Hong Kong variety show: The mastermind behind the scenes is emerging.

If Central is the heart of Hong Kong Island, pumping hundreds of millions of dollars with every beat, then Victoria Peak is the head of Hong Kong Island, towering high above, overlooking all living beings.

Since the port opened in 1841, there has been an unwritten rule here: the hilltop is God’s gift to the rulers.

During the long colonial period, only governors, garrison commanders, and comprador bosses of British trading companies were qualified to settle in this high-altitude area. The "Summit Reservation Ordinance" promulgated in 1904 explicitly wrote "Chinese are not allowed" into law, and it was not repealed until after World War II.

However, the abolition of the law does not mean the disappearance of social classes.

It wasn't until the 70s that established Chinese families such as the Ho Tung family and the Lo Man-chun family finally managed to gain access to the mountaintop. Subsequently, top tycoons such as the shipping magnate Bao Shifu followed suit.

Even so, to this day, there are still very few Chinese families that have their own independent address on Peak Road.

Living here is not about comfort, it's about power.

It means that you are no longer the one gazing at the stars, but have become a part of the starry sky.

……

Nine o'clock in the morning.

A convoy of black Rolls-Royces slowly drove away from Yi Yi Cun, heading up the winding mountain road.

As the altitude increases, the heat and dust in the air are gradually replaced by moist and cool mountain breezes. The scenery outside the window also changes from a dense forest of reinforced concrete to a lush subtropical broad-leaved forest.

inside the car.

Inside the car, Ruan Mei was tightly gripping Lu Chen's arm, her pretty face filled with nervousness and excitement. Today, she was wearing a white Jiahe haute couture dress and a wide-brimmed sun hat, looking both dignified and adorable.

"Honey...are we really going to buy it?"

"Of course," Lu Chen opened his eyes, took her cold little hand in his, the warmth of his palm reassuring her slightly, "The formalities have all been completed, and from now on you are the mistress of this manor."

"But I still feel a sense of unreality," Ruan Mei said, looking out the window at the increasingly expansive view. "This is Victoria Peak... I heard that it's where all the high-ranking foreign officials live..."

"It used to be," Lu Chen smiled faintly, his eyes revealing an air of domineering arrogance, "but from now on, this is our Chinese territory."

As they spoke, the convoy drove onto a private road.

The convoy slowly came to a stop in front of a huge black wrought iron gate. Two security personnel in Jiahe Security uniforms had been waiting for a long time. After saluting, they slowly pushed open the gate.

"arrive."

Lu Chen took Ruan Mei's hand and got out of the car.

At that moment, Ruan Mei felt as if she had stepped into a dream.

This is a super estate located on the southern section of the mountaintop road. It occupies an entire hilltop, backed by green mountains and facing the sea.

The estate covers an area of ​​50,000 square feet (approximately 4600 square meters).

The main building is a magnificent three-story white Victorian villa, its exterior walls covered in ivy, exuding a sense of age and prestige. On either side of the main building are two separate annexes, serving as living quarters for bodyguards and servants.

But that's not the most shocking part.

The most breathtaking thing is that huge lawn garden, where the entire Victoria Harbour is right below you.

The bamboo scaffolding under construction at the Bank of China Tower, the modular design of the HSBC Building, and the dense cluster of buildings on the Kowloon Peninsula in the distance all appear like miniature models, all within sight.

The previous owner of the manor was an old nobleman who, due to a sudden change in the situation during previous negotiations, decided to sell his assets and return to London.

Two years ago, this estate, located on the south side of Peak Road, covering 50,000 square feet and featuring a private helipad, would have been priceless even at 150 million. Now, Lu Chen acquired it for just over 80 million, which is equivalent to a 50% discount.

"Woof! Woof!"

Two cheerful shouts broke the tranquility of the manor.

As soon as the car door opened, two puppies, both just over a year old, darted out.

Coke and Sprite.

The two puppies that Ruan Mei picked up have now grown into majestic little dogs. They've adapted much better than Ruan Mei herself, excitedly rolling and chasing each other on the lawn, rustling the neatly trimmed bushes.

Watching the two puppies frolicking around, Ruan Mei's tense nerves finally relaxed a little, and a happy smile appeared on her lips.

"Mr. Lu, Mrs. Lu, welcome home."

A 30-year-old female butler, dressed in a black business suit and with her hair neatly combed, came forward. She was a standard-bearer at the manor, having received the most professional English butler training.

"I'm Mary, the housekeeper here. It's a pleasure to serve you."

"Show us around," Lu Chen nodded.

"Yes, please come with me."

Mary stepped aside to lead the way and began to explain the layout of the manor.

"The main building of the manor was constructed in 1920 and designed by a renowned British architect. It has five master bedrooms, seven secondary bedrooms, a separate study, a cigar room, a billiards room, and a banquet hall that can accommodate thirty people..."

