The next day.

Wang Xiaoqiang appeared at Zhong Ping's villa in the United States. His son could now walk and was running around the villa. Although he wasn't as big as Little Bao, he was just as sturdy and could even talk; he could call him dad now, and Wang Xiaoqiang was very happy.

"Ping, you've been wronged," Wang Xiaoqiang felt guilty when he thought about how he had visited her and their son less often since she gave birth.

Zhong Ping's face was filled with happy smiles... "Wronged? I don't feel wronged at all. Since having our son, I've been even happier than before. Every day, I spend time cuddling and playing with him, watching him grow a little more each day. After struggling for most of my life, these are truly rare days of leisure."

"However..." Zhong Ping's tone suddenly changed, "Little Qiang, because I haven't been managing the supermarket during this period, we almost had a big problem..."

"What happened?" Wang Xiaoqiang's heart sank. Zhong Ping was his woman, and her matters were his matters. Her assets would someday belong to their son—how could he not worry?

"Little Qiang, have you heard of an organization called the Dark Alliance?"

Wang Xiaoqiang shook his head, "I don't know about it; I only know about the Mafia..."

"Right, it's an organization similar to the Mafia, but the Dark Alliance is even more terrifying. It was formed by a coalition of the top ten families from Europe and North America. This behemoth is essentially an Underworld council, with very powerful strength. It's said that even the Mafia doesn't dare to confront them now. In situations where their interests clash, the Mafia would rather avoid them..."

"Huh, is that so?" Wang Xiaoqiang said nonchalantly.

"The Dark Alliance engages in drug trafficking, arms smuggling, privately building mercenary armies... and the list goes on. In short, there's nothing in the world this organization dares not do. Sometimes they even dare to attack a small country and turn it into their colony," Zhong Ping continued.

"Huh, is that so." Wang Xiaoqiang still appeared indifferent and unconcerned.

"Moreover, it's said that the Dark Alliance has drawn in some Superpowered Individuals, like vampires and others with supernatural powers; that's why they are so difficult to deal with," Zhong Ping pressed on.

Wang Xiaoqiang still looked as if he didn't take it to heart, "From what you're saying, does the Dark Alliance want to deal with us?"

"Yes, the Dark Alliance does some very secretive business, but the ten families that are part of it run above-board businesses. Like the George Family in the United States, they are in the retail business. To be precise, the George Clan's George Supermarket chain used to be the biggest in the United States. But now, our supermarket is growing so rapidly, and with your high-quality agricultural products, the George Supermarket is getting squeezed to the point they can't breathe. If the George Family wants to survive, they would definitely deal with us. They are a member of the Dark Alliance, and it would be easy for them to target us. The reason they have delayed taking action against us until now is because they are considering the power of the Mafia," said Zhong Ping.

Zhong Ping's supermarket development in the United States relied entirely on Wang Xiaoqiang's agricultural products and his influence in the country. Otherwise, she would have been beaten to a complete mess long ago.

That's because the supermarket industry in the United States is among the most developed in the world.

After the end of World War II in 1945, following a brief economic recession in 1946-1947, the United States experienced 20 years of rapid economic growth and became the richest country in the world. In just a few years, two-thirds of American households reached a middle-income level, with family disposable incomes steadily increasing.

By 1960, most American families owned at least one or two cars. Between 1945 and 1957, the United States experienced a baby boom, and population growth, combined with economic prosperity, created excellent conditions for the development of the retail industry. Another significant social change was from the '50s to the '60s when millions of American families moved from the East Coast to the Midwest, leading to rapid population growth in the Midwestern regions and accelerated urbanization. Meanwhile, a large number of African Americans moved into cities, and white populations left for the suburbs in what was historically known as "white flight."

Suburbs in the United States developed rapidly, with various facilities and shopping centers springing up. Supermarkets located in the suburbs found their true advantage. To meet the shopping needs of the higher-end consumers, most supermarkets began to abandon their cheap, low-end images, improving service quality and store décor, while introducing other types of sales approaches and more product varieties. By the end of the '50s, supermarkets were not just simple food and grocery outlets; they were similar to today's shopping malls.

