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In October 1990, an exquisite gold-embossed invitation was delivered to the reception desk of Lemon Technology's Santa Monica headquarters.

The envelope bore the emblem of the "National Association of Chinese American Elites," inviting Su Ning to serve as the association's honorary chairman and attend its annual charity gala at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles.

When Secretary Janice delivered the invitation to Suning's office, she casually remarked, "Boss, this association is quite famous. I've heard that many Chinese entrepreneurs and scholars participate."

Suning opened the envelope, glanced at the contents, and casually tossed the invitation into the shredder on the corner of the table.

"Boss?" Janice was stunned.

"From now on, just refuse these kinds of invitations." Su Ning didn't even look up, continuing to read the documents.

"No reply needed?"

"unnecessary."

Janice hesitated for a moment: "But... Mr. Liu, the chairman of this association, has called for three consecutive days to inquire about you, and said that if it's convenient, he would like to visit you in person..."

Su Ning looked up: "He called?"

"Yes. You are a source of pride for the Chinese community, and the association needs leaders like you."

"Tell him I'm on a business trip and my return date is uncertain."

"Ok."

Janice left the office, and as soon as the door closed, her private phone rang.

It was Forescuan who called from Greentown.

“Brother, there’s something I need to ask.” Fores’s voice was a little hesitant. “Recently, an organization called the ‘National Chinese Association’ has contacted me. They know about my relationship with you and want me to help make the connection.”

Su Ning frowned: "How did they find you?"

"They said they found out from the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Alabama. Bro, is this association reliable? They said they want to invite you to be their honorary chairman and even give you an award..."

"Ignore them," Su Ning said directly. "Tell them you're not involved in this and tell them to stop contacting you."

"What's wrong? Is there something wrong with this association?"

“This is a big problem.” Su Ning put down his pen. “Fores, remember this: in America, the most dangerous people are not drug addicts on the streets, nor are they the rampant gun violence, but certain so-called ‘fellow countrymen.’ The saying ‘fellow countrymen meet and shoot each other in the back’ is not without reason. They treat these fellow countrymen as the capital for their own enrichment.”

"No way?"

“Forrest, you don’t understand! Things here are too complicated. We don’t need to associate with these vicious thugs.”

"Okay! Looks like I'll have to be more careful from now on."

"That's right! Protecting yourself and your family is the most important thing."

"Speaking of which, Green Town has indeed become increasingly chaotic lately. It seems I need to consider hiring security personnel."

"Yes, Pacific Capital has a security company under its umbrella. My security personnel are managed by this company. I'll have them send security personnel to Green Town tomorrow."

"Great! What's the name of this company?"

"Blackwater International".

……

Three days later, Liu Wenzheng, chairman of the "All-American Chinese Elite Association", actually came directly to the downstairs of Lemon Technology's headquarters.

The receptionist called: "Boss, a Mr. Liu Wenzheng insists on seeing you and says he has already made an appointment."

“I didn’t make an appointment,” Su Ning said.

"He said...that it was introduced by your brother, Mr. Fores."

Su Ning frowned: "Tell him to wait. Call security up."

Ten minutes later, the security guard "invited" Liu Wenzheng into the meeting room.

Chairman Liu, who was in his fifties, was dressed in a custom-made suit and wore gold-rimmed glasses, and looked very respectable.

"Mr. Gan, it's an honor to meet you!" Liu Wenzheng extended his hand warmly.

Su Ning didn't shake hands, but simply nodded: "Mr. Liu, I'm very busy, I'll give you five minutes."

Liu Wenzheng's smile froze for a moment, but he quickly recovered: "I understand, I understand. For a great entrepreneur like you, time is precious. I'll get straight to the point—the National Chinese Elite Association would like to invite you to serve as its honorary chairman. This is a tremendous honor, previously only received by outstanding Chinese Americans such as Dr. An Wang of Wang Laboratories and architect I.M. Pei."

“I’m not interested,” Su Ning said directly.

