Chapter 511: A Complete Mess
Cloud Peak No. 1. Study!
Ignoring Li Yunbao, who was sulking as he worked on the contract, Li Yi addressed the Chief Secretary directly: “Spit it out. What exactly are the instructions—or the objective—behind your Governor sending you here?”
Pang Baiteng was about to speak, but instinctively glanced at Li Yunbao standing nearby—the implication was clear!
“Don’t worry about him—he’s 100% trustworthy!”
Hearing Li Yi’s words, Li Yunbao froze for a moment, his eyes filled with astonishment.
He really wanted to step forward and feel Li Yi’s forehead—had this guy’s brain short-circuited? How else could he have said something like that?
Pang Baiteng was equally surprised. He had recognized Li Yunbao the moment he walked in; after all, who in Hong Kong didn’t know the name of the Li family’s eldest son?
What surprised him even more was that Li Yi trusted Li Yunbao so completely. When he considered that the Li family had helped organize tonight’s dinner, and that Li Yi was currently living in the Li family’s Cloud Peak No. 1—a mansion reportedly worth over 100 million that had already been transferred to his name—
All signs pointed to the fact that the Li family and the man standing before him shared a special relationship!
After a moment’s thought, Secretary Pang immediately said, “First, I’ve brought the Governor to you…”
Before he could finish, Li Yi interjected calmly, “Secretary Pang, as you can see, I have quite a few guests waiting for me. Just stick to the important points—skip the trivial details.”
“Uh…”
Secretary Pang Baiteng was instantly left speechless by Li Yi’s remark. How could he possibly omit the Governor’s message?
But the man before him clearly had no patience; if he angered him, he’d likely be kicked out on the spot.
After much deliberation, he decided to handle the matter the Governor had entrusted to him first; the rest could wait.
After all, this was Hong Kong Island—he’d have plenty of opportunities later to deal with this young man.
So, suppressing his inner rage, he gathered his thoughts and spoke: “Mr. Li, Mr. Mak asked me to inquire: in what capacity have you come to Hong Kong?”
Upon hearing this, Li Yi’s eyes narrowed instantly.
Interesting. Clearly, the Governor had misunderstood; he must have assumed that Li Yi had official connections.
With that in mind, Li Yi replied calmly, “As a businessman and investor.”
“And will you be taking the money you earn here back to the mainland?”
“Whether I take it back or not is my own business. Does the Governor’s Office or the British Hong Kong government intend to stop me? If you dare to interfere, the consequences will be more than you can handle!” Li Yi said coldly.
Secretary Pang and Li Yunbao, standing nearby, were both startled by Li Yi’s words. This man was incredibly bold—he actually dared to directly threaten the British Hong Kong government and the Governor!
But upon closer reflection, if this man was truly a representative sent from the mainland, then he did indeed have the confidence to do so.
Don’t be fooled by the British Hong Kong government’s daily posturing on the island—in reality, they wouldn’t dare to cross swords with the other side. After all, back in the day, the other side had the audacity to directly shell their own mother country’s “Amber” warship.
For a time, troops had even been stationed across the strait, provoking the other side—and who knows, they might actually launch an attack.
However, they had completely misunderstood Li Yi’s intentions.
Li Yi’s true intention was that Hong Kong was already the world’s third-largest financial center; if the British Hong Kong government recklessly blocked him from bringing his money back to the mainland, it would inevitably have a massive negative impact on Hong Kong’s financial security.
Compounded by the severe stock market crisis currently plaguing Hong Kong, the cumulative negative effects could lead to extremely serious consequences.
Consequently, the expressions on the faces of the two men, who had been at odds with each other, shifted once again as they looked at Li Yi.
It took a while before Secretary Pang snapped out of it and said, “Mr. Li, please don’t misunderstand. As long as your funds were earned legally, we would absolutely never stand in your way!”
“That’s good!”
