Chapter 38: In Hong Kong: Piano Recital & Jockey Club
It was effortless for the Special Forces to find Tang Qing and Murong Feng.
When Li Jian saw the cuts and tears on Tang Qing's clothes, he was so angry he nearly went after Brother Long and his gang himself. How he would deal with Brother Long and Qian Youliang later was of no concern to Tang Qing; her only worry was Murong Feng's injuries. After examining him, Li Jian comforted her, saying, "They're just superficial wounds. They look worse than they are. With proper treatment and a few days of bandages, he'll be fine."
Back at the hotel, Murong Feng reflected on the night's events. His first night in Hong Kong had been surreal. From meeting characters like Fang Wanyi and Li Jian to encountering gangsters and seeing real guns, it all felt like a dream. The memory of rolling down the hill with Tang Qing in a tight embrace alternated with the brilliant Hong Kong nightscape in his mind, like a dream within a dream.
Li Jian's first aid had done wonders; whatever top-grade medication he had used left Murong Feng's arms feeling cool and painless. Sighing deeply, Murong Feng thought of Tang Qing's horrified and anxious expression when she saw his injuries. A strange feeling of unease settled in his heart. Their friendship seemed to be veering off course, and he wondered how he should face Tang Qing in the future. With these thoughts, he drifted into a deep sleep.
The next morning, Murong Feng and Tang Qing had breakfast at Spoon by Alain Ducasse, a restaurant in the hotel. The restaurant, run by a famous French chef, offered a splendid view of Victoria Harbour from every seat. The leather-topped tables, volcanic stone and wood bar, French cutlery, uniquely designed condiment sets, and 550 hand-blown mercury glass spoons decorating the ceiling exuded luxury. The bright floor-to-ceiling windows provided an unobstructed view of the bustling harbor, with boats coming and going seemingly within reach.
Bao Zixian and Liu Zekai had heard the news and arrived at the hotel while they were having breakfast. They chided the two for coming to Hong Kong without notifying them first, which almost led to trouble! They examined the pair from head to toe. Tang Qing, who had been protected by Murong Feng, had no visible injuries and had dressed up again, showing no signs of last night's ordeal. Murong Feng, dressed in formal attire for the recital, had his bandaged arms hidden, appearing elegant and composed with no trace of the previous night's fright. The two friends shook their heads and laughed, "You two really know how to stir up trouble on your first day in Hong Kong." Murong Feng and Tang Qing merely smiled without saying a word.
- Hong Kong Cultural Centre -
The Hong Kong Cultural Centre, situated on the Victoria Harbour waterfront in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, laid its foundation in 1979, began construction in 1984, and officially opened on November 8, 1989, with Prince Charles and Princess Diana officiating the ceremony. As the largest performing arts center in Hong Kong, it hosts over 800 performances annually, featuring local and international artists. Major international festivals, including the Hong Kong Arts Festival, the Hong Kong International Film Festival, and the Hong Kong Film Awards, are held here.
The Cultural Centre, set against the sea with urban roads in front, boasts a beautiful environment. Its light coffee-colored stone-like brick facade and unique gliding roof design make it stand out, resembling a seagull spreading its wings. The design's most notable feature is the absence of windows, symbolizing that the performances within are for the audience to judge.
The Concert Hall within the Cultural Centre, designed in an oval shape, has two levels of seating surrounding the stage, with a total of 2,019 seats. The hall's walls are lined with high-quality oak, and adjustable acoustic panels and curtains cater to various types of musical performances, making it one of the best music venues in Hong Kong.
Huo Siqi's piano recital was set to take place here.
Despite being open to the public, many of Hong Kong's elite attended the recital, as Huo Siqi was the cherished daughter of the Huo family. The VIP seats and boxes were fully occupied, and the reasonably priced tickets attracted many white-collar music enthusiasts, achieving nearly a 90% occupancy rate.
Murong Feng and Tang Qing sat in a VIP box close to the stage. Murong Feng wore a black Canali suit with a black bow tie and a crisp white shirt, with Dunhill cufflinks adding a touch of nobility. Tang Qing was dressed in a sleeveless black silk satin cocktail dress by Givenchy, with a round neckline and a slightly raised waistline that accentuated her elegant figure. The only jewelry she wore was a radiant Chaumet diamond necklace, highlighting her luxurious and stunning beauty.