“Mr. Gan, please let me finish.” Liu Wenzheng took out some documents from his briefcase. “Our association’s mission is to unite the elite Chinese Americans, help each other, fight for their rights, and improve the social status of Chinese Americans. You are the world’s richest man; your joining will greatly enhance the association’s influence and also help us fight for more…”

“Mr. Liu,” Su Ning interrupted him, “I have a few questions for you.”

"You say."

"What are the sources of funding for the association?"

"It mainly consists of membership fees, as well as some corporate sponsorships and charitable donations."

"Who are the members?"

"Elites from all walks of life. Entrepreneurs, lawyers, doctors, professors..."

Are there any politicians?

"Yes. Several state legislators and Chinese-American city councilors are our advisors."

"Does he have a military background?"

Liu Wenzheng paused for a moment: "Well... there are also one or two retired generals."

Su Ning laughed: "You see, that's the problem. An association that includes businessmen, politicians, and military personnel. On the surface, it's 'unity and mutual assistance,' but in reality, it's about resource exchange and the transfer of benefits. Am I right?"

Liu Wenzheng's expression changed: "Mr. Gan, your words are too extreme. We are fighting for the rights of Chinese people..."

"Fight for rights?" Su Ning sneered. "Mr. Liu, when Vincent Chin was beaten to death by white people in Detroit in 1982, did your association speak out? Last year, when a Chinese-American engineer was framed for espionage by the FBI, did you step in? This year, when the University of California limited the proportion of Asian students, did you protest?"

Liu Wenzheng opened his mouth: "These...we have discussed them internally."

“Internal discussion,” Su Ning repeated these four words. “So there was no public action. Then let me ask you, what concrete actions have you taken in your ‘fight for your rights’?”

“We hold a charity gala every year to raise funds to help the Chinese community…”

"Where did the money go? Are the accounts transparent?"

"This... involves member privacy..."

“That means it won’t be made public.” Su Ning stood up. “Mr. Liu, five minutes are up. I have other things to do, so I won’t see you out.”

“Mr. Gan!” Liu Wenzheng also stood up. “Your refusal will disappoint many Chinese people! You are the world’s richest man; you should do something for your compatriots!”

Su Ning walked to the door, turned back to look at him: "Mr. Liu, I was born and raised in the United States, but I also know what kind of thing your association is. Originally, you and I had nothing to do with each other, and I was not interested in your blood-drinking business. I advise you not to provoke me, or don't blame me for being ruthless."

"..."

Before Liu Wenzheng could say anything more, the security guards came in and politely but firmly asked him to leave.

I never expected Suning to be so ruthless, or rather, so fierce.

However, Suning's current status is too extraordinary. If they can take over Suning, their association will be completely secure.

Therefore, Liu Wenzheng will not give up easily and will continue to try to harass him.

……

That afternoon, Suning called several senior executives to its office, including Robert, the Chinese-American general counsel, and Chen Weiming, who had just been transferred from Shanghai.

“A Chinese association came to me today, but I refused,” Su Ning said bluntly. “I want to issue a notice that from now on, Lemon Technology and all its subsidiaries will not participate in the activities of any ethnic organizations. No donations, no memberships, and no endorsements.”

Robert was somewhat surprised: "Boss, wouldn't this seem...too cold? After all, we are a Chinese-owned company, and completely distancing ourselves from the business might draw criticism."

“Criticism is criticism,” Su Ning said. “Robert, you’re also of Chinese descent, have you ever joined any associations like this?”

“No,” Robert said honestly, “but my parents attended some hometown associations.”

Do you think it's useful?

Robert thought for a moment: “It’s somewhat useful in social situations, for getting to know some people. But in reality… it’s not very helpful. My father was extorted by gangsters when he owned a restaurant. The people from the hometown association said they would help mediate, but in the end they charged him $5,000 in ‘mediation fees,’ and the matter still wasn’t resolved. Moreover, the association always treats newcomers from the hometown as cash cows.”

