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

Du Yuanyuan made it clear that she came today for her younger sister, Du Lingling.

It is clear that Du Lingling has returned to China and is temporarily staying in Hong Kong, and she has already learned of this news.

That's true, the Du family isn't a small clan in a mountain village.

They also have their own network of contacts.

With just a little inquiry, and assuming Du Lingling wasn't deliberately hiding her whereabouts from her family, it was quite easy for them to get accurate information.

"He resigned from his deputy director-level position without saying a word and went to a foreign country."

"He didn't even say hello to his family."

"They just left so irresponsibly."

"Now I'm back, and inexplicably I have a child with me."

"Humph!"

"Who else could it be but this little bastard's?"

The Gangcheng Real Estate Company that Du Lingling took over was itself an asset that Lu Yang acquired in Gangcheng under the guise of Century Group.

It used to be managed by a blonde, blue-eyed foreign woman.

Now, suddenly, a woman from the mainland has appeared out of nowhere.

Moreover, this woman is his own younger sister.

If Du Yuanyuan still doesn't understand what happened, then she doesn't deserve to have worked at the provincial TV station for so many years and even climbed to the position of deputy director on her own.

Lu Yang remained calm, even with a hint of amusement: "Director Du, what a rare guest. Why are you so irritable so late at night? Why don't you come in for a cup of tea to cool down?"

He pointed to the empty sofa and chairs inside.

"Don't give me that!" Du Yuanyuan refused to listen, standing in front of Lu Yang with her arms crossed, looking aggressive. "I'm asking you, where is Lingling?!"

Lu Yang raised an eyebrow, feigning ignorance: "Director Du is looking for someone, so why did you come here? How would I, an outsider, know your sister's whereabouts?"

How long has Du Lingling been back in Hong Kong to take over the Peak Grand House project?
The Du family's connections are indeed formidable; they've come knocking on our door so quickly.

"Keep pretending! Keep pretending!" Du Yuanyuan's chest heaved with anger. "Lu Yang, do you really think our Du family are fools?! Lingling left without a word, giving up her good position as deputy director-general, and went overseas without even a word to her family! And now? She's inexplicably back and staying in Hong Kong! What's even more inexplicable is that she suddenly has a child by her side!"

Her voice trembled slightly with anger, "Hmph! Whose child could it be but yours, you little bastard?!"

She took a step closer, her eyes sharp as an eagle: "That company in Hong Kong that supposedly took over the Century Group's real estate project used to be managed by a foreign woman, but now suddenly a mainland woman has been parachuted in—and she just happens to be my sister! Lu Yang, you've got some nerve! What do you take our Du family's daughter for? A tool for keeping a mistress?! And you even made her have your child?!"

Du Yuanyuan's questions came like a machine gun, precise in information and clear in logic.

Clearly, without Du Lingling making any deliberate attempt to conceal it, the Du family had thoroughly investigated her return to Hong Kong, her taking over the Peak project, and the fact that she had children with her.

The playfulness on Lu Yang's face gradually faded, and his eyes calmed down, but he still did not panic.

He calmly met Du Yuanyuan's angry gaze, a faint smile even playing at the corners of his lips: "Director Du seems to know quite a bit. However, this is ultimately a matter between Lingling and me. Lingling is an adult; she has her own choices and judgments. As for the child... he is also my child. As a father, I will take full responsibility."

"Take responsibility? How will you take responsibility?!"

Du Yuanyuan laughed angrily, "Just how many more women do you want to be responsible for?"

“That’s my business too.” Lu Yang’s voice lowered, carrying an undeniable certainty. “I will arrange everything for Lingling and the child.”

"All arranged?!" Du Yuanyuan was about to continue her outburst when there was a gentle knock on the door of the reception room.

"Husband? The housekeeper said...we have a guest?" Yin Mingyue's gentle voice came, and then the door was pushed open a crack. She peeked in with a hint of doubt and concern. "This lady...?"

The atmosphere in the living room instantly froze.

Yin Mingyue's gaze fell on Du Yuanyuan, with a hint of surprise and inquiry.

Du Yuanyuan was well-maintained and had a capable demeanor, but Yin Mingyue could tell that she was definitely not young. She was at least a few years younger than her mother, Ma Xiulan, and more than a decade older than her husband, Lu Yang.

Why would a woman of her middle age come to her husband Lu Yang in a fit of rage late at night?

Judging from her clothes and demeanor, she's definitely not an ordinary person...

Lu Yang remained silent, leaning back even further as he leisurely watched the dramatic scene unfold before him.

He wanted to see if this aggressive older sister-in-law, who had come to seek justice for her daughter, could still be so self-righteous in front of his own wife.
Would she dare to repeat the questions she just asked herself in front of Yin Mingyue?
Du Yuanyuan's expression changed drastically the moment Yin Mingyue appeared, like a palette of colors.

