pjbooks Chapter 19 Reunion on the Zhejiang River: The Chess Player Awakens
Chapter 19 Reunion on the Zhejiang River: The Chess Player Awakens
The fallen plane tree leaves in Zheshui City are golden and carpet the ground, making a crisp cracking sound when stepped on.
He stood in front of the glass curtain wall of the "Sunny Center," his fingertips tracing the cold window surface, the chill biting.
Downstairs, the traffic was bustling and noisy, but he felt as if he were in a vacuum, so quiet that he could only hear his own heartbeat.
The nationwide four trillion yuan investment wave has been fully launched, and the rumble of the real estate market rebounding from its bottom can be faintly heard from afar.
It felt like a storm brewing, pressing heavily on my heart, making it hard to breathe.
Gathering his scattered thoughts, he turned and went back to his bedroom.
Gong Yiqing had just woken up, while Tang Zhenyang was being looked after by the family's housekeeper and was sleeping soundly in the next room.
The autumn of 2009 was a crucial juncture when the real estate market was recovering and undercurrents were surging within the industry.
Gong Yiqing straightened her clothes and gently hugged her husband from behind.
She pressed her cheek against his broad back, feeling the reassuring warmth.
"Is it another lecture I've asked you to give?" she asked softly, her warm breath seeping through the fabric and soothing his skin.
Tang Muyang stared at the character "Xiao" for a moment, his eyes glazed over.
It felt as if I had traveled back more than a decade to the days of unwavering faith and burning ideals, before returning to a state of tranquility.
"It's an old friend, I'll go say a few words." He was afraid she would overthink it, so he didn't mention that it was a reunion with his first love.
He lowered his head and gently kissed the back of her hand, using tenderness to conceal the barely perceptible ripples in her heart.
Gong Yiqing smiled slightly, with a hint of teasing: "This old friend is probably no ordinary person."
Tang Muyang's heart tightened, and he quickly wrapped his arms around her waist: "My wife is wise, but she's never as important as you!"
The two looked at each other and smiled, a faint hint of jealousy lingering in the air, yet also a deep understanding between them.
After hanging up Yang Liu's call, Tang Jianguo walked to the conference room's tea room, where he and Peng Jiahui each lit a cigarette.
Smoke rose slowly in the morning light, and both men wore solemn expressions.
Peng Jiahui exhaled a smoke ring and joked with a smile, "Brother Muyang's popularity is so great that even professors are asking him to teach. He really makes us proud."
"Xiao Xiaoyan, my first love and white moonlight back in the Southern Special Economic Zone." Tang Jianguo took a deep drag on his cigarette.
His eyes showed worry: "Is it appropriate to meet at this critical juncture? What about your sister-in-law...?"
Peng Jiahui patted his brother on the shoulder, looking confident: "Don't worry, Brother Muyang knows perfectly well whose side he's on now."
"We still have to give them this much trust."
Tang Muyang and Gong Yiqing set off for the company, and the conference room was already bustling with activity.
Zhou Yanting walked in and projected the latest market analysis chart onto the screen.
The red and green curves intertwine, like a huge and taut spider web.
"The lines soar upwards, like a horse running wildly after being pulled back from the edge of a cliff; it's breathtaking to watch," Zhou Yanting remarked, tracing the curves with her fingertips.
"Don't be blinded by the data. This rebound is supported by policy injections, not by real demand."
Gu Zhixing pointed to the chart, his mind unusually clear: "When the tide goes out, we'll see who's been swimming naked."
Lin Mo flipped through the jewelry shipment order, his eyes shining: "Land prices haven't gone up yet, but the treasures I have are in high demand."
"It seems everyone is hoarding hard currency as a safe haven."
"The first phase of Qingyang Xinyuan sold out immediately; people from Zhejiang really don't lack money." Since becoming the sales manager, Yang Liu has been exceptionally diligent in her work.
When talking about her achievements, she became animated, her eyes beaming with joy.
"It seems Manager Peng needs to catch up on building materials." Zhu Xiaohui flipped through the reports for the second phase of the project, meticulously checking each set of data.
