Chapter 59

As cherry blossoms danced in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of promise written there.

While enjoying their afternoon tea, the two chatted casually. The conversation started with the electronics industry and gradually expanded to other topics, eventually touching on the Lin Family Group.

"To be honest, I particularly dislike family-style management. It might have some advantages in the early stages of a business, but once the company reaches a certain scale, it's more prone to internal conflicts. In comparison, the professional manager model has fewer such power struggles!

Vincent, you and Lin Yuhao are friends. I won't hide it from you, when I first returned to Hong Kong three years ago, Uncle Lin personally approached me, hoping I would join the Lin Family Group. But I refused. My father serving him is enough; I don't want to get involved in this murky water!

I've known Lin Yuli, Lin Yuhao's older brother, since we were young. His depth of character far surpasses that of Lin Yuxin. It won't be easy for Lin Yuhao to gain any advantage from his older brother!"

"So the best way is to be independent, to rely on oneself to achieve success without having to be subservient!" Li Xuan shook his head and said.

"Brother Peng, I hope to formally invite you to join Oriental Electronics. What do you think?" Li Xuan suddenly sat up straight, looking at Han Peng with sincere eyes and extending the invitation.

Han Peng paused, not immediately agreeing. "Vincent, do you have any plans for the company's future development? Do you intend to focus solely on the gaming industry, or do you have greater ambitions?"

"I named the company Oriental Electronics Technology, not Oriental Electronics Games, because I don't want to limit ourselves to the gaming industry. In my view, the emerging electronics industry, represented by semiconductors and computers, is rapidly rising, and Oriental Electronics shouldn't miss this opportunity.

However, I chose to start with the gaming industry, particularly the arcade sector, because the huge profits it offers are hard to resist. Do you know, Brother Peng, that the production cost of a 'Tank Battle' arcade machine is about $600, but the factory price is as high as $1,800, with a gross profit margin of 200%. And Oriental Electronics currently has orders for nearly 100,000 arcade machines!"

Han Peng was taken aback. If Oriental Electronics just followed the plan to complete the orders, a profit of over $100 million would be within reach. The person sitting in front of him was a genuine billionaire, and Han Peng's view of Li Xuan changed.

If he had any hesitation about joining Oriental Electronics before, he had now made up his mind. It was better to take a chance with this new billionaire, who was not yet twenty, than to continue working at Ampex Vanda.

Ampex Vanda's current CEO, Li Pengfei, joined the company in 1970. He then planned the company's factory setup in Asia, building plants in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Thailand. In 1973, due to the global economic recession triggered by the oil crisis, Ampex Vanda's orders sharply decreased, and its performance plummeted.

The headquarters instructed the Hong Kong branch to lay off half of its employees, but Li Pengfei resisted the pressure from headquarters. By negotiating with employees to reduce wages, he managed to avoid any layoffs and successfully navigated the crisis, earning the trust of both the employees and the U.S. headquarters.

Starting in 1978, Li Pengfei was invited by Governor Murray MacLehose to serve as a member of the Legislative Council. He also received strong support from the U.S. headquarters' senior executive, Andy Anderson, and began to take full responsibility for Ampex Vanda's affairs in Asia. As long as Li Pengfei didn't leave voluntarily, Han Peng would have little chance of advancing at Ampex Vanda, which was a significant reason for him to consider Li Xuan's invitation.

"Previously, I was in talks with Seiko Epson in Japan, hoping they would help Oriental Electronics build our own motherboard factory. The Japanese side has responded positively and will send a special representative to Hong Kong next week to discuss the specifics with me. If Brother Peng is willing to join Oriental Electronics, I hope you can help me handle this matter!" Li Xuan continued.

"Seiko Epson is helping you build a motherboard factory?" Han Peng asked, somewhat surprised.

"Yes, Epson hopes I will continue to purchase their motherboards, but I want to exchange this for their help in building our own motherboard factory by purchasing chips from their wafer fabs." Li Xuan explained.

"Vincent, I'm very sorry, but I need to think about it carefully. I'll give you a clear answer within two days!"

Han Peng ultimately didn't agree to join Oriental Electronics on the spot, but Li Xuan could see the fiery determination in his eyes, knowing that the deal was almost certain.

Leaving the Peninsula Hotel, Li Xuan drove to Clearwater Bay to visit the Shaw Brothers Studio, where Zhong Chuhong was shooting an advertisement.

"Xuan, I got a movie audition!" Zhong Chuhong ran up to Li Xuan with excitement, eager to share the good news with her beloved.

"Oh, what movie?" Li Xuan held her hand.

" 'The Golden Swallow,' a martial arts film. The director is Mr. Johnnie To. He called me today, saying he saw my advertisement and thought I would be perfect for the role of You Peipei, the daughter of the gold escort."

Zhong Chuhong's smile was filled with sweetness and pride.

Zhong Chuhong was finally about to embark on her acting career, and Li Xuan felt like he was witnessing history. He had seen many of Johnnie To's films, such as 'Judge Magistrate,' 'A Bullet in the Head,' 'Election,' and 'Infernal Affairs,' but he hadn't heard of 'The Golden Swallow.' It was probably a flop.

Li Xuan wouldn't be so foolish as to dampen his girlfriend's spirits, but he was also wary. Zhong Chuhong had starred in several rather risqué art films. As a viewer, Li Xuan naturally hoped she would show more, but now, as her boyfriend, he had a different perspective. His woman could only show her legs and navel; the key parts should be reserved for him to enjoy in private. Hugging was acceptable, but kissing should be done with a stand-in, and there would be no bed scenes at all. Li Xuan decided to set some ground rules with Zhong Chuhong at an appropriate time.

"When does the movie start shooting?"

"I don't know, the director asked me to go for a screen test next week!"

"The screen test is just a formality; the lead role is definitely yours. Why don't we celebrate with dinner somewhere?"

"I can't, I have to continue shooting tonight, I can't leave!"

"Then I'll stay with you. What do you want for dinner? I'll buy it and bring it back. We can celebrate in the studio, right?"

"Oh, you silly, it's just an audition. Why are you so excited? What if I don't get the role, I'll be so embarrassed!"

Zhong Chuhong playfully hit Li Xuan a few times. "You're the one who's so excited, women are so unreasonable!" But he only dared to think this, putting on a guilty face to make her laugh.

"Are you free tomorrow night? Be my date and come with me to a teacher's house for dinner!" Li Xuan asked with a smile.

"Do I have that many ads to shoot? But is it appropriate for me to go to a teacher's house with you?"

"You're my girlfriend, it's just a casual dinner, no need to be nervous!"

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