manynovel Chapter 75 Settlement and Outlook
Chapter 75 Settlement and Outlook
The busy shopping day finally came to an end. As Lin Yan got back into the car, he leaned back in the comfortable seat and couldn't help but chuckle, muttering to himself, "Spending money really is a physically demanding task."
Back at the Deep Water Bay villa, the salty smell of the sea breeze immediately enveloped them. After washing up and changing into comfortable loungewear, Lin Yan called Lin Yi, Lin Er, Lin Gang, and Wang Yuling to the study.
"From now on, we may hold family meetings like this more often." Lin Yan looked at the four core subordinates standing solemnly in front of him. "First of all, there is one thing we need to clarify. From now on, in front of outsiders, or even in private when there are no outsiders around, you can all address me as 'Young Master.' The title 'Master' seems a bit abrupt and strange to outsiders, so we don't need to use it anymore."
"Yes, young master!" the four replied in unison, quickly adapting to the new form of address.
"Hmm." Lin Yan nodded in satisfaction, then turned to Lin Yi. "Lin Yi, tell me about the current progress of the Lin Group."
Lin stepped forward and respectfully reported, "Young Master, everything is progressing smoothly. As of the end of May, all our shops under the 'Lin' brand, including those selling medicinal herbs, tea, and fine general merchandise, have opened as planned in the main streets of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Now that we are halfway through June, all the shops are doing quite well. The quality of our products far surpasses that of similar products on the market, and our reputation is rapidly growing."
He paused, then explained in detail: "Regarding medicinal herbs, thanks to our genuine and high-quality herbs, we have established cooperative relationships with several reputable traditional Chinese medicine clinics. They recommend or use our herbs, thus establishing stable wholesale channels. As for tea, thanks to the sensational effect of the 'Top-Grade Mother Tree Da Hong Pao' tea at the last auction, our high-end tea has already made a name for itself. In addition, all our teas... are produced in the 'Space,' and the quality of each variety is top-notch, with demand exceeding supply. Now, not only wealthy businessmen and celebrities from Hong Kong, but also customers from Taiwan and Macau come here specifically to purchase our teas."
Lin Yan listened to the report, his fingers tapping lightly on the desk, a satisfied expression on his face. The start was even smoother than he had expected; the output of the space was simply a game-changer in this era.
"Well done," he praised. "Keep it up and expand steadily. Next, we can look for suitable local talent as needed; we can't do everything ourselves."
"Understood, young master." Lin Yi bowed and accepted the order.
"Furthermore," Lin Yan said, looking at everyone, "Lin Yi and Lin Er, you two go and get some of your everyday clothes later. From now on, you will be staying on the third floor of this villa. You will be responsible for all household affairs. I do not plan to hire any outside servants to ensure absolute peace and privacy."
"Yes!" Lin Yi and Lin Er replied.
Then, Lin Yan's mind stirred, and an antique-style silver ring appeared in his hand. He handed it to Wang Yuling: "Yuling, keep this storage ring safe. It contains specially supplied spirit rice, spirit vegetables, and spirit beast meat. All the food for the kitchen at home will be taken from here. I will also grant you and Lin Gang access to this storage ring. If the food in the ring runs out, you can go to the 'space warehouse' to retrieve it yourself."
Wang Yuling accepted the ring, nodding excitedly, "Young Master, rest assured, Yuling will take good care of it and will also prepare the meals with utmost care!"
After arranging all this, Lin Yan felt a complete sense of relaxation. That night, he lay on his comfortable bed, listening to the faint sound of waves outside the window, and slept soundly and deeply.
The next morning, sunlight streamed through the sea mist into the restaurant. On the long table, Wang Yuling had carefully prepared breakfast using spiritual ingredients: crystal-clear, spiritually vibrant rice, several light side dishes, and a bowl of fragrant meat soup.
[At this point, I hope readers will remember our domain name: 10 ...
Lin Yan sat down, took a bite, and felt the pure and gentle spiritual energy nourishing his limbs and bones. He couldn't help but sigh with satisfaction: "Finally... I can eat whatever I want."
