Great Power Reclamation

The dinner was lively; not only did the invited guests arrive, but several unexpected guests also showed up. These included Wang Lina, Zheng Lanzhi, Kevin, and Ivan.

Yang Geyong's face was a little dark, not for any other reason than that this guy was not averse to meat and had a daughter with Wang Lina.

Although no one knew about this, it couldn't be kept secret any longer, because his daughter, Wang Yang, looked too much like Yang Geyong.

Because Wang Lina conceived in the United States, everyone initially speculated that it was Ye Yuze's child. However, as the child grew older, the truth became clear.

However, the two of them never talked about this, mainly because Wang Lina didn't want the child to have any psychological burden when he grew up.

Yang Geyong simply didn't want to cause trouble. After all, Wang Lina was someone who feared no one in the entire Warrior Group except Ye Yuze.

Later, Wang Lina married Wei Xiang and became Wei Yuxiang's daughter-in-law, but given her age, Wei Yuxiang's old face didn't look too natural.

However, Wang Lina didn't care, because her purpose in coming today was to seek justice for Niva.

She knew that although these men were apologizing to Niva, their ultimate goal was to help Xiao Guaizi and his new lover get together, and she couldn't tolerate that.

Although Sister-in-law Yu'e is a very good person, she is too timid and has no self-respect in front of Ye Yuze. Therefore, she must stand up for Niwa.

Ye Yuze's living room has never been so crowded.

Yu'e was busy running around in the kitchen, her spatula flying and the air filled with fumes.

The large round table in the living room was already full of dishes—braised fish, stewed mutton, braised chicken, garlic broccoli, cucumber salad, scrambled eggs with tomatoes, and a big bowl of hot and sour soup.

Knowing there would be many people today, Yu'e specially prepared a few extra dishes.

Ye Yuze arranged the chairs in the living room, counting them over and over again.

"Old Yang, Little Guaizi, Niwa, Wei Yuxiang, Wang Lina, Zheng Lanzhi, Ivan, Kevin..."

He counted on his fingers, frowning. "Including me and Yu'e, that makes ten people. We don't have enough chairs."

Yu'e poked her head out from the kitchen: "There are two more in the study, bring them out."

Ye Yuze went to move a chair, and just as he brought it out, the doorbell rang.

The first to arrive was Yang Geyong. He had changed into clean clothes and combed his hair, but his expression was somewhat unnatural.

"Old Ye, why is Wang Lina here too?"

Ye Yuze glanced at him: "What's wrong? Can't she come?"

Yang Geyong scratched his head: "Yes, I can come. I was just asking."

Ye Yuze knew what he was thinking, but he didn't expose him.

The affair between Yang Geyong and Wang Lina was an open secret in the military reclamation town.

Wang Lina spent more than half a year in the United States. When she returned, she was carrying a baby girl, saying that she had adopted her.

But as the girl named Wang Yang grew older, with curly hair and a high nose, she became a spitting image of a female version of Yang Geyong. Everyone who saw her understood.

But nobody brought it up. Wang Lina didn't want to talk about it, and Yang Geyong wanted to even less.

Wang Lina later married Wei Xiang and became Wei Yuxiang's daughter-in-law, making it even more difficult to bring up the matter.

Ye Yuze patted Yang Geyong on the shoulder: "Today's main characters are Niva and Xiao Guaizi, don't walk into the line of fire."

Yang Geyong smiled wryly: "I would like to crash into them, but they might not give me the chance."

No sooner had he finished speaking than the doorbell rang again.

This time, Wei Yuxiang and Wang Lina came together.

Wei Yuxiang was wearing a dark blue jacket, his hair was neatly combed, and he looked more energetic than usual.

Wang Lina was wearing a red wool sweater, had her hair permed, and wore light makeup; she looked radiant.

"Brother Yuze!" Wang Lina greeted with a smile, "Where's Sister-in-law Yu'e? I'll go help her."

After saying that, he went into the kitchen without even glancing at Yang Geyong.

Yang Geyong stood there, his face turning red and then pale.

Wei Yuxiang walked over and patted him on the shoulder:

"Old Yang, you don't look well. Did you get tired from the horse farm?"

Yang Geyong glared at him: "What's it to you?"

Wei Yuxiang chuckled: "I don't care. I just care about you."

Yang Geyong snorted and fell silent.

Ye Yuze watched from the side, amused. Wei Yuxiang, that old fox, clearly knew everything, yet pretended to know nothing. That kind of composure was something most people couldn't cultivate.

Next came Zheng Lanzhi and Ivan.

