4.7 million in cash and controlling a listed company with a market value of HK$4.25 million, he still can't bear to buy a villa with a great view. He hopes that the real estate market will completely collapse and he can buy at the bottom, which would be the most cost-effective option.
All signs indicate that Chen Guanjiang is also a guy who is afraid of being poor. He is racking his brains to make every penny more profitable, and his ingratiating or fierce exterior hides an inferiority complex.
"Third sister, don't worry! I will make sure you marry Li Guoneng in a grand and glorious way..." Chen Guanjiang hugged Chen Xiangshui tightly, afraid that she would see his soft, tearful face after she left his embrace.
I made up my mind!
Forget about the Hu family, the Jian family, or the Li Peicai family. Even if she were to marry Li Guoneng, let alone become his live-in son-in-law, that stupid dog would still have to wear a wedding dress and ride in a sedan chair.
"Waaaaah..."
Chen Xiangshui bit Chen Guanjiang's shoulder and burst into tears. Tears mixed with saliva smeared on his shoulder, and it seemed as if a block of ice that had been frozen for many years in his heart was melting.
She truly loved Li Guoneng, but she also knew she was not good enough for him, so she could only bury her feelings deep in her heart and dare not express them.
When the secret in your heart is revealed, panic ensues.
She was touched when someone stood up for her.
"Cough cough..."
Once the grip on his shoulder loosened, Chen Guanjiang wiped away his tears, cleared his throat, and said, "Don't cry, let's go."
"Go? Where to?"
"Go buy that stupid dog a wedding dress!"
"Are you crazy?! Where do you buy wedding dresses for men? And you're not allowed to call him a stupid dog."
"Girls grow up and leave home, now I know!"
"Hmph!"
“…………”
Chen Guanjiang joked, and Chen Xiangshui laughed and cursed, but they resolutely went downstairs, drove straight to Hennessy Road in Wan Chai.
The convoy arrived at Guan Nanhua and, finding no one at the entrance, Chen Guanjiang reversed the car, slammed on the gas, and chuckled, "Check your seatbelts and hold on tight to the roof rails!"
"What are you going to do?"
"Do what nouveau riche do!"
With a loud bang, the front of the car smashed through the gate. Chen Guanjiang drove the car directly into the store. No one was hurt, but it was certainly a frightening experience.
Chen Guanjiang kicked open the car door, calmly took a few photos with his personal camera, and handed them to his bodyguard, saying, "Send these to TVB, and report them on the evening news."
Before the store manager could speak, Chen Guanjiang waved to another bodyguard who handed over cash, laughing heartily, "Whatever the loss, double the compensation! Bring out all the wedding dresses in your store!!"
"But we don't have wedding dresses in our shop..."