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

As night fell, the small banquet hall of the Luzhou Municipal Party Committee Guesthouse was brightly lit, with a warm yet solemn atmosphere.

Exquisite dishes were served one after another, filling the air with an enticing aroma.

As the guest of honor, Lu Yang was seated next to Speaker Xu Changping.

During the banquet, Xu Changping, on behalf of the municipal Party committee and government, delivered a warm welcome speech, highly praising Luyang's patriotism and strategic vision, as well as its trust and support for Luzhou's development. Leaders at all levels took turns toasting, expressing their earnest expectations for the project's successful implementation in Luzhou.

Lu Yang spoke eloquently and handled situations with ease, demonstrating both the boldness of an entrepreneur and full respect for local leaders.

To outsiders, his exchange with Xu Changping appeared to be an efficient and pragmatic dialogue between a successful entrepreneur and a local government official regarding a major investment project, brimming with the rigor and professionalism of "respecting one's position when working."

Only in the fleeting moments when their eyes meet do they reveal that subtle, familial trust and unspoken understanding.

The dinner proceeded in a harmonious and hopeful atmosphere.

Lu Yang knew that the smoke of the financial war in Hong Kong had become a glorious backdrop, and the land of Luzhou beneath his feet was about to become the new battlefield for his dream of "serving the country through science and technology". The blueprint for the eight-inch wafer fab would begin to become a reality from tonight's clinking of glasses.

After the dinner.

As the noise subsided, a more private meeting room inside the guesthouse, bathed in warm yellow light, dispelled the chill of the winter night.

The heavy solid wood door shut out the noise from the outside world, leaving only Lu Yang and Xu Changping inside.

The official stance, which had been tense all night, was finally relaxed, and the atmosphere instantly eased.

"Sit down, Xiao Lu, there are no outsiders here." Xu Changping pointed to the sofa, then sat down with a sigh of relief, his face showing the weariness of someone relieved of a heavy burden and a genuine smile.

He casually unbuttoned his meticulously tailored suit jacket, his movements becoming much more relaxed.

Lu Yang sat down as instructed, naturally relaxing his shoulders and back, a relaxed smile appearing on his lips: "Dad, you've had a tough time tonight, haven't you?"

Xu Changping waved his hand, his smile deepening and becoming even more gentle, and said, "Hey, it's all for the work, for Luzhou, and for the prosperity of our motherland. What's this little scene? Seeing you achieve what you have today, winning battles and establishing great achievements, makes me happy. To be honest, I've been excited non-stop..."

An eight-inch wafer fab—this was a first in mainland China. He had never even imagined it, and he never expected it to happen so easily.

Speaking of it.

He paused, his gaze softening with concern, and personally rose to pour tea for Lu Yang: "Siqi... how are you doing in Singapore? I heard she's not staying home idle?"

Lu Yang also quickly got up.

He took the teacup with both hands and said, "Yes, she is fine, and the child is fine too."

When Lu Yang mentioned the mother and daughter, his eyes warmed, and he said with a smile, "Dad, Siqi isn't one to sit idle. She's very resourceful and is currently running her own media company in Singapore. She's doing a great job and it's making good progress. She asked me to tell you that everything is fine and that you shouldn't worry."

"Good, good!" Xu Changping nodded repeatedly, his face showing the pure joy a father feels when he hears his children have achieved success.

He patted Lu Yang on the shoulder heavily.

Some things are better left unsaid; it's enough to keep them to yourself.

Where did my daughter get the money to start such a big company?
It was all thanks to the man in front of her. "It's good to have your own career. Young people should take risks. She's always been independent, just like me... and her mother."

When his ex-wife Du Yuanyuan was mentioned, his tone was flat, and he even omitted her name, as if it were just an insignificant symbol. Instead, he directly instructed her: "Your schedule is tight this time, but once the investment intentions here are almost finalized and the project framework is in place, take some time to make a detour to Ganzhou and remember to visit Siqi's aunt."

Lu Yang understood immediately: "I understand, Dad. We really should go see Sister Du."

He recalled Xu Changping's long-held view: back in Zhaoxian County, it was Du Lingling, then director of the county's investment promotion bureau, who recognized his talent and recommended him to Xu Changping, then vice speaker of the Baoqing City Council. Du Lingling gave him his first real opportunity, allowing him to build a makeshift team and gain experience and connections with Xu Changping at the Canton Fair. In Xu Changping's heart, Du Lingling was Lu Yang's true mentor and benefactor.

But is the reality really just a matter of a talent scout and a benefactor?

"Well, it's good that you mean well. Lingling, she..." Xu Changping seemed to want to say something, but in the end he just patted Lu Yang on the shoulder, "Give her my regards. It's easier for you young people to talk to each other."

After chatting for a few more minutes, Xu Changping glanced at his watch, stood up, and said, "Alright, it's getting late. You've had a long day, so get some rest. The relevant department will coordinate the details of the funding and project launch with you tomorrow. If you have any requests, just let me know."

"Okay, Dad, you should get some rest too." Lu Yang got up to see him off.

After seeing Xu Changping off and closing the door to the reception room, the room became completely quiet.

The city lights outside the window came into view, with scattered lights in the distance reflecting the sparse, cold stars in the sky. The enthusiasm of the banquet and the warmth of the private conversations gradually subsided.

Lu Yang walked to the huge floor-to-ceiling window and looked out at Luzhou City, which was shrouded in the cold moonlight.

The air on the winter night seemed exceptionally clear, and the moonlight, like mercury spilling onto the ground, clearly projected the outline of the window frame onto the floor.

The ease and warmth on his face gradually faded, replaced by a deep solemnity.

His brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, and his deep eyes reflected the lights outside the window, yet seemed to pierce through the scene before him, casting their gaze upon a more distant and worrisome place.

Actually, he had tried to contact Sister Lingling before he set off for Luzhou.

All that came through the phone was a long, monotonous busy tone, once, twice... but no one answered.

This is extremely rare in the past.

Du Lingling has always been methodical in her work, and she has never been so "out of touch" with him before.

“Sister Du…” Lu Yang murmured to himself, his voice barely audible in the quiet room.

He gazed at the cold, bright moon outside the window, as if trying to find a clue or answer in its unchanging radiance.

An indescribable, complex emotion weighed on his heart. He let out a long, drawn-out sigh, which sounded particularly clear and heavy in the empty room.

"Sister Du is angry."

"Sister Du, she must be angry with me."

"Yeah, I deserve it!"

"Sister Du... Lingling, what will it take for you to forgive me?" (End of Chapter)