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

This stop lasts for several hours.

One by one, the lights on the top floor of the Century Tower went out, signaling the end of the daytime hustle and bustle.

Lu Yang remained motionless, looking down at the myriad lights gradually illuminating the world below, like a galaxy reflected on earth.

However, his thoughts drifted to a more distant shore.

Frankfurt, a quiet town nestled behind grapevines.

What is that figure, stubbornly leaving alone, doing at this moment?
Lu Yang's fingertips unconsciously traced the cold glass, his deep voice barely audible in the empty office:

"Sister Du... judging by the dates, you should be due to give birth soon, right?"

Let's rewind to the moment when Du Lingling resolutely resigned from her public office and left mainland China.

At that time, Lu Yang did not know that she was already carrying their child when she left.

Driven by an indescribable anxiety and sense of responsibility, he immediately dispatched one of his most trusted subordinates, Xiao Jiu, to book a flight to Frankfurt.

Unfortunately, Sister Du's vigilance far exceeded that of ordinary people.

Xiao Jiu's familiar figure, the young man who followed Lu Yang every day, was quickly recognized by her.

"Tell him not to send anyone else."

"If anyone else comes, I'll leave."

On the other end of the phone, Du Lingling's voice, relayed by Xiao Jiu, was calm, resolute, and carried an unquestionable detachment.

Lu Yang held the receiver and remained silent for a long time.

In the end, he only gave Xiao Jiu one instruction: "Come back."

But this does not mean giving up.

Singapore, the overseas base that trains the most elite forces, received new orders.

Lu Yang directly contacted A Long and transferred another group of elite personnel, completely unfamiliar to Du Lingling and with top-notch professional skills, from the overseas security team to secretly infiltrate Frankfurt.

The instructions were clear and stern: her absolute safety must be guaranteed; she must not be alerted.

The environment abroad is not like that of a pregnant woman living alone in a foreign land. Even in a seemingly quiet town, Lu Yang dared not let his guard down.

Subsequent events proved his worries were not unfounded. It was this group of people who later infiltrated the area who confirmed the news that made his heart stop and filled him with joy: Sister Du was already pregnant when she left.

After the immense shock came a torrent of complex emotions.

But he resisted the urge to fly to Frankfurt immediately.

Lu Yang knew Du Lingling's pride and inner turmoil, and if he forced his way in, he would only push her further away.

He needs a buffer, time for her and time for himself.

Once the child is safely delivered, her joy at becoming a mother for the first time might overshadow her resentment. If she were to be brought back then, there would still be room for reconciliation.

This was Lu Yang's plan.

The highly sought-after plots of land in Hong Kong, the Victoria Peak villa overlooking Victoria Harbour, and even the various plans to snatch the PCCW CEO and stir up the "Cyberport" storm... all these business operations that seem thrilling to outsiders were originally designed to fulfill a promise he made to Sister Du.

I remember the two of them made an agreement back then.

He had promised that if she wanted children, he would resign from his public office and settle in Hong Kong, where he would also set up a business tailored for her.

May his and Jiang Lai's child live a worry-free life.

Unfortunately, in the end, it was because she couldn't get over her own hurdle.

Learning that Lu Yang was with the person she least wanted to see became the last straw that broke the camel's back.

Du Lingling ultimately chose to leave without saying goodbye, taking with her the secret in her womb and Lu Yang's perfect blueprint for the port city, leaving behind only an unfulfilled promise and a "Cyberport" suspended in mid-air.

The lights outside the window shone even brighter, and night completely enveloped Shenzhen.

Lu Yang withdrew his gaze from the void and realized that he had been standing by the window for nearly two hours.

The night highlighted his deep features, making it impossible to discern his expression.

Knock knock knock.

A soft knock sounded on the door.

Secretary Lu Nini poked her head in, her voice clear and crisp, with a hint of barely perceptible excitement: "Boss, it's already time to leave. Are you going to go now?"

Lu Yang turned around and nodded: "Mm."

Lu Nini immediately came in, quickly picked up the suit jacket from the sofa, went around behind Lu Yang, and prepared to help him put it on.

Her movements carried a lightness unique to young girls and a hint of barely perceptible intimacy.

"Today is my birthday." She said softly, with a hint of coquettishness, while adjusting the collar of her coat. "Besides my brother, my sister-in-law, and Grandpa, I didn't invite anyone else... Brother Lu Yang, are you... coming?"

