Road to Revival

Tang Yikun brought Zhou Hongyou back and asked if he wanted to open another bottle of wine. Everyone except Gu Meijun objected.

"Alright, let's grab something to eat and then go sing some karaoke." Gu Meijun glanced at Han Ruilin, who was so drunk he could barely sit up straight, and felt a pang of disgust. "Don't waste so much good food." With that, she picked up a piece of salmon, dipped it in the sauce, and put it in her mouth. The imported Japanese wasabi immediately brought tears to Gu Meijun's eyes, and Lü Qi quickly pulled out a tissue and handed it to her.

"You should have some too. Old Tang's ingredients are all from the real source."

"I'm not used to eating seafood, I'm allergic to it. Tao Tang, you should eat some." Lü Qi placed a slice of salmon on Tao Tang's plate.

"Don't worry about me, are you really alright?" Tao Tang looked at Lü Qi, whose face was flushed with concern.

"I'm feeling much better. I drank a bit too fast just now..."

"The club's layered pancakes and soup dumplings are specialties... The oil-splashed noodles are also quite authentic; the chef was brought in from Xi'an, and Sister Gu really likes them. Would you like a small bowl?" Tang Yikun asked Tao Tang.

"Haha, actually I rarely eat this much at night. No need for the main course, you guys enjoy your meal." Tao Tang picked up a piece of watermelon. "Lü Qi, have some fruit, it'll help you sober up."

"How can you not eat dinner? It's bad for your health. Especially now... you have to eat something. Hmm, the layered pancake is really good." Lü Qi put another pancake on Tao Tang's plate.

Gu Meijun gave Tang Yikun a wink, and Tang Yikun smiled silently.

"Old Han is really getting too tall," Tao Tang said, oblivious to the exchange between Gu Meijun and Tang Yikun. "Old Tang, are you going to arrange for Old Han to rest?"

"no problem."

"Old Tang, there's something else I need to tell you..."

"You mean the incident on Huajin Road? I wanted to tell you about it too. I'm really wronged in this matter. Yinqiao Company is an independent legal entity. We only have a cooperative relationship. What kind of nonsense is it to blame Donghu after causing trouble? They even blocked the door of my office. Zhou Hongyou has spoken to them about this more than once. The other party is an employee of Hongxing. Plus, with your influence, how about this? I'll act as a mediator and send someone to talk to the aggrieved party on behalf of that bastard company. Let's make the big issue small and the small issue disappear. Anyway, people are already in dire straits."

"Do you know who the deceased's wife is?" Lü Qi continued. "If this hadn't happened, she might be sitting right here. Boss Tang, you might not remember Li Suyi, but she was definitely our classmate. Regardless of whether it was Donghu's fault or not, she was, after all, a vulnerable group..."

"Oh? Is that so? That's such a shame."

"Lu Qi, stop talking," Tao Tang stopped Lu Qi. "Old Tang, I agree with your opinion. Let's do it this way."

"Alright. I'll also need you to work on the aggrieved parties, but don't go too far. Everyone sees the glamorous side of the real estate industry, but the hardships behind it are truly indescribable..."

"I will look into this matter. But the key is still with you. Old Tang, we should take a long-term view. I agree with what Lü Qi said. The other party is indeed pitiful, and there is a classmate relationship involved. Let's give them as much compensation as possible."

"No problem. With you saying so, I'll even cover the cost myself. How about we go upstairs and talk?" After Zhou Hongyou's last phone call, Tang Yikun had to make a gesture. Even if Tao Tang hadn't brought it up, he would have. Now that he had essentially done Tao Tang a favor, Tang Yikun felt quite satisfied.

……

The K room, located on the third floor, was already fully prepared, with fruit platters, tea, cold drinks, and draft beer laid out on the coffee table.

"Please make yourselves at home, everyone... Sister Gu, let me request a song for you... 'The Rose,' you're the best at it." Tang Yikun personally took on the role of waiter.

Immediately, the music started playing, and Gu Meijun picked up the microphone and went offstage.

"Through wind and rain, a rainbow appears; a resilient rose blooms..."

Han Ruilin has been taken to a guest room to sleep. Sun Dunquan helped him to the bathroom to vomit earlier. Lü Qi is doing well, sitting alone in a corner, lost in thought.

"Have some water," Tao Tang said, handing Lü Qi a bottle of Evian, opening it, and placing it on the coffee table in front of her. "I didn't expect you to have such a high alcohol tolerance. You were definitely a bit tipsy just now... Are you feeling unwell? Would you like to find a place to rest for a while?"

"I'm fine...can you sit with me for a while?"

"Of course. In my experience, drinking plenty of water after drinking alcohol is the most effective way to sober up."

"You must be laughing at me..."

"No way. Don't drink so much in the future."

"Will you dance with me?"

"Are you sure you can do it?"

"Don't underestimate people..."

