Ning Yuan put away the contract, then suddenly remembered something and turned to ask Ning Bingyu, "Brother, I just remembered something. Back when you took over Eight Dragons Wharf from Jardine Matheson, the Cha family also played a big role, right?"
Ning Bingyu's long, slender fingers tapped lightly on the table, his eyes behind his glasses flickering slightly. He remained silent for a moment before speaking.
“That’s right. At that time, Jardine Matheson was the largest foreign-invested enterprise in Hong Kong. Few Chinese enterprises could compete with it. The Cha family, as partners with Jardine Matheson, had a thorough understanding of Jardine Matheson’s internal situation and knew its many weaknesses.”
"Based on this, our Ning family was responsible for providing financial support, while the Cha family used their market insight and understanding of Jardine Matheson's weaknesses to help us cooperate, secretly acquiring a large number of shares in the Eight Dragons Wharf Port Company on the stock market."
"In the end, we successfully wrested control of the Eight Dragons Wharf Terminal Company from those old foxes at Jardine Matheson."
Ning Yuan asked thoughtfully, "And then what happened? How much did your ex-father-in-law get?"
How could two companies that were working together just three years ago suddenly become enemies?
Ning Bingyu said coldly, "Cha Shenlou's ambitions are higher than the sky and his appetite is bigger than the Pacific Ocean. After acquiring Eight Dragons Wharf, he made outrageous demands, wanting to swallow the two most valuable plots of land in Tsim Sha Tsui, Ocean Terminal and Causeway Bay in one gulp."
Ning Yuan tilted her head and thought for a moment, Causeway Bay... the most valuable land?
Huh? Could it be the site of Causeway Bay Times Square, another of the Hong Kong government's most profitable shopping malls besides Harbour City?
Ning Yuan couldn't help but sigh inwardly, realizing that the leading figures of these business tycoon families were indeed far ahead of their time in business, having all set their sights on the same place.
Ning Bingyu scoffed: "Back when we were fighting with Jardine Matheson to acquire the shares of Wharf Holdings, our Ning family put up almost all of our working capital. My uncle personally stepped in and offered extremely high interest rates before HSBC Bank agreed to provide financing. That's how we managed to snatch this lucrative piece of meat from Jardine Matheson. How could we let him get away with it for nothing? Of course we wouldn't agree."
Ning Yuan frowned: "So... just because of this, he completely broke ties with the Ning family?"
Ning Bingyu leaned back in his chair, his fingers interlaced, and a mocking smirk played on his lips:
"No, it was when my uncle was granted the title of Justice of the Peace by the Governor of Hong Kong, while he was not, that he became so jealous that he spread rumors that my uncle was ungrateful. He said that the Ning family relied on the old master of the Cha family to establish themselves in the Hong Kong government, but now they are secretly manipulating things to steal the title of Justice of the Peace."
Ning Yuan was speechless: "That's too petty. It's a wonder the Cha family can continue to be the number one family with such a narrow mind."
The titles that the Governor of Hong Kong bestows upon Justices of the Peace are not fixed, just like the titles bestowed by the Queen of England. Whoever makes a contribution can earn them themselves!
Ning Bingyu gently pushed up his glasses—
"Back then, the Cha family did help the Ning family a lot. But Cha Shenlou was a wicked and greedy man. If he hadn't been so eager for quick success and insisted on getting involved in some shady businesses, daring to help drug traffickers in the Golden Triangle transport goods, the Cha family wouldn't have ended up in this situation today, and would still be suppressed by our Ning family."
Ning Yuan's brows furrowed instantly. Smuggling drugs? That's punishable by death!
But she suddenly understood: "The matter of Balongcang was just the straw that broke the camel's back—leading Cha Shenlou to directly decide to deal with the Ning family."
Ning Bingyu's tone was sarcastic: "Cha Shenlou wants to turn his life around with those two plots of land. He dreams of leading the Cha family back to the throne of the number one family in Hong Kong."
"As a result, their wishful thinking fell through, and they completely hated our Ning family. They felt that our Ning family was able to gain a foothold in the Hong Kong government because of the Cha family back then! But we were dishonest and broke our promise, squeezing the Cha family out of their place."
