Chapter 81

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In the private room, two people were seated. One was Zheng Doudou, and what surprised Su Mu was not her, but the man sitting beside her.

This man was dressed fashionably, with a strikingly handsome appearance. The slight upward tilt of his lips gave off a somewhat mischievous vibe. His eyes sparkled with a sharp light. Despite sitting still, the air of authority he exuded was unmistakable.

The moment he saw Su Mu, a mysterious smile appeared on his handsome face, and he sprang up from his seat. In the stunned silence of the others, he rushed forward and tightly embraced Su Mu.

"Brother!" the man shouted loudly.

"Brother!" Su Mu was equally excited.

The two of them embraced without regard for the others, patting each other's backs forcefully, their faces beaming with unbridled excitement.

"Hey, are you two done yet? Do you really think we're all air? If you want to do something, go to the next room and get a room!" Li Letian shouted from the side.

"Get lost!"

Almost simultaneously, the two men who were hugging each other shouted, then let go and burst into laughter, with Su Mu giving the other a hard punch.

"Tonight, we won't return until we're drunk!"

"Rubbish, of course we won't return until we're drunk!" the man shouted loudly.

After everyone had settled down, Ye Xi asked hesitantly, "Su Mu, I know you and Zheng Mu are acquainted, but you don't need to be this familiar, right?"

The man in front of them was named Zheng Mu.

Su Mu and Zheng Mu were not just putting on a show; their relationship was truly very close. However, not many people knew about it because although Zheng Mu had studied at Jiang University, he had transferred out before graduating. But it was during those three years at Jiang University that the two of them formed a deep friendship.

They played ball together, chased girls together, fought together, and played games together... Those three years, Su Mu and Zheng Mu did many things together.

Su Mu knew that Zheng Mu's family background was probably good, but that didn't matter to him. Their friendship had always been free from such considerations. It wasn't an exaggeration to say that during those three years at Jiang University, the only person Zheng Mu truly respected besides Su Mu was no one else.

However, after Zheng Mu transferred, he seemed to vanish without a trace, and Su Mu had gradually forgotten about him over the two years. But he never imagined he would meet Zheng Mu in such a setting.

"Su Mu and I are close friends!" Zheng Mu laughed loudly.

"Stop it!" Su Mu said, "Mr. Zheng, don't claim friendship so easily. Shouldn't you explain something first?"

"Don't worry, I'll definitely tell you later." Zheng Mu patted his chest, "Who am I, Zheng Mu? I'm the one who will shepherd the land on behalf of the heavens. Don't you believe my words?"

Shepherd the land on behalf of the heavens? The others were a bit stunned, but Su Mu smiled and said, "There's a source for this. Our Mr. Zheng is a cultured man. The character 'Mu' comes from 'The Book of Rites: The Rules of Propriety': 'The leaders of the nine provinces enter the capital of the Son of Heaven and are called shepherds.' I think your uncle named you this way, hoping you would enter politics. But I wonder, what are you doing now? Have you entered the political arena?"

"Politics? No, I'm not in the mood for that. My old man has lectured me countless times, and every time he sees me, he gives me a talking-to. Sigh, if it weren't for Doudou, I probably wouldn't even have the chance to go out!" Zheng Mu laughed.

"Zheng Mu, Zheng Doudou, are you siblings?" Su Mu asked.

"You guessed right!" Zheng Mu laughed loudly, "Prize, one drink!"

"Really?" Su Mu was surprised. Apart from him, Ye Xi and Li Letian clearly knew this news and were not at all surprised.

"What? Don't you think so? With someone as handsome and charming as me, how could my sister be any less? I..."

Zheng Mu was about to continue boasting when Zheng Doudou glared at him, "You have the nerve to say that. If it weren't for you saying it was serious business, I wouldn't have helped you at all."

"Serious business, absolutely serious business." Zheng Mu, who seemed to be afraid of his little sister, quickly smiled and said, "Su Mu, we haven't seen each other for over two years, and you've given me such a big surprise. I never thought that the talented man who once dominated Jiang University would think of becoming an official and become a town mayor in such a short time. Impressive!"

"Don't flatter me. No matter how high you praise me, I won't be confused. Tell me, what's the big deal you've set up today?" Su Mu laughed.

Although it was Su Mu who initially asked Li Letian to come, with Zheng Mu and Zheng Doudou here, and the two being siblings, there was clearly something more to it. Su Mu believed that Zheng Mu had come to surprise him, but he didn't think it was just for that.

