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

"Mr. Jane, what are your thoughts on the election process for the Chief Executive since 1997?"

The room fell silent instantly upon hearing this.

Jian Aowei narrowed his eyes slightly, then slowly put down the teacup in his hand, the bottom of the cup hitting the saucer with a crisp porcelain sound.

"Does Mr. Lu want a solution... or just an attitude?"

"I think so," Lu Chen said, slowly playing with his teacup, his gaze falling on the tea leaves inside. "In recent months, many prominent figures from all walks of life in Hong Kong have been debating this issue. Some have publicly stated their advocacy for rapid democratization—universal suffrage for the leader and direct elections for the entire Legislative Council, all in one step."

"However, I've noticed that Mr. Jian usually avoids this matter, so I'd like to hear your opinion as a leading figure in the legal field today."

Jian Aowei was silent for two seconds, then looked up: "I think it's too fast."

Lu Chen tilted his head, indicating that he was all ears.

"I am not against democracy. But any systemic change needs time and a supportive environment. From the colonial period to the present, Hong Kong Island has had very little experience in democratic participation among its citizens. The relevant social foundation, legal framework, civic education, and experience in political parties are all completely blank."

"If we rashly open up completely at this juncture," he paused, his tone becoming more serious, "the people who will truly be organized, experienced, and resourceful to participate in the election will not be ordinary citizens, but those with financial backers, influence, or even foreign connections."

"If it really comes to that, the people elected will not be the representatives of interests that the citizens of Hong Kong Island dream of, but rather agents pushed out by certain forces. Hong Kong Island has finally returned to the motherland, and it must not become a pawn for certain people at this time."

He didn't name names, but both sides understood him perfectly.

With the confirmation of Hong Kong's return to China, the Japanese Empire began to plant seeds of discord, among which the election issue after the handover was a key point of contention.

However, the Japanese mainland is naturally unwilling to accept the handover to Hong Kong Island, so they have been funding many so-called democrats through public funds, enabling them to clamor for rapid democratization.

The reason is easy to guess: at that time, Japan had just withdrawn from Hong Kong Island and had the greatest influence on the island. If rapid democratization were to be implemented, those who came to power would definitely be Japan's puppets and spokespeople.

Lu Chen put down his teacup, a smile of appreciation appearing on his lips: "Mr. Jian's insights are truly insightful and to the point."

Jian Aowei smiled, picked up his teacup, and took a sip: "Isn't Mr. Lu also testing me?"

"It's not a test," Lu Chen said. "I just wanted to hear what someone knowledgeable would say."

Jian Aowei, holding his teacup, tilted it slightly towards Lu Chen: "So, Mr. Lu, do you think my view is clear?"

"Hahaha, of course I understand perfectly!" Lu Chen also picked up his cup, and the porcelain clinked together with a clear, crisp sound that was particularly distinct in the quiet living room.

Neither of them continued the topic. But Lu Chen already knew what was going on—Jian Aowei wasn't the kind of slippery person who would gamble on both sides; he could tell that every word the other said came from the bottom of his heart.

Such a person is worth getting to know gradually.

Just then, a clear laugh suddenly came from the backyard, followed by the dull thud of horses' hooves on the grass, mixed with the horse groom's hurried footsteps and a hushed "Young master, slow down—"

Lu Chen and Jian Aowei both turned to look at the floor-to-ceiling window.

On the lawn, Hongyu was strolling leisurely from the backyard to the open grass in front of the main building.

Little Lu Qian sat upright on the horse, his two little hands gripping the reins. Although his posture wasn't perfect, it was already quite respectable.

Meanwhile, the equally small Ou Yongen sat behind Lu Qian, her arms tightly wrapped around Lu Qian's waist, her face pressed against his back, revealing a pair of eyes that were both surprised and delighted.

"Brother Qian, it's so tall!" Ou Yongen's voice trembled with excitement.

"Don't be afraid, Hongyu is very stable!" Xiao Luqian turned around and smiled at her.

