In the fiery red era of the heavens, refrigerators are refreshed daily.

Yang Guangming didn't start working immediately. Instead, he got up again, walked to the huge floor-to-ceiling window, put his hands in his trouser pockets, and looked down at the Pearl of the Orient, a city full of vitality and desire.

In the distance, the sea and sky blend into one, with ships like a dense forest; nearby, buildings stand like a forest, and traffic flows like a river.

The acquisition of Rediffusion is merely the first step in his meticulous construction of a future security barrier, a means of seizing the public opinion front.

In the future, as China's reform and opening-up policies are further deepened and expanded, he will also consider establishing labor-intensive electronics or garment processing enterprises in coastal special economic zones, such as Shenzhen and Zhuhai.

This not only allows them to make profits from low labor costs, but more importantly, it creates a large number of jobs, absorbing tens of thousands of workers. This will be their second layer of protection—economic contribution and social stability value.

In the more far-reaching high-tech field, he has already begun to plan ahead, secretly investing in several Silicon Valley startups with disruptive potential through Qiming Capital, covering microprocessor design, software ecosystem and early network technology. He also plans to gradually introduce some advanced technologies and links in the industrial chain to China at an appropriate time in the future. This will be his third and most core armor - technological leadership and national strategic value.

Knowledge (academic standing), capital (wealth), public opinion (media platforms), employment (industrial factories), technology (cutting-edge investment)... He is meticulously weaving a multi-layered, three-dimensional, and mutually supportive protective network, much like playing chess.

This network aims to help myself, and my family back home, find the most stable, safest, and most fulfilling position in this era of great change, which is both magnificent and fraught with uncertainties and risks, and where I can realize my value and ambitions to the greatest extent possible.

Three days later, in a conference room at the headquarters of Qiming Group, an agreement was officially signed with an Australian consortium to acquire 61% of the shares of RTV for HK$140 million.

The entire process was discreet and efficient, meeting Yang Guangming's requirements.

However, once the news was disclosed through relevant channels, it was like pouring cold water into a boiling oil pan, quickly igniting a media frenzy in Hong Kong.

The acquisition of a long-established but poorly managed television station for HK$140 million is itself a highly newsworthy event.

"A mysterious mainland Chinese financial tycoon has acquired a controlling stake in RTV for HK$140 million!"

"Qiming Group makes a crucial move in its media empire; is this rising star in Central aiming at Shaw Brothers?"

"Yang Guangming: A Legendary Leap from Mainland Government-Sponsored Student to Stanford Professor, and Then to Hong Kong Media Mogul!"

The following day, the front pages of the financial and entertainment sections of major newspapers were almost entirely dominated by this explosive news and its related reports.

Paparazzi and financial reporters sprang into action, attempting to uncover more details about this mysterious tycoon.

In the past two years, Qiming Group has been exceptionally active in the Hong Kong capital market, making large-scale acquisitions of shares in high-quality listed companies and properties in prime locations. It has long been a frequent topic in the financial section and a focus of media attention.

Yang Guangming, the behind-the-scenes boss who rarely appears in public, has a mysterious background and comes from mainland China, which has aroused countless speculations and curiosity from the outside world.

Despite Yang Guangming and his group's efforts to maintain a low profile, they refused almost all media interview requests.

However, the stark contrast between his dazzling academic background as a government-sponsored student from mainland China and a Stanford PhD and visiting professor, and his current status as a business tycoon who wields immense power in the capital market, is enough to fascinate all journalists and prying eyes, who will try every means to uncover all information about him.

Soon, blurry photos of him taken in public and snippets of his life while studying in the United States began to be embellished and published in tabloids.

Yang Guangming was already mentally prepared for this sudden uproar and attention from the outside world.

He knew that the expansion of capital would inevitably be accompanied by the accumulation of fame, and it was impossible to remain completely invisible.

He calmly instructed the group's public relations department to maintain a unified response and remain silent with "no comment" to the outside world, and not to respond to any unofficial or unverified speculative reports.

