Chapter 286 The Iron Lady of Downing Street
The night passed quickly.
Although Lin Haoran didn't fall asleep until nearly midnight, he still woke up naturally around seven in the morning.
Perhaps because he had rested enough on the plane, the time difference had no effect on him—he felt as if he were still in Hong Kong.
Biological rhythms, once adapted, were truly hard to change.
After a quick wash and change into a suit, there was a knock at the door.
When he opened it, it was Guo Xiaohan standing there, holding a towel, toothbrush, and cup.
"Brother Haoran, I'd like to wash up here," she said at the door.
"Sure, go ahead. I just finished," Lin Haoran replied with a smile.
"Thank you, Brother Haoran."
"Tonight, when we get back, let's swap rooms.
It's inconvenient for you to keep running over like this.
I can just use the public bathroom outside," Lin Haoran added.
Initially, he hadn't considered how inconvenient it might be for a girl.
However, Guo Xiaohan immediately refused.
"No need, Brother Haoran.
I'm fine with my room.
Moving would be such a hassle!" she said.
Inside, her emotions were complicated.
She knew that this was the perfect excuse to have legitimate, close contact with Brother Haoran.
If they switched rooms, how could she have such opportunities again?
Her uncle had gone through so much trouble to create this chance for her—she had to seize it.
As Lin Haoran stepped into the living room, he noticed Li Weidong and Li Weiguo were using the public bathroom—no wonder Guo Xiaohan wanted to wash up in his room.
At 8 a.m., they all went down to the hotel's buffet breakfast area, where they bumped into Bao Yugang, Shen Bi, and others, exchanging greetings.
Around 8:40 a.m., Lin Haoran took Guo Xiaohan along, boarding a government minibus with Bao Yugang and the others, heading to Downing Street.
The minibus easily accommodated everyone.
Li Weidong and Li Weiguo stayed at the hotel—this was a special event, and the government would handle security.
The drive to Downing Street didn't take long.
Before 9 a.m., their vehicle arrived on a quiet, heavily guarded street.
Through the windows, they could see armed guards patrolling everywhere.
Downing Street, located in Westminster, London, had been the residence of key government officials—including the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer—for the past two centuries.
The most famous address was No. 10 Downing Street, formerly the residence of the First Lord of the Treasury but now synonymous with the Prime Minister's office.
After a series of security checks, the minibus was allowed onto the iconic street.
"Uncle Bao, you must have been here many times before, right?" Lin Haoran asked curiously.
"Not that many, but I've been here a dozen times over the years," Bao Yugang replied with a smile.
Bao Yugang wasn't just a Hong Kong businessman; he was also a British citizen, having naturalized more than a decade earlier.
"I'm excited—it's my first time," Lin Haoran said, gazing out at the heavily guarded street.
Despite his words, Lin Haoran remained calm inside.
Perhaps it was his wealth that gave him such confidence now.
In fact, the highest-ranking official he had previously met was Governor MacLehose.
Meeting the British Prime Minister would be a new experience for him.
According to the itinerary, they would also be meeting the Queen in a few days.
"Haoran, with your current situation, it's only a matter of time.
Your wealth is already substantial.
What you lack now is fame.
Once your reputation spreads, you'll be respected and welcomed anywhere in the world," Bao Yugang said heartily.
Lin Haoran nodded slightly, fully understanding the truth of these words.
His greatest weakness was the lack of a true multinational corporation.
Most of his companies, like Hongkong Electric, Towngas, and Kowloon Motor Bus, were still mainly focused on Hong Kong.
The relatively more international one was Ching Chau Cement Company, but even that only covered Hong Kong and a few Southeast Asian countries, with most markets still in early development stages.
Thus, he lacked a truly global enterprise.
In contrast, Bao Yugang's business empire had long expanded worldwide, earning him the title of "World's Number One Shipping King."
With such accolades, he enjoyed prestige wherever he went.
Their bus stopped, and everyone got off, following an official to No. 10.
The famous Prime Minister herself was already waiting outside to greet them, shaking hands one by one with the Hong Kong business leaders.
She was none other than the Iron Lady, newly elected just last May.
When it was Lin Haoran's turn, before he could even introduce himself, the Iron Lady smiled warmly and said,
"Mr. Lin, I've heard much about you.
It's rare to see such a brilliant young businessman from Hong Kong."
"You flatter me.
I'm just lucky," Lin Haoran replied humbly.
He was surprised that she knew who he was.
But thinking about it, Hong Kong was one of Britain's most successful colonies—naturally, the Iron Lady would pay close attention to its rising stars.
"I look forward to chatting with you in depth someday," she added.
"I would be honored, Madam," Lin Haoran replied respectfully.
Inwardly, however, he couldn't help but think of the incident two years later—the Iron Lady's fall and the resulting collapse of Hong Kong's real estate market.
Standing beside Lin Haoran, Guo Xiaohan was so nervous her hands were trembling.
Still, the Iron Lady shook her hand too, giving her a radiant smile—making Guo Xiaohan overjoyed.
After exchanging greetings with everyone, they entered No. 10.
The building was surprisingly small but well-equipped, including a fully functional meeting room.
It served both as the Prime Minister's residence and office.
Usually, such meetings would take place at more formal government venues, but perhaps the Iron Lady wanted to create a more intimate atmosphere by inviting them into her home.
The meeting wasn't long—about half an hour.
She spoke mostly about Britain's glorious past and the great business environment it offered.
It was clear that she hoped to attract Hong Kong's business tycoons to invest more in the UK.
Later, companies like HSBC and Jardines Matheson would move their headquarters to the UK, even if most of their operations remained in Hong Kong.
After the meeting, the group toured London's financial district, including the London Stock Exchange.
They also visited various parts of the city and its surroundings.
The week passed this way, including an audience with the Queen at Buckingham Palace.
The schedule wasn't overly packed, likely because many of the tycoons were elderly.
On August 16th—the final day of the official itinerary—the visits concluded.
Lin Haoran couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
He had always been resistant to overly formal arrangements.
But, working in Hong Kong, he had no choice but to cooperate with the authorities—otherwise, trouble would come easily.
Throughout the week, he and Guo Xiaohan spent almost every waking moment together.
Their relationship naturally grew more ambiguous.
Guo Xiaohan even began doing little things typical of a girlfriend—holding Lin Haoran's hand, straightening his clothes.
Still, they hadn't crossed the final line.
For Lin Haoran, the current status felt just right.
He didn't want to rush things.
He knew that once he truly took that final step with Guo Xiaohan, he would have no choice but to marry her.
She wasn't like Guan Jiahui or the actresses—relationships with them could remain casual.
But Guo Xiaohan was from a prestigious family, and she clearly hoped to marry him.
If he led her on without marrying her, it would mean offending the entire Guo family.
Besides, Lin Haoran wasn't lacking women to meet his physical needs.
Even here in Britain, it would be easy.
Taking that step with Guo Xiaohan would be a lifelong commitment—something he wasn't ready for yet.
"Brother Haoran, starting tomorrow, I'll need to handle some of my family's business.
I won't be able to accompany you anymore," Guo Xiaohan said that evening, sitting in the living room and watching TV.
The Guo family had many business dealings in the UK, and her uncle had naturally assigned her tasks.
"How about I have Weidong accompany you?
That way, I'll feel more at ease.
Your uncle asked me to take good care of you," Lin Haoran said with a smile.
The government had arranged an armed driver-bodyguard for him, so with three bodyguards now, Lin Haoran felt very secure during his stay in Britain.
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