Lu Yang was slightly taken aback, but quickly came to his senses.

Instead of accepting her service as usual, he reached out and took the suit jacket: "I can do it myself."

Lu Yang quickly put on his coat and strode towards the door.

As he passed by Lu Nini, he didn't stop, but clearly said, "Pass the word down, no overtime today."

Lu Nini was still standing there, somewhat dazed.

Lu Yang took two steps, then stopped, turned back to look at her, and a faint smile seemed to appear on his lips: "Come on, didn't we say we were going to your house for dinner?"

Lu Nini's eyes lit up instantly, and surprise bloomed on her face like fireworks: "Oh! Brother Lu Yang, wait for me a moment!"

She immediately jogged back to her desk, grabbed the phone, and exclaimed with barely suppressed joy, "Notify all departments that the boss said we don't need to work overtime tonight!"

After hanging up the phone, she almost skipped after Lu Yang, her smile so bright it was dazzling.

In Frankfurt, in the Western Hemisphere, a new day is just beginning.

The morning sunlight filters through the layers of grapevines, casting dappled, dancing light spots in the courtyard.

The air was filled with the sweet aroma of dew, earth, and ripe grapes.

Du Lingling sat in a wicker chair under the grape trellis, having just painstakingly dealt with a hard piece of rye bread with a saw. Now, she held a glass of warm water, enjoying the rare tranquility of the morning light.

An open book rested on her pregnant belly, but she couldn't concentrate on reading a single word.

The little life inside seemed exceptionally active, constantly stretching its tiny hands and feet, reminding it of its eagerness to come into the world.

suddenly!

A strong, rhythmic contraction suddenly struck without warning, instantly seizing Du Lingling's breath. She nearly dropped the water glass from her hand, and her brows furrowed sharply.

"Uh..." she groaned, her hand instinctively going to her round belly.

Immediately afterwards, a stream of warm water gushed out uncontrollably from beneath her.

Du Lingling's heart sank!
Experience told her that this was not a normal contraction; labor had truly begun!

My water broke!

She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself, and held onto the armrest of the wicker chair, wanting to stand up and go back inside to get her phone to call an ambulance.

However, after only standing up and taking two steps, intense contractions struck again, engulfing her like a tidal wave, making her legs weak. She had to cling tightly to the wooden stakes supporting the grape trellis to barely keep her balance.

To make matters worse, she could feel her cervix dilating rapidly, and the baby's head seemed to be pushing down impatiently!

"Damn it, I must have used too much force when I was sawing the bread."

"No! It's too late!"

Even if an ambulance speeds to the nearest hospital, it might not make it in time, and the risks of giving birth en route are too great! That's too dangerous!

A chilling fear flashed by, only to be suppressed by a maternal calm.

Du Lingling took a few deep breaths, forcing herself to calm down.

She knew she wasn't really alone.

She raised her long neck and, facing the seemingly empty courtyard wall, shouted with all her might, a sharp and clear cry:

"Is anyone there?! Stop hiding! I know you're here! Didn't your boss send you to protect me?!"

Her voice was distorted by pain and strain, yet unusually firm:
"I'm going into labor! Now! Get me to the hospital immediately! Someone come in and help me! Get the ambulance ready! Hurry—!"

The moment the words fell, a suppressed, slightly panicked commotion indeed arose outside the courtyard!

Just a few dozen seconds later, a young woman with neat short hair nimbly vaulted over the wall, landed lightly, and rushed to Du Lingling's side without hesitation.

"Ms. Du! How are you feeling?" Her movements were professional and swift. She asked in a low voice while quickly checking Du Lingling's condition, confirming that the amniotic fluid was normal in color and there were no signs of severe bleeding.

At the same time, the sound of a rapid engine and the sound of a gate opening and closing came from the direction of the courtyard gate.

An inconspicuous dark-colored sedan was quickly reversed and stopped at the gate of the yard.

Another equally capable young woman jumped off the car and, together with the short-haired woman, carefully supported Du Lingling's body, which was almost unable to walk on its own.

"The car is right at the door! Slow down, Miss Du, don't pull!" The two worked in perfect harmony, their movements quick and steady, carefully settling Du Lingling into the back seat.

