novelraw Chapter 574: Famous in Hong Kong
Chapter 574: Famous in Hong Kong
6:30 p.m.
As evening lights flickered on, the streets reflected golden outlines under the interplay of neon lights and glass curtain walls.
Shen Yuyan raised her hand to hail a taxi.
“Huaxia Club, please.”
After getting in, she took out her phone and opened Bai Menglin’s WeChat chat window, leaving a message: “I’m on my way, about seven or eight minutes away.”
[Bai Menglin: “Me too. Let’s meet downstairs.”]
The car slowly drove along Central’s main road, passing through the IFC area.
Leaning against the window, Shen Yuyan’s gaze drifted among the towering buildings.
Hong Kong’s night was exquisite, flashy yet restrained.
She truly liked it here. Soon, the car slowed to a stop in front of the old Huaxia Bank building.
After paying the fare, Shen Yuyan got out and saw Bai Menglin waving at her from not far away.
“Menglin.” Shen Yuyan quickened her pace to greet her.
Bai Menglin grabbed her arm, smiling warmly. “Let’s go. Yingying said she’s still on the way and told us to enter first. She already reserved in advance;
we just need to give our info.”
The two chatted as they took the elevator straight to the 13th floor.
Exiting the elevator was the club’s main entrance and reception area.
After verifying their identities, the staff courteously and enthusiastically led them inside.
They walked up the spiral staircase slowly;
beneath their feet was a thick wool carpet, soft lighting, antique decorations surrounding them, and the air was filled with the nostalgic atmosphere unique to Hong Kong’s old money circles.
On a Friday night at the Central Huaxia Club, the crowd was large.
Everywhere they looked were men and women in sharp suits exuding impressive presence.
After sitting down in the dining area on the 14th floor, they casually flipped through the menu.
Bai Menglin leaned in slightly, lowering her voice near Shen Yuyan’s ear. “See that middle-aged man in the dark gray suit and glasses? He’s the CIO of Youfeng Capital, managing three major funds.”
“And that beautiful woman in the red dress? She’s an LP consultant for Gaoling Investments.”
Having spent so much time in Central’s financial circle, Bai Menglin not only worked there but also attended various social events.
She was quite “well-informed.”
Shen Yuyan glanced sideways, her eyes flickering.
As expected, Yancheng was still too small.
Anyone randomly picked here was someone she would have had to schedule long in advance just to meet.
But in Hong Kong, a single cocktail party or gathering could get you access.
Fortunately, now she had broken out of her previous small circle.
The sky was vast, birds flew freely, and fish leapt.
With Rongliu Capital as her platform, one day she would surely integrate into these circles.
“Ding dong—” The WeChat notification sounded.
[Ji Yingying: “I’m downstairs, coming up now.”]
The two raised their heads and looked toward the staircase entrance.
Within two minutes, a familiar yet somewhat unfamiliar figure appeared.
Ji Yingying wore a white suit skirt set, makeup delicate, posture upright.
Their gazes met in the air.
Ji Yingying smiled faintly and stepped forward. “Yuyan, Menglin, long time no see. Sorry to keep you waiting.”
Bai Menglin smiled. “Yingying, long time no see. You’ve changed so much;
you’re completely different now.”
“Yingying.” Shen Yuyan’s red lips pressed lightly as she nodded at Ji Yingying. “You look more beautiful.”
“You too, the campus belle, haha.”
The three exchanged a few pleasantries while standing, then took their seats.
Ji Yingying summoned the waiter to order. Her movements were calm and poised, tone natural, yet subtly conveyed a sense of command over the scene.
She didn’t even ask about the others’ tastes, directly ordering several classic dishes recommended by the club, then closed the menu and handed it back.
Shen Yuyan and Bai Menglin exchanged a glance, expression unchanged but secretly exchanging a “she’s still the same” look under the table.
While waiting for the dishes, Ji Yingying raised her wine glass and smiled, “Finally able to have a meal together in Hong Kong. Not easy. Cheers.”
“Cheers.”
“Ding~ ding~”
The warmth of the wine slid down their throats, a slight heat quietly rising to their cheeks.
The three chatted about high school memories and former classmates.
The dishes were served one after another.
They ate and talked, the atmosphere gradually relaxing with continuous laughter.
