SWDnovel Chapter 224 Car Accident
Chapter 224 Car Accident
News of Western sanctions against Chung Hwa Electronics spread like wildfire in Hong Kong, sweeping through the city's financial circles and everyday life like a whirlwind.
Since Zhonghua Films released its new movie, anyone with a bit of status has been talking about one name over tea and after meals—Lin Zhou.
Some say he's had it too easy these past few years, that he's become too sharp and has taken a bite out of things he shouldn't have.
Some say that he has the backing of the mainland, yet he insists on going head-to-head with European and American giants in Hong Kong, a place teeming with all sorts of people, which is simply courting death.
Many others, however, adopted a cynical, wait-and-see attitude, anticipating the collapse of Zhonghua Electronics overnight and the dramatic fall of this once-glorious young tycoon from the clouds.
After all, in this era, Western technological blockades and economic sanctions are almost tantamount to a death sentence.
Zhonghua Electronics' overseas channels were frozen overnight. Orders were cut, cooperation was terminated, and the warehouse was piled high with electronic products, as if they could turn into a pile of unwanted scrap metal at any moment.
Banks are tightening lending, partners are being ambiguous, and even usually amicable suppliers are starting to subtly inquire about payment issues.
The entire Hong Kong business community is waiting for the day when the Chung Wah Group collapses.
But no one expected that the situation would take such a dramatic turn in just two days.
Mainland channels are fully open.
It was as if a floodgate had been suddenly opened, and the products that had been piling up in the warehouse were swept away at an almost frantic speed.
From coastal areas to inland regions, from major cities to emerging industrial zones, Zhonghua Electronics' products are in short supply. Even with production lines working overtime overnight, they still cannot keep up with the demand in the inland market.
The sanctions, which were originally seen as a devastating blow, did not cripple Zhonghua Electronics. On the contrary, thanks to the huge and stable mainland market, its profits were even higher than when it relied on overseas markets.
When the news reached Hong Kong, it sent shockwaves through the industry.
Those who were waiting to see Lin Zhou go bankrupt and collapse had their smiles freeze instantly, replaced by shock and disbelief.
They then realized that behind this young man who was in charge of a vast business empire stood a world that they could neither shake nor imagine.
The so-called sanctions imposed by Europe and the United States are nothing but a futile clamor in the face of real strength.
For a time, Zhonghua Group's position in Hong Kong not only did not decline, but became even more stable.
Lin Zhou's name was once again thrust into the spotlight, but this time, everyone looked at him with more awe and apprehension.
In early March 1982, the weather had warmed up, and even the last trace of chill in the air had dissipated.
Lin Zhou traveled by car to Zhonghua TV Station to inspect the program production after the revamp. The new program was an idea given by Lin Zhou.
The show "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" is an old formula that no one would watch in later generations, but it is novel in this day and age.
The show's premise is that if a guest can answer all the host's questions correctly, they can receive a million-dollar prize and become a millionaire.
Since the Zhonghua Group took over the television station, a series of sweeping reforms have revitalized the once lifeless station, with viewership ratings soaring and showing signs of becoming Hong Kong's premier television station.
The luxury sedan drove smoothly on the road. Lin Zhou, sitting in the back seat, closed his eyes slightly, tapping his knees with his fingertips as he sorted out his next plan.
The driver was an old man who had been with him for many years. His driving skills were steady and experienced, and he knew the route by heart.
Two black security vehicles followed behind, carrying professionally trained security personnel who remained vigilant at all times.
The car entered the Tsim Sha Tsui Tunnel.
The tunnel was dimly lit, and traffic moved in an orderly fashion; everything seemed calm and normal. No one could have predicted that a sudden and deadly threat was quietly approaching.
Just as the vehicle reached the middle of the tunnel, a medium-sized blue truck that was driving normally on the right suddenly lost control, or perhaps it was premeditated.
Without any warning, the truck suddenly swerved, its engine roaring violently, ignoring all traffic rules, and hurtled toward the side of Lin Zhou's vehicle!
The speed was astonishing, and the force was terrifying!
It was clearly a deliberate act!
"Boss! Watch out!"
The driver caught a glimpse of the oncoming truck out of the corner of his eye. His expression changed drastically, his pupils contracted, and almost instinctively, he swerved the steering wheel sharply to the left while simultaneously slamming on the brakes with his right foot!
