Chapter 128 - Establishing the Organization (Part II)

My Rebirth Legend Without Ads

The crowd that had gathered gradually dispersed. I walked over to Cheng Shan, who was tidying up the damaged items inside the shop. Looking at this girl, whose youthful life I had caused to be lost in my previous life, I truly wanted to say sorry to her. But I knew I couldn’t say those words now, because this era was no longer the past, and the Cheng Shan before me was far from the university acquaintance she once was. Nevertheless, I silently vowed to make amends for the wrongs I had committed against her in my past life. From this day forward, I, Xiao Qiang, would protect her.

“Sorry for making your shop such a mess,” I said with a regretful smile.

Cheng Shan, who was picking up clothes scattered on the floor, looked up at my voice and quickly shook her head. “No, don’t say that. I should be thanking you. Without you, I wouldn’t have known how to deal with those thugs.”

“You’re welcome. Your name is Cheng Shan, right?” For a moment, I didn’t know what to say and instead began to inquire about her current situation.

“Yes, I’m Cheng Shan,” she nodded softly. She treated me with great respect, as if I were her savior. While helping her pick up the clothes, we chatted and soon became familiar with each other. From what she said, I learned she was in the ninth grade this year, just a year younger than me. Everything was the same as before—she was from City C and a year younger than me. But in my past life, we met in college; this time, it was different.

As our conversation gradually warmed, her older brother cast a wary glance my way. I smiled at him in reassurance, and he simply nodded before returning to his cleaning.

“Is this shop the only one you and your brother have? The damage today looks serious,” I asked, noticing the disorder around us. “When I came here, it seemed lively—your business must be good.”

“Of course! My brother is great at business,” Cheng Shan said proudly when mentioning her brother. “We come from the countryside. My brother works hard to support me and opened this shop, but today...”

“Shan Shan, don’t talk about our family to strangers—it’s impolite,” her brother interrupted just as she was about to continue.

I quickly smiled, “It’s okay. I don’t mind.”

“You don’t mind? I do.” With no respect for me, Cheng Shan’s brother gave me a stern warning. He stepped in front of me, stared coldly, then smiled bitterly. “Even the police chief treated you well earlier. You must be impressive. But this is my sister and my business. Thanks for helping, but you have nothing more to do here. You can leave.”

“Brother! What are you doing? He’s our benefactor...” Cheng Shan looked upset, tugging on her brother’s sleeve, whispering in dissatisfaction, “Don’t be like that. Xiao Qiang is a good person.”

“Good person? Hmph. Watch out or you’ll be sold without even knowing it. I think this guy clearly likes you and is just playing the hero rescuing the beauty,” her brother said with a suspicious glare, clearly unhappy.

I couldn’t help but laugh and be exasperated. So my concern for Cheng Shan earlier was mistaken by her brother as a romantic interest? For heaven’s sake, I’m only caring because of our past life connection... “Brother, I think you’ve misunderstood. I have no such feelings for your sister.”

“Exactly! Brother, how can you say such things? It’s embarrassing!” Cheng Shan’s cheeks flushed red, shyly avoiding my gaze.

“Well, if you’re playing innocent, I have nothing to say. So, Mr. Xiao, you’ve helped us and know the situation. Why are you still standing here?” Cheng Shan’s brother was still distrustful. If someone had helped him and started talking to his sister out of nowhere, he’d suspect the worst too.

“I... I just want to help you both,” I said helplessly, pointing to the mess on the floor. “I’m probably one of the culprits responsible for the damage to your shop, so I want to compensate you.”

“What? What did you say?” The siblings’ eyes widened in disbelief.

I smiled wryly. “Actually, Cheng Shan, I’ve known you for a long time; you just forgot. Are you from Jiang Village?”

I asked because in my past life, I had heard her mention that her family was from Jiang Village.

“How do you know that?” Cheng Shan stared at me in surprise.

I shrugged helplessly. “My parents lived in Jiang Village when I was young. I remember playing with you back then. You probably don’t recognize me now, but I remember you.”

“Oh, so that’s it...” I was getting better at lying. Not only did Cheng Shan believe me, but even her brother’s attitude softened. He apologized to me, “Oh, I’m sorry. I thought... I was just being paranoid. Sorry, Xiao brother. I was only worried about my sister.”

“No problem, I understand. You just want to protect your sister,” I smiled and nodded. “I left Jiang Village about ten years ago and haven’t been back since. When I heard you say Cheng Shan, it reminded me.”

“Heh, I don’t really remember you. It’s been ten years, and I was too young back then to remember. But you still remember me, Xiao Qiang,” she smiled softly. Meeting someone from her hometown seemed to be the happiest thing that happened to her today, even if I was a fake hometown friend...

“Cheng Shan’s brother, you suffered a big loss today. How much did you lose? I feel responsible for what happened. The mess behind was caused during the fight—I’m truly sorry.” I pulled out a stack of cash from my wallet, about eight thousand yuan, and handed it to him. “Take this for now. I’ll send more in a few days.”

“No, no! What are you doing? How can I accept your money? You helped us so much...” Cheng Shan’s brother tried to refuse, but I thought quickly and smiled.

“Brother, don’t be so polite. I’ve always thought Cheng Shan was adorable and wanted to take her as my little sister. Since fate brought us together today, I might as well officially take her as my sworn sister. Consider this money a gift for my new little sister. Just keep it.”

“Uh...” Holding the heavy stack of hundred-yuan bills, Cheng Shan’s brother was torn between accepting and refusing. I gently patted Cheng Shan’s shoulder. “Sworn sister, sworn brother. You’re studying at No. 4 Middle School now, right? When you finish your entrance exams, you must come to No. 4 Middle School. I’ll come by often to see you.”

“Yes, Brother Xiao Qiang, thank you.” Cheng Shan smiled warmly, not nearly as awkward as her brother. “I’ll definitely get into No. 4 Middle School. With a champion like you as my role model, I’ll work hard.”

“Heh, that’s good.” I looked at Cheng Shan with some relief and silently prayed for the Cheng Shan who rested in heaven in my past life. “Cheng Shan, can you see? I’ve met the old you. I will treat you as my dearest sister and take care of you forever.”

After bidding farewell to Cheng Shan and her brother, I left the clothing store and walked down the street. With today’s events, my plan would have to speed up. I called Li Dabiao to come pick me up, then sat on a bench in the square, deep in thought.

The forces represented by Xia Guomin would soon be wiped out by me. The political arena in City C would then belong to Su Guohui, but I intended to seize a share of the pie and build my own political team here. As for business, from now on, no one in City C would be a match for the Sunshine Group.

With the gradual expansion of the Sunshine Group, I was already preparing to establish a large-scale conglomerate. From the plane crash incident in the capital city, I learned of China’s vulnerability in engine technology. So, I planned to open a large machinery company.

This new group would differ from the Sunshine Group’s comprehensive approach. It must monopolize critical industries such as aviation engines, automotive engines, military industry—including tanks, artillery, missiles—and a series of high-tech products. I wanted this company to become the world’s most advanced technology and engineering group.

China’s future belonged to me. Whether in commerce or politics, I would hold a firm grip. Only then could the country be under my control and move steadily in the direction I envisioned. If my plan succeeded, China would surpass the United States as the world’s most advanced nation in less than ten years.

At that time, the Judgement Organization, Sunshine Group, and this soon-to-be-established conglomerate would become the driving forces propelling the entire nation forward!