Stepping inside, a strong sense of old-fashioned British style immediately greets you.

Deep red mahogany wainscoting, an elaborate crystal chandelier, a heavy Persian carpet, and several unidentified oil paintings hanging on the wall.

Everything seemed so luxurious and elegant, but also... outdated.

That sense of antiquity isn't about wear and tear, but rather a kind of stagnant, lifeless air. Like an old aristocrat from the last century, stubbornly wearing an out-of-fashion tailcoat, barely surviving in modern society.

Ruan Mei was dazzled by the sight, her small mouth slightly open.

However, Lu Chen frowned slightly.

As the tour progressed, Lu Chen's brow furrowed with increasing dissatisfaction.

"Mary," Lu Chen interrupted the butler's rambling.

"Sir, what can I do for you?"

"I don't like the style," Lu Chen pointed to the dark wainscoting and elaborate decorations. "It's too oppressive. I don't like this feeling of living in an old castle. And all this furniture has a musty, imperial vibe."

Mary was stunned for a moment. This was the most authentic British aristocratic style, something that so many people longed for.

"You mean...?"

"Tear it down and start over," Lu Chen said casually, as if he were throwing away an old piece of clothing. "Except for the main structure of the building, all the hard and soft furnishings will be demolished."

"I want a modern minimalist style, large floor-to-ceiling windows for good natural light. Remove all the wooden panels and replace them with natural marble. I want custom-made furniture with clean lines and a high-tech feel."

In this era, the concept of "smart home" doesn't exist yet, but it can be created entirely with money.

The house features central air conditioning, automatic sensor lighting, a top-of-the-line security system, and of course, a home theater and a constant-temperature wine cellar.

"Yes, sir, I will contact the best design firm in Hong Kong immediately." Although Mary was surprised by her new employer's generosity, her professionalism made her immediately note down the request.

After passing through the hall, the group arrived at the backyard of the manor.

The area is more open here, and at the end of the lawn, on the edge of the cliff, there is a circular concrete platform with a huge "H" painted on it.

Private helipad!

Seeing this, a hint of satisfaction finally appeared in Lu Chen's eyes.

This is what he values ​​most!

"Beautiful!" Lu Chen snapped his fingers. "That's more like it."

As a time traveler, he knew all too well the traffic situation on Hong Kong Island for the next few decades; the Hung Hom Tunnel would be a permanent parking lot.

"Buy! We have to buy planes!" Lu Chen immediately instructed Tian Yangsheng behind him, "Asheng, contact Sikorsky or Bell Helicopter. I need to order two helicopters. One for business commuting, it needs to be comfortable and quiet; the other..."

Lu Chen stroked his chin. "The other one needs to have a long range, so I can travel around easily."

"Understood, boss." Tian Yangsheng nodded and made a note of it.

……

It was evening.

As the sun sets, it paints the entire Victoria Harbour in a golden-red hue.

The housekeeper, Mary, and the servants tactfully withdrew, and the two puppies, tired from playing, lay down on the terrace for a nap.

In front of the floor-to-ceiling window of the master bedroom on the second floor.

Lu Chen changed into casual home clothes and held two glasses of red wine in his hand.

He walked to the window and looked at Ruan Mei.

At this moment, Ruan Mei was gazing intently at the scenery outside the window.

Beneath my feet lies the dazzling Pearl of the Orient. Thousands of lights begin to illuminate the city, and the bustling traffic merges into a flowing river of light. On the sea, ferries pierce the waves with long whistles.

Standing here, you really feel like you have the whole world under your feet.

This kind of serene and delightful scenery is enough to heal all anxiety and unease.

"So beautiful..."

Ruan Mei murmured softly, her eyes unfocused. She had never imagined that one day she would be able to stand at such a height, looking down at the city where she had grown up.

"Yes, it's beautiful."

Lu Chen walked behind her and gently wrapped his arms around her slender waist.

Their bodies fit together perfectly. Lu Chen could feel the softness and warmth of her body, and smell the faint scent of shampoo in her hair.

He lowered his head, resting his chin on her shoulder, his warm breath brushing against Ruan Mei's sensitive earlobe.

"However..." Lu Chen's voice was low and gentle, like a glass of fine red wine. No matter how beautiful the scenery here is, it's just lifeless. Only with you here does this place feel like home.

These unexpected words of love are more powerful than this 80 million dollar mansion.

Ruan Mei's face instantly flushed red, like a ripe apple. She turned around and buried her face in Lu Chen's chest, her voice barely a whisper:

"You rascal...you're just trying to sweet-talk me..."

"I wasn't just trying to fool you."

Lu Chen lifted her chin, looking into her large, watery eyes with deep affection.

Eyes facing each other.

It was as if pink bubbles were rising in the air.

In the vast room, only the two people embracing remained, and outside the window lay Hong Kong, a city that had witnessed countless legends.

Lu Chen slowly lowered his head and kissed those two soft lips.