Return to 88: Starting from Marrying My Sister-in-law

Three days later, at the Singapore port in the early morning.

A weathered, unassuming dark gray ocean-going fishing vessel, guided by a pilot boat, silently glided into its designated berth.

The boat's paint was mottled, and it emitted a strong smell of fish and diesel fuel, blending perfectly into the busy fishing port background in the morning light.

Outside the port, a few dark-colored minivans were parked sparsely on some inconspicuous streets.

Inside one of the bulletproof modified black Land Rovers, the air was so stagnant it was almost as if you could wring water out of it.

Lu Yang sat in the back seat, his gaze fixed on the fishing boat slowly approaching the shore through the tinted car window.

The vulnerability he displayed in the study three days ago seemed to have never existed; in its place was a deeper, more reserved demeanor. Only his tightly pursed lips and the unconsciously curling and loosening of his fingers on his knees betrayed the turmoil within him.

As the fishing boat finally came to a stop and the gangway was lowered, Lu Yang's hand on the car door handle tightened abruptly, his knuckles turning white.

Driven by a strong impulse, he wanted to immediately push open the car door, rush to the dock, and personally greet the soldiers who had fought and bled for his orders, to confirm that every survivor was safe and sound, and to... face the heavy price paid.

"Boss!" Almost at the same time he exerted force with his fingers, two deep and wary voices rang out simultaneously.

"The port situation is complex, with a large flow of people."

“Although we have deployed our forces on the perimeter and at high points, there is no guarantee that there won’t be any stragglers or eyes that have infiltrated temporarily. You cannot take the risk.”

Xiao Jiu and Da Jun are both here today.

Xiao Jiu quickly added, his tone earnest: "Boss, Brother Ping An is already on the ship, and everything is under control. Please wait a little longer until they disembark safely and reach the rendezvous area that we have complete control over. Your safety is always our top priority. The brothers are counting on you to bring them a lifetime of wealth."

Lu Yang's hand finally slid slowly off the doorknob.

He closed his eyes, took a deep breath of the sea-scented air, and when he opened them again, his eyes were filled with a calmness as deep as a still pool.

He nodded slightly, which was considered tacit approval, but his gaze remained fixed on the fishing boat.

Time passed by second by second, each second seemingly stretched out.

Finally, the rusty hatch of the fishing boat was pushed open, and Gong Ping'an's tall figure appeared first at the gangway. He was wearing a black tactical uniform that was out of place among the fishermen. His face was stern, and his eyes scanned the surroundings warily. Only after confirming that it was safe did he make a hand gesture.

Immediately afterwards, several figures appeared one after another. "Rhino," pale-faced, with thick bandages wrapped around his chest and unsteady steps, was being carefully supported by two team members; "Lynx," leaning on a makeshift crutch, had his left leg immobilized, making each step difficult; "Python," supported by another team member, was unable to straighten his back due to an injury, and his breathing was slightly heavy, but his mental state was still acceptable.

Seeing that the wounded, despite their limited mobility, had all disembarked alive, Lu Yang's tense shoulders relaxed almost imperceptibly.

Next to appear was Lin Chundong, who looked slightly haggard but had a determined look in his eyes, and the middle-aged man beside him who wore glasses and looked terrified after surviving the ordeal.

Senior process integration engineer Chen Wen, along with his wife and daughter, who were also pale-faced, whom he was holding tightly.

Finally, it's Captain A-Long's turn.

He walked at the back, his steps heavy, his face devoid of its usual sharpness, replaced by an indescribable dejection and deep self-reproach.

Gong Ping'an directed his team to quickly escort the injured and the engineer's family to the prepared medical vehicle and commercial vehicle, their actions swift and orderly.

Only after everyone was safely within the control range of the bulletproof vehicle did Gong Ping'an walk quickly to Lu Yang's car and say into his earpiece, "Safe. Everyone, evacuate back to base as planned. The boss is observing you secretly and will come to visit you in person later."