“That’s the problem,” Su Ning said. “These organizations are nominally for mutual assistance, but in reality, many are businesses. They collect membership fees, take a cut of events, and get kickbacks from sponsorships. People who really need help don’t get it. The rich and powerful are promoted to chairman or president, which is actually an endorsement for them.”

Chen Weiming didn't quite understand: "Boss, isn't unity very important in the United States? There are already fewer Chinese people, and if they are not united, they are more likely to be bullied."

“Unity is good,” Su Ning said, “but it depends on how we unite. If it’s based on shared interests and values, I support it. But if it’s just based on superficial reasons like ‘we’re all Chinese,’ I won’t participate.”

"Why?" "Because it's dangerous." Su Ning looked at Chen Ming. "Chen Weiming, there are some things you don't understand. In America, the people who are most likely to take advantage of Chinese people are often the Chinese themselves."

"Okay! I know what to do."

Just then, Fores called again.

“Brother, that association contacted me again.” Fores’s voice was a little nervous. “This time it’s a woman, she says she’s the vice president. She was very polite, but she implied that if you don’t join, it might affect the company’s reputation in the Chinese community.”

“Threatening you?” Su Ning’s tone turned cold.

“It wasn’t that direct, but that’s the gist of it. She also said that she knew some of our shrimp company’s products were exported to Asia, and the association could help ‘smooth things over.’”

"Give me her phone number."

Su Ning wrote down the number and called Robert: "Investigate this number, investigate the person behind it. I need to know what this association is trying to do."

The investigation results came out the next day.

Robert reported: "Boss, this 'National Chinese Elite Association' is registered as a charitable organization, but its actual operation is very complicated. Chairman Liu Wenzheng is ostensibly a lawyer, but he actually controls three immigration consulting companies and an import and export company. The association's main income is not membership fees, but 'project service fees'."

"What project?"

"We help Chinese businesses 'get' government approvals, help new immigrants get green cards 'fast', and help international students 'arrange' internships. The fees are very high, but the success rate and legal risks are not transparent."

Do you have any criminal record?

"There is no concrete evidence yet. But the FBI and the IRS are investigating them, suspecting involvement in immigration fraud and money laundering."

Suning understood: "So they urgently need a 'clean' figurehead to endorse them. The world's richest man, of Chinese descent, is the perfect fit."

"Yes. If you join, their credibility will increase significantly, and the investigation may slow down."

"dream."

A week later, a Chinese-American reporter from the Los Angeles Times found Su Ning.

"Mr. Gan, there have been rumors recently that you refused to join the Chinese Elite Association and made some critical remarks. Can you confirm this?"

After thinking for a moment, Su Ning decided to make a public statement: "Okay. But I need the complete interview, not just taking things out of context, otherwise you will soon receive a court summons."

The interview was arranged in the office.

The reporter asked, "Why did you refuse to join the Chinese Elite Association? Many Chinese entrepreneurs consider it an honor to join."

“Because I don’t need it.” Suning was very direct. “My success is based on products and markets, not ethnic labels. I also don’t believe that relying on ‘hometown associations’ can truly improve the status of Chinese people.”

"But many new Chinese immigrants need help. The association says they provide legal aid, employment counseling..."

“Then they should publish their accounts and service data,” Su Ning said. “How many people have they helped? What is their success rate? How much do they charge? If it’s truly charity, it should be transparent. If it’s not transparent, then there’s a problem.”

The reporter followed up, asking, "Do you think that Chinese Americans should be more united?"

"Unity is a good thing, but it depends on how we unite," Su Ning said. "I support Chinese engineers organizing technical forums, Chinese entrepreneurs exchanging business experiences, and Chinese students helping each other. But I don't support organizations that use 'unity' as a pretext to build networks and exchange benefits."

Some people say that what you're doing is 'forgetting your roots'...

“Ben?” Su Ning laughed. “My ‘ben’ is to work hard, abide by the law, and create value. It’s not about forming cliques or small circles. Lemon Technology is a law-abiding company, so naturally it’s impossible for it to have any connection with such illegal organizations.”

The interview caused a huge uproar after it was published.

