Chapter 490: The Sisters' Powerful Backing
Unknowingly, a few more days had passed, and it was now January 25th.
In these past few days, following Lin Haoran's instructions, Galaxy Securities had successfully represented him in signing a contract with Liu Luanyong, making Lin Haoran the second-largest shareholder of Liu's new investment company.
Meanwhile, Kenneth Ho had also smoothly completed his transition out of Hong Kong Electric Group and was ready to accompany Lin Haoran to Japan.
Kenneth's parents did not object to him moving to Japan.
After all, everyone in Hong Kong now knew that working under Lin Haoran promised a limitless future — opportunities like this were hard to come by.
As parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ho naturally had no reason to interfere with their son's bright future.
Originally, Lin Haoran had planned to depart for Japan immediately after Kenneth wrapped up his handover.
However, at the persuasion of his parents, he decided to delay the trip until after the Lunar New Year.
After all, February 4th was Chinese New Year's Eve — less than ten days away.
Since it was so close, there was no need to rush.
Going to Japan a few days earlier or later wouldn't make much of a difference.
Besides, he had to consider the feelings of the employees accompanying him.
Some were foreigners, but many were Chinese — and for the Chinese, the Spring Festival was sacred.
Thus, Lin Haoran decided they would depart on February 7th, the third day of the Lunar New Year.
Back in this era, Hong Kong companies didn't have long New Year holidays — typically just New Year's Eve to the second day, and by the third day, business resumed.
After all, the colonial government placed more importance on Christmas than Lunar New Year.
Time flew by, and soon February arrived.
The closer the Spring Festival approached, the stronger the festive atmosphere in Hong Kong's streets and alleys.
After February 1st, Lin Haoran returned to his villa at Deep Water Bay to stay with his parents, aiming to spend more time with them.
He didn't know how long this upcoming trip to Japan would last.
His parents were visibly happier with him back at home.
On February 2nd, Mr. and Mrs. Guo Heyan, along with Guo Xiaohan, visited the Lin family.
Since they would be flying back to Southeast Asia the next day, February 3rd, to celebrate the New Year with family, they came a day early to pay a New Year visit to the Lins.
"Uncle Guo, I should be the one visiting you. As the younger generation, how could I trouble you to come here personally?" Lin Haoran said, accepting the gifts Mr. Guo brought.
"It's too difficult to get you to visit, Haoran," Mr. Guo laughed.
"We hardly see you once a year!
And Xiaohan insisted on seeing you before we left, so here we are."
At his side, Guo Xiaohan blushed deeply.
Though their relationship hadn't been officially confirmed, it was clear that Guo Xiaohan had already made up her mind.
With a man like Lin Haoran — outstanding, powerful, and promising — how could she possibly be interested in anyone else?
"Come in, Uncle Guo, Auntie, Xiaohan," Lin Haoran said, inviting them into the villa.
Mr. Guo paused at the entrance, admiring the ocean view — blue skies, white sand beaches, complete tranquility, so different from the bustling city center or the atmosphere atop The Peak.
"I recently bought a few villas here in Deep Water Bay as investments," Guo said.
"I plan to move here too. This place suits us Chinese better. The Peak is full of foreigners — I never got used to living there."
"Good, you should move here," said Lin Wan'an with a smile.
"Many wealthy elites live here — just 200 meters east is Mr. Bao Yugang's residence; 100 meters southeast is Mr. Li Jiacheng's home.
Deep Water Bay doesn't lose to The Peak in any way."
"Alright, once the New Year is over and I'm back in Hong Kong, I'll move here.
I'll come over to play chess with you often, Brother Wan'an.
As for the villa at Shixun Road, I'll leave it to Xiaohan."
Guo's words held deeper meaning.
For wealthy families, gifting a villa to a niece wasn't a big deal.
Inside, they sat and chatted easily.
"Haoran, you rarely check on our project in Sheung Wan," Mr. Guo said half-jokingly.
Previously, Lin Haoran and Mr. Guo had jointly invested 500 million Hong Kong dollars to win a prime piece of land in Sheung Wan, intending to build a large commercial plaza.
