Being carried onto an ambulance at the start? But this is America!

This scene was witnessed by Jasper's sister, who was directing the placement of the last few potted plants not far away.

She walked over in surprise, her voice tinged with disbelief: "You...know that lady from earlier? Flora Lancaster?"

Li Fan turned around, his face now bearing a calm and professional smile, as if he had just greeted an ordinary acquaintance.

"Of course, we have provided services to Ms. Flora several times before our collaboration, and she was very satisfied with our work."

He handed her another business card, his tone sincere, "Miss Jasper, if you or your friends need any domestic services, we are always available. We are professionals!"

Jasper's sister took the business card, then looked in the direction the Maybach had disappeared, her eyes serious; the judgment of the wealthy was trustworthy.

"Oh, sure, you guys do look very professional. Speaking of which, I might need someone to help me with the lawn and shrubs in my backyard this week. Do you do that kind of work?"

"Of course, yard maintenance is one of our core businesses."

Li Fan smiled brightly and said confidently, "The price is fair, and I guarantee your yard will be completely transformed."

A new order is coming in.

During their casual conversation, Li Fan and Jasper's sister subtly inquired about Flora's property management company, which manages more than a dozen mid-to-high-end residential communities.

If you can get on Flora's boat, you won't have to worry about not getting work.

Can't afford to support... a cooperative?

It's enough to support a hundred people!

......

On the other side, a black Maybach silently drove out of the neatly trimmed streets of Albu.

Flora gripped the steering wheel, her fingertips unconsciously tapping on the smooth leather.

The tall figure in the bright orange T-shirt in the rearview mirror had long since disappeared, but the impact of that glimpse lingered.

Li Ping.

That Asian boy... no, perhaps we should call him a youth now.

His handsome face carried a maturity beyond his years, and his physique was particularly striking, with muscles that flowed like rocks eroded by a mountain stream, possessing both strength and a strange beauty.

It is far more charming and has more warmth than the classical sculptures in her collection.

She let out a soft breath, feeling that the car's air conditioning wasn't strong enough, and a strange heat rose from the bottom of her heart.

She had to admit, she was smitten.

But Danny's lesson was like a thorn stuck in the most uncomfortable part of my heart.

Owning a pretty but good-for-nothing gigolo is a terrible experience.

What Flora wanted was not a good-for-nothing who only knew how to ask for money and was addicted to leaves or gambling.

It is an ambitious partner who can provide the drive.

This Li Ping, an unregistered resident, actually knows how to use SIJS's connections and even managed to set up a so-called cooperative association.

That seems interesting.

Is it worth investing effort and providing support?

She needs to look at it more closely.

Look at the quality of his team, the methods he uses, and whether he is a promising talent or just another good-for-nothing with a glittering exterior but a rotten core.

Having made up her mind, she slowly parked the car under a lush oak tree by the roadside.

He took out his phone, dialed his assistant's number, and his voice regained its usual calm and crispness.

"Anna, contact this number next."

She read out the numbers on her business card, "In the name of ING Property Maintenance Department, find them to do some work, and have them bring as many people as possible, yes, at market price."

"Okay, observe their work performance and efficiency, and report back to me."

After hanging up the phone, she leaned back in her chair, a playful smile curving her red lips.

Let's start with a small trial to see how good they are.

......

Jasper's sister drove Li Ping and Li Fan back to Shanwan Community.

The bill came out quickly, $165 per person, with an extra $15 which Mrs. Jasper described as "a sincere thank you for your excellent service."

"Thank you, Mrs. Jasper. It's been a pleasure doing business with you!"

Li Ping smiled sincerely and gently hugged the shrewd middle-class housewife goodbye.

It's not a lot of money, but it's very meaningful.

This is the first major order that the cooperative has earned through legitimate labor services.

Devon started the old Toyota and drove back to the grocery store, a smile never fading from his lips.

"Dude, is it really necessary to be this happy?" Li Fan sat in the passenger seat, looking at Devon's appearance with some confusion.

A little over a hundred US dollars isn't much compared to what my brother has earned these past few days.

"You don't understand, Fan."

Devon shook his head, gazing at the dilapidated street ahead, his voice low and somber. "My father and grandfather never thought, or had the chance, to earn this kind of money cleanly with their own hands and physical strength."

If they could have... maybe they wouldn't have died so young...

For him, the $150 was more than just money; it was a new beginning.

Una was also very happy. She carefully counted out thirty-three US dollars and handed it to Li Ping: "Boss, this is your share."

She didn't forget the rules.

"Thanks, Una." Li Ping accepted it calmly.

Devon and Li Fan suddenly remembered this too, and followed suit, each handing over 20%.

This is the cornerstone of the cooperation: a clear distribution of benefits, with 20% allocated as a share.

Not long after he returned to the backyard of the grocery store, Dalton's henchman arrived, drove away in the old Toyota, and respectfully handed him an envelope.

Li Ping took it; it felt quite heavy.

Upon opening it, I found three stacks of US dollars, totaling three thousand.

"Boss Dalton said this is as a token of our gratitude for the $3,000 reduction."

The younger brother lowered his head, his voice a little strained, quickly climbed into the driver's seat, and sped away.

"A discount of three thousand? He certainly knows how to talk."

Li Ping twirled the banknotes, finding Dalton quite interesting—a bully who preys on the weak.

This three thousand dollars came at just the right time.

In the evening, Fletcher and Mike returned one after another with their henchmen who had been patrolling the streets collecting debts.

On the broken wooden table in the backyard of the grocery store, crumpled banknotes and coins gradually piled up into a small mountain.

Including Dalton's ransom, today's moving commission, and the grocery store's income, the cooperative's public reserves have surpassed the $5,000 mark.

"Guys,"

Li Ping tapped the table, a smile on his face, "Shouldn't we get the cooperation association a decent ride?"

The proposal received an immediate and enthusiastic response.

After last night's standoff and this morning's arm wrestling match, Li Ping, the boss, has established his authority.

Having a car makes things much more convenient.

"I suggest buying a pickup truck!"

Xiao Fu peeked out from behind the counter, adjusted his glasses, and spoke up—a rare occurrence for him—"It can carry people, and even more so, goods. From now on, I'll have my own vehicle for cleaning and moving jobs, which will be very convenient."

He used to help the Shield run a grocery store and was a pragmatist.

The Shield gang used to have gang vehicles, but they weren't registered in his name and were taken away during the chaos.

"Pickup truck is good!"

Old Mike took a swig of beer and agreed, "With a high chassis, it can go anywhere."

"Then it's settled. Xiao Fu, you're well-connected, so help keep an eye out for available cars. Let's start with a budget of around five thousand." Li Ping made the decision.

"The car will be registered in Devon's name."

Devon had no debts and was a suitable candidate; he was homeless simply because he was poor.

Buying a car just two days after the partnership was established is undoubtedly a very good start.