Chapter 22: A Small Restaurant's Drinking Party

Zhang Tong had been feeling extremely pleased lately.

Li Mingyi proved to be formidable. Even though the boss was absent, Old Li still directed the entire business smoothly. Su Wenwen, Guo Guangyao and the others learned a lot following him and grew rapidly. From initial reluctance, everyone had now become completely convinced—and it only took a short while.

The whole Jinxiu Group ran like a well oiled machine, moving forward at high speed. One of the three SUVs were assigned to him as well. Wang Chenguang served as driver for Old Li, and no one objected—everyone tacitly accepted it.

Li Mingyi was so busy his feet barely stayed still for long, but his face glowed. He had run companies before, but this was the first time he felt so unrestrictedly happy. He was very career-driven. Not only did he not find it tiring, but he also enjoyed it.

As the saying goes, you don’t know how broad the world is until you go out and explore. In his past life, Su Pingnan led a turbulent life. In this life, he had achieved a little and had become complacent. That was the real reason why he left the hotel in anger.

Early the next morning, he found two top interior design firms in Shanghai, handed over the plans, and gave a simple demand: luxurious and high-class and it must please me. Money was no issue—he was outrageously wealthy.

With such generous pay, efficiency was astonishing. The next day, the chief designer from a firm called Jiaxiu, with dark circles under his eyes, presented a design that satisfied Su Pingnan.

After finishing his task, Su Pingnan didn’t immediately leave Shanghai. Instead he visited every famous, high-end restaurant and tried them all.

The Jiaxiu designer sent to Wucheng was a middle-aged man named Han Bing. These past few days he had hardly done anything but follow Su Pingnan around, eating and drinking.

At every place Su Pingnan looked more like he was there to research rather than eat. He asked question after question, notebook in hand, furiously jotting down things to note when opening a restaurant.

Tonight was the last night of Su Pingnan’s Shanghai trip. Combining memories of his future life and his research, he had completed the preparatory work for opening a restaurant almost perfectly.

Han Bing had been nauseated by the big hotels these days, so he suggested that he give a treat on the last day and he’d bring Su Pingnan to somewhere a little more unique.

Han Bing took Su Pingnan to a dingy little restaurant not far from the local university. Though small, its spicy rabbit heads were exceptionally delicious.

They took a taxi, and after winding through many turns, they finally arrived.

Han Bing pushed the door open like he knew the place well. Inside were four or five tables and one private room. It was quite crowded and fully occupied.

The diners were all young people—mostly university students from nearby. They were largely couples out on dates.

Han Bing was smooth-talking; after negotiating with a few students who were leaving, he freed up a table and sat down with Su Pingnan. He confidently ordered dishes and filled Su Pingnan’s glass first before sitting down himself.

“Mr. Su, don’t be fooled by this small place—its flavors will have you praising it in no time.”

“Okay.”

Su Pingnan nodded and surveyed the surroundings. The eatery was small but tidy. Several couples were whispering and laughing. From the sole private room came occasional girlish laughter. From the muffled words, it sounded like a girl was celebrating her birthday.

“Mr. Su, you’re about the same age as these people, right?” Han Bing asked. Over the past days, he figured that Su Pingnan was probably in his twenties, yet the young man possessed a calmness beyond his years.

Sometimes when he spoke or acted, Su Pingnan would casually reveal a commanding presence, which made Han Bing curious.

“Yes, thereabout. My family was poor when I was young, and I was rebellious, so I didn’t study for long. I started working to earn my keep very early,” Su Pingnan said.

“Young and accomplished—remarkable. I thought your family owned businesses, but you built this yourself? That’s really impressive,” Han Bing said sincerely. He knew why Su Pingnan had come and so he genuinely praised him.

The dishes arrived quickly and truly lived up to Han Bing’s praise. The two drank and ate happily. Han Bing drank considerably and talked well too. Before long, Su Pingnan felt slightly tipsy.

Pak. The private room door was pushed open forcefully. A girl in white, clearly a bit drunk, stepped out and froze when she saw Su Pingnan. Perhaps emboldened by alcohol, the young girl straightened and walked directly toward him.

“Hello there.”

The young girl could barely stand and greeted him with a distinct Wucheng accent.

Su Pingnan frowned slightly and nodded.

“Hello.”

“You’re from Wucheng, right? You look familiar,” the girl said in a bright, chirping voice. She had also picked up his accent.

“We’re both from Wucheng, eh? No wonder you look familiar,” she said, plopping down as if they were old friends and casually patting Su Pingnan’s arm.

Su Pingnan smiled at the swaying girl before him and returned the smile. “Greetings, my sister.”

The girl was pretty and straightforwardly extended her hand. “Nice to meet you—Du Dandan from Shanghai International Studies University. I’m from Wucheng’s northern district.”

Su Pingnan looked at the fair little hand extended to him, hesitated for a moment, then lightly shook it and said, “Su Pingnan.”

“My brother, our school belle is celebrating her birthday. Come on—don’t say I didn’t give you a chance. I’ll take you over to meet her.”

Du Dandan rarely saw Wucheng people in Shanghai, and having had a fair amount to drink, she enthusiastically invited Su Pingnan to join her table to liven things up.

Why would Su Pingnan agree? He shook his head at the suggestion. Han Bing, also drunk, chimed in teasingly, “Mr. Su, chances like this are rare—go for it.” He added with a sly smile, “SISU is famous for beauties. If she’s the school belle, you ought to see her. You’re usually too composed, Mr. Su—you should relax a bit.”

Du Dandan was indeed quite tipsy. “Hee hee, Su Zhong—that’s a good name (Mr. Su in Chinese is read as Su Zhong). Folks will end up calling you Mr. Su, like you’re a big boss! Tee hee! Come on, big boss, you don’t dare to come with me?”

Su Pingnan found the drunken girl’s silliness amusing. Perhaps because he was away from home and relaxed, he somehow found himself nodding in agreement.