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

In Shanghai, this bustling metropolis of fame and fortune, the air still seems to be thick with the lingering smell of gunpowder after the public "breakup" between Sifei Media and Mingzhu Media.

The buzz surrounding the financial and entertainment headlines has not yet completely died down, and countless eyes are still closely watching the next move of these former "twin" leaders: will it be an escalation of infighting, or a dramatic reconciliation?

However, Xu Siqi, the real boss of Sifei Media, who is at the eye of the storm, showed an inexplicable calm after arriving in Shanghai.

Upon landing in Shanghai, she did not, as the outside world had speculated, immediately contact her former classmate and best friend, Yin Mingzhu, with whom she had once been very close but was now in court.

There were no tit-for-tat public statements, nor any attempts to probe for communication in private.

She doesn't even seem to be in a hurry to end the lawsuit that has dragged both companies into a media storm.

Every move he made exuded a sense of "leisure" that seemed completely out of place with the current tense situation.

Sales office of a top-tier riverside luxury residential project in Shanghai.

Sunlight streamed through the massive floor-to-ceiling glass curtain wall, illuminating the gleaming marble floor.

Inside the show flat, the extremely luxurious decorations gleam under the carefully designed lighting.

Holding her daughter, who had just woken up and was still a little dazed, Xu Siqi walked slowly through the area, accompanied by the sales director, who had a refined appearance and a warm attitude.

"Ms. Xu, take a look at this penthouse duplex. It's nearly 600 square meters and boasts a 270-degree panoramic view of the river. The master suite has a private terrace and pool... The privacy and views are top-notch." The sales director spoke softly, enthusiastically recommending the store's prized possession.

Xu Siqi's gaze swept over the expensive artworks and ornate chandeliers, finally settling on the bright and spacious floor-to-ceiling windows.

Outside the window, the Huangpu River meanders like a jade ribbon, while the skyscrapers of Lujiazui on the opposite bank outline a magnificent skyline under the warm spring sun.

She lowered her head and gently rubbed the top of her daughter's soft hair, and the little one made a comfortable babbling sound.

"The view is good." Xu Siqi's voice was flat, revealing little emotion. "What about the community amenities? Especially the children's play facilities and the security level?"

"Don't worry!" the sales director immediately assured, "Our community has two top-notch international kindergartens, and the indoor children's playground was designed by foreign designers, ensuring safety and environmental friendliness. Security is also of paramount importance, with 24-hour patrols to ensure the absolute privacy and safety of residents. Ms. Xu, you and your little princess will have complete peace of mind and comfort here."

Xu Siqi nodded, picked up her daughter, and walked to another room, focusing intently on the details and occasionally asking a few questions in a low voice.

His expression was so serious, as if he were choosing a crucial work of art, not just a place to live.

Meanwhile, preparations for the Shanghai branch of Sifei Media are also underway.

Site selection, interior design, core team building, initial contact with local partners... every task was carried out efficiently under Xu Siqi's personal supervision.

She even personally interviewed several key personnel.

The wind direction in Shanghai seems to be subtly shifting because of this low-key and pragmatic move.

Pearl Media, President's Office!
Behind the huge desk, Yin Mingzhu leaned back in her high-backed chair, a slender cigarette between her fingers, the bluish-white smoke rising and blurring her slightly pale face.

Her gaze fell on the tablet screen, which clearly displayed the information that her assistant, Yu Li, had just compiled: Xu Siqi's schedule for today: morning visit to the Binjiang No. 1 Courtyard penthouse, afternoon interview with the branch office's finance director, and a scheduled visit to the Xijiao Tangong Villas tomorrow…

It's been a few days.

From the moment she learned that Xu Siqi had officially returned to Shanghai with her daughter, Yin Mingzhu had made some kind of mental preparation.

She had imagined countless possibilities: the other party might send an arrogant lawyer's letter demanding a face-to-face negotiation; they might release even more pointed statements through the media; and even their feisty mother, Du Yuanyuan, might once again resort to underhanded tactics…

She even mentally rehearsed various scenarios of confrontation, from cold, formulaic dialogue to heated arguments that turned sour.

The rift between them had long since deepened to the point that returning to the carefree and intimate days of their school days was now a pipe dream.

However, the anticipated "confrontation" did not occur.

What she received was only daily updates from her assistant detailing her best friend's "settling in" in Shanghai: buying a house, establishing a branch office, building a team... all done in an orderly and unhurried manner.

