Early the next morning at Mingyuan Trading, Bai Hongbo let his eyes roam over the open-plan office full of young women and muttered to Su Tianyu, "Brother, your work environment is top-tier. One look, and I'd rate the whole floor solid eights."
"Don't be a horny toy poodle. Try some dignity," Su hissed back.
"The two at reception are really something…"
Bai's tastes were simple: "reading" and women.
"Wait here. I'll go say hello to the boss," Su said, parking Bai by the office door.
"Go on," Bai nodded, dropping into an empty chair by the doorway.
Su pushed into Yu Mingyuan's office with a grin. "Morning, Boss."
"Heh, early bird today," Yu smiled.
Outside, Bai leaned toward the secretary as she touched up her makeup. "Miss, have we met? You look familiar."
"You are…?" Linda blinked.
"Really don't remember me? Think about it…"
Leg crossed, Bai slid into small talk like a pro.
Inside the office, Su sat and spoke softly. "Brother Yuan, I talked to my second uncle last night. He's interested."
"Good. Then let's try a couple of runs together," Yu said, sipping tea.
"Mhm. My uncle's thinking is: we'll start under your umbrella and see how the work goes. If it's smooth, he'll figure out ways to expand our sales channels," Su added, "But this has to stay inside the red lines. You know us—we're small-time. If something blows up, we can't carry it."
Yu immediately pulled a document from the drawer—a special-issue permit from the trade bureau. "Brother, this really isn't smuggling. There's a permit. We just can't do it in neon lights. Same cigarette—most people pay ten in taxes; you pay two. That's how you make enemies."
"Okay. Then I've got no problem," Su nodded.
Yu tucked the paper away. "Supply can land anytime. If you're good, gather some people, and we'll run two orders first."
"Works for me," Su said at once. "Let's start."
"Alright. I'll have Linda go out this afternoon to procure some gear. When the shipment's close, you take the first run." Yu thought a moment. "For the first time out, let the Su family provide the crew."
Su rubbed his palms together and inched closer with a smile. "Brother Yuan, one more thing."
"Go on."
"I'm tight with Bai Hongbo from the Bai family. They want in. Think you can save him a spot?" Su asked plainly.
Yu hesitated, a faint crease between his brows. "We haven't even started. Too many people could be messy. Early scale won't be big—another family means thinner margins."
"The Bai family has the Chamber of Commerce behind them. If they join, they'll help a lot with placement and sales." Su lowered his voice. "And Bai really is close to me. He took a club for me back at Fu Man Lou."
Yu considered it. "Is Bai running things now?"
"Yeah. Since his father got out, his health's been poor. He's basically stepped back. Bai's leading their business and will likely take over."
Yu fell quiet, thinking.
"Bai's straightforward and wears his heart on his sleeve," Su added. "He's been wanting to pay respects to your father but never found the right chance. This is a good moment to come shake hands and hold onto a big thigh."
Yu glanced over with a grin. "Kid, you talk like you sing—easy on the ears."
"I've always had musical talent."
"You bring him?"
"He's right outside."
"Fine. Call him in."
Su stepped out—and found Bai and Linda deep in an animated chat about cosmetics. "Enough flirting. Remember why we're here? Move. In!"
Bai stood with a smile. "We'll pick this up later, sweetheart," he told Linda, then followed Su inside.
"Brother Yuan, this is my good brother, Bai Hongbo," Su said, tugging Bai forward.
"Have a seat," Yu nodded, welcoming him in.
And just like that, Bai sat down, and the two men dove into a long, frank talk.
Truth be told, Yu had two reasons for not inviting the Bai family at first:
First, the Chamber behind them was… complicated; the Yu's weren't eager to rope them in too early.
Second, the business hadn't even started—no need to crowd the table yet. Too many partners only diluted profit.
But with Su building the bridge—and Bai himself eager to come pay respects—Yu didn't push him away. The early team of the venture took shape:
Yu family: sourcing and initial post-landing sales,
Tang Baiqing (Coast Guard): ground relations,
Su, Bai, and Kong families: muscle for transport, storage, and distribution.
With the deal set, they moved straight into preliminary ops. After Su and Bai left, Yu told Linda to start purchasing the necessary equipment.
Downstairs in the car, Bai flashed a grin. "Brother, thanks for this."
"Skip the thanks—do me a solid instead," Su said.
"Pfft. You give me your heart, I give you my life," Bai declared. "Name it. Who do you want to… conquer?"
Su rolled his eyes. "Can you be civilized for five minutes?"
"I call it returning to nature—no pretense." Bai started the engine. "So, what do you need?"
"Lend me some money?" Su asked.
"Huh?"
"A girl from the Yu family—her car got smashed because of me. I promised to get it fixed but haven't had time." Su grimaced. "It's been almost two months. Lend me a bit so I can make it right."
"You… still broke? Aren't you the GM's assistant?"
"I've been on the job less than a month, man." Truth was, Su had earned combat stipends back at school, but he'd lent most of it to friends. Since coming back to Dragon City, he'd been too embarrassed to ask his uncle for cash. Lately his pockets were empty.
"How much?" Bai asked.
"A little over three thousand."
"That I've got on me. Let's go—I'll come with you," Bai said without hesitation.
"I'll pay you back when I get paid."
"No need. Call it my treat for getting me in the door."
"…That generous?"
"Money's just money. Can't take it with you," Bai said, sounding almost scholarly for once. "Let's move."
Five minutes later.
Outside Dragon City National University, three college girls were walking arm in arm past the main gate.
Brrring—
A phone rang. The girl in the middle answered. "Hello?"
"An Qiqi? Are you free? Let's settle the car today."
"…Oh. It's you."