My heart is tied to that sky

The spring breeze along the banks of the Zhejiang River carried the aroma of coffee from the street vendors, which suddenly entered Tang Muyang's nostrils.

Inside the office of Qingyang Industrial.

Tang Muyang's fingertips swiped across the densely packed wedding process sheet on the tablet.

His gaze, however, pierced through the glass window, fixed intently on Baoyangtangtian, a thousand miles away.

There is the winding Fuyi River and an old schoolhouse covered in moss.

There is also the homesickness that is etched into his bones and cannot be removed no matter how successful he becomes.

This time, he was no longer returning home in glory alone.

Instead, he wanted to hold the hand of the woman he cherished most in his life.

In a grand and glorious way, on this muddy land, they tied the knot and became husband and wife.

A familiar, delicate fragrance wafted from behind me.

Gong Yiqing brought over a cup of warm chrysanthemum tea and gently placed it beside him.

She casually pinched the soft flesh on his waist.

She said in a reproachful tone, "Where did you lose your mind? Is the wedding plan ready yet? If you don't hurry up and finalize it, it'll be too late."

"It's been ready for a long time!"

Tang Muyang pulled his fiancée close, his gaze snapping out of his thoughts, his voice gentle and doting.

"I was just thinking about how to take you to see the river where I grew up, and how to make you understand why I insisted on holding this wedding in Tangtian."

Gong Yiqing leaned on his shoulder, her eyes crinkling with a smile: "Actually... my dad was initially determined to have you follow the old traditions and have a grand wedding ceremony here in Zhejiang."

She paused, then gently traced circles on his palm with her fingertips, her tone carrying a hint of girlish mischief.

"I stopped him. I said, 'Dad, think about it, Muyang's roots are in that mountain valley, that's his life. If we move the wedding to Zheshui, it's like uprooting a big tree for him.'"

As she spoke, Gong Yiqing made a face that said, "I've done something right, I deserve a reward."

Tang Muyang thoughtfully placed a kiss on her forehead.

"I also told my dad that true dignity isn't about making the son-in-law go back to his hometown first and then travel a long way to pick him up..."

Before she could finish saying "dear," her red lips were covered by Tang Muyang's, the warmth lingering for a long time.

He released her, his voice hoarse yet full of affection: "Yiqing! Thank you for being willing to come into my life!"

"Hmph! Next time... no surprise attacks allowed."

She was a little breathless from his kiss, her face flushed with embarrassment, and she gently pushed against his chest with her hand.

She paused for a second, then lowered her head, pouted, and whispered, "Actually, they did it to both fulfill your filial piety and show the magnanimity of our Gong family..."

"Hey, Tang! I didn't check the almanac before I left home. You guys continue, I didn't see anything."

Lin Mo's voice came from the doorway. He was holding a jewelry craftsmanship sheet, with one foot in and one foot out of the door, and was about to turn around.

Tang Muyang and Gong Yiqing were already feeling awkward about this unexpected intimacy, and now it was even more embarrassing.

Gong Yiqing buried her head even lower in embarrassment, her cheeks burning hot.

Tang Muyang coughed lightly, scratched his head, and tried to ease the awkwardness: "Well... um, Elder Lin, you've come at the perfect time."

"I've already made arrangements with the company. There will be no holidays or shutdowns. Key personnel will remain on duty. Zhu Xiaohui will lead the team to oversee the headquarters, Zhou Yanting will manage finances, and Gu Zhixing will be on-site at the project site."

After saying that, he turned around and looked at Lin Mo seriously, his voice sincere and firm: "It just so happens that you came to the company yesterday, Mr. Lin. With your steady skills and meticulousness, there won't be any problems in the jewelry sector."

"I couldn't hold back just now, even though it's almost my wedding day!"

Lin Mo, recalling what had just happened, continued to tease, a mischievous smile on his face.

Hearing Lin Mo's teasing, Gong Yiqing's heart skipped a beat, and the naivety of her youth deepened. She tightly gripped Tang Muyang's clothes.

"Alright, you guys continue. I thought about it all night and decided to give you everything I have."

Lin Mo placed the complete process sheet on his desk, turned around, and walked out of the office.

Sending you my best wishes is simply a way of ensuring your safety and well-being.

Lin Mo walked out of the office, his footsteps gradually fading into the distance.

"That old bastard."

Tang Muyang made a face at the door, as if to say, "You should have gotten out of here already!"

This time, he gently pushed the office door shut, then grabbed his fiancée's hand tightly, so firmly that she frowned slightly.