Su Mu knew that Zheng Mu did everything with a purpose and wouldn't do anything without a reason. However, Su Mu was also guessing. The current situation clearly showed that Ye Xi and the Zheng siblings knew each other, and Zheng Mu showed no unease when he saw Ye Xi, indicating he knew her identity.

In that case, what kind of background did Zheng Mu have?

For Zheng Doudou to become a colonel at such a young age, who would believe there was no special route involved?

"Stop guessing." Ye Xi grabbed Su Mu's hand and whispered in his ear, then wrote a name on his palm.

That name instantly dispelled all of Su Mu's doubts. Anyone in politics would know him, Zheng Yuanzhi, the current Party Secretary of Jiangnan Province.

"You're not guessing, are you?" Ye Xi caught Su Mu's hand and whispered in his ear, then wrote a name on his palm.

That name instantly dispelled all of Su Mu's doubts. Anyone in politics would know him, Zheng Yuanzhi, the current Party Secretary of Jiangnan Province.

"You're not guessing, are you?" Ye Xi caught Su Mu's hand and whispered in his ear, then wrote a name on his palm.

That name instantly dispelled all of Su Mu's doubts. Anyone in politics would know him, Zheng Yuanzhi, the current Party Secretary of Jiangnan Province.

"You're not guessing, are you?" Ye Xi caught Su Mu's hand and whispered in his ear, then wrote a name on his palm.

That name instantly dispelled all of Su Mu's doubts. Anyone in politics would know him, Zheng Yuanzhi, the current Party Secretary of Jiangnan Province.

"You're not guessing, are you?" Ye Xi caught Su Mu's hand and whispered in his ear, then wrote a name on his palm.

That name instantly dispelled all of Su Mu's doubts. Anyone in politics would know him, Zheng Yuanzhi, the current Party Secretary of Jiangnan Province.

"You're not guessing, are you?" Ye Xi caught Su Mu's hand and whispered in his ear, then wrote a name on his palm.

That name instantly dispelled all of Su Mu's doubts. Anyone in politics would know him, Zheng Yuanzhi, the current Party Secretary of Jiangnan Province.

"You're not guessing, are you?" Ye Xi caught Su Mu's hand and whispered in his ear, then wrote a name on his palm.

That name instantly dispelled all of Su Mu's doubts. Anyone in politics would know him, Zheng Yuanzhi, the current Party Secretary of Jiangnan Province.

"You're not guessing, are you?" Ye Xi caught Su Mu's hand and whispered in his ear, then wrote a name on his palm.

That name instantly dispelled all of Su Mu's doubts. Anyone in politics would know him, Zheng Yuanzhi, the current Party Secretary of Jiangnan Province.

"You're not guessing, are you?" Ye Xi caught Su Mu's hand and whispered in his ear, then wrote a name on his palm.

That name instantly dispelled all of Su Mu's doubts. Anyone in politics would know him, Zheng Yuanzhi, the current Party Secretary of Jiangnan Province.

"You're not guessing, are you?" Ye Xi caught Su Mu's hand and whispered in his ear, then wrote a name on his palm.

That name instantly dispelled all of Su Mu's doubts. Anyone in politics would know him, Zheng Yuanzhi, the current Party Secretary of Jiangnan Province.

"You're not guessing, are you?" Ye Xi caught Su Mu's hand and whispered in his ear, then wrote a name on his palm.

That name instantly dispelled all of Su Mu's doubts. Anyone in politics would know him, Zheng Yuanzhi, the current Party Secretary of Jiangnan Province.

"You're not guessing, are you?" Ye Xi caught Su Mu's hand and whispered in his ear, then wrote a name on his palm.

That name instantly dispelled all of Su Mu's doubts. Anyone in politics would know him, Zheng Yuanzhi, the current Party Secretary of Jiangnan Province.

"You're not guessing, are you?" Ye Xi caught Su Mu's hand and whispered in his ear, then wrote a name on his palm.

That name instantly dispelled all of Su Mu's doubts. Anyone in politics would know him, Zheng Yuanzhi, the current Party Secretary of Jiangnan Province.

"You're not guessing, are you?" Ye Xi caught Su Mu's hand and whispered in his ear, then wrote a name on his palm.

That name instantly dispelled all of Su Mu's doubts. Anyone in politics would know him, Zheng Yuanzhi, the current Party Secretary of Jiangnan Province.

"You're not guessing, are you?" Ye Xi caught Su Mu's hand and whispered in his ear, then wrote a name on his palm.

That name instantly dispelled all of Su Mu's doubts. Anyone in politics would know him, Zheng Yuanzhi, the current Party Secretary of Jiangnan Province.

