Rebirth of the Hong Kong Millennium Conglomerate

As dawn broke, the crowing of roosters echoed through the mountain village, dispelling the lingering chill of the night.

Zhang Zeyang was awakened by the faint light coming in from the window. The moment he opened his eyes, he subconsciously turned his head to look at the inside of the kang (a heated brick bed). His younger sister, Zhang Lingyun, was still sleeping soundly, her little eyebrows slightly furrowed, but the corners of her mouth slightly upturned, perhaps having a sweet dream.

Zhang Zeyang got up quietly, afraid of disturbing his sister. The air in the outer room still carried the chill of the morning. He pulled his coarse cloth jacket tighter around himself and went straight to the kitchen.

The water in the vat was still a bit cold, so he scooped out two spoonfuls and poured them into the pot, then lit the firewood in the stove. The orange-red flames quickly licked the bottom of the pot, and warmth slowly rose.

There was still a lot of cornmeal left over from yesterday. He kneaded the dough and made the cornbread with practiced ease. Before long, the aroma of the cornbread filled the pot. He also cooked a pot of thin porridge, sprinkled some homemade pickled vegetables on top, and a simple breakfast was ready.

"Lingyun, wake up, it's time to eat." Zhang Zeyang returned to the inner room, sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), and gently patted his little sister's face.

Zhang Lingyun's eyelashes fluttered, and she groggily opened her eyes. When she saw Zhang Zeyang, she immediately smiled sweetly, reached out and hugged his arm, nuzzling him: "Brother, I dreamt that Mom gave me candy."

Zhang Zeyang's heart ached suddenly. He reached out and ruffled her hair, his voice unusually gentle: "Eat when you're awake. I saved the most delicious pancakes for you today." He then helped her off the kang (a heated brick bed), dressed her, and fetched a basin of warm water for her to wash her face and hands.

The little girl stood obediently, letting her brother take care of her, her little mouth chattering about the scenes in her dream. Zhang Zeyang listened patiently, occasionally responding with a few words, but beneath the gentleness in his eyes, there was a trace of anxiety that was not easily detected.

He knew in his heart that the special forces team he sent out last night would surely return today, and the future was uncertain. But looking at his sister's innocent smile, he couldn't bear to break this moment of peace.

After breakfast, Zhang Zeyang and Lingyun sunbathed in the yard. Villagers passed by the door, smiling and greeting them. Zhang Zeyang nodded in response to each of them, a gentle smile on his face.

He knew this might be the last time he and his sister would bask in the sun in this village.

Lingyun squatted in the yard, chasing ants on the ground, occasionally turning back to call out "Brother." Zhang Zeyang sat on the threshold, his eyes fixed on the direction of the village entrance, his ears alertly listening to the movements around him.

While playing with his younger sister, he packed his simple luggage—there wasn't much to pack, just two thick, coarse cloth clothes.

Lunch was a simple meal, which Lingyun ate with great relish, but Zhang Zeyang didn't have much of an appetite. He only forced himself to eat a few more bites because he could see his sister's expression.

As the afternoon sun gradually slanted westward, wisps of smoke rose from the village chimneys. Zhang Zeyang sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) with Lingyun, still playing cat's cradle. The little girl was having a great time, completely unaware of the growing seriousness in her brother's eyes.

Zhang Zeyang's heart pounded as darkness fell. He glanced out the window every now and then, watching the night slowly spread like ink, and the whole village gradually fell into silence.

When Lingyun's eyelids started to droop, Zhang Zeyang knew that the time was approaching.

Just like last night, he laid out a mat for his sister on the kang (a heated brick bed), sat by the kang, and hummed a soft lullaby. Lingyun leaned on his shoulder, her little head nodding slightly. Soon her breathing became even, and she fell into a deep sleep.

Zhang Zeyang sat quietly, his fingertips gently brushing the top of his sister's hair. Just then, a very faint sound came from outside the courtyard wall, so subtle that it could almost be covered by the night wind. But Zhang Zeyang was instantly alert. He flashed out of the inner room, gently closed the door behind him, and walked lightly to the center of the courtyard.

The moonlight was thin, and several dark figures leaped down from the courtyard wall like ghosts, landing silently. Their black combat uniforms blended almost into the night.

Zhang Zeyang looked closely and his heart sank slightly—of the twelve-man team sent out last night, only four had returned, more than half gone.

The captain at the head of the group quickly stepped forward, gave Zhang Zeyang a crisp military salute, and said in a very low voice, "Sir!"

Zhang Zeyang's gaze swept over the four people, his brows furrowing slightly. He asked in a deep voice, "Where are the others?"

The captain reported calmly, "Sir, rest assured, the remaining eight people are safe and sound. After arriving at the nearest port last night, we found a suitable smuggling boat. The boat owner is a seasoned operator on this route and is highly reliable. He has accepted the deposit and agreed to depart at midnight tonight."

