It wasn't long before a sensational piece of news appeared in a certain gossip magazine: "Rich playboy gambles extravagantly in Macau, father pays 500 million in cash for his release." The subtitle read, "Previously linked to multiple female celebrities, the X family is now on the brink of bankruptcy." The cover featured a large, blurred photo of Liao Xiaohua, alongside a smaller photo of Miss Liu Meiling.
This news immediately caused a stir in Hong Kong's business and entertainment circles. Those who were observant still remembered the sensational kidnapping case of a wealthy businessman that had shocked the entire city a year ago, especially the female celebrity who had appeared at the scene. When they saw this news again, they quickly understood who it referred to.
Many of Liao Chengde's former friends and business partners called to ask about his business affairs in a roundabout way. In recent years, Liao Chengde's business had gradually shifted to the mainland, and he had few operations left in Hong Kong. These people called mainly to verify the authenticity of the news.
Liao Chengde always responded vaguely to such inquiries, which only made people more certain that the gossip magazine's report was true.
Unlike the business circle, the entertainment industry was very pragmatic. Soon, a female celebrity came forward to deny the rumors, stating that she and the Liao family's young master were just ordinary friends and had never dated. Miss Liu Meiling, who was at the center of the storm, held a grand press conference to clarify that she had never had any relationship with any rich young man and had no intention of marrying into a wealthy family. She also stated that her current relationship with a male celebrity surnamed Liang was stable and asked everyone not to use this to stir up publicity.
To distance herself, she even mentioned another male celebrity.
In fact, she was right; there was nothing between them. Their past interactions were merely a clever ploy to boost her fame. Now that the other party had fallen to the status of an ordinary person, or even less, there was no longer any use for him.
Such news comes and goes quickly. After Liao Xiaohua deliberately appeared several times in a down-and-out state, the rumors were finally confirmed. People soon lost interest, and life went on.
In this self-directed storm, the Liao family emerged as the biggest beneficiaries. The cold reality of the world made Liao Xiaohua grow up overnight, and his former playboy traits were no longer visible.
For the past few months, he had been confined at home, doing nothing but drinking tea and sleeping. From the initial kidnapping and subsequent mental imbalance, to his trip to Macau with his uncle, his subsequent detention, and then the day Liao Chengde arrived with a thin check to personally redeem him from the casino, Liao Xiaohua's life had been a rollercoaster.
When he saw Liao Chengde, who looked several years older, Liao Xiaohua's tears streamed down his face. He knew he had caused a huge disaster, one that even bankruptcy couldn't cover. Yet, despite this, Liao Chengde had managed to raise enough funds.
Liao Xiaohua knew that Zhong Shi must have intervened. He had always found it hard to understand this 14-year-old boy. Despite their friendly interactions and brotherly calls, Liao Xiaohua never dared to be so casual with Zhong Shi, feeling somewhat intimidated in his presence.
This wasn't due to Zhong Shi's authority or presence, but rather his image as a financial genius who could turn the tide in the face of millions or even tens of millions in losses, remaining calm and composed.
Sometimes, Liao Xiaohua wondered how a child could have such mental fortitude. It could only be explained by genius.
When ordinary people face geniuses, they often feel a deep sense of inferiority.
This time, Zhong Shi's assistance must have involved a significant amount of money. Although it was a small fraction of his wealth, it was undoubtedly a favor that Liao Chengde had to beg for. But favors can run out.
What Liao Xiaohua feared most was that one day, Zhong Shi would no longer want to associate with them. Having grown accustomed to a life of luxury, he found it hard to adapt to an ordinary life. Unlike Liao Chengde, who had risen from extreme poverty and could eat both abalone and fish balls, Liao Xiaohua would rather die than have fish balls as his main meal.
But the Liao family had nothing that Zhong Shi would value.
In terms of wealth, ten Liao families combined couldn't match Zhong Shi. In terms of power, Zhong Shi was based on the mainland and had no influence in Hong Kong, not even in the underground world, where the Liao family might have an edge.
In short, the Liao family was a small family that had only risen in recent years.
When the news of Liao Chengde earning 500 million spread, Liao Xiaohua was almost scared to death. The bloody head still appeared in his nightmares, and he didn't want to go through that again.
