Sharpening the Blade Against the Red Wall: From Hong Kong to Handong

On the last morning of December 2005, the sky over Hong Kong was crystal clear, and the surface of Victoria Harbour shimmered with light. The courtyard of the Liaison Office in Hong Kong was already filled with colleagues who had come to see her off. Zhou Jin, dressed in a sharp suit, shook hands with everyone to say goodbye, a gentle smile on her face, but her eyes betrayed a hint of undisguised reluctance.

"Director Zhou, your departure has left us without our pillar of support!" His subordinate of many years, Li Jianguo, gripped his hand tightly, his tone earnest. "Hong Kong's financial stability wouldn't have been possible without your eight years of dedication. We will certainly safeguard the foundation you laid!"

Zhou Jin patted his shoulder, her gaze sweeping over the familiar faces, her voice steady and powerful: "The organization and the people of Hong Kong have seen everyone's hard work. After I leave, I hope you will continue to uphold your original aspirations, serve as a bridge for economic coordination between the two places, and safeguard Hong Kong's prosperity and stability."

Afterwards, friends from Hong Kong's business community also came to see him off. Mr. Zhang from Swire Group, the Asia Pacific President of HSBC, and small and medium-sized business owners who had benefited from Huayao Capital's low-interest loans held Zhou Jin's hands, their words filled with gratitude and reluctance to part. "Director Zhou, thank you so much for your timely help back then, which made us small business owners who we are today!" Mr. Li, a shop owner in Mong Kok, handed over a box of handmade pastries, his eyes reddening. "This is a family heirloom recipe. Please take it to Yancheng and taste the flavors of Hong Kong."

Zhou Jin solemnly accepted the snacks and thanked everyone one by one. He knew that these eight years in Hong Kong had already left a deep mark on his heart, and these colleagues who fought side by side and friends who cherished each other were all precious treasures in his life.

Just as everyone was exchanging pleasantries, a black sedan slowly pulled up at the entrance of the courtyard, and Lin Xiaoman got out. She was wearing a simple white trench coat, her usual assertiveness gone, replaced by a sense of relief. She walked straight to Zhou Jin, holding an exquisite gift box in her hand.

"Zhou Jin, congratulations on taking up your new post." Lin Xiaoman's voice was calm and sincere. She handed over the gift box, "This is something I specially prepared for you. It's a collection of revolutionary historical documents from Yan City. I know you'll find it useful there."

Zhou Jin accepted the gift box and nodded her thanks: "Thank you, Xiaoman."

Lin Xiaoman looked at him, her gaze open and honest, devoid of her former stubbornness, replaced by pure admiration: "Although I didn't win your heart, I admire your talent and perseverance. You gave up the glamour of Hong Kong to settle down in the old revolutionary base area; this original aspiration deserves everyone's respect. I wish you all the best in the future and hope you will make a name for yourself in Yancheng."

She paused, a faint smile playing on her lips, her tone both playful and earnest: "I will continue to support the cooperation between Huayao Capital and the Lin Group, and I will ensure you have no worries while you are in office. I will also come to see you. I have specifically researched the history of Yan City; it is a revolutionary city, and I really want to visit it, to see the place where you fought so hard."

A warm feeling welled up in Zhou Jin's heart. Looking at the woman before him, a woman who dared to love and hate, he sincerely said, "Thank you for your understanding and support, Xiaoman. Yan City welcomes you. I hope you will see a different me then, and also a vibrant old revolutionary base area. I wish you find your own happiness soon."

The two smiled at each other, and all the past entanglements and obsessions seemed to vanish in that smile, leaving only a mutual appreciation and openness.

After bidding farewell to everyone, Zhou Jin, carrying only a few pieces of luggage, boarded the private car to the airport. Before leaving, he took one last look at the office building of the Hong Kong Liaison Office, and at the land where he had worked for eight years, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

The handover at Huayao Capital was successfully completed a week ago. Zhou Jin stepped down as Chief Investment Officer, formally transferring management authority to a new person appointed by the organization. Based on his eight years of dedicated service and outstanding contributions to the company, the board of directors unanimously decided to appoint him as an honorary advisor to Huayao Capital, continuing to provide guidance on the company's strategic planning within compliant limits. At the handover ceremony, Zhou Jin handed over his investment notes and strategic planning manuals, compiled over many years, to his successor, expressing his heartfelt sentiments: "Huayao Capital is a strategic asset of the nation. Only by upholding the bottom line and developing steadily can we live up to our mission."

The plane slowly ascended. Zhou Jin sat by the window, watching Hong Kong gradually shrink until it became a blurry blur of light and shadow. He leaned back in his seat, closed his eyes, and eight years in Hong Kong flashed through his mind like a movie—the naivety and determination of arriving in Hong Kong in 1997, the sleepless nights during the financial crisis of 1998, the tireless efforts in promoting cross-border medical cooperation, the enthusiasm in organizing Hong Kong youth to start businesses on the mainland, and Lin Xiaoman's determined gaze, the figures of his colleagues fighting side by side…

Over the past eight years, he has grown from a fledgling deputy director to a capable director-level cadre; he has transformed Huayao Capital from an emergency investment platform into a large investment institution with assets of 30 billion yuan; he has accumulated rich experience in financial management and gained the deep respect and recognition of the people. More importantly, these eight years of experience have strengthened his original aspiration to "serve the people"—the bustling Hong Kong is not his final destination, but the impoverished yet hopeful old revolutionary base areas are the stage for him to practice his original aspiration.

The plane broke through the clouds and flew north. Outside the window was a clear blue sky, and sunlight streamed through the porthole onto Zhou Jin's face. He opened his eyes, his gaze firm and ardent.

Yancheng City, Shaanxi Province, that red, vibrant land awaits him in the distance. He knows the road ahead may be fraught with thorns, but he is fearless. Because in his heart lies the expectations of the people, the trust of the organization, and an unwavering original aspiration.

A new journey has begun.