Chapter 8: The Private Conversation
The sun had already slipped behind the high-rises of Hong Kong, painting the skyline in deep amber and steel-gray hues. From the thirty-eighth floor of the Regent Hotel, the harbor glittered like a sheet of glass scattered with jewels.
Lin Hao stood before the window of his suite, tie loosened, jacket folded neatly over a chair. The luncheon had drained him — not physically, but mentally. Every smile, every measured word from those aristocrats felt like a test he hadn't studied for.
He was still replaying Alfred Baresi's brief toast in his mind when his phone buzzed softly on the desk.
[Message from: Alfred Baresi]
> "Mr. Lin, if you are not otherwise occupied, I would like to invite you for a drink. The Sky Lounge, Level 40. Just us. I believe we have a few things worth discussing."
Lin Hao's lips curved slightly. "So it begins," he murmured.
He knew that this guy was very curious about how I got the shares.
He straightened his collar, slipped on his jacket, and took the elevator to the top floor.
---
The Sky Lounge was dimly lit, elegant but restrained. Jazz murmured through the speakers, and the panoramic glass offered a sweeping view of Victoria Harbour under the night.
Alfred Baresi sat near the window, a tumbler of whiskey in his hand. His posture was relaxed but deliberate — the kind of ease that came from old confidence, not comfort.
"Mr. Lin," Alfred said as Lin Hao approached, rising slightly from his seat. "I appreciate your time."
"The appreciation is mine, Mr. Baresi," Lin Hao replied politely, shaking his hand before sitting across from him.
A waiter approached immediately. "What would you like to drink, sir?"
"Just water, please," Lin Hao said.
Alfred's brows lifted faintly, amused. "You don't drink?"
"I prefer a clear mind," Lin Hao replied.
"A rare quality," Alfred said, smiling thinly. "Most in our line of work prefer blurred ones."
They exchanged small pleasantries at first — about the view, the food at the luncheon, the quality of the meeting — until Alfred finally leaned back in his chair and studied Lin Hao more directly.
"Mr. Lin," he began, "forgive my frankness, but I'm a curious man by nature. And right now, every shareholder in that room is asking the same question."
Though Lin Hal knew what that question will be but he still asked.
Lin Hao looked at him evenly. "Which is?"
Alfred's eyes glinted. "How you managed to secure one percent of Automobili Lamborghini."
A silence settled between them. The faint clink of ice against glass filled the gap.
Lin Hal thought,"Finally show your true motive of today's meeting,huh?"
Alfred continued, voice measured but intrigued. "That stake was not… available, as far as anyone knew. The Hohenberg Trust of Austria — you met their representative, Mr. Kruger, at lunch — had been pursuing it for months. It was almost settled. They had lawyers, intermediaries, even approval pending. Yet, somehow, the transaction closed overnight. And the name on the contract wasn't theirs. It was yours."
No wonder that guy's ,from Austria,favoritability was so low that it was in minus and on top -35.
So this is what that guy meant by saying,"You surely snatched a pie of someone else."
He tilted his head slightly. "So, Mr. Lin, how did you do it?"
Lin Hao let a faint smile touch his lips. "I think I just got lucky."
Surely,he is not gonna say that it was given by his golden finger,is he?
He thought to himself at this moment,"No matter what I should not let anyone know about this system unless I want to be bisected by some Manics."
He shiverd inwardly at the thought.But maintaining a calm demeanor on the outside.
Alfred blinked once, then chuckled softly, setting down his glass. "Lucky," he repeated. "That's one word for it. In our world, luck often wears the mask of power."
"I wouldn't call myself powerful," Lin Hao replied calmly.
"No?" Alfred's tone was conversational, but his gaze was sharp. "You see, Mr. Lin, men do not simply get lucky with assets worth billions. Especially not when others have been chasing them for months. So you will forgive me if I suspect your luck has… structure."
As hard as he was trying to know,Lin Hao will not be easily cracked.
Lin Hao's smile didn't waver. "Structure or not, Mr. Baresi, I assure you I am just as surprised as everyone else."
Alfred studied him a moment longer, then laughed quietly. "You're careful. That's good. You'll need to be."
"Why do you say that?"
"Because," Alfred said, leaning slightly forward, "you've just taken a chair at a table where every smile hides a ledger. Men here will forgive your wealth before they forgive your luck. They will wonder who helped you, who you owe, and whether you intend to climb higher. And if they cannot control you, they will try to contain you."
Lin Hao's gaze didn't falter. "Then I suppose I'll need to learn quickly."
what learn he is gonna relay on the system for life and try his best to soar higher in this world of finance and power.
---
The waiter refilled Alfred's glass and discreetly withdrew. For a moment, they both sat in silence, watching the lights shimmer over the harbor.
Alfred broke it first. "Tell me, Mr. Lin. What do you plan to do with your new position? Most newcomers make noise — sponsorships, publicity, statements. You've been remarkably quiet."
"I don't see the point in announcing myself before I've built something worth announcing," Lin Hao said.