When the meal was nearly finished, Ji Yingying turned her gaze to Shen Yuyan. “Speaking of which, Yuyan, you really made a big leap, switching careers to private equity?”
Shen Yuyan smiled slightly at the corner of her mouth. “I wanted a different perspective. After a few years of entrepreneurship, I felt my view was too narrow. I just happened to have the chance to engage with a more professional institutional business, so I gave it a try.”
“Daring to think and act, still the same Shen Yuyan.” Ji Yingying said meaningfully. “But the finance circle values seniority, resources, and background. The entry barrier is high. Whether you can stay long-term depends on your foundation. Especially the assistant to the chairman position—you’ve only got the ticket to enter. You still have to work hard.”
“That’s true.” Shen Yuyan still smiled and nodded. “But my ticket is quite valuable. The rank is director, externally I’m middle to senior management, basically involved in core business.”
Ji Yingying’s expression flickered slightly, showing some displeasure.
Although she also held a “title” as the chairman’s assistant, her core duties were limited to meeting translation, document polishing, and arranging the boss’s travel—nothing to do with “core business.”
Shen Yuyan was clearly mocking her.
Bai Menglin sensed the subtle tension and quickly laughed to change the subject. “In the end, I’m the one hurt! You two are way ahead of me. I’m still just a junior staffer.”
Ji Yingying took over the conversation with a faint smile. “Menglin, Guotai Junan International is indeed a good platform, but the pace of development is slow and the position isn’t very prestigious. If you want to jump to a more core role, you have to change platforms.”
Bai Menglin nodded slightly but hadn’t spoken yet.
Shen Yuyan spoke directly. “You know Menglin’s capabilities. We’re building a new business line at Rongliu and I’ve invited her. I just don’t know if she has the courage to take a gamble.”
Bai Menglin took a deep breath, her eyes flickering.
Ji Yingying gently set down her glass, lips curved with a smile. “Courage is good, but caution is still necessary. Rongliu Capital’s AUM is only about two billion dollars, not a top player locally in Hong Kong. Though it has some overseas business, overall it’s a small-to-medium private equity firm. Platform size greatly affects career paths.
Overall, its growth potential might be less than Guotai Junan International’s, which is backed by a securities firm with a market value in the hundreds of billions.”
Though her tone was gentle, the implication was full of hints about “not being at the right level.”
“Yingying has indeed become more worldly and eloquent over the years. Your Zhifang Medical’s market value is about 10 billion RMB now? By your logic, growth potential is also quite limited, right?” Shen Yuyan joked. “Want to consider switching to our company? Your IR background fits perfectly.”
“Hehe.” Ji Yingying chuckled lightly. “Zhifang is an industrial company with products, technology, and factories. Revenue is visible, assets tangible. Among our platform partners are leading institutions like Qiming Venture Partners and Jiukun Investment. In fact, the day before I left Yangcheng, I just had dinner with the chairman and senior executives from those two institutions.”
She then turned to Bai Menglin. “This club’s 15th floor has a viewing terrace where many elites from Central drink and chat. I happen to know friends there. I’ll introduce you later;
it might help your career.”
Bai Menglin bit her lip and nodded softly. “Thanks, Yingying.”
Though she understood Ji Yingying was showing off, it was indeed an opportunity.
In Central, many people waited months for just a meal or an introduction.
Under the table, Shen Yuyan’s hand tightened slightly but her face remained calm with a smile.
She knew well that Ji Yingying’s words made sense.
The two firms she mentioned—Qiming Venture Partners with nearly $10 billion AUM and Jiukun Investment dominating the quant sector with over 60 billion RMB in assets—were giants.
By comparison, though Rongliu Capital’s $2.1 billion AUM made it a first-tier firm in the mainland, it was insignificant in the ultra-dense financial capital of Hong Kong.
If Qiming invited Bai Menglin to switch jobs, even just as a senior analyst, she would probably accept immediately.
That was reality. She understood it very well.
The three fell silent for a moment.
Ji Yingying took a spirited sip of red wine, stood, and straightened her skirt, fully in “hostess mode.”
“Let’s go, old classmates. We’ve eaten enough,” she said naturally. “Let’s head to the viewing terrace for some drinks and see Central’s night view, and meet some new contacts.”