Whether it was the awkwardness and shyness from before, or being overwhelmed with gratitude, Gong Yiqing had tears in her eyes, yet she leaned obediently against Tang Muyang's chest.

"I... I never knew you had everything planned so perfectly!"

Tang Muyang reached out and wiped away her tears of shock and emotion, his voice gentle: "What's wrong? Are you about to cry?"

Tang Muyang looked down at his gentle, kind, and beautiful fiancée and exclaimed that he had struck gold.

Behind that seemingly casual thoughtfulness was how much pressure she silently shielded him from, protecting his dignity as a man and the face of his hometown.

"Yi Qing..."

His Adam's apple bobbed, his voice was slightly hoarse and nasal, "Are you upset?"

Gong Yiqing's eyelashes trembled slightly. She deliberately turned her head away from him, but a smile that was neither a smile nor a frown appeared on her lips.

"Feeling wronged? Of course I felt that way. When I first found out I was going to that godforsaken mountain village and couldn't wear a bright red cheongsam in my own garden in Zhejiang and receive blessings from hundreds of people, I hid under the covers and cried for several nights in a row."

She turned back, teasing playfully, but her eyes were clear and bright, filled with the determination of someone who had burned their bridges.

"I see a light in your eyes every time you mention Tangtian or Fuyi River. Muyang, what I want to do is not to uproot you from your homeland, but to go to your roots with all my heart and grow with you."

She reached out and touched his cheek, her voice soft yet firm.

"So, don't ask whether I'm submitting or not. Tang Muyang, look me in the eyes—do you think I, Gong Yiqing, married into the Tang family for their prestige, or for you as a person?"

Tang Muyang's eyes instantly reddened, and all his unspoken words turned into a soft sigh. He pulled her tightly into his arms, wishing he could meld her into his very bones.

"That's not all,"

Gong Yiqing chuckled softly in her arms, her voice gentle yet tinged with pride, "My dad invited several 'old-timers' from the Zhejiang business circle to join him this time. Their willingness to make this trip is not only a favor to us, but also a great honor to Qingyang Industry and the Tang family."

Gong Yiqing nodded gently, her eyes filled with a smile.

"I've always trusted you to do things."

"I trust you."

His tone was firm, without the slightest doubt. He lowered his head and planted a kiss on the top of her head. "Wife, everything from now on is in your hands."

On the day of departure, the scale was understated yet extremely luxurious.

A Gulfstream business jet flew directly to Xiangsha, saving the traveler the trouble of traveling thousands of miles.

Upon landing, the convoy was orderly and well-organized. Gong Chong'an and Su Wanqing were composed and at ease, while several business leaders from Zhejiang chatted and laughed, displaying the composure of heavyweight figures in every gesture.

There were no tedious door-blocking games, no elaborate wedding processions that involved traveling thousands of miles, but the most reasonable and sophisticated way of doing things perfectly embodied the concept of decorum.

As the convoy entered Baoyangtangtian, the green mountains were like dark eyebrows, and the Fuyi River meandered like a ribbon, with familiar scenery of southern Hunan everywhere.

The Tang family's old house was decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, with bright red "double happiness" characters pasted all over the mottled courtyard walls, and a red carpet stretched from the village entrance all the way to the front gate.

As soon as the convoy came to a stop, a lively crowd surged into the village entrance.

The father, Tang Zhiye, dressed in a brand-new Zhongshan suit, stood ramrod straight with red eyes, waiting at the very front.

Tang Pingsheng, the elder brother, and Tang Xiuying, the elder sister, stood on either side of their father, their faces beaming with joy and their eyes filled with tears.

The eldest aunt, Tang Manxiu, led the second aunt, Tang Manju, with one hand and the youngest aunt, Tang Man'e, with the other, taking three steps at a time to greet them. The red velvet flowers in her hair added to the festive atmosphere.

The eldest son-in-law, Zhang Xingguo, the second son-in-law, Peng Dongliang, and the youngest son-in-law, Xie Zhihua, followed closely behind, holding cigarettes and tea in their hands, greeting the distinguished guest with smiles on their faces.

Cousin Peng Jinyou shouted to maintain order, while cousin Xie Changfa busied himself carrying his luggage, his steps never faltering.

Zhang Guiying, Zhang Xiulian, Zhang Xifeng, Peng Caihong, Peng Suzhen, Xie Chunmei, Xie Xiaolan and a group of cousins ​​crowded at the front, peering into the car at the newlyweds, their eyes filled with joy.

Tang Jianguo and Peng Jiahui, along with key company personnel, had been waiting for a long time. Villagers, young and old, stood by the roadside, their laughter and chatter almost lifting the roof off.

