pjbooks Chapter 17 Reunion in Yuzhou: Compassionate Settlement
Chapter 17 Reunion in Yuzhou: Compassionate Settlement
The handover site of Phase I of Qingyang Xinyuan was bustling with people.
The homeowners, holding flowers and keys, beamed with joy as they moved into their new home.
Tang Muyang stood on the makeshift stage, dressed in a sharp suit, with Gong Yiqing holding her son Tang Zhenyang beside him.
Looking at the sea of people below the stage, he felt a surge of pride.
But as his gaze swept over the baby's rosy face in the audience, a pang of guilt quietly crept into his heart.
Since his son was born, he, as a father, has hardly spent any time with his child in the past two months, and now he is about to travel to the southwest.
Gong Yiqing seemed to sense her husband's thoughts, gently patted his arm, and said softly, "Go ahead, Mom and Dad are here at home with me. Take good care of yourself in Sichuan and Chongqing."
At this moment, Tang Muyang knew that the so-called "glorious years" meant walking the tightrope between family and career with the most steady steps.
In mid-June 2007, the Sichuan-Chongqing region had not yet experienced the sweltering heat of midsummer.
But a restless humidity already filled the air.
Tang Muyang led an elite team to the temporary office located in Jiefangbei.
Outside the window are construction sites of other real estate giants.
The Jialing River and the Yangtze River converge here, and the surging waters seem to foreshadow a new destiny for this land.
He took off the elegant suit he wore in Zhejiang and put on a smart shirt.
Pointing to the somewhat rough map of YZ District on the wall.
He said in a deep voice to the project manager beside him, "Our first project will be in Jiangbeizui."
"That area is now a wasteland, but in five years, it will be the Lujiazui of Sichuan and Chongqing."
This is a battle with no way out, and it represents Qingyang Industry's nationwide expansion strategy.
The southwest is a strategically vital region, and Tang Muyang is the one who must plant his flag there.
During the most exhausting period of the team's work, Tang Muyang received a text message from Zheshui City, sent by Yang Liu, the girlfriend of his brother Tang Jianguo.
"Brother Muyang, it rains a lot in Sichuan and Chongqing, remember to bring an umbrella."
Those few simple words warmed Tang Muyang's heart.
Two months ago, after this girl, also from Sichuan and Chongqing, established a relationship with Tang Jianguo in Zhejiang, she became Gong Yiqing's most solid support.
At this moment, Yang Liu was helping Gong Yiqing take care of Tang Zhenyang in the cradle and keeping the house in good order.
Tang Muyang quickly typed: "Received. Is Zhenyang being good at home? Give him a hug for me."
After replying to the message, he turned to look at the team members who were working through the night to verify the data, his eyes becoming determined.
He knew that behind him was not only the tenderness of his wife, but also the support of his brothers and future siblings.
This gave him the confidence to ignite the first spark in this unfamiliar mountain town.
After two weeks of intensive negotiations and preparations.
Tang Muyang finally secured the preliminary letter of intent for the Jiangbeizui plot.
That evening, after the signing ceremony, he treated his team to a hot pot meal at a riverside restaurant.
The chili oil sizzled and the spiciness filled the air; everyone raised their glasses and drank heartily.
Tang Muyang wasn't afraid of spicy food, but he had a low alcohol tolerance. He forced himself to drink a glass of local liquor.
As the alcohol took effect, he gazed at the scattered lights on the opposite bank, pondering the next step in his financial chain.
Although the Southwest region had a smooth start, it was extremely costly, and any misstep could drag down the main base of Zhejiang City.
This feeling of walking on thin ice is an inevitable rite of passage for businesses expanding into adulthood.
But he believes that as long as the flag is there, there is no obstacle that cannot be overcome.
The following morning, in order to clarify the commercial facilities around the project, Tang Muyang drove alone to Nanping Old Street for inspection.
Beside a somewhat old-fashioned community vegetable market, he saw a familiar figure.
That was Wang Li. She was wearing simple home clothes and squatting on the ground picking vegetables. A little boy, about 4 years old, was standing next to her, timidly tugging at her clothes.
