OBS Chapter 1298 Going to Hong Kong
Chapter 1298 Going to Hong Kong
Chapter 1298 Going to Hong Kong
The sun had just risen over the eastern mountains, and the morning mist in Shanbei Brigade had not yet dissipated. The air was filled with the mixed smell of dew and pig manure. Qin Hao stood in the county government compound, clutching his newly issued passport, and let out a long sigh.
He and Yang Xun had been shuttling between the county town and the team for a week. In order to get their passports as soon as possible, they sent back a lot of "rare items" from Guangzhou - several boxes of exquisite imported biscuits, a silver necklace, and two fashionable Dacron shirts. These were all "smuggled goods" that A-Qiang had helped them get in Shantou.
Yang Xun muttered with heartache, "Brother Hao, these things can fetch a lot of money wholesale in Guangzhou. It's such a loss to give them away for free."
Qin Hao simply shook his head slightly. "Time is money, efficiency is life. Yang Xun, you have to remember what we learned in Shantou. This little gift is a great deal for the time we can save over the course of a month."
Sure enough, thanks to these favors, the commune clerk didn't make things difficult, and the passport was processed in seven days. Otherwise, as Qin Hao had predicted, the approval process would have dragged on for a month.
Yang Xun stamped his feet to the side, gripping his passport tightly, his face flushed with anxiety.
"Brother Hao, we finally got our passports! When are we going to Hong Kong?"
His tone was full of barely suppressed excitement, like a monkey just released from its cage.
"You can't even stay home after only a few days back?" Qin Hao smiled teasingly and stuffed his passport into the small leather bag at his waist.
Yang Xun chuckled twice and rubbed his hands together: "It's not just me, Yang Su and Yang Li ask about it every day! They're like little tails at home, always clamoring to see Hong Kong's skyscrapers. They've memorized all the stories you told them, Brother Hao."
Qin Hao reached out and patted Yang Xun on the shoulder: "Then let's set off tomorrow, there's no time to lose."
Upon hearing this, Yang Xun's eyes lit up like light bulbs: "Great! Let's go buy train tickets first, so we don't have to make another trip back and forth."
Last time I went to Guangzhou—three days and three nights in a hard seat, the carriage was packed with people, and the smell of sweat and smoke made me dizzy.
This time, he chose a hard sleeper ticket, since he wasn't short of money anyway, but Yang Xun felt a little heartache.
"Brother Hao, sleeper tickets are really expensive. Can't we save some money and go standing?"
Qin Hao joked, "Then I'll buy a sleeper berth, and you'll buy a hard seat?"
These words calmed Yang Xun down. He recalled Qin Hao's words in Shantou: "Don't be a slave to money." Earning money was for a better life, so he gritted his teeth and bought a sleeper berth.
After buying the tickets, it was already noon, and the sun was blazing. The two boarded the dilapidated bus back to Shanbei Brigade. During the bumpy ride, Yang Xun kept looking at the train ticket, as if it were a key to a golden mountain.
Upon reaching the intersection of Shanbei Brigade Road, Yang Xun jumped out of the car and ran excitedly home: "Brother Hao, I'm going back to pack my luggage now, see you tomorrow!"
Qin Hao didn't go home, but went straight to the Song family's courtyard.
In the yard, Song's father was repairing the fence of the chicken coop, and Song's mother was busy by the stove. When they saw Qin Hao come in, the two of them immediately stopped what they were doing.
"Haozi's here? Come in and sit down!" Mr. Song said warmly.
After Qin Hao entered the house, he told Song's mother that he was leaving the next day. Song's mother brought him a cup of hot tea and said, "Child, you've only been home for a few days, why are you leaving again? It breaks our hearts to see you working so hard outside."
His tone was full of the nagging and reluctance of an elder.
Before Qin Hao could even sit down, Song Yunping came out of the kitchen carrying a bowl, her face appearing exceptionally pretty under the kerosene lamp.
After dinner, the Song family gathered around the table and chatted. Qin Hao mentioned his plan to go to Hong Kong: "It's more open there, and it's different from Guangzhou. I'll go and check it out first."
Mr. Song sighed, "Oh, you're such a bold child, but don't forget about safety."
Song Yunping ate her meal in silence without interrupting, until Qin Hao got up to say goodbye, at which point she followed him out.
When are you leaving tomorrow?
"We leave very early in the morning to catch the first bus, otherwise we'll miss the train."
A hint of reluctance flashed in Song Yunping's eyes, but she said nothing.
……
Before dawn the next day, before the roosters crowed, there was a commotion in Xiao Lei's paddy field.
Lei Dongbao stood on the edge of the field, hoe on his shoulder, and shouted in a loud voice: "Get up and get to work! Hongwei, Sibao, stop dawdling. We're starting to measure the land and distribute it to each household today!"
Shi Hongwei, Lei Sibao, and the others rubbed their eyes lazily, full of complaints. Shi Hongwei yawned, "Dongbao, you don't need to come so early to measure the land, do you? It's only a few o'clock, and there's not a soul in sight."