“President Yin.” Yu Li stood in front of the desk, her brows furrowed, her voice low, filled with confusion and worry. “This Miss Xu… what is she up to? She’s ignoring the lawsuit and instead focusing on establishing herself in Shanghai… this doesn’t make sense.”

Yin Mingzhu did not answer immediately.

She took a deep drag on her cigarette, her gaze becoming increasingly profound and sharp through the smoke.

Unconsciously, my fingertips twirled the metal cap of an expensive ballpoint pen, producing a soft, rhythmic clicking sound.

Seeing her boss remain silent, Yu Li's unease deepened, and she couldn't help but voice her concerns: "I suspect... they want to solidify their foothold first, and then move their entire Singapore headquarters to Shanghai! Then, Sifei Media will transform into a local company, leveraging their overseas resources and their newly acquired 'status' to compete with us... That would be extremely disadvantageous for us! The next lawsuit probably won't be as easy as this one..."

Yu Li's concerns are reasonable.

In business competition, the advantages of local enterprises are self-evident, especially in a place like Shanghai where relationships are deeply intertwined.

Losing this advantage means Mingzhu Media will face a stronger and more deeply rooted competitor.

Yin Mingzhu finally stopped twirling her pen.

He slowly stubbed out the cigarette in the crystal ashtray, his movements carrying a strange certainty.

She nodded, then slowly shook her head.

"Perhaps...you might be right," Yin Mingzhu said, her voice slightly hoarse but unusually calm. "Relocating the headquarters is highly likely for Sifei Media, completely shifting its focus back to China, perhaps even moving it to Shanghai..."

Her gaze drifted to the rows of buildings outside the window. "She had to take this step sooner or later."

Yu Li's eyes lit up, thinking she had guessed her boss's thoughts.

"However," Yin Mingzhu changed the subject, a knowing and somewhat enigmatic smile curving her lips, "the reason... is not necessarily as you think, that you insist on fighting me to the death, that you must gain the upper hand in this lawsuit."

"Huh?" Yu Li was stunned, looking blank. "If it's not about the lawsuit... then what is it about?"

Yin Mingzhu waved her hand, her expression showing a hint of weariness and understanding: "The specific reason has nothing to do with you."

She paused, then added as if talking to herself, "Actually... it doesn't have much to do with me or Mingzhu Media."

These words left Yu Li even more confused.

“This…” Yu Li hesitated, unable to finish her sentence.

"You can go out and get back to work," Yin Mingzhu said, her tone leaving no room for argument.

The office door closed gently, shutting out the noise from the outside world.

In the vast space, only Yin Mingzhu remained. She leaned back in her chair, closed her eyes, and gently rubbed her throbbing temples with her fingertips.

Xu Siqi's actions in Shanghai were initially puzzling, and even made her as wary as Yu Li at one point.

But as more and more information came into view, the details gradually became clearer in her mind.

She knows Xu Siqi too well.

Or perhaps, she knew that man too well.

"Heh..." A very soft chuckle escaped from Yin Mingzhu's lips, carrying a hint of understanding, a hint of mockery, and a trace of indescribable bitterness.

“Xu Siqi…” she murmured the name, as if speaking to her old classmate across a great distance, “You really will do anything to stay in the country and get closer to that guy in a legitimate way.”

She opened her eyes, a sharp glint in them. "Even I, even this lawsuit, have become part of your plan, something you've used?"

She recalled Lu Yang's deep and unfathomable gaze and his absolute protection of Xu Siqi and her daughter.

Xu Siqi had been alone with her daughter in a foreign country for nearly a year. Yin Mingzhu could not help but imagine the longing for her homeland and the sense of being adrift that Xu Siqi felt.

This lawsuit became the perfect "legitimate reason" for Xu Siqi to return to China and stay there for an extended period. Setting up a branch company to deal with the countersuit required her personal involvement; purchasing property in Shanghai was for work convenience and a stable life.

Everything seemed so natural and logical.

“Alright.” Yin Mingzhu’s eyes became complicated, mixed with calculation, compromise, and even a subtle desire to “cooperate.”

"Although doing this might objectively seem like I'm 'helping' you..." she said, as if trying to convince herself, "but what can I do... I'm really in a difficult situation right now."

Lu Yang's cold face flashed through her mind.

"That guy... is really stingy."