Time is a cruel mistress. The once outstanding and capable assembly line supervisor in the southeast region of Hengxin Group now has fine lines around his eyes and rough hands, revealing the vicissitudes of life.
Tang Muyang instinctively slammed on the brakes. The car window rolled down, and their eyes met in mid-air, as if time had frozen for a few seconds.
Tang Muyang did not get out of the car immediately, but instead dialed Peng Jiahui's number.
Peng Jiahui, who was on the other end of the phone, was in Zhejiang Province preparing building materials for the second phase of Qingyang Xinyuan and heard about the situation here.
Thinking back to their romance in Xiamen, Tang Muyang and Wang Li were a shining light in the factory and an enviable couple in everyone's eyes.
However, due to transfers that took them to different parts of the country, their relationship ended regretfully.
After that, I heard that Wang Li had returned to Sichuan and Chongqing, gotten married, and had children, and then I heard nothing more from her.
After a nine-year separation, Peng Jiahui, anticipating his brother's complex emotions, remained silent for a long time before finally asking, "Muyang, what do you think about this?"
Tang Muyang looked at the thin boy in the rearview mirror and said slowly, "No matter what kind of married life Wang Li faces, the child is innocent."
"We've worked our way up from the bottom and have seen too much of life's hardships. If we can lend a hand, we should."
Tang Muyang frowned, thinking that Wang Li must be having a hard time.
Peng Jiahui sighed on the other end of the line: "Alright, if you can't get over this, I'll take your advice."
"But remember, don't make Sister-in-law Yiqing suspicious."
This conversation had nothing to do with rekindling old feelings; it was simply about the inherent goodness in human nature, a tacit understanding between brothers that needed no words.
Tang Muyang pushed open the door and walked over. Wang Li obviously recognized him, and the vegetable basket in her hand trembled slightly.
A hint of panic and embarrassment flashed across the little boy's face as he curiously looked up at the well-dressed uncle.
Tang Muyang squatted down, trying to keep his tone calm: "Is this your son?"
Wang Li responded softly, "Yes, call him Xiaobao."
Tang Muyang patted the child's head, and the child, somewhat shy, hid behind his mother.
"Tang... Mu, no... Mr. Tang, I never expected to run into you here..."
Wang Li smiled wryly, her intermittent address clearly indicating that she felt the situation was no longer appropriate.
"I'm doing really well now, really."
She was eager to distance herself and didn't want her old friends to see her in such a sorry state; tears glistened on her departing face.
Tang Muyang waved his hand and handed over a business card: "No need to explain, it's all in the past."
"I happen to have opened a branch office in the Sichuan-Chongqing region. If you'd like, you can come and give it a try."
Back in his temporary office, Tang Muyang immediately summoned the Human Resources Director.
He pointed to Wang Li's resume and gave the order: "Have Xiao Hui find out about her. Arrange for her to go to the Sichuan-Chongqing branch. Her position will be deputy manager of the customer service department. Her probationary salary will be the same as that of a manager."
The director looked troubled: "Mr. Tang, this... the background check hasn't been done yet."
Tang Muyang interrupted him: "No need to investigate, I'll take full responsibility."
"When we're in real estate, we're not just building houses, but also caring about the people who live in them."
Tang Muyang emphasized, "Wang Li understands life and the pain points of ordinary people, which is exactly what we need."
"The company will rent an apartment for her and her child that is close to the company and in a nice environment, and the company will cover the cost."
This was not charity; it was a management decision based on human nature. It not only solved her predicament but also brought in an employee who understood local conditions for the company.
After making the arrangements, Tang Muyang dialed Gong Yiqing's number.
On the other end of the phone, Gong Yiqing was breastfeeding Zhenyang, her voice gentle and pleasant.
Tang Muyang did not hide anything and told the whole story about meeting his ex-girlfriend Wang Li and his plan to hire her, including the child whose background was unknown.
He had no motive to glorify himself, nor did he exaggerate his past feelings.
After listening, Gong Yiqing remained silent for a few seconds, then said gently, "Muyang, I know you're not the kind of person who's indecisive."
"Since you've decided to help, then help to the end, but there should be limits."
"Since it's work, follow the rules. Don't let people think you're pitying her."
His wife's understanding and magnanimity put Tang Muyang's mind at ease.
