Chapter 24

Hong Kong can be considered a barren land for high-tech electronics, especially the semiconductor industry. The other three of the Four Asian Tigers successfully upgraded and transformed their industrial structures during the wave of computer industrialization in the 1980s.

South Korea saw the emergence of global electronics giants like LG and Samsung. Taiwan has computer giants like Acer and Asus, and the foundry industry led by TSMC and UMC holds a significant place in the world's semiconductor industry. Although Chartered Semiconductor in Singapore suffered continuous losses after entering the 21st century, it performed well in other high-tech fields such as biopharmaceuticals and genetic engineering.

Economic structural transformation and industrial upgrading require strong government guidance and support. The early 1980s was a sensitive time when the British and Chinese governments were negotiating Hong Kong's future. While the other three tigers were striving to develop, Hong Kong was in a state of economic turmoil and uncertainty.

After the issue of Hong Kong's return was settled, the British Hong Kong government had no heart for governance. Since the Pearl of the Orient was determined to be removed from the Queen of the British Empire's crown, they wanted to create as much trouble as possible for the Chinese government.

This was not good news for Li Xuan, who was about to start his electronics business. However, since he was reborn in Hong Kong, he had no other choice. He had considered going to the United States to develop, but his experiences in his previous life had already made him realize that the so-called American Dream of freedom, democracy, and equality was just a beautiful vision in Obama's speeches. The United States was always a world dominated by whites, and as a yellow-skinned Chinese, the invisible glass ceiling was everywhere.

In fact, the intelligence of Hong Kong students was no worse than that of students in the other three regions of the Four Asian Tigers. In the 1990s, students from the Department of Electronic Engineering at the City Polytechnic of Hong Kong, during their internship at Motorola Hong Kong, designed a new processor based on the company's MC68000 processor. This processor, later named the DragonBall by Motorola, had low power consumption and was adopted by the popular personal digital assistant Palm.

However, Hong Kong's light industry, dominated by textiles, clothing, and toys, did not keep up with the new economic wave of the 1980s. Instead, it moved north to the mainland to take advantage of lower manufacturing costs, missing the opportunity for industrial upgrading and causing the hollowing out of Hong Kong's industry. Factories closed one after another, and many workers became unemployed.

Hong Kong was then forced to undergo its third economic transformation, shifting from a manufacturing export-oriented economy to a financial services-oriented economy. The income gap between the upper elite and the lower laborers widened, leading to increasing wealth disparity and a series of subsequent problems. This did not provide much fertile ground for the development of high-tech industries. After Hong Kong's return, the SAR government allocated land near the Chinese University to establish a science park, but it was too late and did not achieve much.

After leaving Professor Zhao Weiming's house, Li Xuan thought about many issues on his way back. Since he was reborn as a Hong Kong resident, he would contribute his share to this place where he was born and grew up when he had the ability, but for now, he was powerless.

"Vincent, a girl surnamed Zhong called you and told you to call her back as soon as you return!" Li Xuan had just returned to the dormitory when Lin Yuhao winked at him. "Tell me, is she your girlfriend?"

"Of course, she's my girlfriend, and she's a beauty! You should find a girl too, using the five girls every night is bad for your health!" Li Xuan teased him.

"Don't slander me!" Lin Yuhao, being somewhat innocent, was somewhat flustered by Li Xuan's teasing. Li Xuan didn't continue to bother him, picked up the phone, and walked out to the balcony to make the call.

"Honghong, do you miss me?" Li Xuan's voice softened when he heard the familiar voice on the other end.

"Xuan, are you free tonight? My dad and mom want to invite you for dinner at our place!" Zhong Chuhong, who was usually gentle, spoke in a very serious tone.

"Hehe, is this the moment when the mother-in-law meets the prospective son-in-law?" Li Xuan guessed that there must be family members around her. "I'm free, definitely free!"

"Okay, then it's settled! Call me before you leave!" Before Li Xuan could continue teasing, Zhong Chuhong had already hung up the phone impatiently.

For the first visit, Li Xuan naturally didn't want to go empty-handed. When he arrived at the Zhong family's clothing store, he was carrying three or four gift bags, including tonic wine for Zhong Chuhong's parents and snacks and toys for her younger siblings.

Zhong Chuhong had been waiting at the door. Seeing him, her nervous face finally showed a smile. She took the bags from Li Xuan, scolding him for spending too much money, but her heart was as sweet as honey.

