Shanghai, the Magic City.
The ten-mile-long Bund was a dazzling spectacle of lights and revelry. Countless heroes rose to prominence here, while just as many valiant men met their downfall.
In another timeline, Su Ping Nan had only visited the Magic City a few times, each visit a hurried glance like a hunted dog. But now, his heart was filled with ambition as he entered the Magic City once again. As the saying goes, the ways of the world are indeed fickle.
This time, Su Ping Nan was traveling alone. There was no direct route from Wu City to Shanghai. He had to first go from Wu City to Tian Du, then change trains for Shanghai in Tian Du.
Su Ping Nan was genuinely surprised by the extent of his notoriety. The conductor on the train from Wu City to Tian Du was unusually courteous throughout the journey, even sharing a few drinks with him in the dining car. When it was time to change trains in Tian Du, a young conductor saw him off personally. As they parted ways, he hesitantly said, "Red Robe Brother, can I tell people I had a drink with you, that we're close?"
Seeing Su Ping Nan's bewildered expression, he quickly added, "Don't worry, Red Robe Brother. It's just that our railway guys go to Fast Joy Forest, and they're always asked if they know you. I thought since we had a drink together, I could say we're close, right?"
Seeing Su Ping Nan nod, the young man was satisfied and dashed back onto the train.
The Gao brothers were well-informed. When they heard about Su Ping Nan's encounter with Jiang Men Shen, they were terrified. Upon learning of Su Ping Nan's extravagant spending at the auction, they were even more determined to maintain their good relationship with him.
It was these two brothers who managed to secure a sleeper compartment for Su Ping Nan on the train from Tian Du to Shanghai. Otherwise, he would have been at a loss. They had arrived early and waited on the platform in a large group, their presence a dark cloud. When they saw Su Ping Nan get off the train, they swarmed around him.
The train had already started moving. The young conductor looked through the window at the group of imposing young men surrounding the small red-robed figure. For the first time, he realized he wasn't so impressive after all. He had learned during their drinking session that the Red Robe Brother was only 20 years old this year. It completely deflated any sense of superiority he had felt.
Thirty hours in total, a testament to the speed of the train.
After getting off the train, Su Ping Nan didn't rush to do any business. Instead, he leisurely toured the current Shanghai.
The Magic City still retained its Republican-era flavor. While it lacked the modern skyscrapers of the future, the unique old buildings gave Su Ping Nan a different kind of strange feeling.
Emboldened by his wanderlust, Su Ping Nan simply hired a taxi and let the driver take him around aimlessly.
The first stop was the Huangpu River. Instead of taking a modern cruise, Su Ping Nan chose to stroll along the bank alone, enjoying the feeling of the mighty river flowing eastward, the grand figures of the past ultimately fading away. Su Ping Nan felt his own mood settling.
Since his rebirth, he had been like a spinning top relentlessly whipped by an invisible lash, constantly spinning and spinning. Now, he finally felt a sense of leisure.
The Huangpu River of this era was still serene. There were no cruise ships packed with tourists on the water. Su Ping Nan loved that feeling. He frowned when he thought about how this place would be crowded with people in the future, realizing he should cherish the current scenery.
After touring the Huangpu River, the taxi driver, a very enthusiastic man, took him around to see the Du Yuesheng Mansion, the Presidential Palace, and other notable sights.
As dusk approached, Su Ping Nan simply asked the driver, "Take me to the best hotel."
"I can tell you're really loaded, boss. You want the Peninsula, right?"
"Good."
The driver was excited too. The Shanghai Peninsula Hotel was on the Bund, a place ordinary taxis rarely had the chance to take guests to. The hotel had its own pick-up service. Having this opportunity, he heard that the hotel's interior was more extravagant than the Presidential Palace, and he wanted to see it for himself.
The Shanghai Peninsula Hotel was the ambitious project of the Kadoorie family, the fourth largest financial conglomerate in Hong Kong, returning to the Shanghai scene with a vengeance.
As the doorman in a snow-white uniform pulled open the glass door with its carved door gods for Su Ping Nan, he had a fleeting moment of feeling like he was back in the future.
The Gothic-style dome and pillars made the lobby appear spacious, and the lifelike human faces highlighted the aristocratic style.
"Sir, please follow me," said the receptionist, her voice soft. "Would you like me to help you tidy up your clothes?"
Su Ping Nan had been on the train for dozens of hours and had been wandering all day. His black suit was wrinkled and somewhat dusty, making him look weary.
Su Ping Nan didn't say anything. He carried mountains in his heart, so he didn't feel it was a problem. He just took a long look at the smiling receptionist and strode towards the bar.
Mu Yi Zhi was one of the first women in Xia Kingdom to study hotel management abroad. She was from Shanghai, and after returning, her elegant appearance and exceptional management skills quickly made her the hotel's head lobby manager.
She was doing her rounds in the lobby as usual, scanning the surroundings with her eyes. She frowned when she heard the receptionist's words.
She sighed internally: There are so many nouveau riche these days. If they're unhappy with something, they could erupt, and then it's my problem.
Thinking this, Mu Yi Zhi quickly walked over, smiling slightly. "Sir, is there something you're not satisfied with? I can personally take care of you."
Seeing Su Ping Nan picking up his pace, the receptionist realized she had been a bit abrupt. She felt a little wronged. She thought to herself, "If you weren't a handsome guy, I wouldn't have even bothered to remind you, and you still don't appreciate it."
Seeing the manager take over the customer, she quickly stepped back, avoiding any potential conflicts.
Mu Yi Zhi's voice was clear and pleasant, and Su Ping Nan found it appealing. He looked up and saw a tall woman in a dark-colored suit common in the future standing before him with a gentle smile.
Mu Yi Zhi was also surprised by the man's youth.
Su Ping Nan thought to himself, "I carry mountains in my heart and have lived two lives, yet I'm still influenced by the environment. It's really my fault."
He thought this, then smiled slightly, saying to Mu Yi Zhi, "No, I just got carried away."
Then, to the two women's astonishment, he walked over to the receptionist, bowed slightly, and said, "My name is Su Ping Nan. I apologize for my rudeness."
As they looked at him in bewilderment, Su Ping Nan waved his hand, softly said, "We'll see each other again." Then he opened the door and strolled out, his movements graceful.
Mu Yi Zhi and Xiao Qiao exchanged glances. Mu Yi Zhi said softly, "Such a proud man."
Neither of them could have imagined that two years later, the Kadoorie family would be targeted in the stock market and forced to sell the Shanghai Peninsula Hotel to the mainland's Jinxiu Group. The root cause of all this, however, was simply Su Ping Nan's pride.