He knew that a true partner was someone who could hold an umbrella for him in the storm and help him maintain his boundaries when he felt compassion.
A week later, Wang Li moved into the apartment arranged by the company with her son.
When she stepped into her bright, spacious new home, fully furnished with appliances, she finally couldn't hold back her tears.
Tang Muyang did not appear in person, but instead had the human resources department send him a formal employment notice.
At the subsequent departmental meeting, Tang Muyang met Wang Li, an employee, for the first time.
She wore light makeup and a business suit. Although she was still a little reserved, her eyes regained their sparkle, and her beautiful and elegant features from back then were still there.
At the meeting, Tang Muyang announced: "The Sichuan-Chongqing branch is our new battlefield, and every employee is a comrade-in-arms."
"I hope we can all be like family and support each other."
This statement was addressed to everyone, and also to Wang Li.
For the next two months, Tang Muyang devoted himself entirely to the establishment of the Sichuan-Chongqing branch.
Wang Li demonstrated remarkable execution skills, quickly developing a community commercial planning scheme that suited the tastes of people in Sichuan and Chongqing, based on her familiarity with the local area, which earned Tang Muyang's approval.
On the day the branch was officially established, Tang Muyang felt much more at ease looking at the brand-new "Qingyang Industry (Sichuan-Chongqing) Co., Ltd." plaque.
The situation in the southwest has been stabilized; the next step is to cultivate it further.
Standing atop the high-rise, overlooking this magical city of mountains and rivers, he knew that this place would become a significant chapter in the grand scheme of his life.
In mid-August 2007, just as the Sichuan-Chongqing branch was getting on track, Tang Muyang remembered his promise to his hometown folks and prepared to move forward with the next step of the plan.
The hometown of Qingyang in Xiaoxiang is a longing for home and a promise to the elders and folks.
The night before his departure, Tang Muyang received a photo from Tang Jianguo.
In the photo, Yang Liu is holding Zhenyang, enjoying the shade under the trees around the villa, while Tang Jianguo and his father-in-law Gong Chong'an are playing chess, creating a harmonious scene.
The caption reads: "Brother Muyang, everything is fine at home. Focus on your career and don't worry about me."
Looking at the photo, Tang Muyang's eyes welled up with tears.
The distance of 2,000 kilometers from Zhejiang to Sichuan and Chongqing has become less distant thanks to the support of these brothers and family members.
He replied, "You should pack your bags and take your team back to our hometown."
This kind of mutual support across space is the deepest affection between men, and it is also the source of his confidence to charge into battle.
Tang Jianguo also recalled the promise Tang Muyang made to his hometown elders when he returned to his hometown for his wedding, Qingyang Hometown, and more than a year has passed in the blink of an eye.
The old topic of implementing the plan was brought up again, and Tang Jianguo, thinking of returning to rebuild his hometown, felt his blood boil and quickly replied, "Muyang, received!"
"Hand over your work at Zhejiang Water Resources Bureau, take good care of your sister-in-law and nephew, see you back home."
Tang Muyang put his phone away and breathed a sigh of relief.
In the final moments before leaving Sichuan and Chongqing, I met Wang Li downstairs at the branch office, who had come to hand over her work.
This time, both of them were calm, with Wang Li holding her son's hand, who had already adapted to the new environment.
"Mr. Tang, thank you for giving me and my child a home."
She smiled and bowed to Tang Muyang, "Please rest assured, I will work hard and won't cause you any trouble."
Tang Muyang nodded: "You two... aren't together anymore?"
Upon hearing this, Wang Li's body stiffened slightly, and her originally calm eyes instantly rippled.
She tried hard to remain calm, but her lips trembled uncontrollably, and her voice began to choke: "That person... is no longer the one I should be waiting for."
She abruptly turned her face away, took a deep breath, and as if using all her strength, squeezed out the second half of the sentence, "It's better to be a piece of trash than to be worthless."
Tang Muyang understood and didn't ask any further questions. He handed her a file folder: "This is an education fund for your son. It's a small token of my appreciation. The password is your birthday."
"Live well, and don't let your children suffer."
He didn't linger and turned to get into the car.