Lin Haoran owned 49.9% and Mr. Guo 50.1% of the project.
Indeed, Lin Haoran hadn't involved himself much after the initial investment.
He laughed and said,
"Uncle Guo, I trust you completely.
I'm happy leaving everything to you."
Although the Lin and Guo families weren't formally linked by marriage yet, their relationship had grown increasingly close over the past two years.
Lin Haoran had helped the Guos expand in Hong Kong, and the Guos had helped Lin Haoran enter the Southeast Asian market.
Thus, Lin Haoran felt genuine gratitude toward them.
If not for the Guos, his Hong Kong Electric Group and Wanqing Group would have had a much harder time expanding overseas.
They chatted for several hours and had dinner together at the Lin family villa before the Guos finally departed.
Guo Xiaohan left reluctantly, knowing it would be a long time before they met again.
During the conversation, she had already learned that Lin Haoran was preparing to move to Japan for his investments.
"Brother Haoran, if you stay there too long, I'll come find you in Japan," she whispered before leaving.
Then, blushing fiercely, she hurried away.
Seeing her retreating figure, Lin Haoran felt a bit emotional and conflicted.
This girl was indeed the most suitable wife he could hope for —
well-matched by family background, well-educated, beautiful, and deeply affectionate.
The only reason he hadn't formalized their relationship yet was because he knew —
life after marriage was an entirely different world.
Two more days passed quickly.
February 4th — Lunar New Year's Eve.
Today, the Lin household was especially lively.
Not only had his eldest brother Lin Haoning returned with his wife and children, but even his second and third sisters also came with their families.
Both his brothers-in-law were doing quite well now, each having started independent businesses — largely thanks to Lin Haoran's support.
Back when Lin Haoran had nothing, his sisters had treated him with great kindness.
And he never forgot it.
Now that he had the power, he made sure to repay their support.
That night, after the grand New Year's Eve dinner, the Lin villa's great hall was bright and full of laughter and conversations.
It was probably the happiest day of the year for Lin's parents.
Sitting among his family, Lin Haoran quietly savored the warmth and joy of being home.
His second and third sisters, while chatting with their mother, would often glance toward Lin Haoran with worried looks.
"Haoran, you're not getting any younger.
We're all hoping you settle down soon," his second sister finally said, half-teasing, half-serious.
"Exactly," his third sister added.
"You're successful now, you have everything — just missing someone to share your life with.
Look at Xiaohan — such a good girl.
Don't make her wait too long!"
Everyone knew about Guo Xiaohan and Lin Haoran.
The whole family was more than satisfied with the Guo family —
South East Asia's wealthiest clan, no less.
Lin Haoran smiled and shook his head, though inside he felt a bit helpless.
Of course he understood their hopes —
and he knew Guo Xiaohan was perfect —
but still, a part of him worried marriage might tie down his freedom.
"Second sister, third sister, don't rush me.
I'm still young — not even thirty yet.
I'll think about it seriously, so don't worry," Lin Haoran said, trying to sound relaxed but clearly uncomfortable.
"You call that young?" his father Lin Wan'an barked.
"After New Year's, you'll be 27 already — 28 by traditional reckoning!
I got married at 18!"
Everyone hoped he would settle down —
but Lin Haoran showed no urgency, much to his father's frustration.
"Alright, alright, I get it," Lin Haoran said, surrendering.
"I'll think about it seriously. Please stop nagging."
The feeling of being pushed toward marriage was indeed unpleasant.
He had endured it in his previous life —
and now it had followed him into this one.
It seemed some things were unavoidable, even across lifetimes.
The family celebration continued joyfully into the evening.
By around nine o'clock, his second and third sisters left with their families.
After all, they had married into other families.
In wealthy families, it wasn't ideal for daughters-in-law to spend New Year's Eve with their birth families —
it was seen as a loss of face.
But given Lin Haoran's overwhelming status now, their husbands' families had no complaints.
Today, Lin Haoran stood as a powerful protector for his sisters —
and no one dared show them any disrespect.
In the past, the Lin family had been evenly matched with their in-laws.
Now, after Lin Haoran's rise, there was an unbridgeable gulf between them.
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