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墨書 Inktalez
The next day, a group of eleven people took four cars to Zhongjiang. In fact, the bid proposal had already been prepared when they were in Longchuan. The proposal not only considered the market value of the land, its development potential, and relevant local government policies, but also conducted thorough research and predictions on the competitors participating in the bidding. For large-scale bidding projects like this, the intelligence war between companies had long been underway; it was an open secret. Bringing so many people along was merely to handle any unexpected situations during the bidding process. If any sudden changes occurred, they could make timely strategic adjustments.
The journey from Longchuan to Zhongjiang took about three hours. The group set off in the morning and arrived in Zhongjiang by noon. After checking into the pre-booked hotel, they had a working lunch together. Alcohol was omitted because even though they would not participate in the bidding meeting that afternoon, who could guarantee that nothing unexpected would happen before the bidding concluded? Therefore, it was crucial for everyone to remain alert.
After lunch, Shu Rui organized a brief meeting. Since there was not much work to do that afternoon, Shu Rui instructed everyone to freely engage in activities as long as they ensured the safety of the bid proposal and other materials. In the end, Wang Fang volunteered to stay at the hotel, while Qin Dali and Big Bull were assigned by Xin Yi to accompany Wang Fang at the hotel. With so many cases of corporate espionage happening nowadays, and given how much importance Shu Rui placed on this bidding process, it was best to be cautious.
As for Xin Yi, Shu Rui asked him to accompany him to meet someone. The person they were going to see was undoubtedly significant; at least it could be said that this person should have some influence over this bidding process, Xin Yi thought. The two got into the car, and Shu Rui entered an address into the GPS navigation system. Following the GPS directions, Xin Yi drove until they reached a villa area by the river. At first glance, this villa area looked like a paradise for the wealthy; each individual villa not only had a large building area but also boasted private green spaces so vast that it was hard to believe. One could describe it this way: owning such a villa meant you wouldn't need to go to a golf course; your own private green space could serve as one. However, such villas were certainly not affordable for just any rich person. It seemed that the person they were about to meet today was indeed not an ordinary individual.
According to GPS instructions, their destination was a large villa ahead. Xin Yi looked forward and saw a vast expanse of greenery surrounding a Gothic-style building in the center. This clearly indicated that this villa was exceptional; it felt like this building was the king of this entire villa area, occupying a dominant position. Moreover, Xin Yi noticed several reflective surfaces on various parts of this building; from experience, he recognized that these were reflections from sniper rifle scopes. It appeared that this villa was under tight security. Xin Yi couldn't help but wonder about the identity of the villa's owner—how could someone possess firearms in a country with strict gun control like Heavenly Pride Nation?
As soon as they arrived at the entrance of the villa, the gate opened immediately. Two elderly men dressed in long robes stood by the door. Although they did not reveal much about themselves, Xin Yi could still discern from their fleeting glances that these two had extraordinary internal martial arts skills. Shu Rui got out of the car respectfully and said, "The Shu family from Binhai has come to visit Elder Xu; please inform him."
"Elder Xu is currently receiving guests; please follow me into the side hall for tea," one of the elderly men replied.
After parking in the villa's garage, Shu Rui took out an exquisitely crafted small wooden box from the car and followed one of the elderly men into a grand hall with Xin Yi. After serving tea, both servants and elderly men exited, leaving only Xin Yi and Shu Rui in the hall. Xin Yi asked, "What kind of person is Elder Xu?"
Shu Rui glanced around and replied quietly, "I'll tell you more about him later; just know that he is very important for our bidding process. My father had some connections with him in his early years and told me I could come see him regarding this bidding matter. By the way, you don’t need to speak when we meet him; I’ll handle it."
"Of course; I don't know much about these matters anyway," Xin Yi said with a smile.
Shu Rui looked at Xin Yi and said, "Xin Yi, I mean no offense; I just heard my father say that Elder Xu has quite an eccentric temperament—it's best not to irritate him."
"Yes, I have no other intentions; I'm just speaking honestly," Xin Yi replied with a shrug and a smile; it seemed Shu Rui was overly concerned about his feelings.
After sitting for a while, the elderly man who had led them in returned and said, "Gentlemen, Elder Xu invites you over."
The two followed the old man outside. Just as they exited the hall, Shu Rui noticed two people in the parking lot about to get into a car. She paused for a moment, a strange look flashing in her eyes. Xin Yi noticed Shu Rui's expression and took a careful glance at the two individuals. Both were overweight, one tall and the other short and stout, but they shared a common trait: both had smug smiles on their faces. They did not notice Xin Yi and Shu Rui; after getting into their car, they started it up and drove away. Xin Yi observed that it was a long Bentley and made sure to remember the license plate number.
Once inside the hall, the guiding old man respectfully said, "Sir, I have brought the guests."
"Mm." The old man sitting in the center on a grand chair responded with a sound. The guiding old man then respectfully stepped back a few paces before turning to leave.
At this moment, Shu Rui addressed the old man, saying, "Xu Lao, my father sent me to pay you a visit."
