Chapter 236: The Vast Li Family
At seven o'clock in the evening, Lin Haoran left Wanqing Tower and rode to Lee Garden International Hotel in Wan Chai. The Li family had developed early, and during the early years, they had stockpiled a great deal of land in areas like Causeway Bay, Wan Chai, and even Central at low prices, later constructing commercial buildings. Simply relying on rental income from these properties, the Li family had become immensely wealthy. Yet, they had rarely sold any of these properties, choosing instead to hold on to them. Lee Garden International Hotel was one such asset, built early on with only 19 floors, and thus not particularly outstanding among Wan Chai's newer high-rises.
At about 7:10 p.m., Lin Haoran's Rolls-Royce, driven steadily by Li Weiguo, entered the hotel's underground parking lot. As soon as they exited, a sea of luxury cars filled their vision—Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Maybach, Bugatti, McLaren, Aston Martin—all gleaming under the lights, like a low-key, extravagant auto show. The sports cars, naturally, were driven by younger guests. Clearly, these vehicles belonged to Li family members and the elite guests they had invited.
Given the Li family's prominence, every guest here was either wealthy or held significant status.
Taking the elevator to the first-floor lobby, Lin Haoran had barely stepped out when the hotel's lobby manager recognized him immediately. Now, Lin Haoran's fame in Hong Kong was sky-high; after so many high-profile acquisitions, his face had become familiar to nearly everyone through newspapers, magazines, and television. This was a far cry from a year ago when he had quietly acquired Green Island Cement.
"Good evening, Mr. Lin. Our chairman instructed us to escort you directly to the Lee family's banquet hall. Please allow me to guide you," said the manager respectfully.
"Thank you," Lin Haoran replied with a polite smile.
Following the manager, Lin Haoran entered the elevator again. The manager pressed the button for the sixth floor, where the Li family's birthday banquet was being held. As the elevator doors opened, a vast, magnificently decorated hall came into view, far larger than the ground floor lobby.
"Mr. Lin, this way please. Our chairman is waiting for you inside," the manager said, before slipping away to attend other duties. Lin Haoran nodded and, with Li Weiguo and Li Weidong accompanying him, stepped into the brightly lit hall. Every detail radiated the Li family's hospitality and their respect for new allies.
Though the Li family was vast, they maintained strong internal connections, and welcoming a new member was an event of great significance. A long red carpet stretched from the elevator entrance deep into the hall, lavishly decorated with fresh flowers and soft lighting, as if leading each guest into a grand celebration. Along the carpet stood elegantly dressed attendants, smiling warmly as they welcomed each arrival.
Inside the hall, the dazzling sight was even more breathtaking. A massive crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, bathing the room in dreamlike light. The walls were adorned with art pieces and family portraits, telling the story of the Li family's generations of prosperity. Tables covered in fine tableware and fresh flowers filled the space, around which guests chatted and laughed, faces glowing with satisfaction and happiness.
Lin Haoran's arrival quickly drew the attention of many guests, their curious and respectful gazes following him.
"Mr. Lin, welcome!" Li Mingze approached with a beaming smile, warmly shaking Lin Haoran's hand.
"Mr. Li, congratulations! This is a small gift to wish the young master a happy and healthy first birthday," Lin Haoran said, handing over an elegant gift bag prepared earlier by Li Weiguo. Inside was a pair of golden ankle bracelets, a traditional blessing, chosen from a famous jewelry store near Wanqing Tower. Though their monetary value was modest compared to the attendees' wealth, the gesture was what mattered.
"Mr. Lin, your presence alone honors us enough. There was no need for a gift," Li Mingze said politely, though he accepted it with a broad smile, handing the bag to a nearby younger family member.
Then, he began introducing Lin Haoran to various important guests. "Mr. Lin, this is my second brother, Li Mingqia; my third brother, Li Xiahe; my fourth brother, Li Rongshen; my fifth brother, Li Rongjie…" Lin Haoran greeted each warmly, exchanging handshakes and polite words.