At the same time, he immediately strengthened security measures for his residence on Hong Kong Island and his family in Shanghai through Leung Pak-tao, and hired a professional security team to conduct assessments and provide necessary protection.

Being at the center of a media storm, he realized more deeply the importance of having his own mainstream media outlet for guiding public opinion, resolving crises, and protecting personal and family privacy in the future.

The acquisition of Rediffusion was not only the right move, but also a very timely one.

Having dealt with this major matter concerning future strategic planning, Yang Guangming's longing for his family became even clearer and more urgent.

Since studying abroad, he has returned to China two or three times a year during holidays such as Christmas and summer vacation. However, each trip is rushed, like a whirlwind, and he has to leave after only a few days at home.

Lin Jianyue and her two children have never been abroad for a longer reunion with him.

It's summer vacation now, so the children have plenty of time.

As a college student, Lin Jianyue has a relatively relaxed holiday schedule and plenty of time.

A strong idea took root in his mind—to bring his family to Hong Kong Island for a period of time to reunite.

He also needs to enjoy a short period of family time before throwing himself into his busy work to make up for the regret of long-term separation.

My parents and older siblings all have to work and are very busy, so they probably won't be able to take long leave.

But perhaps my wife, two children, and my second brother and sister's families, who are also students and on vacation, could take this opportunity to come and stay for a while, broadening their horizons.

That afternoon, after processing several documents that required his signature, he dialed the international direct dial number from his home in Shanghai.

The phone rang a few times before being answered, and Lin Jianyue's familiar, gentle voice, tinged with a soft Wu dialect accent, came through: "Hello? Who is this?"

“Jianyue, it’s me, Guangming.” Hearing his wife’s voice, his nerves relaxed involuntarily.

"Guangming!" Lin Jianyue's voice immediately carried a hint of obvious surprise and concern. "You've settled everything on your end? I've been worried ever since you told me. Acquiring a TV station, such a big deal, 140 million..."

"Yes, the contract was just signed. The specific integration and operation will be handled by General Manager Shen and his team."

Yang Guangming deliberately put on a relaxed tone, not wanting his wife to worry about business matters, "Jianyue, it's summer vacation now, and the children are all free. I'd like you, Jingshu, and Zhiyuan to come and stay in Hong Kong Island for a while."

Although there's a lot going on here, I'll still try to spend as much time as possible with you and take you around to see different places.

He paused, then added, "While you're at it, ask your second brother and sister-in-law, and your second sister, if they're free, they can come too. It'll be more lively with more people, and there's enough room in the house."

He hoped to take this opportunity to let his close family members experience a different environment.

On the other end of the phone, Lin Jianyue was silent for a moment, her tone filled with obvious regret: "The children and I are definitely fine. I've been wanting to go and see what's going on over there for a while now. But I'm afraid I can't go to my second brother and sister-in-law's place, or my second sister's."

She explained in detail: "My second brother seems to be in an internship at his company this year. He's quite busy, and his supervisor values ​​him, so it's not easy for him to take leave, as they're afraid it will have a negative impact. My second sister is in a similar situation, and she seems to be preparing for some important exam. She has to make the most of her time to study during the holidays, so she simply can't find the time."

Needless to say, my parents, my older brother and sister-in-law, and my older sister all have to work. Their workplaces have strict rules, so I doubt they'd be willing to take such a long leave, and the commute would take a lot of time anyway.

Yang Guangming held the microphone and sighed softly. He had actually expected this outcome.

In the early 1980s, the social atmosphere in mainland China was relatively conservative, and people's work mentality was generally that of a "cog in the machine." The holiday system was far less flexible than in later years, and taking long leave, especially for non-official private visits to relatives, was unimaginable in many workplaces.

“It’s alright, it’s good that you and the children can come.” He suppressed his slight disappointment. “Please tell your older brother and sister that it would be best if they could come. If they really can’t come this time, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future. I will make arrangements for them. I have a large place to stay on Hong Kong Island, with enough rooms to accommodate everyone.”

