December 6th, 12:05 PM.
The Jinmen Bridge collapsed in Wu City, causing a major traffic accident. This was a significant event that was deeply etched in his memory from his previous life.
That night, he whispered to Jiang Menshen: "December 6th, 12 AM, under the Jinmen Bridge. A death duel, we'll meet there. The Feng Shui is good that day, it's beneficial for funerals, and for burials."
After the incident, even people who weren't involved, including Su Wenwen, looked at him with strange eyes, wanting to ask but holding back.
Zhang Wanbao, the new person in charge of Happy Forest, specifically came to chat with him. After confirming that Su Pingnan wasn't interested, he went back to manage his business.
It was unavoidable. Everyone believed that Xiaohongpao was behind it. It was terrifying. The even scarier part was that the entire thing was seamless. Who could endure this? 37 lives were snuffed out, not even a single ripple. They vanished without a trace.
There were both good and bad outcomes. The good news was that Su Pingnan's takeover of other businesses was extremely smooth. The defiant taxi drivers signed contracts and paid their fees promptly after being reborn. The acquisition of the restaurant building, now called Jinshui Pavilion, was also very successful.
The bad news, of course, was that his reputation became even worse. Su Pingnan didn't care about these things. After all, time would tell. The truth would come out.
Li Changhai was also intimidated. He had someone deliver a calligraphy piece titled "Prosperous Future," said to be written by a famous master. Su Pingnan knew that Hainan would face a major collapse next year, so he wasn't in a hurry. He was content to focus on his development. For the time being, both sides were calm.
Li Mingyi, after being released from prison, was living a tight-lipped life. They said it was a mistake in policy, but the money wouldn't be returned.
The man in his late forties or early fifties earned a living by pulling a tricycle and collecting scrap. His simple life was actually quite peaceful.
One evening, when Li Mingyi returned home, his son dragged him to a corner. His son, with a nervous expression, asked him if he had offended any big figures in the underworld. Li Mingyi shook his head with a wry smile.
"A scrap collector like me? Who could I possibly offend?"
Li Dawei couldn't conceal his anxiety. He said that Su Wenwen had visited their home today and said he had something to discuss with Li Mingyi.
"Su Wenwen?" Li Mingyi was even more confused. He had never heard of this person.
Li Dawei leaned close to his father's ear, looking around before whispering, "You know Xiaohongpao, the one who just killed Jiang Menshen?"
Li Mingyi nodded. This person was impossible to ignore after his release. He was one of the most influential figures in Wu City right now.
"Su Wenwen is his right-hand man. Xiaohongpao must be looking for you." Li Dawei thought his father must have done something he didn't know about.
"Knock, knock, knock!" The old, rusty iron door of their home rattled.
"Old man, run out the back door. I'll die before I betray you." Li Dawei panicked.
Li Mingyi shook his head. This little rascal of his wasn't entirely useless. He ran through the recent events in his mind. Calmly, he shook his head at his son and said firmly, "Open the door."
Su Pingnan stood before them, carrying two bottles of Moutai. He smiled and said, "Pingnan isn't an unwelcome guest. I heard that the old man enjoys drinking. So, I specially brought two bottles of supposedly 85-year-old Moutai. Let the old man help Pingnan verify their authenticity, lest I be deceived by those liquor dealers."
Su Pingnan didn't mind and actually sat cross-legged on the kang in Li Mingyi's home, drinking until late at night.
Li Mingyi was initially hesitant and somewhat uninterested in Su Pingnan's olive branch. While Su Pingnan's words were incisive, they struck a chord with the old man who was scared by reality.
"Old man, Pingnan's reputation isn't good, but that's just what others spread. Just like you, old man, you don't seek wealth or plunder. How good could your reputation be?"
Taking a sip of wine, Su Pingnan observed the old man's reaction. He had been discreetly probing for information and realized that this old man was indeed someone with real capabilities. His ideas about management and finance were quite advanced. That's why Su Pingnan was willing to spend more time talking.
"The power of money will surpass your imagination in the future. Those who are righteous are often butchers. Pingnan is a peasant who has climbed to where he is today. He will never mistreat you in the future."
Seeing that Li Mingyi was somewhat moved, Su Pingnan said his goodbyes and left. As Li Mingyi was still contemplating Su Pingnan's words, Li Dawei went out to see Su Pingnan off. When he saw the two sleek black SUVs and the neatly lined up Su Wenwen and several men in black suits at the door, he was astonished by Su Pingnan's grand style. He couldn't help but feel that he should persuade his father to help him.
The next morning, Li Mingyi, looking clean and wearing a faded set of clothes, appeared at the office door. Su Pingnan burst out laughing and immediately grabbed Li Mingyi's hands.
"The office is ready. Just yesterday."
As soon as Li Mingyi got to work, his wealth of experience became evident. Su Pingnan made Su Wenwen and his team take turns coming back to learn from Li Mingyi, building their foundation for the future.
After everything was arranged, Su Pingnan found himself with free time. He couldn't bear to look at the designs submitted by the architects in Wu City. The renovation of Jinshui Pavilion was crucial. It was essential for its grand opening to be a success. Su Pingnan decided to take a trip to Shanghai. After all, it was currently the center for the most cutting-edge talent in the whole country.