On the other side.
The group who had scored a huge bargain and confirmed they had latched onto a powerful patron couldn't even describe their mood as merely pleasant. Second Uncle Guan's face was flushed bright red, as if he were drunk.
Buzzing with exhilaration, he pulled old family friends into conversation.
Three sentences couldn't pass without mentioning Su Ning, and two without mentioning the newly acquired imported luxury goods.
The old friends didn't mind him at all, each vying to respond with equal enthusiasm. After all, following the Guan family in betting on the dark horse had actually paid off this time, and the little thrill in their hearts needed an outlet.
"Ah, it's a pity the Cheng and Li families didn't come along."
Someone said regretfully.
The families mentioned were also part of their circle, but with their family fortunes still quite solid, they lacked the gambler's spirit and didn't dare provoke Deputy Mayor He's wrath for some vague, uncertain benefits.
"Why bring them up?"
Second Uncle Guan pursed his lips, "The bold get the feast, the timid get the scraps. Miss Su's temperament might be a bit cold, but she's not the heartless, ungrateful type. We took a risk siding with her this time; she definitely won't forget to share the benefits with us in the future."
As he spoke, he shot a sidelong glance at the speaker:
"As for them, they're not on our path anymore. We should distance ourselves."
His words carried a profound implication.
The old friends, however, all understood perfectly—they were worried that the families who didn't come might later regret it and cling to them for a share of the spoils. With friendships spanning generations, it would be genuinely difficult to refuse.
Someone immediately nodded in agreement.
They all thought righteously to themselves: the benefits they gained by risking their stance, why should they share them with others just for the sake of some old ties?
"That doesn't seem quite right."
Master Guan hesitantly chimed in, feeling his scalp tingle under the collective gaze of the others.
He explained in a weak tone:
"I just think... throwing away friendships passed down from our ancestors like this is a bit too much... Besides, outsiders will gossip if they find out."
"What's not right about it?"
Without Second Uncle Guan needing to step in, someone immediately retorted, quickly finding a reason:
"Think about it. The families who didn't come to Miss Su's place are one thing; at most, they're just cowardly. But the Li family was invited to Deputy Mayor He's event!"
"If we continue associating with the Li family and Miss Su finds out, won't she misunderstand? Miss Su's temper... Eldest Guan, you should know best."
Finally unable to resist, they added a veiled jab.
After speaking, they glanced apologetically at Second Uncle Guan—no offense meant to you.
Second Uncle Guan waved his hand dismissively. It was fine; let bygones be bygones, no need to dwell on the past. From now on, the Guan family would go wherever Miss Su pointed, and their rise to prosperity was just around the corner.
"Big brother, stop worrying needlessly."
"Have you forgotten? These well-off families have already been gradually distancing themselves from us. How can they be allowed to set the precedent, but we're not allowed to follow suit?"
Unsurprisingly.
Master Guan was persuaded. Moreover, upon second thought, just because Miss Su's side had prospects didn't mean Deputy Mayor He was weak. Each going their own way wasn't bad either.
…………
Not bad, my foot!
The Li family, attending Deputy Mayor He's banquet, was initially riding high, socializing everywhere. Before long, they suddenly noticed the atmosphere was getting a bit out of control—
Many people wore strange expressions, gathering in small groups of three or five and whispering about something.
At this point, they still hadn't thought of Su Ning. They assumed some major event had occurred again; times were chaotic, with incidents happening frequently.
The Li family head sent someone to inquire.
Meanwhile, he admonished a junior:
"You must remember, only by attending such high-society banquets can you access the most elite connections and obtain the most timely and important information."
The junior nodded, having learned the lesson, then his eyes sparkled as he smiled:
"That's also because our family has the strength to attend. Some families wish they could come but can't. To save face, they have to go curry favor with a lost cause. Little do they know, a cold stove no one tends to will never heat up!"
"You child, you mustn't say such things outside."
The Li family head chided with a smile.
"Understood."
The junior nodded obediently on the surface but thought smugly to himself: Can't say it outside, but it's fine to say it at home. The Guan family really has no sense. Su Ning has already offended Deputy Mayor He, yet they still insist on fawning over her.
What's the use of having money?
Having people and guns is what truly rules!
Suddenly, he caught sight of the person sent to inquire returning from the corner of his eye. He quickly alerted the family head, who, though silent, gave him an appreciative look—quick-witted and adaptable, this kid has potential.
