Chapter 27: Your Sunflower Seed Shell Landed on My Shoe
"Haoran, when you accompany your father to the banquet tonight, make sure you keep an eye on him. Don't let him drink too much. His health isn't what it used to be, and too much alcohol will only make things worse. We have to be careful."
As she gently straightened Lin Wan'an's collar, Madam Lin turned to the sofa and reminded Lin Haoran with motherly concern.
"Don't worry, Mom. I'll keep a close eye on Dad and make sure he doesn't overdrink," Lin Haoran replied with a smile.
By now, he had changed into a perfectly tailored suit.
The elegant attire instantly transformed him from a youthful college graduate into a refined young gentleman, giving him an air of maturity and confidence.
Already handsome to begin with, the suit only accentuated his sharp features, making him appear even more striking.
Lin Wan'an said nothing in response.
He understood that his wife's words came purely from love and concern.
Just a few nights earlier, after returning from a business dinner, his blood pressure had spiked once again, forcing him back into the hospital. The severe headaches had tormented him for years. Although medical treatment could temporarily relieve the symptoms, it had never truly cured the underlying problem.
Unfortunately, there were some business engagements that simply couldn't be avoided.
Even if he personally disliked attending them, circumstances often left him with no choice.
Lin Haoran understood just how hard his father worked.
That was precisely why his greatest priority now was to become the successor of Wan'an Group as soon as possible, allowing his father to step down as chairman and enjoy a peaceful, comfortable retirement.
According to his memories, after his eldest brother, Lin Haoning, got married and started his own family, he had moved out of the family home.
Since then, whenever Lin Wan'an had business dinners to attend, as long as Lin Haoran was home, he would gladly bring his youngest son along.
These outings not only strengthened the bond between father and son, but also exposed Lin Haoran to various aspects of society at a relatively young age.
Following his father into the spacious rear seat of the Rolls-Royce, Lin Haoran couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
The ride was far more comfortable than his own Mercedes-Benz.
No wonder it was the preferred car of so many wealthy businessmen.
Before leaving, he had specifically instructed Li Weiguo and Li Weidong to remain at the villa.
His father's personal chauffeur also served as a bodyguard and had demonstrated exceptional capability on numerous occasions. Lin Haoran trusted him completely to ensure both his and his father's safety.
"Dad, where are we headed tonight?" Lin Haoran asked curiously from the luxurious back seat.
"We're going to Joyful Arrival Restaurant in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. The place has an elegant atmosphere and excellent food. It's quite well-known around Tsim Sha Tsui. You've been there before, so you should remember it," his father answered with a smile.
Lin Haoran nodded.
From the memories he had inherited, he indeed recalled accompanying his father there many times for business banquets.
During the drive, he gradually learned more about the film his father had invested in.
Surprisingly, none of the shareholders were actually from the film industry.
They had simply pooled their money together as a casual investment, treating it more like a hobby than a serious business venture.
The Rolls-Royce slowly departed the tranquil Deep Water Bay villa district, wound its way along the mountain roads, passed through a lush forest, and finally entered the bustling city streets.
About half an hour later, the car came to a smooth stop in front of Joyful Arrival Restaurant.
Walking inside, they entered the banquet hall that had been reserved for the celebration.
The venue had been lavishly decorated.
A large banner reading "Movie Celebration Banquet" hung prominently overhead, announcing the occasion.
Flowers and balloons adorned every corner of the hall.
Many guests had already arrived.
However, Lin Haoran recognized almost none of them.
"President Lin, you've finally arrived! We've been waiting for you!"
"Chairman Lin, please come this way! This is a rare opportunity—we should discuss our cooperation in greater detail."
...
As soon as Lin Wan'an entered, countless eyes turned toward him.
Although he wasn't considered one of Hong Kong's top business tycoons, his name still carried considerable weight throughout the city's commercial circles.
It was obvious that many of the guests present considered themselves somewhat beneath him in both status and wealth.
