The original host always thought that Zhao Wenyi and Su Fengxi loved each other deeply and would be together for the rest of their lives, which was why he acted so frantically and despondently. But now, after hearing the conversation between the two, Fang Luo'an scoffed at the words "true love."
He was tired of Su Fengxi's scandals and quickly searched for "Xichuan Film and Television City." He soon found out that the Xichuan Film and Television City was a large tourism real estate project spearheaded by Su Mian, with an investment model similar to that of Hengdian Film and Television City. However, the total investment was twice that of Hengdian, at 6 billion.
Su Mian and Su Fengxi were both raised in the same orphanage, so they were considered childhood friends. After graduating from high school, thanks to Su Fengxi's connections, he quickly rose to fame in the entertainment industry and became one of the most popular young actors. They had many scandals, with paparazzi once capturing photos of them staying overnight at each other's houses. The incident almost destroyed Su Mian's career, but Su Fengxi stepped in to clarify, and since then, they referred to each other as siblings.
However, Su Mian was just a small star despite his ability to make money. It was impossible for him to come up with 6 billion to invest in such a colossal project. It was rumored that he had support from powerful figures or even that Su Fengxi had contributed money. There were also speculations of illegal financing.
Regardless of the rumors, Su Mian managed to gather the 3 billion for the land purchase and the initial 1 billion investment, officially launching the project. Earlier news suggested that Xichuan was going to be designated as a free trade zone in the southern province and would also have an airport, a high-speed railway station, a cross-sea bridge, and all kinds of supporting facilities, making it an economic special area. Building a film and television city there would undoubtedly be profitable for Su Mian.
In fact, to acquire the land, both he and Su Fengxi had exerted a lot of effort. They pulled in relationships and borrowed all the money they could. According to earlier promises, the free trade zone had now been relocated to Dongchuan. Furthermore, the previously promised airport, high-speed railway station, and cross-sea bridge had all moved with the free trade zone.
In other words, the once invaluable Xichuan prime land value, now amounted to nothing, and the 1 billion initial investment was almost depleted. Su Mian couldn't raise the funds for the subsequent projects, and there was no hope of securing more investments. It was rumored that Su Mian and Su Fengxi had risked their entire fortune on this project and could face bankruptcy soon. If no one took over, they were doomed.
Anyone with insight could see that the Xichuan Film and Television City investment project was a complete failure. Anyone who continued to pour money into it would undoubtedly see no returns in the future. On the other hand, if they didn’t invest and the land remained undeveloped after two years, the government would reclaim it, meaning the initial 28.7 billion and the 1 billion investment would be a total loss.
This was not just a bad situation; it was a raging fire pit! Yet, just now, the man known as the smiling tiger, Zhao Wenyi, who had built the Zhao Group into an entertainment sector’s aircraft carrier at a young age, was prepared to jump into this fiery pit without hesitation.
How did Su Fengxi agree to let Zhao Wenyi help in this obviously doomed venture? Why did Zhao Wenyi readily accept?
If there were bystanders there to witness the lovers' conversation, they would surely think Zhao Wenyi had gone insane. Even if the powerful Zhao family had this kind of problem, how could he explain it to the board of directors? How could he explain it to his parents and relatives? Had he loved Su Fengxi to the point where he was willing to disregard everything?
However, what ordinary people found incomprehensible or even unbelievable was clear as day in Fang Luo'an's eyes. He closed the web pages and reentered Su Fengxi's Weibo, looking at her latest beautiful photos with a smile of genuine interest.
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The Moon Bay community's lighting project was done in a very aesthetic manner. Every ten meters, there was a ground light, creating a warm and misty ambience. Fang Luo'an walked on these lights, suddenly stopped at a turn, and silently lingered for a moment before retracing his steps and heading in the opposite direction.
He circled around 10 Building and returned to 1 Building, ready to take out his access card, but he noticed someone sitting not far away under a street light. The man's suit jacket had been casually discarded in the nearby greenery, his tie was loose, and his white shirt was stained with black and red spots. His pants and shoes were muddy, making him look extremely disheveled.
