Su Lin, accompanied by Lin Xiaowan and Xiao Yu, arrived at the intersection of Zhongjiang Avenue and Xingfu Avenue. He pointed at a three-story building and said, "This is the one."
"Below is Xingfu Avenue, with a vegetable market, hospital, and bank. Above is the Xingfu Community, with a school on the left and the Wansheng City Community on the right."
Lin Xiaowan, somewhat doubtful, asked, "This location seems good, but there aren't many people around now. Will people come to a supermarket here?"
Su Lin laughed heartily, "Definitely, people will come. This place will become the busiest in Jiangning in the next twenty years."
"Oh? Why do you say that?"
"Zhongjiang needs development, but they definitely won't spend money on developing the old city area. Future development will surely be along Zhongjiang Avenue. And I plan to spend only a million to buy this building. If we were to buy in the old city now, it would cost at least three million," Su Lin said calmly.
"Indeed, the land in the old city is too expensive."
"So, the old city will remain just that. They won't plan anything there. Future development will definitely be here. If there's a supermarket here, I think we won't have to worry about customer traffic for twenty years."
Lin Xiaowan and Xiao Yu were stunned by Su Lin's words. They realized that if they had chosen a location, they would have picked the old city area, raising costs and making it uncertain whether they could break even.
But Su Lin chose to invest in the future. The area might look deserted now, but once the supermarket opens, foot traffic will naturally increase. He knew how effectively a supermarket could attract customers. Most importantly, he had read in a novel that a park would be planned here soon, which would bring even more people.
Lin Xiaowan gave Su Lin a thumbs-up, "Su Lin, you are naturally suited for business."
"Err... that's a bit of an overstatement," Su Lin replied with an awkward laugh.
"I'm not overstating. Your vision and scope are far too advanced. No wonder you made so much money by stockpiling gastrodia."
"Hehe~!!"
"Xiaowan, do you have the confidence to buy this three-story building?" Su Lin asked, raising his eyebrows.
Lin Xiaowan chuckled, "According to what you said, it might be difficult to buy this place in a few years. Now, it's much simpler; we just need to persuade these people to sell."
"What's your plan?"
Lin Xiaowan snapped her fingers, "That's a secret. Wait for my good news."
"Aright, then I'll wait for your good news."
"Mm-hmm~!!"
"Now that the business is taken care of, let's go shopping with Xiaoyu. She has a lot to buy."
Xiao Yu quickly said, "Su Lin, I'm not in a hurry."
"No problem. Xiaowan can help you carry things. Don't pass up free labor."
Lin Xiaowan, feigning anger, said, "Su Lin, you're a big man, making me do all the carrying. Are you even human?"
"No, Xiaoyu, buy more and then let Su Lin carry everything."
Xiaoyu glanced at Su Lin, then shook her head, "No, I can't do that. Su Lin has helped me so much. It would be like repaying kindness with ingratitude."
Su Lin looked at Lin Xiaowan smugly.
Lin Xiaowan: "...."
So much for a good friend's loyalty.
…
Su Lin, along with Lin Xiaowan and Xiao Yu, spent the entire evening together before Su Lin dropped them off at their homes. After dropping off Xiao Yu, Su Lin drove Lin Xiaowan home.
"Xiaowan, your home is in the family compound, huh?" Su Lin remarked.
Lin Xiaowan nodded, "Yes, when my dad first came here, there was no special compound for officials, so we had to live in the family compound. We've been living here ever since."
Su Lin, a bit worried, said, "Xiaowan, what if your dad sees me dropping you off like this? Could it cause any trouble?" He knew that Lin Guoqiang was very protective of his daughter.
Lin Xiaowan chuckled, "Haha, Su Lin, I thought you were fearless. Why... are you afraid of meeting my dad?"
Su Lin nodded seriously, "I really am afraid. I'm scared he might not approve of us and then send you abroad. That would make me miserable."
Lin Xiaowan playfully retorted, "What do you mean by 'not approve'? I haven't even agreed to be your girlfriend yet."
"It's just a matter of time, just over a month, it'll pass quickly," Su Lin said nonchalantly.
"Don't be so sure of yourself. What if you lose to Ye Feng?" Lin Xiaowan warned.
Su Lin shook his head confidently, "That's impossible." Knowing Ye Feng's current memory had been significantly weakened and his past memories halved, Su Lin was certain of his victory, especially with his own advantage.
"Don't be too confident. Remember, everyone doubted Ye Feng when he bet against Yan Huan, but he still won," Lin Xiaowan reminded him.
Su Lin dismissed her concerns, "The only way he could beat me is if he scores full marks in every subject. Do you think that's possible?"
Lin Xiaowan fell silent, realizing the improbability of that scenario. "Talking to you is futile; you're just a freak. I'm going home," Lin Xiaowan said, slightly annoyed. She opened the car door, waved at Su Lin, and left.
Su Lin watched her leave, feeling a mix of emotions.
Lin Xiaowan entered the family compound, relieved to see her parents' car wasn't there yet. She knew that her dad might actually send her abroad if he found out about her and Su Lin. The thought made her realize she might have fallen for Su Lin, often finding herself lost in thoughts of him.
Just as she opened the door, Lin Xiaowan was met with her father's scrutinizing gaze. "Dad, you're home?" she asked, surprised.
Lin Guoqiang looked at Lin Xiaowan with a smile, "Where else should I be if not at home after work? Xiaowan, do you not want me to be at home?"
Lin Xiaowan quickly waved her hands, "No... Dad, that's not what I meant."
"Oh? It's not what you meant?" Lin Guoqiang nodded, then asked, "Where did you go today?"
"I... I went out with Xiaoyu and Su Lin," Lin Xiaowan replied.
"Xiaoyu? The one whose father is sick?" asked Lin Guoqiang.
Lin Xiaowan nodded, "Yes, her."
"Oh! And... this Su Lin? Is he the one you helped by raising donations?"
Lin Xiaowan nodded again, cautiously observing Lin Guoqiang, unsure of what he was getting at.
After a moment of silence, Lin Guoqiang asked, "Are you three close?"
Lin Xiaowan's heart skipped a beat. She felt a mix of nervousness and excitement. "We are friends~!!!"
"Friends, ah, that's good. Your dad also has many friends, from businessmen to officials to ordinary citizens, lots and lots of friends."
"Uh-huh!" Lin Xiaowan watched Lin Guoqiang, not fully grasping his intention.
Seeing Lin Xiaowan's apprehensive look, Lin Guoqiang felt angry but softened at his daughter's vulnerable expression. He was upset to think that a boy had caused her to be like this. Yet, what could his anger do? He couldn't scold his daughter for this. He felt he already owed Lin Xiaowan too much for his career.
Lin Guoqiang waved his hand, "Go wash up for dinner. Sometime, introduce me to your friend; I'd like to meet him."
"Uh... okay, Dad."
As Lin Xiaowan briskly walked to the restroom, she thought that if it were Su Lin, maybe he could indeed impress her father.