Chapter 1 The Dragon City Rises

Tonight, You Yifan chartered the largest sightseeing cruise ship in Tianhong Port. Hundreds of men and women, dressed impeccably, were enjoying themselves and socializing on the ship.

On the top deck, inside the most luxurious suite, You Yifan sat on the sofa, softly asking a woman who looked very similar to him and a middle-aged man, "Has Gui Mengjun met with a lot of people these past few days?"

"Yes, I've heard he's met with people from the South Shanghai circle, the garrison, and the Northeast circle," the woman replied softly. "I arranged a driver for him, but he didn't use it. He's been going out with his own people every day, and I didn't want to pry."

"Just keep an eye on who he's meeting," You Yifan gently instructed. "A supplier of this magnitude can't rely on just one channel. It's normal for him to be in contact with other people."

The woman curled her lips and smiled, "A family that sells arms and contraband is actually going to publicly hold an exhibition! That's outrageous."

"What's so outrageous about it?" You Yifan said with a smile, "Before the Common Era, didn't the Russkies and the Americans use a bunch of fronts to hold wine parties and modern arms exhibitions in the Middle East and South America? This is the same idea. The invitation Gui family sent out this time is also for a trade exhibition."

"Heh, you're right." The woman nodded.

"Maintain a good relationship with Gui Mengjun. He can talk to the King of Pingxi in the Old Triangle, and he's one of the decision-makers in the family," You Yifan gently instructed. "As long as we take care of him, the rest will be easy. Take two million from the company account and buy him something to take with him when he leaves."

"Understood!" The woman nodded.

...

Inside the main hall on the first floor of the cruise ship.

Su Miaomiao, wearing a white dress and with her long hair cascading down her shoulders, sat on a high chair at the bar, holding a glass of juice in her left hand and massaging her long legs with her right. "Oh, my legs and feet are killing me... I just don't understand what's the point of these gatherings? It's just a mass of people, and after going around once, you can't remember a single one."

Beside her, another young woman from the Su family chuckled and replied, "Sister, can you act a little more ladylike? People come here to socialize and network. You, on the other hand, just eat and drink. Seriously, you're embarrassing me...!"

Su Miaomiao drank her juice and pouted, "It's all fake! You don't really think you can have a couple of drinks with someone here and then work with them in the future, do you? Naive...!"

As the two were talking, a man dressed in all black walked over from the side, holding a glass of red wine. "Oh, Miss Su!"

Su Miaomiao turned her head at the sound and saw that it was Gui Mengjun. She immediately jumped down from the high chair and politely extended her hand. "It's nice to see you again, Mr. Gui!"

Gui Mengjun politely sized up Su Miaomiao and gently praised, "Miss Su, you look very beautiful today! Like a Korean star from a long time ago...!"

"Oh, come on, I usually don't wear much makeup. How can I compare to a star!"

"No, you really look like some star. Her name is... what was it? That's right, it seems like it was Ah-u." Gui Mengjun held his wine glass and was very talkative. "But you have a bit more heroic spirit than her, and you're more pleasing to the eye!"

Su Miaomiao's personality wasn't really suited for this kind of conversation. She preferred something more casual, so Gui Mengjun's praise made her face flush red.

Gui Mengjun took the lead throughout, almost never letting the conversation lag. "Miss Su, where are you currently working?"

"My family set up an association, and I work there doing clerical and financial work," Su Miaomiao also began to engage in conversation.

"That's quite good. Dragon City has a lot of associations, and the government is willing to provide policies. Maybe one day you'll do well and even create an overseas political party. That would be amazing."

"No way, no way. We're just messing around right now, mainly to ensure the normal operation of our business," Su Miaomiao replied softly.

Gui Mengjun sized up the beauty before him and, after a long pause, asked, "Miss Su, next month we're renting an island in the Asian Alliance to hold an exhibition. Do you have time? I'd like to invite you to come and have a look around...!"

"Why are you inviting me?" Su Miaomiao blinked her big eyes and asked very directly.

The air seemed to freeze at that moment. Gui Mengjun paused for a moment, then chuckled and replied, "During the Little Ice Age, the island's geology subsided, forming many unique landscapes. The scenery is very beautiful. It would be a shame not to see it when you're young... Besides, all expenses are paid by the organizers. It would be a waste not to go!"

"Hehe! That's true."

Gui Mengjun was a very talkative person, especially when talking to women. His eyes were full of tenderness. Plus, even though he wasn't young, he was very handsome, so Su Miaomiao didn't dislike him.

...

Tianhong Port, near Erdao Street.

A middle-aged man wearing a t-shirt sat in a car, smoking a strong cigarette. He turned his head and asked a lackey, "The ship will definitely leave from here, right?"

"That's right!" The lackey nodded.

The middle-aged man looked at his watch and said in a low voice, "Get ready!"

"Got it!"

The lackey responded and stepped out of the car.

...

In the Kasalo region, at one of the Xue family's small factories.

Xue Ping'an walked around, inspecting the goods that were to be shipped next month, then walked out of the warehouse and stood outside the door. "I'm going to attend an exhibition in the Asian Alliance next month! You should come with me."

"Understood, Dad!" The young man beside him nodded slowly, unconsciously sniffing.

Xue Ping'an looked at him and, after a long silence, asked, "Have you been touching that stuff again recently?"

"No." The young man shook his head, his eyes slightly unfocused, and replied in a low voice, "I've been out, I've quit completely. Now it's just some aftereffects, my nose feels very dry."

Xue Ping'an pointed at his face and cursed through clenched teeth, "I'm giving you one last chance. If you're still acting like an idiot! I'll personally kill you and have another child with your mother!"

"Mm." The young man nodded.

Xue Ping'an glanced at him, said nothing more, and turned to get into his car and leave.

Seeing him leave, the young man immediately curled his lips and said, "There aren't even any bullets in the gun barrel anymore, what are you going to use to have a kid?!"

...

About an hour later.

You Yifan, accompanied by the woman who looked very similar to him and a middle-aged man, walked onto the deck.

"Alright, you guys go back first, and make sure to reconcile the company's accounts and recover some cash."

"Understood." The woman nodded.

You Yifan turned his head and called out, "Where's Xiaofeng? Call a boat to send my sister back first!"

"Brother Fan, Xiaofeng left. He took the Baoli Company guys," Su Tiannan, who was smoking at the entrance of the hall, replied.

"Tiannan, are you busy? If you're not, help me send my sister back, and then go to the city to pick up someone for me!" You Yifan said.

...

Longkou District.

Jing Yan sat in the car, holding the phone and saying, "Notify all the gang leaders to hold a meeting, I need to raise money!"