"You're not guessing, are you?" Ye Xi caught Su Mu's hand and whispered in his ear, then wrote a name on his palm.

That name instantly dispelled all of Su Mu's doubts. Anyone in politics would know him, Zheng Yuanzhi, the current Party Secretary of Jiangnan Province.

"You're not guessing, are you?" Ye Xi caught Su Mu's hand and whispered in his ear, then wrote a name on his palm.

That name instantly dispelled all of Su Mu's doubts. Anyone in politics would know him, Zheng Yuanzhi, the current Party Secretary of Jiangnan Province.

"You're not guessing, are you?" Ye Xi caught Su Mu's hand and whispered in his ear, then wrote a name on his palm.

That name instantly dispelled all of Su Mu's doubts. Anyone in politics would know him, Zheng Yuanzhi, the current Party Secretary of Jiangnan Province.

"You're not guessing, are you?" Ye Xi caught Su Mu's hand and whispered in his ear, then wrote a name on his palm.

That name instantly dispelled all of Su Mu's doubts. Anyone in politics would know him, Zheng Yuanzhi, the current Party Secretary of Jiangnan Province.

"You're not guessing, are you?" Ye Xi caught Su Mu's hand and whispered in his ear, then wrote a name on his palm.

That name instantly dispelled all of Su Mu's doubts. Anyone in politics would know him, Zheng Yuanzhi, the current Party Secretary of Jiangnan Province.

"You're not guessing, are you?" Ye Xi caught Su Mu's hand and whispered in his ear, then wrote a name on his palm.

That name instantly dispelled all of Su Mu's doubts. Anyone in politics would know him, Zheng Yuanzhi, the current Party Secretary of Jiangnan Province.

"You're not guessing, are you?" Ye Xi caught Su Mu's hand and whispered in his ear, then wrote a name on his palm.

That name instantly dispelled all of Su Mu's doubts. Anyone in politics would know him, Zheng Yuanzhi, the current Party Secretary of Jiangnan Province.

"You're not guessing, are you?" Ye Xi caught Su Mu's hand and whispered in his ear, then wrote a name on his palm.

That name instantly dispelled all of Su Mu's doubts. Anyone in politics would know him, Zheng Yuanzhi, the current Party Secretary of Jiangnan Province.

"You're not guessing, are you?" Ye Xi caught Su Mu's hand and whispered in his ear, then wrote a name on his palm.

That name instantly dispelled all of Su Mu's doubts. Anyone in politics would know him, Zheng Yuanzhi, the current Party Secretary of Jiangnan Province.

"You're not guessing, are you?" Ye Xi caught Su Mu's hand and whispered in his ear, then wrote a name on his palm.

That name instantly dispelled all of Su Mu's doubts. Anyone in politics would know him, Zheng Yuanzhi, the current Party Secretary of Jiangnan Province.

"You're not guessing, are you?" Ye Xi caught Su Mu's hand and whispered in his ear, then wrote a name on his palm.

That name instantly dispelled all of Su Mu's doubts. Anyone in politics would know him, Zheng Yuanzhi, the current Party Secretary of Jiangnan Province.

"You're not guessing, are you?" Ye Xi caught Su Mu's hand and whispered in his ear, then wrote a name on his palm.

That name instantly dispelled all of Su Mu's doubts. Anyone in politics would know him, Zheng Yuanzhi, the current Party Secretary of Jiangnan Province.

"You're not guessing, are you?" Ye Xi caught Su Mu's hand and whispered in his ear, then wrote a name on his palm.

That name instantly dispelled all of Su Mu's doubts. Anyone in politics would know him, Zheng Yuanzhi, the current Party Secretary of Jiangnan Province.

"You're not guessing, are you?" Ye Xi caught Su Mu's hand and whispered in his ear, then wrote a name on his palm.

That name instantly dispelled all of Su Mu's doubts. Anyone in politics would know him, Zheng Yuanzhi, the current Party Secretary of Jiangnan Province.

"You're not guessing, are you?" Ye Xi caught Su Mu's hand and whispered in his ear, then wrote a name on his palm.

That name instantly dispelled all of Su Mu's doubts. Anyone in politics would know him, Zheng Yuanzhi, the current Party Secretary of Jiangnan Province.

"You're not guessing, are you?" Ye Xi caught Su Mu's hand and whispered in his ear, then wrote a name on his palm.

That name instantly dispelled all of Su Mu's doubts. Anyone in politics would know him, Zheng Yuanzhi, the current Party Secretary of Jiangnan Province.

