Courtyard Houses: From Bronze Compasses to Global Reach

Chapter 386 Eight Treasures Workshop Marches into the Inland Area

Lin Yan nodded slightly to Stanley Ho, which was considered a response.

He then turned to Fok Ying-tung and raised his glass.

"Uncle Huo, I appreciate your kind gesture." The champagne in the glass was drunk in one gulp.

"I will be staying in Hong Kong for a while longer this time. You are welcome to come to my home anytime."

He gently placed the empty glass back on the tray held by the waiter, his gaze sweeping over the glamorous and glamorous scene before him, his impatience undisguised.

"I'm not used to crowds, so please excuse me."

After saying that, he raised his hand and gently patted Lin Er's shoulder beside him.

Lin Er instinctively tried to get up to see him off, but his shoulder was firmly pressed back into his seat by an undeniable force.

"Stay here, have some fun."

Lin Yan said no more and turned to leave. His steps were unhurried, yet he exuded a distant aura, causing those nearby who had intended to approach him for a chat or to see him off to unconsciously stop in their tracks.

He walked through the hall, where light and shadow intertwined, and disappeared at the entrance of the banquet hall under the watchful eyes of many.

Lin Yan stepped into the elevator. Just as the metal doors were about to close, a hand wearing a Rolex watch suddenly reached into the gap.

The door opened automatically.

Stanley Ho slipped inside, leaving only the two of them in the elevator.

"Young Master Lin, it's been a long time."

"I'll see you downstairs!"

Lin Yan glanced at the changing floor numbers and replied casually, "Mr. He, long time no see. How have you been at home?"

Upon hearing this, Stanley Ho's expression turned slightly serious, and he said in a low voice, "Thanks to you, Wan-wah's attitude has softened considerably in recent years. I promised her that I would spend more time with the family and the children in the future."

Lin Yan's eyes flickered slightly, and he understood.

Sure enough, the tragic end of the He family's eldest branch in another timeline was inextricably linked to the behind-the-scenes manipulation by the Lan family.

In this timeline, the Lan family has long been uprooted. Without those underhanded tactics and attempts to sow discord, can't the couples and their children live a good life together?

The elevator descended smoothly.

"Harmony in the family brings prosperity in all things." Lin Yan only said this one sentence, and his emotions were unreadable.

Stanley Ho seemed relieved, as if he had received some confirmation. "Yes, Mr. Lin is right."

With a "ding," the elevator arrived at the lobby.

The door opened, revealing the hotel's magnificent lobby.

Lin Yan strode out without looking back.

Stanley Ho remained in the elevator until the doors slowly closed before letting out a soft sigh of relief.

Lin Yan loosened his tie knot, casually pulled off the tie, folded it, and put it into the inside pocket of his suit.

He walked alone on the streets of Hong Kong for a while.

Neon lights flowed across the wet asphalt, reflecting a hazy glow. Skyscrapers rose from the ground, their glass curtain walls reflecting the prosperity, but around a few street corners, cramped old buildings, dim yellow signs, and figures huddled under the eaves stubbornly remained.

The changes are significant, but some areas remain impoverished.

He raised his hand and flagged down a red taxi.

I opened the car door and sat in the back seat.

The driver, a middle-aged man, glanced at him in the rearview mirror and asked in Cantonese, "Handsome, where to?"

"Bazhenfang," Lin Yan announced the address.

"Eight Treasures Restaurant?" The driver expertly steered the wheel, merging into the traffic. "Several branches. Tsim Sha Tsui? Causeway Bay? Or the one in Central?"

It seems that Xu Damao and Shazhu have put in a lot of effort over the past few years.

Lin Yan pondered for a moment.

"Tsim Sha Tsui, I guess."

The car stopped at the entrance of Bazhenfang.

Lin Yan rummaged through his storage ring for a while before finally finding a stack of Hong Kong dollars in a corner.

I haven't used cash in a long time.

Pay the fare and get off the bus.

As he stepped into the restaurant lobby, the familiar lively atmosphere mingled with the aroma of food. Xu Damao, who was greeting guests, spotted him immediately, paused for a moment, then quickly walked over with a beaming smile.

"Xiao Yan?! Oh my, it's been so long!" Xu Damao patted his arm, looking him up and down with disbelief in his eyes. "You... how come you still look like you were in your teens? You haven't changed a bit!"

Lin Yan smiled and said, "Brother Da Mao, you haven't changed much."

"Nonsense!" Xu Damao pointed to his eye bags and tugged at the corner of his eye. "Look at these wrinkles! These white hairs! They can't be hidden anymore!" He lowered his voice, with a hint of envy and confusion. "Have all the people in your Lin family taken some kind of magic pill? None of them seem to age."

