Chapter 421
In 1997, Hong Kong returned to the motherland.
Countless Chinese people were thrilled as Hong Kong, separated from the motherland for more than a century, returned to the embrace of the motherland on this day.
The streets and alleys were adorned with national and regional flags, as well as banners and slogans celebrating Hong Kong's return to the motherland, which were dazzling and eye-catching.
On the day of the reunification ceremony, every household watched the ceremony on television.
Even the large advertising screens in the square were playing this grand event on a loop.
Ji Wanmei and Lei Tingjun stayed at home and watched the comeback celebration and news live.
Little Pearl, unfamiliar with the past, curiously asked her parents, "Mom, why are those people on TV so excited?"
Ji Wanmei then held her daughter on her lap and told her stories from the past.
Little Pearl seemed to understand but not quite, yet she could still feel the indescribable patriotism of the adults.
The following month, Zhao Si called them and said he was in Hong Kong.
Since Hong Kong's return to China, many people who do business in mainland China have moved to Hong Kong.
After all, the newly returned port was full of opportunities; anyone with a little ability and skill could go there and not starve.
Zhao Si's media business is growing bigger and bigger, and he has even set up a new company in Hong Kong.
He said he wanted to introduce new technologies and equipment from Hong Kong to attract investment in the mainland and open cinemas, the kind that are nationwide chains.
He also asked Ji Wanmei and Lei Tingjun and his wife if they were interested in investing in the company.
Ji Wanmei had collaborated with Zhao Si during her university days, when they opened a video store.
The audio-visual store remained open for several more years until the original bookstore owner returned. Ji Wanmei returned the rented store and bought the store next door.
However, Ji Wanmei knew that the audio-visual store business could only be a transitional product of the times.
After two thousand years, and a few more years, it will gradually be phased out.
Because by then, the internet will have taken off.
But perhaps it's because Ji Wanmei still has a deep affection for her alma mater. Even though she knows she might not make much money in the future, she doesn't want to give up the old shop near the university.
Now Zhao Si is calling, asking if they are interested in opening a movie theater together.
Ji Wanmei thought about it and agreed.
After all, as people's living standards improve, their demand for entertainment also increases.
Now, in half of the cities, various entertainment industries are gradually emerging.
Moreover, as long as there are no problems with the equipment and film resources in the cinema industry, once you have made an initial investment, you can make money later on.
Without much thought, Ji Wanmei said to Lei Tingjun, "When Zhao Si comes back, let's talk about his ideas. I think we can make this investment."
After several years of brand building, Ji Wanmei's "Oriental Charm" clothing brand has opened more than 20 flagship stores across the country, each located in the provincial capital.
The head office already has two to three hundred employees.
In addition to the first production plant in Pingquan County, Ji Wanmei also plans to build a new plant in Shijiazhuang in the north to facilitate the flow of goods between the north and south.
I'm currently in talks with the municipal development office in Shijiazhuang about land for building a factory.
If the negotiations go smoothly, construction can begin by the end of the year.
As Ji Wanmei and Lei Tingjun's companies grew larger and larger, their net worth naturally increased as well.
Investing a sum of money in Zhao Si's cinema business will have virtually no impact on them.
Lei Tingjun was dispensable, but since Ji Wanmei indicated that he was willing to invest, he agreed.
A week later, Zhao Si returned with his company's people and talked enthusiastically about his film company's plans.
This includes how to lay out the industrial blueprint, how to introduce equipment, which companies to negotiate film resources with, who the current potential shareholders are, and the expected listing in the United States in the future, and so on.
In short, he made exaggerated claims, as if he could become Hong Kong's richest man in the future if he succeeded in this project.
Lei Tingjun doesn't like listening to people boast; he believes in being down-to-earth and taking things one step at a time.
He didn't believe the empty promises Zhao Si made, but he trusted his wife's judgment.
Because Ji Wanmei said that the film industry would be profitable in the future, and she said he could invest, so he invested.
In Ji Wanmei's opinion, although Zhao Si seemed glib and smooth-talking, he did indeed have some real skills.
He truly rose through the ranks from the bottom, and in a sense, he is the same as Lei Tingjun.
However, they are completely different types.
Lei Tingjun represents the same kind of people as mainland entrepreneurs, who built their businesses step by step, brick by brick, from scratch.
Zhao Si, on the other hand, is a swindler and conman who pretends to be a big shot and has been involved in the underworld and the gray industry chain. He is a typical representative of the Hong Kong area or speculation and profiteering.
However, we are now in an era of economic development.
Black cat or white cat, it doesn't matter what kind of cat it is, as long as it can catch mice, it's a good cat.
Ji Wanmei is not such a rigid person.
The reason she listened to Zhao Si's entire industry chain plan before deciding to invest was to figure out whether he intended to make money through illegal means or legitimate means.
If we open a cinema in mainland China, all procedures and regulations will be in accordance with mainland rules.
Then the money is clean.
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