87: Who's the darkest?

At dusk, the afterglow of the setting sun spilled over Zhongyang Street.

Inside Lins Supermarket, it looked as if it had been robbed.

It was truly empty!

Especially in the self-operated section, even the dust on the shelves had been wiped clean by the crowds.

"It's gone! It's really all gone! Ma'am, please come early tomorrow!"

The shopping assistant's voice was hoarse from shouting, her face full of helplessness yet excitement.

In just a few hours, the week's worth of stock prepared for the self-operated section had been completely depleted!

By the afternoon, citizens who had heard about the 50% discount...

...surged in like a tide. Even if they couldn't grab the cheapest specials, seeing others with large bags and small bundles made them unable to resist buying something else.

This was the herd mentality!

At 7:00 PM, they closed for inventory.

Lin He looked at the ledger, his abacus clicking so fast it almost threw sparks, his forehead covered in sweat.

"Brother! It's truly a miracle!"

Lin He suddenly looked up, his eyes shining terrifyingly bright.

"Even though we gave a 50% discount today, I just did the math!"

"Not only did we not lose money, we even made about a thousand or eight hundred yuan!"

His sister-in-law and Chen Jiacheng, who were standing nearby, were stunned.

"We can still profit at 50% off?"

Lin Chuan leaned against the counter, smoking a cigarette and smiling.

"This is the power of self-owned brands."

"Our sausages, canned goods, and bread are produced by our own factory. Moreover, they don't require long-distance transportation. We use good ingredients, and the costs aren't too high."

"Even at a 50% discount, it just crosses the cost line, and there's even some profit."

Lin Chuan flicked his cigarette ash, his gaze deep.

"And most importantly..."

"...with this wave, our advertisement has truly made a mark!"

"This is more useful than throwing hundreds of thousands into TV commercials!"

"Remember, we must maintain quality! Passing off inferior goods only brings temporary profit, but the spirit of contract, honest operation, and a good reputation are what last forever!"

...At this very moment.

In thousands of households across Harbin, an extra dish appeared on the dinner tables.

Lins King of Kings, or Lins Fresh Fruit Canned Goods.

The Old Zhang Family in Daowai District.

Old Zhang sliced a plate of King of Kings, gave a piece to his son who was in elementary school, and took a sip of liquor himself.

"Hmm?!"

As Old Zhang chewed, his eyes instantly widened.

"Oh my god! Honey, try this!"

"This sausage is so chewy! The more you chew, the more fragrant it gets!"

"It's much better than that flour-filled starch sausage from the supply and marketing cooperative!"

"Was this really bought at 50% off?"

His wife said while opening a can:

"Of course! Look at these canned goods, they're all good fruit, and the syrup is so clear!"

"Boss Lin is truly an honest man!"

"I have to go again tomorrow! I've already asked around; although it's not 50% off tomorrow, it's 20% off! That's still a good deal!"

"Buy it! Buy more! Once this opportunity is gone, it won't come back! Let's send two boxes to your mother too!"

...At 8:00 PM.

Harbin's most luxurious hotel, the Swan Hotel.

In the largest private room, the lights were bright, and glasses were being raised in toasts.

Today was a victory banquet.

Lin Chuan sat in the seat of honor.

To his left was Chu Yueli, dressed in a cheongsam and exuding charm.

To his right was Officer Su Qingyi, who had changed into casual clothes but still looked valiant and formidable.

It was unclear if they had reached some sort of ceasefire agreement, as the two didn't argue tonight.

It was just that when their eyes met in the air, there were still sparks and flashes of electricity.

Sitting nearby were his eldest brother Lin Jiang, second brother Lin He, and his sister-in-law.

As well as Chen Jiacheng, Long Wu, Qiang Zi, and the rest of the core members.

"Come! The first glass!"

Lin Chuan raised his wine glass, his face glowing.

"A toast to our Lins Supermarket, for a flying start!"

"Cheers!!"

Everyone drained their glasses, and the atmosphere reached its peak.

After three rounds of drinks and five courses of food.

Lin Chuan took a check out of his bag, which had been prepared long ago.

"Second Brother."

Lin Chuan pushed the check in front of Lin He.

Lin He picked it up to look, his hand shaking so much the wine glass almost fell to the floor.

"Five million?!"

In this day and age, five million was an astronomical figure!

"Third Brother, what is this for! The supermarket doesn't need this much money right now!"

"Take it."

Lin Chuan's tone was flat, yet it carried an unquestionable dominance.

"This is the startup capital."

"That three-story building's layout is still too small."

"Take this money and go take over the most prosperous large shopping mall in Nangang District for me!"

"If we're going to do this, we'll do it on the scale of a shopping mall!"

"We will open Lins Supermarket all over Harbin, then the whole province, and then the entire country!"

"In the future, when the common people buy things, whether it's needles and thread or refrigerators and color TVs, the first thing they think of will be our Lins!"

Lin He's blood boiled as he listened.

He nodded heavily and tucked the check into his inner pocket.

"I'll do whatever you say!"

"We must make a name for ourselves!"

