Two days after dividing profits with Iwasaki FengLong, Lin BaoCheng left Hong Kong and traveled to Los Angeles.
Affairs in Hong Kong were mostly settled. Lin had to go to Los Angeles to continue overseeing the development of office software, and also to supervise the development of Tank Battle.
As for the newly established Baisheng Fund in Hong Kong, it was still in the fundraising stage. Lin did not have time to waste on it, so he handed the matter to An Yuan. Since the fund was new, with little capital raised and no reputation yet, Lin felt there was no need for him to appear personally.
Once the fundraising period ended and the fund began formal operations, Lin would guide An Yuan on how to manage it. In Lin's view, as long as the fund delivered extremely high returns after a year, there was no need to worry about it in the meantime.
Meanwhile, at Starshine Films, Mak Ka had partnered with an actor named Shi Tian to establish a film company, then allowed Starshine Films to take a 20% stake — cooperating in this way. The Hui brothers did the same with Hui Films, also giving Starshine a 20% stake.
The valuation of these two companies, and the price Starshine should pay for its 20% shares, was left entirely to Wu SiYuan to handle.
Lin valued Sammo Hung and the Hung Family Stunt Team highly, but had not yet given an answer. From Jackie Chan he had learned that Zou Wenhuai and He Guanchang had personally approached Sammo and his team, offering better treatment and promises. This made Sammo, who had been ready to leave Golden Harvest, hesitate. He had not yet decided whether to leave.
Lin instructed Wu SiYuan to maintain communication with Sammo Hung, and to persuade him to cooperate with Starshine Films — but without changing the terms. If conditions were raised for Sammo alone, it would be unfair to Mak Ka and the Hui brothers. That was unacceptable.
This time, when Lin traveled to Los Angeles, besides bringing bodyguards, there was also a new companion — a young woman.
Qin Lan, 22 years old, had graduated last year from Hong Kong University. She was one of several secretary candidates selected by Cheng YuFeng, and ultimately chosen by Lin.
Hong Kong University was the most prestigious in Hong Kong. Though not comparable to Harvard or Cambridge, it was more than sufficient for Qin Lan to serve as Lin's secretary — especially as a personal secretary rather than an administrative one.
Lin's fortune now amounted to tens of billions of Hong Kong dollars. For Qin Lan, becoming his secretary was an honor. The position had been won after fierce competition among many candidates.
Because of this, Qin Lan cherished the opportunity. When Lin traveled abroad, she followed.
The plane landed in Los Angeles, where Isabella came to meet them.
Three cars drove to the Beverly Hills villa. Lin had Isabella and Qin Lan sit in the same car.
Lin introduced them: "Bella, this is my secretary Qin Lan. Qin Lan, this is Isabella Kent, manager of New Century Software and also my assistant."
"Hello, Manager Kent," Qin Lan greeted politely. As a Hong Kong University graduate, she naturally spoke English.
"Hello, Secretary Qin," Isabella replied. But inwardly she thought: now that the boss had a personal secretary, many tasks would surely be handed to the new secretary. Her own importance would decline.
Lin said: "Bella, hand over the personal matters to Qin Lan. From now on, she will handle them."
"Understood, Boss!" Isabella answered, inwardly confirming her suspicion.
Tasks such as hiring bodyguards, supervising futures funds, and acting as proxy director for Microsoft and Apple were not given to Qin Lan, since Isabella was American and better suited for them.
Assigning personal matters to Qin Lan was not meant to reduce Isabella's authority, but to free her to focus more on work.
Isabella reported: "Boss, I've found two bodyguards that meet your requirements. When would you like to see them?"
"Tomorrow morning. Bring them to the villa, I'll interview them," Lin replied.
She had already informed him when she found them, but since Lin was in Hong Kong then, he couldn't interview them. So they had been waiting.
"Alright," Isabella nodded. Then she added: "The gold futures investment at Goldman Sachs has been fully executed as you instructed. The detailed transaction records are in the villa."
"Good, I'll review them tomorrow. I'll also check the gold futures investments in Japan and Hutchison Whampoa. I need to keep track."
With no other major matters to report, Isabella said no more.
The cars arrived at the Beverly Hills villa, where the butler, Dorchy, and maids were waiting.
Lin went upstairs to rest, instructing Dorchy to arrange Qin Lan's room in the villa.
Qin Lan did not rest immediately. Instead, she began the handover with Isabella.
Isabella said: "Secretary Qin, you must be tired after such a long flight. You can rest first and we'll do the handover tomorrow."
"Thank you, Manager Kent, but I am Lin's secretary. I must be ready before he wakes. Please teach me now."
Qin Lan smiled slightly. She was indeed tired, but she knew her duty. As Lin's secretary, she had to enter working mode immediately. Even if not needed right away, if Lin suddenly gave her a task and she knew nothing, she would disappoint him — and that would be disastrous.
"Very well, come with me," Isabella said, nodding.
Qin Lan followed her to complete the handover. Though the tasks were small, there were many.
Now that Lin was wealthy, he had begun to enjoy life. Food, clothing, and daily use — everything had to be the best. Naturally, this meant more tasks.
Lin spent generously on these things, and he saw nothing wrong with it. In his previous life he had been an ordinary man. Now that he was rich, he intended to enjoy life fully. He would not live frugally like some first‑generation tycoons. If one had wealth, one should enjoy it.