A Conversation

The old man said nothing, merely watching Su Rui with an unusual look in his eyes.

Between Tongzhou City's two great wealthy clans, the Li family and the Bai family, there had always been onlookers speculating over which held greater power and which could suppress the other.

Disputes between wealthy clans had always drawn the public's eager attention, as was evident from what had happened between Bai Yanyun and Li Ruobing tonight.

Yet no one could give a definitive answer as to whether the Bai family or the Li family was stronger.

The Bai family was not an aristocratic clan in the traditional sense. Its businesses in Tongzhou City were neither as numerous nor as wide-ranging as the Li family's. In terms of financial resources, the Bai family was inferior.

The Li family, meanwhile, had begun building its fortune in Li Ruobing's grandfather's generation before rising meteorically into the ranks of the super-rich. Its chain businesses spread throughout several other provinces as well. The Li family was truly a wealthy business dynasty.

If they were compared solely by wealth, the Bai family would be utterly crushed.

But as Su Rui had said before, once a person's status reached a certain height, money often had very limited use.

Capital would always serve power.

The reason the Bai family, with less than one percent of the Li family's wealth, could rank among Tongzhou City's top wealthy clans was that Bai Yanyun's grandfather had a powerful political background. Before retiring, he had reached Vice-Provincial Level, enjoying immense prestige for a time. He had opened many paths for his descendants and established the Bai family's unshakable position in Tongzhou City.

Even after his honorable retirement, the Bai family's descendants had each taken up key posts in Tongzhou City or other cities.

It could be said that its powerful political background was the Bai family's primary means of survival.

"In today's Tongzhou City, there are two great wealthy clans—the Li family and the Bai family. Do you think that just because you've attached yourself to the Li family, you no longer need to show the Bai family any respect? Young man, your view is far too shallow..." The old man smiled. "The Li family and the Bai family may appear equal, but in reality, the balance is uneven... A struggle between a businessman and a Political Family will always end in the former's defeat. Otherwise, why do you think the Li family, despite possessing such enormous wealth in Tongzhou City, has to yield to the Bai family at every turn?"

"You seem quite familiar with the situation in Tongzhou City, sir..." Su Rui smiled and looked at the inconspicuous old man.

In this life, Su Rui did not know him.

But Su Rui knew very clearly what this man's appearance meant.

"Oh... haha, I only happened to hear people mention it..." Upon hearing Su Rui's words, the old man immediately realized that the topic he had discussed with this unfamiliar young man was somewhat sensitive.

The old man sighed inwardly. He did not know why, but after hearing Su Rui play the piano, he had felt an uncontrollable urge to grow close to him. Before he knew it, he had said too much.

"The Bai family is declining." Su Rui showed no reaction on the surface as he said it casually.

"Oh? Three members of the Bai family's Direct Lineage are among Tongzhou City's high-level officials, and there are dozens more members holding high-ranking positions. No matter how one looked at it, the Bai family was growing more prosperous by the day. How could you say it is declining?" The old man's thoughts stirred, and his tone became solemn.

Su Rui narrowed his eyes and smiled.

The reason he had quietly come to this corner was to approach this old man. Playing all those World Famous Music pieces earlier had been partly to strike back at Bai Yanyun, but also to draw the old man's attention.

This old man was named Dong Jianhua. Though he dressed plainly and looked like an ordinary elderly man, his true identity was anything but ordinary.

"Because the Bai family cannot see through China's current situation," Su Rui said succinctly. "The policy at the top right now is to absolutely eliminate Political Families!"

Though political household and Political Family differed by only one word, their meanings were entirely different.

Su Rui paused, then added, "In recent years, the Bai family's members have been extremely arrogant in Tongzhou City. In many publicly bid projects, Bai family members used their connections to bully others and forcibly snatch them away. Heh... They cannot restrain their Direct Lineage members, allowing those beneath them to borrow the Bai family's influence and throw their weight around. In the eyes of the higher-ups, the Bai family is a protective umbrella for criminal forces. Once the higher-ups brand the Bai family with that label, its death will not be far off."

Dong Jianhua held the porcelain cup with tea foam floating in it, looking at Su Rui with some astonishment in his eyes.

"I dare say that within a year, the Bai family will definitely fall!" Su Rui's eyes were hazy with drink as he spoke as though joking. "Tell me, do I need to fear a family that is doomed to die?"

"Heh, interesting! Very interesting!" Dong Jianhua looked at Su Rui as if he had discovered an unpolished jade of rare talent. "It would be such a waste for someone like you to go into business."

"Then what do you think I should do?" Su Rui asked with a smile.

"Become a political advisor." Dong Jianhua spoke with a faint smile.

Su Rui raised his brows, slowly tilted back the wine glass in his hand, and drained the red wine. Then he smiled broadly. "Forget it... As a political advisor, I'd have to face a bunch of old men with bitter faces every day. But now, the moment I open my eyes, I get to see my considerate secretary and the Beautiful CEO. It's pleasing to the eye. Compared to that, my current life is much more comfortable."

Dong Jianhua froze for a moment, then burst into laughter. "Young people today pursue different things from us old men."

Ding-dong.

At that moment, Su Rui's phone lit up.

"Excuse me, I need to leave for a moment." Su Rui glanced at the screen and said with a smile.

"Please, go ahead." Dong Jianhua waved his hand.

Su Rui stood and left.

Thirty seconds later, Hu Yuhua walked over in a subdued Tang Suit. With great respect, he asked Dong Jianhua, "Old Leader, you sent for me?"

"Are you familiar with that Su Rui?" Dong Jianhua's temperament had undergone a dramatic change. His face carried authority without anger.

"I heard he is the president of Li Ruobing's branch company. I do not know the specifics yet. Leader, are you interested in him? Shall I investigate him?" Hu Yuhua asked carefully.

Dong Jianhua narrowed his eyes at Su Rui's back, where he sat beside Li Ruobing below the auction seats. After considering it for a moment, he silently shook his head.

"Forget it... He is a young man with quite a few insights. I asked whether he wanted to take our path, but he refused me."

"Hiss..." Hu Yuhua sucked in a sharp breath. He knew very well who the old man before him was, and naturally understood how fortunate it was to be favored by him.

But he had never expected Su Rui to reject his goodwill so decisively!

This... this was an opportunity to soar to the heavens!

"Everyone has their own aspirations. It cannot be forced..." Dong Jianhua sounded somewhat disappointed. Then, as if recalling something, he said, "Tell me in detail about the Bai family's situation... They have indeed become too carried away lately. There are more and more voices among the higher-ups dissatisfied with them..."