Chapter 892
Fundraising
The autumn sun in Shenzhen, unusually warm and languid, has shed its scorching heat, casting dappled shadows through the tall palm leaves in the villa courtyard.
Lu Yang took a few days off, which was rare for him. Or rather, the breakthrough in storage technology at Netac had temporarily entered a "hard nut to crack" stage that he could not directly intervene in. The entire team was working hard according to the "future shell" blueprint he provided and the "heart" targets he set. His presence at the company would only add invisible pressure to Deng Guoshun and Cheng Xiaohua.
At this moment, he was leisurely reclining on a large outdoor lounge chair, squinting his eyes and enjoying this rare tranquility.
Yin Mingyue sat on the rattan chair next to her, an open fashion magazine on her lap, her long hair casually tied back, a few strands falling down her fair neck, a picture of tranquility.
Lu Yang turned his head and looked at his wife's gentle profile, a complex warmth welling up in his heart.
Fragments of memory remain from the "inspiration" he had after drawing all night in his study a few days ago. This simple warmth is his most solid anchor when he conquers new territories in the business world and drives technological change.
"Buzzing..."
The phone on the small table next to me vibrated at an inopportune moment, breaking the tranquility.
Lu Yang frowned slightly and reluctantly reached for the phone.
The screen displayed an unfamiliar number from the port city, but he recognized the first few digits.
He glanced at Yin Mingyue subconsciously; she was engrossed in reading a magazine and seemed undisturbed.
"Hello?" Lu Yang answered the phone, his voice carrying a hint of languor after being disturbed.
A familiar, slightly cool female voice came from the other end of the phone, with a tone unique to Hong Kong: "It's me."
Lu Yang's heart stirred slightly, and he subconsciously sat up a little straighter in the recliner.
"Sister Du?"
He lowered his voice to try and make his tone sound natural.
"Mmm," Du Lingling responded on the other end of the phone, the background noise seemingly very quiet. "At home?"
“Yes, I’ll rest at home for a few days,” Lu Yang replied, his gaze drifting towards Yin Mingyue.
She seemed to sense his gaze, looked up, smiled gently at him, and gestured for him to continue the call.
"It's rare to see you taking a break." Du Lingling's voice didn't reveal much emotion. "However, this call isn't to disturb your sunbathing."
Lu Yang felt a chill run down his spine, sensing that something was about to happen.
"You said."
“Two things.” Du Lingling spoke slowly but clearly. “First, the demolition of that executive house on Victoria Peak will officially begin on the first day of next month. You know the plan: rebuild a new-style villa complex on the same site. The design sketches have been sitting in your inbox for almost a month now, I bet you haven’t had time to look at them yet, have you?”
Lu Yang was taken aback.
Indeed, in recent months he has been focused on the MP3 project and the technological breakthroughs of Langke. His inbox is overflowing with emails, and he has delegated all of them, including the design sketches, to Du Lingling.
He said somewhat awkwardly and vaguely, "Uh, I've been busy with the new product development for the group company..."
“I know you’re a very busy person.” Du Lingling’s tone was ambiguous, neither understanding nor sarcasm. “As the behind-the-scenes boss of the project, don’t you think you should be present at this symbolic demolition ceremony? Especially since it represents that we will completely erase certain traces of the old era and start a new chapter for Century Group.”
This statement carries significant weight.
The Grand Boss House on Victoria Peak is not only a priceless real estate project, but also symbolizes the deepest root that Lu Yang has planted in Hong Kong through Du Lingling.
Its demolition and reconstruction are of great significance.
Lu Yang immediately realized that he had to attend.
"Okay, I'll definitely be there."
"Hmm." Du Lingling didn't seem surprised by his quick agreement, and then brought up the second matter: "The second thing is to remind you not to forget about 'traditional business' while focusing on your high-tech business. On the seventh of next month, our company will be auctioning off those plots of land in the core area of Cyberport. As the chairman of the group, it would be inappropriate for you not to be present at such a crucial event, would it?"
Lu Yang suddenly remembered!
Yes, that's right. The location of those plots of land is crucial. The auction date was set long ago, and it was indeed marked on his schedule. However, he had been preoccupied with Langke's "space-time barrier" challenge.
"Hoo..." Lu Yang took a deep breath, rubbed his temples, and quickly calculated the time in his mind.
The demolition ceremony was held on the first day of the Lunar New Year, and the auction took place on the seventh, just a few days apart.