As the recital began, the Concert Hall quieted down, and the audience awaited the performer's appearance.
Huo Siqi, in a white evening gown, gracefully entered from a side door, receiving a thunderous round of applause. She elegantly approached the piano, bowed to the audience, and received another wave of applause. With a serene smile, she sat down at the piano, opened the lid, and closed her eyes, silently immersing herself in the music. The notes and melody flowed through her mind like a stream. Suddenly, she gracefully raised her hands and struck a light note, producing a clear, melodious sound that seemed to awaken the audience like a refreshing spring. Before they could fully react, a series of rapid and fluid piano notes, like pearls dropping onto a jade plate, resonated. Any piano master in the audience would have nodded in approval, recognizing that she had captured the essence and emotion Chopin intended in his Prelude in D-flat major.
The recital was a tremendous success. Huo Siqi's performance transformed the entire evening into a series of enchanting attempts to touch the soul of music, allowing the audience to share in the joy and beauty of the melodies. Her expressions varied with the music—sometimes sorrowful, sometimes joyful, sometimes passionate, and sometimes melancholic. Each piece of music felt like a story being told, shared, and felt deeply.
Murong Feng, who had attended a recital by the master Peter Litz, found Huo Siqi's performance uniquely captivating. Unlike the grand and overwhelming control and infectiousness of a master, her performance was light and intimate, as if a girl next door was singing joyfully, sharing her love for the piano and music. Her interpretations infused each classic piece with her unique touch, deeply drawing Murong Feng in, leading him to join in the frequent applause.
Finally, the last piece ended, and a profound silence enveloped the hall. Suddenly, a voice shouted, "Bravo!" The entire audience stood up, erupting in thunderous applause. Huo Siqi stood and gracefully bowed to all sides. From his close vantage point, Murong Feng saw tears of joy and excitement in her eyes.
Murong Feng felt a sudden surge of admiration for Huo Siqi. He had previously seen her as a talented pianist, but tonight's recital revealed the pure joy and fulfillment of loving something wholeheartedly. As she played her beloved piano pieces and received the rapturous applause, her life seemed filled with meaning.
Standing beside him, Tang Qing turned and said, "Murong, Siqi's performance was amazing, wasn't it? Let's go backstage and congratulate her!" She then pulled Murong Feng out of the box and towards the backstage area.
Backstage at the Concert Hall, the area was filled with congratulatory flower baskets and a throng of media reporters, cameras and camcorders ready. With the help of Huo Siqi's bodyguards, Tang Qing and Murong Feng managed to squeeze into the dressing room, where the bodyguards promptly closed the door, bringing silence.
Inside, Huo Siqi stood alone, looking excited in her white evening gown from the performance. Seeing Tang Qing, she joyfully ran over and grabbed her hands, exclaiming, "Janney, how was my performance today? Was there anything I didn't play well?" Tang Qing lovingly held her hands and laughed, "No way! Today, I saw a completely different Siqi, playing like a piano master. It was truly amazing! If you don't believe me, ask Murong." As Huo Siqi turned her expectant gaze towards him, Murong Feng smiled and nodded, "Yes, Siqi, your performance was wonderful. I was mesmerized!" Huo Siqi's face lit up with joy. She let go of Tang Qing and grabbed Murong Feng's arm excitedly, "Really? Did I really play that well?" Her delighted expression was like that of a little sister, and Murong Feng felt a brotherly affection towards her, smiling and nodding.
Just then, the door opened again. The bodyguards ushered Bao Zixian and Liu Zekai inside, both wearing wide smiles. As soon as the door opened, camera flashes went off and a burst of noise filled the room. Once the door closed, the room returned to quiet. Bao Zixian and Liu Zekai opened their arms, smiling at Huo Siqi. "Siqi, congratulations! Your performance was a great success!" they exclaimed. Huo Siqi let out a joyful cry and threw herself into deep hugs with both of them, laughing, "It was really successful! I'm so relieved. My daddy came to see me perform, and I was so nervous!"
Bao Zixian and Liu Zekai exchanged a surprised look, glancing around nervously to ensure no one else was present. "Uncle Huo came too?!" they asked.
