Pinqing Lake Enterprise Salon

The sea breeze by Pinqing Lake still carried a trace of life's hardship.

Today was February 28, 2025.

The late-February cold snap made pedestrians along the roadside instinctively wrap their clothes tighter.

In the car, Jiang Miao stared absently at the unchanged scenery on both sides of Binhai Avenue. He was currently heading to the Pinqing Lake Enterprise Service Center with Jiang Haibo, Ke Yong, Li Zixuan, and the others.

Several electric scooters swiftly weaved through traffic, ignoring the lights at the intersection.

Ke Yong tapped the brakes, and the pickup slowly stopped before the red light.

Suddenly, Jiang Miao's gaze sharpened.

"Accelerate!"

"What?" Ke Yong thought he had misheard.

"Accelerate! Charge through!" Jiang Miao shouted again.

Ke Yong did not have time to think. He instantly released the handbrake, shifted gears, and slammed down on the accelerator.

Like an arrow, the pickup shot through the intersection.

Three seconds later.

Boom! A heavy truck carrying iron pipes burst out from the opposite lane at the intersection and crashed straight into the spot where the pickup had just been stopped.

Five or six cars at the intersection were knocked askew. Even more terrifyingly, the iron pipes launched out by inertia pierced several cars ahead.

More than two hundred meters away already, Ke Yong stared wide-eyed into the rearview mirror, his chest heaving uncontrollably. "Huff... huff..."

Jiang Haibo and Li Zixuan were likewise still shaken.

Jiang Miao offered no explanation, merely instructing them, "Keep going. If the police come to question us, say we were in a hurry. Don't stop at the next few intersections. Just go through."

"Yes." Ke Yong regained some composure.

The reason Jiang Miao had noticed the problem was that he habitually watched heavy trucks, dump trucks, and concrete mixers whenever he was on the road.

When that heavy truck had sped toward them from the other side, he had noticed that it was going far too fast. A glance at the Appraisal Panel revealed that its braking system had malfunctioned.

In that instant, he had made the best possible decision and told Ke Yong to run the red light.

In the car, Jiang Miao rested with his eyes closed and reviewed the heavy truck's data in his mind. The Appraisal Panel could store all recorded data.

He quickly found the fault data for the truck's braking system: 'The air brake valve has aged, making braking impossible. All components in the air brake system were manufactured in 2014. Most of the truck's parts were likewise manufactured in 2014, with roughly the same degree of aging. Looks like I was overthinking it.'

Under such circumstances, human interference could basically be ruled out.

It was not that Jiang Miao was overly suspicious. The situation just now had been too dangerous. If he had been a few seconds slower, the truck would definitely have hit his vehicle.

They ran four red lights in a row.

The pickup stopped by the roadside outside the Pinqing Lake Enterprise Service Center.

Li Zixuan handed the invitation to the event's greeter.

The greeter looked over the invitation. "So you're President Jiang from Hai Lu Feng Agricultural Technology Company. President Jiang, this way, please."

Jiang Miao and the others had come to Pinqing Lake this time to attend the "Pinqing Lake Enterprise Salon."

The salon was a long-term exchange event organized by Shanmei's authorities, covering exchanges between official institutions and companies, as well as between companies.

It was held once a year, with one session each month, and every session had a different theme.

This month's theme was "New Opportunities, New Era, New Technology."

As soon as Jiang Miao entered the venue, Li Ke from the Tax Bureau, whom he had met before, spotted him. Li Ke waved from afar, and Jiang Miao led his employees over.

"Li Ke, looks like you've recovered well."

"Oh? With President Jiang saying that, I can rest assured." Li Ke had clearly suffered badly from pancreatic cancer. He then pulled Jiang Miao toward his own circle.

"President Jiang, this is our Director Huang..."

"Director Huang, this is Mr. Jiang Miao, founder of Hai Lu Feng Agricultural Technology Company..."

"Hello!"

"President Jiang, you're young and accomplished. Your company was one of last year's major taxpayers, ranking sixteenth in the city."

Jiang Miao said with a smile, "Just luck."

"Hahaha, President Jiang is truly modest."

After socializing for more than ten minutes, Li Ke took him to meet relevant personnel from the Industry and Information Technology Bureau and the Commerce Bureau.

While the officials were chatting enthusiastically with Jiang Miao.

Not far away, the bosses or representatives of other invited companies were also quietly discussing Hai Lu Feng Company and Jiang Miao, this rising star.

However, those companies were clearly divided into several circles.

There was the state-owned enterprise circle, which had a somewhat aloof and detached air.

There were the urban business circle, the Lufeng business circle, the Haifeng business circle, and the Luhe business circle—small circles formed by local power players.

There were also small circles made up of outside companies, such as the Peng City business circle from the Shen-Shan Cooperation Zone.

People flocked together, and things grouped with their kind.

The term "fellow townsmen" was an unavoidable subject and reality in the country. Jiang Miao now had no choice but to join these various small circles as well.

Of course, Jiang Miao did not intend to get too deeply involved in them. Small circles had their benefits, but they also came with troublesome social obligations.

A superficial taste was enough. There was no need to care too much. To Jiang Miao, his stage was the entire world, while Shanmei was merely a small pond.

