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

The afterglow of the setting sun bathed the entrance of the kindergarten in a soft golden light, and the tense atmosphere of the moment seemed to have been dispelled by the warm twilight.

The crowd had long since dispersed, leaving only Lu Yang's understated yet imposing black Mercedes-Benz RV quietly parked by the roadside.

The driver, Da Gang, a burly man with a resolute face, looked like a child who had done something wrong.

He quickly walked around the front of the car, and just as Lu Yang was about to open the back door to let Yin Mingyue, who was holding the child, get in, he spoke in a low voice, full of guilt: "Boss, I'm sorry! I didn't do my job well!"

He straightened his back, but dared not look Lu Yang in the eye.

Lu Yang paused for a moment, turned his head, and his deep gaze fell on Da Gang's tense face. He calmly asked, "What is your main job?"

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an invisible pressure.

Da Gang stood at attention almost reflexively, as if being inspected in the military, and answered in a loud and clear voice: "When you are not here, boss, I will protect the safety of your family! If anyone is found approaching with ill intentions, I will subdue them immediately to prevent any dangerous situations from occurring!"

Every word was spoken with resounding force.

"Very good." Lu Yang commented calmly, his tone revealing neither joy nor anger. "It seems you remember it very well."

He abruptly changed the subject, his gaze sharp as a knife, "Then why not do it that way?"

Da Gang lowered his head even further, and his lips trembled slightly.

What could he say?
Should we loudly tell the boss that it's the boss's wife who doesn't want to make a big fuss and imply that he should be patient?
This is tantamount to adding fuel to the fire.

He could only remain silent and await his boss's decision.

Lu Yang opened the car door, gesturing for Yin Mingyue to get in with the child first, and then he crouched down and crawled inside himself.

Just as the car door was about to close, his voice came clearly out of the car: "Get in the front and drive. This time... it's not your fault."

These three words eased Da Gang's tense nerves slightly, but the next words made him shudder again, "But you must remember this lesson. In the future, if you encounter a situation like today again..."

Lu Yang's voice came through the car window, calm and commanding: "...You don't need to consult your boss's wife anymore, and you don't need to wait for the other party to push you or threaten your family before you retaliate. If, in your professional judgment, you confirm that the other party is approaching with malicious intent and poses a potential threat, you can attack first and subdue them beforehand! Leave no room for maneuver. Understand?"

"Yes, sir!!!" Da Gang looked up sharply, a hint of gratitude and even deeper determination flashing in his eyes. He saluted again, his voice strong and clear, "Understood! Mission accomplished!"

He strode to the driver's seat, opened the door, got in, and started the engine with swift and decisive movements.

Inside the car, Yin Mingyue held the child who had calmed down in her arms and heard Lu Yang's reprimand of Da Gang clearly.

She felt a mix of emotions, including lingering fear and self-reflection.

She understood that her earlier concessions and attempts to stop Da Gang's behavior, made out of a desire to avoid trouble for Lu Yang, were actually a potential warning sign.

What if that greasy, arrogant Mediterranean man misinterprets her forbearance as weakness and takes even more extreme actions... the consequences would be unimaginable.

Thankfully, he was there.

He always appears at the most crucial moment, becoming her strongest bulwark.

Lu Yang certainly wouldn't really blame his wife.

He turned to look at Yin Mingyue, his eyes softening instantly, carrying a reassuring tone: "It's none of your business."

As he spoke, he reached out and gently patted her slightly tense back, saying, "I know what you're thinking. You're afraid of causing me trouble and having a bad influence. I understand your intentions."

He paused for a moment, his tone carrying a hint of cold protectiveness: "But my dear wife, next time you encounter such a blind scumbag..."

His words were blunt: "If you can tell him to get lost with just a look, that's ideal. If you can't, or if he still doesn't know what's good for him..."

He glanced at the rearview mirror in the front seat, his eyes briefly meeting Da Gang's in the reflection. "Let Da Gang and his team handle this. People like this don't deserve to appear in front of you and the kids. Trash should stay in the landfill."

"Mmm... I understand," Yin Mingyue replied softly, feeling a warm glow in her heart.

Lu Yang's protection is always her strongest source of confidence.

She then remembered something and asked curiously, "By the way, when did you get back? This afternoon?"