Anger, embarrassment, shame, and a hint of indescribable panic instantly intertwined.

She never expected to confront Lu Yang's wife here, in this way. The overwhelming rage she had just felt was doused with ice water, leaving only a pathetic ember.

Looking at Yin Mingyue's young, beautiful face filled with innocent confusion, and then at Lu Yang's cold, even mocking expression, all her questions got stuck in her throat, and she couldn't utter a single word.

What can she say in defense of her sister?
Are you suggesting that someone say to the wife, "Your husband seduced my daughter, and now he's seduced my sister and had a child with her"?
This will only make things more embarrassing for Siqi and her family!

"I...I have nothing to say to you!" Du Yuanyuan practically spat out these words through gritted teeth, her face flushing red and then turning pale.

She gave Lu Yang one last fierce look, her eyes filled with anger, warning, and endless complex emotions.

Then, she turned around abruptly, her high heels clicking rapidly on the ground, and left the reception room almost as if fleeing in panic, without leaving behind a single polite word.

"Huh? This lady..." Yin Mingyue looked at Du Yuanyuan's hurried departure and became even more confused. She turned to Lu Yang, "Honey, what's going on? This aunt looks kind of familiar? Have I... seen her somewhere before? Or do I know her daughter?"

She tried hard to recall, and felt a strange sense of familiarity about the contours of Du Yuanyuan's eyebrows and eyes.

Lu Yang couldn't let Yin Mingyue continue to think about it.

He immediately stood up, his face instantly relaxing. He walked a few steps to Yin Mingyue's side, naturally put his arm around her shoulder, and led her away from the reception room door: "Who knows? Probably going through menopause, coming here out of nowhere to cause trouble. Ignore her, she's just an insignificant person. Let's go in and continue entertaining our guests?"

He skillfully changed the subject, his tone carrying an undeniable gentleness, and the strength in his arm guiding her, leaving Yin Mingyue no time to linger or think.

Although Yin Mingyue was full of doubts, seeing her husband's confident expression and hearing his affectionate words, her doubts were temporarily suppressed, and she obediently left with him.

"But..." she hesitated, feeling that something was not right.

“There’s no ‘buts’,” Lu Yang interrupted her, smiling as he pinched her cheek. “It’s not worth bothering with irrelevant people.” A storm seemed to have been effortlessly deflated by Lu Yang.

The storm caused by Du Yuanyuan has temporarily subsided, but another piece of news spread like wildfire among Shenzhen's top wealthy circles and even across the sea in Hong Kong: "Lu Yang, the behind-the-scenes boss of Century Group, is going to buy a private jet! His target is either a top-tier Gulfstream or Bombardier!"

A few days later, one morning, Lu Yang had just finished processing a document when the satellite phone on his desk rang.

The screen displayed a familiar number from the port city.

Lu Yang pressed the answer button, his voice flat: "Shelley?"

“Boss…” Shelley’s voice came from the other end of the phone, sounding somewhat hesitant.

"What's up?" Lu Yang asked directly.

“Hmm…” Shelley responded, then explained, “Boss, please don’t misunderstand. It’s not a problem with the handover of work. President Du… President Du is very good to me and very professional.”

"Was he wronged?" Lu Yang raised an eyebrow.

“No, no, no! It really wasn’t!” Shelley quickly denied, her voice becoming clearer. “It was my uncle… Sir Michael.”

"Oh?" Lu Yang became interested. "Sir Michael? What does he want?"

The Gardor family has a strong presence in Hong Kong and even in England. Sir Michael is the family's representative figure in Asia, a traditional and shrewd businessman.

“My uncle… learned that you are interested in buying a private jet, and he thinks… he might be able to help.” Shelley carefully chose her words. “He has a business deal he would like to discuss with you in person. So, he asked me to tell you that he would like to invite you to come to Hong Kong when it is convenient for you.”

Interview?

Lu Yang's eyes flickered slightly.

Sir Michael took the initiative to approach me to discuss the airplane.

Offering unsolicited favors...

He paused for a few seconds, tapping his fingers lightly on the table, before making his decision, his tone carrying an undeniable authority: "A face-to-face meeting is fine. However, I won't be going to Hong Kong."

He paused, his voice carrying an undisguised coldness and displeasure, "That place is now filled with the smell of fake foreigners, which makes me uncomfortable. Shenzhen is much better."

He made the choice for the other party directly: "If you want to talk, then have your uncle Sir Michael make the trip to Shenzhen to talk to me. I'll be here these next couple of days."

