Chapter 271: A Hug

June 14th, morning. The atmosphere at Linyang City's train station was tense. Starting from 8 a.m., police began arriving to maintain order, and even the platform was controlled.

By nearly 10 a.m., several cars with Linyang City Committee plates arrived and entered the station through a side door. The city's mayor, Chen Da, accompanied the Hong Kong businessman Dai Tingwei as they got out, with Zhou Ming and Gu Ping following from another car.

Entering the station, Gu Ping looked at the almost empty scene and said to Zhou Ming, "Such a grand occasion. It seems Mr. Dai's boss must be a very impressive figure!"

Zhou Ming only smiled and didn't speak. Indeed, the scene was quite grand, but at this time, there were few Hong Kong or Taiwan businessmen entering the mainland. Moreover, due to the mainland's poverty, officials often had an inherent inferiority complex. Hearing the names of foreign businessmen could cloud their judgment, leading to many unbelievable situations.

Zhou Ming remembered a scammer with a Hong Kong passport who had swindled billions on the mainland. Even the city's mayor and the provincial governor were deceived. In reality, he was just a thug who had smuggled himself from the mainland to Hong Kong. The scam worked because of the mainland officials' ignorance and inferiority complex towards the outside world.

Now the situation was similar. Zhou Ming didn't know how influential Dai Tingwei's boss was, but it probably wasn't someone as wealthy as Li Cheng. As far as he remembered, there weren't any top-tier billionaires from Hong Kong entering the mainland at this time.

While Zhou Ming was thinking this, Dai Tingwei's voice came from ahead: "Let me tell you, my boss is a renowned female entrepreneur from Hong Kong's upper society. She has connections with all the major financial families in Hong Kong, and even the governor has to show her respect. I also heard that this time, it's not just her; she has a journalist friend with her as well. Both are important figures in Hong Kong."

A female entrepreneur? And a journalist friend?

These two key points made Zhou Ming suddenly think of someone. He recalled the tearful eyes of a woman he hadn't seen for nearly a year. Although they had spoken on the phone last week, he wondered how she had been in Hong Kong all this time and whether she missed him.

Zhou Ming smiled, shaking his head and feeling he was thinking too much. After all, he had spoken with her just the previous week. How could she suddenly come to the mainland?

At 10:15 a.m., a train arrived and stopped by the platform. The doors opened, and three women descended in turn. The first to get off was a woman wearing gold-rimmed glasses and shoulder-length hair. Zhou Ming was taken aback not because she was exceptionally beautiful, but because he knew her.

"Could it be? Really?"

Zhou Ming muttered, and Gu Ping, standing next to him, heard and said, "Representative Zhou, is this what Hong Kong women are like? She's really quite beautiful."

"The one behind her is even more beautiful," Zhou Ming replied.

Before Gu Ping could ask why, there was a gasp from ahead. Gu Ping turned and saw a stunningly beautiful woman, supported by the first woman, stepping off the train.

This woman was breathtakingly beautiful. Her hair was elegantly pinned up, her face adorned with light professional makeup, and she wore a pristine white business suit that made her appear both glamorous and dignified. The fitted dress accentuated her curves and showcased her femininity. The sheer stockings and white high heels added to her poise and allure.

As she stepped off the train, everyone's attention was drawn to her. Zhou Ming could clearly hear Gu Ping swallowing nervously.

"She's incredibly beautiful, far more than any movie star. Is she really a Hong Kong businesswoman, not a movie star?" Gu Ping murmured.

Zhou Ming glanced at Gu Ping and saw the most politically promising county party secretary in Linyang staring at the woman with a lascivious look, as if he wanted to take her in completely. Zhou Ming sighed inwardly. The woman was indeed very attractive, and every movement she made exuded femininity, captivating everyone around.

Zhou Ming's lips curled into a smile because this woman was indeed the one he had guessed—Lin Muqing, whom he hadn't seen for nearly a year.

Since Lin Muqing was here, the Hong Kong journalist accompanying her could only be Shen Xin.

Just as Zhou Ming thought of this, another woman in a business dress stepped off the train, and it was Shen Xin.

Zhou Ming shook his head helplessly. He should have guessed that the investment company was Si Ming Investment, Lin Muqing's company. He felt sorry for being so oblivious to her feelings.