The dull, fishy smell of the sea on the dock seemed to be stirred up by the hurried footsteps.

Once he confirmed that all personnel had safely entered the bulletproof vehicle area, Lu Yang did not wait any longer. He pushed open the car door, his tall figure exuding a heavy sense of oppression, and strode towards the location where Gong Ping'an and A Long were.

Xiao Jiu followed closely behind, his sharp eyes scanning the remaining port workers and vehicles around him warily, ensuring the safety of the last stretch of road.

Upon seeing Lu Yang approach in person, Gong Ping'an immediately stepped forward, raised his hand in a standard salute, and said in a loud voice, "Boss!"

Ah Long was a beat slower. He looked up, his face a mixture of exhaustion, pain, and overwhelming guilt. His lips moved, but no sound came out.

Several core team members around him.

Even those with minor injuries instinctively straightened their backs.

Lu Yang's gaze lingered on Gong Ping'an's face for a second, he nodded slightly, and then turned to A Long and the brothers behind him who had just struggled back from the brink of death.

Without saying a word, he opened his arms and hugged Gong Ping'an tightly, patting his back twice with his thick hands.

Then he turned to Ah Long.

Ah Long's body stiffened slightly, but Lu Yang's embrace was equally strong, carrying an undeniable sense of acceptance.

Then came the teammate next to him, his fist slamming against his chest with a dull thud, patting his shoulder, shaking his hand—simple gestures conveying the relief of surviving the ordeal and the silent mourning for the sacrifice.

The air was filled with the unique smell of gunpowder, blood, and sweat, as well as a heavy, unspoken brotherhood.

"Get in the car and go home."

Lu Yang's deep voice broke the brief, powerful silence.

The group quickly boarded a luxury bulletproof van that had been waiting nearby, with dark and completely sealed windows.

The heavy carriage doors closed, completely shutting out the hustle and bustle of the port and the potential dangers. The carriage was spacious, but the air pressure was low. Ah Long sat opposite Lu Yang, his hands clenched into fists on his knees, his knuckles white from the force, and his head bowed deeply.

Gong Ping'an sat to the side, his lips tightly pressed together.

Lu Yang leaned back in the spacious seat, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath, as if calming his turbulent emotions or gathering his strength.

Under heavy guard, the convoy quietly departed the port, passed through the gradually awakening international city, and finally entered a heavily guarded cluster of buildings on the outskirts of the city.

The overseas training base of Century Security Group.

The lights in the medical area inside the base were soft and bright, but they couldn't hide the tense atmosphere under the disinfectant.

Lu Yang went directly to the ward area where the seriously injured were temporarily housed.

The rhinoceros lay on the hospital bed, the bandage on his chest still conspicuous, his face pale but his eyes clear; the lynx's left leg was fixed in place and suspended; the python lay on the bed, the treated wound on his back making it seem like he was having some difficulty breathing.

The doctor gave a concise report: "Boss, the shrapnel in Rhino's chest has been removed. The penetrating wound avoided major organs, and he is now out of danger. However, he has lost too much blood and his organs are severely contused. He will need a long recovery period and meticulous care."

The surgery on the lynx's comminuted leg fracture was successful, but the extent of nerve and tendon damage still needs further observation, and functional recovery is the focus.

The python suffered multiple rib fractures and lung contusion from a severe blow to its back. Fortunately, its spine was unharmed. It currently requires strict rest to prevent lung infection and further injury. After overall assessment, even if the three recover, they may no longer be suitable for high-intensity training and tasks. This is our medical team's injury assessment report; the specific data is basically consistent with the actual injuries, but the final result will depend on their post-operative recovery. Please review it, boss.”

Lu Yang listened quietly, his face showing little expression, but his jawline was taut.

He walked to each bedside, bent down, avoiding the injured areas, and patted their shoulders or arms forcefully.