Before the plants and animals in the special supply zone were successfully cultivated, eating mortal food, while enough to fill one's stomach, would accumulate impurities in the body. He once had to rely on fasting pills to survive, and his mouth tasted bland. Later, the special supply zone was finally able to stably produce spirit rice, spirit vegetables, and spirit beast meat, but the extremely domineering fragrance made it impossible to cook in a crowded place like a courtyard. Even if it was cooked in the space, it would attract unnecessary trouble, so he could only quickly satisfy his appetite within the space.
Now, in this secluded mansion in Deep Water Bay, he can finally enjoy these spiritual foods without any worries and eat openly in the outside world! Lin Yan has always used the space only for cultivation. Perhaps because of his two lifetimes, Lin Yan prefers to stay in the outside world, which is more in line with his habits and state of mind.
After enjoying a satisfying breakfast, Lin Yan was in high spirits. He instructed Lin Er, "Lin Er, you don't need to worry about the group's affairs for a while. Be my guide and henchman for a bit, and show me around Hong Kong. I want to see this city properly."
"Yes, young master!" Lin Er replied immediately.
"Oh, right, let's go buy a few better cameras and stock up on plenty of film," Lin Yan added. "The local customs and culture here are very different from those in the north, and it's worth documenting them."
Lin Er pondered for a moment and replied, "Young Master, I'm not an expert on specific camera models, but I know that the Queen's Road Central and Wyndham Street area in Central has several of the largest trading companies and specialized photography equipment stores, such as Tin Siu & Co., Lane Crawford's department store, or some precision instrument shops run by Germans and Swiss. They definitely have the latest and best imported cameras and film for sale. We can go there and take a look; the shop assistants will give us a detailed introduction."
"Okay, that's fine. You can just lead the way and make the arrangements." Lin Yan nodded.
"Where would you like to go next, young master? Hong Kong may be small, but it's a blend of East and West, and there's a lot to see in the streets and alleys," Lin Er asked.
"Just wander around, observe the everyday life of the people, and feel the pulse of this city," Lin Yan said with great interest.
The black Ford sedan was already prepared. Lin Yi went to work to handle group affairs, and Lin Er opened the car door for Lin Yan. After Lin Yan was settled, the car drove out of Deep Water Bay.
The car quickly arrived at Central. Just as Lin Er had said, Queen's Road Central was exceptionally bustling, lined with all sorts of trading companies and department stores. Lin Er parked the car and led Lin Yan into a grand European trading company whose windows displayed various precision instruments and optical products.
The shop assistants, with their keen eyes, noticed the two men's distinguished bearing, especially Lin Yan, who was dressed casually and wearing an Omega watch. They immediately greeted them warmly.
"Gentlemen, how can I help you?" the waiter asked respectfully.
Lin Erdai spoke up: "My young master wants to buy some of the best cameras, and also has enough film. Can you introduce them to me?"
"Of course we have the best cameras!" The shop assistant's eyes lit up as he led them to a glass display case containing several gleaming cameras of various designs. "We mainly represent German and Swiss brands here, all top-of-the-line models. Look at this one, a Leica M3, a rangefinder camera!" He put on white gloves and carefully took one out. "Made in Germany, the craftsmanship is impeccable, the autofocus is precise, it has a wide range of lenses, and the image quality is incredibly sharp. Many professional photographers and journalists use it."
Then, he pointed to another twin-lens reflex camera: "This is a Rolleiflex twin-lens reflex camera, using 120 film. It has a larger image size, and the portraits and landscapes it produces are particularly detailed with top-notch quality. It's a must-have for many photo studios and serious photographers."
He also introduced several other brands, such as Zeiss's Contax series and Contax, which are all leaders in the current optical field.
Lin Yan wasn't too concerned with specific models and technical specifications; he valued the feel and quality more. He picked up the Leica M3; it felt heavy in his hand, the metal body was cool and precise, and the viewfinder was bright—it definitely gave a sense of reliability and high-end quality. The Rolleiflex twin-lens reflex, on the other hand, had a different kind of retro, weighty feel.
"Two Leica and two Rolleiflex cameras, and all the commonly used lenses that come with them," Lin Yan decided simply. "As for film... get a variety of ISO settings, make sure there's enough."
