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

In the depths of the Qian Family Manor in Shenzhen, in Qian Youyou's boudoir.

The heavy velvet curtains shut out the city's hustle and bustle, leaving only a dim yellow wall lamp by the bedside, casting an ambiguous halo on the expensive silk bedding.

The air was filled with a lingering, enchanting scent, a blend of faint tobacco and women's perfume.

Lu Yang leaned against the headboard shirtless, his well-defined chest rising and falling slightly, a half-smoked cigarette between his fingers.

The rising wisps of smoke blurred the fiery intensity in his deep eyes from a moment ago, leaving only a languid aftertaste.

He had thought that Yin Mingyue would stay in Shanghai for at least half a month this time with the children.

He knew that his mother-in-law, Ma Xiulan, had an almost doting affection for her two grandsons, especially Lu Xin'er, whom she had raised since childhood. Now that she had finally waited so long for her daughter and grandsons, how could she easily let them go?

This also freed up some rare, unrestrained space for him.

The villa was empty, and he naturally couldn't stay alone in that desolate house.

The Qian family manor became the obvious choice for their new home.

During the day, he deals with mountains of official business at the company, and at night he returns here to enjoy Qian Youyou's gentle embrace, and also to see his son Qian Xiaohao, who is growing up in the "outer residence".

This brief period of "freedom" allowed him to relax his tense nerves for a moment, making up for the fact that he rarely had the chance to visit the mother and son because he was mindful of Mingyue's feelings.

Just now, with this feeling of compensation and relaxation, he poured his passion into Qian Youyou until they were both satisfied.

Lu Yang was smoking a cigarette.

The phone on the bedside table rang. Lu Yang picked it up and frowned.

Qian Youyou curled up beside him like a lazy cat, her slender fingers teasingly tracing circles on his sweaty chest, her voice still hoarse from the act: "Who is it? Is your wife checking up on you?"

She tilted her head slightly, a mischievous smile in her eyes.

Lu Yang did not answer immediately, but simply raised his index finger and gently pressed it to his lips to signal her to be quiet, his brows furrowing slightly at the name displayed on the caller ID.

It wasn't Mingyue, but Xiao Jiu, the bodyguard sent to protect her and her child.

He answered the phone, his voice regaining its usual calm: "Hello, this is Lu Yang."

Xiao Jiu's voice, deliberately lowered and tinged with urgency, came from the other end of the phone: "Brother Lu, it's me! Madam, Miss, and Young Master have just boarded the plane! I... I only managed to call you by making an excuse to pee. Please note that our flight is at 7:25 PM and is scheduled to land at Pengcheng Airport around 10 PM. You'd better... you'd better come and pick them up yourself. I noticed that Madam... looks very unwell, as if she's preoccupied, like she's been crying."

Lu Yang's fingers tightened suddenly as he held the cigarette, and ash fell in a flurry.

Just boarded the plane?

Arriving tonight?

Weren't you supposed to be spending your summer vacation in Shanghai?!
A strong sense of foreboding instantly gripped him.

Given Ma Xiulan's personality and how much she cherishes the children, there's no way she'd let them come back so quickly!

Unless... something happened in Shanghai.

Moreover, the thing that could make Mingyue look "unwell", "preoccupied", and "as if she had been crying"... he almost immediately thought of someone.

Yin Mingzhu!
It must be you causing trouble again, right?!

"Okay, I see."

Lu Yang's voice was calm, but his eyes had turned completely cold.

He quickly stubbed out his cigarette.

As soon as the call ended, Qian Youyou immediately noticed the change in his aura. The previous allure was gone, replaced by a deep, chilling presence.

Her circling finger paused, and she asked cautiously, "Are you going back so late?"

There was a hint of disappointment in his tone.

"Hmm," Lu Yang threw off the covers and stood up nimbly, his strong back muscles taut under the light.

"The mother and her two children just boarded the plane and will arrive in Shenzhen tonight."

"Huh?" Qian Youyou sat up in surprise, the silk quilt slipping down to reveal her beautiful shoulders and neck. Her tone was full of confusion as she asked, "Didn't we agree to spend the summer vacation there? It's only been a few days. What happened?"

She keenly noticed the gloom between Lu Yang's brows.

As Lu Yang bent down to pick up the clothes on the ground, he briefly explained, "It's not your fault. There might be some issues in Shanghai, but the details are still unclear."

He quickly put on his shirt, only buttoning a few buttons haphazardly.

“You, as the mother, will have to take good care of our son Xiaohao from now on.”