Lei Dongbao threw a stone into the paddy field in front of Shi Hongwei, splashing mud and water: "What nonsense! If we don't measure now, how will we measure it when the villagers come to the fields later?"
He was seething with anger—Qin Hao's words from last night, "It's hard to persuade a damn fool," were still ringing in his ears. He was determined to help Xiao Lei's family escape poverty and prove it to everyone.
Lei Sibao muttered, "There's no need to go so early. I want to go back and catch up on my sleep."
Just as Lei Dongbao was about to lose his temper, his gaze was suddenly drawn to a light blue figure on the opposite bank of the paddy field—Song Yunping was wearing the blue dress that Qin Hao had given her, her hair was braided, and she was walking along the path towards Xiao Lei's house.
In the hazy morning light, she walked as lightly as a butterfly, and Lei Dongbao's anger instantly subsided, only to feel his heart skip a beat.
Shi Hongwei and the others put down their ropes and rulers, looking at Lei Dongbao with a mocking expression: "Hey, Dongbao, why aren't you moving? Did your eyes get gouged out?"
Once the figure disappeared into the mist, Lei Dongbao came to his senses. Seeing Shi Hongwei and the others grinning mischievously, he was furious and said, "What are you all looking at? I'm talking to you, Sibao, get back to work!"
Lei Sibao had always been jealous of Qin Hao. Seeing Lei Dongbao's expression, he grinned and said, "Dongbao, have you taken a fancy to that girl from earlier? The Song family's girl is no simpleton."
Lei Dongbao's face flushed red, and he retorted, "So what if I've taken a liking to someone? I, Lei Dongbao, am not a coward!"
Shi Hongwei shook his head: "Dongbao, I advise you not to overthink it. He's the first college student in our surrounding area. The Song family has high standards, would they even look at our poor Xiaolei family?"
Upon hearing this, Lei Dongbao became even more stubborn: "What's wrong with Xiaolei Village? Now that I've become the deputy secretary, I'm determined to lead everyone to prosperity! I'll set an example for you all by marrying a college graduate!"
Shi Hongwei and Lei Sibao exchanged a smile and jokingly said, "Fine, Dongbao has guts! We'll wait and see how you manage to marry a college student."
Lei Dongbao ignored the mockery, leaning on his hoe and looking towards the end of the path, wondering, "What is she doing in our Xiao Lei family? We don't have any relatives here."
Lei Sibao curled his lip, "What else could it be? It's definitely going to find Haozi! He's on good terms with the Song siblings, he brings all the good stuff to the Song family, but he never thinks of helping out our little Lei family!"
Lei Dongbao said thoughtfully, "So, this girl doesn't mind that our Lei family is poor..."
……
On the other side, Song Yunping walked quickly to the front of Qin Hao's small brick house, her heart pounding.
She got up early, steamed buns and knitted a sweater, afraid of missing the deadline. Pushing open the creaking, broken wooden door, Qin Hao was packing his luggage, stuffing clothes into his canvas backpack.
"Why are you here? Didn't we agree last night that you didn't need me to see you off? It's only this late..."
Qin Hao was somewhat surprised. Song Yunping quickly handed over the package: "My mother got up early to steam some buns for you so you wouldn't miss the early bus; they're still warm... I... I knitted you a sweater myself, but I don't know if it will fit..."
Her voice grew softer, and her face flushed slightly. Qin Hao took the package, opened it, and saw that the sweater was made of dark gray wool yarn with very fine stitches, even more meticulously crafted than the shirt he had bought in Guangzhou.
He felt a warmth in his heart and gladly accepted the sweater, even though he knew it would be humid and hot in Hong Kong and he might not need it.
Seeing that he accepted it, Song Yunping smiled with relief: "Let's go, or we'll really miss the early bus."
Qin Hao carried his bag out the door, and Song Yunping silently followed behind him.
As they passed by Xiao Lei's paddy field, Lei Dongbao waved and shouted from afar, "Haozi! You're leaving already?"
Qin Hao nodded in response, without saying anything more.
Song Yunping felt uncomfortable under the gaze of Lei Sibao and his group, so she lowered her head, quickened her pace, and walked briskly behind Qin Hao.
After the two disappeared along the country path, Shi Hongwei saw Lei Dongbao still staring blankly and couldn't help but pat him on the shoulder. "See? Dongbao? Stop daydreaming! The girl likes someone like Haozi—smart, capable, and able to make a lot of money outside! You, a big, burly peasant, have no chance."
Lei Dongbao, his thoughts exposed, angrily swung his hoe and yelled, "Get out of here! It's none of your business, get to work!"
……
The temporary stop for the Shanbei Brigade was packed with people. A dilapidated bus was parked on the side of the road, and the driver was impatiently honking his horn.
Director Yang hugged Yang Xun with tears in his eyes: "Don't cause trouble when you're out and about, listen to your brother Hao..."
Yang Su and Yang Li clung to Yang Xun's arms, reluctant to let go: "Brother, come back soon...!"