"You remember now?" Du Lingling seemed to sense his sudden realization even through the phone. "So, I suggest you come two days early. First, to attend the demolition ceremony; second, to come and prepare to recoup a large sum of money—there are quite a few people eyeing those two plots of land; third..."
Du Lingling paused, her voice softening slightly, but still maintaining a distance: "...I'm the one looking after such a big business for you, and your child too, so I'll take this opportunity to visit. Of course, my son and I aren't that delicate; it's mainly business."
The last sentence, "not that delicate," was like a tiny thorn, gently pricking Lu Yang.
He understood the subtext: Don't think I'm using personal feelings to blackmail you. I'm handling this business strictly, but don't forget the proper consideration.
A complex mix of emotions welled up inside me: guilt, responsibility, and a touch of indescribable longing.
He immediately said, "Sister Du, look at what you're saying! I definitely want to see you and the child. Here's what I'll do: I'll head over two days in advance, um... at the end of the month. I'll handle the mountaintop ceremony first, then focus on preparing for the auction, and spend some time with you in between."
"Okay, it's settled then." Du Lingling ended the conversation decisively. "I'll wait for your schedule. Bye."
"Beep beep..."
A dial tone was heard.
Lu Yang held the phone, lost in thought for a moment.
The demolition of the Peak Executive House, the auction of Cyberport land... the chess game in Hong Kong is equally thrilling, allowing no room for error.
The burden on Du Lingling's shoulders was no less than his.
"Whose call was that? Why are you talking for so long?" Yin Mingyue's gentle voice sounded from the side. She had put down her magazine at some point and walked over with two cups of freshly brewed tea. "Your brows keep furrowing and relaxing." The refreshing aroma of tea wafted closer, and Lu Yang suddenly snapped out of his reverie, his heart feeling as if it had been squeezed by a hand.
Looking into his wife's clear and concerned eyes, he was instantly overwhelmed by a strong sense of guilt and shame.
Du Lingling's existence, her home and child in the port city, is one of his deepest secrets and also his greatest debt to his sister Mingyue.
Almost instinctively and hastily, he forced a smile onto his face, trying to hide his inner panic: "Oh, it's about the company... about the branch office in Hong Kong."
Yin Mingyue handed him a cup of tea, then sat down on the armrest of the recliner next to him, asking curiously, "Hong Kong branch? Is it about the auction?"
She remembered that Lu Yang had mentioned the Cyberport land plot.
Lu Yang secretly breathed a sigh of relief, glad that Mingyue had given him a reasonable explanation.
He quickly added, "Yes, there's a very important land auction in Hong Kong early next month, which is related to the core plot of our group's Cyberport project."
He took a sip of tea to hide his racing heart, then casually suggested, "Mingyue, how about... you come with me to Hong Kong this time? Just to relax. You've never been to an auction before, have you?"
Yin Mingyue paused slightly, then smiled gently and shook her head: "Forget it, honey. You know I don't like those tense, purely business-oriented occasions. All that toasting and insincere politeness, just thinking about it makes me tired. Besides,"
Her tone softened further, “At the beginning of next month, our precious daughter’s school will still be on holiday. If you, as her father, go to Hong Kong to ‘fight,’ and I, as her mother, also run away, leaving her and her two children, Fan’er, with the nanny, wouldn’t she be miserable? There has to be someone to hold the reins in the family.”
Her words were thoughtful and considerate, full of responsibility towards her family and love for her children.
This unreserved trust and understanding, like a mirror, made the shadows in Lu Yang's heart grow ever deeper.
He avoided his wife's candid gaze, looking down at the tea leaves floating in his cup, suppressing the surging guilt, and trying to make his voice sound light and natural: "My dear wife, you're so thoughtful. Well... I guess I'll have to go alone and be a lone hero. Don't worry, I'll make sure it's quick and I'm back soon. What kind of gift do you want? The latest bag from Hong Kong? Or some jewelry?"
“I don’t need anything, I’m just glad you came back safe and sound.” Yin Mingyue smiled and patted his hand. “But since you insist on bringing it, then… pick out some fun toys for our daughter. She mentioned wanting that new princess castle from Disney last time. And Fan’er, he’s a boy, so let’s get him two toy cars.”
"No problem!" Lu Yang quickly agreed, but his heart was filled with bitterness.
Using material things to make up for inner deficiencies seems so pale and powerless.
Every lie requires more lies to mend it, and every successful attempt to cover up the truth only deepens the rift in one's heart.