The Li family was truly a massive clan. Many of Li Mingze's brothers had built successful business empires of their own, making them all senior figures in Hong Kong's business world. Compared to the Li family's sprawling lineage, Lin Haoran's own family seemed tiny, consisting of only a handful of members.
Secretly, Lin Haoran resolved that one day, the Lin family would grow just as grand, with a vast business empire to match. Given the scale of his current holdings, it was an entirely achievable goal.
Among all the guests, the one who caught Lin Haoran's eye the most was Mr. Li Xiahe, chairman of TVB. Although already seventy-one years old, outwardly indistinguishable from other elders, Lin Haoran knew this man's time was short—just twenty-two days remained. Sudden heart attacks came without warning, and fate was often beyond prediction.
Knowing this, Lin Haoran had no intention of intervening. He wasn't a doctor, nor would it be appropriate to meddle. He would rather focus on his own parents' health and future.
Meanwhile, Li Mingze personally introduced Lin Haoran to many of the younger generation as well, a clear sign of his hope to strengthen ties. Lin Haoran, too, valued the opportunity, hoping to forge relationships with key members of the Li family who, after Li Xiahe's death, would hold sway over TVB's future.
Aside from Lin Haoran, the banquet featured other powerful figures: Run Run Shaw, Li Zhaoji, Kwok Tak Seng, Chow Kai-bong — all giants of Hong Kong's business world.
Even more surprising, several senior government officials attended, including figures just a step below the Governor himself. Some were familiar to Lin Haoran, such as Commissioner of Police Roy Henry, whom he had met at the Governor's spring banquet. Others, from Hong Kong's historic four great families—Chow, Ho, Lee, and Li—were less familiar to him.
Among the four great families, Lin Haoran had some familiarity only with the Ho and Li families.
The Ho family's gambling empire remained focused in Macau, so a different representative attended tonight's event.
Li Mingze used the occasion to introduce these dignitaries to Lin Haoran, who made a strong impression wherever he went. His status as the rising star of Hong Kong's Chinese business world had already sparked widespread curiosity and admiration.
"Uncle Six, it's an honor. I've always admired your achievements. I hope we can cooperate in the future," Lin Haoran said when greeting Run Run Shaw. Among the Shaw family's siblings, Run Run Shaw ranked sixth, and his nickname "Uncle Six" was famous throughout Hong Kong.
"I've heard of your remarkable accomplishments too, Mr. Lin. I look forward to working together," Run Run Shaw replied with a warm smile.
Though frail and thin, wearing thick black-rimmed glasses, Run Run Shaw was a man of astonishing vitality, living ultimately to the age of 107.
"I believe that opportunity will come soon, Uncle Six," Lin Haoran said, laughing.
At present, Shaw was still focused on his film empire. Though he held a board seat at TVB, he had yet to devote much attention there.
But in Lin Haoran's past life, Shaw had shifted his focus to TVB after becoming its chairman, gradually letting go of his film empire.
Tonight's star, however, was not Lin Haoran.
After the greetings, the focus returned to the celebration—the first birthday of Li Mingze's grandson.
The banquet lasted over two hours, and by the time Lin Haoran left Lee Garden International Hotel, it was already ten o'clock at night.
For Lin Haoran, tonight had been a fruitful evening.
He had met many people he previously only knew by name—and they, in turn, were eager to meet him.
Tonight's gathering made it clear: while the Li family's influence remained formidable, they were no longer the dominant force they had once been.
Hong Kong's business elite was undergoing generational change.
Figures like Bao Yugang, Li Ka-shing, and even Lin Haoran himself were now the rising powers.
Nevertheless, the Li family's accumulated wealth and connections were not to be underestimated.
Relationships built over decades couldn't be easily replaced.
Compared to them, Lin Haoran, despite his financial might, was still new to these circles.
Connections took time to deepen.
Whereas figures like Run Run Shaw and Li Xiahe were old friends with each other, Lin Haoran's ties were still fresh and superficial.
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