His gaze swept over every bandage on their bodies, his voice low yet containing undeniable power: "You've worked hard! It's good that you're back alive. Focus on recovering and don't think about anything else. The company will support you for life, and your families will also receive the best arrangements."

This promise was like a shot in the arm, instantly bringing tears to the eyes of the three wounded soldiers, and also warming the hearts of Gong Ping'an and the other team members who were accompanying them. It was as if the heavy burden they had carried all the way had found a solid support at this moment.

After treating the wounded, Lu Yang turned his gaze to Ah Long, who had been silently standing in the shadows in the corner of the ward.

Ah Long immediately straightened up, his hands trembling slightly at his sides, his lips moving as the words of apology and repentance that had been churning in his heart almost burst out: "Boss, I..."

Lu Yang raised his hand and decisively interrupted him.

He walked up to Aaron, his gaze sweeping heavily over Aaron's bloodshot eyes, sunken eye sockets, and unshaven face. Finally, his gaze seemed to pierce through Aaron and land on the invisible void behind him left by the sacrifice of the falcon.

After a few seconds of silence, Lu Yang slowly said, "The responsibility lies with me. Your command was correct. You brought the person back under the worst circumstances, and that's enough."

He paused, each word clear and heavy, "The blood of the falcon will not be shed in vain. Go back and get some rest."

Ah Long's body jolted violently. Overwhelmed with grief and an unbearable sense of forgiveness, his throat bobbed violently. In the end, he could only nod heavily and could no longer utter a single word.

Gong Ping'an stepped forward at the right moment and, half-supporting and half-leading, took A Long, who was immersed in great emotions, away from the ward.

Lu Yang didn't linger; he didn't even give himself a moment to catch his breath.

After settling the personnel at this side of the base, he immediately headed to the living support area on the other side of the base.

In a simply furnished but safe suite, Lin Chundong was with the still-shaken engineer Chen Wen and his family.

Seeing Lu Yang push the door open and enter with Gong Ping'an and Xiao Jiu, Lin Chundong immediately stood up, his face filled with deep guilt and unease.

He stepped forward, his voice hoarse with emotion and self-reproach: "President Lu... I'm sorry! It's all because of me. In order to help me bring out Engineer Chen, the brothers..." He choked up the rest of his words, his eyes reddening.

Lu Yang's gaze was deep. He first gave Lin Chundong a deep look, his eyes so sharp that they seemed to see through his soul. Then his gaze turned to Chen Wen and his wife and daughter, who were huddled together on the sofa, their eyes filled with fear and confusion.

He did not allow Lin Chundong's apology to continue.

He simply shook his head.

He said calmly, "Dr. Lin, there's no need to apologize. This isn't your fault."

Then, raising his voice, he said, "Choosing to carry it out was my decision; my team and I were aware of the risks beforehand, and the consequences were severe, but they were not caused by you."

Lin Chundong felt a warmth in his heart upon hearing this, and his worries from the journey were put to rest.

Lu Yang's gaze fell on Chen Wen, the person involved. His tone softened slightly, but he remained extremely solemn: "Engineer Chen, welcome to Singapore. I'm sorry to have frightened you and your family. Let bygones be bygones. Here, you and your family will be guaranteed the highest level of safety."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Lin Chundong and Chen Wen, his tone becoming incredibly firm, "You, Dr. Lin, and the other key experts we recruited earlier will be the irreplaceable core of the future wafer fab. My promise to you remains the same as before: you will have bread, you will have milk, and you will have company stock."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Lin Chundong and Chen Wen, finally settling on the rows of modern ports in the distance and the faint outline of the industrial zone further away. "Everyone's here now. I only need you to do one thing: put aside your burdens, overcome all difficulties, and get our wafer fab into mass production as quickly as possible! Produce our own top-tier chips as fast as you can! This isn't just for the company's future, it's also for..."

He didn't say the name, but everyone understood he was referring to the sacrifice of the falcon. Blood couldn't be shed in vain. "Can we do this so that these sacrifices don't become meaningless?"

