Chapter 129 A New Beginning

rned rosy under the dark and the phone's sudden blue screen light when she saw Su Cun’s message. She bit her lip; he was getting bolder by the day, reminding her to cover up in this hot weather while...Chapter 129: New Beginning

The coming Saturday and Sunday were the last two days of Nanshan University's Homecoming Festival. As it was nearing its end, one could see that everyone was busy tying up loose ends.

The dazzling night scenes outside campus hotels, filled with alumni from all over China and even abroad who came for the festival, gradually faded away. The massive traffic on the streets outside the university, which had been several times larger than usual due to the Homecoming Festival, began to return to normalcy. Students in the old dormitory areas no longer needed to open their doors to find middle-aged men standing there, claiming that it was once their dorm and showing them where their beds used to be.

After this incident-free yet eventful Homecoming Festival came to a close, Nanshan University returned to its usual calm. Students still carried backpacks or books as they walked through the campus's tree-lined paths and lawns after dinner, and bicycles with light female passengers could still be seen weaving their way through the university in late autumn.

Compared to the prosperity brought by this Homecoming Festival to nearby restaurants, the somewhat quieter days that followed seemed more stable for small food stalls made up of a few folding tables and some shiny chairs scattered around both inside and outside the campus.

In room 602 on the thirteenth dormitory building at Nanshan University under the night sky, Zhang Xiaqiao, Xiao Xu, and Li Han had many bottles of alcohol laid out in front of them. The drinking was rather somber.

"There are endless posts related to this on the Nanshan University BBS now, with a lot of heat surrounding it too. One of Wang Dongjian's friends is an administrator on the forum and has been instructed by the university administration to monitor such posts to prevent false information from causing negative effects. However, Nanshan University wouldn't directly request them to ban these threads because their slogans during the Homecoming Festival about 'seeking truth from facts' and 'freedom of spirit' would become meaningless if they did so. But what I've heard isn't very good. Sankawa Corporation is still a newcomer in this city, wanting to break into pharmaceuticals, real estate, energy, etc., which has inevitably touched upon the interests of some local players. As such, there are now many negative news reports about companies associated with the Sankawa Group."

Zhang Xiaqiao, coming from an intellectual family where his father is both a successful businessman and Nanshan University's top academic achiever, still has some insight into things and added, "Your actions during the Homecoming Festival indirectly touched upon the interests of certain individuals. I've heard that many rumors are now blowing through campus, directly pointing to you. Some people at the university have expressed dissatisfaction regarding this matter. Even Qian Zhongyuan's father, who is the dean, said he would not tolerate someone as bold and reckless as you who does whatever they want without considering consequences. Truly despicable."

"These people only dare to roar from behind," Xiao Xu took a deep breath of half a bottle of alcohol before saying, "If you have issues with him, why hide in the shadows I'll bet nobody dares to directly criticize Su Chen face-to-face. It's laughable how Qian Zhongyuan, Xue Rui, and Zhang Fang, who usually wear their titles as academic elites and university administrators like armor, only dare to whisper behind his back."

"These professors and high-ranking officials are already a tightly-knit group. Some interest groups rely on these academically respected individuals to protect them. Once there's any wind of change or threats from the authorities, they'll all be scrambling around," Li Han said.

The Nan Da University (NDU) Homecoming Festival was coming to a close. Apart from the few remaining departments still hosting reception and discussion activities, most of the faculties had gradually returned to their regular routines. However, the aftermath of this homecoming festival seemed far-reaching. From an external perspective, it felt like a significant drama was about to unfold suddenly.

A few people were drinking in the dormitory when footsteps echoed down the hallway outside again. Wang Dongjian opened the door and peered out; upon seeing Su Cen, he rushed inside and asked, "Have you been approached by Su Yi yet Have any of the influential figures from your department visited you these past few days Something seems off. It's said that there’s intense debate at NDU right now, fearing that whatever comes to light could be quite significant."

"Come on, don't spread unfounded rumors," Zhang Xiaqiao said dismissively.

Wang Dongjian chuckled self-deprecatingly and bent down to grab a beer from the box. He sat down with everyone else and said, "Actually, I believe that if an institution lacks inclusiveness and human warmth, it's unworthy of being called a prestigious global university. Humanistic spirit is crucial in universities; they should not produce graduates who are highly educated but psychologically distorted or even monstrous. This is what I hope my ideal university would be like."

Su Cen knew that the NDU Homecoming Festival issue wasn't yet resolved, and he was aware of the intense debates among the higher-ups at NDU. On another level, however, Su Cen's actions during the homecoming festival demonstrated his unwavering choice to confront詹化and those behind him directly. The reason was simple: from their conversation previously, Su Cen could sense disdain and contempt towards himself.

He could objectively assess his current position as an individual and its limitations. However, this did not mean he would meekly wait for the powerful to eliminate his opponents before extending a hand to crush him, too.

In his previous life, Su Cen lived a mundane existence without knowing why he was alive. He understood all too well the helplessness of being at others' mercy and the many sacrifices made in the face of overwhelming forces beyond one's control. With no connections or money, even after being cast aside by life, there wasn't a place to cry in peace.

He was a small figure, but this did not mean he should quietly await death or be reduced to a pawn in someone else’s grand scheme.

Su Cen was well aware of how one could submit and kowtow to詹化and those behind him to gain many privileges and profits under their protection.

Just as詹化had once told him, he would eventually become a capitalist like him, willingly becoming someone he had previously despised.

