Chapter 1

Saint-Paul City, a Chinese-owned bathhouse.

The sauna was filled with hot steam, and the charcoal fire beside it was sizzling with white smoke.

Su Tianyu was naked, with only a white towel around his waist. He took a ladle and scooped water from a bucket beside him, then poured it onto the charcoal fire.

"Sizzle!"

The charcoal fire instantly surged, and a cloud of white mist quickly spread, causing the temperature in the sauna to rise sharply.

"Is that enough?" Su Tianyu turned to ask Wu Han, who was sitting on a wooden chair behind him. He was also completely naked, with only a towel around his waist, his plump white body particularly conspicuous.

"Another ladle?" Su Tianyu asked with a smile.

The hazy mist dissipated, and the charcoal in the stove crackled. At this moment, there were only the two of them in the sauna, very quiet.

"Enough, enough." Wu Han's forehead was already covered in a layer of fine sweat, and he quickly waved his hand: "My cardiopulmonary function hasn't been good lately, and I can't handle another ladle. Whew… It's so damn hot!"

"So weak lately?" Su Tianyu teased, putting down the ladle and bending down to sit beside Wu Han.

"Don't even mention it." Wu Han sighed, "I'm telling you, I now wish I could get someone else to open a room for me when I have to go out for social events."

"Haha."

Su Tianyu wiped the sweat from his face and smiled: "Okay, I'll introduce you to a few brothers who can take on the job later."

Wu Han looked at Gou Liuzi's (Su Tianyu’s nickname) toned physique and said jokingly, "You've got a very charming figure…"

As he spoke, Wu Han couldn't help but pat his round belly: "Unlike me, all this fat has gone to my stomach."

"I'm not in good shape either, I haven't exercised in a long time." Su Tianyu waved his hand: "But Young Master Wu doesn't need to worry, with your status, who wouldn't like you? Even I like you."

Wu Han didn't believe him: "You're trying to fool me, trying to sell me something, aren't you?"

Su Tianyu smiled: "Who's fooling you? Everyone has their own market. Think about our White Empress?"

Wu Han was stunned for a moment, then laughed heartily: "You've successfully convinced me."

The temperature in the sauna continued to rise. Wu Han picked up a disposable paper cup from beside him, took a sip of water, and then slowly said, "Brother Su, we've eaten and played, can we talk about something serious?"

"Sure, let's talk." Su Tianyu smiled: "Actually, I've been waiting for these past two days. I was wondering whether Huo Dongsheng would be able to bring you here, or bring Jiang Zhou here."

"Hehe, let me say this first." Wu Han chuckled: "The following conversation is about official business. Let's handle official matters impartially, without harming our private relationship, okay?"

"Okay." Su Tianyu nodded: "Talking about official business is talking about official business. After we leave this room, whether the matter is settled or not, it won't affect my admiration for you…"

"Don't flatter me, it makes me shiver." Wu Han waved his hand, sighed and said, "Well, actually, you know, it's just about the United Association. If you ask me, it's all Huo's fault. You said the three families were doing business, but he made small moves behind their backs, which was really ugly. I've also criticized Wang Xiao and the others. To be honest, the China region didn't even know about it at first. When the higher-ups heard about it, they were furious."

Su Tianyu took a sip of water and didn't respond.

"I've talked to Huo and Wu as well. How about we resolve it like this? After the United Association is established, you three will be given the positions of vice presidents, and the remaining department positions will still be given to you two-thirds, according to the three-party cooperation model. Don't worry, you definitely won't suffer a loss. In addition, let Huo arrange a banquet and apologize to you in person."

Su Tianyu crossed his arms and remained silent, waiting for Young Master Wu to continue.

"Brother Su, things have already reached this point, that's enough." Wu Han persuaded, "We've invested so many resources in this United Association, it can't just be stopped like this. How about this, in the future, I'll get some benefits from the China region to compensate you."

"This isn't about compensation." Su Tianyu waved his hand: "First of all, such a big matter as the United Association isn't something that I alone can decide. With Huo Dongsheng doing this, how can the An family, Yu Mingyuan, and the Zhou family agree? And most importantly, a traitor appeared within their China Workers' Association, and we suffered a great loss because of this, losing many brothers inside and out. My second brother almost died because of it. Now Huo Dongsheng wants to smooth things over with just a few words, how can everyone agree? I'm telling you, Brother Han, the disgusting feeling isn't just on me alone, do you understand?"

Wu Han picked up the water and filled Su Tianyu's cup: "Oh, whether they agree or not, isn't it up to you to decide?!"

"Don't say that." Su Tianyu picked up the water cup: "I can come up with resources because I've always been fair, giving everyone what they deserve. They put in how much, they get how much resources from me. But I don't have a subordinate relationship with any family. Even with Changqing, I never use a commanding tone to assign them any tasks. Everyone only supports me when they think something is feasible. Besides, since we're being frank, let's analyze why Huo Dongsheng had to steal Wu Boxin in such a disgusting way? It's very simple. In terms of size, I admit that his China Workers' Association is bigger than our family, and its influence is indeed the strongest. But in terms of external relationships, we have the Chi Army, two Tongji Associations, the An family, the Zhou family, and Changqing Company. What does his China Workers' Association have to compare with us? Huo Dongsheng secretly reached an agreement with Wu Boxin because he wanted this group of us to empower him and support him. He wants to expand the influence of the China Workers' Association itself, not everyone's. Everyone puts in the effort, but you do the disgusting things, and in the end, we have to obediently help him add fuel to the fire. Why?! This is unreasonable, isn't it? Moreover, with this kind of behavior, I think that even if the new association is established, it will eventually collapse."

Su Tianyu dissected the essence of the problem one by one and laid it out in front of Wu Han.

After listening, Wu Han smiled wryly: "Hehe, I understand what you mean, but the China region's idea… This plan still has to be carried out. Xiao Yu, why don't you take a step back? I'll help you coordinate. As long as you set the conditions, I'll definitely try my best to compensate you."

"Why can't Huo Dongsheng take a step back?" Su Tianyu asked, looking at Wu Han.

"I can't help it." Wu Han spread his hands: "I also want you to take charge, but now Wu Boxin wants to follow Huo and do it. Moreover, the China Workers' Association itself is divided into two factions. Huo is the chairman appointed by the local faction, and there's a layer between me and him when we communicate. Look, it's the Wang family who came to me this time."

"Retreating is impossible." Su Tianyu refused directly: "The reason why Huo Dongsheng dares to do this is because he's betting that once the China region intervenes, I'll have to compromise, but I won't accept this!"

The two were silent for a while, and only the sizzling sound of water vapor could be heard in the sauna.

After a long silence, Wu Han frowned and asked, "Tell me the truth, is there no room for negotiation on this matter?"

"My bottom line is that since Lao Wu (Wu Boxin) isn't on our side, then we'll establish the association based in Panama City. If that's not possible, then there's no room for negotiation."

Su Tianyu picked up the ladle and added another scoop of water to the charcoal fire.