Fang Luo'an put the access card back in his bag and walked slowly up to him. The light from behind cast a long shadow, enveloping the man sitting on the edge of the greenery. As he lifted his head, the backlight made it difficult to see Fang Luo'an's face, and all that could be discerned were his deep and mysterious eyes.
He raised a hand to shield his brow bone and slightly squinted his eyes, as if trying hard to identify something, but with unfocused pupils that slowly converged onto the figure in front of him.
"I think I've seen you before when I last came." Bai Mu's voice sounded hoarse as if it had been worn over.
"Yes, we've met before." Fang Luo'an took out a bottle of water from his backpack and said gently, "Your lips have cracked and bled. Have a drink."
"Thank you." Bai Mu took the water with a slightly bewildered expression. He was not surprised that someone recognized him since he was a regular cover model for business magazines. Everyone knew he was the heir of the Bai family – a brilliant business tycoon.
But now, he was just a sorry sight, exhausted, and unsure if he would live to see another day.
Recalling the day's events, Bai Mu's heart couldn't help but shiver. The previous day's good luck had indeed been short-lived. When he woke up the next day, he was back to normal and, in fact, experienced even more misfortune than before. He could feel the fear of impending death more strongly than ever.
Today, he had come to rectify the landscape pond in front of Building 1. Although the Fengshui of Moon Bay Community was already in a terrible state, he wanted to make an effort to salvage it. During the process of demolishing the pond, a stone was chipped by the pneumatic drill and hit his ear, causing him to fall to the ground. Although he was wearing a safety helmet, it was thinner than paper and immediately cracked, causing a sharp edge to gash the back of his head. Simultaneously, the ground was propped up by his right hand and a pickaxe head was unexpectedly driven into his palm.
He was immobilized on the ground and couldn’t get up. Blood was oozing from his ear, head, and palm, creating a horrific scene that terrified the construction workers. His assistant wanted to take him to the hospital, but he refused, instead doing a cursory bandage before going to check all the safety equipment at the construction site. The helmets were thinner than paper, and there was definitely a problem!
On investigating further, he discovered that the construction company had purchased counterfeit safety helmets, ropes, ladders, nets, and extinguishers. These substandard materials didn't just fail to protect the workers' safety at certain times, but also became the culprits of death. His construction site had suffered many accidents, all thanks to these unprincipled construction teams!
Bai Mu quickly handled the matter, and after a prolonged and grueling negotiation with the construction company, he forced them to take full responsibility. By the time he left the negotiation table, it was already dark, and after more than ten hours without eating, drinking, or sleeping, he finally fell into a deep sleep. His assistant was sent to get the car from the parking lot, but he collapsed in front of Building 1, suffering from a headache, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing.
He was keenly aware that if the hardship continued, he would surely die, and that day might not be far off. He felt as wretched as a dying dog, with the youth's gaze seeing through him. Twisting the bottle cap tight, he murmured his thanks again, but kept his face downturned, avoiding the young man's gaze.
He felt extremely ashamed, as if he had done something wrong.
Fangaro looked at his bloodied head and lightly laughed, "Meeting Mr. Bai at this time is truly my fortune."
"What?" Bai looked at him, looking surprised. He didn't understand what the young man meant by his words. What good was it to befriend someone who was on the brink of bankruptcy? Who didn't know that the Bai family was on the verge of collapse?
Fangaro extended a hand, his fair palm open under the streetlight, emitting a faint light, seemingly not reflected, but gathered and emanated from his palm, exuding purity and hope. He candidly said, "Mr. Bai, would you like to buy some luck from me for two thousand yuan?"
"Buy luck?" Bai unconsciously repeated these words, looking somewhat puzzled. Then he remembered the last encounter, the fleeting touch, the cool skin, and the unique stroke of luck, resolving the perplexity he had been entangled in for days and nights. It turned out that his speculation was correct, it was this person who brought change and hope to him.
His dark eyes lit up like the night sky, with Fangaro's reflection being the only star in them.
"I am willing." He fumbled to open his wallet and took out two thousand yuan in cash.