raknovel Chapter 104 Dog Brother Forces a Royal Arrangement for a Marriage
Chapter 104 Dog Brother Forces a Royal Arrangement for a Marriage
Fook Lam Moon Restaurant, Wan Chai.
Although it only opened on Johnston Road last year, it is already one of the most prestigious restaurants in Hong Kong. This is because its founder, Tsui Fuk-chuen, was once the head chef of Ho Tung. It is not well-known to the public and only caters to the business of prominent families.
The inner room on the third floor, inside Huafutang.
After listening to their subordinates' report, Jian Yueqiang and Li Fushu exchanged a helpless glance.
By investing heavily in television broadcasting and leveraging its decades of expertise in Suzhou-style embroidery, Guan Nanhua has become the most popular Chinese wedding dress shop in Hong Kong.
They invited Chan Kwun-kong to dinner in Wan Chai, and this madman, along with his third sister, drove straight into the gate of Kwun Nam Wah right under their noses. Even if they were brain-dead, they would understand what it meant.
Crucially, Chen Guanjiang left them no way out, nor did he leave himself any way out; he sent the photos directly to the television station for immediate broadcast.
Chen Guanjiang has already handed them face; whether they embrace him or trample him underfoot is a choice he's forcing them to make.
After all, Chen Guanjiang's ID card shows he is 21 years old, but even a fool should know what's going on. It's definitely not him getting married, but rather his third sister who has reached marriageable age.
Only a handful of families knew about Li Guoneng's marriage to Hu Muying. Even if the marriage was called off, the jokes would only be shared by a few families, and would never spread to the Hu family.
In contrast, Chan Kwun-kong's actions have caused a great uproar. If Chan Heung-shui cannot get together with Lee Kwok-neng, then the whole of Hong Kong and Kowloon will laugh at Chan Kwun-kong.
"Sorry, sorry, something unexpected happened, I'm so sorry I'm late..."
"Sir Zhou, it's been a long time! Ah Jiang, come and sit here."
"We're all acquaintances, no need to be so polite!"
“…………”
After the evening news finished, Chen Guanjiang arrived. Everyone knew why he was late, but no one expected that he would invite Zhou Xinian to help him out.
Although Jian Yueqiang's reputation is growing daily;
However, Zhou Xinian was like the setting sun.
However, when Jian Yueqiang attended the council meeting, Zhou Xinian was the chief councilor back then. As a senior, he had to give him some face, so he immediately gave up the main seat and invited him to sit down.
After taking his seat, Zhou Xinian chuckled and said, "Ajiang's younger brother and Diyi are good friends. Xiangshui has brought Python to our house a few times. I heard Xiangshui is getting married, so I came to check on her..."
The meaning behind those words couldn't be clearer.
As Zhou Xinian's granddaughter, Zhou Diyi is intentionally marrying Chen Guanjiang's younger brother to support her grandson-in-law's sister.
This move was also a form of demonstration. Although his younger brother, Zhou Hongnian, did not achieve the same level of success as his cousin, Zhou Junnian, who was a top barrister, he was still a renowned senior barrister.
Even if Li Guoneng were to give up and switch to business law, Chen Guanjiang would still have the confidence to fire Guan Zhuoran and support the Kowloon Society.
"Why…"
Chen Guanjiang sighed deeply and said sadly, "I was removed from the family genealogy and became an orphan. Even my third sister's marriage was affected because no elders came forward to help her."
"In the entire Hong Kong, the elders who are closest to me and treat me the best and have the highest status are Uncle Shu and Sir Zhou. Since you are Neng Ge's uncle, I can't ask you, so I have to ask Sir Zhou to make a decision for my third sister."
Why are you suddenly playing the victim? Weren't you the one bullying me?
How did we end up talking about marriage? Weren't we talking about location?
Li Fushu was completely bewildered by this series of elaborate schemes, so he could only give Jian Yueqiang a meaningful look.
Jian Yueqiang cut to the chase, saying, "Ah Jiang, if you've considered doing this, how are you going to explain it to the Hu family?"
"The Hu family? What Hu family? Hu Xian'er from Sing Tao?"
“…………”
Jian Yueqiang and Li Fushu were speechless. This guy's ability to play dumb was truly exceptional. If he really didn't know the grudges between the various families, why would he have targeted Guan Zhuoran first?
Jian Yueqiang continued bluntly, "Guoneng and Muying's marriage was arranged by Hu Zhaozhi three years ago. How can he abandon his wife and marry someone else now?"
"Hu Zhaozhi?"
Chen Guanjiang exclaimed in shock, "Could it be Hu Zhaozhi of Yongye Company, who pioneered the tiered sales ten-year installment plan?"
“…………”
Jian Yueqiang was too lazy to cooperate anymore, so he just quietly watched him spout nonsense with a straight face.
The way he addressed people by name didn't seem as respectful as he claimed.
Chen Guanjiang's words became increasingly outrageous: "Mr. Hu is a senior figure in the real estate industry. If I offend him, will he retaliate? No way! It's better to strike first than to be caught off guard. I need to prepare in advance!"
"Don't get agitated..."