Peng Jiahui, sitting in the back row, sneezed without warning, rubbed his nose, and muttered, "Is Tingting missing me again?"
He straightened up and looked ahead, his eyes meeting Zhou Yanting's.
She mouthed a reproachful retort: "You're so cheeky."
A burst of laughter erupted from the crowd, instantly easing the tense atmosphere that had preceded the meeting.
Tang Muyang and Gong Yiqing walked into the conference room side by side, while the baby, accompanied by the family's nanny, waited quietly in the outer lounge.
With no children crying or making a fuss, the harmonious and warm atmosphere reached its peak.
On Friday afternoon, the lecture hall of Zhejiang University's Waterside Building was packed to capacity, with people even standing in the aisles.
The air was filled with an atmosphere of thirst for knowledge and anticipation, both warm and solemn.
Tang Muyang, the keynote speaker, stood confidently under the spotlight, dressed in a suit.
In the first row of the audience, Xiao Xiaoyan wore gold-rimmed glasses, exuding an intellectual and elegant, scholarly air.
She was taking notes intently, the pen scratching softly on the paper.
Occasionally, she would look up and her gaze would lightly meet Tang Muyang's on the stage.
Like two pebbles thrown into the center of a lake, creating barely perceptible ripples that quickly subside back to calm.
Tang Jianguo sat in the last row of the lecture hall, seemingly dozing off, but in reality, he was always on high alert.
Peng Jiahui stood guard in the parking lot, seemingly checking the vehicles, but actually preparing for any unexpected situations.
Tang Muyang watched from the stage, secretly amused: These brothers are clumsy yet loyal.
It is this protection that makes him feel incredibly at ease.
Tang Muyang didn't spout empty success theories; instead, he frankly analyzed the crisis of 2008.
It tells the story of how Qingyang survived on the verge of a cash flow crisis by mortgaging land and scaling back operations.
"Industry is not a 100-meter sprint, but a marathon with shackles."
"When a crisis comes, survival is the greatest victory; face is the least valuable thing." His deep and powerful voice resonated in everyone's hearts.
The applause from the audience was thunderous and lasted for a long time.
Xiao Xiaoyan's eyes were full of praise, as if she could see that indomitable boy in the face of adversity back then, who has now grown into a towering tree.
After the seminar ended and the crowd dispersed, Xiao Xiaoyan invited Tang Muyang to sit for a while in the school's tea room.
The two sat facing each other, with a small elm wood table, a pot of West Lake Longjing tea, and two cups of steaming tea.
"You've changed, Mu Yang," Xiao Xiaoyan said softly, her gaze gentle as water.
"You used to be like a reckless leopard, now you're like a composed lion, your claws are hidden but your majesty is even greater."
Tang Muyang smiled, picked up the purple clay teapot and poured tea for her: "People always have to grow up. You still taste the same as before, and you still love drinking Longjing tea."
"I read that letter from back then many times." Tang Muyang put down his teacup, his eyes clear.
"The saying 'It's better to jump off the chessboard than to be a pawn' has saved me twice, teaching me to give up and save myself."
Xiao Xiaoyan's eyes were slightly red, but she said with a relieved ease, "I didn't misjudge you. I knew back then that you were no ordinary person."
The two smiled at each other, and the hazy feelings they had felt back then had blossomed into a deep friendship over the years.
"How are you doing in this game?" Xiao Xiaoyan asked softly.
Tang Muyang traced a line on the table with his finger, his movements slow and determined: "Before, I only looked at one step; now I look at three."
"Before, I was thinking about how to win; now I'm thinking about how to set the rules to make the game last longer and more stable."
These words reminded Xiao Xiaoyan of that naive young man from back then, and she couldn't help but smile.
"You were a pawn before, then a player, and now... you should be the one who draws the chessboard." Her words were full of expectation.
"You still look so beautiful when you smile." Tang Muyang praised sincerely, his heart full of gratitude, and his demeanor was impeccable.
As I left the campus, the streetlights were already on, one after another, like a string of scattered pearls.