The moment Gong Chong'an and Su Wanqing got out of the car, and several Zhejiang business tycoons appeared, the entire town held its breath.

On the banks of the Fuyi River, the women washing clothes stopped their washing mallets, craned their necks to look at the imposing figures in the courtyard, and whispered among themselves.

"Goodness gracious! This is a spectacle! Even high-ranking officials don't have this kind of grand entourage when they visit the countryside!"

"I heard he's a big boss who flew in from Zhejiang; he's a super-rich guy who's built his fortune on mountains of gold!"

"That Tang family lad has really made something of himself! Back when the family was struggling to make ends meet, who would have thought they'd be where they are today..."

The old people clicked their tongues in appreciation, their cloudy eyes reflecting the red silk filling the courtyard, their eyes filled with contentment.

For Tangtian, this was not just a wedding, but also the best proof that the mountain children are rewriting their destiny with their own hands.

When the auspicious time arrived, ceremonial music and rituals resounded.

Tang Muyang, dressed in a custom-made suit, stood tall and straight like a pine tree, but his fingertips were slightly clenched, revealing the burning tension in his heart.

Gong Yiqing's wedding dress trailed on the ground, her eyes were smiling, and her graceful steps exuded the elegance of a well-bred lady. Her appearance stunned all the guests.

Tang Zhiye stood in the main seat, looking at his son dressed as a groom, tears welling up in his eyes.

Tang Pingsheng and Tang Xiuying stood on either side, their faces filled with pride and reluctance.

Tang Manxiu, Tang Manju, and Tang Man'e, the three aunts, stood in the front row, their eyes filled with tears, constantly wiping away their eyes.

Peng Jinyou and Xie Changfa stood up straight, their faces beaming with pride.

Zhang Guiying and Peng Caihong covered their mouths and exclaimed softly, their eyes glued to the screen.

Gong Chong'an held his daughter's hand and slowly walked to Tang Muyang, solemnly placing her soft hand in his palm.

The old man looked at the young man who had fought his way out of hardship with a calm gaze, and said only one sentence solemnly.

"Muyang, from now on, let's be of one heart and one mind."

"Dad, I swear by the Tang family rules that I will protect her safety and love her as always, and I will never let her down."

Tang Muyang spoke each word with force, his palm clenched tightly, as if he wanted to engrave his lifelong promise into his very bones.

When they exchanged vows, he looked at Gong Yiqing, whose eyes were full of him, and suddenly his eyes reddened.

Countless images flashed through my mind: the cramped 20-square-meter rented room in Zhejiang, the table piled with engineering drawings and instant noodle buckets, and her silently cleaning up the cold leftovers and handing me a cup of warm milk.

On that hectic night, the business partner suddenly broke the contract, and the panic of a broken funding chain surged like a tide. She stood with him on the balcony until dawn, not lecturing him, but simply telling him with the warmth of her palms that the sky wouldn't fall.

On the day the company was named, he struggled with various grand names, and finally smiled and said to Gong Yiqing, "Let's call it Qingyang. Qing means sunny day, and Yang means bathing in the sun. No matter how strong the wind blows outside, we must have the sun in our hearts."

All the bitterness and hardship transformed into warmth in his eyes at this moment, converging into the gentle, smiling woman before him, who stood by him through thick and thin.

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried throughout the entire room, trembling slightly.

"Yiqing, in my life I've built factories, repaired roads, and weathered countless storms. People say I rely on ruthlessness to survive, but I only know that I rely on meeting you."

"Today I will not swear an oath before heaven and earth, but only promise you—I, Tang Muyang, will never let you suffer any injustice or lose any dignity in this lifetime."

Gong Yiqing's eyes welled up with tears as she responded softly.

"You conquer the world, I'll protect our home; you'll be the helmsman, I'll be the sail. We'll never be apart, sharing both glory and hardship."

The wedding ring lightly touches the fingertip, binding a lifetime of ties.

The sound of firecrackers echoed throughout the ancient town, and the bigwigs of the Zhejiang business circle nodded in agreement, their gazes toward Tang Muyang carrying a deeper meaning.

Tang Jianguo and Peng Jiahui stood side by side, the trio united and full of vigor.

After the ceremony, during the tea ceremony, Tang Muyang led Gong Yiqing to serve tea to his father, Tang Zhiye.

Tang Zhiye accepted the teacup with both hands, his voice trembling slightly: "Good...good son, live a good life from now on."

Then, tea was served to his elder brother Tang Pingsheng and elder sister Tang Xiuying. The two women had red eyes and nodded repeatedly, full of blessings.