Upon hearing this generous offer, the shop assistant was overjoyed and quickly replied, "No problem, sir! We have Kodak Gold series film, Ilford black and white film, and Agfa film, all kinds of speeds. I'll get them all for you right away!" He immediately went to the warehouse to retrieve the goods.
Lin Er was in charge of counting, confirming the quantity, and making payments. Soon, several brown paper bags filled with brand-new cameras, lenses, and a large number of boxes of film were respectfully handed over. Lin Yan took out his Leica M3 and asked the clerk to pack it for him, keeping a few rolls of film for himself and telling Lin Er to put the rest in the car and give them to Wang Yuling to keep safe.
Stepping out of the trading company, Lin Yan felt he had accomplished a task. He was fairly satisfied with the new toy in his hands, and more importantly, the process was simple and straightforward, without wasting too much time.
"Let's go," he said to Lin Er, with a hint of exploratory interest, "Let's use this new thing to take a good look at what this city looks like."
"Yes, young master," Lin Er replied, and after a moment's thought, he planned the route. "Since we're in Central, let's start here. Please follow me. We'll go to Edinburgh Place and the Star Ferry Pier first, which are the best starting points to experience the charm of Hong Kong's harbor."
The two walked west along Queen's Road Central. Lin Yan didn't rush to take pictures, but instead felt the pulse of the street. He noticed the wide variety of newspapers and magazines on the roadside newsstands, including Chinese newspapers like the *Sing Tao Daily* and *Wah Kiu Yip*, as well as English newspapers like the *South China Morning Post*. Shoe-shining boys loudly solicited business, and clerks in shirts and trousers hurried by. He stopped, took out his Leica M3 from his bag, hung the lanyard around his neck, adjusted the aperture and shutter speed, and skillfully composed a shot of the newsstands and the rushing crowd, capturing this uniquely bustling scene of Central on black and white film. The shutter clicked softly, attracting a curious glance from the newsstand owner, who, seeing two distinguished gentlemen, went back to his work.
We soon arrived at Edinburgh Place. The square was quite lively, and the most eye-catching feature was the mechanical clock erected in 1958, which was now chiming the time with a steady and melodious sound.
"Young Master, listen!" Lin Er explained at the right moment, "The sound of the bells and the ship horns in Victoria Harbour can be said to be one of the most iconic sounds of old Hong Kong. The government has planned to build the Hong Kong City Hall on this vacant lot next door. It is said to be the first large-scale civic cultural and entertainment center in Hong Kong in the future, but construction has not yet started."
Lin Yan paused to listen; the resounding chimes truly conveyed a sense of ritual and order from a bygone era. He raised his camera, aimed at the massive clock tower structure, patiently waiting for the hands to complete a full mark, before pressing the shutter again to capture the source of the sound. He looked north, and the famous Star Ferry Pier came into view. The pier was bustling with people, creating a vibrant harbor scene. Several green and white Star Ferry ferries were busy shuttling between Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula. He switched to a telephoto lens and captured the moment a ferry slowly approached the shore, passengers jostling shoulder to shoulder to disembark—the dynamic sense of crowding brimming with life.
"Young Master, would you like to take a ferry? It only takes a few minutes to cross Victoria Harbour from Hong Kong Island to Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon. It's a great experience of public sea transport and you can also enjoy the scenery on both sides of the harbor from the sea," Lin Er suggested.
"Just what I wanted," Lin Yan nodded in agreement. The two followed the flow of people onto the ferry. With a long, deep whistle, the ferry slowly pulled away from the shore. The sea breeze, carrying a salty scent, caressed their faces, and the view suddenly opened up. Lin Yan leaned against the railing of the ship's side, not rushing to take pictures, but quietly observing for a while. The buildings of Central gradually came into full view, and the scenery of Kowloon on the opposite shore became clearer and clearer. He noticed that there were vendors selling snacks on the ship, gentlemen reading newspapers, and couples cuddling and enjoying the scenery. He picked up a Rolleiflex twin-lens reflex camera. This type of camera required looking down to frame the shot, which was a little slower, but allowed for more careful composition. He photographed the agile seagulls chasing the boats, as well as the magnificent seascape of Victoria Harbour and the silhouettes of the buildings on both banks. This unique way of commuting certainly had its own charm.