Zheng Lanzhi was wearing a plain-colored coat, her hair was tied up, and she was wearing reading glasses. She still looked like a university president.

Ivan followed behind her, carrying a bottle of vodka, grinning.

"Old Ye! It's lively today!" Ivan placed the liquor on the table. "This is genuine Russian vodka, Niva's favorite."

Ye Yuze took it: "You really understand her."

Zheng Lanzhi glanced at the people inside the room and whispered to Ye Yuze, "Has Niwa arrived?"

Ye Yuze shook his head: "Not yet."

Zheng Lanzhi nodded, said nothing, and went to help in the kitchen.

Kevin arrived last.

Kevin was also among the first batch of talents recruited by Ye Yuze. He was a famous hacker in the United States, wanted by many departments, and was eventually brought to China by Ye Yuze.

As soon as Kevin entered the door, he exclaimed, "What delicious food has Sister Yu'e made? I could smell the aroma from far away!"

Ye Yuze laughed: "You're such a glutton. Go wash your hands, dinner's ready soon."

Kevin washed his hands, walked around the living room, and greeted everyone. He was very charming, greeting everyone he met and making the elderly men and women smile.

Only Yang Geyong was unhappy. He looked at Wang Lina's expressionless face and felt uneasy.

Kevin leaned closer and asked, "Old Yang, I went to your horse farm. That little pony is so beautiful! Can you ride it?"

Yang Geyong forced a smile: "He's still young, let him grow up a bit more. When he's older, you can ride him."

Kevin nodded happily: "Then it's a deal!"

The doorbell rang for the last time.

Niva has arrived.

She changed into a dark blue dress, styled her hair, and wore pearl earrings. She wore light makeup and looked much more energetic than yesterday.

Ye Yuze went up to greet him: "You're here? Come in quickly."

Niva nodded and went into the living room.

Everyone in the room was looking at her. She paused for a moment, then straightened her back and sat down gracefully.

Why are you all staring at me? Never seen me before?

Everyone laughed, and the atmosphere relaxed.

Only Yang Geyong noticed that the little bastard hadn't arrived yet.

He leaned close to Ye Yuze's ear: "Where's Little Traitor?"

Ye Yuze noticed it too, and was about to make a call when the door rang again.

The young cripple stood at the door, wearing a new shirt and carrying two bottles of wine. Behind him followed Ayiguli and Gulina.

The living room was silent for a second.

Niva's expression changed.

Ye Yuze quickly stood up: "Little cripple, you've come at the right time, we were just waiting for you."

The thug came in and placed the wine on the table. Ayiguli and Gulina stood at the doorway, unsure whether to go in or go out.

Niva stared at the little cripple, then glanced at the mother and daughter at the door, her lips pressed into a thin line.

When Wang Lina came out of the kitchen and saw this scene, she frowned.

"Little bastard, what are you doing bringing them here?"

The convict rubbed his hands together: "I...I just wanted to let everyone get to know him..."

Wang Lina sneered: "Know them? Don't you know what day it is today? Today is to apologize to Niva. You brought them here to show off?"

The kidnapper's face turned bright red: "No, no, I just..."

“Who are you?” Wang Lina interrupted him. “You just want everyone to accept them, right? You wish!”

The atmosphere in the living room suddenly became tense.

Yang Geyong stood up: "Lina, say less."

Wang Lina turned to look at him: "I'm not saying anything? You're quite the talker. Have you even sorted out your own problems before trying to control others?"

Yang Geyong's face darkened instantly.

Wei Yuxiang drank tea nearby, pretending not to hear anything.

Ye Yuze quickly tried to smooth things over: "Sit down, everyone. Let's talk this out."

Wang Lina didn't sit down. She walked over to Niva and took her hand.

"Niva, don't be afraid. With me here today, no one will be able to bully you."

Niva looked at her, her eyes reddening.

"Lina..."

Wang Lina patted her hand and turned to face everyone.

“I’m making this clear today. I don’t care about Xiao Guaizi and Ayiguli. But Niwa is from our military reclamation clothing factory, she’s Empress Dowager Mei Hua’s confidante, and she’s my old sister. If anyone makes her suffer any injustice, I, Wang Lina, will be the first to object.”

Yang Geyong couldn't hold back any longer: "Wang Lina, you're making it sound like we've all bullied her. This meal today is actually to apologize to her."

Wang Lina sneered: "An apology? Is an apology enough? That little bastard was with her for decades, and then he just left like that. You brothers not only didn't speak up for her, but you even helped that little bastard find a new love. Is that what you call an apology?"