However, Li Yi quickly changed the subject and added, “But you can tell Mr. Mai that I remain very optimistic about the prospects of the Hong Kong market. I won’t be taking the money I’ve earned from the stock market back to the mainland; instead, I’ll inject it all into my new company and continue investing in Hong Kong!”
“Really?”
“I, Li Yi, never tell lies!”
“Very well, I will convey your message to the Governor!”
Secretary Pang then added, “Additionally, the Governor has asked me to convey his gratitude to you for showing restraint toward the Hong Kong stock market. Otherwise, the current situation might have been even worse!”
“I’ve received the Governor’s message. I have other guests here, so I won’t keep you any longer, Secretary Pang. Please go ahead!” Li Yi said calmly.
“Then I shall take my leave!”
With that, Pang Baiteng turned and left Li Yi’s study!
………
No sooner had Secretary Pang left than Li Yunbao fixed his gaze on Li Yi and said, “Aren’t you afraid they’ll make things difficult for you? These people have absolutely no scruples when it comes to what they do!”
Li Yi replied calmly, “Haha, this isn’t Hong Kong Island from a hundred years ago, and they aren’t the British Empire of a century past!”
“You really are…”
Before Li Yunbao could finish, Li Yi cut him off: “We’ll deal with all this nonsense later. Have you finished that contract yet?”
“It’s done!”
“Good. Grab the contract and come downstairs with me!” Li Yi said.
“What for?”
“To meet your old man and the others!”
“I’m not going…”
“You have no right to say no to me, unless you quit my company and end up with the reputation of a scoundrel!” Li Yi said coolly.
“You’re the scoundrel!”
With that, Li Yunbao immediately put away the contract he’d just finished drafting and followed Li Yi downstairs.
As Li Yi approached, he could hear people in the reception room discussing his identity from a distance.
Although he couldn’t make out the details clearly, he still caught a few hints of something unusual.
Recalling Secretary Pang’s strange expression and unusual words from earlier, Li Yi began to form some suspicions.
Since the door to the small reception room was open, Li Futiao and the others easily spotted Li Yi and Li Yunbao.
When everyone saw that Li Yi had actually walked in with Li Fuzhao’s son, they were all somewhat shocked.
Everyone knew what kind of personality this “Young Master Li” had—he was a figure who even gave his own father a headache.
Now, to see him trailing after Li Yi like a henchman was a rather bizarre sight.
After Li Yi and Li Yunbao entered the reception room, Li Yi immediately instructed the bodyguards at the door to close it.
After taking his seat at the head of the table, Li Yi looked around and said, “I’m sorry to have kept you all waiting!”
“It’s all right. Did that Secretary Pang give you any trouble?” Li Futao asked immediately.
“No, he just expressed the Governor’s gratitude to me on his behalf—that’s all!” Li Yi replied.
Li Futiao, Li Mingji, He Guangdong, and the others naturally knew why the Governor had thanked Li Yi. After exchanging glances, He Guangdong spoke up: “Mr. Li, from what you just said, it sounds like you plan to develop your business in Hong Kong for the long term. Am I correct in my understanding?”
“That’s right. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, I’ll be developing my business here for a long time to come, though I myself won’t necessarily be here every moment!” Li Yi said.
At that moment, Li Mingji also spoke up: “Mr. Li, I’m wondering if your Starry Sky Company accepts investments. I’d like to acquire a 10% stake—how much capital would that require?”
“Mr. Li, I’d also like to invest in your company. I don’t need much—just 5%!”
“Mr. Li, I want 5% too. I’ll pay whatever it takes…”
Li Yi raised his hand to signal for silence.
Then, clearing his throat, he said, “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for your trust in me, but my investment firm is not accepting investments at this time!”
However, just as everyone was deeply disappointed, Li Yi spoke again: “Although we cannot accept your investments, we can still collaborate in another way—one that will allow everyone to make money as well!”
Hearing this, everyone’s attention turned back to Li Yi!