A surge of resentment and bitterness welled up in my heart. "I just... I just offended his beloved Mingyue sister with a few words, and I almost pushed my new company to the brink of bankruptcy again... I haven't forgotten this debt."

Mingzhu Media had just escaped the brink of bankruptcy and was severely weakened, so it could not withstand Lu Yang's "care" again.

Now that Xu Siqi has taken the initiative to jump in and stir up the muddy waters, it has given Yin Mingzhu some breathing room.

“Since you’ve gotten involved…” A glint of shrewdness flashed in Yin Mingzhu’s eyes, “then I’ll play along with this charade. Let this lawsuit drag on like this.”

As long as the lawsuit drags on, Lu Yang's anger will no longer be easily focused on Yin Mingzhu alone.

As long as Mingzhu Media's development doesn't go "too" smoothly, and doesn't become so fast that it gets in Lu Yang's way and makes him think that she has completely escaped her predicament, then he won't easily take action to stifle it.

How long will this plagiarism and anti-plagiarism lawsuit last, and what will the outcome be?

In Yin Mingzhu's calculations at this moment, winning or losing itself became less important.

As long as the lawsuit exists, and as long as Xu Siqi "takes root" in Shanghai, it is a different kind of "safety" for Yin Mingzhu.

This lawsuit became a tacit "stalemate" between her and Xu Siqi, a buffer zone for them to seek their own space to survive under Lu Yang's enormous shadow.

"Go ahead and fight, what's wrong with fighting until the end of time?" Yin Mingzhu picked up the cold fountain pen on the table, gently twirling the nib between her fingers. "Anyway... it won't hurt the root of the problem."

But... when she thought of Lu Yang's unreserved care and affection for Yin Mingyue, while she herself could only tread on thin ice, calculating how to survive under his possible wrath, and even needing to rely on the "existence" of her former love rival for protection... that piercing jealousy instantly wrapped around her heart like a poisonous vine, almost suffocating her.

Her fingers tightened suddenly, her knuckles turning white.

"Ha... Yin Mingyue..." she murmured to herself, her voice so low that only she could hear it, filled with bitterness and indescribable complex emotions, "Why... why..."

But she knew that these twisted and complex emotions were meaningless.

She chose that path herself, and she herself pushed everything into an irreversible abyss.

Regret? It's too late now.

She could only grit her teeth and continue down this thorny path she had chosen.

Meanwhile, in Shenzhen, far removed from the shadows of the business wars in Shanghai, a completely different scene unfolds.

The sky was clear and cloudless.

The sea breeze, carrying its unique salty and warm scent, caressed the luxury yachts moored on the sea.

On the deck, Lu Yang, dressed casually and wearing sunglasses, leaned against the railing, fishing with a relaxed posture.

The fishing buddies beside him were the ever-smiling Mu Qizhong and the naturally carefree Xiao Jun.

The three chatted casually, enjoying their rare moment of leisure.

The sea shimmered, engines hummed softly, and the atmosphere was relaxed and pleasant.

Suddenly, Xiao Jun's phone rang.

He glanced at the caller ID, then walked aside to answer it.

A moment later, he hung up the phone, a playful smile on his lips, and walked back to Lu Yang and Mu Qizhong.

"Brother-in-law, Lao Mou," Xiao Jun's voice was cheerful, carrying the sound of the sea breeze. "I just got a call from a new buddy of mine. This kid's been itching to do something 'big,' but unfortunately, he's missing the 'tailwind'—a significant funding gap. He just happens to know I'm sailing with two 'gods of wealth'..."

He looked at Lu Yang's expressionless face behind his sunglasses and tentatively asked, "So? Would you two be interested... in meeting sometime? It's good to have more friends, more opportunities, right?"

Mu Qizhong looked at Xiao Jun with great interest: "Oh? What kind of friend? What's their line of work?"

Xiao Jun shrugged: "Not too close, but he's someone in the local Pengcheng second-generation circle, kind of... active on the fringes. But judging from his own boasting, he's currently focused on tinkering with something... the internet?"

He said with a hint of ambiguity, "I didn't really ask about the specifics of what they were up to."

Lu Yang continued to gaze at the calm sea, his fishing rod remaining motionless.

After a few seconds of silence, just when Xiao Jun thought he would refuse, Lu Yang's deep voice rang out calmly:
"internet?"

He seemed to have developed a slight interest in the word itself.

"Then let's meet." (End of Chapter)