Hong Lai-sau tossed his cigarette butt aside and said to the driver in the front seat, "Drive."
After the car started, Hong Lai-sau said to Ah Jun, "What's the use of turning your head to me if the footage isn't clear? Do you think you'll have a chance to come back and reshoot? But if you did take good pictures, I can say a few words of praise to your Editor-in-Chief Hu."
"Where to, Mr. Kang?" Gao Lao Cheng turned his head from the passenger seat and asked Hong Lai-sau.
Hong Lai-sau pointed to Ah Jun, who was holding a camera beside him. "Accompany him to the darkroom to develop the photos. We'll talk about everything else after the photos are ready."
By the time Da Zui Cai led Lin Xiao qia into the teahouse, Gao Lao Cheng, Hong Lai-sau, and photographer A Jun had already quietly left in their car.
"Mr. Lin... please come in, please come in. Would you like some Pu'er or Tieguanyin, Mr. Lin?" After Da Zui Cai respectfully ushered Lin Xiao qia into the teahouse's private room, the former underworld Big Brother seemed to have lost his backbone today, slightly hunching over as he asked Lin Xiao qia.
Lin Xiao qia waved his hand, somewhat annoyed, and said, "No need to be polite. What's been going on at the Shui Fong room lately? Su Wenting, Bai Tou'en, and your Big Brother Jin Jiaomao have all disappeared. Last night I heard that you were fighting amongst yourselves, engaging in a brawl with He-prefix gangs called Heroes? And it even got to the point that the workers at the Soda Factory are too scared to go to work?"
Although Da Zui Cai was a prominent figure of Wo On Lok's generation and a well-known figure in the underworld, he had never had close contact with anyone from the Lin Family. In the past, the only Lord Ting who could come into contact with Su Wenting Lin Family were Bai Tou'en Lin Xiao qia and Jin Jiaomao, who were senior uncles and Big Brother of Wo On Lok.
"Lord Ting and my uncles and Big Brother went to Malaysia to discuss Yellow Arsenic business. It's a long and arduous journey, and we haven't been able to contact them for several days. Shui Fong has already sent people by boat to Sarawak, Kuching to look for them." Da Zui Cai Lin Xiao qia, "Don't worry, Mr. Lin, Shui Fong is powerful. A small Heroes like Qunying is like an ant. The Soda Factory... the Soda Factory..."
When the topic of the Soda Factory came up, Da Zui Cai hesitated for a moment. "The matter of the Soda Factory was arranged by Lord Ting to be handled by someone else, who is currently in Malaysia. I shouldn't say too much about it."
"Now that they're not here, you're in charge. I don't care what business Su Wenting and his group do, or whether they're powerful figures in the underworld. In short, I want to see all the workers obediently starting work tomorrow morning. If Su Wenting comes back and says you're meddling, tell him it was me who instructed you to do it. If you do a good job, you can continue to be in charge of their affairs from now on." Lin Xiao qia turned around and said to Da Zui Cai.
After receiving Lin Xiao qia's affirmation, Da Zui Cai was overjoyed and bowed repeatedly, saying, "Thank you for your appreciation, Mr. Lin."
Lin Xiao qia pursed his lips. "No need for thanks. Su Wenting isn't here, and besides the Soda Factory, there's something I need your help with..."
Chapter 402 First Prize Horse Racing Ticket
"The three ladies seem to be having a very pleasant conversation," Song Tianyao said, personally refilling Shek Chi-yik's teacup across from him.
Across from him, Shek Chi-yik was clearly in high spirits lately. Since taking office as Director of the Hong Kong Department of Commerce and Industry, thanks to the emergence of the wig manufacturing industry in Hong Kong, the figures on his performance report not only did not decline, but actually showed a good upward trend. It seemed that the Overseas Colonial Department in London had finally remembered him, a capable man who had served the British Empire overseas for many years. Some friends working in London government departments occasionally mentioned when contacting him that if Hong Kong's industry and commerce did not encounter major problems or troubles before the end of the war, then it was practically a done deal for the Overseas Colonial Department to consider transferring Shek Chi-yik to other colonies for further promotion.
Shek Chi-yik was not formally involved in the current situation between Song Tianyao and the Lin Family, but through his connections, he facilitated connections between some government officials and HSBC businessmen and Song Tianyao.
He didn't care about taking sides. The reason he chose to continue helping Song Tianyao was that, in Shek Chi-yik's view, even if the Lin Family wasn't defeated by Song Tianyao, or even if they won a round against Song Tianyao, they still couldn't truly eliminate Song Tianyao, because the actual holder of Song Tianyao's assets was the Britain Angie Perlis.
Does the Lin Family want to seize Britain assets held in Hong Kong? Even if Hong Kong law allows it, HSBC cannot stand idly by.
Since Song Tianyao seemed invincible no matter what, Shek Chi-yik didn't mind sitting with him and having tea occasionally.
"Britain women always have endless things to talk about, unlike Britain men, who seem to have nothing to say to each other except about the weather."
"This is the winning ticket for this round of horse racing. The prize money isn't much, but it's still HK$740,000." Song Tianyao said, taking a horse racing ticket issued by the Hong Kong Jockey Club from his pocket and handing it to Shek Chi-yik across from him. "Take this ticket to the Hong Kong Jockey Club to claim the prize. It's Hong Kong dollars 740,000 on the spot."
Shek Chi-yik took the lottery ticket and examined it. "Actually, I occasionally place bets on lottery tickets, but I've never won, let alone the jackpot. This is the first time I've ever seen a jackpot lottery ticket like this. How much cash did you use to buy this ticket?"
"I bought it from the winner for an extra 100,000, and including the cost of robbing this lucky person, it cost about 870,000 in total." Song Tianyao shrugged at Shek Chi-yik: "You've never won a prize before, how about I arrange for you to win the jackpot next time?"
"No need. I'm different from MacIntosh. MacIntosh has worked in Malaysia and Singapore for over a decade, rising from a lowly Kuala Lumpur police superintendent to the Singapore State Police Department Chief. He did it through infighting, taking down too many opponents and offending too many people. He's not used to leaving any leverage for others, because once caught, he has no chance to recover. So he can only strive to be capable and incorruptible. Even when accepting bribes privately, he has to do so in a way that no one in London or Hong Kong Government can find fault with him. This lottery ticket might be the only gift he's received from a China person recently." Shek Chi-yik put away the lottery ticket that Song Tianyao had specially prepared for MacIntosh: "When do you want to call him?"
"I'll call him before midnight tonight and tell Commissioner Mak to wait for my message."
Shek Chi-yik picked up the sterling silver teacup and took a sip. "Shall I have my secretary deliver this lottery ticket to him now?"
"No rush, there's a little something else I'll give him along with the horse racing tickets," Song Tianyao said. "Oh, and one more thing, remember to have Mrs. Bess sell all her stocks after the stock market opens tomorrow. I think that should be enough for you, Director Shi, to buy another new yacht."