Rebirth of the Hong Kong Millennium Conglomerate

Chapter 63 Meeting Myris

After arriving at the hotel, Mylis went straight to the cultural hall on the third floor, as agreed.

When he pushed open the carved wooden door of the cultural hall, Myris suddenly stopped in his tracks.

In the large private room, only one boy sat by the window.

The young man wore a well-tailored white suit. Although his body had not yet fully developed, his eyes and brows revealed a composure that was far beyond his years.

He looked to be thirteen or fourteen years old, with clean, porcelain-white skin, a straight nose, and well-defined lips. He was holding a cup of tea and sipping it slowly, showing no signs of childishness.

Mylis was stunned!

He had imagined countless possibilities, but he never thought that the person who asked to meet him would be a teenager who looked like he wasn't even an adult yet.

He frowned slightly and hesitated for a few seconds at the doorway. Then the young man looked up, his gaze landing precisely on him, a faint smile playing on his lips, and broke the silence: "Mr. Myris? I'm Zhang Zeyang."

Mylis composed himself, walked over, and sat down on the sofa opposite the boy.

The waiter stepped forward at the right moment and poured him a cup of warm black tea.

"Mr. Zhang." He nodded in greeting, his gaze still fixed on the young man's face, his tone carrying a hint of inquiry, "To be honest, I really didn't expect that the person who asked to meet me would be a young man like you."

""

Zhang Zeyang put down his cup and said, "I know Mr. Mylis will be surprised. However, age has never been a standard for measuring ability, has it?"

That's true. Mylis raised an eyebrow, no longer dwelling on the other man's age, and asked directly, "Mr. Zhang, what brings you here today?"

He has always been a straightforward person and detests beating around the bush.

Zhang Zeyang didn't bother beating around the bush. He leaned forward slightly and stated his purpose directly: "Mr. Myris, I would like to invite you to serve as the general manager of Qiangu Group."

"Um?"

Mylis almost thought he had misheard, staring at the young man in astonishment: "Qian Gu Group?"

He had heard of this name before. Their Tiger and Leopard Group had done business with Qian Gu Bank, and he knew that Qian Gu Bank belonged to Qian Gu Group. However, Qian Gu Group was not large in scale and its business scope was vague. In the Hong Kong business world full of giants, it was just an unknown little player, not even a third-rate company.

And he, Mylis, is now the president of the Hawthorn Group. What kind of entity is the Hawthorn Group? It was once a powerful business empire that dominated Southeast Asia and was renowned throughout the Chinese community. Even though its glory has faded, a fallen camel is still bigger than a horse. In terms of foundation and heritage, it is far superior to a newcomer like the Qian Gu Group.

Mylis composed himself, a playful smile appearing on his face. He looked at Zhang Zeyang, his tone slightly sarcastic yet polite: "Mr. Zhang, you should know my identity—I am now the president of the Tiger Balm Group, in charge of most of Tiger Balm's business in Southeast Asia. Forgive my bluntness, but Qian Gu Group—compared to the Tiger Balm Group, it's really small. What makes you think I would abandon the Tiger Balm Group to join an unknown small company in Hong Kong?"

His words carried an undisguised skepticism. Anyone else would have thought such an invitation was a pipe dream.

Zhang Zeyang had anticipated this question, and his expression remained calm, even showing a hint of understanding.

He picked up his water glass, took another sip, and then slowly began to speak: "Mr. Myris, I certainly understand your concerns. But before answering your question, I'd like to talk to you about the Hawthorn Group—its past, its present, and its future."

Mylis's eyes narrowed slightly, but she didn't interrupt him. She simply picked up her tea and listened quietly.

"The glory of the Hu Wenhu Group began with the Hu Wenhu and Hu Wenbao brothers."

At the beginning of the last century, Yong An Tang's Tiger Balm was all the rage in Southeast Asia. From Burma to Singapore, from Malaya to Siam, who didn't know the name of the Hu brothers?

At that time, the Hawthorn and Leather Group was not just a pharmaceutical company, but a business empire spanning newspapers, finance, and insurance. Mr. Aw Boon Haw was hailed as "the richest man in Southeast Asia," enjoying unparalleled prestige.