If he were just an ordinary person, perhaps this path would be unavoidable. As a mere human being, in the choice between advancing towards heaven and retreating into hell, he might have no choice but to accept what Jianhua offers as charity, clinging onto interest groups with the mentality of eating scraps off others' plates.

But Su Cen is not an ordinary person. Starting from 1998, within just four years, he built up three industries under his name: Dunhuang, Shushan, and Bolo Media; alone went to America to establish a social networking platform that has been growing strongly.

For many people, four years might just be the blink of an eye — it's the period between passing high school exams and entering university, or surviving through countless library sessions for graduate entrance examinations. It's also the few stumbling years one recalls after passing a civil service exam.

In summary, within this time span, most people’s lives won't be stretched to a point of complete change nor overly dramatic; it certainly wouldn’t resemble the rapid rise from obscurity to business stardom that Dunhuang and Shushan have experienced.

This growth rate isn’t unparalleled in China's enterprises but can definitely place him among the most rapidly developing clubs. Concurrently ranking alongside them is the Gome Electrical Appliances, which saw a surge in popularity after its Tianjin battle in 1999.

Su Cen was aware that regardless of how low-key his growth path remained, he would eventually draw attention. Hence, Jianhua's side had already started discreetly observing and studying him. Su Cen’s rebirth abilities destined him not to coexist with them; the profit motives behind Jianhua and his backers wouldn't let him enjoy sole benefits — his industries would be carved up, any place of interest would be infiltrated, the advantages of rebirth shackled by burdensome chains, limiting him from all angles until he succumbs to compromise.

This is something that makes one feel suffocating just thinking about it. Su Cen wouldn't allow this to happen again; nor would he let himself become a pawn controlled by others. He wanted his reborn talents to live well and not end up as a dog's life.

*** In the evening, Su Cen’s phone rang, showing Wang Bo's number. Before picking up, his heart inexplicably raced. For quite some time, Su Cen had been sensing something was brewing. This wasn't baseless speculation; it was the ongoing clashes and compromises happening thousands of kilometers away in Chengdu.

Now this line seemed to be becoming clearer.

"I heard from my dad that you're in high spirits, so what he said must be true. Otherwise, Uncle Wang, with how busy you are, would still think to give a call to an insignificant nobody like me" It was nine o'clock now; if Su Cen had gone to the self-study room earlier and was on his way back to dormitory by this time. For Chengdu Secretary Wang Bo to make the call at exactly this moment suggested it was planned.

"A person who establishes Big Pineapple Holdings might not have many people qualify to call you a small fry," Wang Bo's laughter came through the phone, "It seems I can't interact much more with Su Licheng; it's bad enough that people are gossiping about us. You and your son seem intent on digging up my weaknesses."

Wang Bo continued after a pause, "This morning, I held a municipal committee meeting mainly to discuss the progress of several major projects in Jinling from various government ministries. Within just a few days, numerous small and large IT-related, mechanical, and telecommunication projects by companies based in Jinling have either passed their project reviews or further progressed to the National Standardization Management Committee. They're all saying that we've entered a fast lane. Next month, Deputy Minister Yan Luwei from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology will be conducting an inspection here. Do you know this person"

Su Cun immediately recalled Mother Song Tao Qing's dinner party and the middle-aged man with a prominent demeanor reminiscent of a scholar-general. He still felt apprehensive as he laughed, "A few days ago, we had a meal together. But I didn't realize his background was so significant. Looks like I caught a big fish."

"It seems you're doing quite well in your role," Wang Bo naturally felt elated since these projects were long-standing challenges for Jinling's Beijing office. Some proposals would be shelved for half a year, but within days, many had passed the new round of reviews. Although this was just part of a larger number of projects, it at least indicated that they'd entered a fast lane.

Yan Luwei’s visit to Jinling next month seemed like a political liaison opportunity for the Yan and Wang families through which their previous geopolitical barriers would be broken down. To Su Cun, any development right now was an opportunity aiding his advancement and growth.

After discussing some matters with Wang Bo, mostly household affairs, Wang Bo clearly expressed satisfaction towards Su Cun, hinting at a form of guidance; in his view, if he wanted to pave the way for his son Wang Weiwei, it would be best to connect him under Su Cun's support. In this scenario, Wang Weiwei would undoubtedly benefit greatly from Su Cun’s backing.

Before hanging up, Wang Bo mentioned, "By the way, there's another matter I need to inform you about. Although we’re holding it in our committee meeting, Provincial Organization Department Minister Guo has already exchanged opinions with me; soon they’ll talk with your father. It seems Old Su might be moving on to a new position—possibly as vice mayor in Phoenix City. The specific details are still under negotiation. Transitioning from business to government service is something many people spend their lives waiting for, and this is a huge opportunity."

Su Cun's heart tightened; looking back three generations at his family, they hadn't produced an official of vice mayor level managing a city’s resources. Su Cun’s family, emerging from Xiahai, might soon become the focus of countless people's conversations.

This was a significant breakthrough and new development for Su Cun's household; although entering politics didn’t interest him as much as his thrilling career dreams, it was entirely different for his father, Su Licheng.

Of course, this wasn't to say that becoming vice mayor of a city through a transfer from the position of general manager in a state-owned enterprise was anything extraordinary at present for Su Licheng.n and other classmates pieced together some of Su Can’s accomplishments: impersonating a young counselor to drive away hooligans; stepping in to debate with the best debater from Shangwai. Though not...