Her gaze swept over the two women opposite her, bright and confident, with a hint of scrutiny.
Shen Yuyan smiled calmly and stood. “Thanks, Yingying, for helping us expand our social circle.”
Bai Menglin nodded gently and picked up her bag to follow.
The three climbed the stairs to the 15th-floor viewing terrace and walked further inside.
Before them, the scene opened wide.
Lights flickered across the terrace, conversations rose and fell.
At least half the crowd were foreigners, dressed sharply in suits, poised, holding whiskey or speaking quietly.
The mixed scents of alcohol, perfume, and cigars blended with the night breeze, creating an atmosphere unique to the upper social circles.
Opposite them was the dazzling nightscape of Central.
The skyscrapers, bathed in neon, resembled a crystal forest, sparkling and radiant, gazing across at the Kowloon Peninsula.
“This way.” Ji Yingying lifted her bag with one hand and elegantly gestured for the others to follow.
Her steps were steady, expression composed, as if entering a territory she knew well.
In fact, as former assistant to the board and current IRO of Zhifang Medical, she spent most of her time socializing.
She had accompanied leaders and investors and witnessed many occasions.
Compared to Shen Yuyan and Bai Menglin, this was her greatest advantage and the main reason she invited them here.
Within a circle of seven or eight people, a man in his thirties smiled and greeted them.
He wore a custom navy blue suit and gold-rimmed glasses, exuding a calm yet sharp aura.
Ji Yingying smiled and took the initiative to greet, “Hello, President Zhou, we’ve come up.”
President Zhou nodded and glanced at the two behind her.
“This is President Zhou Wei, partner at Huayin Capital and a good friend of mine,” Ji Yingying said warmly. “He helped book this spot at Huaxia Club.”
Upon hearing this, Bai Menglin’s expression stiffened. She immediately extended her hand with a polite attitude. “Hello, President Zhou. I’m Bai Menglin from Guotai Junan International. Nice to meet you.”
“Hello, Miss Bai.” Zhou Wei responded lightly and shook her hand.
His gaze then settled on Shen Yuyan, eyes brightening slightly.
Shen Yuyan was indeed striking.
Her fresh and pretty face, clean and neat temperament, intelligent and composed eyes easily made her a focus among career women.
She didn’t reach out but politely bowed. “Hello, President Zhou. I’m Shen Yuyan from Rongliu Capital.”
“ConfluentCapital?” Zhou Wei raised an eyebrow. “The one that led the Pre-B round for Ruide Bio in March?”
“Yes, you’re very knowledgeable.”
Ji Yingying added smoothly, “President Zhou is a partner at Huayin Capital and a member of the investment decision committee. Huayin participated in Zhifang Medical’s Pre-IPO round.”
At this, Bai Menglin’s expression shifted subtly, her eyes showing more respect.
“Miss Shen, what’s your role at Rongliu?” Zhou Wei asked further.
“Assistant to the chairman.” Shen Yuyan took a business card from her bag and handed it over gently. “Currently responsible for AI investment research and project liaison. I hope to have the chance to learn from you in the future.”
Zhou Wei glanced at the card and casually said, “Not bad. AI is hot now. Rongliu’s judgment in this field is quite leading.”
They briefly exchanged industry talk. Zhou Wei’s attitude was gentle and friendly, seeming to favor her.
Soon, the three were brought into the circle by Zhou Wei.
The group included VPs from top foreign investment banks and senior investment managers from leading domestic private equity firms.
The topics ranged from macro policies to Singapore REIT funds, LP funding preferences to offshore FOF trends—first-rate information throughout.
Bai Menglin listened intently, her expression lifted, striving to keep pace and occasionally nodding, looking especially earnest.
Shen Yuyan observed quietly, spoke cautiously, and kept smiling.
The viewing terrace bustled with people coming and going, overlapping small groups and ongoing conversations.
Thanks to her excellent communication skills, Shen Yuyan exchanged business cards with quite a few people while mingling.
Most were polite but maintained a distant tone.
A few men were particularly warm and proactive, but she could see immediately that their interest was not in her professional background but her “external value.”
Amid it all, Shen Yuyan felt powerless.
Once again, she sensed her own insignificance.
In Yancheng, just mentioning Rongliu Capital’s name would command respect.