Because of the above factors, from the late '30s to the early '50s, the entire retail market in the United States suddenly expanded, with endless virgin lands waiting to be developed. Businesses expanded their territories frantically without worry about competition in the same industry. At the same time, tens of thousands of chain stores transformed into competitive supermarket models. For instance, A&P had 1,100 supermarkets in 1933 and over 4,000 by 1950.

But entering the '50s, income growth and suburban development increasingly limited the growth potential for supermarkets. Large chain supermarkets were already enjoying the benefits of scale and remained eager for acquisitions. For mid-sized and small chain retailers, mergers became the only way to continue growing. From 1949 to 1958, 58 American companies acquired a total of 415 retail chains with 2,238 stores.

During this period, the U.S. retail industry became more concentrated. However, the federal government always wanted to maintain market competition and was in principle opposed to the emergence of monopolists. As a result, under the pressure of antitrust legislation, retail mergers in the '60s significantly weakened.

During the '60s, the American middle class expanded, purchasing power increased, suburbs were further developed, and the retail industry grew quickly. Among the top three retailers—A&P, Sears, Safeway—department store Sears grew the fastest, while former leader A&P lacked momentum. The reason was that A&P had not kept up with the expansion wave of the large retailers in the '50s.

So, without Wang Xiaoqiang, Zhong Ping trying to expand the supermarket business in the United States is simply overestimating herself and courting death.

"Hmm, that makes sense. So, does that mean the Dark Alliance has targeted our supermarket?" Wang Xiaoqiang said, his gaze chilling.

"Yes, two of our more remote supermarkets were simultaneously targeted by a violent vandalism incident one night. The perpetrators panicked and told us to get out of the United States... Otherwise, it won't be this cheap next time."

"Uh, so does that mean they don't even have to worry about the Mafia's power now?" Wang Xiaoqiang asked.

"Yes, I think they must have acquired even more domineering forces to back them up, like vampires, like other powers..."

"I see," Wang Xiaoqiang asked further, "Are you sure it's the George Clan from the United States that's after us?"

"No mistake, all the information confirms it's the George Clan."

"Good, don't worry about this matter, I have my own ways."

The next day.

Wang Xiaoqiang visited Dolly Ranch and Bordeaux Ranch to inspect the work.

Jiang Xiaoxin, seeing Wang Xiaoqiang, cried her eyes out, as her long-held yearning was finally released. That night, Wang Xiaoqiang stayed in Jiang Xiaoxin's room...

"Little Xin, you, why didn't you take any precautions?" Wang Xiaoqiang saw Jiang Xiaoxin hadn't taken contraceptives and curiously asked.

"Little Qiang, I want to have a baby with you," Jiang Xiaoxin said emotionally.

"Okay, alright then."

Wang Xiaoqiang did not refuse.

Sons, the more the merrier.

At that moment, he suddenly thought that when his sons were of a certain age, he would teach them the Method of Cultivation. In this world, it was only with supernatural powers that one could remain invincible.

After a few moments of tender intimacy, Jiang Xiaoxin happily fell asleep in Wang Xiaoqiang's arms.

That day, Wang Xiaoqiang went alone to the headquarters building of George Supermarket.

It was a thirty-seven-story building with quite stringent security. Tall security personnel were everywhere.

However, for Wang Xiaoqiang, these were as good as nonexistent.

With an Invisibility Talisman, Wang Xiaoqiang became as insubstantial as air. He went straight into the corporate building and found the chairman's office. Just as he reached the office door, he heard a conversation between two women:

"Sister, the quarterly reports still show a downward trend in various metrics. If this continues, we'll only be heading to our demise..."

"Hmm, I know. I'll call father later and have him intimidate Holiland Supermarket in China again..."(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please give your vote of recommendation and monthly ticket on qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)

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