Why did the system take my request to take photos with a cosplayer seriously?

"Should I go too?"

"If you don't go, who will make the arrangements for me?"

"Yes, sir!"

Lin Man stood up with a smile, picked up her phone and started booking flights and hotels.

Ding Heng leaned back on the sofa, his gaze fixed on the gray skyline outside the window.

In just two years.

The people, things, and events around me have undergone earth-shattering changes.

As a lucky man, he has already reached the so-called worldly standard of success.

……

On the 27th day of the twelfth lunar month, the group flew from Singapore to Hong Kong.

It was already evening when we landed, and the city lights were just coming on.

Lin Man's booked hotel is located at the southernmost tip of the Kowloon Peninsula, directly facing Victoria Harbour.

The executive suite is on the 36th floor, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the entire bay, and the lights of Victoria Peak faintly visible in the night.

With Zhao Yanxi not around, Wenjing and Hua Qing naturally occupied the master bedroom, while Lin Man stayed in the next room.

But everyone knew that by nightfall, they would most likely end up in the same bed again...

After a short rest, the group first went to the hotel restaurant for a simple meal, and then took a walk along the seaside promenade to digest their food.

Winters in Hong Kong are much warmer than in Singapore, and the sea breeze feels quite pleasant on your face.

Wenjing and Huaqing walked side by side in front, occasionally stopping to take a few photos.

Lin Man followed Ding Heng, still confirming the details of tomorrow's annual meeting.

"Has everything been arranged with Manager Huang?"

"Yes, the venue is in Wan Chai, and it starts at 2 PM. The process isn't complicated. Boss, you just need to go up and say a few words, present awards to outstanding employees, and then draw a prize."

Has the year-end bonus figure been set?

"deal."

Lin Man handed over her phone: "According to Manager Huang, this year we'll be categorized by performance, with the lowest tier having a six-month grace period."

The screen displays a long list, with each name followed by a number.

Hengbai Capital was established less than a year ago, and the team is small, with a maximum of about twenty people.

"You can decide for yourselves."

Ding Heng handed the phone back, and Lin Man put it away, then took his arm.

"Oh, by the way, I ordered a new suit for the boss, to be delivered to the hotel tomorrow morning..."

"Don't I have a suit?"

"New year, new look... Besides, boss, this is your first appearance, you have to look handsome!"

Ding Heng reached out and pinched Lin Man's cheek, his tone indulgent.

"You certainly know how to make arrangements."

He doesn't understand company operations. To him, Hengbai Capital is just a symbolic tool, with little emotion or effort invested.

This trip to Hong Kong is basically like wiping the dust off my tools...

The following afternoon, Ding Heng changed his clothes and stood in front of the dressing mirror.

The dark navy three-piece suit is made of a British wool blend, which has a rich texture but is not dull.

The shirt was a clean white, the tie was a low-key silver-gray, and the cufflinks were brought back from Switzerland by Lin Man last month. They were simple in design, with only a small "H" engraved on the edge.

Lin Man squatted down beside Ding Heng's feet, carefully straightening the wrinkles in his trousers, and then stood up to help him adjust the length of his tie.

"Boss, raise your hand. Turn around so I can take a look."

Ding Heng turned around.

Lin Man took two steps back, looked him up and down, and nodded in satisfaction.

"good."

"If you ordered it, how could it not be good?"

Ding Heng reached out and pinched Lin Man's chin, gently pressing his thumb against her lower lip.

Lin Man took the opportunity to tiptoe and gently kiss Ding Heng's lips, then stepped back, took out a lipstick from her bag, and began to touch up her makeup.

"Boss, let's go. The car is downstairs."

The annual meeting was held in a conference hall in an office building in Wan Chai.

It's not big, about 200 square meters, and it's decorated in a simple and elegant style.

The stage backdrop featured the Hengbai Capital logo, a dark blue background with white lettering and clean lines.

Manager Huang stood at the door to greet guests, dressed in a smart black suit dress, her hair tied up, making her look more mature than usual.

"Mr. Ding."

She came forward, speaking politely and formally: "This way, please."

Ding Heng followed her into the venue.

About twenty employees had arrived and were sitting in twos and threes around the round table, in a relaxed and casual atmosphere.

When Manager Huang led in a strange young man, everyone fell silent for a moment, and all eyes turned to him.

Some people recognized Ding Heng and whispered to the people next to them, while others were guessing.

Who is this? New here? Or...?

Manager Huang walked to the center of the stage and picked up the microphone.

"Everyone, please be quiet."

The whispers in the meeting room gradually subsided.

"At today's annual meeting, the first thing I want to do is introduce someone to everyone."

She turned to the side and reached out her hand towards Ding Heng.

"This is Ding Heng, the founder of Hengbai Capital, and also our boss."

Sparse applause rang out in the hall.

Ding Heng walked onto the stage and took the microphone from Manager Huang.

"Hello everyone, I am Ding Heng."

His gaze swept across the room.

He picked up the manuscript that Lin Man had prepared in advance and began to read it without any emotion.

The crowd didn't react much until Ding Heng announced the decision to "double the year-end bonus," at which point thunderous applause erupted.

Afterwards, a group of employees gathered around and introduced themselves in a flurry of chatter.

Ding Heng dealt with each question in a friendly and approachable manner, without putting on airs.

After the annual meeting, Manager Huang escorted Ding Heng to the elevator.

"Mr. Ding, you've had a hard day."

"You have it harder."

Ding Heng said politely, "This past year, it's all thanks to you for your hard work."

"Without Mr. Ding's remote guidance, the company would not have developed so quickly."

Manager Huang dared not be complacent or arrogant.

Of everyone in the company, she was the only one who truly understood that the company's success in domestic and international financial markets was mainly due to Ding Heng's guidance, and that her role was simply to manage the operations effectively.

Just as Manager Huang was about to say something, Ding Heng raised his hand to interrupt her.

"Manager Huang, are you free later? I have something I'd like to discuss with you privately."

Manager Huang was taken aback for a moment, then nodded.

"Ok."

Twenty minutes later, the two sat down in the coffee shop.

Ding Heng picked up his cup and took a sip.

"Manager Huang, you've been working at Hengbai Capital for over half a year now. How are you feeling?"

"pretty good."

Manager Huang carefully worded: "Although the company is just starting out, it is on the right track, the pace is steady, and you trust me, boss."

Ding Heng nodded, his fingers gently stroking the rim of the cup.

"Then let me ask you something."

"Boss, you say it."

"In September of this year, you bought a stock in advance through the company's information channels, and sold it two weeks later, making a profit of about 800,000."

The color drained from Manager Huang's face instantly.

"At the end of October, you used the company's risk control data to determine that a client's position was problematic, so you shorted the stock in advance and made about 1.2 million."

Ding Heng spoke in a calm and unhurried tone.

"In mid-December, you leaked the core financial data of an investment target that the company was negotiating to a friend. That friend bought in before the news was announced and made about three million. He transferred six hundred thousand to you as a kickback."

Manager Huang began to tremble, completely unable to imagine where Ding Heng had gotten the information.

Ding Heng picked up his coffee and took another sip: "Manager Huang, you've been with Aunt Qu Zhen for so many years, didn't she teach you that there are some kinds of money you can't earn?"

Manager Huang stammered, "Boss, I..."

"I'm not here to interrogate you."