"Okay, I'll tell them later," Lin Jianyue replied.

"Then I'll go to the Public Security Bureau as soon as possible to apply for the Hong Kong and Macao travel permits, and then book the plane tickets. Jing Shu and Zhi Yuan will be overjoyed to know that they are going to see their father and go to Hong Kong Island. They've been talking about it these past two days." Her voice was full of maternal love when she talked about her children.

"Okay. Once you've booked the tickets, tell me the specific flight number and arrival time immediately, and I'll pick you up from the airport," Yang Guangming instructed.

"You're so busy, just send someone to pick you up." Lin Jianyue was as considerate as ever, not wanting to trouble her husband.

"That won't do!" Yang Guangming interrupted her firmly. "I have to pick you up from the airport. I can't wait to see you. It's settled then. Just tell me your flight number." He displayed an uncompromising force in this matter.

"Well... alright then." Lin Jianyue felt her husband's concern and her heart warmed, so she stopped insisting.

Putting down the heavy telephone receiver, Yang Guangming leaned back in his chair, a warm sense of anticipation rising in his heart, washing away the busyness and calculations of the past few days.

In the midst of his busy schedule, having his closest family members by his side to share family time is the best comfort and one of the important motivations for his hard work.

Lin Jianyue acted quickly; she was clearly looking forward to this reunion.

Three days later, she took her seven-year-old daughter Jing Shu and five-year-old son Zhi Yuan on a Cathay Pacific flight. After several hours of flight, they landed smoothly at Kai Tak Airport in the evening.

Yang Guangming canceled a less important business engagement in advance and personally drove to the airport to pick him up.

Instead of using the overly flashy Rolls-Royce, he opted for a more understated Mercedes-Benz S-Class, but it still attracted the attention of some knowledgeable people at the airport.

When he saw his wife leading their two children out of the arrival hall with the crowd, a genuine and carefree smile appeared on his face.

Seven-year-old Jing Shu has grown into a pretty young girl with fair skin and the best features inherited from her parents.

She wore a neat and pretty ponytail, a new floral dress that Lin Jianyue had specially bought for her for this trip, white socks, and red leather shoes, looking sweet and cute.

Her eyes sparkled like they were filled with stars. She spotted her tall father in the crowd at a glance, immediately let go of her mother's hand, and ran over happily like a little bird.

"father!"

Five-year-old Zhiyuan was more lively and active than his older sister. He had a chubby face, a buzz cut, and had grown quite a bit taller. Wearing overalls and a little shirt, he followed behind his sister, constantly calling out, "Daddy! Daddy!"

Sunshine Ming's heart was instantly filled.

He crouched down, opened his arms, and hugged the two children tightly, one in each hand, feeling the warmth from their small bodies and their unconditional dependence, while the fresh scent of detergent lingered around his nose.

He hugged them tightly and then kissed each of them on the cheek.

Lin Jianyue walked over with her luggage, her face showing some fatigue from the long flight, but more so the joy of reuniting with her husband and the curiosity and excitement of arriving in a foreign land.

She looked at her husband with tender, gentle eyes, as if a thousand words were contained in that brief but affectionate gaze.

She wore a light blue shirt and beige trousers today, looking both appropriate and simple, a stark contrast to the fashionable women at Hong Kong Island Airport.

"You must have had a long journey. Was the plane bumpy?" Yang Guangming stood up, naturally took the luggage, and put his other arm around his wife's shoulder, patting it gently, feeling how thin her shoulder was.

"It was alright, it just took a long time. The children were excited at first, but then they all fell asleep."

Lin Jianyue looked around the modern airport environment with curiosity. "This is Hong Kong Island... It feels much hotter than Shanghai, and the air is humid too." She fanned herself with her hand.

"Yes, it's a maritime climate, and the summers are unbearably hot and humid. Come on, the car's right outside. It'll be cooler when we get home; we have central air conditioning." Yang Guangming pulled his luggage and led his family outside.