The moment the engine started, he looked through the car window at Wang Li and her son getting further and further away in the rearview mirror, and his heart was filled with clarity.
"Mom! Uncle is better than Dad."
Wang Li slowly knelt down, hugging Xiao Bao with her left arm. Tears streamed down her face uncontrollably as she covered her face with her right hand, sobbing, "He...he still remembers my birthday!"
There was no time for sentimentality. That regretful past, spanning Xiamen Island and Kyoto, finally came to a complete end on this hot summer day.
The car traveled eastward along the winding mountain road of National Highway G319, its wheels rolling over the wet asphalt surface after the rain.
It carries with it a farewell to the past, and also an urgent desire to return home.
He didn't close his eyes during the nearly 10-hour drive, only managing to grab a quick bite of bread at a service area.
As evening fell, the black sedan finally drove into the parking lot of Xiangsha Airport.
As soon as Tang Muyang opened the car door, he saw Gong Yiqing, who had been waiting for a long time, and his mother-in-law holding Zhenyang, with Tang Jianguo smiling behind them.
The little guy is 4 months old. He was held in his mother-in-law's arms, his eyes shining brightly as he stared at her.
Upon seeing him, she immediately grinned and giggled.
Tang Muyang strode forward, gave his wife a warm hug, and then carefully took the child, pressing his hand against the child's warm little face. The fatigue of the past few days instantly dissipated.
After the group got into the car, it started again and headed towards Xiaoxiang Baoyang.
The evening breeze slipped in through the cracks in the car window, carrying the familiar fragrance of grass and trees from the banks of the Fuyi River.
His hometown lies ahead, and his elders, wife, children, and brothers are by his side. He knows that all his hard work has finally come to an end.
In the car, Gong Yiqing quietly talked about the situation at Zhe Shui's home, and how Zhou Yanting and Peng Jiahui were preparing for their wedding.
Listening to these heartwarming stories of everyday life, Tang Muyang felt a sense of peace he had never felt before.
It was late at night when we arrived at the banks of the Fuyi River. The darkness was like ink splashed on the ground, leaving only a few warm yellow lights in the town.
Most of the streetlights on the old street were off, except for the old lamp at the bridgehead, which still shone, casting a shimmering golden light on the river.
The night market stalls had long since closed, with only a small shop at the far end of the alley still having a light on, displaying a sign that read "24-hour public telephone".
Father Tang Zhiye, sister Tang Xiuying, and brother Tang Pingsheng were waiting at the bridgehead early in the morning.
The cigarette in my father's hand had already burned down to its third cigarette, and the cigarette butts were piled up at his feet.
My older sister was holding a thick coat in her arms, and every now and then she would stand on tiptoe and look towards the end of the road.
Tang Pingsheng, the older brother, squatted by the roadside, chatting with a passing night patrolman, while holding a half-empty bottle of mineral water in his hand.
The car headlights pierced the darkness, and they immediately straightened up and hurried to meet them.
Here stands the three-story villa that Tang Muyang meticulously purchased for his father and elder brother last year.
With its white walls and black tiles, it carries the charm of traditional southern Hunan dwellings, and warm light shines through the windows in the quiet night.
No matter how vast one's career may be, it must ultimately revolve around family to complete a perfect arc.
The town is picturesque, with a sparkling river, and you can smell a familiar hometown aroma as soon as you open the window.
As the group entered the small Western-style building, they were greeted by the familiar atmosphere of the Tangtian Lecture Hall, which brought back childhood memories.
"Yiqing, Auntie, you must be exhausted!"
Tang Xiuying, the older sister, warmly brought over some green tea from their hometown and took the sleeping Zhenyang from her hands.
Gong Yiqing politely responded to her sister and sat down with her mother: "Sister! It's alright, the journey was smooth."
"Yang Liu! Next time you come back to Baoyang, you should get a driver's license too!"
Tang Jianguo was talking on the phone with his lover who was far away in Zhejiang. He looked very longing and pretended that nothing was wrong.
"You've only been apart for a day, and you already miss me?"
Tang Muyang stood close to his father, Tang Zhiye, and teased him.
"Haha! Young people, huh!"