Lin Yan didn't respond to that question, but changed the subject: "Brother Da Mao, is Brother Zhu off work yet? If it's convenient, could you get me a couple of dishes?"

"Hey, you wait!" Xu Damao readily agreed, then turned and shouted towards the kitchen, "Shazhu! Come out quickly, Xiaoyan's here!"

The sound of the wok stirring in the kitchen stopped for a moment.

Immediately afterward, the curtain was lifted, and a middle-aged man with a stocky build, wearing a white apron, poked his head out—it was Sha Zhu. His gaze fell on Lin Yan, he paused for a moment, and then a genuine smile instantly bloomed on his face.

"Xiao Yan? You're really back?"

"Why would I lie to you!" Xu Damao laughed. "Hurry up and get a couple of hearty dishes! I'll go open a bottle of good wine, and we'll have a good drink later!"

Sha Zhu wiped his hands on his apron and nodded repeatedly, "Okay! Wait, it'll be ready soon!" After saying that, he gave Lin Yan a deep look before retreating back into the kitchen, where the sound of even more efficient spatula movements immediately followed.

Soon, Sha Zhu came out carrying a tray. There was a pot of pickled fish, a plate of braised sea cucumber with scallions, and a bowl of richly stewed shark fin.

He arranged the dishes in front of Lin Yan, rubbed his hands together, and said, "Xiao Yan, I was in a hurry, so I just made something quick. You can eat first."

"That's good, Brother Zhu." Lin Yan gestured to the empty seat next to him, "Sit down and eat with us."

Xu Damao also brought over an opened bottle of good wine and filled all three of them's glasses: "Come on, fill them all up! We're happy today!"

The three sat around a table and clinked glasses. After a few bites of hot food, the atmosphere became increasingly relaxed.

Lin Yan put down his chopsticks and asked, "Brother Zhu, Brother Da Mao, have you been back to China to visit relatives all these years?"

"We went back! We went back the year before last!" Xu Damao took a sip of wine, his face flushed. "My father-in-law was so excited when he heard the policy was really relaxed that he was eager to go back. He immediately packed his bags and dragged us back to Beijing. Now he's doing great. He's opened two factories in Tianjin and Shunyi. It's like he's finally returned to his roots."

"The business in Hong Kong has been handed over to my two brothers-in-law and Xiao'e. Xiao Yan, this is all thanks to your influence; otherwise, Xiao'e wouldn't have gotten a share of the family business!"

Sha Zhu nodded, a satisfied smile on his face: "I'm taking A Lian, my son, and Yu Shui and his wife back with me."

You didn't see it! Yan Fugui, Liu Haizhong, and the others were green with envy when they saw the procession of our family back home!

He smiled so broadly that wrinkles appeared at the corners of his eyes. "Everyone says Ah Lian is young and beautiful, and they even praised my son for being so chubby and robust!"

Lin Yan picked up his wine glass, turned it slightly, and glanced at the two faces in front of him, which were flushed with wine and genuine joy.

"Brother Zhu, Brother Da Mao," he said, his voice not loud, but it made the two of them subconsciously stop eating, "There's something I want to discuss with you."

The two looked at him, waiting for him to continue.

"I want to expand Bazhenfang into a catering group and open stores in mainland China. I will be responsible for the shops, the brand, the start-up capital, and the necessary connections. The kitchen team, the operation of the stores, and the control of the taste will be entirely your responsibility."

He paused, looking at them.

"You two need to step up your efforts, take on more apprentices, and train more reliable people."

Xu Damao and Shazhu were stunned for a moment, then exchanged a glance.

Xu Damao's smile widened instantly, while Sha Zhu slapped his thigh hard; the two spoke almost simultaneously:

"Xiao Yan, are you serious?!"

"This...this is wonderful!"

Xu Damao quickly filled his and Lin Yan's glasses with wine, his hands trembling slightly with excitement as he picked them up: "Xiao Yan, what you said... your trust in us is beyond question! Don't worry, we brothers will definitely not let you down! We will definitely handle things perfectly!"

Sha Zhu nodded emphatically, "Yes! The taste will definitely remain the same, and the shop will be managed perfectly for you!"

Lin Yan raised his glass and clinked it with theirs.

"That's good." He took a sip of wine, put down his glass, and looked at Xu Damao.

"Brother Da Mao, I'll give you a month. Prepare a detailed business plan for me, including preliminary site selection, budget, and personnel training plan."

Xu Damao straightened his back and answered decisively:

"Okay! No problem! One month, I guarantee I'll have it on your desk!"