Chapter 123: Chapter 122

Early in the morning, Tai’an Avenue’s bustling district started to come alive. First, the district leaders arrived at the opening site of Quanlegou.

Then Luo Sihai appeared with a group of people, and finally, Su Zhenguo and his entourage arrived. To everyone’s surprise, the Qin family, known as the first family of Donghai, also brought flower baskets.

Sitting in a Maybach, Luo Sihai, with great interest, said to Lin Tian, “Xiaotian, your competitor is no ordinary person. The district leaders are here for the opening of his first store, and even Su Zhenguo himself has come to support. Look, the Qin family is here too. Tsk, tsk…”

Hearing this, Lin Tian’s eyes showed no emotion, and he even felt like laughing. “Uncle Luo, don’t be too happy so soon. Isn’t it strange that the Qin family is sending flower baskets? Could it be they have ties with Su Lin?”

Luo Sihai frowned. “Xiaotian, are you suggesting that Su Zhenguo and the Qin family are in cahoots?”

Lin Tian shook his head. “I can’t say for sure, but you know that piece of land you have is still vacant, with billions tied up in it. I can tell you for sure that the Qin family is behind this. As for the role Su Zhenguo plays in this, I have no idea.”

Luo Sihai fell into deep thought. Although his Sihai Group was strong in Donghai, it was still slightly inferior to Su Zhenguo.

Su Zhenguo, with his Su Construction and Industrial Group, had already expanded beyond Zhongjiang, Linhai, and Donghai to other cities. In contrast, his Sihai Group was still confined to Donghai.

On the surface, the two seemed equally matched, but in terms of influence, Luo Sihai was still behind Su Zhenguo.

“By the way, Uncle Luo, I have confirmed news from my uncles that in a week, Zhonghai will officially open its subway lines. Three lines will start, totaling over a hundred kilometers in length,” Lin Tian added.

Luo Sihai’s pupils contracted at these words. He understood everything in an instant – why the Qin family had set him up, why so many people were involved – everything.

The economy in this world was more open, and subway lines could be contracted out. If handled well, one could even become a shareholder. Constructing a subway line would cost at least ten billion, and the profits were self-evident.

Luo Sihai stared intently at Lin Tian. “Such important news, why didn’t you tell me earlier? Why?”

Lin Tian put on a helpless expression. “Uncle, I only found out today myself, and I’m already lucky to know this. Do you think I could have known any earlier?”

Luo Sihai looked at Lin Tian, not believing a word. He remembered clearly how Lin Tian had approached him, like a mystery. Lin Tian’s sources were unknown, but his information was always accurate.

“Uncle, even if you knew earlier, what could you have done? Even if you hadn’t tied up funds in that land, that piece of meat isn’t something you could chew,” Lin Tian quietly reminded him.

Luo Sihai sneered. He might not be able to swallow a subway line alone, but he could collaborate with others.

With two partners, opening a line was entirely feasible. A hundred billion in construction funds could yield a fifty percent profit if handled well.

Lin Tian shook his head, knowing from his past life that Luo Sihai never got involved in any subway line projects in Donghai.

He was out of the game from the start, with no chance at all. As for Su Zhenguo, he hadn’t contracted any in his past life either. Lin Tian wondered if this life would be different.

Watching a huge opportunity slip by was extremely frustrating for Luo Sihai.

Sighing, Luo Sihai lamented, “Ah, it’s such a pity.”

At that moment, an idea struck Lin Tian. He looked at Luo Sihai and said calmly, “Uncle, what if I could help you get a piece of the action?”

“What did you say? You have a way?”

Lin Tian nodded. “Yes, I have a way.”

“…”

Early in the morning, the bustling Tai’an Avenue was already lively, especially at the opening scene of Quan Le Gou. First came the district leaders, followed by Luo Sihai with a group.

Then, Su Zhenguo and his group appeared, surprisingly accompanied by the Qin family, renowned as the first family of Donghai, who brought flower baskets.

Su Lin and Xia Shiyu were somewhat surprised to see Su Zhenguo. However, Su Lin’s surprise was brief before he greeted his father, “Dad! What brings you here?”

“Heh, what a fresh question! It’s my son’s store opening, how could I not be here?” Su Zhenguo replied with an unfriendly tone.

“Dad, your words seem a bit emotional,” Su Lin said with a smile, undaunted by his father’s demeanor.

Su Zhenguo grumbled, “How long have you been in Donghai and not once have you visited me? It’s not like you don’t have a car. Is it that hard?”

Su Lin nodded, “Fair point. It’s just over an hour’s drive from Donghai to Zhongjiang. Dad, you also have a car, right? I don’t believe you’re too busy to visit me at home.”

Caught off guard, Su Zhenguo stuttered, “I… I…”

“Alright, no need to explain. You’re going to say you’re busy with company matters, right? Look at me, I also run a company and I’m busy, yet I find time every day to be with Xiaoyu.”

Hearing Su Lin suddenly shift the topic to her, Xia Shiyu blushed.

It was then that Su Zhenguo noticed Xia Shiyu, who, though beautiful, seemed too gentle and weak to be a capable woman.

He preferred Lin Xiaowan for Su Lin, both for her family background and her personal abilities, which would greatly aid Su Lin’s career.

“This is…”

“Your daughter-in-law,” Su Lin said simply.

Xia Shiyu, covering her face, shyly greeted, “Hello, Uncle.”

“Oh! Now I remember, she’s the girl from the charity donation. She’s quite pretty.”

Blushing, Xia Shiyu nodded, “Yes, Uncle, it’s me.”

Su Zhenguo nodded and then pulled Su Lin aside while Xia Shiyu was still shy. “Su Lin, what’s going on? She’s your girlfriend? What about the girl from the Lin family? You know Lin Guoqiang will do anything for his daughter.”

“Cough cough, don’t worry, Dad. I’ll handle it.”

“Hmm, you sly boy, suddenly I have two daughters-in-law,” Su Zhenguo said with a laugh.

Although Xia Shiyu didn’t seem like someone who could handle big responsibilities, it was clear she was a capable housekeeper, freeing Su Lin from household worries.

Thinking of how he had devoted himself to his career over the years without time for enjoyment, Su Zhenguo suddenly felt like he had wasted his life.

But his contemplation was short-lived as Qin’s family butler descended from a car, followed by six people, each carrying a flower basket.

“Mr. Su, I am Qin Gong, the chief butler of the Qin family. We came specially to congratulate you,” the butler greeted Su Lin.

Su Lin was startled; he was just opening a supermarket, yet the Qin family was also joining in. Looking at the old man’s smiling face, Su Lin suppressed his doubts and nodded, “Thank you for your kindness.”

“Hmm! Master Qin Delin asked me to send his regards and said if you’re free, you should visit the Qin family’s estate. Oh, and bring your blue and white porcelain with you.”

Su Lin was speechless. It was the same person he had met at Cangzhaibai, the porcelain master. Unexpectedly, he was one of the Qin family elders.

Su Lin nodded, “I’ll surely visit when I have the chance.”