Su Ning and her entourage were finally nearing the Jin residence.
When they were only a few hundred meters away, they encountered another car head-on. The road was a bit narrow, making it impossible for both to pass at the same time. One side had to yield.
There was a standoff for a few seconds.
Without instructions, the driver naturally did not dare to move the car on his own. Fortunately, Su Ning was a cautious person and did not want to cause trouble for no reason.
Pull over to the side a bit and let them pass.
Their side retreated.
However, the car on the other side did not immediately move forward.
There was no other reason than the fact that, for the sake of safety and drawing attention, Su Ning's entourage was simply too large. Aside from the car, her subordinates were either riding bicycles, sitting in rickshaws, or even following on foot.
With so many people in the group, it naturally took quite some time to clear a path.
Inside the other car.
Chen Huaiqian, sitting in the back seat, put down the documents in his hands and looked out the window with great interest at the eye-catching procession:
Whose family is this?
Although he had been away from Peiping for seven or eight years, he had always had an excellent memory. Upon his return this time, he had paid special attention to the notable factions in Peiping.
Yet, none of them matched this group.
So ostentatious and unrestrained, as if afraid others wouldn't know their power... could it be the frivolous youth of some prominent family?
The driver in the front seat spoke in a steady tone:
Mayor, this group should be Miss Su Ning, who just returned from abroad, and her entourage.
He then detailed Su Ning's background, origins, displayed personality, and style of doing things. He even recounted with great familiarity how, when she first arrived in the Republic, she had to pawn things for food and drink because she had no money.
The accuracy and detail of the intelligence were astonishing!
Finally, the driver added:
The watch she pawned at that time was specially inspected by someone. It is indeed extremely exquisite, not of ordinary craftsmanship, and cannot be made domestically. It is also true that she lavishly spent hundreds of thousands of silver dollars on a funeral.
The implication was that Su Ning's identity was genuine.
Certain that she was not a pawn pushed out by someone with ulterior motives, Chen Huaiqian nodded slightly and looked out the window with a smile:
She is quite a smart person.
Having money but no foundation, the biggest fear is someone making a move in the dark. Su Ning's behavior seemed too arrogant and drew side-glances, but it was actually a form of self-protection.
Chen Huaiqian had always believed that staying alive was always the top priority, and everything else could take a back seat.
Therefore, he appreciated Su Ning.
Hearing this, the driver probed:
Mayor, do you intend to recruit this Miss Su? Although his master had the title of mayor upon coming to Peiping, it was difficult to open up the situation due to various constraints.
If there were a large amount of financial support, it would be much easier.
Wealth moves people's hearts, after all.
The King of Xiang has intentions, but I fear the Goddess has no such desires, Chen Huaiqian shook his head with a smile.
He was definitely not the only one tempted by Miss Su, who held a massive fortune. Currently, no one had made a move; they were all just waiting for the right opportunity. If he acted rashly, wouldn't he just become a stepping stone for others?
However, showing goodwill first wouldn't be a bad idea.
Chen Huaiqian recalled briefly and found an idea. He clapped his hands and smiled, The two newly recruited secretaries in the secretariat, did they both just return from abroad?
That's right, the driver replied.
You even praised the secretariat for being tactful. Those who return from studying abroad are talented, have clean backgrounds, and have no entanglements, making them worth cultivating. Once cultivated, they would naturally become trusted confidants.
The risks were not small, but the future prospects were boundless.
Hmm, the one who hasn't taken office yet, is his surname Fang? Chen Huaiqian's tone was flat, yet carried immense weight:
Tell him to get lost and fend for himself.
...
Su Ning looked up as if sensing something, but only saw a pitch-black car driving away. Feeling there was nothing special, she still felt uneasy and poked the system:
Did I just encounter a plot character?
The malicious kind, perhaps?
According to system regulations, I cannot provide the host with answers to questions. The Rich and Heartless System rolled its eyes, feeling that Su Ning was being a bit too sensitive, and replied perfunctorily:
Alright, we will deal with whatever comes our way. No matter what plot character it is, they won't be your match.
After all, this host of its was ruthless, thick-skinned, and highly skilled at acting and pretending.
Su Ning choked on her words.
Fortunately, the car finally arrived at its destination. The Jin family once held the title of Beile, and their residence occupied a small half of the street.
At the intersection, servants dressed in green clothes guided the way.
The car Su Ning was riding in had a smooth passage all the way, only stopping when it reached the main gate.
Several rows of golden copper nails were studded on the vermilion main gate. It was towering and awe-inspiring, and looking up, one could see the soaring eaves.
Does my niece from the Su family like this gate? The speaker was Jin Feng, who had personally come to the gate to receive them. With a smile on his face, he walked up as he spoke.
I really do like it.
Su Ning nodded and casually explained:
Not just the gate, but the whole residence is beautiful. Foreign architectural styles are completely different from domestic ones. To be honest, I've been in Peiping for so long, and this is the first time I've seen such a grand residence so full of traditional Chinese charm.
Hahahahaha, you flatter me too much, niece.
Jin Feng was modest verbally, but he was extremely pleased inside. What he was most proud of was his ability to manage properties, keeping such a large old residence looking so bright and beautiful.
Not just anyone could do that!
You are too modest.
Su Ning followed him into the mansion. Inside, the flowers and trees were well-spaced, and the scenery was layered. Even in winter, it displayed an air of grace and luxury.
Now she was truly tempted.
She immediately asked, Is the residence you want to introduce to me, Uncle, as big as this Beile mansion?
It is, but... Jin Feng hesitated, and finally decided to speak frankly:
To tell you the truth, the ones selling the residence are my eldest daughter-in-law's maiden family. Her family used to be an old noble clan. The residence was built spaciously, and the materials used were all of top quality.
It's just that their family fortunes have declined in recent years, and it hasn't been repaired for a long time.
For a traditional Chinese residence like this, it's fine if it's carefully managed and repaired every year. But once the owners neglect it, it quickly shows signs of dilapidation.
To return it to its former glory, it must undergo major renovations!
Su Ning didn't care. What were major renovations? What she wanted all along was to tear it down and rebuild—she absolutely did not want to live in an old house that others had lived in.
