Permanent Residence

I have worked in HK since early 2000. For family and then work reasons I took 2 trips outside HK each of which lasted just over a year, though I did return for a fortnight in the middle of my first break. I can show a bank statement for each year but expect 2 blanks in my IRD. Is there some room for manoeuvre/discretion in pleading lack of intent to abandon HK as one's home? Can one show, e.g. that the work performed abroad was Hong Kong related for an employer with an HK presence? Or is it like the US greencard/citizenship interviews where they literally count the days to confirm compliance? Is there anything I can do before submission, e.g. take on a mortgage that might "tip the scales" in exercising their discretion?

do you mean no to "no discretion",or just additional items one might do?