Chapter 432 Don’t thank me for your kindness
As for the others, they are not qualified to be at this banquet.
"Ah Hao, I came to you this time not just to reminisce about the past. I just came back from the mainland a few days ago. To be honest, an unprecedented turmoil is about to sweep across Macau."
Ho Hongsen's tone was serious, as if a storm was about to come.
As for He Youguang, he also put down the chopsticks in his hand, looking worried.
Ordinary people might envy him for being born into a good family, but no one can understand that as the designated successor of the He family, the pressure on his shoulders is actually very great.
Especially in such a turbulent era, no one knows where the future will go. After the new century arrives, will the He family still dominate the gaming industry as it does now?
The Ho family has monopolized the gaming rights in Macau for too long. As for the Ho family's current situation, it is like rowing against the current: if they do not move forward, they will fall behind.
Lin Zehao lit a cigar, slowly exhaled a puff of smoke, and said, "I've heard about this matter too. I heard that they are planning to release two more gambling cards. Is the information accurate?"
He has always been in contact with the mainland and the relationship is very good, so it is natural for him to hear about this kind of news.
However, his roots are not in Macau after all, and the relevant policies are definitely more understood by families with deep roots like the Ho family.
"Yes, it has basically been confirmed. In a month or a week, the higher-ups should be able to announce the news."
Ho Hongsen also had a headache and kept smoking a cigar.
As we all know, the best and most profitable business in the world, no matter what industry it is, is monopoly, just like the Ho family who obtained the sole operating rights of Macau Spinach.
Of course, Haojing Tourism and Entertainment Company has several shareholders, and the He family is just one of them, and they only serve as the front-stage manager.
The originally monopolized market is now facing the introduction of two competitors. The monopoly situation is broken and the balance is also disturbed.
It is still unknown who will become bigger and who will become smaller in the future.
"So what's the meaning of Brother Jiu asking me to come here this time?" Lin Zehao asked casually, looking at the cigar ash.
He Hongsen smiled and said, "Let's be frank. Ah Hao is definitely one of our family members based on the relationship between our two families. Ever since you saved Ah Guang, I have never treated you as an outsider."
Just at this moment, there was a knock on the door and a girl with a bob haircut walked in. It was the eldest daughter of the second branch of the Ho family, Pansy Ho, 22 years old this year. She had just graduated from the Department of Marketing at Santa Clara University in California, USA and was preparing to go to Hong Kong Island to work under the introduction of her father and get some initial contact with society.
"Father."
"This is Lin Zehao, right?"
Pansy Ho first greeted Stanley Ho, looking very confident and not at all nervous.
Ho Hongsen stood up and said, "Yes, this is Ah Hao. Not only is his career much more successful than your father and me, but he is also very handsome."
"Ah Hao, this is my eldest daughter with my second wife, He Chaoqiong. She is a few years younger than you. You can just call her Ah Qiong."
Matching Pansy Ho and Lam Chak Ho was something Stanley Ho had planned for a long time. Among all his children, she was the only one who was of the right age, background, and personality.
After all, she is the eldest daughter of the second wife, and the right to speak for the second wife will be handed over to He Chaoqiong in the future. She is not a marginal figure in the family and is worthy of Lin Zehao.
"Hello, Brother Hao."
He Chaoqing extended his hand generously, and Lin Zehao shook it. The touch was good, and he said, "Hello, just call me Zehao."
Lin Zehao also knew what Ho Hongsen meant, but he didn't reject it. After all, with his status, he would reach this step sooner or later, and it would not be surprising for him to meet the right person to start a family.
As the eldest daughter of He Chaoqiong's second wife, this is enough.
He Chaoqi sat down alone, but her big watery eyes were fixed on Lin Zehao, full of curiosity.
She had heard of this name when she was studying in the United States. After all, he saved He Youguang, the next generation of the He family's head. Such a big thing was known to the entire He family.
At the same time, she has also been paying attention to the Hutchison Correctional Services Department, which landed in the United States for development last year.
In addition, she has many celebrity friends in the Hong Kong entertainment industry, and has heard a lot about Lin Zehao's deeds.
It is no exaggeration to say that although she met Lin Zehao for the first time, she knew him quite well.
After the interlude, let’s continue with the previous topic.