“This afternoon,” Lu Yang replied naturally. “I just flew back from the port city. There’s an important new project there that needs to be launched and we need to go there to finalize things.”

"Huh?" Yin Mingyue was a little surprised. "Didn't you... go abroad?"

She vaguely remembered hearing that Lu Yang had gone to Europe.

“Yes, I went abroad.” Lu Yang explained patiently, his expression calm. “But this time I came back, I went to Hong Kong to take care of some things. I didn’t stay abroad all the time. The things in Hong Kong are also very important.”

"Oh...I see." Yin Mingyue nodded and didn't ask any more questions.

She believed everything he said.

She didn't want to delve into whether there were other names or faces behind this trip.

Just as her mother taught her, sometimes it's necessary to "play dumb" in marriage.

As long as he is by her side at this moment, caring for her and the children, and focusing his mind entirely on this little family in front of her, she feels content.

She chose to avoid the storms and trials that were happening outside.

The vehicle drove smoothly on the way home, and the atmosphere inside was warm and peaceful.

However, this brief peace was quickly broken by the vibration of Lu Yang's cell phone in his pocket.

He glanced at the name flashing on the screen, "He Weijun, an official from Futian District," and his eyes narrowed slightly.

What is the purpose of this outgoing Party Secretary calling at this moment?
Lu Yang answered the phone, his tone carrying just the right amount of respect: "Secretary He, hello."

He Weijun's hearty yet slightly probing laugh came from the other end of the phone: "Haha, Xiao Lu, did I disturb you? I heard you had a little misunderstanding with someone at the kindergarten gate this afternoon?" As expected of an old secretary who has been working at the grassroots level for many years, his information network is excellent.

Lu Yang understood immediately and calmly admitted, "That's true. Secretary He's information network is really impressive."

"Hey, my location is basically an information hub." He Weijun chuckled, then got to the point, his tone carrying a hint of peacemaker.

"Xiao Lu, is there...some misunderstanding here?"

The other party is Zhang Maocai, a well-known private entrepreneur in our district, the owner of "Shanshui Landscape," a landscaping company. He's a bit of a show-off and speaks inappropriately, but I doubt he has any malicious intentions. What do you think…? Why don't you have him come out and sincerely apologize to you and your sister-in-law in public, and that would be the end of it? It's better to resolve conflicts than to let them fester.”

Lu Yang gripped his phone, his eyes instantly turning cold.

A cold smile curved his lips, but his tone remained steady, even carrying a hint of feigned naiveté: "Mr. He," he changed to a more intimate yet also more distant form of address, "you are an elder, and if I may be so bold as to ask, are you... acting as a go-between for someone? Is this Mr. Zhang some kind of 'big shot' that even I, Lu Yang, cannot afford to offend?"

"Ahem..." He Weijun on the other end of the phone was clearly taken aback by Lu Yang's blunt question, and then his laughter became somewhat dry. "Little Lu, what are you talking about! 'Big shot'? What kind of big shot is he! In front of me, He Weijun, he's just a nouveau riche boss! Besides, there aren't many people in Pengcheng who you, Boss Lu, can't afford to offend!"

He quickly distanced himself, saying, "Someone just passed the message to me, hoping to see if this matter could be resolved peacefully, since... if it gets out of hand, it won't look good for anyone."

He Weijun paused, his tone becoming subtle: "But... judging from your tone, it seems that bastard Zhang Maocai has really offended you badly this time? His idea of ​​'getting rid of you' might not work out?"

Lu Yang didn't speak, but listened quietly, which was taken as tacit agreement.

"Okay! Understood!" He Weijun's voice suddenly became crisp and clear, even carrying a hint of righteous indignation as if he were "acting on behalf of heaven." "Xiao Lu, you are an outstanding entrepreneur I've watched grow up, and you are the pride of our Futian District! You've been wronged in our district, and as the Party Secretary, representing the district, I can't turn a blind eye!"

His tone turned cold, revealing the cunning of a seasoned official: "Perfect timing, before I leave office, my power to sign documents hasn't expired yet!"

He spoke in a tone that sounded like casual conversation, yet was sharp and cutting, “This ‘landscape garden’ project, Zhang Maocai has been taking advantage of his connections these past few years to skim off a lot of money from the district’s urban construction and greening projects. He’s making a fortune every day and is living the high life! The district’s money-making greening projects have almost become his private plot.”