Behind them, a horse breeder and a bodyguard were jogging after them, calling out "Young Master, slow down!" "Young Master, slow down!" their voices slightly out of breath.

When Ruan Mei saw him from afar, she was both amused and exasperated. Not wanting to scold him in front of the guests, she could only grumble, "That brat, he's getting bolder and bolder."

Lu Chen remained calm and said casually, "It's alright, Hongyu is very obedient."

This pedigree horse, gifted by Huo Daheng, is now a year and a half old. Under the meticulous care of a professional horse breeder and with Xiao Luqian's constant companionship, Hongyu is extremely intelligent and has a gentle temperament. Even with two children on its back, it doesn't run wild but walks along quietly.

A moment later, Hongyu slowly stopped in the middle of the lawn, snorted, and Xiao Luqian immediately understood, dismounting and then stretching out his hand to Ou Yongen: "Come down, I'll catch you!"

Ou Yongen hesitated for a moment, then slowly moved towards the edge of the saddle, bracing herself with her hands on the saddle and sliding down.

Lu Qian tiptoed and caught her arm. Half of her body was suspended in mid-air when Lu Qian pulled her up, causing her to fall into his arms. The two of them tumbled onto the grass, rolled half a circle, and then burst into laughter.

In the living room, Jian Aowei watched this scene through the floor-to-ceiling window, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously curved into a smile.

"That's great."

……

As dinnertime approached, the restaurant became lively again.

The women of the Lu family also came out one after another. Qiu Di was wearing a clean white shirt and looked much more energetic than she had yesterday, looking disheveled. Jennifer also came downstairs, having changed into a light blue long dress, with a hint of languor from her afternoon nap.

Lai Di, who had just returned from school, slipped into the house with her schoolbag in her arms. She was taken aback when she saw the table full of guests, but then greeted them politely. He Min was sitting next to Ruan Mei, helping Mary set the table. Ya Zi had just returned from the police station and was still in his uniform, leaning back in his chair and stretching his neck. A'e carried Xiao Lu Qian to a chair, while Ba Wang Hua stood to the side...

Jian Aowei glanced at the room full of beautiful women, said nothing, but his lips twitched slightly.

I had heard that the Lu family had many women, but I was still quite surprised to see them in person.

Lu Chen introduced everyone one by one, and Li Xin'er nodded and greeted them one by one. When she got to Qiu Di, her eyes suddenly lit up.

"You...you're Miss Qiu?!" Li Xin'er waved her hand excitedly. "I...I'm a huge fan of yours! I love every single one of your movies, 'Back to the Future' and 'My Date with a Vampire'!"

Qiu Di was taken aback for a moment, then her eyes crinkled into adorable crescent moons with laughter: "Hehe, so you're my biggest fan!"

As she spoke, she pulled a pen from her pocket, winked at Li Xin'er, and said, "Come on, let me sign your name?"

Li Xin'er was somewhat flattered and hurriedly rummaged through her bag to find a clean piece of white paper. Qiu Di took it and, with swift and elegant strokes, wrote an extremely graceful and beautiful signature.

Li Xin'er took it with both hands, carefully folded it, and put it in her trench coat pocket, nodding happily, "Thank you! Thank you!"

"Don't mention it." Qiu Di waved her hand generously, then added, "If you like anyone's autograph, just tell me, and I'll get it for you—whenever I ask, no one can get it for free."

Ruan Mei sat beside them, watching this scene, smiled and shook her head, then bent down and put a piece of char siu on each of the two children's plates.

Xiao Luqian was already sitting in his booster chair, his bowl piled high with food, but he wasn't in a hurry to eat. Instead, he was putting the chicken leg from his plate into Ou Yongen's bowl.

"Yong'en, eat this, it's delicious."

Ou Yongen looked at the extra chicken leg in her bowl, then at Lu Qian, her lips curved slightly, she reached for her chopsticks, picked up the chicken leg, took a bite, chewed it, and then nodded, saying indistinctly, "Delicious."

Li Xin'er sat beside her daughter, watching her pick up food and eat by herself, and her smile deepened.