Upon arriving at the Tsim Sha Tsui pier, they did not venture into Kowloon but instead took the next ferry back to Central. The round trip, though brief, gave Lin Yan a direct understanding of Victoria Harbour, the heart of Hong Kong.
Stepping back onto the soil of Central, Lin Er glanced at the sky and said, "Young Master, if you want to see another side of Hong Kong and experience the vibrant atmosphere of everyday life, we can go to the markets in Causeway Bay. It's a place where housewives and maids live, and the atmosphere is very lively."
Lin Yan was very interested in this: "Okay, let's go there." He wanted to record scenes that were closer to the lives of ordinary people.
The two took a double-decker bus to Causeway Bay. Lin Yan even sat in the front row of the upper deck of the bus and used his camera to record the bustling scene on the street—traffic cars, bicycles and cars moving in a mixed but orderly manner.
The market along Yee Wo Street in Causeway Bay was indeed bustling with activity. The air was filled with the complex aromas of seafood, poultry, vegetables, fruits, and various cooked foods. The shouts of vendors and the haggling of housewives filled the air. Lin Yan saw many women dressed in black and white wide-legged trousers, with their hair tied up in buns at the back of their heads, either self-combed women or domestic helpers, carrying vegetable baskets and moving nimbly among the vendors.
"Many of these are maids for wealthy families, or self-reliant women," Lin Er explained in a low voice. "Their monthly salary is about HK$150. They are responsible for the shopping and food for the whole family and are very frugal."
Lin Yan was captivated by these vibrant scenes of daily life. Instead of directly photographing faces, he opted for street photography, capturing vivid details: the splashes of water as fishmongers deftly sliced fresh fish, the mountains of brightly colored vegetables piled high at vegetable stalls, the billowing steam rising from cooked food stalls, and the focused silhouettes of housewives carefully selecting their goods. He experimented with different angles and lighting to express the warmth and texture of this everyday life. He even obtained permission from a dried goods stall owner to photograph a display overflowing with mushrooms, dried shrimp, and sausages.
Leaving the bustling market, the sunlight softened. Lin Er suggested, "Young Master, it's still early. The State Theatre in Hong Kong is the most prestigious performance venue, often hosting wonderful Cantonese opera and song and dance performances. Why don't we go see its architecture? It's quite impressive."
Lin Yan was also curious about this renowned theater. So the two of them took a car there. The Royal Theater was indeed impressive, with its huge signboard and modern facade standing out in the setting sun. Although they didn't plan to go inside that day, Lin Yan still raised his camera and took a panoramic photo of it from across the street, preserving the look of this entertainment mecca of the 1950s.
After walking around for most of the day, even Lin Yan felt a bit tired. The setting sun began to paint the sky a brilliant orange-red, and also draped the city's buildings in a warm gold.
"Young Master, we've walked quite a distance and taken many wonderful photos today. Why don't we go have dinner first? I know there are a few good boat restaurants in Wong Chuk Hang Typhoon Shelter that offer authentic boat congee, stir-fried crab, and other seafood. Eating on a boat is a unique experience," Lin Er thoughtfully suggested.
Lin Yan looked at the sunset on the horizon, then at the heavy camera in his hand that had recorded half a day's events, and felt a sense of fulfilling exhaustion. He had already absorbed enough of the mundane world and visual images of the day, and now he longed to return to Deep Water Bay and enjoy a dinner prepared with spiritual ingredients.
"No," he shook his head, his tone calm and satisfied. "Let's go straight home. What I've seen and heard today is enough to savor."
"Yes, young master." Lin Er did not hesitate and immediately signaled the Mercedes-Benz that had been waiting nearby to come over.
Sitting in the car, Lin Yan leaned back in the soft seat, watching the neon lights gradually illuminate the city outside the window. The day's sightseeing and notes flashed through his mind like vivid images: solemn bells, bustling docks, old ferries, noisy markets, glamorous theaters... Hong Kong in 1958 possessed both the order of a colonial society and the nascent form of modernization, as well as the vibrant, struggling grassroots vitality of its people, a blend of East and West, where energy and chaos coexisted.