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

1983 1 Month 10 Day.

Los Angeles International Airport, private helipad.

The California sun was still shining brightly, but the time for parting had arrived.

On the tarmac, the black Lubers family jet was ready for takeoff.

"Ah Chen, we'll be going now."

Sofia, dressed in a black Fendi fur coat and sunglasses, still exuded her usual arrogant queen-like aura. She walked up to Lu Chen, wrapped her arms around his neck, and gave him a passionate French kiss.

"But there's a bunch of stubborn old fogies over there waiting for me to deal with them. I'll come find you in Hong Kong after I've taken care of those old geezers there."

"Be careful, don't overexert yourself." Lu Chen patted her taut waist.

On the other hand, Nguyen Van appeared much more reserved. Dressed in a smart business suit and carrying a briefcase, she looked more like a powerful woman about to go to the battlefield.

"Takamagahara is just starting out, and I need to keep an eye on things to prevent the underground council from causing trouble," Ruan Wen said softly, his eyes gentle. "Besides, the JF machine is selling very well in Japan, and we need to make further plans for it."

"Thank you for your hard work, Wen." Lu Chen tidied her short hair, which had been ruffled by the wind. "If there's anything you can't handle, just call me anytime, and I'll send my men to help you."

"Don't worry, I'm a painter, there's nothing I can't handle."

After seeing off the two powerful regional officials, Lu Chen led the other women toward the Gulfstream G2 with the golden "Lu" logo.

For these close female friends, this trip to the United States was not just a vacation, but also a rare opportunity for them to connect.

In that Beverly Hills estate, they witnessed Lu Chen's power and methods on the world stage, and also felt the warmth of the large family led by Ruan Mei. The slight resentment they had about "status" had long since vanished under the fireworks of that New Year's Eve.

Inside the cabin.

"Ah Chen, I've made up my mind." Ya Zi held a glass of juice and looked at Laura beside her somewhat shyly. "After we go back... we plan to move to Youyi Village."

"Really?" Lu Chen's eyes lit up.

Although Ya Zi and Laura had established a relationship with him, they were always too shy to admit it and insisted on living in their own apartments outside, citing reasons such as needing independent space and convenience for work. This always made Lu Chen feel like he was running back and forth between two places.

"Mmm." Laura nodded shyly, peeled a grape and popped it into her mouth. "Anyway, we're just staying here anyway, so we might as well move over and make it more lively. Besides... Amei's cooking is so delicious, I want to eat there every day."

"That's great!" Ruan Mei stopped calculating and smiled, her eyes crinkling into crescents. "We've already reserved rooms for you! The two rooms on the third floor with the best lighting have been empty."

"What about me!" Qiu Di snuggled up like a kitten and took Ruan Mei's arm. "Sister Mei, I'm moving in too! Please save me a room."

As a beer girl from mainland China, Qiu Di had always felt somewhat inferior, believing herself to be an outsider, a "mistress" who couldn't be seen in the light of day. But during this trip, Ruan Mei's tolerance and gentleness as the legal wife completely melted the ice in her heart.

"Silly girl, I saved this for you a long time ago," Ruan Mei patted her head. "From now on, we're all family, and it's more lively when there are many people in the family."

Looking at the harmonious scene before him, Lu Chen leaned back in his comfortable airline seat, a satisfied smile playing on his lips.

……

After more than ten hours of flight.

It was already afternoon on Hong Kong Island when the Gulfstream G2 landed on Kai Tak Airport's famous open-air runway.

The familiar humid sea breeze, the familiar neon signs, and the unique lively atmosphere of Kowloon Walled City in the distance.

"I'm home."

Lu Chen stretched and led the women into the Rolls-Royce convoy that had come to pick them up.

After sending Ya Zi, Laura, and Qiu Di back to their respective residences to pack their luggage and agreeing to officially move in the next day, Lu Chen drove Ruan Mei back to the villa in Yau Yat Tsuen, Kowloon Tong.

"drop--"

The door slowly opened.

Before the car had even come to a complete stop, two black and white figures shot out of the house like cannonballs.

"Woof woof!!"

"Awooo—!!"

Two "old men" who have been left at home for almost half a month—Cola and Sprite—are currently circling the car door frantically, their tails wagging like propellers.

"Oh dear! Coke! Sprite!"

As soon as Ruan Mei opened the car door, the two dogs pounced on her.

Cola's wrinkled black face was full of grievances. It pawed at Ruan Mei's legs with its two front paws and made "woof woof" sounds, as if it were accusing: Where did you go? Why did you take so long to come back? Do you know how much I missed you?

On Lu Chen's side, Sprite seemed a bit more composed. It ran to Lu Chen's feet, rubbed its huge head against Lu Chen's trouser leg, made a low gurgling sound in its throat, and looked at its owner with wet eyes.

"Good dog, good dog, you've grown even stronger."