The cripple stood there, his face as white as paper.

Aygul stood at the door, head down, not daring to look at anyone. Gulina held her mother's hand, her lips pressed tightly together.

Zheng Lanzhi came out of the kitchen, looked at the scene, and sighed.

"Lina, sit down first. Let's talk slowly."

Wang Lina glanced at her: "Lanzhi, you're an educated person, you tell me, who's right and who's wrong in this matter?"

Zheng Lanzhi thought for a moment: "When it comes to feelings, there is no absolute right or wrong."

Wang Lina glared: "What do you mean there isn't? The little kidnapper got together with Ayiguli while still married, isn't that wrong?"

The conman panicked: "I didn't! I only got together with Ayiguli after I divorced Niva!"

Wang Lina didn't believe it: "After the divorce? Who would believe that? You've only been divorced for a short time, and she's already started a factory with you? Who are you trying to fool?"

The young cripple was speechless.

Niva suddenly spoke up.

"Lina, forget it."

Everyone looked at her.

Niva lowered her head and said softly, "That's enough. We've made a scene for so many days, that's enough."

Wang Lina became anxious: "How can we let it go? You've suffered so much injustice..."

Niva looked up at her.

"I felt wronged, but it's also true that it's all in the past."

She stood up and walked over to the cripple.

The boy's palms were sweating with nervousness. Niva looked at him and remained silent for a long time.

"Liu Xinghua, I have a question for you."

The little cripple nodded.

Are you happy being with her?

The kidnapper was stunned.

Niva stared at him, waiting for an answer.

The little cripple opened his mouth, then finally nodded.

"Happy."

Niva's eyes reddened, but she didn't cry.

"That's fine."

She turned around and walked back to her seat.

The living room was extremely quiet.

Wang Lina stood there, her expression shifting from anger to resentment, and then from resentment to helplessness.

"Niva, are you just going to let this go like that?"

Niva gave a wry smile: "What else can we do but forget about it? Tie him up and bring him back? But that would only make things difficult for both of us."

She looked at Wang Lina and said softly, "Lina, I know you mean well. But some things can't be solved just by you standing up for others."

Wang Lina opened her mouth, but couldn't say a word.

Yang Geyong suddenly spoke up.

“Niva is right. It’s none of an outsider’s business when it comes to matters of the heart.”

Wang Lina turned and glared at him: "Shut up! You haven't told us your story yet!"

Yang Geyong was stunned: "What do you want?"

Wang Lina sneered: "Your business? Don't you know how many children you have?"

The living room fell silent again.

Everyone looked at Yang Geyong.

Yang Geyong's face turned as red as a boiled shrimp.

Wei Yuxiang was holding a teacup when his hand trembled, and the tea spilled out.

Ye Yuze quickly stepped in to smooth things over: "Lina, this isn't the time to talk about this..."

Wang Lina persisted, "What do you mean it's not the right time? You men are all the same. You're out there having fun while the women suffer at home. Little Guaizi was like that, Yang Geyong was like that, and weren't you, Ye Yuze, the same way back then?"

Ye Yuze was speechless.

Zheng Lanzhi whispered to Lina, "Lina, that's enough."

Wang Lina glanced at her, then at Yang Geyong, and suddenly smiled.

"Alright, I won't say anything more. But let me tell you, this meal today isn't you apologizing to Niva, it's Niva giving you face. She's not holding it against you because she's magnanimous. If you have any conscience, treat her better in the future."

After saying that, she plopped down and took a big gulp of tea.

The room was quiet for a few seconds.

Then Ivan raised his glass: "Niva, I toast you. You did a great job."

Niva looked at him and raised her glass as well.

The two clinked glasses and drank it all in one gulp.

The atmosphere gradually relaxed.

Kevin leaned close to Ye Yuze's ear and whispered, "Yuze, how many good sisters do you have?"

Ye Yuze glared at him: "Don't ask around."

Kevin stuck out his tongue and stopped asking.

The little cripple walked to the door and pulled Ayiguli and Gulina inside.

"Have a seat. Let's have a meal together."

Aygul looked at Niva hesitantly.

Niva didn't look at her, and kept her head down as she drank her tea.

The little cripple pulled them to sit down, while he sat in the middle, like a wall.

Wang Lina glanced at him but said nothing.

Yu'e brought out the last dish from the kitchen, and seeing that everyone was there, she smiled.

"Dinner's ready! The food won't taste good if it gets cold."

Everyone sat around the table and began to eat.