Li Fushu hurriedly dissuaded him, saying, "Dean Hu has already semi-retired and no longer cares about worldly affairs. I will go and persuade him. You must not do anything reckless."
Hu Zhaozhi's first wife gave birth to seven daughters in a row. It wasn't until he was 35 years old that his first wife gave birth to his eldest son, Hu Baoxing. Therefore, in his early years, Hu Baoxing was jokingly referred to as "Seven Stars Accompanying the Moon".
Now, Hu Zhaozhi is 78 years old and plagued by many illnesses. He has even given up Yongye Company in order to pave the way for his son in his remaining years. Where would he have the energy to fight with Chen Guanjiang?
On the contrary, it's Chen Guanjiang!!
According to Li Fuhe's description, the dog lovers' association is evil.
Typically, charity workers receive minimal pay and their work is purely out of love, resulting in extremely low efficiency. However, dog lovers' charity workers seem to be on steroids.
Moreover, the amount of donations from the community is so large that it doesn't seem like a charity that has only been established for less than half a year and is very enthusiastic about participating in charitable causes.
A while ago, the dog lovers' association organized an event in which a group of hundreds of people surrounded a butcher shop.
The insults and accusations prevented the meat shop from operating normally, leaving the owner with no choice but to call the police.
however!
Despite this behavior disrupting normal business operations, these individuals were not prosecuted for disturbing public order because many police officers also felt that eating dog meat was wrong.
The shop owner had no choice but to appeal. A police superintendent stepped forward and arrested several people and fined them for disturbing the peace. Little did he know that this would stir up a hornet's nest.
Many influential members of the dog lovers' association have voiced their grievances about this uncivilized behavior through various channels, and the incident has even reached England.
The result was shocking: the superintendent was suspended from duty, dismissed without any charge, on the pretext of "uncivilized behavior."
A lesson from the past, a teacher of the future.
The police station, already under intense scrutiny from MacLehose, turns a blind eye to the dog lovers' association organizing similar activities again, and only tries to appease the store owners' complaints.
If the police don't care, you can go to court, but the president of the dog lovers' association, Li Fuhe, has become a member of the Legislative Council. How can the owner of a small shop dare to fight such a person in court?
The harassed shop owners had no choice but to close their shops, even if it meant losing money, they could only swallow their anger and resentment.
The dog lovers' association was not satisfied with this. Instead, they went to the highway and physically intercepted trucks transporting dogs.
Not only did they injure the car owner and release all the meat dogs, but they also didn't offer a single penny in compensation.
The car owner was assaulted and had no recourse, ultimately having to pay compensation to the dog owner for the damages caused by his own injuries.
One by one, Li Fuhe discovered that the Dog Lovers Association had become a monster. Each successful event made the monster grow larger and larger, accompanied by increasingly radical methods.
Moreover, Chen Guanjiang was always behind the monster's every move, meaning that the monster's reins were in Chen Guanjiang's hands.
No one knows what will happen when Chen Guanjiang loosens the reins on this monster. All that is known is that before this monster is dismembered, it should not harm itself or its loved ones.
and so!
In Li Fuzhao's view, with just one guidance, Chen Guanjiang could very well destroy the entire Hu family.
Because those people have no concern for the consequences and are united in doing what they believe is right, even if it hurts others and violates the law.
Zhou Xinian and Jian Yueqiang sensed something unusual. Li Fushu didn't seem worried about Chen Guanjiang being retaliated against by the old family, but rather worried that the Hu family would be uprooted by Chen Guanjiang.
How is this possible?!
Hu Zhaozhi once served as the president of Tung Wah Group of Hospitals. Although he has long since stepped down, he still wields considerable influence. He will not stand idly by as he has been instrumental in the success of Li Taoji, Guo Cuosheng, and Feng Jingxi.
What gives Chen Guanjiang the leverage to stand up to the Hu family?
Compared to their own family, the Li Peicai family had a deeper cooperation with this guy and should know some methods that the other family did not.
"I won't let the Hu family retaliate against me, I won't allow myself to destroy the Hu family..."
Chen Guanjiang nodded and asked, "So, Uncle Shu, how do you plan to resolve this matter?"
Li Fushu was stunned. Things had come full circle. It seemed that Chen Guanjiang and the Hu family were destined to become a laughing stock. Eventually, things had to come to a conclusion.
"I'll set up a few tables and serve tea to everyone; please bear witness!"
Chen Guanjiang changed the subject and continued, "Hong Kong has limited land and a large population. I'll soon be getting into real estate, and I'll definitely ask the Hu family for help then, what do you say?"
Since the marriage alliance with the Li Peicai family was Hu Zhaozhi's way of paving the way for his son during his lifetime, it was essentially an exchange of interests.
Since it's an exchange of benefits, the conditions of that exchange can be changed.
The Li Peicai family has dozens of members in the "Fu" generation and hundreds in the fourth generation with the "Guo" character. It seems that a marriage alliance with another family wouldn't be a bad idea, since Li Guoneng and Hu Muying don't have much affection for each other.
"I'll go talk to them!"
"Thank you, Uncle Shu..."
Li Fushu sighed, but couldn't hide the satisfaction in his eyes. As long as Chen Guanjiang was willing to back down, things wouldn't be difficult to handle.