Six brothers set off last night to Hong Kong to meet your husband and sister, ensuring they could disembark safely without any worries. The other two are outside the village.

Zhang Zeyang's anxiety eased slightly, and he asked again, "Has the route been scouted? Have there been any unexpected changes along the way?"

"Sir, the route has been identified. The path from the village to the port avoids all checkpoints and outposts. The checks along the way are lax, and we have marked it. We can pass through without any problems."

"The boat owner has been taken care of as well. Tonight the moon is dim, which is a good time to smuggle ourselves across. The wind and waves are calm, so we won't be easily detected." The captain spoke very quickly, explaining all the details.

"The ship is ready. This is a rare opportunity. Please depart immediately, sir, lest things change!"

The night grew darker, and a chilly mountain wind blew into the courtyard. Zhang Zeyang stood there, silent for a long time.

He remained silent, his gaze fixed on the door of the inner room. Images of his sleeping sister's face flashed through his mind, along with memories of his time in the village and his parents' dying words.

On one side was his peaceful but hopeless homeland, and on the other side was an unknown but promising future. He had no choice.

The courtyard was so quiet that you could hear the wind rustling through the firewood in the corner. Six special forces soldiers stood ramrod straight, not daring to breathe, just quietly waiting for his orders.

After a long while, Zhang Zeyang slowly closed his eyes. When he opened them again, his eyes were filled with determination. He said in a deep voice, "I understand."

After saying that, he gently pushed open the door to the inner room. Moonlight shone through the window onto the kang mat, where Zhang Lingyun was sleeping soundly with a faint smile on her face.

Zhang Zeyang sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), reached out his hand, hesitated for a moment, and then gently shook her arm: "Lingyun, wake up, I have something to tell you."

Zhang Lingyun was shaken awake, rubbing her sleepy eyes, and mumbled in a soft voice, "Brother, what's wrong? It's not even dawn yet."

Seeing his younger sister's bewildered expression, Zhang Zeyang's heart softened again. He held her small hand, the warmth of his palm passing over her, his voice gentle yet firm: "Lingyun, brother will take you away from here to a very far place. There are delicious foods and fun things to do there. Let's start a new life there, okay?"

He was actually a little uneasy, afraid that his sister would cry and be reluctant to leave, since this was the place where she grew up.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Lingyun blinked her round eyes, looked at his face, and without the slightest hesitation, nodded her little head like a rattle drum, reached out and hugged his neck, her soft voice filled with complete dependence: "Wherever brother goes, Lingyun will go! Lingyun will go anywhere as long as she follows brother!"

At that moment, all of Zhang Zeyang's worries vanished. He hugged his sister tightly, his eyes slightly warm, and after a long while, he let go, his voice slightly hoarse: "Okay, brother will take you away."

Without further hesitation, he turned around and pulled out a thick coat that he had already packed away from the end of the kang (a heated brick bed), which was much warmer than the clothes he usually wore.

He carefully helped Lingyun change into the coat, and then wrapped her in an old cotton-padded jacket, afraid that she would get cold in the night.

The little girl cooperated obediently, letting her brother help her get dressed. Her little hands gripped Zhang Zeyang's clothes tightly, and there was no fear in her eyes, only complete trust in her brother.

After tidying up, Zhang Zeyang took Lingyun's hand and walked to the door. He took one last look at the room—the earthen bed, the stove, the wooden cabinet, and the portraits of his parents on the wall. This place held all his and his sister's memories. From now on, he feared he would never be able to return.

With a heavy heart, he took his parents' portraits, closed the door behind him, walked to the courtyard gate, paused in his action of bolting the door, but ultimately did not turn back. Holding Lingyun's hand, he stepped into the night.

Six special forces soldiers were already waiting outside the courtyard. When they saw him come out, they immediately stepped forward. The captain made a shushing gesture and pointed in the direction of the village entrance, signaling everyone to follow.

Zhang Zeyang held Lingyun in his arms, feeling the warmth of his younger sister. He glanced back at the village behind him; in the pitch-black night, only a few scattered lights shone.

The night wind howled, making his clothes flutter. Zhang Zeyang, carrying his younger sister, followed behind the six special forces soldiers, walking steadily toward the village entrance.

The moonlight was obscured by clouds, and the world was shrouded in darkness. A group of people moved nimbly and silently through the night, gradually moving away from the small mountain village.

No one knew that on this quiet night, a brother and sister who depended on each other for survival embarked on their journey to Hong Kong, filled with hope for the future.

The village behind them gradually receded into the distance. The road ahead was long and arduous, with high winds and rough waves. The mountain wind swirled fallen leaves behind them, rustling as if bidding farewell to the departing figures.