He then changed the subject, a hint of coldness barely perceptible in his voice: "I think it's time to change the people who are making money. Of course, you, Boss Lu, certainly wouldn't be interested in this little bit of money."

He subtly flattered Lu Yang, then revealed his true intentions: "Perfect timing. The backer behind Shanshui Garden isn't without rivals in the district. I'll do him a favor and directly approve the next few key locations and most lucrative landscaping projects to Zhang Maocai, his rival!"

He Weijun's tone carried a hint of smug satisfaction from manipulating power, "Let that kid know what happens when you offend someone you shouldn't! And by the way..."

He smiled meaningfully: "Let them continue to fight it out down there, like dogs biting each other, leaving a mess! That way, some people won't think they can really control everything without me, He Weijun! After I leave, the waters in the district will have to keep turbulent, which is in everyone's best interest! What do you think, Xiao Lu?"

These words were both blunt and shrewd.

He Weijun had no intention of truly mediating the dispute. Instead, he took advantage of Lu Yang's dissatisfaction to suppress Zhang Maocai and support his rival. This not only did Lu Yang a great favor but also stirred up trouble before his departure, planted seeds of conflict, balanced the various forces, and ensured that his influence could continue for some time.

As for Zhang Maocai, he was merely a pitiful pawn used to make an example of someone and incidentally cause trouble.

Lu Yang remained expressionless.

The old man opposite me is truly a master of using someone else to do his dirty work and muddy the waters.

"Mr. He is very thoughtful and considerate. I admire him. Well then... thank you for your trouble, Mr. He. I will pay a special visit to thank you and your wife another day when I have time."

"Hey!" He Weijun's voice became noticeably more cheerful. "That's more like it! What 'Secretary He' sounds too formal! From now on, call me 'Old He,' it sounds much more friendly! Alright, you go about your business, leave this to me, I guarantee I'll handle it perfectly and make sure that kid never has the face to show in front of you again!"

After finishing his sentence, He Weijun hung up the phone, feeling relieved.

Lu Yang put down his phone, his eyes deep and thoughtful.

A minor conflict quickly escalated into a deadly move on the power chessboard.

The battles in the business world are often intertwined with those in the political arena, silent yet fraught with intrigue.

Yin Mingyue listened quietly from the side. Although she only heard snippets of Lu Yang's words, she roughly understood the danger and the game involved.

She silently gripped Lu Yang's hand, conveying her unspoken support.

As long as he was there, she could stand safely behind him through thick and thin.

"Whose call was that?" she asked softly.

“Old He Weijun,” Lu Yang replied simply.

"Oh...it's that old Party Secretary?" Yin Mingyue suddenly realized. "Is it about the person from earlier?"

The way that middle-aged man with the Mediterranean hairline had been pushing his luck had indeed frightened her a bit.

“Yes.” Lu Yang nodded. “Someone asked him to intercede on their behalf, but he turned them down and even gave me a ‘favor’ in the process.”

"Human favors?" Yin Mingyue asked, puzzled.

Lu Yang smiled, not explaining the intricacies of officialdom, but simply squeezed her hand: "It's nothing, he's already taken care of it. That person shouldn't dare to appear in front of you again."

As the car entered the villa area, a warm home came into view.

Yin Mingyue got out of the car with the child in her arms. Looking at Lu Yang's thoughtful profile, she softly reminded him, "By the way, it's my mother's birthday in a few days. I think I heard that a company called Sifei Media is currently suing my sister's company. Is your involvement involved, husband? If so, should we just let it go?"

After she finished speaking, she cautiously looked at Lu Yang's profile.

She was afraid that mentioning the word "sister" would upset her husband sitting next to her.

Lu Yang thought to himself, "Fine, you still want me? Why don't you go out and ask around? Your good sister won both of your recent lawsuits. If you want me, fine, but she won't allow it."

His steps faltered slightly.

Lu Yang turned his head and gazed at his wife's cautious expression.

Yin Mingyue's anxiety and pleading were clearly visible in her eyes, and her fingertips unconsciously tightened around the child's clothes.

He raised his hand and gently brushed against the back of her cool hand, his tone calm and collected: "The case will be decided by law and justice. I've only just returned to the country and am not yet fully aware of the situation. Why don't you wait for me to verify it..." (End of Chapter)