Kevin was a smooth talker, toasting each of the elderly women and making them beam with joy.

Ivan and Yang Geyong had a drinking contest, both getting red-faced and swollen. Wei Yuxiang picked up a piece of fish and ate it slowly, his eyes darting around on everyone's faces.

Wang Lina suddenly raised her glass towards Niva.

"Niva, I was a bit harsh just now. Don't take it to heart."

Niva looked at her and raised her glass as well.

"I know you mean well."

The two clinked glasses and smiled at each other.

Yang Geyong breathed a sigh of relief.

Wang Lina turned to look at him: "Why are you so relieved? I didn't say anything to you."

Yang Geyong smiled wryly: "You just said that."

Wang Lina snorted: "So what if I said it? What can you do about it?"

Yang Geyong didn't dare to respond.

Ye Yuze laughed: "Come on, let's drink. Today is a good day, let's not make things unpleasant."

Ivan raised his glass: "Yes! Let's drink! After this, there are three more!"

Everyone laughed.

After a few rounds of drinks, they started talking more.

When Zheng Lanzhi talked about the Military Reclamation University, she said that the original students have now become the backbone of various industries.

Ivan recounted the history of Warrior Motors, explaining how it started as a car dealership and grew into the multinational corporation it is today.

Wei Yuxiang rarely spoke seriously: "If it weren't for Lao Ye and Lao Yang back then, we would all be somewhere now."

Yang Geyong glared at him: "You've finally said something sensible."

Wei Yuxiang wasn't angry; he just chuckled.

Wang Lina suddenly asked, "Niva, what are your plans for the future?"

Niva thought for a moment and said, "Let's just live a good life. There are still things to do at the factory, and I also have to take care of my son. When I retire, I'll go traveling. I'll go see all the places I didn't get to when I was young."

Wang Lina nodded: "Okay, I'll go with you."

Niva smiled.

The young cripple listened nearby, wanting to say something, but then swallowed it back.

Aygul gently took his hand.

Niva saw it, but didn't say anything and just lowered her head to drink her soup.

After the meal, everyone helped clear the table.

Kevin insisted on washing the dishes, but Yu'e pushed him away, saying, "You can't wash them properly, don't make a mess."

Kevin smiled and went to the living room to chat with the old men.

Wang Lina pulled Niva to sit on the balcony, and the two whispered to each other.

Yang Geyong leaned closer to Ye Yuze and whispered, "Old Ye, let's consider today's matter over, shall we?"

Ye Yuze glanced at him: "It's all in the past. But you know what's going on in your own life."

Yang Geyong scratched his head and remained silent.

Around 9 p.m., everyone gradually dispersed.

The little cripple led Ayiguli and Gulina away first. Before leaving, he walked up to Niva and bowed deeply.

"Niva, I'm sorry."

Niva looked at him, remained silent for a moment, and then said, "Come visit me during holidays and festivals from now on. Don't leave me alone."

The little cripple's eyes reddened, and he nodded.

Aygul stood beside her and said softly, "Sister Niwa, I'm sorry."

Niva glanced at her, said nothing, and turned to go inside.

When Wang Lina left, she patted Yang Geyong on the shoulder.

"Old Yang, Wang Yang is coming back for the New Year. Go see her. She may not say it, but she cares about you."

Yang Geyong was stunned.

Wang Lina turned and left without waiting for his reply.

Wei Yuxiang followed behind, and after walking a distance, he turned back to look at Yang Geyong and smiled.

Ye Yuze saw everyone off and returned to the house.

Yu'e was tidying up the kitchen, and Kevin was helping her.

“Yuze,” Kevin suddenly asked, “how many children do you have outside?”

Ye Yuze looked at him and sighed.

"I can't count them all."

Kevin's eyes widened: "Really?"

Ye Yuze nodded.

Kevin thought for a moment and then asked, "Then why didn't Yu'e make a fuss?"

Ye Yuze smiled: "Because she's virtuous."

Kevin nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite.

That night, Ye Yuze lay in bed, thinking about what had happened that day.

Yu'e asked from the side, "What are you thinking about?"

Ye Yuze said, "Thinking about these people, they've been through so much in their lives, and they're still making a fuss."

Yu'e laughed: "It's good to make a fuss. If you don't, you'll get old."

Ye Yuze smiled too.

Outside the window, the moon rose and shone on the streets of the military reclamation city.

The old houses, old trees, and old streets were as quiet as a painting under the moonlight.

Ye Yuze closed his eyes and slowly fell asleep. (End of Chapter)