He walked to the bedside, leaned down, and placed a soothing kiss on Qian Youyou's smooth forehead.

"I'm afraid I won't have much time to come over recently."

Qian Youyou is a woman who is very sensible and considerate.

The dissatisfaction I felt just now was nothing more than a minor emotional reaction to the sudden separation after the passion had subsided.

Seeing Lu Yang's solemn expression, she immediately put her girlish thoughts to the back of her mind.

She quickly got out of bed, stepped barefoot onto the soft carpet, took Lu Yang's suit jacket from the hanger, carefully helped him put it on, and then straightened his shirt collar.

"I understand." Her voice was gentle yet firm, with a hint of worry. "Talk things over calmly, don't rush."

She was well aware of the complicated past and unresolved entanglements between Lu Yang, the Yin Mingyue sisters, and their mother, Ma Xiulan.

Especially the domineering older sister-in-law, Yin Mingzhu, who was once Lu Yang's childhood betrothed. The grudges and entanglements between them are complicated and difficult to unravel.

Qian Youyou was very clear about her position. She controlled the huge Qian family, and her son Qian Xiaohao's future was also secured. She never dared to dream of replacing Yin Mingyue as the mistress of the Lu family.

That's why she sincerely hopes that Lu Yang's family can be harmonious and stable, and that no more irreparable complications will arise.

"Sister Mingyue must have encountered some difficulties. Please be more understanding."

Lu Yang gave her a deep look; Qian Youyou's understanding and thoughtfulness seemed especially precious at that moment.

He nodded and put on his leather shoes: "Okay, I know. I'm leaving now. You go back to sleep and don't overthink it."

He squeezed her hand one last time, then turned and strode away from the boudoir that still held the warmth of their bodies. The door closed softly, shutting out the outside world.

Qian Youyou stood there, looking at the room that had suddenly become empty. The air seemed to still echo with the warmth from before and the desolation of the present.

She sighed softly, walked to the window, and lifted a corner of the heavy curtains.

In the darkness, Lu Yang's black car, like a lurking beast, suddenly lit up its headlights, breaking the tranquility of the manor, and sped towards the road leading to the city.

She knew that a storm might already be waiting for him at Shenzhen Airport.

Shenzhen Airport, Domestic Arrivals Hall.

When Lu Yang arrived, there were still more than 20 minutes before the flight landed.

Instead of going to the VIP lounge, he chose to stand in the most conspicuous spot at the arrival gate, staring intently at the exit passage.

He deliberately changed into a sharp dark casual suit, suppressing the relaxed demeanor he had shown with Qian Youyou, and exuding a calm yet slightly imposing aura.

The surrounding noise seemed irrelevant to him; his thoughts raced.

On his way here, he had already investigated a lot of things through several phone calls.

Lantai broke the contract? Director Zhao? ...Shanghai...Mingzhu Media...Yin Mingzhu's anger...Mingyue's grievances and early return...Xiao Jiu's urgent call...These fragmented pieces of information quickly pieced together in his mind.

Although the details are unclear, the core conflict is almost obvious. It must be that something big has happened on Yin Mingzhu's side, and it is very likely that it is related to our side!
He recalled the scene at the celebration banquet in Guangzhou, where Director Zhao of the Blue TV station leaned in with a fawning smile.

He didn't pay much attention to it at the time, taking it as just a normal social courtesy.

Could it be that... Yin Mingzhu is blaming herself for Lantai's breach of contract?
Do you think it was Lu Yang who tripped you up behind the scenes?
As soon as this thought crossed Lu Yang's mind, a cold smile involuntarily appeared on his lips.

absurd!

Why would Lu Yang need to resort to such despicable means to deal with a woman?
We would never interfere with a television station's business decisions!
But what will Yin Mingzhu think?
Given this woman's obsessive, suspicious, and extremely competitive personality, especially after her recent conflict with Mingyue at the Hangzhou Hotel and the subsequent setback in her career... this arrogant woman will definitely hold Lu Yang accountable for this!

He even took his anger out on Mingyue!

Lu Yang's heart sank little by little.

He could imagine what Mingyue had experienced in Shanghai.

Caught between her angry sister and her conflicted mother, she was unjustly accused and questioned, and might even be scrutinized by her mother with suspicion... How wronged and helpless must she have felt?
No wonder she looked unwell, preoccupied, and appeared to have been crying!
An indescribable feeling of irritation and heartache welled up inside me.

His carefully planned family visit was intended to help Mingyue relax, reconcile with her mother, and allow the children to enjoy family time. However, it turned into a new storm, causing her to return home prematurely with a lot of injuries.

