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

In his office at Samsung Group headquarters, Lee Kun-hee sat behind a large desk, gripping a microphone tightly in one hand, his expression grim.

The call was made personally by Lu Taiyu. The content was simple: Jiahe Group wanted to invest in Samsung, and the Blue House had agreed in principle. He was asked to cooperate.

"Chairman Lee, this is the government's decision, as well as my and the President's," Lu Taiyu said in a businesslike tone, but his words carried an undeniable air of authority. "Mr. Lu is very optimistic about Samsung. You can discuss the specific percentages later. But the general direction has been decided."

Lee Kun-hee held the microphone and remained silent for a long time.

Samsung belongs to his father, to the Lee family. From the time Lee Byung-chul founded Samsung Corporation to the present day, for 49 years, this company has always been a family business of the Lee family.

Outsiders as shareholders? He had never considered it, nor did he ever want to.

But he dared not say anything. Jeon Ji-hyun was still in power, and even if he did, his good brother Roh Tae-woo would take over. These two men at the Blue House held the South Korean economy in their hands. They could decide which company to expand, and that company could expand; they could decide who to bow down, and that person would have to bow down.

"Yes...I understand, thank you General Lu." Lee Kun-hee said only this before hanging up the phone.

He sat in his study for a long time, becoming increasingly agitated.

Samsung is already having a tough time these days.

In previous years, Samsung missed out on the benefits of South Korea's heavy industry boom, and now its main semiconductor business is in its most painful phase. Samsung Electronics is like a money-devouring beast, pouring money into R&D, factories, and equipment, but output is still a long way off.

What's even more troublesome is the internal workings of the group. The veterans who followed their father in building the empire see him as young and having only recently taken over, and they outwardly comply with his orders but inwardly resist them, all vying for his favor both openly and secretly.

Now another outsider, Lu Chen, has arrived.

But ironically, he didn't even have the right to refuse.

Just as Lee Kun-hee was getting so frustrated that he wanted to smash something, the phone on the table rang again.

He glanced at the caller ID and saw that it was an unfamiliar number.

Lee Kun-hee frowned, then reached out and took it.

"President Li?" A gentle and steady voice came from the other end of the phone. "This is Lu Chen."

Lee Kun-hee's hand gripping the microphone tightened slightly.

"Mr. Lu," he said, suppressing his inner turmoil, "what can I do for you?"

"It's not really about giving advice," Lu Chen said casually, as if discussing a routine business matter. "It's like this, I have something I'd like to discuss with Chairman Li."

"Oh? Mr. Lu, please go ahead."

"Some of the chip manufacturing for Longteng Technology has always been outsourced to Toshiba," Lu Chen said. "After some consideration, I'm thinking of transferring that part to Samsung."

Lee Kun-hee was taken aback.

"If Samsung is interested, we can have a good talk about things like manufacturing prices and yield guarantees."

On the other end of the phone, Lee Kun-hee's breathing became noticeably rapid.

He knew this was a sweet treat.

Lu Chen first gave him a huge order, and then talked about investing in the company—you've taken my benefits, so you can't very well refuse me entry, right?

But Lee Kun-hee also knew that he had no intention of refusing.

What does Samsung's semiconductor business lack most right now? It's orders—significant orders that can demonstrate its technological prowess.

That chip factory, which has swallowed up countless funds, will become a bottomless pit that will drag down the entire group if it never finds a major customer.

Longteng Technology is one of the world's largest technology companies. Longteng computers, Longteng mobile phones and other products are sold all over the world. Their chip orders are something that many wafer foundries would be eager to obtain.

If he can secure the foundry order from Longteng, it will not only be a shot in the arm for the dying Samsung Semiconductor, but it will also mean that Samsung has obtained the highest level of access to the international market in the chip foundry field!

More importantly, the news of a deep partnership with Golden Harvest—once it gets out, will those old-timers who outwardly obey him but inwardly defy him still dare to disagree? What makes them think they can challenge a chairman who can secure a deal with the world's richest man?