Tao Tang extended his hand in an inviting gesture. Lü Qi grasped Tao Tang's outstretched right hand, gracefully rose, and casually placed her left hand on Tao Tang's shoulder.

A faint fragrance wafted into his nostrils. As he looked down, he saw Lü Qi's alluring eyes staring at him. Tao Tang avoided Lü Qi's direct gaze, but he could clearly see the red mole on Lü Qi's left cheek near her neck.

The red mole remained, like a Portkey from a Harry Potter novel, instantly transporting him back to those days. More than once, he had been drawn to her snow-white skin and that striking red mole, the size of a mung bean.

"I'm sorry..." In his confused state, he stepped on her foot.

"No, you jumped really well... Did you used to jump often?"

"No. I learned it when I participated in the youth cadre training program in 2003, where they organized dances every weekend..."

"You know what? I was shocked to see you at the cadre meeting..."

"You've aged so much you can't recognize you, have you?"

"It's mainly your hair. Actually, you're in great shape. Why don't you dye it? Is it intentional?"

"Why bother with all that effort? This is so much better, it's all-natural..."

Gu Meijun's song ended. Tao Tang released Lü Qi and applauded politely.

Before Tao Tang could escort Lü Qi back to her seat, Tang Yikun had already shoved the microphone into Tao Tang's hand. "You danced well. Give us a song."

"This is really no good. He's tone-deaf by nature."

"No, you two have to sing 'Husband and Wife Returning Home Together'!"

"Let me do it." Lü Qi took the microphone from Tao Tang.

"Okay, what do you want to sing? I'll help you find one."

"I can do it myself..."

The song Lü Qi chose was a very old English song. She thought it wasn't on her playlist, but she actually found it: the Oscar-winning song "Yesterday Once More." She had a good voice and sang it with great feeling. It was a melancholic and nostalgic song, which perfectly matched Lü Qi's mood at the time.

"She sang really well, even though I couldn't understand her," Tang Yikun said to Tao Tang. "I heard about your situation from Zhou Hongyou, what a pity. Don't blame me for spoiling the mood, you're still young, you must find someone. Do you want my help? She's definitely a lady from a prestigious family. But, there's one right in front of us... What's that line of poetry? 'The flower is in full bloom, ready to be plucked'?"

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Tao Tang said, somewhat displeased. He listened to Lü Qi's singing. Her voice and technique were not as good as Gu Meijun's, but the English song masked her shortcomings. Only in the first high note did she produce an inappropriate vibrato.

"Don't be angry, I was just kidding. I think she still has feelings for you. Seriously though, Lao Tao, we brothers are really destined for each other. I've always thought, really, I'm not kidding you, that we'd work together, and now we're finally together? You must have heard about the Red Star relocation plan..."

"Are you prepared to take over?"

"The project is too big for me to handle. But the city does have plans to develop a new town. How about we talk about it sometime? It'll be a win-win situation."

"Theoretically, there's no problem at all. But I'm just an employee, I can't compare to you. But Lao Tang, your Donghu Industrial Group isn't just about real estate, is it? I'm actually more interested in other areas."

"You mean mining machinery? No problem. We've cooperated before, and we still do, though the share is smaller now. You Red Star people are too arrogant, looking down on others and acting like you're something special. Now that you're in charge, it's definitely time to start over."

"Mining machines are Red Star's old business. Don't forget that."

"To be honest, Red Star's products are really no good anymore. They're bulky, ugly, and crude, not to mention the high prices and poor service. You probably don't know the specifics..."

"That's the past...you'll see changes." Tao Tang clapped.

"Of course, I believe you." Tang Yikun followed Tao Tang and clapped politely.

After Lü Qi finished singing, Tang Yikun and Tao Tang's chat also came to a temporary end. Tao Tang took the opportunity to go to the restroom to wash his face. When he came back, he saw Sun Dunquan singing a famous aria from the model opera "Shajiabang: Instructor Guo". His tone was high and clear, full of charm.

Tao Tang sat down next to Lü Qi and said, "You sang really well."

"Yes, I didn't expect Old Sun to have these skills."

I meant you.

"Don't talk nonsense. Why would you be interested in listening to me sing?"

"Wrong. I was mainly listening to you sing. As for Tang Yikun, he was just going through the motions."

"I don't believe it. Sun Dunquan is right, we're no longer on the same path."

"No, we're still on the same page. You'll believe me when I say it."

"You deliberately used us as a shield, didn't you?"

"Not entirely. It's a rare opportunity to have a meal and chat with you, so of course I don't want to miss it."

"You were thinking of this all along? You've only been back for three or four days."

"No, I've always remembered you. Really. Especially in recent years, you've always been a part of my dreams..."

What do I look like in my dreams?

"It's still like school. You always wore your hair in a ponytail back then, right? You had a light gray jacket with blue and white lace trim, right? There was one of your exercises that was different from everyone else's... Also, you did the shot put at the sports meet, did you hurt your back then? You rested for a week..."