But in the entire Hong Kong financial circle, it might be well-known in some niche sectors, but nowhere near commanding such respect. The rightful source is novᴇlfire.net
She quietly stood by the colorful railing, eyes sweeping over Victoria Harbor’s night view, resting on a familiar tall building—IFC Tower 2, 38th floor.
This is Hong Kong.
My dear President Tang, as your assistant, I’m this insignificant;
you really have to work harder!
“Yuyan.” Bai Menglin’s voice called out.
Shen Yuyan quickly composed herself, lifted a faint smile, and raised her whiskey glass.
“Ding—” The glasses clinked crisply.
Shen Yuyan smiled. “In Hong Kong’s financial circle, good opportunities mostly come from referrals and recommendations. These occasions are indeed meaningful. It’s always good to meet more people.”
Bai Menglin nodded but looked hesitant.
After a pause, she finally whispered, “About your earlier invitation, I thought it over all day and feel I should be honest with you.”
“Mm.” Shen Yuyan nodded calmly. “It’s okay. Go ahead.”
She had already guessed roughly what Bai Menglin wanted to say.
Bai Menglin pursed her lips, choosing her words carefully, about to speak—
Suddenly—
A shout sounded from the terrace edge.
“Holy sh*t!”
“Oh my god! You guys, look at the news!!”
The shouts came from three white men in a corner, staring at their phones in shock.
The orderly conversations around them instantly drew attention.
Groups of people lowered their heads to check their phones.
Moments later, a wave of uproar flooded the terrace, breaking the silence.
“Kate Trust and Tangjin Capital Office? They actually teamed up?”
“Ten billion dollars! My god!”
“Big news! This is a nuclear-level signal, attracting global capital to reassess the Asian market!”
“Confluent Capital?!”
“Rongliu Capital? Whose fund is that?!”
In this typically calm and rational social setting, an unprecedented agitation spread, everyone caught up in excitement and frenzy.
Then, countless stunned glances turned toward Shen Yuyan, who stood at the edge in the corner.
Bai Menglin’s words stuck in her throat.
Shen Yuyan stood frozen as if struck by the sudden uproar.
After a brief daze, she quickly snapped back and almost instinctively took out her phone.
Upon unlocking, a series of eye-catching news notifications popped up on the screen.
LinkedIn, Bloomberg, Reuters, Hong Kong Economic Daily...
[Breaking News: Kate Trust and Tangjin Family Office Join with Rongliu Capital to Set Up Ten-Billion-Dollar Fund of Funds]
[Imperial Capital Time October 28, 8:30 p.m., U.S. Eastern Time October 28, 8:30 a.m.]
[Kate Trust and Tangjin Family Office jointly held a press conference in New York announcing a strategic partnership with local Hong Kong private equity firm Rongliu Capital to jointly establish a specialized Fund of Funds totaling $10 billion...]
Her fingertips trembled lightly as she stared repeatedly at the four words “Rongliu Capital” in the news.
An unnatural blush surfaced on her face, breath growing slightly rapid.
Rongliu Capital... received a $10 billion fund injection?!!
Kate Trust? Tangjin Family Office? Strategic cooperation?
What does this mean?
It means Rongliu Capital’s assets under management would overnight break through previous limits, instantly rising into the local Hong Kong private equity top 15 and the Asia-Pacific mixed strategy fund top 30 ranks.
It would completely shed the vague label of “medium-sized firm,” stepping into the global large private equity ranks.
With a corresponding $12 billion AUM, Rongliu’s existing team simply couldn’t handle this scale.
They would inevitably start poaching industry talent, expanding scale, restructuring, and causing tremors in the talent market.
For the entire Hong Kong market, this was a landmark capital event.
The joint injection from two top financial groups was essentially a strategic endorsement, reaffirming Hong Kong’s status as an international financial center.
Especially after years of turbulence and Hong Kong stock market sluggishness, this was like a powerful tonic.
Such blockbuster good news would inevitably trigger intense market fluctuations and become a hot topic.
Rongliu Capital became famous overnight in Hong Kong.
And at this very moment, she stood at the first scene of this miracle.
Thinking this, Shen Yuyan’s scalp tingled, her back burned, her heartbeat thundered like drums.