As a student of finance he definitely knew that new shareholders in any company try to make waves to let themselves be seen by public and be recognized.
But he just wants to live a normal billionaire's life.
Alfred nodded slowly, eyes narrowing with faint approval. "A patient approach. Not common among the rich."
"I'm not chasing attention," Lin Hao said softly. "Just stability."
"Wise words." Alfred swirled his drink thoughtfully. "Stability is what makes wealth endure. But remember this — in circles like ours, visibility is stability. People trust what they see. Right now, you're invisible to them, and that makes them uneasy."
"So, you're saying I should make myself visible."
"I'm saying you should give them a reason to believe you belong," Alfred replied. "Buy presence. Establish influence. A home they can point to, a car they can envy, a business they can respect. Wealth alone doesn't grant acceptance — perception does."
What he means is ,"tell me what you do?how you got these shares?tell me!"
Lin Hao nodded slowly, absorbing the words. "You make it sound like a battlefield."
"It is," Alfred said simply. "The weapons are quieter, but the wounds are deeper."
He set his glass down, then reached into his coat pocket and produced a simple black card embossed with silver script.
"If you ever find yourself cornered," Alfred said, sliding the card across the table, "call me before you call anyone else."
Lin Hao looked at the card — Baresi Family Holdings, Milan.
So this man's true motive was to have him on his side so that they can have a much greater voice in next meetings.Nice strategy.
Well,it is also good for him as he wouldn't be alone from now onwards
He met Alfred's eyes and nodded. "Thank you, Mr. Baresi."
Alfred gave a faint smile. "We may both find it useful, someday."
They stood. Hands shook once, firm but formal.
"Until next time, Mr. Lin."
"Until next time, Mr. Baresi."
---
Later that night, Lin Hao sat alone in his suite, jacket off, collar open. The city sprawled below him, a web of gold and blue light.
He replayed Alfred's words in his head. "Buy presence. Establish influence."
His reflection in the window looked calm, but his mind was turning.
Then, without warning, the air shimmered faintly.
[System Notification]
Main Objective Complete: Enter the Shareholder Circle.
New Function Unlocked: Periodic Rewards.
A golden interface materialized before his eyes, its surface alive with flowing symbols.
[System Update]
> The system will refresh every three days, offering three optional rewards.
The total value of options corresponds to the host's current net worth.
When host's total net worth exceeds 10 billion RMB, the system will upgrade to Tier II.
The display shifted, and three icons appeared — glowing softly, each marked with a label.
[Available Rewards]
1. Luxury Penthouse – Guilin International, Shanghai
Market Value: 150 million RMB
Location: Central Shanghai, top floor, panoramic river view.
Status: Fully furnished, title deed under Host's name upon selection.
"
Is not this the place where the extreme rich people of the whole of China live when they are in shanghai?"thought Lin Hao.
2. Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta
Market Value: 30 million RMB
Model: Limited edition, serial no. #88/210.
Status: Registered in Shanghai.
"Isn't this the same Ferrari which girls in the social media say that their ex had a fake Ferrari because it had the LaFerrari logo on the steering.They really are some not so well informed people)*can't say anything trash here.
3. Horizon Netlink Technologies Ltd. (51% Ownership)
Market Value: 5 million RMB
Location: Shenzhen, China.
Description: Small but promising network-technology company developing cloud-based communications software and local data infrastructure.
CEO awaiting Host directive.
"Nah man! I am not choosing this,so low value.It would not even help me move the system upgrade bar"Lin Hal muttered.
Shenzhen was not his home after all.
Lin Hao stared at the three options.
It was the same thrill he'd felt the first day the system appeared — that blend of disbelief and wonder. But now, the choices felt heavier. Real. Tangible.
He could almost hear Alfred's voice again: "Visibility is stability."
His gaze lingered on the penthouse option. A base in Shanghai — a statement. A home worthy of his new position. A place where power could start to look like power.
And the thing that would bring a considerable amount of progress to his system upgrade bar if selected.
The Ferrari was tempting, the company interesting. But presence came first.
And honestly it was of low value.
So,he will never take this.
"I suppose even luck needs an address," he murmured.
[System Confirmation]
> (Reward Selected: Luxury Penthouse – Guilin International, Shanghai.
Title deed and ownership documents issued under Host's legal identity.
Keys and property details available via secured courier delivery.
These papers will be just appear in his apartment if he want to.)
So he chose to have his property papers appear in his old and small rental apartment.he was thinking that he should move out soon.
The interface faded slowly into the air, leaving only the reflection of the city lights.
Lin Hao exhaled, the corners of his mouth curving faintly.
Every three days… he thought. Then let's see how fast we can climb.
Outside the window, the harbor lights flickered like stars scattered across the water. Somewhere out there, men like Alfred Baresi, Giovanni di Rossi, and Johann Kruger were probably discussing him — the unknown shareholder who appeared from nowhere.
He straightened his cuffs and stared out into the night.
"Luck or not," he said quietly, "I'm here now. And I'm not leaving."
Just then his mobile rang,he picked it up only to find a call from a unknown number.
He answered the call,"Hello."