Great Power Reclamation

The winter sun in Berlin is cool and bright, casting geometric shadows on the long table through the huge glass windows of the Technical University Library.

Ye Xin sat by the window, with three thick German textbooks spread out in front of her and a cup of coffee that had long since gone cold beside her.

Her water quality testing project has garnered unexpected attention in Germany.

Professor Schmidt of the Department of Environmental Engineering at the Technical University of Berlin—the very same Schmidt nephew Ye Guigen had met in New York—offered to mentor her research.

"Your design approach is very unique," Professor Schmidt said during their first meeting.
"It's not about pursuing the highest precision, but about finding a balance between precision, cost, and durability. This has great application value in developing countries."

With the professor's help, Ye Xin improved the design and incorporated the latest micro-sensor technology developed in Germany.

The new version not only improved accuracy by 30%, but also reduced costs by 15%. What excited her even more was that the professor facilitated a collaboration between her project and a German NGO focused on developing the Chinese market.

“They plan to pilot your device in five East African countries,” Professor Schmidt wrote in the email. “If the pilot is successful, it could be rolled out across the entire African region.”

But Ye Xin's ambitions didn't stop there. During her months at the Technical University of Berlin, she witnessed the precision and systematization of German industrial technology, and also saw the gap between Chinese manufacturing and high-end fields.

She began to think about a new direction: could she combine German technology with Chinese manufacturing to create products that are both top-quality and competitive?

This idea became clearer after she attended a Huaxia De Youth Innovation Forum.

At the forum, a German student showcased his industrial robot vision system, which was technologically advanced but costly.

Ye Xin approached him and proposed a collaboration: "If you can reduce your costs by 30%, I can help you find a mass-production manufacturer in China and open up the Asian market."

The German student named Marcus was initially wary: "Why should I believe you?"

Ye Xin smiled: "Because my surname is Ye. Ye from the Warrior Group."

Marcus's eyes widened: "You're Ye Yuze's..."

"daughter."

And so the collaboration began. Ye Xin spent her days attending classes and doing research, her evenings discussing technical solutions with Marcus's team, and her weekends communicating with manufacturers in China. Her German improved rapidly, and she can now conduct professional discussions fluently.

In early December, Ye Xin's project won the "Young Innovation Award" from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, with a prize of 50,000 euros. At the award ceremony, she was the only Asian recipient to speak on stage.

"Innovation is not about working behind closed doors, but about open collaboration," she said in fluent German.

"East and West, tradition and modernity, academia and industry—the real breakthroughs happen at the border. I am honored to stand at this border and look forward to contributing to the connection between the two worlds."

The audience erupted in applause. Professor Schmidt, sitting in the front row, gave her a thumbs-up.

After the awards ceremony, Marcus approached her: "Ye, our proposal has caught the eye of a Chinese auto parts company. They're willing to invest, on the condition that we produce a prototype within three months."

"Three months is too tight."

"But if we succeed, we can not only get orders, but also apply for the EU's cross-border innovation fund."

Marcus's eyes lit up. "That fund is enough for us to start our own company."

Ye Xin was intrigued. Establishing her own company—wasn't this the "kingdom" she had always wanted?

“Okay,” she said. “Three months, we’ll do it.”

From that day on, Ye Xin's life entered a frenzy. She moved out of the school dormitory and rented a small apartment near the university, sleeping only four or five hours a day. The walls of the apartment were covered with design drawings and technical parameters, and the table was piled high with circuit boards and parts.

Sometimes late at night, she would fall asleep on the table, exhausted, and dream of the military reclamation city. She would dream of her grandmother Meihua drying dates in the yard, of her great-aunt Yu'e calling her to eat, and of Ye Guigen running after her as a child.

When she wakes up, the Berlin night sky outside the window feels unfamiliar and distant. She makes herself a strong cup of tea and continues working.

Meanwhile, in London, Ye Guigen's life is also accelerating.

After the underground boxing incident, Elizabeth's attitude towards him changed significantly. She no longer adopted a condescending "guide" stance, but rather a more equal and intimate partnership.

