pjbooks Chapter 24 The Joy of the Daughter's Arrival: Shi Yang's Arrival
Chapter 24 The Joy of the Daughter's Arrival: Shi Yang's Arrival
On New Year's Eve, Lingnan City was brightly lit.
The skyscrapers on both sides of the Pearl River are shimmering with light under the night sky.
It outlines the bustling skyline of this pioneering city of reform and opening up.
Tang Muyang stood alone in front of the window of the newly renovated office of Qingyang Industrial Lingnan Branch.
Beneath our feet flows the ever-flowing Pearl River.
He held a feasibility report for the Lingnan Old City Renovation Project in his hand.
This old neighborhood is about to be transformed into a new landmark in Lingnan under his leadership.
This is a key move by Qingyang Group in its southern wing development strategy.
He held a glass of red wine in his hand, his gaze penetrating through the glass curtain wall as he looked at the dazzling fireworks outside the window.
The silence of the office was broken by the ringing of a cell phone; it was a WeChat video call invitation from Tang Jianguo.
After the call connected, his face was flushed from drinking, and the screen showed a lively scene from the Shanghai branch's annual meeting.
Behind him was his team, busy fine-tuning the details of the Jiangnanli project.
The scene was bustling with activity, yet brimming with energy.
"Muyang! Can you still wear a single layer of clothing in Lingnan? The brothers here in Shanghai are waiting for you to cut the ribbon!" He leaned closer to the camera.
Tang Muyang shook his head with a smile and pointed to the night view outside the window: "Jianguo, look at you! Can't you drink less?"
"Keep a close eye on it. Jiangnanli is our face in Shanghai; we can't afford any mistakes."
My phone vibrated again right after I hung up the video call.
This time, it was his wife, Gong Yiqing, who sent him the video call invitation.
After the call connected, his wife Gong Yiqing's gentle face appeared on the screen during her late pregnancy.
She sat in her cozy home at the headquarters of Zhejiang Water Group.
She appeared exceptionally dignified, and her son, Tang Zhenyang, was wearing a new sweater that his mother had bought for him.
She revealed an innocent and radiant smile.
"Happy New Year, Dad!" He waved cheerfully at the camera.
Tang Zhenyang is 7 years old and in the first grade of elementary school.
"Happy New Year, baby!" Tang Muyang's heart melted instantly. He patted his son's head on the screen and said, "Zhenyang has grown taller and more sensible."
He turned his gaze to his wife, Gong Yiqing: "Yiqing, I'll wrap things up these next few days, then I'll go back to be with you." Tang Muyang said softly.
After hanging up the video call, my heart was filled with anticipation for the future.
He turned around, picked up the glass of red wine on the table, and gently swirled it.
He knew that 2014 would be a year of great success for Qingyang Group.
It's also the year their family will welcome a new member.
Jiangnanli in Shanghai is about to open its doors to visitors, urban renewal projects in Lingnan have broken ground, and the territory of Hezhou is waiting to expand.
A few days later, the auditorium at the Zhejiang Water Group headquarters was brightly decorated and filled with a joyous atmosphere.
The venue was filled with the core backbone of Zhejiang Water Group's headquarters, all dressed neatly and solemnly.
A giant screen directly in front of them connects in real time to the meeting venues of various branch offices, allowing more than a thousand employees to participate simultaneously via video conference.
On the huge screen, a retrospective video of Qingyang Group in 2013 was playing while switching between branch venues in various locations.
Tang Muyang stood in front of the large screen, watching the images fill the entire wall, creating an impressive scene.
He was filled with pride, but also felt a heavy responsibility.
"2013 was an extraordinary year for Qingyang Industrial Group. We were able to enter Hezhou, establish a foothold in Shanghai, and expand our presence in Lingnan."
"All of this is inseparable from the unwavering support of every brother and sister!" Tang Muyang's voice was firm and powerful.
His voice was transmitted through the microphone throughout the venue and simultaneously to various branch venues.
In Hezhou, Peng Jiahui responded passionately: "In 2014, we will continue to exert our efforts."
"This lays a solid foundation for a nationwide expansion!" Zhou Yanting and her husband smiled at each other, their eyes filled with satisfaction.
In the Shanghai branch venue, Tang Jianguo sat close to Yang Liu. Usually carefree, he was unusually upright at this moment, and cleared his throat.
"I...I firmly support the group's arrangements! As long as...as long as Yang Liu is here, I will absolutely obey orders!"