"You're not guessing, are you?" Ye Xi caught Su Mu's hand and whispered in her ear, then wrote a name on his palm.

That name instantly dispelled all of Su Mu's doubts. Anyone in politics would know him, Zheng Yuanzhi, the current Party Secretary of Jiangnan Province.

"Xixi, you're revealing my secrets, aren't you? Protecting Su Mu so much, could it be..." Zheng Mu teased.

"Brother Mu, don't tease me," Ye Xi blushed.

"Really? You mean..." Zheng Mu was surprised.

"Exactly, you guessed right. She's my girlfriend now," Su Mu held Ye Xi's hand and announced to the three of them.

"Ha, no wonder I chose you as my brother, you really have the guts. To win over such a beautiful woman so quickly, impressive!" Li Letian laughed loudly.

"Of course, who do you think I am? If I didn't have good judgment, would Su Mu be my brother? The brother I choose wouldn't be any less!" Zheng Mu boasted.

"Alright, enough of the jokes. Let's get to the serious stuff. Since we all know each other and are familiar, there's no need to beat around the bush. Zheng Mu, what's the serious matter you mentioned?" Su Mu said with a smile after the laughter.

"Alright, let's get to the serious stuff!" Zheng Mu put on a serious face, "Brother, you asked what I've been doing for the past two years. Actually, I went abroad to study. You know, it was only then that I discovered my true passion, which is making money! Compared to politics, I have no interest in it. I think Xixi has already told you about my background, right?

That's right, I didn't mention it before because you weren't in politics. But now that you are, there's no need to hide anything. My father is the Party Secretary of Jiangnan Province, Zheng Yuanzhi, and Xixi's father is the Minister of Organization. Although Uncle Ye has only been in Jiangnan for a short time, our families are old friends, so we know each other well.

I'm telling you this so you know I have no interest in politics. My passion is making money, lots of money, and then enjoying life. Besides that, I can use the money to do other things, but the foundation is that I need a lot of money."

Zheng Mu was truly pouring out his heart, and Su Mu could feel the sincerity in every word.

"So what?" Su Mu asked.

"I heard from Letian that you and Xixi are planning to open an auction company in the provincial capital, and you're good at appraising antiques, right?" Zheng Mu said.

"Yes!" Su Mu nodded, "To clarify, I'm just helping out. I won't be involved in the day-to-day operations or hold any position in the company. My goal is to be an official, not a businessman."

"Alright, I want to invest," Zheng Mu said directly, "Don't misunderstand, I just want to use this as a way to make my first pot of gold, and then go big in the international market. You know, my father is the Party Secretary, and it wouldn't be good for him if I did these things domestically."

"Deal!" Su Mu waved his hand, "Investing is fine. Everyone here will have a share. Xixi, Letian, you and Doudou will be the four shareholders of the auction company. I'll provide the antiques, and you'll handle the operations. Once we have a solid capital base, we can explore other industries."

One sentence solved what should have been a complex matter!

"No, I won't invest. I don't need the money," Zheng Doudou said frankly.

"Doudou..."

"Su Mu, don't try to persuade her. She can't join. So, it will be the three of us: me, Xixi, and Letian. We'll start this auction company together," Zheng Mu said loudly.

"I have no objections!" Li Letian laughed loudly.

"Neither do I!" Ye Xi said.

"Alright, the company's operations will be of no interest to you two. I suggest Xixi handles it, while Zheng Mu and Letian focus on market connections and building relationships. Remember, this auction company is just the first step. If we can get it right, we can move on to bigger things," Su Mu said.

"Agreed!" Zheng Mu smiled.

"I hate those things the most. Handing it over to Xixi, I'm at ease," Li Letian waved his hand.

"Since that's settled, let's drink to celebrate. Here's to the success of the auction company. Also, Letian, I've found some good items recently. Come over when you have time," Su Mu smiled.

"Sure, cheers!"

The conversation then turned casual, and the atmosphere quickly heated up as Su Mu and Zheng Mu, who hadn't seen each other in a long time, caught up. Du Pinshang arrived shortly after, and after Su Mu introduced everyone, he quickly joined in, downing a few glasses of wine.

With Su Mu's connection and Du Pinshang's charming personality, it didn't take long for him to hit it off with Li Letian, chatting like old friends.

"Teacher, what do you want to do? If that Sun Bin dares to cause trouble for you, just say the word, and I'll take care of him!"

The warm and lively atmosphere suddenly cooled with Du Pinshang's words.