He gripped his phone tightly in his pocket, his knuckles turning slightly white.

Yin Mingzhu... this arrogant and foolish woman is truly a persistent ghost, looming over his and his sister Mingyue's peaceful life!

Just then, the announcement came over the loudspeaker that the flight had landed.

Lu Yang immediately composed himself, his sharp gaze like a searchlight, firmly locking onto the passageway from which passengers were pouring out.

He wanted to see his sister Mingyue and his children as soon as possible.

No matter what happens in Shanghai, no matter how much Yin Mingzhu criticizes him, he must remain calm and provide Mingyue with a safe haven.

A flow of people began to appear.

Soon, Lu Yang spotted that familiar figure.

Yin Mingyue was wearing an elegant dress. With one hand she held tightly to Lu Xin'er, whose two pigtails were sticking up on her head and whose eyes were looking around as if searching for her father. With the other hand she hugged Lu Fan, who seemed a little sleepy and whose little face was pressed against his mother's shoulder.

Her face appeared exceptionally pale under the bright lights, with faint dark circles under her eyes. A layer of weariness and sorrow shrouded her brows, and even from a distance, one could sense the fragility beneath her forced composure.

Xiao Jiu, pulling her suitcase, followed closely behind them. Upon seeing Lu Yang, she immediately gave him a wink and shook her head slightly, indicating that Madam's mood was indeed very low.

Lu Yang felt as if something had clenched his heart tightly.

He immediately strode forward to meet him.

"Dad, Xin'er is here." Lu Xin'er, with her sharp eyes, spotted Lu Yang first. She broke free from her mother's hand and rushed over like a naughty child who had been wronged outside and came home to complain to the adults.

Lu Yang picked up his daughter and kissed her smooth forehead, but his gaze never left Yin Mingyue.

He walked up to her, his voice unusually gentle, with a comforting quality: "Wife, you're back. You must be tired from this trip."

He reached out to take the son from her arms.

Yin Mingyue looked up at him.

Those beautiful eyes were filled with complex emotions: the fatigue of the long flight, the dependence and grievance that surged up when she saw her husband, but deeper still, there was a hurt that she tried to hide but could not completely conceal, and... a trace of unspeakable alienation.
She seemed to want to say something, her lips moved slightly, but in the end she only gave a soft "hmm" and carefully handed her sleeping son, Lu Fan, into Lu Yang's outstretched arms.

Just as Lu Yang took his son and was about to put his other arm around his wife, Lu Xin'er tugged at Lu Yang's other arm and began to complain: "Daddy! Grandma's house is no fun at all! Auntie is so mean! She scolded Mommy! She made Mommy cry! Grandma sighed and told us to come back early... We haven't had enough fun yet!"

Children's words, though innocent, are like a sharp dagger, instantly piercing through Yin Mingyue's carefully maintained facade of calm.

Yin Mingyue's body stiffened abruptly, her face instantly turning even paler, and her eyes uncontrollably reddened. She lowered her head sharply, her shoulders trembling slightly.

Lu Yang tightened his grip on Lu Fan's arm abruptly. His daughter Lu Xin'er's accusation was like a spark thrown into an oil drum, instantly igniting the rage in his eyes. He suppressed his boiling murderous intent, picked up his daughter with one arm, and with the other, firmly embraced Yin Mingyue's trembling shoulder, protecting the mother and children tightly in his arms.

"Let's go home!" His voice was icy, carrying an undeniable force, and his gaze swept over Xiao Jiu with a sharp, knife-like edge.

Xiao Jiu immediately understood and hurried after him, dragging her luggage.

The airport's bright lights were blinding. Lu Yang, with his wife and children in his arms, walked through the crowd. The chilling aura emanating from him made passersby instinctively give way.

He shielded Yin Mingyue to his side, feeling her suppressed sobs seep through her thin clothes; each slight tremor felt like a whip lashing his heart.

Lu Xin'er seemed frightened by her father's unprecedented coldness, and released her hands from his arm, not daring to make a sound.

I sat in the back seat of the waiting black sedan, the door shutting me out of the outside world.

Lu Yang gently placed the sleeping Lu Fan in the car seat, turned around and stared at his wife's pale, tearful face. The surging anger in his chest almost broke through the dam of reason.

He held her icy hand, each word seeming to be forced out from between his teeth:

"Mingyue, tell me, how exactly did Yin Mingzhu bully you? Don't hide a single word from me! I won't let her get away with this!" (End of Chapter)