Lin Chundong and Chen Wen were deeply moved by the heavy expectations and implied tragedy in Lu Yang's words. They exchanged a glance and saw determination in each other's eyes.

Lin Chundong nodded vigorously: "Don't worry, President Lu, we will do our best!"

Chen Wen also took a deep breath and solemnly replied, "I...we understand, and we will certainly live up to your expectations!"

Lu Yang didn't pause. He took half a step forward and shook hands with both of them, saying, "Good, I appreciate your determination. Now, tell me, what else do you need? Equipment, resources, arrangements for your families... just tell me, and I will try my best to meet your needs."

Lin Chundong was taken aback at first, then a hint of gratitude flashed in his eyes. He licked his chapped lips and said in a hoarse voice, "President Lu, I have no needs right now. I just want to take up my post as soon as possible."

Chen Wen, standing beside him, nodded in agreement, unconsciously tightening his arms around his wife and daughter: "President Lu, I... I would like to request that my family be provided with a more secluded place to live. The children are still traumatized, and the school situation is still unresolved."

Lu Yang nodded without hesitation: "Xiao Jiu".

Standing by the door, Xiao Jiu immediately straightened her back and responded like a statue: "Boss."

Lu Yang's gaze remained fixed on the engineer's family: "Record the requirements: Chen's family members will be moved to the family area inside the base, with dedicated personnel providing 24-hour protection. Xiao Jiu will handle the child's school enrollment."

"As for the security issue..."

Lu Yang's voice grew louder, his gaze fixed intently on Chen Wen and Lin Chundong, "You don't need to worry, this is my territory, Century Security's overseas base, every inch of this land is under the most advanced surveillance and armed force."

Lu Yang didn't give them a chance to speak again. He turned around abruptly and looked at Gong Ping'an: "Ping'an, go and call A Long in. The matter is over, it's time to turn the page."

Gong Ping'an responded with "Yes," and swiftly pushed open the door, his deep command echoing down the corridor.

A brief silence fell over the suite, broken only by the hum of the air conditioner and the salty smell of the sea breeze drifting from afar.

Lu Yang stood still, his hands in his suit trouser pockets, his jawline taut, as if he was gathering something.

Less than a minute later, the door was pushed open.

Ah Long walked in, his steps heavy, as if his legs were bound with invisible lead weights. His face was unshaven, his eyes were sunken, and his bloodshot eyes were filled with lingering guilt and exhaustion. Lu Yang's forgiveness, "The responsibility is mine," seemed to only deepen his self-blame.

Lu Yang's gaze was fixed directly on Ah Long. There was no small talk, no beating around the bush. "Ah Long, the matter is over. The blood of the Falcon will not have been shed in vain. Now, the security of the wafer fab will still be the responsibility of your security company's overseas base. You will personally lead the team."

Ah Long's body suddenly stiffened.

He raised his head, his lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but in the end it turned into a heavy nod, his fingers unconsciously curling up until his knuckles turned white.

Lu Yang took a step closer, raised his hand and patted his shoulder. The gesture was brief and powerful, conveying a silent trust: "The safety of the overseas company still depends on you. From today onwards, the safety of the engineers and their families is in your hands."

Ah Long took a deep breath, his chest heaving, and a long-lost sharpness gradually gathered in his eyes. He forcibly suppressed his dejection: "Understood, boss. I will protect you with my life."

Just then, Lin Chundong suddenly interrupted, his voice urgent: "President Lu, if there are no safety issues, Engineer Chen and I would like to go to the lab immediately to check the equipment..."

Lu Yang nodded, thought for a moment, and turned back to say, "Ping An, arrange a car. A Long, you go with them and familiarize yourself with the environment." The suite door opened again, and the morning light poured in, cutting out the outline of a busy scene. The chip battle behind the wafer fab had officially begun. (End of Chapter)