The family got into the Mercedes, and the cool interior immediately revitalized the children.

They were filled with curiosity about the car's luxurious leather seats, wood trim, and various buttons, touching and looking at them.

Jing Shu asked softly, with a hint of timid curiosity, "Dad, is this your car? It's so beautiful and comfortable." She carefully touched the smooth surface of the seat.

"Yes, it's a company car, for work purposes." Yang Guangming gently ruffled his daughter's hair, explaining softly, not wanting to emphasize the material differences in front of his child.

Zhiyuan was even more direct. He clung to the car window, his face almost pressed against the glass, watching the skyscrapers of Central District rushing past, the flashing giant neon billboards, and the endless stream of vehicles outside, and couldn't help but exclaim in amazement:
"Wow! Dad, the buildings here are so tall! So many lights! There are more and brighter buildings than on the Bund in Shanghai!" In his limited understanding, the Bund in Shanghai was already the most prosperous place in the world.

Lin Jianyue silently watched the street scene outside the window: rows of skyscrapers, dazzling luxury boutiques, people hurrying by in smart and fashionable clothes, double-decker buses and trams...

Compared to the familiar Shanghai, with its colonial-era charm and vibrant atmosphere, this place was a completely different kind of bustling city. It made her feel both novel and awe-inspiring, yet also vaguely unfamiliar and uncomfortable, as if she had stumbled into a world that didn't belong to her.

As the car drove through the bustling Wan Chai and Causeway Bay, it gradually turned onto the road leading to Repulse Bay in the Southern District, where the environment began to become more tranquil.

The road is lined with lush trees, and luxurious villas of various styles and unique designs are nestled on the hillside, offering excellent privacy.

Finally, the car passed through an automatic iron gate that required remote control to open and entered a spacious private courtyard with lush green grass and abundant flowers and trees, stopping in front of a three-story villa with a modern design, predominantly white color scheme, and clean, simple lines.

The villa features huge floor-to-ceiling windows and a spacious terrace, blending seamlessly with its surroundings.

“We’ve arrived. This is our home on Hong Kong Island,” Yang Guangming said, getting out of the car first. The butler and several housekeeping staff, who had been waiting for some time and dressed in neat uniforms, stood at the door, bowing respectfully to welcome the family.

Lin Jianyue and her two children got out of the car and were stunned by the sight of the mansion in front of them, which was many times larger than the already very comfortable garden villa in Shanghai and had a very modern and striking style. They were also taken aback by the respectful manner of the people in front of them and did not know how to react.

The lawn in the courtyard, manicured like a green carpet, the oval swimming pool shimmering blue in the sunlight, and the villa's smooth geometric lines and huge windows reflecting the sky all assaulted their senses, showcasing a kind of unattainable luxury they had previously only seen in foreign films.

"This...this is where you live on Hong Kong Island?" Lin Jianyue subconsciously used the word "you," feeling that everything in front of her was somewhat unreal.

“This is our home, our home on Hong Kong Island.” Yang Guangming keenly sensed her sense of alienation and corrected her gently but firmly.

He then took a small piece of luggage from her hand and said, "Come on, don't stand there, let's go inside and take a look. It's hot outside." He tried to ease his wife's awkwardness with a relaxed tone.

He personally led his family on a tour of this "new home," which he himself hadn't lived in for very long.

The villa's interior is extremely spacious, with a living room that is nearly six meters high, a magnificent crystal chandelier hanging in the ceiling, and the smooth, mirror-like Spanish beige marble floor reflecting the green trees and blue sky outside the window.

The top-of-the-line sofas and armchairs from the Italian brand Minotti feature elegant lines and are equipped with a full range of modern appliances that they can't even name (built-in refrigerators, microwave ovens, large-screen projection TVs, and stereo systems).

Everything was brand new, exquisite, and expensive, yet it also made Lin Jianyue feel dizzy and subtly pressured.