Tang Muyang got into his car and immediately sent a text message to Gong Yiqing: "Just finished. Had tea with Professor Xiao and talked about some academic issues. I'm heading home now."
Gong Yiqing quickly replied: "Okay, I made you some soup, it's keeping it warm in the pot. Be careful on the road."
There were no questions, no suspicions, only a silent, gentle trust that soothed all his weariness.
In the early morning in Sichuan and Chongqing, the aroma of red oil wontons fills the morning mist, and the restaurant is bustling with customers.
After the meal, Pan Xingwang took his son to school and followed Wang Li around like a child eager to please her.
"Let's go back, I'm going to be late. Don't let anyone see us looking like this," Wang Li scolded irritably, but she quietly slowed her pace.
"Wife! I'll pick you up this afternoon!" Pan Xingwang stopped and waved vigorously, his face full of ingratiating smiles.
The morning breeze along the river carried the chill of autumn, ruffling his hair, yet it felt exceptionally gentle.
Wang Li turned around and looked at the man who had turned over a new leaf, her eyes flashing with relief and excitement.
That tightly closed door to my heart is slowly opening.
She turned around, smiled faintly, and her dimples appeared: "We... pick up Xiaobao together, don't be late."
Her voice was soft, and her figure disappeared around the street corner, yet she carried an undeniable lingering affection.
Pan Xingwang scratched his head, looking happily in the direction she left, and took a deep breath of hopeful air.
Tang Jianguo and Peng Jiahui followed behind in their cars, one on each side, maintaining a safe distance.
Seeing Tang Muyang safely get into the car, the two of them breathed a sigh of relief, their tense nerves finally relaxing.
"Call back home! Your wife is waiting." Tang Jianguo sent a text message, his tone much more relaxed.
"Brother Muyang will definitely have to have a couple of drinks tonight to celebrate our victory," Peng Jiahui said with a smile.
Tang Muyang looked at the two cars in the rearview mirror and a satisfied smile appeared on his lips.
This is his brother, his source of strength, always standing behind him no matter what.
Upon returning home, Tang Muyang immediately went to see Tang Zhenyang, who had woken up.
The one-and-a-half-year-old has bright eyes and looks just like the couple.
He would look at his father and then at his mother, holding the milk bottle in his hand, taking sips of warm milk every now and then.
While drinking the soup that Gong Yiqing served him, Tang Muyang recounted everything he had seen and heard that day.
His tone was calm, yet powerful.
"Xiaoyan is now an economics professor and has a very accurate judgment of macroeconomic trends."
She said that with this wave of monetary easing, the next target will definitely be infrastructure and rail transit; it's obvious.
"Shouldn't we reserve commercial facilities near the subway entrance next to the urban renewal project in advance?" Gong Yiqing asked thoughtfully.
"Great minds think alike." Tang Muyang clapped his hands lightly, the crisp sound echoing in the cozy restaurant.
As Tang Muyang looked at his lively son, a scene flashed through his mind.
A few months ago, downstairs at the Sichuan-Chongqing branch office, Wang Li's five-year-old son timidly tugged at the corner of her clothes.
That innocent, childlike remark resurfaced: "My dad... isn't as good as you."
I thought it was just childish talk at the time, but now, recalling it under the warm light, my heart aches slightly.
"By the way, Yiqing." Tang Muyang put down his chopsticks and looked at his wife with a deep gaze.
"In the Sichuan and Chongqing area, besides Jiangbeizui, my next plan is to go to Chengdu. Before that, I'd like to hear your opinion."
Gong Yiqing showed a hint of jealousy on her face, deliberately avoiding looking at him, signaling him to continue, already having guessed what was going on in her mind.
"Wang Li... Xiao Bao... I saw him last time, he wasn't in good condition. Children should be carefree." Tang Muyang carefully chose his words, his eyes revealing reluctance.
He thought to himself: If the children all think their father is bad, then no matter how big the house is, it is empty and soulless.
Gong Yiqing was incredibly perceptive; she instantly understood the unspoken meaning behind her husband's words.
She paused for a moment, then gently put down her chopsticks.
