Conversation

The old man remained silent, simply watching Su Rui with a peculiar gaze.

Between the two major prominent families in Tongzhou, the Li Family and the Bai Family, there had always been busybodies speculating and guessing who was stronger and who could suppress the other.

Disputes between prominent families had always been a topic of public interest, as evidenced by the events involving Bai Yanyun and Li Ruobing tonight.

As for the question of whether the Bai Family or the Li Family was stronger, no one could give a definitive answer.

This was because the Bai Family was not a traditional noble family. The Bai Family's businesses in Tongzhou were not as numerous or as extensive as the Li Family's. In terms of financial strength, the Bai Family was inferior to the Li Family.

The Li Family, on the other hand, had started their rise from the generation of Li Ruobing's grandfather and had later made rapid progress, joining the ranks of the extremely wealthy. Even in several other provinces, they had chain industries spread throughout. It could be said that the Li Family was a true giant merchant family.

If it were purely a comparison of wealth, the Bai Family would be utterly defeated.

But as Su Rui had said before, when a person's status reaches a certain height, the role money can play is often very limited.

Capital always serves power.

The reason the Bai Family, with less than one percent of the Li Family's financial resources, could rank among the top prominent families in Tongzhou was because Bai Yanyun's grandfather had a strong political background. Before retiring, he had reached the Vice-Provincial Level, enjoying immense prestige for a time. He had opened up many avenues for his descendants and also established the Bai Family's unshakeable position in Tongzhou.

Even after his honorable retirement, the descendants of the Bai Family had all taken up key positions in Tongzhou or other cities.

It could be said that a strong political background was the Bai Family's primary means of survival and prosperity.

"In the current Tongzhou City, there are two major prominent families, the Li Family and the Bai Family. You think that by relying on the Li Family, you don't need to show face to the Bai Family anymore? Young man, your view is a bit too superficial," the old man said with a smile. "The Li Family and the Bai Family seem equal, but in reality, they are not balanced... The struggle between businessmen and political families will always end with the former's defeat. Otherwise, why do you think the Li Family, with such immense financial power in Tongzhou, has to constantly yield to the Bai Family?"

"Elder, you seem very familiar with the situation in Tongzhou," Su Rui smiled, his gaze fixed on the inconspicuous old man.

In this life, Su Rui did not know the other party.

But Su Rui was very clear about what the other party's appearance meant.

"Oh... Heh heh, I just occasionally heard people mention it..." The old man, hearing Su Rui's words, immediately realized that the topic he was discussing with this unfamiliar young man seemed a bit sensitive.

The old man sighed inwardly, not knowing why, but after listening to Su Rui's piano music, he always had an uncontrollable urge to get closer to him, and he had accidentally said too much.

"The Bai Family is in decline." Su Rui said casually, his expression completely normal.

"Oh, the Bai Family has three direct lineage members who are high-level officials in Tongzhou City, and there are dozens of members in high positions. From every perspective, the Bai Family is becoming increasingly prosperous. How can you say they are in decline?" The old man's thoughts stirred, and his tone became serious.

Su Rui narrowed his eyes and smiled.

The reason he had quietly come to this corner was to get close to this old man. Playing World Famous Music earlier was partly to counter Bai Yanyun, and partly to attract the old man's attention.

This old man was named Dong Jianhua. Although he was dressed ordinarily and looked like a regular old man, his true identity was extraordinary.

"Because the Bai Family simply cannot see through the situation in Huaxia," Su Rui said concisely. "The current policy at the top is to absolutely eliminate political families!"

Although there was only a one-word difference between "political family" and "political clan," their meanings were completely different.

Su Rui paused, then added, "The members of the Bai Family have been very arrogant in Tongzhou in recent years. Many publicly bidded projects have been forcibly snatched by the Bai Family using their connections to suppress others. Heh heh... They cannot restrain their direct lineage members, allowing those below them to exploit the Bai Family's influence and swagger like a fox borrowing a tiger's might. From the perspective of the top leadership, the Bai Family is a protective umbrella for evil forces. Once the top leadership labels the Bai Family as such, their demise is not far off."

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

"I dare say, within a year, the Bai Family will definitely fall!" Su Rui said, his eyes hazy with drink, as if joking. "Tell me, for such a doomed family, do I need to fear them?"

"Heh heh, interesting! Interesting!" Dong Jianhua looked at Su Rui as if he had discovered a piece of unpolished jade. "It's a real shame for someone like you to go into business."

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

"Go into politics," Dong Jianhua said with a half-smile.

Su Rui raised his eyebrows, slowly tilted his head back, and drained the red wine in his glass. He smiled broadly and said, "Forget it... As a political advisor, I would have to face the bitter faces of old men every day. But now, as soon as I open my eyes, I can see a caring secretary and a beautiful CEO, which is pleasing to the eye. Compared to that, my current life is more comfortable."

Dong Jianhua was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter. "The pursuits of young people nowadays are different from us old folks."

Ding dong.

Just then, Su Rui's phone lit up.

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

"Please do," Dong Jianhua waved his hand.

Su Rui got up and left.

Thirty seconds later, Hu Yuhua, who had changed into a low-key Tang Suit, walked over and asked Dong Jianhua with great respect, "Old Leader, you were looking for me?"

"That Su Rui, are you familiar with him?" Dong Jianhua's demeanor had undergone a drastic change at this moment. His face was stern without being angry.

"I heard he's the president of Li Ruobing's branch company. The specific information is still unclear. Leader, are you interested in him? Should I investigate him?" Hu Yuhua asked cautiously.

Dong Jianhua narrowed his eyes, looking at Su Rui's back as he sat with Li Ruobing below the auction seats. After thinking for a moment, he silently shook his head.

"Forget it... He's a young man with quite a bit of insight. Just now, I asked him if he wanted to follow our path, and he refused me."

"Hiss..." Hu Yuhua gasped. He was very clear about the identity of the old man in front of him, and naturally knew how fortunate it was to be valued by him.

But he hadn't expected Su Rui to flatly refuse his good intentions!

This... This was an opportunity to ascend to the heavens!

"Everyone has their own aspirations, it cannot be forced..." Dong Jianhua's tone was a little disappointed. Then, as if remembering something, he added, "Tell me about the situation with the Bai Family in detail... They've indeed been too arrogant recently. There are more and more voices of dissatisfaction with them at the top..."