A sudden surge of happiness overwhelmed her. It was the feeling of first love, and her eyes instantly welled up with tears. "Did it really last that long? I remember it was only two or three days, right?"

"No, it was definitely a week. You were always with Zhang Hongqin back then, I asked her..."

"What should I ask her?" Zhang Hongqin was also in Pingquan, but he hadn't seen her for a long time. Yes, Zhang Hongqin was his neighbor and a good friend. They lived in the same building; Zhang's family lived on the fourth floor, and his family lived on the second floor.

"Of course, it's whenever you come back to class."

"What did she say?"

"I forgot..."

"She didn't mention it to me..."

"Perhaps you don't remember."

"No, if she told me, I won't forget. What else did you dream about?"

"In my dreams, I always face the crisis of exams. I know nothing, I'm very anxious, and I hope to get your help during the exams, but you ignore me..."

"Nonsense. You were a much better student than me back then..."

Tao Tang stared blankly at the ceiling, oblivious to Lü Qi rubbing her eyes. "Sometimes I dream that you're not doing well, that life is tough... I wake up feeling very sad. Then I think, you're so outstanding, you must be living a very happy life..."

"You're talking nonsense again. How can I compare to you? Now you're my boss, I'm at your mercy..." Then she thought of his wife's death, and her heart was gripped by a pain she had never experienced before, a pain that was intense.

"I've always remembered you. After the college entrance exam, I heard about what happened to you and was very worried. I went to your house several times, hoping to see you. Didn't you live in the 16th row of the 5th courtyard? But I didn't see you..."

"Go to my house? How come I didn't know that?"

"No, I misspoke. I'm going to Courtyard No. 5..."

"Oh...I went to No. 8 Middle School for tutoring back then..."

"Why didn't you write me a letter?"

"I..." Tao Tang suddenly realized that Gu Meijun was standing in front of him.

"May I have this dance with you?" Gu Meijun asked Tao Tang with a smile.

"It would be my honor." Tao Tang stood up.

"Are you finding that feeling again? Don't deny it, I know you used to like Lü Qi. A lot of classmates knew that."

Tao Tang didn't say anything, turned his head, and saw Tang Yikun shouting Wang Feng's "In the Spring" at the top of his lungs.

"Why aren't you saying anything? Are you denying it?"

"You dance so well, I can hardly keep up with you."

"Don't be modest. And your wife? Is she coming back to Pingquan with you too?"

No, she's not coming back.

"Let's get down to business. How about opening a basic account with our bank? We offer preferential treatment; we definitely won't treat you unfairly."

"Um... please forgive me, I'm completely clueless right now and really don't know how to answer you... It seems you're in close contact with them. Do you come back to Pingquan often?"

"Classmates are the most sacred of all social relationships, especially high school classmates, who are no less important than university classmates. I hope we can stay in touch in the future!"

"Definitely. We wouldn't be complete without the support of the banks. Honestly, I'm quite pleasantly surprised today."

"Let me make this clear. As long as you ask, I'll try my best to give you the green light."

"Thank you. I hope you can visit the factory; it would be like revisiting an old haunt."

"Definitely, but it's not an inspection, it's a return visit."

Lü Qi gulped down the mineral water. She'd heard Evian was incredibly expensive, but she couldn't tell the difference from other brands. She finished the whole bottle in one go, her stomach still burning. She never imagined that Tao Tang had always had her in his heart.

She had just been blaming him for not writing, and now she was berating herself. She grabbed a tissue to wipe her eyes again, tears still welling up uncontrollably. So she got up and went to the bathroom.

"You're no longer qualified to pursue love... What's going on?" Lü Qi stared at herself in the mirror. "You're a fool, you were before, and you're even more so now."

Lü Qi stayed in the bathroom for a full fifteen minutes. After she came out, she said to Tang Yikun, "It's getting late. Shall I go home?"

"That's true, I have to get up early to go fishing tomorrow." Sun Dunquan glanced at his watch; it was almost 11:00. "I can't drive. You figure it out."

"What's the rush? Let's play a little longer." Tang Yikun also glanced at his watch.

"No, please take us back. Just send a driver. Han Ruilin can rest here; don't call him."

"Hey Lao Tao, why don't you stay here too? They have families to support, why are you in such a hurry to go back?"

"Forget it, there will be plenty of opportunities to meet in the future. Old Tang, the things we discussed today, you should hurry up, and I should hurry up too."

"no problem."

Sun Dunquan's Tucson had already been washed, and Lü Qi rushed to sit in the front passenger seat. Tao Tang was the last to get in the car. "Old Tang, Gu Meijun, it's been a pleasure working with you," he said, shaking hands with Tang and Gu again to say goodbye.

"It's a pleasure working with you." Tang and Gu shook hands with Tao Tang to say goodbye.