Chapter 8

After leaving the police station, Su Tao saw Cai Yan, whose eyes sparkled with a silvery light. Su Tao walked over, gently patted her shoulder, and shook hands with Grandpa Xu and the others, saying, "Thank you all for waiting for me here."

Grandpa Xu repeatedly said, "It's good to see you out! It's good to see you out!"

Su Tao felt a warm feeling in his heart and suddenly thought about why his grandfather had made him promise to protect Sanwei Hall when he passed away. Now, after careful consideration, he realized it wasn't just Sanwei Hall he needed to protect, but also the old alley.

Grandpa Xu's paper-cutting shop had been passed down for several generations and had won international awards, but the paper-cutting market was now in decline, and his monthly income was only about 2,000 to 3,000 yuan. Yet, he still persisted because he was trying to preserve a part of Chinese culture.

The old alley in Hanzhou, though only thirty meters long, had its own unique characteristics. Each shop, from the antique store to the paper-cutting shop, the candy stall, and Sanwei Hall, was rich in cultural heritage and could not be easily demolished. The value of culture could not be simply measured by wealth.

Du Ping had already completed his task by getting Su Tao out of the police station. As for Su Tao's issues with Hongsheng Group, he didn't want to get too involved. Du Ping shook hands with Su Tao and smiled, "Doctor Su, if you have any problems in the future, you can come to me."

Su Tao had a good impression of Du Ping and said, "Secretary Du, if you need anything, you can also come to me."

Du Ping smiled and said, "Everyone gets a headache or a cold from time to time. When that happens, I'll need Doctor Su's help." Du Ping knew that Su Tao's medical skills were excellent, and it was always good to have more connections. After saying this, he left in a hurry.

"Boss, Doctor Su is out. Should we go and greet him?" Secretary Li, who had sharp eyes, saw Su Tao chatting with others.

Vera shook her head and said, "No need. We'll see each other at the hospital tomorrow."

As soon as she finished speaking, Su Tao knocked on the car window. After he got in and sat down, Vera looked at him and asked with a smile, "Would you like to take me out for a meal?"

Su Tao shrugged, his gaze falling on her fair neck, thinking how beautiful it was and wondering what it would feel like to kiss it. He smiled awkwardly and said, "I have a lot of things to do. Can we postpone it?"

Vera's eyes flashed with a mischievous look and she said, "After today, the price will go up."

Su Tao nodded with a smile and held up two fingers, "Of course, two meals?"

Vera nodded in satisfaction, her soft hand lightly touching Su Tao's fingers, and said with a smile, "It's a deal."

Su Tao got out of the GL8 business car, and Cai Yan walked up to him, touching his arm and asking, "Who is she?"

"She's a patient of mine, just like you," Su Tao said.

Cai Yan gave Su Tao a sour look, sizing him up and down as if she was suspicious. Suddenly, she asked, "Do you only have one set of clothes?"

Yesterday and the day before, Su Tao had worn the same outfit: a shirt, casual pants, and sports shoes.

Su Tao smiled and said, "I like to buy two of the same set of clothes."

Cai Yan seemed dissatisfied with Su Tao's fashion sense and shook her head, "I'll take you shopping to get rid of your bad luck."

People in the antique business, to put it bluntly, were superstitious, but to put it nicely, they believed in luck. The police station was a place of blood and violence, and after leaving, it was best to have a good omen to dispel bad luck. So Cai Yan suggested getting Su Tao a new set of clothes.

Cai Yan took Su Tao straight to the mall and insisted on making him change from head to toe.

As the saying goes, "A man is dressed by his clothes, and a horse by its saddle." Su Tao looked extremely well-fitted in the black suit, with the shoulders, collar, sleeves, waist, and trouser legs all perfectly tailored, as if it were made specifically for him.

The combination of a black suit and a purple shirt was both the most vulgar and the most elegant. Wearing this outfit, Su Tao exuded a captivating charm, looking handsome and refined, yet also wise and elegant.

Cai Yan and several female salespeople in the mall's specialty store stared at him in amazement.

Su Tao blushed and smiled, "I can't even walk in these clothes."

Cai Yan made Su Tao turn around and move his limbs, then took out her credit card with a smile, "Let's pay for the clothes first, and then find a pair of shoes that fit."

Su Tao quickly said, "How can I let you pay?"

Cai Yan smiled and said, "I'll deduct it from your future medical fees!"

Su Tao thought it was a good idea. Cai Yan's illness wouldn't be cured in a few days, and it would be more convenient for her to pay in one go.

However, their relationship seemed to have become more complex after all that had happened, and "intimate" was a more appropriate term to describe it.

The salesperson had already brought a pair of black leather shoes. Su Tao tried them on, but they were a bit loose. He didn't want to say anything and thought they would fit better after wearing them for a while.

After Cai Yan and Su Tao left, the salespeople started chatting. The slightly plump one said, "That man was really handsome."

The slightly slim one replied, "If he wasn't handsome, would he be kept by someone?"

The plump one pouted, "I'll work hard to earn money and keep a pretty boy in the future."

...

"Old Nie, what exactly happened? You've caused me a lot of trouble. Director Yao just scolded me. Are you trying to get me fired?" District Public Security Bureau Chief Cheng Long said angrily on the phone.

Nie Weiting sighed, "I'm sorry, Chief Cheng. I apologize for the trouble. I will compensate for your losses later."