By mediating and reconciling the two sides, Chen Guanjiang and Hu Zhaozhi both owe him a favor.
…………
Inside the Wufuxuan restaurant on the second floor.
Unlike Hu Zhaozhi's composure, Hu Baoxing, who appeared calm on the surface, had a gloomy expression. He was both angry at Chen Guanjiang for taking his son-in-law away and resentful that Li Guo could divorce his wife and marry another.
Sometimes, without explicitly stating one's attitude, one has already expressed one's attitude.
Li Guoneng's decision not to refuse to serve as the Kowloon Club's legal advisor, nor her not to explicitly choose the pre-arranged marriage, is tantamount to tacit acceptance.
What happened to his sister? And what happened to his concubine?
His sister is six years older than Li Guoneng!
A woman three years older than her husband is like holding a gold brick; wouldn't it be better to hold two?
Chen Xiangshui is seven years younger than Li Guoneng!
The guy is a junior in college, causing a huge uproar. Is he doing well?
Isn't it because she believed that Kowloon would have a bright future that she broke off the engagement and married someone else?
I came downstairs and knocked on the door.
After entering, Li Fushu cupped his hands and said, "Dean Hu, I asked the boy, and he didn't know that Guo Neng was already engaged. He made such a big blunder and is willing to serve you tea to apologize."
"Sir Jane and Sir Zhou are both witnesses. When that child goes into real estate in the future, they would like to ask your nephew to step in and protect him. What do you think?"
Unaware of a premarital engagement? Anyone who believes that is utterly delusional!
but…
Since Li Fushu was able to say it, he had already made his stance clear, or rather, he had made his choice long before the peace talks even began.
Hu Baoxing turned his gaze to his father, Hu Zhaozhi, who smiled faintly and said, "True love prevails in the end. Let's skip the tea and apologies! Just invite this old man to a cup of wedding wine."
"Dean Hu is a man of great capacity for understanding, and the Li family will remember this kindness..." Li Fuzhao immediately beamed with joy.
Hu Zhaozhi continued with a forced smile, "It's a good thing that Chairman Chen believes in Guoneng. Zhuoran will find a place to go, and Yongjian..."
"Yongjian's position will remain unchanged. I can give you an answer right now. The Far East Association will also hire Yongjian as its legal counsel!" Li Fushu promised without hesitation.
"Okay, that's for the best..."
"Jiang is hosting a banquet tonight, Dean Hu must make an exception and have a drink!"
"Definitely, definitely..."
After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Li Fuzhao excused himself and left.
Hu Baoxing said unwillingly, "Father, that mad dog humiliated us like that, are we just going to let it go like this?"
"Otherwise what?"
Hu Zhaozhi saw things more clearly and said with a touch of melancholy, "People's words are just words; don't look at what they say, look at what they do."
Better to deceive an old man with an white beard than to underestimate a poor young man.
The Hu family's development has come to a standstill;
Chen Guanjiang, however, made rapid progress.
Hu Zhaozhi believed he wasn't afraid of that mad dog, but how many rounds could he possibly fight it? What good would it do to win and end up injured? Youth is a greater asset than wealth.
Although he lost face and became a laughing stock, Chen Guanjiang's promise was a real benefit, and gaining a friend is always better than gaining an enemy.
Since we've already lost face and become a laughing stock, it doesn't matter whether the other party offers tea or not. Holding a banquet is just a way to save face and go through the motions.
Moreover, if the Li Peicai family had already decided on the marriage alliance, there wouldn't have been any mediation today.
If the Hu family is willing to back down, that would be great; if they are not, then they are being disrespectful.
With the merger of the four associations imminent, the Kowloon Society is too important. If the two sides really turn against each other because of this, it is more likely that the Li Peicai family will side with Chen Guanjiang.
Moreover, Chen Guanjiang even invited Zhou Xinian to help him out. Could it be that he's going to turn on both the Li Peicai family and the Zhou Yongtai family because he can't get his hands on the son-in-law?
The "Three Musketeers of Real Estate" will certainly help the Hu family, but human relationships eventually become thinner with use. If they are held hostage by these relationships and their own interests are harmed, they may even turn against each other.
Therefore, it is unwise to invite trouble for a son-in-law who is destined to leave; it would be better to use the compensation to pave the way for another son-in-law.
The three wives and three daughters were all married off. The eldest daughter was engaged to Li Guoneng, the second daughter to Zhou Yongjian, and the third daughter to Tang Qingyuan. All of this was to ensure the eldest son of the main wife's position by leveraging the family influence of his sons-in-law.
Who would have thought that the most favored son-in-law would also be favored by someone else, and the engagement was broken off, leaving them helpless.
The eldest son of the second wife, Baoqiang, and the eldest son of the third wife, Baoshan, were ultimately incapable of achieving anything and were not meant to be. The heavy responsibility of the family could only be placed on Hu Baoxing alone; no risks could be taken.
Fortunately, the third generation is thriving. Fang Xuefen is a fertile woman who gave birth to four sons and one daughter. Whether the Hu family can truly rise again depends on the third generation...