She began to introduce him to the real inner circle—the Cavendish family’s internal meetings, private meetings with political figures, and even some gray-area deals.

One evening in mid-January, Elizabeth took Ye Guigen to an extremely private dinner party.

The location was in an unmarked building in the Chelsea district, and there were only six guests:
Two members of the House of Lords, a former senior official of the Bank of England, a hedge fund tycoon, and Elizabeth and Ye Guigen.

The conversation ranged from international politics to financial markets, from technological trends to geopolitical maneuvering. Ye Guigen listened quietly, only offering his opinion when asked a question.

"What's your opinion on China's real estate bubble, Mr. Ye?" the hedge fund manager asked.

Ye Guigen thought for a moment and said, "I don't think it's a bubble, but rather a structural adjustment. China's urbanization rate still has room to rise; the key is how to guide capital to flow into the real economy."

“Insightful.” The former central bank official nodded. “This is precisely the topic we are researching. Mr. Ye, would you be interested in joining our research group?”

After the dinner, on the way back, Elizabeth said, "Do you know what level that research group was at?"

Ye Guigen shook his head.

“The core of the UK Treasury’s think tank,” Elizabeth said. “Those who make it into that group will be the core decision-makers of UK economic policy for the next decade. Congratulations, you’ve passed the first round of screening.”

"Because I am a tree that returns to its roots?"

“Because you are Ye Guigen, and because your insights are truly valuable.” Elizabeth looked at him. “Guigen, you are growing rapidly. But I must remind you, the higher you climb, the more people will be watching you. Be careful.”

Her worries soon became a reality.

In early February, Ye Guigen received an anonymous email. Attached was a set of photos—

He was seen conversing at the "Athena Club," attending parties at Oxfordshire estates, and there's even a blurry photo of him at an underground boxing match. The email contained only one sentence:

"Stay away from Cavendish."

Ye Guigen showed the email to Elizabeth. Her face turned pale instantly.

“It’s Charles,” she said. “My second brother. Father sent him to Australia, and he held a grudge. These photos must have been taken secretly by him before.”

What is he trying to do?

"Threatening you to make you leave me," Elizabeth sneered. "He's still so naive. He thinks he can regain the family's attention this way."

But things weren't that simple. A few days later, Ye Guigen was stopped at school by two strangers.

“Mr. Ye, we would like to talk to you,” one of them said, speaking with an Eastern European accent.

What should we talk about?

"Regarding your behavior in the underground boxing match," another person said, "you broke Andrei's leg that night. He's still in the hospital. His friends are very unhappy."

Ye Guigen calmly looked at them: "What do you want?"

“An apology, and compensation,” the first person said. “One million pounds, in cash. Then I’ll leave London for six months.”

What if I say no?

“Then we may have to see each other in court.” The second person handed over a document, “Unlawful fighting causing serious bodily harm. Under British law, the minimum sentence is three years.”

Ye Guigen took the document and glanced at it. It was indeed a legal document, but it was full of loopholes.

“This document is forged,” he said. “First, all participants in underground boxing matches signed waivers.”

"Second, I did not use any weapons; it was a legitimate competition. Third, if we really have to go to court, I will countersue you for extortion."

The two were stunned, clearly not expecting Ye Guigen to be so knowledgeable.

“Tell Andrei,” Ye Guigen continued, “that if he doesn’t want his true identity to be exposed, he’d better stop here. I know who he is and why he fled to England.”

The two exchanged a glance and hurriedly left.

Ye Guigen immediately called Elizabeth. After listening, she remained silent for a while:

“You did the right thing. But Andrei won’t let this go. He’s a desperado.”

"So what should we do?"

“Take the initiative,” Elizabeth said. “I have leverage over Charles, and you have leverage over Andrei. It’s time to let them know that we are not to be trifled with.”

The next day, Elizabeth arranged a video call with Charles. On the screen, Charles looked much more haggard, with a ranch in Australia in the background.

"Lisa, I..."

"Shut up and listen to me."