"If the Macau gambling industry is really divided into three parts in the future, Ah Hao, I hope you can get one of the licenses."
"Don't worry, I will use the resources of the He family to help you. You only need to inject a certain proportion of capital into Haojiang Tourism and Entertainment Company after obtaining the gambling license and become one of the company's shareholders. You don't need to pay any other price."
As He Hongsen spoke these words slowly, the atmosphere in the box changed from the relaxed and joyful one just now to a somewhat solemn one.
Among the people present here, there is no doubt that Stanley Ho and Lin Zehao are experienced, sophisticated and highly intelligent.
Although He Chaoqiong and He Youguang are far inferior to the other two, they were born in such a family after all, and they can learn a lot from the influence of their family since childhood.
Therefore, everyone present knew that Lin Zehao’s next answer was crucial.
Ho Hongsen's intention is already obvious. He wants to win over Lin Zehao, a powerful ally, before the upcoming wave of reform.
Instead of doing nothing and watching the license fall into the hands of someone who is not sure whether he is an enemy or a friend, it is better to take the initiative and at least ensure that you have a reliable ally on your side. In this way, in a two-on-one situation, the He family can basically ensure that they are invincible.
The choice of this ally was the result of long consideration by Ho Hongsen.
Why choose Lin Zehao? It’s actually very simple.
Putting aside personal feelings, apart from the life-saving grace, there are actually only two points.
First of all, Lin Zehao has the ability and is of the right age. If he follows the normal development trend, he will be able to radiate to the next generation of the He family.
Secondly, and most importantly, Lin Zehao is from Hong Kong Island and his base is also in Hong Kong Island.
If he were to find a local family in Macau to cooperate with, Stanley Ho would have to consider whether the other party would replace the Ho family in the near future.
But by working with Lin Zehao, he doesn't need to have such concerns.
It’s still the old saying, the world is bustling with people seeking profit, the world is bustling with people seeking profit.
Especially for someone in a position like Stanley Ho, the survival and interests of the family must be put first.
“It sounds like a good deal, but I think the remaining two licenses will attract competition from gaming groups around the world, right?”
"I have never been involved in this industry. Although I look quite wealthy in the eyes of ordinary people, I am actually far behind those multinational gambling groups."
"Why not change to a stronger partner?" Lin Zehao neither agreed nor refused, but just said it calmly.
He is never blindly confident, nor does he ever belittle himself. He always has a clear understanding of his own position and a clear plan for his future path.
If he could obtain the gambling license in Macau, it would indeed be a lucrative business, but Lin Zehao must see the so-called support from Ho Hongsen and the guarantee of absolute control over the management rights.
Lin Zehao would never tolerate himself becoming a subordinate of the He family and a puppet pushed to the front by them.
In a nutshell, cooperation is fine, and there is no problem with being allies, but the owner of this newly built casino must be named Lin!
Ho Hongsen is an old fox, so he can naturally hear the deep meaning of Lin Zehao's words. He exhaled a puff of smoke, fanned it with his hands, and said, "Ah Hao, don't worry, I'm already in my sixties, I don't have such big ambitions. As the saying goes, it's rare for a person to live to seventy, I'm actually considered a long-lived person now."
"Even if I can live another ten or twenty years, my energy and brain won't be enough. Besides, I don't want to keep working until that age. When the time is right, I will step back and leave the He family to A Guang to manage."
"In the future, I hope you can help the He family because of the relationship between our two families."
Ho Hongsen was born into an aristocratic family and had been living a life of luxury since childhood, but when he was young he experienced his family’s bankruptcy due to stock speculation, so he has seen both ups and downs.
It is precisely because of this that he clearly understands that it is not easy for any family to remain prosperous for a long time.
Therefore, he must not be careless and should keep a backup plan as much as possible when conditions permit, in case of emergency.
He Chaoqiong and He Youguang, who were standing by, also set their eyes on him, wanting to know his final choice.
As for Luo Tianhong and A'mai, they looked straight ahead, their eyes at their noses and their noses at their hearts.
As Brother Hao's closest bodyguards, they knew that they could appear in such occasions only because of the boss's trust.
Don’t remember what you shouldn’t remember, don’t listen to what you shouldn’t listen to. Even if you have listened to it, you must keep it in your stomach and never reveal a single word!
