Lu Guang Ming, dressed in the most expensive suit from Xie Jia Hua’s wardrobe, paired it with a pair of stylish shoes from a shopping mall. He styled his hair into the fashionable slicked-back pompadour of the day, folded a decorative pocket square into his breast pocket, and dabbed cologne on his elbows and behind his ears. Driving a rented Lamborghini, he headed to a star-rated hotel on Hong Kong Island to attend that night’s charity gala.
The gala, funded and hosted by Chairman Qiao Chun An of “He Yi Warehousing & Logistics Company,” was co-organized by several “He”-prefixed companies. Numerous celebrities, dignitaries, and socialites had been cordially invited. The venue buzzed with activity as gentlemen in tailored suits and ladies in elegant gowns arrived arm in arm, exchanging greetings and pleasantries. At the entrance, two life-sized photographs of children from Central Africa stood, their obsidian-like eyes wide and pitiful.
Master Qiao, dressed in a traditional Tang suit, stood amiably beside the photographs to greet guests. “Ah, Da Bing! You’re early!” he exclaimed. “Fifth Brother, you’ve come too! Hahaha! No need for formalities—go on in! Ah, today you’re not leaving unless you donate a million!” “Inspector Zheng! What an honor! Forgive my lack of welcome! Advisor, come quickly—escort Inspector Zheng inside for a look around!”
Lu Guang Ming, a young tycoon, stepped out of his Lamborghini and casually tossed the keys to the valet. Before Master Qiao could even recognize him, Lu Guang Ming had already ascended the steps and embraced him warmly. “Uncle Qiao! It’s been a long time!”
“Ah—ah…” Master Qiao blinked in confusion.
With a mischievous grin, Lu Guang Ming leaned in and whispered, “My old man threw his back out while he was on his second mistress the other night. He still can’t even get out of bed, so he had no choice but to send me to attend in his place.”
Master Qiao was well-connected in both political and business circles. Sons in their early twenties who could drive Lamborghinis were usually heirs to great power and wealth. For now, he couldn’t place which family this young master belonged to. However, before he could think further, Lu Guang Ming swiftly planted a French-style kiss on his cheek and offered a fluent blessing in French, “Félicitations! Uncle Qiao! May the gala be a grand success!”
With crescent eyes and a bright, guileless smile, he released him and strode into the venue with ease.
For a moment, Master Qiao was captivated by the lingering fragrance and even thought the youth was more pleasing to the eye than his recent male confidant, Sammy. But with a slight shake of his head, he dismissed the thought—an old rabbit doesn’t eat grass near its burrow; he couldn’t lay hands on another family’s young master!
Lu Guang Ming successfully blended into the gala. He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket, wiped his lips vigorously, and tossed it onto a passing waiter’s tray, exchanging it for a glass of red wine. A passing matron smiled at him, and he politely returned the courtesy while quietly surveying the surroundings.
The atmosphere was far from solemn. Instead of large banquet tables, the venue was set up as a buffet alongside a documentary-style photo exhibition. The walls were adorned with countless images of starving children. Perhaps to evoke a sense of hunger among the guests, the buffet offered only alcohol and vegetable salads.
Leaning against the table, Lu Guang Ming savored a few bites of salad and sampled several exquisite wines he had only ever encountered in his French textbooks. His prominent position and striking appearance quickly attracted the attention of socialites, who approached him boldly to initiate conversations.
With a warm smile, he launched into eloquent chatter, drawing inspiration from the scandalous private life of a corrupt official he had personally sent to court the previous year. He skillfully interwove this fabricated past into his own narrative, recounting tales of solo travels in France and shamelessly claiming that he had only recently turned twenty-one a few days prior. With a playful grin, he addressed the ladies as “big sisters.” Soon, several beautiful women gathered around him, their laughter echoing throughout the hall.
As the merriment reached its peak, Master Qiao stepped onto a small stage at the center of the hall. Smiling, he raised a spoon and tapped his wine glass lightly, producing a gentle ding.
However, the hall was too large, and the chatter was too loud for anyone to notice.
Two hotel staff members rushed over to adjust the microphone, lowering it toward his face. Master Qiao struck the glass again, this time producing a harsh metallic shriek accompanied by feedback. The piercing sound reverberated through the entire hall, causing everyone to be startled into silence.
Their gazes converged upon him, and he coughed. “Apologies,” he said, “the microphone seems to have issues. Distinguished guests, dear friends, welcome! On this festive—no, this joyous occasion, I, Qiao, am deeply moved! To serve as host today in support of our charitable cause is my great honor…”
This formidable figure of the underworld, who had reigned supreme in the dark world for decades, never imagined he would be associated with the word “charity,” let alone stand before society’s elite, delivering grand speeches while reporters snapped photos below. Overwhelmed with emotion, he transformed his opening remarks into an awards speech reminiscent of a New Year gala, chattering on endlessly.