Elizabeth interrupted him coldly, "I know about the emails you sent to Ye Guigen. If you dare to touch him again, I will hand over all the evidence of your misappropriation of the trust fund to Father. At that time, you won't be able to afford to stay in prison, let alone Australia; you'll have to go into exile in Africa."

Charles's face turned deathly pale: "How could you..."

“How would I know?” Elizabeth laughed. “Because I know every stupid thing you’ve ever done since you were a child. Now, tell Andrei that if he dares to touch a hair on Ye Guigen’s head, his identity and money laundering records will appear on the desks of the Russian Embassy and Scotland Yard.”

She moved closer to the camera: "Did you hear me clearly, brother?"

Charles nodded mechanically.

“Very good.” Elizabeth hung up the phone.

On the same day, Ye Guigen arranged to meet Andrei at a café on the banks of the Thames. Andrei arrived on crutches, his left leg in a cast. "What do you want?" Andrei asked grimly.

“Let’s settle this once and for all,” Ye Guigen said. “The boxing match is over. If you don’t cause me any more trouble, I won’t expose your identity.”

Why should I believe you?

"Because you had no choice." Ye Guigen pushed a document over:

"This is a copy of the evidence that you laundered money for oligarchs. If you agree, the original will never be seen. If you disagree..."

He didn't finish speaking, but his meaning was clear.

Andrei stared at the document for a long time before finally saying, "Okay."

“There’s one more condition,” Ye Guigen said. “Tell Razor to stop all activities targeting the Cavendish family.”

Andrei gave a wry smile: "Razor isn't one of my men. He's one of Charles's. But I can pass on a message."

The deal was done. As he stepped out of the café, a cold wind blew across the Thames. Looking at the river, Ye Guigen suddenly felt incredibly tired. Was this life of deceit and treachery truly what he wanted?
That evening, Elizabeth came to see him. The two of them opened a bottle of red wine in Ye Guigen's dormitory.

"Today I did something I've always wanted to do," Elizabeth said.

“I compiled all of Charles’s dirty laundry into a book and sent it to my father. Not all of it, but enough to ensure he could never recover.”

Ye Guigen looked at her: "Why do it now?"

“Because I’ve figured it out.” Elizabeth took a big gulp of her drink.
“For so many years, I’ve lived by my mother’s dying wish to protect my brothers. But some people, the more you protect them, the more they fall. Charles is like that. Maybe only by letting him fall completely to the bottom can he climb back up.”

She leaned back on the sofa and closed her eyes: "Ye Guigen, sometimes I envy you. You have a family like Ye Xin's, supporting each other and growing together. But I... only have brothers and sisters who scheme against each other."

Ye Guigen sat down next to her: "You still have me."

Elizabeth opened her eyes, his reflection shimmering in her grey-green pupils: "Yes, I still have you."

She kissed him. The kiss was tender and lingering, like two weary travelers finding warmth in each other.

But when Ye Guigen tried to take things further, Elizabeth gently pushed him away.

“I’m sorry,” she said, “it’s not the right time yet.”

When will that be?

"When I'm truly free." Elizabeth smiled bitterly.
“Right now, I am still the eldest daughter of the Cavendish family, and you are still the heir of the Ye family. If something really happens between us, it will be interpreted as an alliance between the two families, or even a deal. I don’t want that kind of beginning.”

Ye Guigen understood. She wanted pure affection, but in their world, purity was a luxury.

“I’ll wait for you,” he said.

Elizabeth leaned on his shoulder: "Thank you."

That night, they slept in each other's arms, without going any further, but their intimacy was more intimate than any physical relationship.

February 14th, Valentine's Day. The streets of London were filled with romance, couples strolled hand in hand, and shop windows were decorated with heart-shaped patterns.

Ye Guigen received an email from Su Xiao. Her semester at the provincial dance academy had ended, and she was preparing to come to London to attend the spring semester at the Royal Academy of Dance.

"I'll be arriving in London in early March," Su Xiao wrote. "If you have time, could we meet? I'd like to treat you to dinner to thank you for everything you've done for me."

Ye Guigen replied, "Of course. I'll contact you then."