It is no exaggeration to say that as long as the content of today's dinner conversation is leaked, there will definitely be no shortage of buyers even if the price is over a million.
They know what this means, so they must stick to the bottom line.
Lin Zehao could understand what Ho Hongsen meant. Knowing the general trend of the future, he was willing to believe this statement.
After a pause, he continued, "In that case, I agree to cooperate. I hope Brother Nine can help me with the official matters."
No matter what, Lin Zehao's familiarity with Macau is definitely not as good as Ho Hongsen's, and his influence in certain aspects is not as great as the other's. Many things will be much easier to handle if he comes forward.
After all, the two parties are in a cooperative relationship, and the relationship should be used as necessary. It can also be used to test Ho Hongsen's strength.
"Okay, Ah Hao, I really didn't make a mistake about you."
"Here, let me toast you."
Ho Hongsen picked up his wine glass, stood up and smiled happily.
Lin Zehao was not arrogant either. He also stood up and raised his glass to gesture.
The two smiled at each other, tilted their heads back, and drank the wine in the glass in one gulp.
Seeing this, He Chaoqiong on the side couldn't help but persuade him: "Dad, your personal doctor said you can't drink a lot of alcohol, drink less."
Ho Hongsen laughed and said, "It's okay. I'm happy today. If people are not allowed to smoke and drink while alive, they might as well be dead."
Just as He Chaoqiong was about to say something else, He Youguang also stood up and respectfully toasted Lin Zehao, saying very sincerely: "Brother Hao, if it weren't for you, my wife and I would never have come back. We in the He family will always remember your life-saving grace."
"It's said that great kindness needs no thanks. It's all in the wine. I toast you!"
As he spoke, He Youguang tilted his head back and drank up half the glass of whiskey.
Lin Zehao did not stand up, but nodded slightly and said, "I understand. The road ahead is long, and there will be plenty of opportunities in the future."
Faced with this situation, no one felt there was anything wrong.
Lin Zehao saved He Youguang and his wife, and also saved the future of the He family. It's only natural to offer a glass of wine to them.
The real reward is yet to come!
What's more, considering Lin Zehao's status and position, it is not an easy thing to repay this favor.
He Chao stood up gracefully, his legs looking very slender, holding the wine glass and said with a smile: "Brother Hao, I also toast you a glass, and hope to have the opportunity to learn more from you in the future."
It has to be said that in her impression, almost all the younger generations, when facing their father, were either submissive, or extremely eager to show off, or flattered him crazily.
No one can be as calm and composed as Lin Zehao, who can handle things with ease, demonstrate his own strength, and perfectly meet the demands of both parties.
He Chaoqiong, who received elite education since childhood, understands that it is easier said than done, but it is harder than climbing to the sky to do it!
The fact that neither she nor her elder brother, who came from a wealthy family, could do it, proves everything!
But Lin Zehao, who started from scratch and was penniless, did it!
This made He Chaoqiong very curious about him, and she even subconsciously had the urge to get close to Lin Zehao.
"I don't deserve it, let's learn together."
Lin Zehao smiled elegantly and drank the wine in the glass.
After three rounds of wine, five flavors of food.
The dishes on the table had been removed, and a few people moved to the lounge to drink tea, chat, and eat snacks.
Ho Hongsen took a sip of tea, looked at the daughter who had been secretly observing Lin Zehao, and immediately said, "Ah Hao, do you have any positions that are suitable for Ah Kong?"
"She graduated from the Department of Marketing at Santa Clara University in California. She will definitely not cause you any trouble."
As children of wealthy families, 99 percent of them cannot escape the fate of having their marriages arranged by the family. Unless they are from an unimportant side branch, they will become the object of an arranged marriage.
As the eldest daughter of the second wife, the same is naturally true for He Chaoqiong.
Since she is interested in Lin Zehao, as her father, Ho Hongsen doesn't mind giving her a push.
As a father, he also doesn't want his daughter to find a man she doesn't love and live a mediocre life because of family pressure.
After all, it is a marriage in the end, and finding someone you like is definitely the best outcome.
Lin Zehao put down his teacup, picked up a cigar beside him, and said, "Brother Jiu is joking."
(End of this chapter)