"Mr. Lu," Lee Kun-hee carefully chose his words, his voice much steadyer than before, "I am very interested in this proposal, and I hope we can discuss the specifics in detail."

"Of course!" Lu Chen replied with a smile. "In a few days, Jiahe's general manager will be taking his legal team to Seoul. You can handle the specific details then."

"Alright, alright, then I'll be waiting for Golden Harvest's arrival."

The phone hangs up.

Lee Kun-hee sat in his study, holding the phone tightly for a long time before slowly putting it back on the landline.

He suddenly felt that the twilight outside the window in Seoul didn't seem as heavy as it had been before.

……

Evening, Hannam-dong, Seoul, at the Lee family's residence.

Lee Kun-hee's study is located on the second floor, on the east side. It is decorated in an antique style, with Korean-style solid wood furniture, a calligraphy piece by his father hanging on the wall, and several rows of finely bound economics books on the bookshelf.

He sat behind his desk, the barley tea in front of him had gone cold, but he didn't touch it.

"Knock knock".

Suddenly, there was a knock on the study door.

"Come in."

The door was slowly pushed open, and a young, slender figure walked in.

Lee Boo-jin is eighteen years old this year and is the eldest daughter of Lee Kun-hee.

Today she wore a simple white shirt, her hair draped over her shoulders, her features delicate, and her eyes held a calmness beyond her years. But what was most striking were her eyes—eyes that shone with a uniquely ambitious light characteristic of the Li family.

"Father." Lee Boo-jin stood in front of the desk, her voice clear and elegant.

"Sit down." Lee Kun-hee pointed to the chair opposite him.

Lee Boo-jin sat down and waited quietly.

"Speaking of which, you're about to graduate high school. My original plan for you was to attend Yonsei University after graduation," Lee Kun-hee said calmly.

Lee Boo-jin nodded; this was an arrangement her family had made long ago. Yonsei University is the best university in South Korea, and along with Seoul National University and Korea University, it is known as one of the "SKY" universities in South Korea. Studying there is not only about acquiring knowledge, but also about expanding one's future network.

"However, after some consideration, I'd like to suggest you go somewhere else."

Lee Boo-jin's expression shifted slightly upon hearing this: "Where does Father want me to go?"

She had thought her father would send her to Seoul National University or Korea University, but he gave her an unexpected answer.

"Hong Kong Island University."

Li Fuzhen's eyebrows twitched slightly. She didn't ask why, but just looked at her father and waited for him to continue.

"The business school at Island University of Hong Kong is one of the best in Asia," Lee Kun-hee explained. "Moreover, Hong Kong is Asia's financial center, and its level of internationalization is much higher than Seoul's. If you go there, you can learn more than just what's in books."

At this point, Lee Kun-hee paused slightly.

He wanted to reveal more—he wanted to mention that Hong Kong Island had Lu Chen, Golden Harvest, and Dragon Entertainment; he wanted to say that Samsung's cooperation with Golden Harvest had only just begun; he wanted to say what it would mean for Samsung's future if Lee Boo-jin could establish herself in Hong Kong Island…

But in the end, he didn't say it.

He simply looked at his daughter and added, "I'll have someone take care of things in Hong Kong. Get ready for school to start in the fall."

Lee Boo-jin looked at her father, remained silent for a few seconds, and then nodded.

"good."

Although Lee Kun-hee spoke in a grand and respectable manner, she knew in her heart that her father sent her to Hong Kong Island not simply for the purpose of studying.

Outside the window, the night in Seoul was gradually falling, and the lights on both sides of the Han River were lighting up one after another.

Lee Kun-hee leaned back in his chair, watching his daughter's departing figure, and let out a long sigh of relief.

The study fell silent again, with only the grandfather clock on the wall ticking away, slowly marking the eve of the new era.