"Dad, Mom, this is my friend Li Xuan. You can call him Xuan!"

Li Xuan couldn't help but find it amusing. With her nervous expression, even a fool could tell that their relationship was not ordinary. He wondered how she had developed her acting skills in her later life.

"Mr. Zhong, Mrs. Zhong, nice to meet you!" Li Xuan politely greeted Zhong's father, who was reading the newspaper, and Zhong's mother, who had come out of the kitchen.

"Sit down quickly, it's just a simple dinner, no need to bring anything!" Zhong's mother warmly welcomed Li Xuan and then turned to scold her husband, "You really are something, reading those old newspapers all day! You didn't even get up to offer a cup of tea when a guest arrived!"

Zhong's father, who had a good temper, smiled helplessly at Li Xuan and was about to get up to pour tea. Li Xuan quickly stood up and said he could do it himself, and at that moment, Zhong Chuhong had already prepared a cup of coffee for him.

"Chat with my dad, I'll go help my mom in the kitchen!" Zhong Chuhong, unable to stay in the living room, said and then went to the kitchen.

"Xuan, what do you do for a living?" Zhong's father asked casually.

"I'm still in university, I just got into the Chinese University this year!" Li Xuan replied.

"University is good, it's easier to find a job after graduation. Hong Kong society places a high value on degrees! Our Honghong isn't as good at studying as you!" Zhong's father was pleased to hear that Li Xuan was a university student and spoke more warmly.

They chatted about many things but never got to the main topic. Li Xuan knew that the Zhong family had invited him for dinner to ask about the arcade business. Although Zhong Chuhong was concerned about the complex environment of the arcade, she couldn't resist the desire to improve her family's living conditions. After confirming with Li Xuan several times that there were no problems, she finally mentioned it to her family.

Seeing the slight embarrassment on Zhong's father's face, Li Xuan understood that he was reluctant to ask for help from a potential son-in-law, feeling somewhat inferior.

So, Li Xuan took the initiative to talk about his partnership with his brother Li Ke in a small company producing video game machines. With his guidance, the conversation became more lively. Compared to his daughter, Zhong's father was more aware of the social realities.

Triads were deeply rooted in Hong Kong society. Not only were places like dance halls and nightclubs under their control, but even small fruit stands, fish stalls, and vegetable stalls on the street had to pay protection fees. Even the Zhong family's small clothing store was no exception, with someone coming to collect the fees on a fixed date each month.

Paying protection fees for safety was a common practice, so Zhong's father was not as opposed to the triads as his daughter. To him, this was part of the survival rules of Hong Kong society, and he was used to it.

This saved Li Xuan a lot of trouble. He was very concerned about his girlfriend's affairs and had already asked his brother Li Ke to find several popular locations suitable for an arcade. These places were all within the core territory of the Hele Society, and he had already spoken to Brother Qiang, who would be responsible for the arcade's security. Shao Yongqiang was happy to do him a favor and would smooth things over with the other triad leaders.

After this matter was settled, Zhong's mother began to subtly inquire about Li Xuan's family during the dinner, acting like a mother-in-law sizing up a potential son-in-law. Zhong Chuhong, sitting next to Li Xuan, blushed and couldn't lift her head. Li Xuan answered all her questions naturally and politely.

The Li family's situation a few months ago was not as good as the Zhong family's. Although the two brothers now ran their own factory and were bosses, in the eyes of Zhong's parents, they were a good match. Li Xuan's performance tonight also won their initial approval.

"Honghong, go see Xuan off!"

Li Xuan was about to leave, and Zhong's mother, who was already treating him like a future son-in-law, smiled warmly and gently pushed her daughter.

"How was my performance tonight?" Li Xuan held Zhong Chuhong's hand and smiled. Since they had already met the parents, there was no need to be shy.

"Not bad, just barely passing!" Outside the door, Zhong Chuhong returned to her cheerful and outgoing self.

"How about you come to my place for a simple dinner sometime?" As soon as Li Xuan said this, Zhong Chuhong gave him a glare.

"Long night, I can't sleep. Can I stay at your place for the night?" Li Xuan embraced Zhong Chuhong and whispered in her ear.

"Don't, give me some time, okay?" Zhong Chuhong was too embarrassed to lift her head.

Their relationship had progressed to third base, but they were still one step away from a home run. Zhong Chuhong was unwilling to cross the final line.

Li Xuan wasn't in a hurry. Before getting into the car, he gave her a deep kiss and then drove away under her loving gaze.