Chapter 130: Celebrities

In mid-September, Lanning, widely known as the "Green City," was adorned with lanterns and decorations, celebrating a string of auspicious events. Having secured the titles of National Sanitary City and Model City for Double Support within a single year, Mayor Lan Jianguo returned from Beijing with the awards, brimming with pride. These achievements, which none of his predecessors had attained, propelled his personal prestige to new heights, and whispers circulated through the halls of power that the Mayor was soon to be promoted.

From the airport to the city center—a distance of thirty kilometers—citizens lined the route with drums, gongs, and fluttering flags. Escorted by four police vehicles, Lan Jianguo stood in his open-top car, waving continuously to the cheering crowds, flanked by the two gleaming, gold-plated medals.

As they reached the bustling Chaoyang Road, Lan Jianguo’s eyes welled up with tears at the sight of the tens of thousands of citizens welcoming him. It was only the second time he had wept since the death of his son, Lan Tao.

Back in the VIP suite on the top floor of the Lanning Hotel, after a refreshing hot shower, Lan Jianguo returned to the spacious, luxurious living room in a crisp white bathrobe. His loyal assistant, Secretary Song, had already prepared a cup of Xishan Premium Maojian tea, placing it gently on the turquoise coffee table before busily preparing a formal suit for the evening banquet.

Setting down the delicate purple clay cup, Lan Jianguo looked at his diligent assistant with satisfaction. "Little Song," he said kindly with a smile, "you’ve been with me for over four years now. You’ve learned what there is to learn, and I have complete confidence in your ability and character. Tell me, do you have any interest in going out to gain some hands-on experience?"

Turning his back to the Mayor, Song suppressed his excitement, composed himself, and retrieved a dark blue suit. He stepped forward and replied calmly, adjusting his glasses, "Thank you, Mayor! I don't wish to leave your side so soon. I have learned so much from you, and my perspective and outlook have broadened significantly. I have only just begun to grasp the depth of your wisdom, and I would love to learn by your side for a few more years to consolidate that knowledge. Furthermore, while my colleagues in the office are excellent, I worry they may not fully grasp your vision in the short term. With the city facing such an unprecedented historical opportunity, I believe staying by your side is the best training I could receive."

"Haha! Well said! That is exactly what I like about you—steadfast and composed. That is a rare quality in young people today!" Lan Jianguo stood up, accepting the meticulous help of his secretary as he dressed. "You’ve been with me through these years, so you know how hard-won these achievements are. We withstood so much pressure and engaged in painstaking ideological work with those stubborn, conservative citizens to bring about the Green City’s new look. Looking back, it’s quite moving! Little Song, you are a contributor to this success, and the organization never overlooks the merits of those who serve the Party and the people. Therefore, I intend to send you to the front lines of the border ports by the end of the year. The border offers both great opportunities and great challenges. It may be slightly more developed than the impoverished regions of northwest Guangxi, but the trials will be greater, which will benefit your future growth. I believe serving as the First Deputy Mayor in either Dongxing or Pingxiang would be ideal for you."

As Secretary Song tightened the necktie, he replied in a slightly trembling voice, "I… I worry I may not have the capacity for such a role…"

"Haha! You young rascal, you know very well you’re pleased! Very well, you have three months to consider it. I will handle the reporting and recommendations to the organization. But remember this: during these three months, you must properly mentor the newcomers. I intend to bring in two young people to train; consider it my way of encouraging the next generation. Now, we head to the banquet in ten minutes. I imagine the business elites from all over the country are already gathered!"

Lan Jianguo stood tall before the floor-length mirror, examining his appearance after Secretary Song helped him into his polished leather shoes.

At eight o'clock sharp, the Mayor and a dozen department heads entered the hall to a burst of warm applause, all wearing radiant smiles.

Lan Jianguo stepped onto the central podium, instantly bathed in the flashes of dozens of reporters. Long accustomed to such occasions, he remained relaxed and poised under the intense glare. Many familiar reporters often joked among themselves: "Photographing Mayor Lan is the best way to save on film!"

After Lan Jianguo delivered his enthusiastic welcoming speech, Shi Jian—a national youth business representative, prominent real estate tycoon, and Chairman of the Yijing Group—stepped onto the stage with a vigorous gait to deliver the thank-you address. He spoke on behalf of over twenty business celebrities, including Zhang Ricai, President of the internet software firm Soumao; Jin Haiming, President of the chemical industry star Haiming Group; Lai Lanfa, Chairman of the rising paper industry firm Sansen Group; and all his colleagues in the National Youth Chamber of Commerce, expressing sincere gratitude to Mayor Lan and the people of Lanning.

