As the New Year approached, Jinxiu Pavilion's business was booming.
People returning from all over the country, as long as they had a decent year, were willing to spend some money to invite friends and relatives for a feast at Jinxiu Pavilion. As everyone sat down, they couldn't help but mention Su Ping Nan, the owner of Jinxiu Pavilion.
After his high-profile appearance at the auction, Su Ping Nan had rarely shown up, focusing on developing his own business. Because of the numerous stories surrounding him, he became a topic of conversation at dinner tables. Gradually, despite his desire to remain low-key, he became more familiar to an increasing number of people.
Su Ping Nan himself wouldn't have imagined that he would become the most prominent figure in Wu City at the end of 1992 without doing anything. Perhaps fate played a trick on him, as the death of the Dao Ge from Nan Guan Street propelled him to new heights in certain circles.
Dao Ge died from drinking. His friends, after a night of heavy drinking, had nothing else to do but continue drinking. The next day, Dao Ge never woke up. It was initially just a mundane event. Every year in Wu City, there were always a few people who died from drinking, and the news usually faded away after a few days. However, a rumor started circulating: "Before Li Dao died, he offended the woman of the Little Red Robe, so…"
Despite the denials from those who were drinking at the same occasion and the police's statement, people seemed to only want to believe what they wanted to hear. The rumor spread like wildfire.
Su Ping Nan was stunned, completely dumbfounded. He immediately picked up the phone and called Yang Qian Li.
"Did you do it?"
Yang Qian Li didn't understand, "What?"
"Did you do that damn Dao Ge thing?" Su Ping Nan's tone was heavy. If it was true, it meant there was a problem with his management, and he needed to make a tough decision.
"Ah?" Yang Qian Li, who rarely talked back to Su Ping Nan, expressed surprise in a flustered tone, somewhat aggrieved, "I thought you had someone else do it, I didn't even dare to ask."
Su Ping Nan hung up the phone and began investigating the matter through his connections. Upon learning the truth, he was speechless and could only curse silently. Su Ping Nan could guess how the matter would be exaggerated. He immediately notified his subordinates who made him uneasy, ordering them to behave themselves and keep a low profile.
He guessed correctly. Li Chang Hai, while drinking in the Number 2 VIP Room of Jinxiu Pavilion, made this statement: "To casually take a life, the empire built by the Little Red Robe won't last long." The room fell silent, revealing Su Ping Nan's reputation among those present.
There are always advantages and disadvantages. Zhang Shu Hai, the contractor of the government guesthouse, slapped his wife upon returning home that night, then burned a thick stack of letters reporting problems with Jinxiu Pavilion's restaurant.
At seven o'clock in the evening, Li Yuan Guang's siblings, seven of them in total, had all returned home. The small living room became crowded. Feeling that there were enough people, Li Yuan Jie deliberately coughed loudly and picked up the phone.
"Hello, is this Jinxiu Pavilion? What? No more tables? Oh, okay, okay."
Having received the desired answer, Li Yuan Jie blamed his sister who arrived last, "It's all your fault. You made us wait so long that Jinxiu Pavilion has no more tables. I was going to take you all out for a treat, the food there is really delicious." Jinxiu Pavilion's food and service were top-notch, truly impressive, but the prices were also exorbitant. Li Yuan Jie was reluctant to spend, but because his second brother had overshadowed him today, he knew there wouldn't be any tables left at this hour, so he deliberately made the call.
"Yes, yes," a few of his sisters chimed in, "I heard that the interior design is even better than the top-class restaurants in Beijing and Shanghai. Several friends have been there these past few days and said it was really good. It's a pity."
Li Yuan Guang, feeling the gold card that Su Wen Wen had given him when she left, was amazed by the owner of Jinxiu Pavilion's influence in Wu City, and remained silent.
"Jinxiu Pavilion? My dad has a card, we don't need to make a reservation." After Li Yuan, who was innocent and naive, uttered those words, everyone's eyes turned to Li Yuan Guang.
"Second brother, don't talk nonsense. A card that allows you to skip reservations is a gold card. In Wu City, besides some big shots, hardly anyone has one. Don't ruin everyone's mood," Li Yuan Jie said.
Li Yuan Guang took out the card that Su Wen Wen had given him and smiled, looking at his brother who had a slightly green face, "It should be fine, we'll find out when we go, right?"
A group of nearly thirty people headed downstairs. Xiao Wu, the driver, was quick to react, "Li Zhan? I'll call a few more cars."
"No, no, we'll just take a taxi, take a taxi." Li Yuan Guang was stunned by the power of Jinxiu, and his initial composure vanished. He held Xiao Wu's hands tightly, politely declining.
Li Yuan Jie sarcastically remarked, "Why bother with two people, just let Xiao Wu call for you, second brother." He still didn't believe his brother, who worked on the railway in a remote town, would have such influence.
The cars arrived quickly.
Five black off-road vehicles, all identical, were parked in a row, driven by burly young men.
Li Yuan Jie's face finally changed. He pulled his brother aside and said solemnly, "Second brother, what's the real deal between you and the Little Red Robe?"