"You still want to help?" she asked softly, her gaze clear as she looked directly into her husband's eyes.
"I want to give that child a complete family." Tang Muyang's eyes were clear and without any impurities.
"It's not just for Wang Li, it's for the children."
"You...?" Gong Yiqing was slightly taken aback, her heart skipped a beat.
"How can I help?"
"What are you thinking! I have you all, my heart is full." Tang Muyang covered his mouth with a smile.
He quickly grasped her hand and emphasized earnestly, "It wasn't just charity; Xiaohui did a background check."
"Wang Li's husband, Pan Xingwang, is an honest man who was once a good businessman, but he went down the wrong path."
He stood up, walked to the window, and looked out at the myriad lights and flashing neon signs of the city.
"I want to take advantage of the opportunity to advance into Chengdu..."
"You want to find Pan Xingwang?" Gong Yiqing asked calmly.
"Yes! It's about giving him a chance, and also about giving Wang Li a complete family."
"He has to pick up this bowl of noodles and eat it himself; no one else can feed him." Tang Muyang looked at his wife, his eyes gleaming with wisdom.
Gong Yiqing did not answer immediately, but got up and walked to his side, gently draping an outer garment over his shoulders.
"As long as it's not out of 'sympathy,' but for the sake of the child..." she said softly, leaning on his shoulder.
"I support you. After all, this is also the philosophy of Qingyang: 'Building houses, but more importantly, building homes.' It can't just be lip service."
Tang Muyang held his wife's hand, his heart clear and calm, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders.
If you have a wife like this, what can your husband ask for?
Late at night, Tang Muyang stood alone on the balcony, gazing at the city lights.
The night was as dark as ink, the starlight sparse, and Xiao Xiaoyan's words still echoed in my ears.
"Now that you're a chess player, you should be the one who draws the chessboard."
Yes, the higher you climb, the colder it gets. Becoming a chess player means taking on more responsibility and enduring deeper loneliness.
He is no longer the impetuous young man who only charged forward; now he must strategize and win battles from afar.
This kind of loneliness is the price of growth, and also the badge of honor for the strong.
My phone vibrated; the faint glow of the screen stood out in the darkness. It was a text message from Peng Jiahui.
"Brother Muyang, whatever decision you make, your brothers will follow you."
Tang Jianguo followed: "The company has everyone, and I'll take care of things at home, so you can go out and make your own way with peace of mind."
Tang Muyang replied to Peng Jiahui: "Hand over the building materials business properly, and come with me to Sichuan after the holiday. I need your help this time."
"It's been a year. The Fuyi Jinyuan Garden in Qingyang's hometown will be completed by the end of the year. You have to go home for the Mid-Autumn Festival. Your parents have been talking about it for a long time."
At the request of his elder brother Tang Pingsheng and brother-in-law Jiang Dashu, he transferred Tang Jianguo back to Xiaoxiang.
Putting down my phone, I felt a heavy weight on my shoulders, yet also a sense of relief.
This feeling of being needed made him feel incredibly fulfilled.
With a wife like this and brothers like this, what more could one ask for in life? Life is already more than half complete.
The next morning, Tang Muyang walked into the office and went straight to the huge map of China.
With eyes as sharp as a hawk's, he picked up a red pen and drew a heavy circle at a certain point on the North China Plain.
The force was so great that it almost pierced through the paper.
"Pass down the notice: the preparatory group for the 'Qingyang Industrial North China Regional Headquarters' has been established."
"I'll be visiting Lao Zhang in Kyoto at the end of the year; it's time to head north and compete for supremacy."
What he needs to do is not just draw the chessboard, but also build the steel frame of the chessboard himself.
The autumn wind swept fallen leaves across Xiaoshui Avenue. Tang Muyang stood by the window, his back straight, facing the wind.
From chess piece to chess player, from the Zhejiang River to the Sichuan capital, this leap is more than just a geographical shift.
It was also a complete and magnificent turnaround in his career.
The chessboard is laid out, the opponent is in position, and he is ready.
They await only one order to march north and vie for control of the Central Plains.