Compared to her own Shanghai villa, which she decorated herself and is full of life and the warmth of kitchen cooking, this place is more like a meticulously designed and exquisitely luxurious showroom. It is beautiful, but it lacks the warm atmosphere of life and the "home" she is familiar with.

Jing Shu and Zhi Yuan didn't have as many complicated feelings as their mother; children always have the strongest ability to adapt.

They ran excitedly around on the gleaming living room floor, curious about everything.

"Mom, look at this light, it's so bright!" Jing Shu pointed to the dazzling chandelier on the ceiling.

"Dad, what's that big black box in the wall? Is it a movie screen?" Zhiyuan asked, pointing to the huge projection screen hanging on one wall of the living room, which was not yet turned on.

"That must be for showing movies, it's much bigger than our TV." Jing Shu tried to explain to her younger brother like a little adult, even though she herself only half understood.

Yang Guangming patiently showed them around, pointing out where the formal restaurant was, where the side hall was, where the entertainment room with a pool table and a mahjong table was, and where his study was, which he occasionally used.

"Upstairs is mainly the bedroom area. Jing Shu and Zhi Yuan each have their own room, and each room has a private toilet and bathroom."

In addition to the swimming pool, there's also a small children's playground in the back garden. You can swim or play anytime you want; just ask the housekeeper to arrange for the water to be filled and for safety to be maintained." He explained in as much detail as possible, hoping his family could adapt quickly.

Lin Jianyue watched as her husband skillfully instructed the housekeepers to prepare tea and fruit in a mix of Cantonese and English, and arranged for people to deliver their luggage to their respective rooms. His calm and collected demeanor seemed to overlap with, yet also separated from, the image of the young man she remembered who was studying diligently at his desk in a small room and riding a bicycle on the university campus.

The sense of unfamiliarity and distance she felt due to the drastic change in her environment did not immediately diminish with this extreme material enjoyment; on the contrary, it seemed to intensify.

She suddenly realized with absolute clarity that what her husband was operating and controlling overseas was a vast and complex world that far exceeded her imagination, and perhaps even the imagination of most people in mainland China.

For the next three days, Yang Guangming kept his promise and temporarily put aside the group's complicated official business. Unless it was an extremely urgent matter, Shen Hanlin would handle it at his discretion, while he devoted himself to spending time with his family, trying to make up for the regret of being separated for a long time.

He took them shopping at Lane Crawford, the most upscale shopping mall in Central, and Pacific Place in Admiralty. He picked out several sets of fashion, handbags and cosmetics from France and Italy for Lin Jianyue, and bought all sorts of new clothes, toys and fairy tale books for Jing Shu and Zhi Yuan.

Lin Jianyue initially refused, feeling it was too expensive and wasteful, but under Yang Guangming's insistence and the children's delighted gazes, she finally accepted, though she couldn't help but be surprised in private.

He took his family to Ocean Park to watch the spectacular dolphin and sea lion shows and ride the thrilling cable car to overlook the Deep Water Bay.

In the children's playground, watching Zhiyuan laughing heartily on the carousel, Jingshu carefully drove her car in the bumper car area.

The children's silvery laughter was the most beautiful music he had ever heard.

In the evening, they took the old Star Ferry back and forth between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, feeling the sea breeze of Victoria Harbour and watching the lights of thousands of homes gradually illuminate both sides.

They dined together at the Peak Tower restaurant on Victoria Peak, overlooking the dazzling night view of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon Peninsula through the huge glass windows, with lights stretching to the foot of the distant mountains, a truly magnificent sight.

At first, Lin Jianyue was a little reserved in these overly luxurious and novel settings, unsure of what to do with her hands and feet. However, with her husband's encouraging gaze, the children's excitement, and the harmonious atmosphere around her, she gradually tried to relax and enjoy this dreamlike vacation.

She learned to use delicate cutlery, tasted delicacies she had only read about in books before, and, with her husband's guidance, identified the famous landmarks outside the window.