Lu Yang sighed silently in his heart.
It's all my fault for being such a terrible person!
I have let down Mingyue's unconditional love, and I have also failed Sister Du in silently shouldering the burden in Gangcheng, as well as those children who cannot be with me all the time... Lying was never my intention, but once this secret is revealed, it will be a tidal wave that can destroy all the happiness before me.
Perhaps this is the price of being a scumbag.
Time management? Ha! If you can't walk the tightrope of emotions with precision and balance all sides, you don't even qualify to be a scumbag. One wrong step and you're in an abyss of no return.
In the following days, Lu Yang almost atoned for his sins by turning down all company affairs and external social engagements, like a man who loves his home the most, completely "nailed" to his home.
He personally took his daughter to school and picked her up from school, helped her with her homework and drawing, and built blocks with his four-year-old son, Lu Fan. He awkwardly went into the kitchen to try to help Yin Mingyue, even if it was just washing vegetables or peeling garlic. In the evening, he no longer locked himself in his study, but instead watched cartoons with the mother and son in the living room, or quietly listened to Yin Mingyue share interesting news and design inspiration she had seen during the day.
He tried his best to fill the void left by the impending short separation with his actions, and also tried to dilute the heavy guilt in his heart with his full companionship.
Yin Mingyue was somewhat surprised by his "unusual" clinginess, but more than that, she was delighted.
She assumed he was about to leave on a long journey and was reluctant to part with her and the child, savoring this rare moment of tenderness and affection.
Time slipped by quietly in the midst of ordinary warmth.
Before we knew it, it was the end of the month.
The Shenzhen-Hong Kong Channel was bustling with people.
Lu Yang wore a well-tailored dark casual suit, exuding a calm and composed demeanor.
Besides his bodyguard Xiao Jiu and secretary Lu Nini, he was also accompanied by a young man wearing a flashy shirt, sunglasses, and dragging a huge suitcase. This young man was Xiao Jun, who had flown back from out of town to "join in the fun" after hearing the news.
"Boss, I've abandoned all that comforting pleasure this time to come all this way to protect you. Don't forget we have a major enemy in Hong Kong." Xiao Jun grinned and leaned closer. "At a big event like the Hong Kong auction, without me, Xiao Jun, keeping an eye on those two foxes from the Li family, wouldn't you be lonely? By the way..."
He winked and said, "I heard there are a few new young ladies emerging in Hong Kong's entertainment industry recently, they're especially pretty..."
Lu Yang rolled his eyes at him, annoyed: "I think your promise to protect me is just a pretense, you're really after the 'little sister'! I'm warning you, the little prodigy is now a listed company. Don't you, as the president, let me down at this crucial moment and cause some scandal that gives people leverage to affect the company's stock price. If all the directors on the board boycott you, I won't protect you."
"Don't worry, don't worry!" Xiao Jun patted his chest and assured him, but his eyes darted around to a tall, well-dressed woman passing by. "I, Xiao Jun, always prioritize safety. This time, I guarantee I'll just provide cover for you. By the way, hehe, I heard that fatso Wang Jing is preparing a new movie and has found a new 'Jing Girl.' You wouldn't even take her if she was offered to you, and now she wants to curry favor with me. I'll take her in stride. Consider it a chance to learn more about the 'local customs' of Hong Kong!"
He deliberately emphasized the last four words, his face beaming with a smile.
So that's how it happened.
No wonder.
Lu Yang ignored him and took out his ID to go through security.
He knew perfectly well that once Xiao Jun arrived in Hong Kong, he would almost certainly dive into his "world of pleasure," and it was unrealistic to expect him to be fully involved in serious matters.
Bringing him along was more about providing cover for myself, and also to have him handle some miscellaneous tasks that he couldn't openly handle.
As for the demolition ceremony of the Grand Manager's House on Victoria Peak and the subsequent meeting with Du Lingling, Xiao Jun was naturally aware of it, but he kept his mouth shut and knew his limits.
"Let's go." Lu Yang put away his documents, dragged his simple carry-on suitcase, and strode towards the security checkpoint.
Later.
After clearing customs, Lu Yang got into the car, leaned back in his seat, and closed his eyes.
The warm sunlight of his home still seemed to linger on his skin, but what awaited him ahead was the turbulent landscape of the port city: a demolition ceremony symbolizing a change of power, a battlefield of land auctions shrouded in smoke, and... a tangled web of emotions that was impossible to unravel. (End of Chapter)