But just because he did not want to go deeper did not mean others did not want to connect with him more deeply.

For example, Gu Haijing, the owner of Haijing Company, which was also involved in aquatic seedling cultivation, took the initiative to approach him.

"President Jiang, hello. I'm Gu Haijing from Haijing Company."

One did not slap a smiling face. Jiang Miao smiled as well and reached out to shake his hand. "Hello, President Gu. I'm Jiang Miao. Nice to meet you."

Unlike other entrepreneurs in suits and ties, Gu Haijing wore a relatively traditional linen outfit. His dark skin was tinged with red, and when they shook hands, Jiang Miao felt the roughness of his palm. This was an entrepreneur who often worked on the front lines.

"President Jiang, your Eel Artificial Breeding Technology is very impressive. Would you be interested in cooperating?"

Jiang Miao smiled and shook his head. "Not for the next year or two."

"Oh? That's truly regrettable. I think highly of this technology, but it was stolen by the Ryukyu people. What a shame."

"Our company is going through legal procedures. I believe justice will prevail."

Jiang Miao's seemingly naïve answer left Gu Haijing somewhat speechless inside, but he did not show it. Instead, he smiled and offered his wishes. "Then I wish President Jiang every success. Here is my business card. If you need anything, feel free to call me."

"Thanks." Jiang Miao accepted the card, then pulled out his own card from his pocket and handed it over. "President Gu, this is my card. I hope we can look after each other in the future."

"Certainly, certainly."

After leaving Jiang Miao, Gu Haijing's younger son, Gu Yiming, who had come along to broaden his horizons, said with obvious displeasure:

"Dad, that guy really doesn't know what's good for him."

Gu Haijing's face immediately darkened. He lowered his voice and reprimanded his clueless son, "What kind of occasion is this? Do you have any manners? Whatever you have to say can wait until we get home! Otherwise, go back immediately."

"Got it..." Gu Yiming hurriedly lowered his head.

"Watch yourself." Gu Haijing turned and instructed his assistant, "Xiao Zheng, keep an eye on this brat later. Don't let him spout nonsense."

"Yes, President Gu."

"Dad! Isn't that a bit much?"

"Hmph. Trouble comes from the mouth. In business, harmony brings wealth. Your loose tongue will only make enemies for yourself. Even if a deal falls through, goodwill should remain. Whether they want to cooperate is their freedom."

Gu Haijing had indeed felt somewhat uncomfortable after Jiang Miao turned him down, but after so many years in business, he had learned to remain unruffled by favor or humiliation.

With the thought that having one more friend was better than having one more enemy, he had not shown any dissatisfaction in front of Jiang Miao.

But his younger son Gu Yiming's behavior was making an enemy for himself. How could that not anger Gu Haijing?

After more than an hour of networking.

Jiang Miao's smile had nearly frozen on his face, and the commendation segment of the enterprise salon finally began.

When the host announced the start of the commendation segment, Jiang Miao finally breathed a sigh of relief. He quickly took Jiang Haibo, Li Zixuan, and Ke Yong to their seats.

The host's expressive voice flowed through the venue.

The first batch of company representatives to take the stage did not include Hai Lu Feng Company, because the first batch honored the top ten taxpayers from the previous year.

The second batch honored the top ten companies by investment, and Hai Lu Feng Company was likewise absent.

It was not until the third batch that it was Hai Lu Feng Company's turn.

This batch honored innovative companies. As the company that had developed artificial eel breeding technology, Hai Lu Feng Company was among those being commended.

Jiang Miao and the representatives or bosses of nine other companies went onstage and received their commendation certificates from the head of the Industry and Information Technology Bureau.

"President Jiang, keep up the good work!"

"Director Li, you're too kind. We're all contributing to our hometown!"

Everyone helped carry the sedan chair.

Then the representatives of the companies honored in this batch stood together for a commemorative photo, followed by representatives from all three honored batches and official representatives standing together for another photo.

After the whole process, more than another hour had passed.

It was nearly eleven thirty in the morning.

The host solemnly announced, "Leaders! Distinguished guests! The second session of the third Shanmei Pinqing Lake Enterprise Salon has successfully concluded! Please leave in an orderly manner!"

Clap clap clap...

Thunderous applause erupted across the venue.

Jiang Miao smiled and applauded as well, and he was genuinely applauding, because this enterprise salon had exhausted him physically and mentally. Having to deal with all kinds of people was nothing like the freedom he enjoyed at his company.

Now, it was finally over.

The moment he stepped out of the venue, Jiang Miao quietly complained, "Old Jiang, this event is too draining. It's more exhausting than spending days doing research in the lab. Next time, you should come in my place!"

"Boss, it's my first time attending an event like this too. It really is draining." Jiang Haibo was equally exhausted.

"A Yong, drive. Let's go get something to eat."

Ke Yong nodded and hurried off to bring the car over.

While wiping his glasses, Jiang Haibo asked, "Boss, where are we eating?"

"How about Luhe Lei Cha?"

"Luhe Lei Cha? Sure. I haven't tried it before."

Before long, Ke Yong drove the pickup over.

Once they got in, Jiang Miao instructed, "Go to Kuishan Market on Tonghang Road."

"Kuishan Market? Let me check the navigation."