C.L.S

Chapter 2

“And then I met a British businessman.  He’s invested a lot to the Hong Kong industry, such as real estate, hotel, restaurant, racetrack, shopping center, and other large businesses you can think of.  I also heard he’s a British aristocrat.”

Yu Heng’s mother, Yang Mei Ling was recently invited to attend a gathering in Hong Kong and decided to stay a few months on holiday.  She had just returned to Taiwan and called him to have afternoon tea.

“Oh, really ah?”  Yu Heng sipped some coffee.

“Oh?  Is listening to an old woman boring?  I say, you’ve been drinking coffee and haven’t even said but a few words to me.”  Yang Mei Ling sipped her black tea.

“No matter, it seems you’ve been having a lot of fun lately, and I wanted to hear what happened.”

“Well, it really was fun.  I meet a lot of new friends and made some worthwhile contacts like the British businessman.  He left his business card and said if we ever want to enter the Hong Kong market, he will help us out.”

Yang Mei Ling gave the card to Yu Heng.  “When you’re free, give him a call or write him an e-mail in greeting.  If you say you’re my son, he’ll know.”

“Okay Mom, so tell me more about Hong Kong.  As for the business thing, I’ll deal with it.”  Yu Heng accepted the card.

“Son.”  Yang Mei Ling glanced at her son, “Every time I discuss business, you will…  Well, you don’t like it do you?  Never mind, I will discuss something else than.  When I was in Hong Kong, I met with the International Public Interest Group’s CEO.  He’s expressed his desire for support.  If you’re interested, we can consider sponsoring them.  In this way, we can garner publicity for the hotel, the orphanage, you don’t know…”

Yang Mei Ling feels troubled about Yu Heng going to the orphanage.  It feels somewhat beneath his standing.

“Mom, I’ve said before, I go to the orphanage because I want to make a difference in the children’s lives, and not just to donate money.  Otherwise, dealing with business matters all day is suffocating.”

“It’s because of this, I don’t like you going there.  Being exposed to those things, it will only make you soft…”  Yang Mei Ling paused.

In fact, it’s what she wanted to discuss with Yu Heng today.  She knows he doesn’t want to hear it, but for his sake she has to say it.

Zhang said you’ve been having problems with the B & B acquisition, and…  I also heard that you’ve had an altercation with the Vice President of our bank.  Is that right?”  Yang Mei Ling asked with great care.  She heard about it, but couldn’t believe it.

“Ah.”  Yu Heng leaned back in the chair, resting his two elbows on the armrest, looking tired.

Zhang is Yang Mei Ling’s private secretary.  During her stay in Hong Kong, Zhang was her eyes and ears in Taiwan.  Yu Heng was prepared for this, but he didn’t expect it so soon.

“Is what Zhang said true?  Did you offend the Vice President?”  His silence, made Yang Mei Ling tense up.

“Well, he was caught sexually harassing an employee – if you call that an offense, then yes, I really offended him.”  Yu Heng spread his hands, freely admitting.

“Sexual harassment?  Zhang said he just touched a female employee.  It’s not so serious, right?  How can you offend him over a trivial matter?!”

“Trivial matter?”  Yu Heng brows twisted incredulously, “Mom, you’re also woman.  How can you say that?  You should put yourself in the employee’s position.  Don’t you know what a scumbag he is?  If I let him off today, he’ll think it’s okay to come to our hotel and harass our employees again.  Who’ll protect our staff’s safety?”