Lin Chuan smiled, then turned to look at his eldest brother Lin Jiang and Chen Jiacheng nearby.

"Eldest Brother, Jiacheng."

"How's the progress with the contracts?"

Chen Jiacheng quickly put down his chopsticks and reported respectfully:

"Boss, the contract matters have all been settled. We're just waiting for the government to open the bidding for the land."

"Alright."

Lin Chuan nodded, picked up a chopstick, and drew a circle on the tablecloth.

"We're not just building towers and selling apartments."

In Lin Chuan's eyes, the light of wisdom that transcended this era by thirty years flickered.

"We are going to build an Urban Complex!"

"What is an Urban Complex?"

Eldest brother Lin Jiang was dazed as he listened.

"It's like a miniature city."

Lin Chuan spoke eloquently, bringing out the Wanda model from the future.

"In the middle is a large shopping center, providing a one-stop shop for eating, drinking, playing, and shopping! Movie theaters, arcades, restaurants, supermarkets—it'll have them all!"

"On the outside are high-end office buildings and five-star hotels."

"The outermost ring is the high-end residential area."

"But that's not the most important part."

The chopstick in Lin Chuan's hand pointed heavily at the center of the circle.

"Eldest Brother, Jiacheng, remember this."

"During the planning phase, you must leave a large empty space beneath the foundation!"

"It needs to be at least two stories high, with pre-installed vents and passages."

"This..." Chen Jiacheng was also confused. "Boss, what's that for? A basement?"

"It's for the future subway!"

Lin Chuan's words were shocking.

"Subway?!"

Everyone present was stunned.

In the Harbin of '92, there were barely any overpasses, let alone a subway? That was a rarity found only in Beijing or Shanghai!

"Just trust me on this."

Lin Chuan gave a mysterious smile.

"In the future, the business opportunities underground will be more valuable than those above ground!"

"As long as we leave this opening, once the subway connects, this place will be a transportation hub! Property prices will skyrocket!"

Although eldest brother Lin Jiang didn't quite understand, he had one great virtue.

He listened to advice!

Especially Lin Chuan's advice!

"Alright! Whatever you say, that's what I'll do!"

Just as the people at the table were envisioning the future and the atmosphere was perfect...

"Ring, ring, ring!!"

At Qiang Zi's waist, his newly issued alphanumeric pager began to beep frantically.

Qiang Zi picked it up and looked, his expression instantly changing.

"Boss! Something's wrong!"

Qiang Zi stood up abruptly, his voice trembling.

"The brother watching the store just called back!"

"He said a group of people came! There are at least twenty of them!"

"They're carrying large clubs and iron hammers, and they've rushed into our supermarket!"

"They're smashing everything they see and hitting everyone in sight!"

"Our few security guards couldn't stop them at all; several were injured!"

"The glass is all shattered! The shelves have been pushed over!"

"Those bastards even left a message, saying they won't let us open tomorrow, or they'll smash it every time they see it!"

Bang!!

The wine glass in Chu Yueli's hand slammed onto the table, her beautiful eyes filled with murderous intent.

"They're courting death!!"

"This must be the work of those department store owners, right? It seems we've touched their cake!"

"I'll call my people right now and chop them all up!"

As Chu Yueli spoke, she reached for her mobile phone.

"No need."

Lin Chuan sat in the seat of honor, his face calm.

"In this day and age, business competition always resorts to these low-life tactics."

Lin Chuan turned his head to look at Long Wu, who was sitting at the end of the table with his fists clenched until they cracked.

"Long Wu."

"Boss! I'm here!"

Long Wu stood up suddenly, like an iron tower.

His mother's illness had just been cured by Lin Chuan, and he was worried he had no way to repay the kindness!

Now someone actually dared to trash the boss's place?

This was practically smashing Long Wu's rice bowl and digging up his ancestral graves!

"Go there."

Lin Chuan's voice was very soft, yet it carried a scent of blood.

"Do you know what to do?"

"I know!"

A fierce light glinted in Long Wu's eyes.

"I'll do it thoroughly! I'll drag the people behind this here!"

Lin Chuan lit a cigarette and waved his hand.

"No matter who it is."

"As long as they are the mastermind."

"In half an hour, I want to see them kneeling at the supermarket entrance."

"Atoning for their crimes against my employees and my shop."

"Yes!!"

Long Wu turned and left, bringing with him a gust of strong wind.

That back was filled with world-destroying murderous intent... Outside Lins Supermarket.

It was a complete mess.

The giant floor-to-ceiling glass windows were shattered all over the ground, shelves were overturned, and goods that hadn't been put away were scattered everywhere.

Several security guards lay on the ground groaning, their heads bleeding.

Those twenty-plus thugs with pickaxe handles and iron hammers were standing at the entrance smoking, each one incredibly arrogant.

"Fuck! What Lins Supermarket?"

"He offended our Manager Liu; we'll make sure he can't stay open!"

"Brothers, let's go! When they fix it tomorrow, we'll come back and smash it again!"

"Hahahaha! That was a satisfying smash!"