"Compensation is not necessary!" Cheng Long waved his hand impatiently, "You can't demolish the old alley. Even the city party secretary has been involved. If you continue, things will escalate, and I won't be able to protect you."

A fierce look flashed in Nie Weiting's eyes, and he said firmly, "I've invested all my assets. If I don't demolish it, I'll go bankrupt."

Cheng Long paused for a few seconds and said, "I can only say so much. You'll have to handle the rest yourself."

Hearing the busy signal, Nie Weiting's eyes flashed with anger. Cheng Long was truly a bottomless pit, quick to distance himself when the wind changed.

Nie Weiting was surprised. He hadn't expected Su Tao to be so difficult. He had thought Su Tao was just a young man with nothing, but how could the city party secretary support him?

Nie Weiting angrily slammed his fist on the table, causing the teacup to jump high. His face turned red and then pale from the force.

After a long while, Nie Weiting calmed down and thought he had to meet Su Tao in person.

Nie Weiting really didn't want to meet Su Tao because he had promised Su Guangsheng not to demolish Sanwei Hall and the old alley.

But the situation had changed.

The land Nie Weiting had acquired was not just the old alley but over eighty acres centered around it. The other areas had already been demolished, but he had put the old alley on hold due to a favor he owed Su Guangsheng.

He had originally planned to preserve the old alley and integrate it into the project, but the revised project plan had not been approved by the government, and the other partners disagreed.

Now, the situation was very passive. If the old alley wasn't moved, the other partners would withdraw their investments, and the entire commercial project would be ruined, resulting in a loss of billions. Nie Weiting couldn't bear such a loss.

...

A black Mercedes-Benz Maybach S-Class business car turned into the entrance of Sanwei Hall. The driver got out and opened the back door, and a middle-aged man in a beige long-sleeved shirt and black casual pants stepped out, holding a cane, accompanied by a bodyguard in black.

"I am the chairman of Hongsheng Group, Nie Weiting," the middle-aged man said, his gaze sharply scanning Su Tao's face.

Su Tao had just changed out of the suit, which was very stylish but made him sweat in the hot weather. Seeing an uninvited guest, he shook his head, "You are not welcome here."

The bodyguard took a step forward, clearly dissatisfied with Su Tao's attitude, and Nie Weiting stepped back with a cold smile.

If words didn't work, a show of force was Nie Weiting's style.

The black-clad bodyguard rushed at Su Tao, a shiny military dagger in his hand.

Su Tao frowned. Compared to Mo Dong, this bodyguard was more threatening, exuding a deadly aura as if he had walked out of hell, having seen death on the battlefield.

If he got close and used his combat skills to pin Su Tao down, it would be a significant problem.

They were about three to four meters apart. Su Tao lightly tapped forward.

The bodyguard reacted quickly, rolling on the ground in a strange way, and a silver needle "thud" pierced into the wooden door.

Nie Weiting took a step forward and said, "Xiao Leng, step aside. You're not his match!"

As expected, Su Guangsheng's grandson had some skills.

Xiao Leng's face turned pale, and he moved to the side, his right hand covering his left arm. The golden needle had already pierced through his arm, leaving it numb, showing the strength of Su Tao's hand.

Su Tao had held back; if he had aimed at Xiao Leng's forehead, he would be dead now.

Nie Weiting lightly tapped the cane on the ground twice. In the past, Western gentlemen often carried a stylish cane to show their elegance and status, matching their upright posture and formal attire, becoming a hallmark of Western gentlemen. In modern society, few people carried canes anymore.

"It's been a long time since I've been to Sanwei Hall. I promised Doctor Su that as long as he was alive, I wouldn't demolish it. Unfortunately, three years have passed, and he suddenly left."

Su Tao shook his head, "That wasn't the original promise. You promised my grandfather that you would never touch the old alley, not just while he was alive."

Nie Weiting was slightly taken aback and laughed unexpectedly, "If it weren't for your grandfather curing my illness, this place would have become a bustling commercial square long ago. Now, with your grandfather gone, Sanwei Hall is occupying a prime location, which is a waste."

Su Tao said calmly, "Mr. Nie, in the world, one must value righteousness. My grandfather not only cured you but saved your life. Now that he has passed away, you want to destroy his legacy. This seems to lack loyalty and righteousness."

Curing and saving a life are fundamentally different.

Nie Weiting waved his hand, as if giving a favor, and said, "Young man, I've had people investigate the business status of Sanwei Hall. Since you took over, there has been no business, and I'm worried about it. If you agree to demolish Sanwei Hall, I can give you a subsidy of 100,000 yuan per square meter, ensuring a life of luxury. This is the only respect I have for Doctor Su."

Su Tao shook his head, "No matter the price, I will not demolish Sanwei Hall. Not just Sanwei Hall, but the old alley as well, I must protect it."

Nie Weiting sighed, "Your integrity is admirable, but the world is harsh. Do you really think you can stop me with your own strength?"

Su Tao said calmly, "If my grandfather could stop you back then, I will try now."

Nie Weiting thought Su Tao was incredibly stubborn and shook his head, "It seems we can't see eye to eye. We'll have to settle this with our fists."

"hypocrite!" Su Tao sneered, "Come on."

"Since you won't accept my offer, I'll have to make you eat your punishment," Nie Weiting's demeanor changed from refined to ruthless.

Nie Weiting slowly raised his hand, and the end of the cane suddenly exploded. Su Tao's eyes flashed, and he moved to the side. An inch-long nail shot into the medicine cabinet, causing it to explode, and the herbs inside scattered everywhere.

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