After Lin Muqing and Shen Xin descended, Wu Shiping, the secretary of the provincial governor Xiong Qingping, also got off the train. He introduced Lin Muqing and Shen Xin to Chen Da: "Secretary Chen, this is Ms. Lin Muqing, the chairwoman of Si Ming Investment from Hong Kong. This is Ms. Shen Xin, the chief reporter of Hong Kong Financial News, and this is Ms. Amin, Ms. Lin's personal secretary."

As the mayor of the city, Chen Da was indeed shocked by Lin Muqing's beauty, but he quickly masked his surprise with a smile and approached Lin Muqing for a handshake, saying, "Welcome. On behalf of all the cadres and people of Linyang, I warmly welcome Ms. Lin to invest in our city."

"Thank you, Secretary Chen. I also appreciate the opportunity you've given me," Lin Muqing replied. She only lightly touched Chen Da's hand before letting go.

Lin Muqing's voice was very soft and pleasant. Chen Da quickly added, "Not at all. Ms. Lin is a well-known investor from Hong Kong. We should feel honored that you are here in Linyang."

Lin Muqing smiled but did not say much more. Chen Da then greeted Shen Xin, "Reporter Shen is the most renowned financial reporter in Hong Kong, with judgments and comments on economic events that even many economists cannot match. I have heard of your reputation even here in Linyang. We also warmly welcome you and hope you will provide insights into the economic development of Linyang."

"Rest assured, Secretary Chen. As a professional journalist, I have my own standards of judgment. If I see or hear anything, I will certainly report it and not miss anything," Shen Xin responded. Compared to Lin Muqing, her response was much more straightforward.

At this point, Dai Tingwei approached Lin Muqing to greet her. It was clear he wanted to shake her hand but then hesitated.

With the station being relatively quiet and few people around, it was Zhou Ming and Gu Ping's turn. Zhou Ming walked forward confidently, while Gu Ping nervously followed behind.

Zhou Ming approached Lin Muqing and said, "Ms. Lin, welcome to Linyang."

As Zhou Ming extended his hand to shake hands, Lin Muqing took two steps forward and opened her arms to embrace him.

This scene left everyone stunned. They stared with their mouths agape, as if time had frozen. No one could understand why the dazzling Ms. Lin was hugging Zhou Ming. Had they known each other before? Or was their relationship special?

No one knew the reason, but everyone was intensely envious of Zhou Ming for being favored by Lin Muqing. Especially Dai Tingwei, who couldn't believe his eyes. No matter how hard he rubbed them, Lin Muqing was still embracing Zhou Ming.

What was going on? If Lin Muqing had only given Zhou Ming a brief hug and then pulled away, it could be seen as a polite gesture. But now, what was this? A lover's embrace?

One was the dream woman of all successful men in Hong Kong, and the other was a local businessman from the mainland. These two were not supposed to intersect in their lives. Even if they did, it would only be Zhou Ming drooling over Lin Muqing from a distance, like many Hong Kong men. But what was happening now?

Dai Tingwei felt like his whole mind was in chaos. It was as if he was having a terrible nightmare, but the sharp pain from pinching himself made it clear this was real.

Zhou Ming hadn't expected this either. Initially, he just wanted to shake hands with her to be polite in front of everyone. After all, Lin Muqing was no longer the same person she was before. Even if they were familiar, she should be more reserved in public.

The most important thing was that Zhou Ming had abandoned Lin Muqing in Hong Kong for nearly a year, leaving everything to her. His only visit to Hong Kong was for a business inspection with Qiao Weijiang. Zhou Ming felt somewhat guilty.

For these reasons, Zhou Ming only intended to shake her hand, but he hadn't anticipated that she, as a goddess to so many, would hug so intimately hug him in front of everyone. It was clear she missed him very much.

In the late 1980s, public displays of affection were far less common than twenty years later. A few years ago, even casual physical contact between men and women could lead to imprisonment. Though things were less strict now, such public displays were still significant.

"Muqing, it's quite crowded here!" Zhou Ming whispered to Lin Muqing.

Lin Muqing released him, giving Zhou Ming a look of reproach for his lack of understanding of her feelings, leaving Zhou Ming feeling conflicted.

Before Zhou Ming could respond, Shen Xin approached with arms wide open and a cheerful smile, saying, "I want a hug too!"

Was the world going crazy? Why were all the women from Hong Kong so eager to hug Zhou Ming?