Seeing their startled expressions, Huo Siqi giggled, "Don't worry, he's already left. Daddy said he'd celebrate for me tomorrow at the Shuangyu River Jockey Club!" Liu Zekai was immediately astonished. "Really? Siqi, you're in for a treat!" he said. Bao Zixian smiled and said, "Uncle Huo is a board member of the Jockey Club; naturally, he has that kind of influence."
Beaming with joy, Huo Siqi turned to Tang Qing and Murong Feng, saying, "Janney, Murong, join us tomorrow for the celebration. Zixian is a member of the Jockey Club and can bring two guests!" Bao Zixian smiled and nodded. He had recently been approved as the 24,335th member of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, which granted him the privilege to bring two non-members into the club. Although Liu Zekai was not a member, his father was a selection member, allowing him to attend as well.
Murong Feng, slightly bewildered, learned from Tang Qing about the significance of the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
Founded in 1884 by a group of enthusiasts for speed horse racing, the Hong Kong Jockey Club has a history of 122 years. With the development of club services and membership traditions, it has now become one of the largest and most prestigious private clubs in Asia. Among its nearly 24,000 members are business leaders like Li Ka-shing and Kwok Ping-sheung, top government officials like Chief Executive Donald Tsang and Chief Justice Andrew Li, as well as lawyers, university presidents, doctors, and other elite professionals. What they have in common is not merely wealth but their contributions to society and their social standing.
The club has three main categories of membership: full membership, racing membership, and corporate membership. Full members can recommend new members, subject to a rigorous selection process that includes background checks and bank evaluations of their financial standing. More importantly, candidates must have made contributions to Hong Kong society to attain a certain level of social status.
The Jockey Club's main venues for member activities are its three main clubs: Shuangyu River, Sha Tin, and Happy Valley. The Happy Valley and Sha Tin clubs are conveniently located on Hong Kong Island and in the New Territories, respectively. The Happy Valley Club, developed from a former marshland, has become a major commercial district surrounded by the city. The Shuangyu River Club, situated in the countryside, is the only club with stables and a racecourse, where members often spend weekends with their beloved horses.
Due to the exclusivity of the club, only members and their two guests (with reservations) can enter, ensuring privacy and prestige. Many members bring their spouses and children to the club, and these children often become members as they grow up, continuing the legacy.
With a touch of pride, Bao Zixian explained, "For the past decade, the number of full members has remained around 13,000. Even if you pass all the screenings, you must wait for a spot to open when an older member passes away or emigrates. This process usually takes about two years, with an average of only 25 new members admitted each month. I waited nearly four years before being approved earlier this year." He added with a hint of regret, "Unfortunately, I'm not yet qualified to own a horse in the club. But my dad's horse, 'Joy,' will be racing at Sha Tin on Saturday. We can go watch."
As they chatted inside, they were unaware of the chaos outside.
"Did you see Miss Huo hugging that man intimately? Could he be her boyfriend?" a weekly magazine reporter whispered to a nearby photographer. Other journalists nearby were also murmuring. When Bao Zixian and the others entered, they snapped away, but through the partially open door, they saw Huo Siqi joyfully hugging the arm of the man who had entered earlier, looking very close.
The media knew that Bao Zixian and Liu Zekai were good friends with Huo Siqi, but the earlier couple was unfamiliar. Their lavish attire suggested they were also of high status, sparking curiosity among the reporters. Speculations about Murong Feng's identity and the possibility of another wealthy scion emerging in Hong Kong flew around.
Thus, when Huo Siqi came out to meet the reporters, the questions were less about the successful recital and more about her relationship with the mysterious man.
"Miss Huo, who was that man who entered the room earlier?"
"Miss Huo, is that man your boyfriend?"
"Miss Huo, will you be celebrating tonight's success with that man?"
Caught off guard, Huo Siqi quickly realized they were asking about Murong Feng. Smiling, she clarified, "No, don't speculate! He's just a friend from the mainland, and he has a girlfriend. Don't make things up!" Her gentle personality and artistic aura, combined with the media's respect for the Huo family, prevented further probing, though the reporters remained skeptical. Having seen the intimate moment themselves, they were not easily dissuaded.
