Chapter 276: Twins
"About the timeline…" Governor Blackie hesitated. "Will there be enough time?"
"There will," Yang Wendong replied confidently. "I've already invited a team of experts from the mainland to come to Hong Kong and help assess a suitable location for the museum while also discussing the necessary scale. As for design, I've already contacted an American architectural firm — they've been studying major museums across Europe and America and will tailor a design based on local conditions for rapid implementation.
And as for construction…" Yang smiled slightly, "Governor, I believe you know better than I do — construction in Hong Kong is extremely fast. That's the one thing we don't have to worry about."
"Hah, it seems you've been planning this for a while," Blackie laughed.
He could already tell that this museum would be primarily focused on Chinese culture, and that was understandable. Yang was Chinese, after all. Still, Yang had agreed to include British cultural artifacts as well — which Blackie appreciated.
Even so, such a collaboration would require cooperation from the UK, and as Governor, Blackie couldn't make promises on their behalf. Seeing the mainland already on board, he knew he couldn't oppose the project — doing so would only stir up controversy.
What tempted him most, of course, was the chance to have his name and portrait preserved in the museum. While official portraits and biographies of each Governor were archived at Government House, almost no one ever saw them. Compared to being immortalized in a public museum? That was on a whole other level.
"Of course," Yang said smoothly. "Only when everything is fully prepared did I come to seek your support. With your backing, Governor, I believe this museum will become one of the most culturally significant landmarks in Hong Kong's history.
Even if the building is torn down a century from now due to age, the legacy it leaves behind will endure."
"Well said," Blackie nodded. "As Governor, I absolutely support the establishment of a cultural museum here in Hong Kong."
He was genuinely moved. If the museum were to become an iconic structure, and completed during his tenure, his name would appear in history books. When future generations wrote about the museum's history, they'd be sure to mention him — that was worth more than money.
"Thank you, Governor," Yang smiled. "With your approval, I'm confident the museum can be completed and opened before the end of next year."
If history went unchanged, Blackie would leave his post in early 1964, wrapping up his 15-year term — the longest in Hong Kong's colonial history.
Yet in the records of history, Blackie's legacy had always been overshadowed by that of Governor MacLehose. If Yang's museum immortalized his name and portrait, it would mean something truly special for him.
And why wouldn't he be tempted? He wouldn't have to spend a cent. The government wouldn't need to fund the project either. They'd sell a piece of land, collect future taxes, and one day boast about how it all happened under his watch.
Blackie asked, "Mr. Yang, I understand the size hasn't been finalized yet. But do you have an initial idea of how big you want this museum to be?"
"It's hard to say for now," Yang replied. "But ideally, the bigger, the better. I believe Hong Kong will one day rival Tokyo. It won't just be locals visiting — there will be tourists from all over the world. They'll be our future guests as well."
Though Yang didn't plan to use the museum as a real estate hoarding tool, the project itself was still a great investment. The larger the footprint, the more room to grow.
Especially with government support, he could acquire land at favorable terms through policy.
"I share your optimism for Hong Kong's future," Blackie said. "So let's build the museum big. As long as it's not in the city's commercial core, I'll help arrange the land."
"That's excellent," Yang said gratefully. "Once the site is confirmed, I'll push for the largest scale possible."
Now that the Governor was on board, Yang had no reason to hold back. A larger, grander museum would attract more visitors — and bring Blackie even greater name recognition.
Blackie continued, "And don't worry about funding. I'll have HSBC provide you with a favorable credit line and interest rate. After all, this is a public-interest project."
"Thank you, Governor." Yang nodded sincerely.
Indeed, museums were public-interest infrastructure. In many countries, they were government-operated. But in Hong Kong, except for the water supply, most public utilities and infrastructure were run by licensed private companies.
"You're very welcome," Blackie said. "I just hope you'll stick to your promises today. I would really appreciate it."
"You have my word," Yang said with a calm smile.
Though today's "agreement" wasn't illegal, if word got out, it wouldn't look good. Naturally, no written deal would be made. It all relied on Yang's integrity.
But he wouldn't break his word. Even if no one else ever found out — honoring this kind of informal commitment was part of his personal code. And besides, there was no reason not to keep it.
"Excellent," Blackie nodded, satisfied. "I'll also assign a team to participate. Government departments should be involved in site selection for public works anyway — at least so we can coordinate."
"No problem at all," Yang agreed.
With the government's involvement, the project would gain legitimacy and transparency.
