“5 million first time, 5 million second time, 5 million third time, sold!” The auctioneer's hammer slammed down, but a crisp voice rang out.
“6 million.”
The entire hall erupted in a gasp, heads swiveling to find the source of the voice. Who dared to challenge the Li family?
Li Chang Hai’s smile froze, his face turning dark.
“6.5 million.”
Zhang Li Hua glanced at Su Ping Nan.
“Raise it, 7 million.”
Su Ping Nan sat upright, his gaze unwavering as it met Li Chang Hai’s. Their eyes, one cold and the other arrogant, locked in a fierce confrontation, like two tigers meeting on a narrow path.
“7.5 million.” Li Chang Hai’s eyes were practically blazing with fury. His cash flow was already tight, the previous auctions had depleted a large chunk of his funds. He could only blame the suddenness of this news, and the audacity of Su Ping Nan, whom he had just praised for his good behavior.
“8 million.”
Su Ping Nan had also reached his limit, needing to tap into the funds of the Ertai Town storage center.
Fortunes favor the bold, thought Su Ping Nan. He kept his gaze calm, deliberately adopting a provocative stance. He was gambling, gambling that Li Chang Hai didn't have the funds to continue, gambling that Li Chang Hai would believe he still had reserves and concede.
Li Chang Hai, after all, was oblivious to the future, and after a moment's hesitation, he slammed his bidding paddle on the floor.
Su Ping Nan let out a long sigh of relief. He had won.
The auction concluded. At the end of 1992, Su Ping Nan had forcefully entered the Wu City business circle. Everyone had only one word to describe him: forceful.
After completing the paperwork, Su Ping Nan felt elated. Although he was temporarily broke again, the framework of Jinshiu Food, Jinshiu Catering, and Jinshiu Taxi Services was complete. Three cash-generating engines were now in place, laying the foundation for him to soar to greater heights.
“Mr. Su, you seem quite happy. Congratulations.”
The words were polite, but the tone was icy. Li Chang Hai and his entourage were waiting in the lobby downstairs. Upon seeing Su Ping Nan emerge, they strode directly towards him.
Su Ping Nan turned and silenced his subordinates, who were already itching for a fight, with a look. Then he smiled and greeted them, his voice calm. “Mr. Li, you are too kind. I must thank you for your generosity today.”
Li Chang Hai stood a step away from Su Ping Nan, his posture unwavering. “It’s rare to see such a talented young man.”
Su Ping Nan’s expression remained calm, his lips tight, silent.
“Young people, they need to experience some storms to grow.” Li Chang Hai’s words were laced with a menacing smile.
“Ping Nan was born into hardship, his skin is tough and his flesh is thick. He can handle it.”
Su Ping Nan countered, his smile unwavering.
Li Chang Hai’s face turned completely cold, his voice low and sinister. “Bloodstained clothes, the most ruthless in Wu City? Mr. Su has quite the background.”
Su Ping Nan remained smiling, as if nothing had happened. “Young and foolish, thankfully it was a misunderstanding. I can endure the test.”
Li Chang Hai’s face became serious. He hadn't expected this man to be so impervious, all those rumors about him must have been wiped clean.
Su Ping Nan’s expression was nonchalant. Since his rebirth, he had been careful to control his image, so these rumors were just hearsay. He stood tall and confident, unafraid of the shadows.
“Qing Sheng, I don’t like playing with the common folk. You can accompany Mr. Su from now on, keep in touch.” Li Chang Hai had just finished speaking when a squat, thick-necked middle-aged man emerged.
“Alright, Mr. Li.”
The burly man, Jiang Qing Sheng, stood directly in front of Su Ping Nan, his posture casual yet imposing.
“Wu City’s most ruthless, I’d like to test that out.”
“Jiang Men Shen?” Su Ping Nan’s eyes flashed with a hint of anger. After two months of rebirth, he had unexpectedly encountered this man who had changed the course of his life in his previous existence.
Su Ping Nan knew Jiang Qing Sheng well. He had opened the largest entertainment venue in Wu City and was known as Jiang Men Shen. Unlike Su Ping Nan, this man had no qualms about dirty deeds, he was the top dog in the grey area of Wu City.
Su Ping Nan had tried his best to stay on the right path, believing he would never be entangled with these desperate men. But fate, it seemed, had a different plan.
Su Ping Nan could hear the heavy breaths of Su Wen Wen and his others behind him. Without turning, he raised his hand and flicked his index finger back.
Then, addressing Jiang Men Shen, who was standing rigidly in front of him, he spoke with a leisurely air, his voice laced with disdain. “Mr. Li doesn’t like playing with the common folk, and I, Su Ping Nan, don’t like associating with dogs.”
Jiang Men Shen’s face paled slightly, his eyes narrowed, but he remained silent, his gaze fixed on Su Ping Nan.
Su Ping Nan tapped Jiang Men Shen’s chest with his index finger, then turned his head to look at Li Chang Hai, a slight smirk playing on his lips. “Your dog can’t tell the time, can’t you?”
Li Chang Hai suppressed the murderous rage building within him, and said to Jiang Qing Sheng. “Let him go, Qing Sheng.”
Su Ping Nan laughed, leading his entourage straight past Jiang Men Shen. A faint, leisurely voice reached the man’s ears.
“Obedient dogs are good dogs.”
That day, a rumor spread throughout Wu City.
“Xiao Hong Pao clashed with Jiang Men Shen.”