Lu Chen squatted down and vigorously rubbed Xuebi's head and the fur on her neck. "Have you been good at home? Have you been obedient?"

"Woof!" (I'm being good!)

Lu Chen picked up Kele again and took a deep sniff of the dog's head. That unique dog smell, with a hint of shampoo, instantly relaxed his tense nerves completely.

The maid, Aunt Fei, greeted them with a smile: "Young Master, Young Madam, you're finally back! Ever since you left, these two little devils have been waiting at the door every night, and we can't get rid of them no matter what we do."

"Alright, alright, I'll give you an extra treat tonight! Big bone!"

Ruan Mei hugged the two dogs tenderly, as if they were her own children.

That sense of belonging, which you can never experience in a foreign land no matter how luxurious it is, was filled at this moment by these two enthusiastic furry friends.

……

8 PM.

After a hearty dinner, Ruan Mei took her two dogs to the garden to digest their food.

Lu Chen went to the study on the second floor alone.

He poured himself a glass of whiskey, lit a cigar, and stood by the window looking out at the night view of Victoria Harbour.

Although he had only been gone for half a month, the ever-changing situation in Hong Kong did not stop during that time.

"Ring ring—"

The secure phone on the table rang right on time.

"Boss, welcome back."

The steady voice of Fourth Brother (Rum) came from the other end of the phone. As the head of Jiahe Intelligence Network (the winery), he was always the first person to report to Lu Chen.

"You've had a tough time, Fourth Brother," Lu Chen exhaled a smoke ring, "During my absence, was there any news from home?"

"Nothing major, but a few minor issues."

Fourth Brother reported, "First of all, there's news about that person you asked me to pay special attention to before—Dai Fuqiang, nicknamed 'Big Rich Man'."

Upon hearing this name, Lu Chen's eyes narrowed slightly.

Dai Fuqiang is based on the notorious gangster Cheung Tze-keung, the man who kidnapped Li Ka-shing's eldest son and demanded a ransom of HK$1 billion.

"What's wrong with him?"

"He was just arrested yesterday." Fourth Brother's voice carried a hint of amusement. "That kid's got some nerve. Near Kai Tak Airport, he and a few accomplices robbed an armored truck at gunpoint, stealing HK$160 million."

"Oh? Did the police find any evidence?" Lu Chen asked knowingly.

"That's the problem."

Fourth Brother sighed, "Although the Serious Crimes Unit arrested him, they don't have direct evidence, and this kid has hired the best lawyer in Hong Kong, playing with procedural loopholes with the police. However, it's said that a security guard saw Dai Fuqiang's face, but he was terrified and has refused to appear in court to identify him..."

Lu Chen nodded.

This is the early plot of "The Kidnapping of the Tycoon." Dai Fuqiang is still in the training phase. Although he failed this time and was imprisoned, he will soon find a legal loophole and successfully get acquitted, even extorting a large sum of money. After his acquittal, his ambition will truly swell, and he will begin to target all the tycoons in Hong Kong.

"Keep an eye on him," Lu Chen ordered. "What I need isn't this petty thief who robbed the armored truck, but another—an even more audacious robber! Remember to remind me when the verdict comes out."

"Understood." Fourth Brother paused, his tone becoming somewhat serious. "There's one more thing, boss."

"Um?"

"Bourbon... seems to be in trouble."

"Chen Jun?"

Lu Chen was somewhat surprised.

Chen Jun is a very calm and intelligent person, and he is very experienced in handling matters. Moreover, he has now risen to the rank of Chief Inspector, which is considered a mid-level position in the police force. What could possibly be difficult for him?

"What's wrong with him?"

"He wouldn't tell me the specifics, but I sensed... he was very agitated. In the past week, he deployed a team of top-tier security personnel from Golden Harvest (DOA-SOT), and... a newly trained team of 'Windcatchers'."

"Have him call me now."

"Yes."

One minute later.

The phone rang again.

"Boss."

Chen Jun's voice was still his signature cold and hard tone, but Lu Chen could hear the suppressed anxiety and murderous intent within it.

"Ah Jun," Lu Chen asked directly, "Fourth Brother said you haven't been acting right lately. Is something wrong?"

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone.

Only heavy breathing could be heard.

"Boss," Chen Jun finally spoke, each word seemingly squeezed out from between his teeth, "I want the distillery to protect one person and kill another."

"Tell me your name," Lu Chen readily agreed.

Chen Jun took a deep breath, his tone turning icy: "The first one is my cousin, Inspector Chen Guozhong of the West Kowloon Major Crimes Unit."

"The second one..."

Chen Jun's voice revealed a chilling hatred:

"It's a man named Wang Bao."

"He's the boss of the Baozi gang and the most arrogant triad boss in Wan Chai right now. He threatened to kill my cousin and even... sent people to harass my niece who's still in school."