The leader, a bald burly man, laughed loudly.

Just then.

"Vroom—!!"

A black off-road vehicle, like a roaring beast, drove straight onto the curb.

With a sudden brake, it swerved to a halt in front of the group of thugs.

The car door opened.

Long Wu stepped out.

He didn't bring any weapons.

But his fists were the most terrifying weapons.

"Who did the smashing just now?"

Long Wu cracked his neck, making a series of pops. His voice was as low as thunder.

"Yo? A greenhorn dares to jump out!"

The bald man saw only one person had come and was instantly amused.

"Brothers! Get him! Cripple him!"

Over twenty people rushed forward, brandishing clubs.

Long Wu's eyes turned cold. Instead of retreating, he advanced!

Bang!!

One punch!

Like a cannonball being fired!

The bald man at the front didn't even have time to scream.

He was sent flying five or six meters back, crashing through the glass doors behind him. He lay on the ground spitting up blood.

What followed was a one-sided massacre!

This Long Wu was a retired Asura Soldier King and possessed skills beyond those of a Huajin Grandmaster.

Dealing with these street thugs?

It was like a max-level character going to the starting village to slaughter noobs!

"Crack!"

"Ah!!"

"My leg!!"

In less than a minute.

Not one of the twenty-plus people was left standing.

They were all rolling on the ground, wailing in pain.

Long Wu stepped on the bald man's head, grinding his sole down with force.

"Speak."

"Who sent you?"

"Where are they?"

The bald man felt like his brains were about to be crushed out. How could he dare to be stubborn?

"It's Manager Liu from the First Department Store! And Director Zhang from the supply and marketing cooperative!"

"Where are they?"

"They're waiting for news at the Night Paris bathhouse across the street!"

"Good."

Long Wu withdrew his foot, didn't even glance at the pile of broken bodies, and turned to get back into the car... Night Paris bathhouse.

In a private room on the second floor.

Manager Liu and Director Zhang were like two fat pigs, wrapped in bath towels and holding female technicians as they drank tea and chatted.

"Old Zhang, that kid surnamed Lin is definitely going to be dumbfounded this time!"

"Let him give 50% discounts! Let him show off!"

"After smashing his place a few times, let's see who still dares to buy things from him!"

"Hahahaha! Come, cheers!"

"Bang!!!"

The thick solid wood door of the private room was suddenly kicked open!

The entire door panel flew in, smashing onto the coffee table and shattering the teapot and cups.

"Who is it?!"

The two fat men jumped in fright, dropping their teacups.

Standing at the door was a giant of a man, radiating murderous intent.

Long Wu strode inside.

The four bodyguards at the door were currently lying in the hallway twitching like four dead dogs.

In front of Long Wu, bodyguards of this level couldn't even last a single move.

"Who are you?!"

Manager Liu pointed at Long Wu, trembling.

"What are you doing?! I am..."

Slap!!

Long Wu didn't waste words; he stepped forward and delivered a massive slap.

This slap sent Manager Liu's gold tooth flying, and half of his face instantly swelled up like a pig's head.

"You've offended someone you shouldn't have; it doesn't matter who you are."

Long Wu grabbed each of the two fat men by the hair, as if lifting chicks, and dragged them out.

"Ouch! It hurts! Let go!!"

"Help! Murder!"

The two bosses, who were usually overbearing, were now howling like slaughtered pigs, wrapped only in bath towels and looking pathetic to the extreme.

Long Wu ignored their cries, dragged them through the lobby, and tossed them into the car's trunk.

Bang!

He slammed the lid shut, stepped on the gas, and headed straight for Lins Supermarket.

Half an hour later, outside Lins Supermarket.

The neon lights flickered, illuminating a scene that made one's heart race with fear.

The twenty-plus thugs were still groaning on the ground.

And in front of them...

...Manager Liu and Director Zhang, two figures who usually held prestige in the Harbin business world...

...were now bruised and swollen, wrapped in tattered bath towels.

They were kneeling neatly on the field of glass shards!

Their knees were pierced by the glass, and blood flowed freely, yet they didn't dare to move a muscle.

Because Long Wu was standing right behind them, like a wrathful guardian deity.

More and more onlookers gathered, pointing and whispering.

"Isn't that Manager Liu from the First Department Store?"

"And that one is Director Zhang, right?"

"Why are they kneeling here?"

"They deserve it! I heard they were the ones who hired people to trash Lins Supermarket!"

"Pah! How wicked! Trashing a good store that gives 50% discounts! They deserve to be beaten to death!"

At that moment, a tiger head benz drove up.

The window rolled down halfway, revealing Lin Chuan's cold face.

He glanced at the two kneeling on the ground as if looking at two ants.

"Tell them."

"Tomorrow morning, I want to see two million yuan in compensation on my desk."

"Short by even a penny, and I'll take their shops as payment."

Lin Chuan hadn't wanted to use underworld methods before, but that didn't mean he didn't have them.

The Chu family of the underground three kings had formed a close alliance with him; who could be more ruthless than him?

If it was a simple competition of whose methods were darker, all the better!