Chapter 54: Yet Another Rival in Love (Part Two)

Xiao Qiang... I'm sorry, I'm so sorry... I really didn't know how to tell you. I've been trying to persuade my father. I like you, you have to believe me, Xiao Qiang..." Su Xin trembled as she reached out her small hand, gripping my sleeve tightly. Tears flowed slowly from her eyes, her pitiful expression making my whole body shudder.

"Su Xin... you are my woman, for a day, for a lifetime, always! Wait for me, Xiao Qiang will become your man with dignity, honorably and upright! If I don't even have this ability, then I don't deserve you!" I held the sorrowful Su Xin tightly and gave Chu Qitong a cold smile. "Miss Chu, thank you for bringing me this news, I should thank you properly. Well then, if there's nothing else, I think you can disappear from here! If you think this will break up Su Xin and me, then I'm sorry, but you'll be disappointed!"

"You... Are you crazy? Don't you know what you're doing? Do you really think you can go up against Song Jie?" Chu Qitong was genuinely stunned, my words clearly caught her off guard. Somewhat flustered, she said, "Xiao Qiang, you have to think this through. This isn't a joke. The Song family has so much influence that even my grandfather has to tread carefully. You're just a penniless nobody—haven't you thought about what your fate will be?"

Her words made Su Xin, still in my arms, tremble again; I knew she was afraid, worried for me. Gently, I patted her fragile back and sneered, "I don't know how powerful that so-called Song Jie is, but I know one thing: Su Xin is my woman, and I will never let her live unhappily! Anyone who dares to stand between us will die!"

The murderous aura I exuded filled Chu Qitong's eyes with panic and terror. She trembled, "You're both insane. You'll regret this, you definitely will!" She seemed hurt as she said these words, then abruptly turned and ran across the street, not looking back once.

"Thank you, Xiao Qiang, thank you for believing me... I really love being with you, I wish we could be together forever..." Watching Chu Qitong's departing figure, Su Xin nestled lovingly and blissfully in my embrace. Though her face was still streaked with tears, it was now filled with boundless affection.

"Smack!" I gave her tender little bottom a hard slap, grinning mischievously. "How could you hide such a big thing from me? You really deserve a spanking."

"Ah..." Her youthful curves stung from my slap, and Su Xin's face flushed with a rosy glow. She let out a soft, delicate moan, a mix of pain and a hint of pleasure? I turned serious. "Xin Xin, from now on, no matter what, you must share all your troubles with me, alright? I'll protect you for a lifetime. No matter who tries to take you away from me, I will never allow it!"

Su Xin nodded happily, her round chin dipping as I gently lifted it in my palm. Her bashful, charming look made me kiss her passionately until she was breathless, only then did I let her go. Holding her soft, beautiful body tenderly, I began calculating inwardly. It seemed the Song Jie Chu Qitong mentioned was a real threat—a young lord in the capital, surely wielding immense power.

Although I now had a solid foundation of wealth, I had no official connections or power. It's said that politics and business are inseparable in China—without the support of the government, no matter how strong your finances are, you could end up as a sacrificial lamb for the authorities. For the first time, I truly yearned for power, enough power to protect my woman and secure my business empire's expansion. I wanted not only to dominate this little city of C, but to extend my reach across the whole country, even to every corner of the world!

We walked quietly down the street, exchanging sweet words. Though I wasn't particularly handsome, my scholarly appearance paired with the stunning Su Xin made us look like a perfect match, attracting many glances from passersby. Su Xin, delighted by my nonchalance, kept pulling me along, and we soon found ourselves on the snack street, sampling all sorts of delicacies.

"Mmm, I'm so full." Su Xin patted her stomach contentedly and smiled at me. After finishing our snacks, we strolled down a narrow alley. In the city of C in 1997, these ancient buildings from decades past formed intricate networks—called 'hutongs' in the north, 'longtang' in the south. These winding alleys between houses were quiet, elegant, and perfect for leisurely walks, enjoying the city's serene beauty.

"Xiao Qiang, next week is National Day—a three-day holiday. How do you plan to spend it?"

"Hmm? Three days?" I was a bit puzzled. "Isn't National Day a seven-day holiday..." As I spoke, I suddenly realized that in 1997, there was no such thing as the 'Golden Week' yet. So I corrected myself, "Haha, three days off, huh? I don't have any plans."

"Oh." Su Xin nodded, delighted. "I'm going traveling for National Day. My parents have agreed, and since my father has time off, I might go to Hong Kong."

"Hong Kong?" Hearing her mention the name, I nodded. "Yes, Hong Kong is great—it just returned this year. You should see it; it's bustling and beautiful." In my previous life, I had visited Hong Kong more than a dozen times, though that was after the turn of the century. In 1997, only officials could easily afford to travel there; ordinary people didn't have the means or the money.

Su Xin grew even more excited. "Yes, I hear it's beautiful. Xiao Qiang, someday we must go together, okay?"

"There'll be a chance!" I nodded firmly. Su Xin probably didn't know that I was currently using my funds to speculate alongside Soros during the Asian financial crisis. I hadn't been to Hong Kong myself, but my money had traveled there hundreds of times already. Heh heh...

As I was deep in thought, I noticed Su Xin suddenly stop walking. Puzzled, I looked at her—her previously smiling face had instantly turned cold! Instinctively, I looked up ahead.

Xia Jianren! When I saw the man who filled me with rage standing beside several burly men who had suddenly appeared in the alley, I immediately understood why Su Xin's expression had changed. The guy was watching me with a sinister smile, flanked by strong men in sharp suits, all alert and ready. I glanced behind us; sure enough, a few more similarly dressed men had appeared, blocking our way out.

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