Yang Xun chuckled and ruffled their hair: "Alright, I'll bring you back some foreign gadgets! I guarantee none of you have ever seen them before."
Song Yunping stood at a distance, watching Qin Hao with a complex expression. After a long silence, she finally said softly, "Come back soon..."
Before she could finish speaking, Qin Hao strode forward and pulled her into his arms. Song Yunping froze, as if struck by lightning, her breath catching in her throat. She could only hear Qin Hao's low voice: "Take care of yourself. Don't skimp on food and drink. Being too thin isn't attractive."
Song Yunping blushed crimson with embarrassment and struggled to break free: "You're so annoying! Talking nonsense..."
The bus slowly started moving, and Qin Hao and Yang Xun jumped on. Yang Xun waved from the window and shouted, "Mom! When I come back, I'll make sure you live a good life!"
As the bus bumped and jolted around the bend, disappearing completely into the dusty road, Song Yunping slowly lowered her hand, tears welling in her eyes.
……
After three days and two nights on the train, they finally arrived in Guangzhou. They transferred to another train heading south. The journey was long, but Yang Xun wasn't tired at all. He peered out the window at the scenery—from the arcade buildings of Guangzhou to the farmland on the Shenzhen border—and exclaimed in amazement, "Brother Hao, this place looks almost identical to Shantou. Could it be that people here are smuggling goods here too?"
Qin Hao ignored him and instead checked his bag—it contained HKD 80 in cash. This had been exchanged in advance through Ah Qiang's underground money exchange; 1 million RMB was only exchanged for 100 HKD. The official exchange rate was 1:1.2, but in reality, it wasn't even 1:80, not to mention the underground money exchange's commission was not low.
In mid-July, Hong Kong was unbearably hot and humid. As soon as Yang Xun stepped out of the station, he was stunned by the scene before him—double-decker buses and trams shuttled back and forth on the bustling streets, pedestrians wore flashy bell-bottoms and off-the-shoulder tops, and neon lights flashed in the shop windows, displaying a dazzling array of goods.
"Brother Hao, this is completely different from Guangzhou! The buildings are so tall you can't see the top!"
He stared, mouth agape, like a country bumpkin entering a grand garden. Qin Hao patted him on the shoulder: "Alright, stop reminiscing. We're not here for tourism. We have serious business to attend to."
Yang Xun perked up: "Brother Hao, you haven't explained clearly the whole way here. What kind of deal is it? I've asked you more than ten times!"
Qin Hao chuckled: "It can't be explained in a few words. You'll understand when we get there."
They boarded a bus and headed straight for Central.
Inside the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, the air conditioning was blasting. The spacious hall was filled with mahogany counters and brokers in suits, electronic screens flashed incessantly, numbers jumped rapidly, and the buzzing of bids in various accents filled the air.
Qin Hao found a stockbroker: "Open an account and buy 100,000 shares of Wheelock & Co. International, and use the remaining funds to buy Cheung Kong Holdings."
The stockbroker, a young man wearing gold-rimmed glasses, smirked. "A new client?" He casually scribbled a few lines on the document. "Okay, fill out the form."
In his mind, he already regarded Qin Hao as a "leek" from the mainland.
After a while, the HK$800,000 in Qin Hao's hand turned into stock trading certificates.
Yang Xun stared in disbelief. "Brother Hao, is this the kind of profitable business you were talking about? Exchanging all our money for this paper?"
Qin Hao nodded, pulled him to a corner, and pointed to the large screen to explain: "This is called stock trading. The two companies I bought are Wheelock & Co. and Cheung Kong Holdings. Look at the trading prices: Wheelock is HK$5.2 and Cheung Kong is HK$8.5."
Yang Xun pointed at the screen: "Brother Hao, it's gone up! It's gone up by ten cents! Does that mean we've made money?"
Qin Hao patiently explained: "It's pretty much like this. You can make money by selling when the price goes up and you lose money when it goes down. The only difference from gambling is that stocks rely on information asymmetry, not luck. I bought Wheelock because global shipping is recovering, and it is the leader in Hong Kong's shipping industry; I bought Cheung Kong Holdings because this stock has just completed a stock split and has a lot of room for growth."
"I predict that in another month or two, Wharf Holdings will rise to over HK$10 and Cheung Kong Holdings will rise to over HK$15."
Yang Xun counted on his fingers: "Then... if it's really like you say, and the stock price rises to 10 or 15 yuan, wouldn't we make double the money without doing anything?"
"Brother Hao, I have HKD 8 here, I'd like to invest too! Can you handle the process for me?"
"Ah."
For the next month and a half, Qin Hao kept an eye on the stock market every day. After the stock market closed, he would take Yang Xun to wander around the streets of Hong Kong to see new things.
Just as Qin Hao remembered, Wheelock Shipping International's stock price rose to HK$10.6, and Cheung Kong Holdings' stock price soared to HK$15.
Yang Xun jumped up in front of the big screen: "Brother Hao, you were right, they really did double in price!"