Tang Zhiye, the father, patted Tang Jianguo on the shoulder happily: "Yesterday you were just joking with your parents that their son is getting married!"
"Uncle Zhiye! You bet I feel so empty inside, I wish I could fly back right now."
Tang Jianguo grinned foolishly.
"Let's just tough it out for now!"
The older brother, Tang Pingsheng, who had been silent until now, joked: "A man who wants to conquer the world must be able to endure loneliness and withstand solitude."
Looking at the warm daily life of the family, Tang Muyang took Zhenyang from his sister's hand, and said to Tang Jianguo with a fake serious expression, "Don't worry, arrange the team here, leave everything to my brother and brother-in-law Jiang Dashu, and try to get back to Zhejiang within 10 days."
Time flies, and it's now September 2007.
Autumn is gradually arriving in southern Hunan, the fragrance of osmanthus blossoms fills the banks of the Fuyi River, and the Mid-Autumn Festival arrives as scheduled.
The sweet aroma of mooncakes and fruits wafted from every household in the small town. Simple lanterns hung under the eaves, elders set up altars to worship the moon, and children ran around the alleyways carrying paper lanterns.
Smoke from cooking fires, moonlight, and familiar local accents intertwine, creating a scene brimming with authentic Mid-Autumn Festival customs.
Tang Muyang sat with his family in the courtyard, enjoying the moon and chatting, savoring the rare time of reunion.
The day after the Mid-Autumn Festival is the 16th day of the 8th lunar month.
It was Tang Muyang's 31st birthday, and Gong Yiqing, who was standing next to him, was 22. The family prepared simple dishes and offered their congratulations in a low-key yet warm manner.
The Qingyang Hometown·Fuyi Jinyuan project was not rushed into completion; the project is progressing gradually.
Organizing manpower and recruiting laborers in their hometown is particularly convenient, and villagers come to help as soon as they hear the news, everyone is full of enthusiasm.
With the overall planning of Tang Jianguo and the cooperation and assistance of his brother Tang Pingsheng and brother-in-law Jiang Dashu, the project officially broke ground in early October.
As the roar of mixers and excavators echoed across the construction site, Tang Muyang finally fulfilled his promise to his hometown folks.
On this day, Tang Muyang convened a meeting of senior executives from Zhejiang Water Group headquarters remotely via QQ in the conference room of the small villa.
The projector's cold light projected a huge map, with Zhejiang City and Sichuan-Chongqing City circled in red.
Tang Muyang's voice was loud and clear: "The southwest layout is complete. In the next 5 years, the target is the Yangtze River Delta and Hezhou City in the heart of the Central Plains."
He pointed his finger heavily onto the map of Hebei Province, saying, "We will go north along the Beijing-Guangzhou Railway and open up the north-south artery within 10 years."
The executives in the audience were excited and took notes on the young chairman's ambition.
Under his helm, the giant ship of Qingyang Industry is cutting through the waves and sailing towards a wider, deeper blue.
After the meeting ended, Tang Muyang went alone to the rooftop terrace of the small villa.
As the sun sets, it turns the entire Fuyi River golden.
He took out his phone and looked at the daily operations report sent by the Sichuan-Chongqing branch; the data was positive.
He then opened the chat window with Wang Li, which contained only a few simple messages about the handover of official duties.
He gently closed the chat window and looked into the distance.
Along the way, there have been fierce battles in the business world, as well as moments of compassion and warmth.
He was worthy of heaven and earth, worthy of his brothers, and worthy of the person beside him.
Composing himself, he turned and walked to his floor to prepare to give his son a bath.
His wife, Gong Yiqing, was wiping the floor with a damp towel, while his mother-in-law, Su Wanqing, was feeding Zhenyang milk.
"Mom! Give me the baby!"
Zhenyang was holding the bottle tightly in his little hands. When he saw his father, he waved his little hands, and the bottle almost fell to the ground.
"Muyang, look at this child, he's getting closer and closer to you."
The mother-in-law sighed with affection, marveling at the natural bond between father and son.
The following morning, the group bid farewell to their hometown and drove back to their base camp in Zhejiang.
The road ahead is long, but he is ready.
With compassion and unwavering resolve, let us journey towards a better tomorrow.