Huo Zongzhu nodded, admiration in his eyes. “You’re thinking exactly right.”
“No matter where you do business—in China or anywhere else in the world—local powers will resist outside forces.”
“You’re not running a small operation. You’ll attract attention.”
“If you don’t understand the local situation and rush in, you’ll definitely suffer losses.”
Jiang Luo nodded. “That’s why I originally chose to build the factory in Juxiang Town.”
He knew the town from his previous life, knew the mayor Wu Dayong, and as a local, he could count as local influence himself. Compared to outsiders, he had the hometown advantage.
“So that’s why I said it’s tricky,” Jiang Luo added.
Huo Zongzhu pointed at the clothing tags on the table. “I’ll help you look into these big factories and see what’s really going on.”
Jiang Luo’s eyes lit up. “Dad, you really take care of me.”
Huo Zongzhu smiled, the expression clearly saying, If I don’t take care of you, who will?
True to form, Huo Zongzhu was extremely efficient. In less than two days, he returned with detailed information on the Guangzhou factories and nearby major clothing factories.
They sat on the sofa. Huo Zongzhu laid out sheets of paper with photos and comprehensive details on the coffee table. He personally briefed Jiang Luo:
“The three largest clothing factories in Guangzhou, plus six other sizable factories in nearby places like Foshan—though their owners have different surnames, you guessed right: they all come from the same Zhou clan.”
Jiang Luo studied the faces in the photos.
Huo Zongzhu continued, “They’re all blood relatives or in-laws. Very close-knit.”
“Each factory was set up in the past few years, either individually or in small groups, and has become quite large.”
“They almost monopolize the clothing market in Guangzhou.”
“The stalls you mentioned? Almost all their clothing comes from these factories.”
Jiang Luo studied each face carefully, thinking: If I go there doing small stall sales or ordinary workshop orders, I won’t affect them—they won’t even notice me.
“But if I take Shengfei clothes there, outsource production, and sell locally, it will impact their market…”
Huo Zongzhu then placed another photo in front of Jiang Luo. “This man tried to invest two million yuan to build a factory in Guangzhou two years ago.”
“And?” Jiang Luo asked.
Huo Zongzhu: “He’s dead.”
Jiang Luo: “….”
Huo Zongzhu: “Officially, it was a car accident—he supposedly fell into a river.”
Jiang Luo looked up at him. “In reality?”
Huo Zongzhu said, “The Zhou clan held a meeting, picked someone to act as the ‘hitman,’ and that’s how he ended up in the river. The man who carried out the killing was executed.”
Jiang Luo sighed. “Dad… it’s late at night, and that story’s chilling.”
Huo Zongzhu, calm as ever, said, “I’ve told you before—those who climb to the top either bleed in their hearts or bleed on their bodies.”
“But don’t worry. If you really go and face the Zhou clan heads, I won’t let them hurt you.”
Jiang Luo raised an eyebrow. “Dad… are you really that powerful?”
“You thought you only ruled around Haicheng and Su City?” Huo Zongzhu smirked.
Jiang Luo, curious, asked, “Do you know people in Guangzhou?”
Huo Zongzhu didn’t answer directly, changing the topic: “Guangzhou is close to many other cities. You can explore elsewhere too.”
“For example?” Jiang Luo already had an answer in mind.
Huo Zongzhu started, and Jiang Luo answered simultaneously: “Shenzhen.”
Huo Zongzhu laughed. “So you’d already thought of it.”
Jiang Luo began gathering the sheets on the coffee table. “A city designated as a Special Economic Zone by the state.”
“This city is exceptional. Not just any southern clan boss can decide what happens here.”
“I’ll go to Shenzhen in a few days.”
Huo Zongzhu said, “I’ll go with you.”
Jiang Luo looked up at him, while organizing the papers on the coffee table.
Huo Zongzhu added, “If you go, I’ll accompany you, and we’ll visit a place while we’re there.”
On the plane this time, Jiang Luo didn’t zone out. Sitting next to Huo Zongzhu, he chatted quietly, occasionally asking him to get a Coke from the flight attendant.
