The day came to an end.
Assistant Lin’s face was marked with dark circles again, and he seemed to have lost quite a bit of weight—
No surprise there.
Anyone tasked with managing shipments, coordinating relationships, handling various arrangements, and organizing personnel all within less than ten days—especially at someone’s insistence—not just in Shanghai but striving to synchronize deliveries nationwide,
would end up like this.
It was a miracle he hadn’t collapsed.
Su 'Bloodsucker' Ning felt no guilt whatsoever. She declared that human potential was limitless, especially for a protagonist. As the boss, it was absolutely necessary for her to help Lin Sen grow!
Too bad there was no bonus to squeeze out of it…
She sighed gloomily, which made Lin Sen, who was speaking at the moment, pause for a second. He looked up, saw nothing unusual, and then continued:
“…The situation across the regions is going smoothly. The goods prepared that day basically sold out, but because the timeframe was so tight, the profits haven’t been calculated yet. Results should be ready by tomorrow. The market feedback has generally been positive; our products have already started to earn a reputation for high quality.”
Su Ning nodded absentmindedly.
Of course.
Her equipment was purchased from the marketplace. Although it wasn’t cutting-edge beyond the current era’s limits, it was definitely the best available at the time. Plus, the crude oil from the Yumen Oilfield was of good quality.
Combined, the products refined and produced were naturally excellent.
As she listened further, all the data and feedback were positive. Even Madame Kung had called to place an order for the next batch—
Not the kind aimed at penicillin.
“By the way, any movement from those comprador agents and their masters?” Su Ning asked.
“Of course,” Lin Sen replied casually. Not only was there movement, but it was quite significant. To counter Su’s petroleum company, a certain country’s ambassador had even gotten involved. Other tactics like pulling strings, bribery, and favors were countless.
Did it have any effect?
Yes.
But not much.
As always, profit dictated everything. They’d bought the first batch for penicillin, found the price was about the same but the quality was much higher, so naturally, they wanted to continue buying.
Some were quietly pleased inside.
Those foreign devils and collaborators had previously ignored them.
Now they were in a hurry, huh?
Su Ning smiled.
That’s exactly why she was determined to ride the tailwind of penicillin.
For so many years, the network behind imported petroleum products had been tangled and deeply intertwined with interests. She wasn’t afraid to confront it head-on.
But killing a thousand enemies at the cost of eight hundred injuries? No thanks.
She wasn’t willing to engage in a price war.
That money—was all going straight into her little treasury!
“They didn’t succeed earlier, and there’s been no news of trouble since the official launch today. Looks like they’re ready to lay low,” Su Ning shifted her tone.
“Lin Sen, do you think they really have no way to deal with me?”
Lin Sen was momentarily stunned.
A second later,
“No,” he said, lowering his eyes and shaking his head. His voice, already low from exhaustion, grew even quieter. “The domestic market is just too big. We don’t have enough product to cover it all.”
“Yeah.”
Su Ning turned her face slightly and sighed softly, “The Yumen Oilfield is still a bit small, but with this experience, developing the next site should be faster.”
The first step is always the hardest, and there had been many detours along the way.
Lin Sen Huo looked up.
…………
Meanwhile.
In the United States.
The Fulton family was hosting a grand banquet, with nearly all family members in attendance. Amid the gentle melodies, some danced in the ballroom while others chatted nearby.
But no matter who it was,
all eyes involuntarily fixed on one man.
There was no other reason—he was simply too handsome.
His beauty was pure and absolute, dazzling to the point of enchantment, leaving everyone marveling at nature’s favoritism. Moreover, he was far more than just a pretty face. Those who understood the true purpose of this banquet felt their hearts stir with emotion.
“Everyone, please pause for a moment.”
The former U.S. ambassador, now Fulton’s assistant Secretary of State, spoke.
The room fell silent.
“My dear foreign friends, Su has sent her subordinate to bring me some truly exciting news: our oil business has finally taken off…” His face flushed with pride as he enthusiastically detailed the profits.
No one interrupted or found this out of place.
Everyone listened intently.
This was America.
The place that worships money and wealth above all else, where everyone fervently chases after fortune.
And oil—oil was oil—the most lucrative and least risky industry once a well was struck!
Some were already envious of the Fulton Secretary of State. How lucky he was to have seized such a golden opportunity in that backward country.
He felt the same way himself.
At night, he would proudly relive his decisive investment.
But it wasn’t just about oil.
More importantly, it was about Su. Oh, who would have thought that this Golden Angel would shine ever brighter? Penicillin—what a beautiful name, each syllable radiating wealth.
Thinking of this,
Fulton’s heart pounded fiercely. Only after a deep breath could he calm himself and enthusiastically continue introducing Su Er.
Beauty, when it reaches a certain level, is an asset. Clearly, in this regard, Su Er could rival a fortune. Having such a subordinate—
Or rather, such a person, who was considered merely a subordinate under her—
Su Ning’s power was indisputable.
“All glory belongs to my mistress,” Su Er said with a slight bow.
After that,
every “Fulton” tried to speak with Su Er. She was polite and no one felt snubbed, yet many found themselves unknowingly drifting out of the conversation.
By the time the banquet was halfway through,
someone noticed that a woman had joined the circle around Su Er and the assistant Secretary of State. Surprisingly, few recognized her.
“Who is she?”
“Is she part of the family? She looks familiar but I can’t place her.”
“I know. She’s Charles’s wife. Yes, that Charles—the fool. Because of a certain well-known reason, she rarely appears at family gatherings. As for why she’s gained favor…”
The speaker’s tone carried a hint of jealousy:
“It’s because Charles also works under Miss Su, and her father was once saved by Su’s family elders when he was young… Yes, it’s that story Charles told you all about, you know.”
Indeed, they all knew.
But until now, they had only looked on as if it were a joke!
“Lucky Charles.”
Someone couldn’t help but speak up, sparking a wave of resonance. Suddenly, a young man named Fulton snorted, “His streak of luck ends right here.”
Facing the gazes directed at him by others,
he lifted his head with poise and said,
“Perhaps I haven’t told you all—my fiancée’s surname is Hawthorne, which is another name for Su…”
……
The Su family’s oil business was booming like wildfire.
There was only the problem of not being able to buy in time, never a shortage of buyers. No need for any special favors; newspapers on their own began riding the wave. One day, a paper would consult some expert to predict winning lottery numbers; the next, another would analyze Su Ning’s birth date, preferences, and habits, making all sorts of guesses.
One act ends, another begins.
The buzz went on for quite a while, until finally, the moment of revelation arrived!
