Chapter 141 — Old Buffon's Origins

And indeed, these rich men's way of thinking was simply different from ordinary people. Only those who dared to dream as they did could ever have a chance at greatness. Otherwise, if one did not even dare to imagine it, doing it was even further out of the question.

So it is said: those without ambition rarely succeed. The matter was not even close to settled, yet Shu Haikuo could already fantasize himself into the richest man in Hong Kong—he really had grown conceited to a certain degree.

Hmm. His woman, Xiao Ya, wasn't she going to Songjiang? Right—if he could use his daughter's connections, might he not establish a line with the Songjiang Mingyang Heavy Industry Group?

Originally, Shu Haikuo had wanted to go and see for himself, but the Songjiang Mingyang Heavy Industry Group had only just been restructured and founded. Even if helicopters could be manufactured, it would take some time; only after the press conference could they begin recruiting distributors. If he went now, it would be a bit premature.

So Shu Haikuo began searching online for the higher-ups of the Songjiang Mingyang Heavy Industry Group, planning to note down their names and then have his daughter deliberately go and make their acquaintance.

The Songjiang Mingyang Heavy Industry Group's website was beautifully and grandly designed, and Shu Haikuo easily found the list of Mingyang Heavy Industry's higher-ups among the board members.

"Yang Cheyan." Shu Haikuo paused. "This man looks rather familiar."

Yet he had not the slightest recollection of the name Yang Cheyan. Small wonder—how could he be expected to remember the names of such minor figures? At the moment, however, Shu Haikuo did not regard Yang Cheyan as a minor figure. In his eyes, Yang Cheyan might well be a friend from his former business dealings; and even if not a friend, they had surely crossed paths. Songjiang was such a small place—which of these notable entrepreneurs had not met one another?

But since he himself had no impression of the man, it must be that they were not well acquainted. So Shu Haikuo was not about to play any card of friendship. After all these years, who would remember him?

He called his daughter and summoned her into his study.

"Dad, you wanted to see me?" Shu Ya was a little puzzled. Hadn't he just sought her out yesterday? And because of the matter with Yang Juehuan, things had ended somewhat unpleasantly. So father and daughter had barely spoken a word to each other all evening.

"Xiao Ya, this concert of yours in Songjiang—which company is hosting it?" Shu Haikuo asked.

"A newly founded group. Why? Is something the matter?" Shu Ya asked.

"A newly founded group—is it the Songjiang Mingyang Heavy Industry?" Shu Haikuo's heart tightened, a faint excitement lurking in his tone. Surely not—could it really be such a coincidence?

"Yes, that's the company. Why? Is something wrong?" Seeing her father's astonished expression, Shu Ya was rather baffled.

"No, no," Shu Haikuo said delightedly. "Wonderful! What a coincidence! If that's the case, then this will be easy to arrange."

"What will?" Shu Ya frowned. "Dad, what on earth are you talking about?"

"Xiao Ya, hasn't your dad always been in the business of selling luxury cars and private aircraft?" Shu Haikuo said. "Look—this Mingyang Heavy Industry is very strong. It's even cooperating with the European Laide Company, having imported the entire helicopter manufacturing technology and production lines. I expect it will become Asia's largest helicopter production base.

If I can obtain the exclusive sales agency for Hong Kong, or even for Asia—or the whole world—then in my career I can rise another level."

"Dad, you want my help?" The moment Shu Ya heard her father's words, she understood his meaning.

"Yes, they're hosting this concert, so you'll certainly have a chance to come into contact with their higher-ups," Shu Haikuo said. "Keep an eye out and cultivate good relations with them—pave the way for your old dad."

Shu Ya hesitated a moment, but nodded in the end. "I'll do my best." After all, it would not take much effort; her own plan had been to use the opportunity of negotiating an endorsement deal to get acquainted with the higher-ups of the Mingyang Heavy Industry Group, and see whether she could help Yang Juehuan's father.

"Haha, wonderful!" Seeing his daughter agree, Shu Haikuo laughed. "If this deal really comes through, then you'll be the daughter of the future richest man in Hong Kong, and the young men eager to climb your high branch will be countless as the sea."

The words were barely out when Shu Haikuo realized the impropriety—for his daughter's face had immediately darkened, and she said with some disgust, "Dad, whatever you may be, I am still me. I don't want to lose my freedom just because there's more money. I told you—I've grown up, and I want to live according to my own ideas."

"All right, all right," Shu Haikuo hurried to smooth things over. "I won't say it anymore." In truth, Shu Haikuo was deeply conflicted. Honestly, watching his daughter over the years, still brooding and grieving over that matter from the past, Shu Haikuo as a father naturally felt uneasy. Yet at the thought that he was about to become the richest man in Hong Kong, he was somewhat unwilling to let it go—his status would be a glory beyond compare, and his daughter's husband ought to be of equal standing.

It was no exaggeration to say that with her status, there was no man his daughter could not find. But seeing his daughter in low spirits, Shu Haikuo could not finish what he had to say.

"By the way, Xiao Ya, come and look at the information on this webpage. These are several higher-ups of Mingyang Heavy Industry. When the time comes, just take particular care to build good relations with these people," Shu Haikuo said, turning the laptop screen toward his daughter.

"Oh." Shu Ya had little interest, and nodded absently, glancing at the laptop—and at the sight, she could not help giving a startled "Ah!" Surely it couldn't be such a coincidence—Yang Cheyan? Astonished, Shu Ya stared at the name of the chairman of the board of Songjiang Mingyang Heavy Industry on the screen. Shu Haikuo did not know Yang Cheyan, but Shu Ya was thoroughly familiar with that name.

It was the name of her beloved's father. As for Yang Cheyan's appearance, Shu Ya could no longer recall it clearly, but the name she remembered—because in middle school, the school often required parents to sign students' exam papers, signifying that they acknowledged the student's grades.

On the exam papers of her deskmate Yang Juehuan, that name had often appeared. So Shu Ya's impression was still quite deep; but of Yang Cheyan's appearance, having seen him only once, her memory had grown very blurry.

Could it be that the group had two people named Yang Cheyan? But judging by the age, it seemed to be that man beyond doubt. Yang Juehuan's father was actually the chairman of the group—what on earth was going on?

But recalling her wondrous encounter with Yang Juehuan aboard the Alice, Shu Ya felt that perhaps not everything was so impossible. Yang Juehuan's identity was shrouded in mystery.

He had actually appeared aboard the Alice, and had rescued her from Dorsk's men. What exactly had happened in Yang Juehuan's family? Shu Ya was very curious. "What is it, Xiao Ya?" Seeing Shu Ya dazed, Shu Haikuo thought she had remembered something. "Do you also find this Yang Cheyan rather familiar? I feel the same—as if I've seen him somewhere before, but forgotten. I suppose he was a friend I didn't know well."

Hearing her father say this, Shu Ya no longer had any doubt. This Yang Cheyan must indeed be Yang Juehuan's father. Seeing the fawning look on her father's face, Shu Ya felt an inexplicable discomfort and said coldly and unpleasantly, "A friend? He'd probably like nothing better than to hate you."