Seeing the unprecedentedly bright smiles on Jing Shu and Zhi Yuan's faces, and the long-lost ease and warmth in her husband's eyes, free from any pressure or calculation, the discomfort and estrangement in her heart were slowly melted away by the warmth of the family and the joy of reunion.

Shopping, sightseeing, and tasting delicious food... the three days flew by amidst laughter and countless novel experiences, like a short but beautiful dream.

However, dreams always come to an end.

After a brief period of dedicated companionship, the mountain of official duties prevented Yang Guangming from taking another vacation.

He returned to his office at the top floor of Qiming Group and began to bury himself in dealing with the backlog of documents, listening to detailed reports from the heads of each department, and holding meetings with core executives such as Shen Hanlin to discuss and formulate strategic directions for the group's development in the next fiscal year and beyond.

His life is once again filled with meetings, reports, data, and decisions.

Lin Jianyue, along with her two children, continued to live in the villa in Repulse Bay, gradually adapting to the completely different pace of life between Hong Kong Island and Shanghai.

Sometimes, she would learn flower arranging from the polite and skilled British butler, or be accompanied by a local housekeeper to shop at upscale supermarkets and markets near Repulse Bay or Stanley, where she would see a dazzling array of imported ingredients and fresh seafood.

She tried to prepare a Chinese home-cooked meal for her husband and children, but the complex, shiny German kitchen utensils and built-in oven and microwave made her feel a little overwhelmed. They were far less familiar and convenient than the simple gas stove and iron pot at her home in Shanghai.

Sometimes, she would take the children to swim in the crystal-clear swimming pool in the backyard of the villa. Yang Guangming specially hired a professional swimming coach to instruct the two children.

Alternatively, she could watch TV programs on RTV or other channels in a well-equipped home theater with thick carpets. Although Cantonese was like a foreign language to her, she could still guess the gist of it from the visuals.

More often than not, while the children napped or played by themselves, she would simply stay in her husband's well-stocked yet equally spacious and quiet study, casually picking up a novel or magazine from the shelf to browse through.

Or, do nothing at all, just sit quietly on the sofa by the window, looking through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows at the flowers and plants in the courtyard that the gardener has carefully trimmed, at that private green space under the blue sky and white clouds, your eyes wandering, your thoughts drifting away.

The abundance and convenience of her material life did not completely fill the vague emptiness and sense of loss in her heart.

She began to miss her home in Shanghai more and more often; although it wasn't as spacious as here, every corner of it was filled with traces of her and her family's life and was full of warmth and everyday life.
I miss the familiar chats and greetings with my neighbors at the alley entrance and in the vegetable market; I miss the fulfilling feeling of exchanging ideas with my classmates on campus.

I even started to miss the familiar and lively shouts of vendors in Shanghai's wet markets, and the aroma of soy milk and fried dough sticks...

There she found familiar social connections, the work she poured her heart and soul into, and the soil where she was rooted.

Here, apart from her husband and children, she is almost completely isolated from the outside world.

They couldn't speak the language, the environment was unfamiliar, they had no friends, and they didn't have a social role of their own.

The enormous villa was like a magnificent fortress, safe and comfortable, yet eerily quiet.

She was like a canary kept in an exquisite cage, carefully cared for but deprived of the sky to fly in and the familiar branches to perch on.

The two children adapted very quickly; children's world is always simple and straightforward.

Jing Shu was rather quiet, but she quickly became playmates with several other wealthy girls in the neighborhood through community-organized children's activities. Occasionally, she would be invited to attend birthday parties held at other children's homes, which were like small parties. Afterwards, she would excitedly describe the other people's houses and the exquisite snacks to her mother.

Zhiyuan developed a strong interest in all sorts of novel appliances in the house, from remote-controlled curtains to multi-disc CD players, from automatic sensor doors to complex audio systems. He kept pestering his father, the housekeeper, and even the repairman with questions, his little head filled with curiosity about the mechanical and electronic world.

Although Yang Guangming was busy with work, he was meticulous and keenly aware of the subtle loneliness in his wife's eyes and her occasional absent-mindedness.

