Su Lin drove to the company and found Xia Shiyu already waiting for him at the glass turnstile. As soon as she saw his car, a bright smile spread across her face, and she jogged over to him.
Su Lin stood still, opened his arms for a big hug, and twirled Xia Shiyu around, âXiaoyu, itâs only been a few days, and youâve already learned to throw yourself into my arms. Not bad, youâre making progress.â
âHehe, Iâm just really happy,â Xia Shiyu sweetly whispered in Su Linâs ear.
âHeh! Hungry? Letâs go eat.â
Su Lin was about to take Xia Shiyu to the car when she suggested, âSu Lin, why donât we invite Chen Yang as well? Heâs also at the company.â
Su Lin waved his hand dismissively, âNo need. Weâre a couple having a meal; why would we invite him? To watch us display affection? Besides, weâre heading to Donghai after dinner.â
âAh! Going to Donghai right after dinner? What are we going to do there?â Xia Shiyu asked, looking for an answer from Su Lin.
Su Lin ruffled her hair, âI was overseeing things there with Xiaowan, but now that sheâs back, I need your help.â
Su Lin didnât say he was taking Xia Shiyu there for fun. If he had mentioned it was for a trip, she would likely have expressed reluctance to go, especially with six store openings imminent. If not for something more important, she wouldnât have left.
Sure enough, hearing that Donghai needed her help, Xia Shiyu became serious, âSu Lin, does that mean there are more troublesome matters in Donghai?â
Su Lin nodded, âIn a way, yes.â
Thinking about Lin Tian, Su Lin felt somewhat helpless. The information from the system was too scant, leaving him feeling reactive rather than proactive. He couldnât predict what move his opponent might make next.
âThat⦠then what are we waiting for? Letâs head out now,â Xia Shiyu urged.
Su Lin shook his head, âThough itâs urgent, we still need to eat. Remember, Xiaoyu, you have a punishment to face tonight~~.â
âPunishment?â
âYep, for not eating properly, youâll face the family discipline tonight,â Su Lin said seriously.
Xia Shiyu was stunned by Su Linâs demeanor. âFamily disciplineâ¦â
âCough cough, youâll find out tonight. Letâs go eat first.â
After dining at a nearby restaurant, Su Lin drove quickly towards Donghai. On the way, he called Li Hongyang, âBrother Yang, are you in Donghai?â
âYeah, attending a bidding meeting with the boss,â Li Hongyang replied, sounding somewhat weary.
Su Lin didnât want to know what Su Zhenguo was up to and wasnât interested in finding out. Hearing Li Hongyangâs tired voice, Su Lin joked, âWhat did you do last night to sound so listless?â
âHeh! Youâre now joking with your Brother Yang? Tell me, what do you need help with?â Li Hongyang laughed.
âHehe, canât I just miss you and want to catch up?â Su Lin said jokingly.
âMiss me? Impossible. Youâre the type who doesnât show up without a reason. What is it this time?â
âUh⦠I need your help to keep an eye on someone.â
âKeep an eye on someone? Lin, youâre not planning anything over the line, are you?â Li Hongyang sounded surprised.
âOf course not. Brother Yang, what kind of person do you think I am? This person is a competitor. I donât like him much, but we have to play by the rules. You get what I mean, right?â
Hearing Su Linâs explanation, Li Hongyang fell silent, understanding the implication. It was clear to anyone but a fool. He hadnât seen Su Lin for a few months, and now Su Lin had reached such a level?
âI heard that Qu Le Gou was your creation, and this is your competitor?â
âYes, a formidable opponent. I need to be informed of his every move at all times to respond calmly,â Su Lin said lightly.
Li Hongyang didnât ask if he needed help, knowing Su Lin would turn to Su Zhenguo for assistance if required. âAlright, Iâll arrange for someone to keep an eye on him for you. Just send me the details.â
Su Lin advised, âChoose someone sharp, this guy isnât easy to deal with.â
âGiven your description, Iâm quite curious about him.â
Su Lin sighed, âItâs complicated. Just have someone monitor his every action, nothing else.â
âOkay.â Li Hongyang didnât press further about Su Linâs competitor, as everyone has their own journey.
Despite Su Linâs capabilities, He felt he still paled in comparison to Su Zhenguo, especially considering Su Zhenguoâs recent activities in Donghai.
After the call, Xia Shiyu looked at Su Lin worriedly, âSu Lin, our competitor has emerged so quickly?â
Su Lin nodded, âYes, quickly indeed. Xiaoyu, Iâll need your help.â
Xia Shiyu affirmed, âDonât worry, Iâll definitely help you. No one can defeat us.â
Su Lin smiled, âI didnât expect such confidence from you, Xiaoyu.â
She replied, âI have confidence in you. If itâs a fair game, I donât think youâll lose. Iâm just worried about the villainâs extreme measures.â
âXiaoyu, donât worry. Itâs normal to have competitors.â
âBut Su Lin, if it were an ordinary competitor, you wouldnât even bother. This one must be tough.â
Reflecting, Su Lin thought of Lin Tian, a business tycoon reborn with all the tricks of the trade up his sleeve. âXiaoyu, whatâs our competitorâs name?â
Su Lin shook his head, âThe person on the surface might not be the real player, but itâs fine as long as we know itâs him.â
Meanwhile, Lin Tian arrived at the Sihai Corporation office.
âCan I call you Xiaotian?â
Lin Tian nodded, âSure, Uncle Luo. Youâre my elder.â
âIâve met your father a few times before. He even invited me over for tea once due to a development issue.â
Lin Tian remained calm, smiling and waiting for Luo Sihai to continue. âIâve heard about your fatherâs incident. You should grieve properly.â
Lin Tian smiled faintly without saying anything. In his heart, Lin Yourong had been dead for over twenty years.
Luo Sihai, surprised by Lin Tianâs lack of reaction, considered him quite a talent. âXiaotian, have you thought about working for me? Iâm serious about my offer. Any position in the group, except for the chairman, is yours for the choosing.â
Lin Tian shook his head, âUncle Luo, you should know what Iâm aiming for. Letâs not discuss this.â
âAh⦠Su Zhenguo is not to be underestimated. Heâs planning Donghaiâs first commercial plaza, investing thirty billion in the initial phase alone.â
âThe total project, including surrounding facilities, is no less than two hundred billion. Heâs even made a name for himself in the province. Competing with him might be difficultâ¦â
Lin Tian chuckled, âUncle, I know my own capabilities. I canât compete with Su Zhenguo, but I think I can take a shot at Su Lin.â
Luo Sihai was momentarily stunned, then his interest piqued. Su Linâs supermarket was renowned throughout Donghai and Zhongjiang, prompting Su Zhenguo to develop a commercial plaza. Luo contemplated joining the fray, as it all spelled money.