"squeak--!"
The tires screeched violently against the ground, emitting a piercing, chilling screech, and white smoke billowed up instantly.
But it was all too late.
"Bang--!"
A deafening roar exploded in the narrow tunnel.
The blue truck, like a runaway beast, slammed into the right door of Lin Zhou's vehicle! The car jolted violently, and the powerful impact caused the entire vehicle to instantly lose control, sliding like a leaf with a broken string towards the tunnel guardrail.
The sheet metal rubbed violently against the guardrail, sparking a series of blinding sparks that drew a breathtaking arc in the dim tunnel.
The security vehicles following behind reacted extremely quickly, accelerating to block the area almost at the same second as the impact, their headlights flashing wildly and their horns blaring.
But the truck was clearly the work of a professional. After the crash, it didn't stop for a second. It slammed on the gas, the engine roared wildly, and it sped out of the tunnel exit. It then nimbly changed lanes several times in the complex traffic and quickly disappeared. There wasn't even time to see the license plate.
The scene was chaotic and thrilling.
After gliding for a distance, the car finally came to a slow stop.
The driver was drenched in cold sweat, his hands trembling uncontrollably. Ignoring his own discomfort, he pushed open the car door, staggered to the back seat, and his voice trembled:
"Boss! Are you alright? Are you hurt?!"
Several security personnel rushed forward and surrounded Lin Zhou's car, forming a tight human wall.
The security captain's face was ashen, his forehead covered in cold sweat. He quickly opened the back door, his voice filled with self-reproach and fear:
"Boss! I'm so sorry! It was our negligence in protecting the property! Please punish us!"
Inside the car, Lin Zhou slowly opened his eyes.
Because he traveled to this era and his body was enhanced by the house that he traveled to with him, which became his personal space, his physique is already far superior to that of ordinary people.
For him, the impact was just a slight tremor, leaving no external injuries, only a slight numbness in his shoulder and some dust on his clothes.
He gently rubbed his shoulders, his expression calm and composed as he stepped out of the car.
Standing amidst the chaotic aftermath of the car accident, Lin Zhou looked up in the direction the truck had fled. His usually calm and deep eyes were now frighteningly cold, as if they were covered with a layer of ice, their chill penetrating to the bone.
He uttered not a single superfluous word of reproach, his voice low yet carrying an undeniable authority:
"I'm fine. Find out the truck's license plate, driving route, owner information, and all relevant clues. I need to know who did it within an hour."
"yes!"
Without a moment's hesitation, the security captain immediately took out his walkie-talkie and urgently contacted the headquarters of Chung Hwa Security Company to arrange for personnel to cooperate with the police in completely sealing off the surrounding roads, checking suspicious vehicles, and launching a thorough search.
This sudden and serious car accident was quickly filmed by someone with ulterior motives and spread throughout half of Hong Kong at an alarming speed.
The news was immediately relayed to the group's general manager's secretary.
The secretary's expression changed drastically upon receiving the call. Not daring to conceal anything, she hurriedly dialed Su Wanqing's office number.
The gentle smile on her face froze the moment she received the call.
"Mr. Su...Mr. Lin...his car was hit in the Tsim Sha Tsui Tunnel..."
Su Wanqing felt her mind go blank with a "buzz".
Her vision went black, and her heart felt like it was being gripped tightly by an invisible hand, making it difficult to even breathe.
Car accidents, collisions, tunnels...
Those words swirled wildly in her mind, each one like a sharp knife, piercing her heart.
Fear overwhelmed her like a tidal wave, and tears welled up uncontrollably in her eyes, sliding down her cheeks.
She dared not think further; every worst possible outcome left her feeling cold all over and on the verge of collapse.
What she feared most was not poverty, nor hardship, but losing him.
She contacted the security company and learned that Lin Zhou was alright. Her anxiety was finally relieved, and she lost all interest in work. She rushed home as quickly as possible to wait for Lin Zhou's return with her son.
After an unknown amount of time, the villa gate was pushed open.
After finishing his business at the TV station, Lin Zhou returned home safely under the escort of security personnel.
The moment Su Wanqing saw him, it was as if all her strength had been drained away, or as if she had grabbed the last piece of driftwood. She rushed over without hesitation and hugged him tightly.
She buried her face in his chest, her body trembling uncontrollably, tears streaming down her face, soaking his clothes.