He knew that this huge leap in material life, and the subsequent complete change in lifestyle, would require a considerable amount of time to adapt to and digest, and could not be resolved by a few shopping trips and outings.

One evening, after the children had all gone to bed in their comfortable rooms, he returned to the master bedroom of the villa, somewhat exhausted, after finishing a multinational conference call, only to find that Lin Jianyue was not in the room.

He went downstairs and saw her sitting alone on the huge white sofa in the living room, her legs curled up, holding a soft cushion in her arms. She was staring blankly out the window at the still dazzling Hong Kong Island, but the night view was not as dense as it was late at night. Her profile looked somewhat thin and lonely under the soft light.

Yang Guangming walked over quietly and sat down on the sofa next to her, the soft leather making a slight rustling sound. He reached out and gently took her slightly cold hand, which was resting on her knee.

"What's wrong? Are you... still not used to it here?" he asked gently, his tone full of understanding and concern, without a trace of blame or impatience.

Lin Jianyue seemed to be pulled back from her distant thoughts by his voice. Coming to her senses, she turned her head and smiled at him, a smile that carried an undisguised hint of reluctance and exhaustion.

She didn't deny it: "A little. Everything here is too good, so good...it feels unreal."

It's like living in a movie, or in someone else's story.

She paused, her voice lowering, tinged with a wistful reminiscence, "Sometimes, when the night is quiet, I can't help but think back to when we first got married, when we were crammed into a tenement building."

In summer it's as hot as a sauna, and in winter it's so cold you can't even stretch out your hands. You can hear the neighbors arguing and the children crying clearly...

Although it's small, noisy, and inconvenient in every way, for some reason, it feels... more grounded, more like our own life.

Her words revealed her deepest feelings—a loss of belonging and self-worth.

Yang Guangming listened quietly, without immediately refuting or offering comfort.

He understands this feeling; it is an inevitable psychological reaction brought about by cultural differences and drastic environmental changes, and it cannot be simply compensated for by material things.

He gently pulled his wife into his arms, feeling the softness and slight coolness of her body.

"I understand, I understand everything."

His deep voice rang in her ear, steady and reassuring, "Life here is just a choice, a fragment."

It is just one of our many possible homes, not the whole picture, and certainly not a constraint.

If you want to go back to Shanghai, we can go back anytime.

Don't forget, the job arrangements at Tsinghua University are basically complete, and I'll be reporting for duty by the end of August at the latest.

Transportation will become more and more convenient in the future. Once your work is transferred to the capital, our family can reunite in the capital again.

If you miss home and want to go back to see your parents and siblings, we can buy a plane or train ticket anytime on weekends or holidays to go back.

He tried to give her a specific timeframe and a vision of the future to ease her anxiety.

"Ah."

Lin Jianyue leaned against his strong, warm shoulder, the familiar, reassuring scent of her husband lingering around her nose, and listened to his steady, powerful heartbeat. The feeling of being suspended in mid-air seemed to settle down considerably.

"I know that everything you've done is for us, for a better future for this family."

"It's just... this change is too big. I might need some time to adjust and find my rhythm and place here... or rather, in this new life," she frankly stated her needs.

"No rush, we have a lifetime to adapt and find our way." Yang Guangming hugged her tighter, his voice soft yet strong. "Wherever we are, whether it's a tenement building in Shanghai, a villa in Hong Kong, or a courtyard house in Beijing in the future, as long as we are a family together, caring for and supporting each other, that is our home."

Home is not just a house, it's where people are, where their hearts are.

Yang Guangming's words, like a warm stream, gently flowed through Lin Jianyue's somewhat bewildered heart.

Lin Jianyue closed her eyes, softly hummed in agreement, and buried her face in the crook of his neck, savoring this moment of peace and comfort.

Outside the window, the lights of Victoria Harbour still shine like a flowing, ever-burning galaxy, reflected on the dark sea, witnessing the city's prosperity and changes, and also the subtle ripples and deep warmth within this small family. (End of Chapter)