Three days later, the mainland experts arrived in Hong Kong. The colonial government also brought in two museum specialists from the UK. Representatives from Changxing Real Estate and Pei's architectural firm rounded out the team. Together, the four parties formed a joint evaluation group.
They began a full survey of Hong Kong — taking into account climate, traffic, population, and terrain — before deciding on the location and scale of the museum.
Yang's only condition: the museum had to be built on Hong Kong Island.
That was the heart of the city — both now and in the future — with the highest population density, best infrastructure, strongest economy, and largest number of international tourists.
The month flew by quickly. On April 30, Yang Wendong hosted his second wedding — this time to Bai Yushan.
The venue? The iconic Miramar Hotel — the same hotel that would cause a rift between tycoons Li Ka-shing and Lee Shau-kee in the 1990s.
Yang had long since reserved an entire building of the hotel. On this day, only the couple's invited guests were allowed inside.
"Congratulations! Congratulations!"
Guests began arriving one after another, offering blessings to the newlyweds.
Yang Wendong and Bai Yushan greeted each one personally.
Compared to his previous wedding, this one attracted far more distinguished guests — alongside their close friends and business partners.
"Mr. Yang, Miss Bai — congratulations!" said Sanders, the Chief Manager of HSBC, with a polished smile. In his hand was a delicately wrapped gift box.
"Mr. Sanders, welcome," Yang replied politely.
Sanders was undoubtedly the highest-ranking attendee at the event.
"This is a small gift. Please accept it," Sanders said, presenting the box.
"Thank you very much," Yang said as he accepted it.
Sanders added, "Miss Bai is the youngest and most capable officer at HSBC. I trust you'll treat her well, Mr. Yang."
"Don't worry, Mr. Sanders," Yang said with a grin.
"I'll let you two enjoy your evening," Sanders said as he moved along.
"Please," Yang gestured toward the banquet hall.
Once all the guests had arrived, the wedding proceeded as planned and continued until around 9 p.m.
After seeing off the last of the guests, Yang and Bai Yushan left in their wedding car.
The next day, the couple flew to Europe for their honeymoon.
Ten days later — May 10 — Yang Wendong returned to Hong Kong.
As they got off the plane, Bai Yushan looked unwell. Concerned, Yang asked, "Are you airsick?"
"No, I've flown many times before and never felt this way," she replied, shaking her head.
Yang frowned. "Maybe it was the turbulence earlier?"
"I don't think so…" she paused, then said, "Actually… I'm late. It's been a week."
"A week?" Yang's eyes widened. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"I wasn't sure," she explained. "It's happened before — sometimes it's just stress or fatigue. I still don't know if I'm really pregnant."
"Let's go to a hospital, then," Yang said, turning to his assistant. "Find the nearest hospital to the airport."
"Yes, sir," the assistant replied immediately.
Soon, their convoy turned toward a nearby hospital.
"It's a bit small," Yang noted as they entered.
The assistant said, "Hospitals on the Kowloon side are like this. They can't compare to those on the Island. Fewer people, weaker economy — it makes sense."
"True," Yang nodded. "Let's just get checked first."
Although Kowloon's economy was growing rapidly — especially with all of Changxing's factories — it was still far behind the Island. Aside from a few urban centers, the rest of Kowloon lacked proper infrastructure. Hospitals were no exception.
Yang didn't flaunt his identity. Instead, he posed as an ordinary wealthy citizen and paid a little extra to skip the line. Soon, they were ushered in to see a doctor.
A Chinese physician in his fifties took Bai Yushan's pulse and stayed quiet for a long moment.
"Well?" Yang asked softly.
There were no ultrasounds back then. In early pregnancy, traditional pulse diagnosis was still the go-to method.
And incredibly — it worked. Traditional Chinese medicine could detect not only general conditions but even determine if a woman was pregnant.
"She's pregnant," the doctor said, brow furrowed. "And it feels like twins."
"Twins? Really?" Yang was overjoyed. Two kids in one go — what wasn't to love?
It wasn't like they couldn't afford it. Even if they had twenty kids, money wouldn't be a problem.
"At least one of them feels like a girl," the doctor added.
"You can tell the gender too?" Yang asked in amazement.
"There's some accuracy to it, but no guarantees," the doctor said with a smile. "You can see another doctor to confirm, but I'm fairly sure it's twins."
"Thank you very much, doctor," Yang said respectfully.
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