Placed in the back seat of the car, Du Lingling's forehead was already covered in fine beads of sweat, and the contractions were getting stronger and stronger.

Her physical discomfort made her face pale, but looking at the two unfamiliar women in front of her, even though she had already guessed their presence and they were busy serving her, an indescribable emotion welled up in her heart.

Was it anger? The secluded life he had carefully cultivated had always been under the watchful eyes of others, making him feel like a transparent person.

Is it funny? These people probably thought they were hiding it well, right? Actually, she had already noticed the clues.

However, at this moment, these emotions were suppressed by an even stronger desire.

Amidst the excruciating pain, she gritted her teeth and watched the short-haired woman in the front seat urgently start the car, then spoke with difficulty:
"Quickly...call your boss!"

The short-haired woman paused for a moment, then looked at her through the rearview mirror.

A complex light flashed in Du Lingling's eyes, a mixture of stubbornness and grievance, but it ultimately transformed into an almost pleading persistence:

"Tell him...that his woman is about to give birth! Ask him...whether he's coming or not?!"

Only at this moment, at the most vulnerable and vulnerable juncture in her life, did the true voice deep within her break through all the barriers of pride and resentment.

She hoped that the child's father could witness this sacred moment and provide her and the child with an invisible strength from outside the delivery room.

Even if it means being late in the end.

The other party arrived late, but it's still better than doing nothing.

Shenzhen, as dusk settles and neon lights begin to twinkle.

Lu Yang's car smoothly merged into the traffic and headed towards Lu Nini's home.

The car windows shut out the hustle and bustle of the city, and only soft music flowed inside.

Lu Nini sat in the passenger seat, her heart pounding with excitement. She was quietly telling Lu Yang about the preparations for tonight's birthday dinner. Her grandfather, having heard that he was coming, had specially instructed his sister-in-law to cook several dishes from Zhaoxian County...

Lu Yang leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes slightly to rest, and occasionally nodded in response, but his thoughts were somewhat wandering.

suddenly!

A sudden, sharp, and distinctive cell phone ringtone shattered the cozy atmosphere inside the car!
This ringtone is exclusively for overseas emergency contact lines!
Lu Yang suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze now devoid of any languor.

He quickly pulled his phone out of his suit pocket and answered the call.

The voice on the other end of the phone was urgent and clear.

Lu Yang's expression instantly became extremely solemn, even showing a rare hint of tension.

"I understand! Do everything you can to ensure safety! Get to the best hospital as quickly as possible! I'm leaving right away!" His tone was firm and left no room for argument.

After hanging up the phone, Lu Yang, without pausing for a moment, immediately said in a deep voice to the driver in the front seat who was focused on driving:
"Turn around!"

"To the airport! Now! As fast as you can!"

Without the slightest hesitation, the driver immediately observed the road conditions, sharply turned the steering wheel, and the high-performance car drew a smooth arc, quickly changed direction, the engine roared, and sped towards the airport expressway!

This sudden turn of events caught Lu Nini, who was in the passenger seat, off guard. Her smile froze, and she turned her head blankly to look at Lu Yang in the back seat: "Lu... Brother Lu Yang? What's wrong? What happened?" She had never seen Lu Yang look so nervous and anxious.

Lu Yang took a deep breath, his gaze fixed on the rapidly receding lights outside the window, his voice tinged with apology, yet leaving no room for change:
"Girl, I'm sorry, something urgent has come up, I have to go abroad right away."

He did not provide a detailed explanation, nor did he specify what kind of "urgent matter" required him to immediately cross half the globe.

Lu Nini's bright eyes dimmed instantly, and a huge sense of disappointment washed over her like a bucket of cold water.

The carefully prepared dinner, the family's expectations, and one's own small wishes... all seem insignificant at this moment.

But she quickly regained her composure, lowered her head, her fingers unconsciously twisting the strap of her bag. When she looked up again, she had forced a smile of understanding, though it was somewhat strained.

"No...it's alright, Brother Lu Yang." Her voice tried to remain calm, even carrying a hint of comfort. "Your business is important...you should go now."

She was his secretary and deeply understood the heights this man held and the responsibilities he bore.

Although she was incredibly curious about what kind of earth-shattering "important matter" her personal secretary was unaware of and that required him to rush abroad, she dared not ask, nor could she ask. She had to remember her duties as a secretary. (End of Chapter)