The next day, numerous magazines and newspapers, especially those focusing on elite gossip, featured large photos of Murong Feng entering Huo Siqi's dressing room and the intimate moment captured through the half-open door, with headlines like "Huo Family's Third Miss's Mysterious Boyfriend Revealed! Secret Celebration After Recital! Suspected Mainland Scion!"
Murong Feng and Tang Qing avoided the reporters by leaving through the back door. That night, at Bao Zixian's invitation, they stayed at his villa on Victoria Peak. The next day, they went directly from the villa to the Hong Kong Jockey Club's Shuangyu River Club to spend a day relaxing before attending Huo Siqi's celebratory banquet in the evening. Thus, they missed seeing the reports.
At the Shuangyu River Club, Murong Feng truly understood what top-tier club services and the lifestyle of the rich entailed. According to Bao Zixian, from the moment a member steps into the club, they are attended to by six or seven staff members, including personal attendants, kitchen staff, and procurement officers. The club employs 1,200 full-time staff, with an additional 2,000 part-time workers during race events. The Jockey Club has a comprehensive system to record members' personal preferences, from dining locations and favorite foods to personal habits, ensuring personalized service without the need for requests.
Seeing numerous renowned Hong Kong tycoons at the club playing squash, swimming, reading newspapers, and caring for their beloved horses, Murong Feng was deeply impressed. The club offered a variety of gourmet options prepared by world-class chefs, with over 700 types of wine available.
That evening, Huo Siqi's celebratory banquet was a gathering of elite individuals. Only the most prominent figures in Hong Kong could become members of the Jockey Club. Even the non-members brought by members were usually people of high social standing, thus making the banquet a convergence of Hong Kong's elite. Murong Feng met many familiar names, including Financial Secretary John Tsang and Police Commissioner Andy Tsang, as well as many business moguls attending out of respect for the Huo family patriarch. There were also celebrities, lawyers, and other notable figures.
It was Murong Feng's first time at such an elite gathering. Although this circle was not one he could easily enter, it allowed him to experience the atmosphere. Standing in a corner with Tang Qing, Bao Zixian, and Liu Zekai, he felt their social circle was relatively small. After all, they couldn't easily approach the big names. Bao Zixian and Liu Zekai introduced Murong Feng to a few young friends, and they had pleasant conversations. Murong Feng's interests in golf and fencing matched well with theirs, providing common ground for discussion. Given the setting, there were many conversations about horse racing, which piqued Murong Feng's interest in horse racing, riding, and horse ownership.
Tang Qing, clearly accustomed to such gatherings, received respectful treatment from many wealthy heirs. Even a major general from the garrison came over to chat with her respectfully, further impressing Murong Feng with her deep connections.
Murong Feng also noticed many people giving him strange looks, even some prominent figures seemed curious when their eyes met his. He mostly responded with polite nods or toasts without engaging further. His curiosity grew until Huo Siqi, the center of attention at the banquet, approached them in a dazzling red gown, apologizing to Murong Feng for the misunderstanding.
"Murong, I already told the reporters yesterday that you're a good friend from the mainland, but they still wrote such nonsense. Please don't mind it!" Huo Siqi said, genuinely embarrassed. She had noticed the intimate nature of the photograph published in the papers.
Understanding the situation, Murong Feng shrugged it off with a smile. "It's alright. I'll be back in Beijing in a couple of days. I just hope this doesn't cause any trouble for you." Huo Siqi laughed, "The paparazzi in Hong Kong are everywhere. We, the second generation of wealthy families, are used to them publishing scandals about us every now and then. Just ignore them for a few days, and they'll move on to another story."
Murong Feng chuckled, finally understanding their mindset.
This small episode was quickly forgotten as no one took it seriously.
Two days later, the weekly races at Sha Tin Racecourse were held. Because Bao Zixian's father's horse, "Joy," was racing, Murong Feng and Tang Qing decided to stay an extra two days at his invitation, planning to return to Beijing after watching the races.
Murong Feng called Ye Zi, informing her of the delay, and learned that her project had unexpectedly been approved and would be discussed at the securities commission meeting. She had to travel to Jiangsu for work on the company's IPO preparations, so she would likely be away when Murong Feng returned to Beijing.
On the phone, they exchanged affectionate words, their tender and sweet sentiments needing no repetition. The expression on Ye Zi's face as she shyly hung up the phone said it all.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone