Spotlights shone on the host on stage.
As graceful music began to play, the hundreds of social elites in the hall stopped their small talk and turned their attention to the stage.
A beautiful host in a high-slit qipao continued introducing the purpose of tonight’s banquet in a pleasant voice.
It was the kind of charity fundraising often held in high society.
All the donations would go to charitable organizations, helping disaster victims and the underprivileged survive better lives.
As the host read out the names on her card, one renowned entrepreneur after another from City X went up to the stage.
Until finally…
“Now, let’s welcome our final distinguished guest of the evening, also one of Asia’s top ten wealthiest entrepreneurs—President Hao!”
Thunderous applause instantly erupted below the stage!
President Hao, Hao Liguo, was said to have made his fortune in real estate.
Thanks to his keen vision and decisive drive, he had made a huge impact in Longguo’s business circles.
In just forty years, he climbed into Asia’s top ten richest, transforming from a so-called “nouveau riche” from a small town into the boss everyone wanted to cozy up to.
Now, at fifty-seven, while he was entering old age as a man, as a wealthy tycoon, his life of enjoyment was just beginning.
The dignified middle-aged man in a suit stepped onto the stage and began sharing his thoughts on charity in a calm, steady voice.
He won cheers and applause from everyone.
Next, when he boldly donated a billion to impoverished children, it made everyone sincerely admire him.
“Damn…If only I could have a hundred million—no, ten million…even just a million would be enough!”
In the audience, a waiter in a black suit and white shirt sighed enviously.
But…no one responded to him.
“Hey! Old Wu! Aren’t you jealous?”
He nudged his companion beside him.
The one called Old Wu seemed completely absorbed by the big shots on stage, and only now snapped back: “Huh? Ah…hehe, of course I’m jealous.”
He smiled at his colleague, then turned his head to glance at the giant clock hanging on the side wall of the hall.
6:27.
At this moment, President Hao had already retreated backstage amid the crowd’s flattery.
Old Wu then looked at his companion.
“Cover for me a bit—I need to use the restroom.”
“OK~ Hurry back, or the floor manager will start nagging again~”
His companion waved a hand in reply.
But Old Wu didn’t answer.
His figure quickly vanished into the crowd.
It seemed he really needed the restroom, unable to hold it any longer.
No one noticed that in the staff-only restroom, a waiter in uniform went in— but when he came out, he had become a worker in a dark blue jumpsuit, wearing white gloves.
Five minutes later, in the parking lot on the side of the hotel hosting the banquet.
A white small truck drove away quickly under the moonlight.
Meanwhile, backstage at the banquet.
Having declined most invitations and small talk, Hao Liguo walked slowly down a dim, secluded corridor.
The kind expression on his face had completely vanished.
In its place was a faint impatience.
Who would have thought that at his age, standing so high up, he still had to keep acting.
For this project, he had “donated” a billion this time…
Officially it was for children in the mountains…but who would really care when an eraser or pencil was accounted for at two or three hundred yuan each?
He didn’t care whose pocket the money ended up in.
The only thing he cared about was what he would get in return afterward.
Anyway, his assets were already moved to Continent M.
Based on how those people operated…
There probably wouldn’t be any problems for the next five years.
Of course, if there were, he would run immediately.
“President Hao!”
At his side, his assistant respectfully handed him his private cell phone.
On the lock screen was a photo of a family of three—his wife and the daughter he had only had at forty, Hao Ai’ai.
As for his family, President Hao had always been quite loyal.
Having climbed from the bottom to the top, he had a bit of an attachment to his family.
Though there were still some women outside, he always handled them well.
“President Hao, the car is ready,” the assistant said softly after checking the time.
“Also…the Shark Gang boss in M Country, Bit, just sent word. That batch of ‘goods’ you ordered…has arrived at the docks.”
“No~ That’s not what I ordered.”
Hao Liguo bit down on a cigar, his shadowy eyes glancing at the beautiful assistant.
“Uh…I’m sorry, President Hao…”
Cold sweat instantly soaked the back of the assistant’s professional outfit.
Having followed President Hao for nearly ten years, she knew exactly what kind of person he was.
“Have them arrange it all for others. Then let those people subcontract it out. Keep it discreet! We’ll only take thirty percent…directly wire it to the RS Country bank card I set up for Ai’ai.”
It was his first time dabbling in this kind of stuff.
If he hadn’t already foreseen he would need to flee, he wouldn’t have touched it.
Of course, the profit from this was minor.
Hao Liguo was never short on money…
But by helping the Shark Gang distribute in Longguo, he could establish ties with their backers in M Country.
So that once he ran, he would immediately have the connections he needed, instead of stumbling around blindly.
As a major businessman, a big capitalist, his sights naturally had to be set far ahead…
Originally…
Tonight’s banquet had private rooms aside from the main buffet.
They were prepared precisely for big shots like Hao Liguo.
But since tonight was his weekly dinner with his family, that meeting had been decisively canceled.
“Let’s go. Did you bring the gift I got for Ai’ai last time in M Country?”
“Al…already ready, President Hao,” the assistant finally recovered from the fright and lowered his head to speak.
As they spoke, the two of them were already walking out of the venue.
“Alright, same old rules. Have Old Wang drive my car back.”
Hao Liguo tossed the keys to the assistant, then took out another set of keys from his pocket.
When going home, he didn’t want to attract too much attention.
He also didn’t want his warm haven to be discovered by people with ulterior motives.
If that happened, aside from obvious dangers, even people coming by to give gifts or try to build connections would be enough to annoy his wife and daughter to death.
“Understood, President Hao,” the assistant nodded slightly.
Vroom—!
Watching the ordinary family car gradually drive off, the assistant couldn’t help but sigh.
Probably no one would imagine that inside that car sat the top businessman of X City, President Hao, right?
In the villa district of X City, in a villa near the foot of the mountain.
“No, madam, if you want repairs, we’d have to dismantle the pipes. I can’t do it alone.”
The man in the blue work uniform looked a bit troubled.
The beautiful woman in a silk nightgown slightly furrowed her brows.
“Then what should we do? My husband works so hard every day, and what he looks forward to most is our weekly family dinner…”
“Mm, madam, why don’t you all just eat out for now? I believe what your husband cherishes isn’t the meal itself, but the time spent together with family, right?”
The man in blue spoke, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly as he pulled his cap a little lower.
“Family…is what matters most, isn’t it?”
Hearing the gas repairman’s words, the beautiful woman felt a sudden realization.
“Hehehe, yes~ that’s right. You’re right, I…was being a bit stubborn. Really sorry to trouble you so much.”
“No, no! Well then, I’ll come back tomorrow. I wish you and your family…a wonderful evening.”
The man smiled, gave a small nod, and headed toward the door.
“Mom~ how’s the pipe repair going? Dad just called, said he’s almost here~”
Just then, a crisp, youthful girl’s voice came from the side.
That voice, brimming with youth and energy, made the repairman in the light blue uniform press his cap even lower.
“Hehe, we’re going out to eat today~ what matters most is that the family is together,” the beautiful woman evidently agreed with what was said earlier, and repeated it to her daughter.
“Well, I’ll be off then.”
At this moment, the repairman had already put on his shoes, standing in the entryway, giving a slight bow toward them.
“Alright~ take care! I’ll give your company great feedback!”
“Goodbye, mister~”
Mother and daughter showed none of the airs of the wealthy, speaking kindly to the repairman.
“Thank you, thank you…wish your family a pleasant meal~”
Click…the door closed.
But the smile on the repairman’s face gradually faded.
He turned his head to glance at the top corner above the door, nodded slightly toward a surveillance camera there, then picked up his toolbox and slowly walked out of the yard.
A dozen minutes later, Hao Liguo drove his car into the yard.
This was his home, the only place in this cold X City, or even the entire Long Nation, where he could feel warmth.
After going inside and hearing his wife mention the damaged gas pipe, Hao Liguo immediately said they could take the mother and daughter out to eat.
Indeed, it had been a long time since the family ate out together.
After calling his assistant to book a table, the family of three got in the car and left the villa.
On the road, his wife told Hao Liguo about what had just happened, which left this company boss with deep feelings.
Honestly, he’d just been a bit disappointed about not getting to eat his wife’s home cooking.
But thinking more carefully — was coming home really just about eating?