His face flushed red, and his serious expression made everyone stifle their laughter. Yang Liu, standing beside him, pinched his thigh in embarrassment and whispered, "Who told you to make a declaration of resolve? Speak properly!"
Tang Jianguo immediately shrank back: "Yes, yes, I'll listen to my wife."
"My God, he finally got it all out of the box, you silly bro!" Tang Muyang chuckled to himself on the main screen, then covered his face with one hand.
Immediately afterwards, across the various split screens, a chorus of laughter and face-covering gestures erupted, all conveying the same sentiment: this love is unparalleled.
After laughing, Tang Muyang's gaze searched the scene and finally landed on Gong Yiqing in the first row.
She wore an elegant dress, and even though she was six months pregnant, she still sat with a dignified posture.
Her eyes, aside from the tears that followed her laughter, were filled with unwavering support for her husband.
"In 2014, we will continue to sing our way to the top, and we will never abandon any of our members." Gong Yiqing rubbed her eyes, smiled, and stood up to bow!
Hao Haining from Sichuan and Chongqing, and Pan Xingwang and Wang Li from Sichuan, clapped their hands so hard they almost broke, feeling very fortunate to have joined Qingyang Industrial Group.
Amidst enthusiastic applause, Tang Muyang looked at his wife, clenched his fist, and shouted a slogan to the entire audience and all the people of Qingyang.
"Qingyang Industry, united as one! With hearts set on pursuing our dreams, who can rival us!"
The audience and the various screens erupted in applause and cheers, bringing the atmosphere to a fever pitch.
At the end of the annual meeting, Tang Muyang made a video presentation.
"Jiahui, keep a close eye on the technology. Jianguo, you're in full charge of the supply chain and logistics. Linmo, the design work must be accelerated; get the foundation laid before the rainy season!"
On the other end of the video, Tang Jianguo was still not fully sober, shouting at the top of his lungs, his words still incoherent.
"Don't worry! I'll definitely handle it! Once I marry my wife, I'll be bursting with energy!"
Yang Liu gently pinched him from the side and whispered, "Stop talking such shameless nonsense."
Tang Jianguo chuckled and nodded repeatedly: "I'll listen to my wife, I'll listen to my wife."
The video conference ended, the office door was pushed open, and Lin Mo walked in carrying a stack of blueprints.
His forehead was still covered in sweat, and his tone was respectful yet weary.
"Mr. Tang, this is the latest detailed drawing of the new landmark in Lingnan. Please give it a final review."
Tang Muyang took the blueprint, looked at the intricate lines on it, and patted Lin Mo on the shoulder.
"Thank you for your hard work. Tell the brothers that if they can come during the Spring Festival, they can come and we'll have a reunion dinner together at the Zhejiang Water Group headquarters."
Time flew by and it was the Spring Festival of the Year of the Horse in 2014.
That year's Spring Festival Gala was exceptionally lively, with the whole country going crazy over one thing—WeChat's newly launched red envelope feature.
In the Tang family's living room, the television was playing the Spring Festival Gala, and the coffee table was covered with melon seeds, candies, and freshly cooked dumplings.
Gong Yiqing, heavily pregnant, gently kept Tang Zhenyang company as they celebrated the New Year.
As the clock struck midnight, fireworks burst outside the window, illuminating the night sky.
Ding!Ding!Ding!
The phone kept beeping with notification sounds.
Tang Muyang opened WeChat, and the Qingyang core group was instantly flooded with messages.
Tang Jianguo was preparing for his wedding in Shanghai, and he became incredibly excited as soon as he joined the group chat.
"Happy New Year, brothers! Red envelopes are so much fun! I'll send a big one first, let's see who gets the best one!"
Peng Jiahui, following up in Hezhou, jokingly retorted, "Jianguo, you call that big? Watch mine!"
Lin Mo from Lingnan, Gu Zhixing from Kyoto, Hao Haining and Pan Xingwang from Sichuan and Chongqing, and others from all over the country went online, and the group chat exploded.
"Muyang, send one too!" Gong Yiqing said with a smile to her husband.
Tang Zhenyang lay on the sofa, excitedly shouting while holding his phone, "Dad! I want to grab one too! I want the biggest one!"
Tang Muyang looked at his wife and children, a warm smile curving his lips.
He opened the red envelope; the maximum amount per envelope was 200, so he immediately filled it up.
200 yuan for 50 pieces. Note: May the sun soar high and success come immediately!
The moment the red envelope was sent, the group chat exploded with excitement.
Tang Jianguo was too slow and only managed to grab a few yuan. He immediately posted crying and frantic emojis.