Ning Yuan sighed inwardly. The world is bustling with activity, all for the sake of profit. The two families had once supported each other and were as close as brothers, but now they had become enemies.
It even came to the point of life and death, which is truly lamentable.
“Anan said that Cha Shenlou killed all the escorting Hong Kong police officers on the way to the mainland and escaped. He probably won’t let you go, or rather, he won’t let the Ning family go.”
Ning Yuan frowned slightly.
When Rong Zhaonan learned that she was coming to the Hong Kong government to meet her relatives, he told her about Cha Shen Lou and reminded her to be careful and not to go out alone.
Since Cha Shenlou had a history of involvement in organized crime and smuggling, he must know many ruthless criminals in the underworld.
Drug dealers, in particular, are the most insane and ruthless group of criminals. Even forty years later, anti-drug police officers still have the highest number of deaths in the line of duty among all police departments.
Ning Bingyu looked at her and said calmly, "That's right. Cha Shenlou's most valued eldest son is gone. He hates the Ning family to the bone. It would be good for you to know about our situation with the Cha family sooner rather than later. When you and the third son drive out, there is actually a car full of bodyguards following you at a distance."
Ning Yuan was stunned. Cha Shenlou's eldest son was gone?
What happened?
But Ning Bingyu had no intention of saying anything.
Ning Yuan didn't ask any more questions, but couldn't help shaking her head: "Mommy actually wants you to get back together with Cha Meiling. Does she really think this is Romeo and Juliet?"
My mother said she was bewitched by "Comrade Xiao Ai's" good looks, and she thinks my mother was also being manipulated by "family ties" and "adopted daughter".
Outsiders can see everything clearly, but when it comes to themselves, they become confused.
"Alright, go back and rest now. Come back and talk to me tomorrow after you've reviewed the contract. Do you need an independent lawyer to review it for you?" Ning Bingyu smiled faintly.
Ning Yuan nodded, in a good mood: "No need, I'll find someone myself."
Ning Bingyu chuckled: "You really wear your distrust on your sleeve. Where did you find any lawyers when you first arrived in Hong Kong?"
Ning Yuan raised an eyebrow: "Big brother, if you really want to break the contract, you must have many ways to do so, but people who do great things must be people who keep their promises. I believe you are not a short-sighted person who likes to break promises, otherwise you would not be in this position."
She paused, then smiled and said, "But the contract still needs to be shown to the lawyer. The necessary procedures can't be skipped. Even close siblings should keep clear accounts; every little bit of risk is a good thing. As for how I know the lawyer, that's none of your concern!"
Ning Bingyu chuckled and shrugged: "You've said all the good and bad things, what else can I say?"
"Say goodnight!" Ning Yuan waved her hand happily, patted her bottom, and left.
Ning Bingyu looked at her petite figure and smiled.
This girl with char siu (barbecued pork) really lives up to the Ning family's reputation!
...
Ning Yuan walked through the corridor, preparing to go upstairs, but had just reached the bottom of the stairs.
She saw Ning Bingchao leaning against a balcony in the corridor, smoking and looking like a carefree playboy.
"Third Brother, didn't you go out to eat, drink, and have fun with beautiful women? Why are you back?" Ning Yuan raised an eyebrow and asked with a half-smile.
Ning Bingchao exhaled a smoke ring, not answering her question directly, but instead focusing his gaze on the documents in her hand.
Ning Bingchao flicked his cigarette ash and said nonchalantly, "I miss you. Can't you come back and see my dear sister? None of those women are as pretty as my little sister."
Ning Yuan touched her arm, shivered, and suddenly asked, "Third Brother, can you smell anything?"
Ning Bingchao casually glanced around: "What's that smell?"
Ning Yuan looked at his slicked-back hair covered in hair gel and exclaimed, "You're so flamboyant, Third Brother, you're incredibly flamboyant!"
Ning Bingchao: "..."
Haha, I'm indirectly criticizing him.
Ning Yuan raised her hand and waved away the smoke with disdain: "You've been squatting here, just waiting to see if I'll fall into Big Brother's trap as I wish, right?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