His arrival undoubtedly elevated the importance of the gathering.
"President Yang, President Zheng, President Li—it's been a long time. How have you all been?" Lin Wan'an greeted them one by one with practiced ease, shaking hands naturally.
Taking advantage of the moment, he proudly introduced his son.
"Everyone, let me introduce my son, Lin Haoran. Haoran, greet your uncles."
"Hello, Uncle Yang. I've heard so much about you."
"Hello, Uncle Zheng. It's a pleasure to finally meet you."
"Hello, Uncle Li. Thank you for looking after our family."
Lin Haoran greeted each of them politely.
Though the introductions were largely a matter of courtesy, he carried himself with impeccable manners and humility.
These businessmen had all achieved success in their respective fields.
However, compared to Lin Wan'an, they were clearly a step below.
As far as Lin Haoran was concerned, there was no urgent need to cultivate deeper relationships with them.
After exchanging greetings, he quietly stood beside his father without saying another word.
That was, after all, how many young people behaved at such gatherings.
The age gap alone created an obvious barrier to conversation.
The topics they discussed held absolutely no interest for Lin Haoran.
Feeling increasingly bored, he decided to look for some desserts and snacks.
"Dad, I'm going over there to see what sweets they have. You all carry on."
After politely informing his father, he quietly slipped away from the group.
According to his memories, many future superstars of the late 1970s—people like Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, and Chow Yun-fat—were already active during this era.
Unfortunately, none of them were present tonight.
After all, the investors behind this film weren't even part of the entertainment industry.
They had simply pooled together enough money to produce a modest movie.
The fact that it had not only avoided losing money but had actually turned a profit was already something of a miracle.
Since the investment budget had been relatively small, they naturally hadn't hired many famous stars.
Originally, Lin Haoran had come hoping he might run into a few celebrities he recognized.
After looking around for a while, however, he couldn't help feeling disappointed.
With nothing better to do, he sat down beside a table piled high with snacks and leisurely began cracking sunflower seeds to pass the time.
"Hey, one of your sunflower seed shells landed on my shoe."
A clear, pleasant female voice suddenly interrupted his thoughts.
Lin Haoran immediately realized what had happened.
He quickly checked the pile of seed shells in front of him.
He had actually been placing them carefully along the edge of the table, intending for the waitstaff to clean them up later.
Apparently, during a brief moment of carelessness, a few shells had slipped off the table just as a young woman happened to walk past.
He immediately looked up and apologized sincerely.
"I'm terribly sorry. I didn't notice. I really didn't do it on purpose."
The moment their eyes met, Lin Haoran froze.
Standing before him was someone he had never expected to meet—
Guan Jiahui.
The future legendary beauty was still in the bloom of her youth, as radiant as a flower just beginning to blossom.
Her stunning appearance was enough to leave anyone speechless.
"If saying 'I'm sorry' could solve everything, then what would we need the police for?"
Guan Jiahui replied with a mischievous, somewhat spoiled smile.
Lin Haoran couldn't help but be surprised.
He had never imagined that, at this age, her personality would be so straightforward, lively, and spirited.
Author's Note:
The novel will continue to update steadily, and I sincerely invite everyone to keep reading.
The main focus of this story is the world of business and finance. Encounters with actresses from the entertainment industry will only appear occasionally as embellishments to enrich the story, and they will never overshadow the main plot, so readers can rest assured.
Given the historical setting of 1978, there simply weren't that many famous actresses active at the time. After careful consideration, I chose the beautiful Guan Jiahui as the first major female supporting character, and I hope her appearance adds a special charm to the novel.
Of course, to make the story even more colorful, I warmly welcome readers to suggest actresses they would like to see appear in future chapters. Every suggestion is a valuable source of inspiration, and I'll seriously consider incorporating them into the story where appropriate.
Finally, thank you all sincerely for your continued support. The novel's performance has been steadily improving, and I'm truly grateful.
Thank you!
(End of Chapter)
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