Shelley on the other end of the phone was clearly taken aback, not expecting Lu Yang to refuse so decisively, and with such...unpolite words. But she quickly recovered: "...Okay, boss! I understand, I'll inform my uncle right now!" She dared not raise any objections.

Two days later, at the executive lounge on the top floor of a top hotel in Shenzhen.

Lu Yang arrived half an hour late, as agreed.

He wasn't deliberately putting on airs; he was just delayed by some business. But in Sir Michael's eyes, this "lateness" was a silent show of force.

Sir Michael, a silver-haired, elegantly dressed British gentleman, had been waiting by the window for quite some time.

The black tea in front of him had gone a little cold.

Seeing Lu Yang approaching accompanied by his assistant, he stood up, a reserved smile typical of old-fashioned aristocrats on his face, but a barely perceptible anxiety lurked deep in his eyes.

“Mr. Lu, it’s been a long time.” Sir Michael extended his hand, his Mandarin heavily accented with a British lisp.

"Sir Michael, I apologize for keeping you waiting." Lu Yang shook hands with him, his attitude neither humble nor arrogant. "You know how congested Shenzhen is." An excuse that wasn't really an excuse.

After exchanging pleasantries and taking their seats, hot tea was served again.

Sir Michael didn't waste any time with pleasantries and went straight to the point.

As Shelley revealed and Lu Yang guessed, the Gador family was deeply affected by the aftermath of the 97 Asian financial crisis, and their cash flow was under considerable pressure, so they urgently needed to recover funds.

“Mr. Lu, I heard from Shelley that you are interested in purchasing a brand new top-of-the-line business jet?” Sir Michael put down his teacup and looked directly into Lu Yang’s eyes. “To be honest, the Gardor family just recently ordered a brand new Gulfstream GIV-SP, equipped with the most advanced avionics system and ultra-long range. The aircraft has completed its main production and is currently in the interior finishing stage. It is expected to complete all outfitting and test flights within three months and await delivery.”

He paused, his tone frank with a hint of barely perceptible embarrassment: "Unfortunately, due to some recent strategic adjustments within the family, this investment has become less necessary and urgent. We've heard you're looking for an immediate or near-immediate opportunity, so the family is considering transferring the purchase contract for this brand-new GIV-SP, along with all priority delivery rights and optional configurations, to you as a whole."

Lu Yang listened quietly without saying a word, only gently stirring the coffee in his cup with a small silver spoon.

Sir Michael looked at Lu Yang's calm and composed face, and felt a little uneasy.

He offered his utmost sincerity: "To show our sincerity and to complete this transaction as quickly as possible, we are willing to cover the transfer fees on top of the original contract price, and... accept a discount of $500 million. This means that after you take over, you only need to pay the original contract amount minus $500 million to immediately obtain this almost brand-new Gulfstream GIV-SP that perfectly meets your top-of-the-line configuration requirements, saving you a long waiting time."

A $500 million loss-making transfer!

This is indeed a significant concession!

This clearly demonstrates the Gardor family's eagerness to cash out.

Lu Yang stopped stirring, picked up his coffee cup, and took a sip.

The air seemed to freeze for a few seconds.

Sir Michael's heart was also in his throat.

He was gambling that a tycoon like Lu Yang valued time and efficiency far more than a price difference of a few million US dollars.

Finally, Lu Yang put down his coffee cup, looked up at Sir Michael, and gave a faint, businesslike smile: "Saving time is indeed what I value most. Sir Michael's suggestion sounds... very sincere."

He did not agree immediately, but changed the subject: "However, the transfer of the contract involves many details, especially the confirmation of the final delivery status of the aircraft, the connection of subsequent warranty terms, and the arrangements for the managed operator. I need my team to review all the contract documents in detail to ensure that everything is in order."

Sir Michael felt a great weight lifted from his heart, and a genuine smile appeared on his face: "Of course! All the documents are ready and can be provided to your team for review at any time. We guarantee that everything about this aircraft will be of the highest standard."

“Very good.” Lu Yang stood up and extended his hand to Sir Michael. “Then, the preliminary agreement for cooperation has been reached. Let the subordinates handle the specific details. I hope everything goes smoothly.”

"It will definitely go smoothly! Thank you, Mr. Lu!" Sir Michael breathed a sigh of relief and quickly stood up to shake hands, feeling that this "loss-making deal" was finally on the verge of being realized, solving a pressing problem for the family.

Watching Sir Michael leave, his back visibly more relaxed, Lu Yang stood alone in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking the bustling city of Shenzhen.

A nearly brand-new, top-of-the-line Gulfstream GIV-SP saved at least a year and a half of waiting time, at the cost of the other party losing $500 million.

This deal was undoubtedly a good one for him; the pass to the skies was now within his grasp… (End of Chapter)