Her voice was filled with grievance: "My luck is so bad! I'll try again! The women are all getting over twenty, and I only got so little, it's so embarrassing!"
He got more and more carried away as he grabbed the gifts, sending them one after another, and constantly flirting and showing off to Yang Liu.
Yang Liu sent a laughing emoji in the group chat and replied, "Look how anxious you are, a few dollars can make you this happy."
One sentence sparked another uproar among the crowd.
Tang Muyang looked at the screen full of "Thank you, boss" messages and was filled with emotion.
This small red envelope has tightly bound the people of Qingyang across the country together.
He sent a voice message: "Brothers, just have fun grabbing red envelopes. In 2014, we're not just grabbing red envelopes, we're grabbing market share!"
"We've established a firm foothold in Shanghai, are flourishing in Lingnan, and are expanding production in Hezhou! This time next year, we'll be giving out even bigger bonuses!"
The group chat was instantly flooded with messages of unwavering loyalty and devotion.
Tang Jianguo even sent dozens of cheering emojis, shouting that he wanted to marry his wife in style.
Yang Liu replied directly in the group chat: "I'll marry you when you stop being so talkative."
The day was March 15th at the Central Hospital of Zhejiang Province, which was the 15th day of the second month in the lunar calendar.
Outside the delivery room, Tang Muyang paced back and forth restlessly, his usual composure completely gone.
"Muyang, stop spinning, I'm getting dizzy." Peng Jiahui and his wife came from Hezhou, and the couple smiled at each other.
Tang Jianguo and Yang Liu also came all the way from Shanghai. He held Yang Liu's hand the whole time, looked at Peng Jiahui, and then turned to Tang Muyang.
"Muyang! Last year, Jia Hui got married right before the New Year. You had a baby right after the New Year. Luckily, I'll be getting married soon."
Yang Liu pulled her hand back and glared at him: "Besides talking about your mother-in-law... what else can you say?"
Tang Jianguo scratched his head, chuckled foolishly, and immediately became more composed, standing obediently at attention.
Just then, a loud cry broke the silence.
The nurse came out of the room with a beaming smile: "Congratulations, Mr. Tang, it's a baby girl! Mother and daughter are both safe and sound!"
Tang Muyang breathed a sigh of relief, not even bothering to pick up the cigarette that had fallen to the ground.
He pushed open the delivery room door and rushed inside.
In the delivery room, Gong Yiqing lay on the bed, her face pale but with a satisfied smile.
In her swaddling clothes, the little girl had a rosy face and delicate features. She quietly closed her eyes, looking adorable.
His father-in-law, Gong Chong'an, and mother-in-law, Su Wanqing, were by his side.
With a kind smile on his face, Gong Chong'an took out a mahogany box from his pocket and handed it to Tang Muyang.
"Muyang, this is a gift for the child."
Inside the box was a warm, smooth jade pendant with two characters engraved on it: Shi Yang.
"Yiqing named you," Gong Chong'an patted his son-in-law on the shoulder, "meaning a poetic life and a journey far away. I hope her life will be both poetic and picturesque, and also filled with the courage to brave the wind and waves."
Tang Muyang looked at his baby daughter in swaddling clothes, and his heart was filled with boundless tenderness.
He gently stroked his daughter's face and whispered, "Shiyang, Daddy will create a world full of poetry and love for you."
Outside the window, the spring rain on the Zhejiang River was falling softly, nourishing this land full of hope.
In mid-April, Tang Shiyang turned one month old. Tang Muyang held a simple celebration at home, and Peng Jiahui, Tang Jianguo, and others came to offer their congratulations.
When the baby turned one month old, Gong Yiqing's body had almost fully recovered.
Tang Muyang immediately made arrangements: "We'll be getting married in Shanghai on May Day, and our whole family will drive there. It's very close; we have to be there."
The journey from Zhejiang to Shanghai took a little over 3 hours and was smooth. Tang Muyang drove his family of four to Shanghai.
Key personnel from various branches, including Hezhou, Lingnan, Zheshui, Kyoto, and Sichuan-Chongqing, also drove or took high-speed rail to the destination.
Most of Qingyang Industrial's core personnel gathered in Shanghai to support Tang Jianguo.
On May 1st, the wedding venue in Shanghai was packed with distinguished guests, and the scene was grand.
The Jiangnanli Clubhouse was decorated with festive cheer, exuding liveliness and joy.
With Tang Jianguo's wedding just around the corner, the trio of friends have finally all settled down and started their own families.