Mylis remained silent, his fingertips lightly tapping the armrest of the sofa. He offered no opinion; this information was generally known to anyone in the Southeast Asian business community.

Zhang Zeyang glanced at him and continued, "In 1944, Mr. Hu Wenbao passed away suddenly in Burma. Ten years later, on September 4, 1954, Mr. Hu Wenhu underwent major surgery in Boston, USA. On his way back, he suffered a sudden heart attack and passed away at the age of seventy-two."

"Mr. Hu Wenhu had already foreseen what would happen after his death. In December 1953, he made a will in Singapore, designating his wife Chen Jinzhi and adopted daughter Hu Xian as trustees to manage the family assets."

It's widely believed he left behind a fortune of billions of dollars, but this enormous inheritance failed to sustain the Haw Par Group's success—because the Hu family had long since run out of successors.

Mylis's eyes dimmed slightly; this was indeed the truth.

"Mr. Hu Wenhu’s most beloved son, Hu Erhu, died in the gunfire; his second son, Hu Hao, also died young in a plane crash."

Mr. Hu left instructions before his death: “The family business must not be sold.” Tiger Balm and Yong An Tang must absolutely not be sold.

When he died, his empire was still a vast and diversified business empire encompassing pharmaceuticals, insurance, banking, and newspapers. But even with such a large portfolio, it couldn't withstand a decline in morale and a lack of leadership.

Melis sighed softly. It was indeed true. After Mr. Hu Wenhu's death, the Hu family's business crumbled like sand.

Hu Xian, the adopted daughter, is indeed remarkable. She took charge of the Sing Tao Daily and became a newspaper tycoon in Hong Kong and even the Chinese community. But what about her other businesses?

It had long been divided up by a group of mediocre Hu family members.

"The one who has taken over the core businesses of the Singapore Hawthorn Group is Mr. Hu Wenhu's nephew, Hu Qing." Zhang Zeyang changed the subject, looking directly at Mr. Myris. "Mr. Myris, you've been with the Hawthorn Group for so many years, you should know Hu Qing better than I do."

He's mediocre in ability, yet stubborn and self-willed, always wary of outsiders—especially high-ranking executives like you who don't have the surname Hu. Not to mention his deep-seated distrust of white people.

These words caused Mylis's pupils to contract slightly, and as he looked at the boy in front of him, his surprise deepened.

These are all secrets within the Tiger and Leopard Group, which even many long-time employees may not know. How did this young man find out?

Zhang Zeyang saw through his thoughts but did not explain. He simply continued, "Mr. Myris, you are a capable person."

The Tiger & Leopard Group is only in its current state because of your tireless efforts. But do you think Hu Qing will be grateful to you? He won't.

Sooner or later, he'll find a way to kick you out. You're destined not to go far at Tiger & Leopard Group.

Myris knew all of this. The reason he hadn't left Tiger Leopard Group was not because he had any deep attachment to it, but simply because he wanted to see if he could revitalize the group.

Looking back now, the future of the Tiger and Leopard Group was already predetermined. Hu Qing's suspicion, the infighting among the family members, the diversification of the business—all of these had firmly trapped the Tiger and Leopard Group in its current state. Even with his immense abilities, he was powerless to reverse the situation.

After a long silence, Melis picked up the black tea on the table and drank it all in one gulp.

He raised his head, looking at Zhang Zeyang with a complex expression, and said, "What you said is all true. I know the predicament of the Tiger Leopard Group better than anyone. But—"

He paused, looked at Zhang Zeyang, and said, "Even if the Tiger Leopard Group's future is bleak, why should I go with you? Mr. Zhang, you're just a young man, and Qiangu Group is just an unknown small company. Why should I trust you? Why should I believe that Qiangu Group can give me a better future?"

"Besides, Mr. Hu doesn't believe in white people, but you do, Mr. Zhang?" Myris's words instantly silenced the air in the private room.

Meanwhile, Mylis watched Zhang Zeyang quietly, waiting for his answer.

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