The Chinese community is divided into two factions: one supports Su Ning, believing he spoke the truth; the other criticizes him, saying he "forgot his roots after becoming rich."

The association was more direct, with Liu Wenzheng responding publicly: "It is regrettable that Mr. Gan has such a misunderstanding. We will continue to serve the Chinese community and will not be swayed by the remarks of a few individuals."

Three days after the interview was published, trouble ensued.

First, a Lemon Tech retail store in San Francisco was vandalized with paint, and the words "forget your roots" were written on the wall.

Then several Chinese groups announced a boycott of lemon products, saying "not buying them is unpatriotic."

To make matters worse, some lawmakers have begun to question Lemon Tech's government contracts: "Does a company that does not endorse ethnic solidarity qualify for government procurement?"

Robert responded urgently: "Boss, we need public relations. At least make a statement and ease tensions."

"I won't comment," Su Ning insisted. "The more they act like this, the more it shows they have a problem. The real Chinese community won't boycott products just because I don't join an association. These people don't represent the Chinese community."

"But it will affect business."

“Then let them have the influence,” Suning said. “Lemon Technology’s products rely on quality and technology, not political correctness. If customers don’t buy because of this, that’s their loss.”

That being said, the pressure is still mounting.

Even Brooke called from New York: "Sue, I saw the report in the New York Times. Are you alright?"

"Fortunately."

"Do you need help? I know a few civil rights lawyers, maybe..."

“No need,” Su Ning said. “I can handle it.”

After hanging up the phone, Suning called Robert over: "Prepare to file a lawsuit."

"Who should we sue?"

"Sue that association, and all individuals and organizations that publicly defame Lemon Technology, for defamation, commercial damage, and harassment."

"Where's the evidence?"

"Collect everything. The paint-throwing was monitored, the boycott statement was reported by the media, and the congressman's remarks were recorded. Sue them all."

"This will be a major battle."

"Then let's fight." Su Ning's eyes were cold. "I want everyone to know that trying to use ethnicity to hold me hostage is a dead end."

Su Ning never participates in any hometown associations or engages in any ethnic politics.

His success is the result of his own efforts and the opportunities of the times.

It's not the achievement of any association, nor does it need the recognition of any association, and it's even less likely to become a cash cow for these people.

The lawsuit lasted a year. Lemon Technology's legal team was very strong, and the evidence was sufficient.

Ultimately, the association and several leading boycott groups reached a settlement: a public apology, compensation for losses, and a promise to cease harassment.

Liu Wenzheng resigned as chairman, and the association was reorganized.

While Suning lost some sales revenue in this incident, it gained more respect.

Many young Chinese engineers and entrepreneurs publicly support him: "Mr. Gan is right. We don't need connections to succeed. We can succeed through technology and products."

The Wall Street Journal commented: "Sunningham's stance marks a shift in a new generation of immigrants—they no longer rely on ethnic cliques but integrate directly into the mainstream and compete based on their abilities."

After the commotion subsided, Fores called: "Brother, no one's bothering me anymore."

"That's good." Su Ning smiled with relief on the other end of the phone, then thought of the Blackwater International security personnel again, "How are the Blackwater International security personnel?"

"Great! I didn't expect you to have invested in this company." Speaking of Blackwater International, Forrest Gan was particularly impressed.

"They're all Vietnam War veterans! The one leading them is Rambo, who taught me how to kill in Vietnam."

"I see."

After hanging up the phone, Suning stood by the office window, where the lights of Los Angeles shone brightly.

The Americas were originally a land of exile, a paradise for adventurers.

Everyone who comes here has their own story and their own purpose.

Don't blindly trust someone just because they're from the same hometown.

There's no need to deliberately distance yourself just because they're from a different race.

The important thing is to look at people, things, and results; that's the way to survive.

That's why he's still able to stand firm today.

As for those so-called "fellow villagers," their businesses weren't very sophisticated, and they couldn't make money off outsiders, so they turned their attention to their fellow villagers.

He smiled, turned off the light, and left.

Different road non-phase plan.

that is it.

...(End of chapter)