Tang Muyang, with his wife and children, and Peng Jiahui, with his wife, stood together beside Tang Jianguo.
The three brothers stood side by side, drawing all eyes to Qingyang – this was Qingyang's most impressive display of power.
Tang Jianguo drank the most and acted the most recklessly that day.
"Jiahui, there's still no sign of your sister-in-law!" Tang Jianguo, who had just been serious for a moment, started gossiping again.
Peng Jiahui naturally understood and unconsciously glanced at his wife Zhou Yanting, whose still flat stomach made him slightly embarrassed.
Suddenly, he punched Tang Jianguo: "Is this any of your business?"
After finishing the game, he turned to his wife and whispered, "I need to work harder when I get back, and try to beat him..."
"I think you and Brother Jianguo are the same kind of people, neither of you are serious." Saying that, she grabbed Peng Jiahui's waist and pinched it hard.
"Ouch!" Tang Jianguo saw this and exaggeratedly cried out in pain for his brother, then quickly slipped over to Yang Liu's side.
Throughout the meal, he clung to Yang Liu, his eyes never leaving her. When toasting, he could barely stand and spoke incoherently.
"Muyang, Jia Hui... The best thing I ever did in my life was winning over my wife..."
"After all these years, I've finally married her... From now on, I'll work hard to make my wife proud and Qingyang proud..."
He would laugh for a while, then hug Yang Liu tightly, refusing to let go.
Yang Liu was both embarrassed and annoyed by his persistent pestering, and gently pushed him away.
"With so many people watching, aren't you afraid of being laughed at?" He had a happy expression that was both amusing and helpless.
Tang Jianguo laughed even more foolishly after being rebuked, nodding repeatedly: "Today I'll do whatever my wife says."
The room was filled with laughter, and everyone could see that this man, who had been waiting for so long, was so happy he was practically floating on air.
Tang Muyang watched as his good brother finally got what he wanted, and then looked at his wife and children beside him, his heart filled with warmth.
A happy family, united brothers, and a thriving career—this is the perfect life he desires.
In early autumn of 2014, the scorching sun beat down on the land of Lingnan, but the construction site of Qingyang Industrial was bustling with activity.
After six months of hard work, the Lingnan New Landmark project has finally completed its foundation construction and entered the stage of above-ground main structure construction.
Tang Muyang flew to Lingnan again, stood on the scaffolding, and looked at the urban complex that was beginning to take shape in front of him, feeling a surge of pride.
"Lin Mo, well done!"
Tang Muyang pointed to the tower cranes hoisting steel structures in the distance: "This old town is finally going to change."
Lin Mo wiped his sweat: "President Tang, this is all thanks to the supply chain support from Jianguo."
"And then there's Jia Hui. The new alloy material he developed, when used in curtain wall decoration, has an absolutely stunning effect!"
Tang Muyang nodded, his gaze profound: "This is the power of a team. We Qingyang people are a blazing fire when we're together, and a sky full of stars when we're apart."
Meanwhile, good news came from the Shanghai branch.
In just six months since its opening, the Jiangnanli Club has not only become a gathering place for Shanghai's elite, but has also boosted sales of Qingyang Jewelry by more than double.
Tang Jianguo, who had just gotten married, was full of energy, and his phone calls were filled with the sweetness of newlywed life.
"Muyang! We've completely established ourselves in Shanghai! Don't worry about my wife and me; we're keeping up with the progress!"
Yang Liu gently added from the side, "At least you still have some conscience." She was genuinely cheering on her man.
Standing on the construction site in Lingnan, Tang Muyang listened to the report over the phone, and the map of the national layout in his mind became clearer and clearer.
To the north lies Kyoto, in the middle lies Hezhou, to the east lies the headquarters of Zhejiang Waterway and Shanghai, and to the south lies Lingnan.
"Jianguo, you did the right thing," Tang Muyang said into the phone. "Now, the most crucial piece of our nationwide puzzle has been completed."
In the evening, Tang Muyang returned to his office at the Lingnan branch and made a phone call to Zhe Shui's home.
"Yiqing, the situation in Lingnan is largely settled." He looked out the window at the dazzling night view, his voice gentle yet firm.
"I'll be back in a couple of days. Shiyang's teething soon, right? Daddy really wants to hold her."
The phone call came through Gong Yiqing's laughter and the sounds of children playing.
Tang Muyang hung up the phone and took a deep breath.
The late autumn of 2014 was destined to be a season of harvest.
Qingyang Group, like an eagle, has spread its wings and is ready to look down on the industry giants.