What he didn't know was that during his confinement, Zhong Shi had earned several hundred million dollars, enough to save him ten times over in Hong Kong dollars.
Liao Xiaohua stayed at home, bored and unable to go anywhere. Everyone treated him like a thief, with someone watching him 24/7, fearing he might run away at any moment.
When he saw on TV those female celebrities who had once been extremely cooperative in bed, now solemnly declaring they had no relationship with him, his sense of loss was unimaginable. At that moment, he truly understood what it felt like to be abandoned by the world.
Never before had he so clearly understood the treachery of human nature and the coldness of the world.
After playing his part in the family's staged downfall, he became much more mature and quiet, often sitting alone on the balcony for hours, lost in thought.
The atmosphere at home also became somber, with the family often eating in silence, each lost in their own thoughts.
This continued until one day, when an uninvited guest broke the silence.
"Mr. Liao, hello, I am Luo Dengtang." On that day, a middle-aged man of average build, with an unremarkable face and wearing black-rimmed glasses, appeared in the Liao family's living room.
He spoke Mandarin, not Cantonese, with a strong northern accent.
"Hello! You are..." Liao Chengde was puzzled. The rumors he had deliberately spread had kept many old friends away, and even sales calls from private clubs had stopped. He was at a loss as to why this man had come to visit.
"Sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. I am the deputy editor of Ai Hua News Agency in Hong Kong..." Luo Dengtang noticed Liao Chengde's confusion and respectfully handed him a business card with both hands.
"Ai Hua News Agency..."
Liao Chengde took the card and muttered it a few times, then suddenly remembered. This was the news agency set up by the mainland government in Hong Kong!
The main work of this news agency was to receive telegrams from the headquarters in Beijing, edit them into English and Chinese, and distribute them to the media in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. However, in reality, it served as the mainland government's intelligence agency in Hong Kong, with most of its staff being professional intelligence officers.
Because the Chinese government would never recognize Hong Kong as a British colony, it could not set up a consulate there, as that would be an admission. The British would also never allow the Chinese government to set up an office in Hong Kong, as it could lead to the emergence of two power centers. Thus, institutions like the Hong Kong branch of Ai Hua News Agency became the unofficial channels for communication and negotiation between the two sides.
Liao Chengde knew this because the previous head of the news agency had recently left for the United States without notice, causing a huge stir in Hong Kong.
As the handover approached, every move by Beijing regarding Hong Kong was closely watched by the people of Hong Kong. Many were uncertain about the future, and this incident was heavily publicized by pro-British media.
Liao Chengde was stunned, his hand holding the business card suspended in mid-air, unsure of what to do. He couldn't understand why such an institution would seek him out.
"Is there a problem? Aren't you going to invite me in?" Luo Dengtang smiled politely, gently reminding the distracted Liao Chengde.
"Oh... oh... please come in, please come in!"
Liao Chengde, regaining his composure, quickly put the business card in his shirt pocket, extended both hands, and shook Luo Dengtang's hand firmly, personally leading him to the study.
Liao Chengde's study was about 20 square meters, with a huanglihua desk, two rattan rocking chairs, and bookshelves lining the walls, filled with various books, most of which he had never read, just for show.
After they were seated, Liao Chengde exchanged a few pleasantries before cautiously asking, "Mr. Luo, what brings you here today?"
At this moment, his demeanor was exceptionally humble, his hands clasped together, his body straight, and slightly leaning forward, in a posture of earnest inquiry.
"Mr. Liao, you flatter me. You are a well-known patriot, how could I dare to give you advice! Is it convenient to speak here?" Luo Dengtang laughed, looked around, and then asked seriously.
"Convenient, very convenient." Liao Chengde went out to give some instructions, returned, locked the study door, and then nodded, feeling somewhat relieved.
Given Mr. Luo's demeanor, he clearly had something to say that he didn't want others to hear. Liao Chengde, being meticulous, instructed his staff to guard the door and not let anyone disturb them.
"Mr. Liao, the country may need you to do something. What do you think about that?"
Liao Chengde was taken aback by Luo Dengtang's sudden statement.