Chapter Sixty: A Legendary Figure

At seven o’clock in the evening, a man of about thirty-five or thirty-six arrived at the Simple Plan’s rehearsal room. As soon as he entered, he greeted the four members of the band. They all responded in turn, suggesting he was on familiar terms with them.

Ye Tianming pulled Li Mu over and introduced him to the man, “Brother Liang, let me introduce you—this is a close friend of ours, and also the band’s manager and the driving force behind us, Li Mu.”

The man looked at Li Mu with surprise, smiling as he reached out his hand.

Li Mu shook his hand amicably, and only then did Ye Tianming continue, “This is my godbrother, Song Liang. He’s in business in Haizhou.”

Song Liang grinned at Li Mu, “Tianming tells me you’re from Haizhou too, brother?”

“Yes,” Li Mu nodded, though his mind was turning over who exactly Song Liang was. The name rang a bell, but he couldn’t immediately recall why.

Seeing Li Mu’s thoughtful expression, Ye Tianming smiled and explained, “Brother Liang is in real estate in Haizhou—Wanying Company. He’s quite a big name there.”

In that instant, Li Mu understood.

Song Liang—the legendary land king of Haizhou, not only had he developed several highly successful real estate projects in the city, but he’d also built an enormous network of connections. Rumor had it he was frequently a guest of city leaders. In the coming years, stories about him would be everywhere in Haizhou, and all in high praise.

Loyal, principled, savvy, and tactful—these qualities made Song Liang stand out in the coming boom of real estate, dominating the market in Haizhou. Of all the land earmarked for residential development in the city over the next few years, more than seventy percent would end up in his hands.

Beyond real estate, Song Liang was also highly respected in Haizhou’s underworld—though he wasn’t involved himself, no one in that circle dared disrespect him. In short, he was one of those rare figures in Haizhou who could move easily between the official and the unofficial worlds.

He recalled that Ye Tianming had once briefly mentioned, when offering him a ride back to Haizhou, that Song Liang had once worked for his father. Later, his father invested in him to help him strike out on his own, and Song Liang chose Haizhou as his base. Connecting the dots, Li Mu was inwardly amazed. If Song Liang had achieved such heights, Ye Tianming’s father must be even more formidable.

This was Li Mu’s first time meeting the legendary figure, and after a moment’s daze, he politely said, “Thank you for your help tonight, Mr. Song.”

Song Liang waved his hand, “No need for ‘Mr. Song.’ You’re a brother to Tianming and Kexuan, so you’re my brother too. Just call me Brother Liang like they do.”

As he spoke, Song Liang was sizing Li Mu up.

Li Mu nodded, “All right, Brother Liang.”

Song Liang noticed that this young man, not much older than the others, had managed to become close friends with four sons of wealthy families and act as their manager and promoter. He clearly wasn’t ordinary.

Suddenly, Song Liang remembered his earlier conversation with Ye Tianming’s father, Ye Youdao.

Ye Youdao had remarked that Tianming and his friends had really made something of their band. They’d become celebrities in Jinling overnight, and fans were spreading their information all over the internet. Though Ye Youdao didn’t truly understand the online world, he was a savvy businessman. He had a hunch that someone very capable was working behind the scenes for the boys. He also thought that such methods of internet hype had great potential and boundless prospects.

Ye Youdao had also mentioned that Zhang Kexuan’s son, with his long hair, only cut it at the behest of this mysterious promoter. Previously, neither threats nor promises from his own father could persuade him. Even his own son, Ye Tianming, who had refused to cut his hair, suddenly wanted to follow suit when Zhang Kexuan did, but the promoter said the time wasn’t right, so Tianming held off as well.

From the look of things, Li Mu was the figure even Ye Youdao couldn’t help but praise, and so young at that—truly impressive!

Song Liang couldn’t help but observe Li Mu further. Since Li Mu was from Haizhou, he must have heard of Song Liang. When Tianming introduced him, Li Mu’s expression did seem to show sudden recognition, but he remained composed, didn’t seize the moment to curry favor, nor did he say anything ingratiating—he even addressed him as “Brother Liang” with calm poise, as if knowing him was nothing out of the ordinary.

It wasn’t vanity on Song Liang’s part; after years in business, he’d long since shed the humility of youth. Yet, seeing Li Mu now, he felt a peculiar sense of déjà vu.

Ah, Song Liang thought, this young man is intriguing—no, very intriguing indeed.

He turned to Li Mu and said, “My car’s outside and it’s getting late. Shall we go?”

Li Mu nodded slightly, and said to Zhang Kexuan, “Rehearse well. Call me if you need anything.”

Zhang Kexuan quickly nodded, “If you need anything for expenses, just let me know.”

The band saw Li Mu and Song Liang out. Song Liang’s Mercedes S500 was parked at the entrance to the commercial street, engine running. Seeing them come out, a driver of about thirty hurried over and opened both rear doors.

Song Liang invited Li Mu to take the right rear seat—the place of honor in business settings. After some polite refusal, Song Liang took the left, leaving Li Mu to sit on the right.

As they left Simple Plan behind, Song Liang’s driver pulled away, and Li Mu sent a message to his father to say he’d be home that night.

Putting his phone away, Song Liang struck up a conversation. “Li, how old are you this year?”

“Nineteen,” Li Mu replied, giving his nominal age.

“Nineteen? Still in school?” Song Liang was stunned.

Li Mu nodded, “Just finished the college entrance exam. If I’m lucky, I’ll start university in September.”

Song Liang marveled at Li Mu’s youth, but was even more curious how a boy who had just graduated high school had managed to win over four scions of wealthy families.

He went on to ask about Li Mu’s exam results and the universities he’d applied to.

When he learned Li Mu had applied to Renmin University, Song Liang’s curiosity grew. Those other boys had always been academic underachievers, yet Li Mu, while hanging out with them, had managed such an impressive score. He was clearly anything but ordinary.

Song Liang became increasingly interested in Li Mu and handed him his phone. “Xiao Mu, give your brother your number. Once we’re back in Haizhou, we can get together for a drink.”

“Sure.” Li Mu took the phone, dialed his own number, let it ring, and handed the phone back.

Their conversation became more relaxed, and Li Mu learned a lot about Song Liang.

In Song Liang’s own words, his life felt like a dream. He was born in a coastal fishing village in southern Su, and left school after junior high to help at home. At eighteen, he was expected to inherit his father’s fishing boat, but because the girl he loved hated the smell of fish, he ran away, determined to become a man who didn’t reek of fish every day.

He spent several years doing hard labor on construction sites, convinced that was his fate. But in his early twenties, he started working for an extraordinary foreman—Ye Youdao.

Ye Youdao had started as a contractor. He brought Song Liang to Jinling, where they worked together for more than a decade. Ye Youdao became a billionaire and never forgot Song Liang, recognizing his talent and investing in him to set up his own business. Song Liang was sensible; though Ye Youdao supported him in going independent, he kept a share in the business. Song Liang chose to avoid the cities where Ye Youdao was active and instead settled in his wife’s hometown—Haizhou—where he founded Wanying Real Estate.

While they chatted, Su Yingxue messaged Li Mu: “Are you back in Haizhou?”

Li Mu replied, “On the road, arriving tonight.”

Su Yingxue: “Are you free tomorrow? I’d like to treat you to dinner.”

Li Mu: “Sure. What time?”

Su Yingxue: “Evening—let’s touch base in the afternoon.”