Beside Lu Guang Ming, a socialite surnamed Fang covered her mouth with a handkerchief, stifling laughter. Nudging him lightly with her elbow, she whispered, “Where did this country bumpkin come from?”
Lu Guang Ming gave a faint smile of agreement, though his gaze had already shifted carefully toward the area around Master Qiao.
At that moment, Master Qiao waved excitedly toward the audience. “Come, come—Consultant He, come! Let me introduce everyone! This is Mr. He, the Chief Consultant of our He Group and the chief planner of this charity gala! Young and accomplished, a rising financial elite of Hong Kong…”
Clad in a dazzling white suit, Mr. He stepped onto the stage with a gentle, spring-like smile. Tall and refined, he stood beside Master Qiao, accepted the microphone, thanked the audience, and clearly explained the donation process and allocation of funds.
Miss Fang chuckled again. “Now this is more like it. That Consultant He is handsome—and his voice is pleasant too.”
“More handsome than me?” Lu Guang Ming asked with a grin.
Her black-polished fingertip slid lightly across the back of his hand before flicking it playfully. “Little brother, you’re a bit too young. I prefer mature men.”
Lu Guang Ming curved his brows in a smile. “What a coincidence—I prefer mature men too.”
Turning, he picked up two glasses of wine. The lady assumed one was for her, but he spun playfully with both glasses raised. “I won’t chat with you, big sister. I’m off to flirt with that mature man.”
“Hey, you—“ She thought he was joking, but he truly walked toward the center of the hall.
……
After their speeches, Master Qiao and He Chu San stepped aside to converse warmly with two prominent figures from political and business circles. Suddenly, a youthful voice interrupted them.
“Uncle Qiao!”
Lu Guang Ming strode in boldly, holding a glass of wine, and greeted the two officials. “Uncle Huang! Uncle Wang!”
The three were still trying to place him when he smiled again. “I won’t interrupt your important matters—I’d like to borrow Consultant He for a moment.”
All eyes turned to He Chu San, who appeared puzzled. “Me? You are…?”
“Consultant He doesn’t recall? I was present when you introduced your company’s services to my father. I’d like to consult you again.”
Despite He Chu San’s apparent lack of recollection, he couldn’t resist Lu Guang Ming’s warm smile. He accepted the offered wine and said, “Master Qiao, Mr. Huang, Mr. Wang—please continue.”
“Go on, go on,” Master Qiao waved amiably, still finding the youth rather likable. Watching the two handsome young men—tall and well-dressed—walk side by side was almost picturesque. Their shapely backsides were particularly striking.
“Old Qiao?”
“Ah! Mr. Huang, my apologies! Where were we? Perhaps we should sit and continue?”
……
Lu Guang Ming led He Chu San deeper into the hall. As they pretended to admire the photographs along the walls, they spoke in hushed, rapid tones.
“Thank you for coming,” He Chu San said. “Master Qiao keeps a close eye on me—I had no choice but to resort to this.”
“It’s what I should do. You’re the one bearing the hardship.”
“How is the situation with ICAC?”
“For now, a formal case cannot be opened. However, the technical team has already commenced investigating Xie Ying Jie’s assets today.”
“Most of his funds have likely been transferred overseas into private accounts or held in cash. I intend to employ certain methods to retrieve the money. When the time comes, you must swiftly close the net.”
“Understood. I will pressure my superiors to open the case as soon as possible. Is this charity event intended for money laundering?”
“Yes.”
“You must exercise caution while working for him—avoid crossing legal boundaries and trapping yourself.”
“Rest assured, I have not crossed any legal boundaries. I control the charity fund accounts. All donations tonight, along with his personal contributions, will genuinely go to charity—Master Qiao remains unaware.” He took a tentative sip of wine, tasting a faint bitterness. “This event was my idea—a smokescreen. My funds are dwindling; I cannot sustain this for much longer. I need to make bold moves to win his favor and demonstrate my worth. Only then can I get close to the Old Shopkeeper himself.”
“You’ve worked hard,” Lu Guang Ming said earnestly. “Regardless of the outcome, I thank you—for myself and on behalf of all Hong Kong citizens. If we can eliminate the Old Shopkeeper, that festering tumor, you will be a great hero to all.”
He Chu San shook his head with a bitter smile. “Since when does Investigator Lu speak like this? I do all this out of selfish motives. I am but a selfish, insignificant man. You and your colleagues—you are the true heroes.”
Lu Guang Ming was about to respond, when He Chu San suddenly noticed a figure approaching behind him in the reflection of his wine glass.
Without hesitation, he lifted the glass and splashed it directly across Lu Guang Ming’s face!
“Hit me—now!” he whispered.
Lu Guang Ming froze for only half a second. From the corner of his eye, he caught sight of the advisor sneaking closer.
Without a moment’s hesitation, he swung his fist straight into He Chu San’s face!
“Oh my goodness! How could you possibly bear to strike such a face!” Miss Fang exclaimed in shock as the advisor approached, intending to flirt with the two handsome youths.
Futile Devices Scans 
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