Among the guests at the head table sat a refined, polished young celebrity, watching Shi Jian on stage with a faint smile. He was Fang Xiong, a rising young tycoon who had emerged in 1997, boasting ownership of five industrial enterprises each worth hundreds of millions.

Since entering the elite club of the National Youth Chamber of Commerce, he had seen that everyone around him was his equal, with many possessing wealth and backgrounds ten or even a hundred times his own. However, this did not dampen Fang Xiong’s self-esteem; rather, it served as greater motivation. He was confident that in the near future, he would surpass many of those currently standing above him.

Although Fang Xiong held Shi Jian in low regard—scoffing at the fact that while Shi built his fortune on the foundation of his elders' influence, he always claimed to be a self-made man—he did admire Shi Jian’s unique vision and his slick, behind-the-scenes maneuverings. Shi Jian had been chosen as the speaker precisely because he was a former partner of the late Lan Tao, the Mayor’s son. Together, they had collaborated on two highly profitable large-scale real estate projects in the scenic coastal city of Beihai and here in Lanning at very low costs. Relying on his family's influence, Shi Jian navigated the Guangdong-Guangxi region with ease, his wealth and social status steadily rising. All of this was something Fang Xiong felt he needed to learn.

After arriving in Lanning at noon, Fang Xiong had heard many rumors about Lan Jianguo and his son, Lan Tao. The general consensus in the circle was that Lan Tao’s death was a senseless waste. More than a year had passed, and the killer remained at large; he had made hundreds of millions only to have no life left to enjoy it. People were hesitant to discuss further details, careful to maintain their own status.

This piqued the interest of Fang Xiong, who was newly initiated into the high-society circle. He could not fathom how Lan Tao, a man with powerful connections in both the underworld and the establishment, could have died so ignominiously. Another reason for his interest was that Lan Tao’s background was somewhat similar to his own, though Lan Tao lacked his own composure, scholarship, and the multi-generational foundation of his family.

A wave of applause interrupted Fang Xiong’s thoughts. He offered a polite, measured clap, his face wearing its perpetual mask of confident, easygoing charm.

After rounds of toasts, the banquet reached its climax. Local officials and celebrities mingled, exchanging contact information. Beneath the veneer of polished pleasantries lay hidden agendas—probing, baiting, and making promises. Each person’s harvest depended on their background and cunning.

Fang Xiong specifically spent five minutes in a pleasant, courteous conversation with Lan Jianguo. He had his eyes set on two coastal ports with convenient land and rail transport links to the Great Southwest, as well as the Dongxing and Pingxiang land ports that opened directly to ASEAN.

Fang Xiong and his two overseas partners agreed that there was immense profit in the vast agricultural produce and precious timber of Southeast Asia. With domestic resources dwindling, investing in light processing industries in nearby impoverished nations like Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar, and then importing the finished or semi-finished goods into China, held limitless potential. Furthermore, many precious metals and resources strictly controlled by customs could be exported or re-exported through border trade facilitated by local governments, yielding profits that were impossible to ignore. After all, it was precisely through import-export trade that Fang Xiong had risen to prominence and entered the ranks of the elite.

As for the two hundred million yuan worth of goods seized at his Leijiang factory, Fang Xiong was annoyed, but not worried. Ninety-five percent of the capital belonged to the Taiwanese; he had merely provided the shipping and storage. As long as he successfully shifted the blame onto the unfortunate Taiwanese party, he could preserve his influence and his invaluable, deep-rooted connections. Furthermore, with his mother’s family having connections in high places, Fang Xiong had simply sent the manager of the new Leijiang factory back the previous day with a fabricated warehouse leasing contract signed with the Taiwanese, sufficient to settle the matter. He did not believe the customs authorities or the police would go to Taiwan to verify the documents.

The following afternoon, after the seminar concluded, a government vehicle took Fang Xiong to the airport departure hall.

Bored while waiting for his flight, Fang Xiong wandered around. He was stunned when his eyes fell upon a wanted poster on the notice board. The photograph was incredibly clear; the suspect had delicate features and a calm expression. If not for the bold, black characters reading "WANTED," one would have mistaken it for a celebrity advertisement for a major corporation.

His heart racing, Fang Xiong observed his surroundings for a moment before stepping forward to inspect the familiar face on the poster. After confirming the identity, a smile—both surprised and strange—flickered across his handsome, square-jawed face before vanishing.

He turned to his two assistants—a man and a woman—and made an amiable yet decisive choice: he would abandon his flight to Beijing, cancel his ticket, and rebook for Guangzhou. The attractive female assistant would accompany him, bypassing the transit and flying directly to Chongqing.