Old Fourth, sitting in front, kept hearing Jiang Luo’s voice and peeked back, whispering to Wang Junqing, “Why is Jiang always talking non-stop with Mr. Huo?”
Wang Junqing, absorbed in the newspaper, ignored him.
Huo Zongzhu handed Jiang Luo a lollipop. Jiang Luo opened his mouth. “Ah~”
Huo Zongzhu placed it in his mouth.
Jiang Luo closed his lips with a satisfied “Mmm! Sweet.”
“My dad’s candy always tastes better than anyone else’s,” he said.
Huo Zongzhu chuckled, indulging him. “Shenzhen has a McDonald’s. Want to go?”
Jiang Luo nodded eagerly. “Yes! I want a kids’ meal.”
Huo Zongzhu smiled. “Alright.”
Old Fourth, sitting in the front, looked back again. “Dad, I want a Mc… whatever…”
Wang Junqing cut him off, still reading the paper: “Shut up.”
Old Fourth: “….”
Just like in Guangzhou, the moment they landed in Shenzhen, two cars were waiting.
This time, Huo Zongzhu drove Jiang Luo, while Old Fourth and the others followed in the second car.
Sitting in the passenger seat, Jiang Luo looked out the window. The Special Economic Zone lived up to its reputation: wide roads, new traffic lights, freshly painted lane markings, and plenty of construction everywhere.
The streets were busy, full of cars and people.
Perhaps because Huo Zongzhu was driving, Jiang Luo didn’t feel the urgency to rush to factories.
Their luggage had been handed to Old Fourth’s group. Jiang Luo turned to Huo Zongzhu: “Aren’t we going to McDonald’s?”
Huo Zongzhu glanced at him. “Now?”
“Sure.”
“Okay.”
Huo Zongzhu took the first turn to Dongmen Jiefang Road, heading to Xihua Building.
Jiang Luo noticed he didn’t need a map or directions. “You’re really familiar here?”
“This isn’t my first time.”
“Oh… you must have brought other kids here before?” Jiang Luo teased.
Huo Zongzhu laughed at the sour tone. “Other kids? You’re an only child, aren’t you?”
Jiang Luo snorted. “Who knows? Maybe more than one kid from Wukang Road.”
Huo Zongzhu liked Jiang Luo’s tone, smiling as he reached out to ruffle his hair. “One family, one kid. I just know Shenzhen well.”
They found parking near Dongmen and walked toward McDonald’s.
It was a small, white two-and-a-half-story building. Aside from the “M” sign, a large red-haired half-figure, looking like a clown, sat atop the roof.
Jiang Luo said, “So ugly. How do these foreign brands think?”
Huo Zongzhu adjusted his camera while walking.
“On vacation, bringing a camera?” Jiang Luo asked.
Huo Zongzhu aimed it at the rooftop figure and snapped a photo. “Let’s call it vacationing.”
Inside McDonald’s, Jiang Luo scanned the interior. Huo Zongzhu pointed to a Ronald McDonald statue by the stairs, signaling Jiang Luo to pose for a photo.
Jiang Luo frowned. “So ugly! Standing next to it makes me look worse.”
Still, he struck a pose he thought was cool, smiling at the camera.
Click click click—the photos were taken.
Old Fourth and the others followed in, stunned—
The second-floor dining area was full of kids.
The three grown men, standing there, immediately scared several children into tears.
Parents nearby glanced at them awkwardly.
Once seated and eating, Old Third asked, confused, “Why exactly are we in Shenzhen?”
Old Fourth: “Maybe just to scout. Once we return to Haicheng, maybe open our own McDonald’s or something.”
Wang Junqing: “Eat first. Stop talking.”
Nearby, Jiang Luo and Huo Zongzhu sat face to face at a small table, laughing and chatting as they ate.
Later, after leaving McDonald’s, Huo Zongzhu told Old Fourth and the others to head to the hotel—they didn’t need to follow anymore.
Jiang Luo and Huo Zongzhu returned to the car together.