"Mm, your father is Shu Junxing, right? It has been many years since we last met. Please have a seat," Xu Lao said lightly from his grand chair.
"Thank you, Xu Lao!" Shu Rui replied as she and Xin Yi sat down on the adjacent chairs. "My father has brought a small gift for you; please accept it."
"Hehe... Junxing is still so polite. Please thank him for me when you return," Xu Lao said as a butler-like person came over to take the box from Shu Rui's hands and placed it on a nearby table.
Since entering, Xin Yi had been observing Xu Lao. He appeared to be in his sixties, with a full head of silver hair and even white eyebrows. However, his face was rosy and he looked very spirited. His eyes were bright and occasionally flashed with sharp brilliance. Perhaps due to his focus on health preservation, his face was devoid of the usual wrinkles seen in older individuals; his skin was surprisingly fair and smooth. This made Xin Yi feel an indescribable strangeness about him, reminiscent of the twisted eunuchs often seen in ancient palace films—just missing a whisk in hand. At this moment, Xu Lao's eyes were roaming over Shu Rui, revealing an excitement akin to that of a hungry beast eyeing its delicious prey.
Xu Lao might have sensed Xin Yi's gaze as he shifted his attention towards her. Xin Yi met his stare calmly without flinching or avoiding it. Their eyes locked in an intense battle for a full minute before Xu Lao finally withdrew his gaze and turned to Shu Rui, asking, "What is your name?"
"My name is Shu Rui."
"Mm, that's a lovely name; it suits you well... very nice," Xu Lao said slowly. "And who is this beside you? Is he your husband?"
"Oh, he is Xin Yi, my business partner," Shu Rui replied with a slight blush on her cheeks.
"Oh? Good," Xu Lao said inexplicably, not knowing whether he was referring to Xin Yi or to Xin Yi being a partner of Shu Rui. After a pause, he continued, "Xin Yi? ... Are you also from Longchuan?"
"Yes, I am from Longchuan," Xin Yi replied.
"Oh?" Xu Lao looked at Xin Yi with a meaningful glance and asked, "Is Xin Shengtian from Xin Manor in Longchuan related to you?"
"Xin Shengtian is my grandfather," Xin Yi said, somewhat surprised. Could it be that this Xu Lao knew his cold grandfather? In his memory, it seemed that the Xin Family never interacted with outsiders.
"Oh? How is the old man doing? It has been over twenty years since I last saw him." Xu Lao appeared somewhat surprised as well.
"Thank you for your concern, Xu Lao. He is in good health," Xin Yi paused, and curiosity ultimately overcame his rationality. "Do you know my grandfather?"
"Hahaha... Young man, it seems you don't know much about your own family. People from my generation all know your grandfather, Xin Shengtian. He was quite a prominent figure back in the day!" Xu Lao laughed heartily.
"He never mentioned it to me," Xin Yi could only respond.
"By the way, you are still engaged in your family's work, right?" Xu Lao said, his eyes shining as he looked directly at Xin Yi, as if trying to see through his inner thoughts.
Xin Yi was startled. Did this old man even know that he was a killer? But why did he refer to it as family work? Was the entire Xin Family involved in this line of work? Were his father, mother, and grandfather all killers too? It seemed this old man really understood the matters of the Xin Family. Could he possibly glean some clues about his parents from him? With this thought in mind, Xin Yi smiled and replied, "Yes, besides the family business, I also have a partnership with President Shu's Junxing Group."
"Oh, no wonder... no wonder..." Xu Lao repeated twice.
At this moment, Shu Rui looked at Xin Yi with a puzzled expression. He had originally thought that Xin Yi had only risen to prominence through the Three Tiger Hall. However, from their earlier conversation, it seemed that Xin Yi's family also had a significant background and connections with someone like Xu Lao. Yet he had never heard Xin Yi mention it before. It appeared that there were still many mysteries surrounding this man that remained unsolved, Shu Rui thought.
"By the way, Xiaorui, what brings you to Zhongjiang this time? It can't be just to see this old man, right?" Old Xu asked.
"Oh, visiting you is certainly the most important thing," Shu Rui replied. "Additionally, our Junxing Group is planning to invest in a piece of land in Zhongjiang. We came here to bid on it, and I hope you can help us by giving a heads-up to the relevant parties."
"Oh? You are also here for that piece of land?" Old Xu seemed surprised.
"Yes, it seems you are aware of the situation regarding that land?" Shu Rui calmly countered.
"Yes, as you probably saw earlier, Jin Yuhua from Jinhua Group just came to see me about that land as well. Moreover, yesterday Zhongxing Group from J City also approached me about it. This matter is quite complicated; we are all old friends... heh heh heh," Old Xu said with apparent helplessness.
"Heh heh, since that's the case, we won't trouble you any further, but..." Shu Rui hesitated.
"But what?"
"Since this matter is difficult for you, could we let our companies compete based on our own strengths?" After saying this, Shu Rui kept a close watch on Old Xu's expression.
Old Xu laughed and said, "Of course... of course."
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