Zhang Tong was overjoyed these days.
Old Li was truly capable. Even with Su Lao Da away, Old Li still managed the entire business in an orderly manner. Su Wen Wen, Guo Guang Yao and the others also learned a lot, growing rapidly. From the initial discontent, they were now completely convinced. It had only been a short time.
The entire Jinxiu Group was like a fully wound machine, moving forward rapidly. Three off-road vehicles were also assigned to his team, with Wang Chen Guang serving as Old Li's driver. Everyone accepted this without objection.
Li Ming Yi was incredibly busy, yet his face glowed with health. He had run several businesses in his life, but this was the first time he felt truly happy without any restrictions. He was ambitious, and instead of feeling burdened, he relished the challenge.
One doesn't realize the world's vastness without venturing out. In his past life, Su Ping Nan was constantly on the move, and now, he was content with his small achievements. This was the reason for his anger and departure.
Early the next morning, he found two of Shanghai's top interior design firms, presented the blueprint, and made his requirements clear: luxurious, high-end, and to his satisfaction. Money was no object, he was a complete tycoon.
With a hefty reward, efficiency was naturally astonishing. The next day, the chief designer of a firm called Jiaxiu, with dark circles under his eyes, presented a design that satisfied Su Ping Nan.
After completing his task, Su Ping Nan didn't immediately leave Shanghai, instead he visited every famous and upscale hotel.
The Jiaxiu designer sent to Wucheng was a middle-aged man named Han Bing. He had done practically nothing these past days except eat and drink with Su Ping Nan.
At each establishment, Su Ping Nan went through the motions, but he mainly asked questions, meticulously taking notes on all the important details for running a restaurant.
This evening was Su Ping Nan's last in Shanghai. He had combined his past life's memories with his research to complete eight to nine tenths of the restaurant's preliminary work.
Han Bing had grown weary of expensive restaurants, so he suggested treating Su Ping Nan to a more unique eatery.
Han Bing took Su Ping Nan to a small, ordinary restaurant near the university district. The restaurant was small, but its spicy rabbit heads were incredibly delicious.
They hailed a taxi, and after many turns, finally reached their destination.
Han Bing familiarly pushed open the door. Inside were four or five tables and a private room. There were many people, all seated.
The diners were mostly young people, likely students from the nearby university. They were mostly couples out for a date.
Han Bing was a good talker, and after some discussion with a few students who were leaving, they managed to secure a table, and Han Bing sat down with Su Ping Nan. Han Bing expertly ordered food and poured Su Ping Nan a full glass of wine before sitting down.
"Su Zong, this restaurant may be small, but you'll definitely love the flavors."
"Oh."
Su Ping Nan nodded as he surveyed the surroundings. The restaurant was small but clean. Several couples were whispering and giggling. The private room occasionally had bursts of laughter from a young woman. From what they could hear, it seemed like someone was celebrating a birthday.
"Su Zong, you must be about the same age as these people, right?" Han Bing asked. These past few days, Su Ping Nan had given him the impression of someone in their 20s with a calmness that belied his age.
Sometimes, when he spoke or acted, Su Ping Nan would unknowingly reveal a hint of domineering air, which piqued his curiosity.
"About the same. My family was poor when I was a kid, and I was rebellious, so I didn't get much education. I started working for myself at a young age." Su Ping Nan said.
"Young and successful, you're amazing. I thought it was your family business, but you built it yourself. That's incredible." Han Bing knew what Su Ping Nan was doing, so he genuinely complimented him.
The food arrived quickly, and it lived up to Han Bing's praise. The two men enjoyed themselves, drinking and eating. Han Bing was a heavy drinker and a gifted conversationalist. Soon, Su Ping Nan felt a slight buzz.
"Bang."
The private room door was flung open with a bang. A girl in a white dress, clearly quite tipsy, paused momentarily when she saw Su Ping Nan. It seemed her inebriation had emboldened her. The young girl walked straight towards Su Ping Nan.
"Hello."
The young girl struggled to maintain her balance and greeted him in a thick Wucheng accent.
Su Ping Nan furrowed his brows and nodded.
"Hello."
"You're from Wucheng, right? You look familiar." The girl, recognizing Su Ping Nan's accent, said cheerfully.
"A fellow Wucheng native, that explains why you look familiar." The girl, quite uninhibited, sat down and familiarly patted Su Ping Nan's arm.
Su Ping Nan smiled at the swaying girl, saying, "Hello, fellow Wucheng native."
The girl was very pretty. She extended a white hand, "Let's get acquainted, I'm Du Dan Dan from Shanghai Foreign Studies University, from the northern district of Wucheng."
Su Ping Nan hesitated for a moment before lightly shaking her hand, saying, "Su Ping Nan."
"Fellow Wucheng native, my school's goddess is having a birthday party. Come on, don't say your sister doesn't give you a chance, come meet her."
Du Dan Dan rarely met people from Wucheng in Shanghai, and combined with her heavy drinking, she enthusiastically invited Su Ping Nan to join her group.
Su Ping Nan, of course, refused. Han Bing, who had also consumed quite a bit of alcohol, chimed in, "Su Zong, it's a rare opportunity, go on." Then he chuckled mischievously, "There are many beautiful women at Shanghai Foreign Studies University, and even more so, one who can be called the 'Goddess.' Su Zong, you're too serious, you should loosen up a bit."
Du Dan Dan had indeed had a lot to drink. "Hee hee, Su Zhong, that's a good name. So everyone will call you Su Zong. A big boss, huh, hee hee. Come on, big boss, will you go?"
Su Ping Nan found the drunk girl amusing. Perhaps because he was far from home and relaxed, he surprisingly nodded his head.