And then... listening to the news brought back, the Li family head's face changed colors like a chameleon.
"Family head, what is it?"
The junior asked curiously.
The Li family head didn't give him half a glance, pacing back and forth like a donkey turning a millstone. One moment he gritted his teeth, the next he shook his head, then asked his subordinate as if seeking confirmation:
"Are you sure you didn't see wrong?"
"Maybe... those goods are fake. From so far away, you couldn't see clearly without getting close."
"No mistake," the subordinate added, almost reluctantly. "Even if those were fake, the helicopter in the sky couldn't possibly be fake. That alone is enough."
A helicopter!
Just the name of that thing was something he had to painstakingly pry from the mouth of some foreign consul's servant.
There was no room for self-deception anymore.
The Li family head, without a word, strode out. The confused junior not far behind hurried to catch up and asked:
"Family head, where are we going? The banquet isn't over yet. Even if there's urgent business, we should say goodbye to Deputy Mayor He, otherwise..."
"Well said. Then you stay."
"This... isn't appropriate, is it?"
Even as he said this, the delight on the junior's face was hard to conceal.
The Li family head retracted his earlier favorable assessment, rushing out in a frantic hurry—a mere Su Ning might not match Deputy Mayor He, but a Su Ning who could mobilize helicopters to transport imported weapons was a different story.
No, add the newly appointed Mayor Chen to that.
Two powerful outsiders crossing the river would surely beat Deputy Mayor He, the local snake, to a pulp!
Quite a few people left like him. The crowd thinned out quietly and imperceptibly. Unfortunately, Deputy Mayor He, engrossed in conversation with the person before him, didn't notice.
"...I'm not trying to make things difficult for you. You wouldn't refuse such a small favor, would you?"
Seeing that after all his talking, the behind-the-scenes owner of the Peiping Grand Hotel still hadn't given a definite answer, Deputy Mayor He grew somewhat anxious and said, half-jokingly.
"This is no small matter. Miss Su is my honored guest. As long as she is physically within the hotel, I must guarantee her safety and peace during her stay."
The behind-the-scenes owner still didn't relent.
He had actually been paying attention to Su Ning for a long time, dating back to the day she first checked in—the top suites at the Peiping Grand Hotel weren't something you could get just by having money.
Yet someone had booked one for her for a full year!
Su Ning's initial, poorly concealed state of destitution upon arrival had disappointed him, but he still held onto a sliver of hope. He thus instructed his staff to fulfill any of her requests that were not excessive.
Something as expensive as a car...
If just any guest could have one on demand, that would be a dream!
Who would have thought his gamble actually paid off.
Su Ning truly was a gold mine.
The behind-the-scenes owner already intended to formally meet with her. How could he possibly agree to Deputy Mayor He's request? Seeing that He still wouldn't give up and kept pressing, he sighed inwardly.
Although he wasn't afraid of Deputy Mayor He...
Still, harmony breeds wealth. It's best to offend as few people as possible.
He was just pondering how to refuse more tactfully when suddenly his trusted aide approached anxiously. Without waiting to be asked, the aide leaned in and began speaking rapidly into his ear.
Vice Mayor He surveyed the scene before him with great dissatisfaction.
He cleared his throat loudly twice as a reminder.
"There's business outside, I must take my leave." The person behind the scenes was indeed prompted by the cough, but the first thing out of their mouth was a desire to leave, and they immediately put words into action.
In a moment, the person had vanished outside the door.
Vice Mayor He stood rooted to the spot, his eyes wide with disbelief, and then... he noticed something was wrong. Where were the people? Why had so many disappeared?
This scene felt strangely familiar.
So familiar that it instantly reminded him of one person—Su Ning!
…………
Two days later.
In a concealed warehouse, Su Ning looked at the money crates just unloaded from a helicopter. "The money is all here. Would Mayor Chen like to have someone count it?"
"No need."
Chen Huaiqian shook his head without hesitation, replying with a smile, "I trust Ms. Su."
"Except for New Year's Eve and the first day of the Lunar New Year, I will be accompanying you on your rounds afterward," Su Ning stated her demand bluntly. It was evident she intended to leverage this opportunity to gain connections and assert her presence.
After all, if she remained behind the scenes all the time, who would know about the crucial role she played?
"Having Ms. Su as my companion would be my honor,"
Chen Huaiqian said.