He put down his phone and looked out the window. Winter in London was coming to an end, and tender buds were already sprouting on the branches.

He remembered Su Xiao on stage, her determination when she said she would "stand up on her own," and the warmth of her falling asleep on his shoulder.

It was a feeling completely different from Elizabeth's. Elizabeth was like a raging fire, fiery and dangerous; Su Xiao was like a clear spring, gentle yet resilient.

He didn't know what his feelings were for them. Maybe it was liking, maybe it was admiration, maybe it was just the confusion that comes with growing up.

In the afternoon, Elizabeth invited him to dinner. At a Michelin three-star restaurant, she gave him a watch.

“A Patek Philippe, a custom-made one,” Elizabeth said. “Our initials are engraved on the back of the dial. Happy Valentine’s Day.”

Ye Guigen was a little embarrassed because he hadn't prepared a gift. Elizabeth smiled and said, "Don't worry about it. I know you're not good at these things."

During the meal, Elizabeth suddenly said, "My father wants to see you. Formally."

"why?"

“He wants to confirm our relationship.” Elizabeth cut her steak. “The cooperation between the Cavendish family and the Ye family is about to enter a new phase, and if it’s you and me… he will consider it more deeply.”

Is this using emotions to make a deal?

“Not entirely.” Elizabeth put down her knife and fork.
Ultimately, in this circle, emotions and interests are always intertwined. The important thing is that we can distinguish which is which.

“I like you, that’s true. Our families can work together, that’s also true. Both things can coexist, as long as we don’t deceive ourselves.”

Ye Guigen looked at her. She was always so clear-headed and rational, analyzing everything so clearly.

"Okay, I'll see him."

“Thank you.” Elizabeth took his hand. “I know this isn’t fair to you. But please believe me, my feelings for you are real. It’s just… it’s in a complicated situation.”

That night, Ye Guigen walked alone along the Thames. The cold wind on his face made him much more awake.

He remembered his great-grandfather's words: "The people of the Production and Construction Corps will stand tall and live wherever they go."

I remembered my grandfather's words: "Men of the Ye family must be responsible."

I remembered my father's words: "You have to play your own game within the rules set by others."

Now, he stands in London, in this ancient and complex city, at a crossroads in his life.

One path is to be with Elizabeth, which means power, wealth, and a vast and dangerous world.

One path is to wait for Su Xiao to come to London, which means a simple, pure, warm and down-to-earth life.

There is another path, his own path—not relying on anyone, not choosing anyone, but simply returning to his roots.

My phone rang; it was Ye Xin calling from overseas.

"I did it! I returned to my roots!" Ye Xin's voice trembled with excitement.
"Our prototype passed the tests! That Chinese company decided to invest, and the EU fund has also approved it! We're going to set up a company in Berlin!"

"congratulations!"

"Thank you!" Ye Xin said. "You know, during these past few months in Germany, I've come to understand one thing—a queen isn't born, she earns it. I want to build my kingdom in Berlin, with technology, with wisdom, and with strength."

She paused. "And you? How's it going in London?"

"Still looking for the way."

"Don't rush," Ye Xin said. "Ye Guigen, you're still young, you have plenty of time. The important thing is not to be pushed along by others before you find your own path."

After hanging up the phone, Ye Guigen looked at the Thames River. The river flowed quietly, unchanged for thousands of years, witnessing the comings and goings and choices of countless people.

He thought, perhaps Ye Xin was right. He didn't need to rush to choose, didn't need to rush to define.

He can first become a returnee, and find his own path.

As for Elizabeth, as for Su Xiao, as for those complex emotions and calculations...

Let time tell.

After all, he's only eighteen.

The road ahead is still long.

And he finally began to understand that growth is not about finding answers, but about learning to live with problems.

London is ablaze with lights at night.

The boy stood by the river, contemplating his life independently for the first time.

The road ahead is long and shrouded in mystery.

But he was no longer afraid.

Because he is a man who returns to his roots.

The grandson of Junken City, a man from the Ye family.

No matter which path he chooses, he will continue on it.

In their own way.

Until one truly returns to their roots. (End of Chapter)