Next, tea was served to the three aunts. The eldest aunt, the second aunt, and the youngest aunt each took out red envelopes and longevity locks that they had prepared in advance and put them into the hands of the newlyweds. Every word was a blessing for peace, good fortune, and the early birth of a son.

The son-in-law, cousins, and other relatives gathered around, cheering and applauding, their deep-rooted kinship evident.

After several rounds of drinks, Tang Muyang accompanied Gong Yiqing to toast the last table. Just as he was about to take a breather in the corner of the courtyard, a deep and resonant laugh came from behind him.

He is Zhang Haoting, a leading figure in the Zhejiang waterfront business community.

Tang Muyang quickly turned around, straightening his posture.

"Mr. Zhang, I'm sorry for neglecting you."

Zhang Haoting waved his hand, stepped forward and patted him on the shoulder, his eyes full of admiration.

"Muyang, back in Zhejiang, I only knew you were driven and had principles. But after today's wedding, I finally understand you completely. You haven't forgotten your roots, returning home to get married; your wife has a broad perspective, doesn't put on airs, and gives you plenty of respect. With you two working together, I have confidence in this business."

He changed the subject, his tone becoming firm.

"After we return to Zhejiang Water, I'll entrust the urban renewal project in the eastern part of the city to you, Qingyang Industrial. I'll provide you with the funds at the lowest interest rate in the industry, and I'll do everything I can to help you."

The moment these words were spoken, the air seemed to freeze.

The secretary who had served Zhang Haoting for many years twitched his eyelids and looked shocked.

What does the lowest interest rate in the industry mean? It's comparable to the financing treatment of state-owned enterprises, and it also means that Old Zhang is using real money to support Tang Muyang.

Everyone was waiting to see what choice Tang Muyang would make.

Next, I will owe a huge favor.

Refusing is about maintaining your own perspective.

Tang Muyang did not respond immediately.

He lowered his eyes to look at the amber-colored liquid in his glass, a very faint smile curving his lips.

Zhang Haoting squinted, observing discreetly.

Five seconds later, Tang Muyang raised his head, his gaze clear and open.

"Mr. Zhang, are you putting me on the hot seat?"

"Oh? What do you mean?" Zhang Haoting raised an eyebrow.

"This piece of meat is too big for me to swallow, and I don't dare to swallow it."

Tang Muyang looked directly at his senior, his tone calm, "I've accepted your interest rate discount. From now on, I'm practically your junior. In the Zhejiang River business circle, I'll have to be mindful of your mood at all times."

He paused, his voice lowered, but each word was forceful.

"I don't want to be a junior who depends on you; I want to be an equal partner who can stand shoulder to shoulder with you. I want to be someone who can say with confidence that Tang Muyang is someone who earns money with integrity and acts with principles."

Zhang Haoting was taken aback at first, then threw his head back and laughed heartily.

"Great! Rules last longer than personal relationships, and earning money with integrity is a good thing! I didn't misjudge you!"

This scene became the strongest credit endorsement for Qingyang Industry in the Zhejiang water business circle.

By evening, the table at the brother's place was already a mess of cups and plates.

After a few drinks, Peng Jiahui's eyes turned red. He grabbed Tang Muyang's neck and shouted at the top of his lungs.

"Muyang! Brother! Do you remember that year when the three of us were in the special economic zone, and to save those two yuan on bus fare, we walked all the way from the south of the city to the north? The blisters on the soles of our feet still hurt when we think about it!"

"Shut up!"

Tang Jianguo kicked him in annoyance, but silently took the wine bottle, moved the half-empty glass in front of Tang Muyang away, and slammed his own empty glass heavily on the table.

A crisp "clang" was heard.

Tang Jianguo picked up the bottle, aimed the bottle at the glass, and poured the liquor in with a gurgling sound, not caring at all about the few drops that splashed out.

After filling the bottle, he shoved it into Tang Muyang's arms and uttered only one word.

"drink."

Peng Jiahui was not to be outdone. He snatched the bottle, poured himself a generous amount, and shouted.

"Drink! Tonight, we're not leaving until we're drunk! Whoever passes out first is a coward!"

On the other side, the aunts' table was also bustling with activity. The eldest and youngest aunts held Gong Yiqing's hands tightly, and the cousins ​​gathered around the new room to look at the red candles. The older and younger cousins ​​took turns toasting, and the room was filled with local accents and laughter.

Tang Muyang looked at the two men in front of him, one as fiery as fire and the other as silent as a mountain. Both were brothers who had crawled out of hell with him, and suddenly felt a lump in his throat.

He grabbed his wine glass and slammed it against the two men's glasses.

"Okay. Whoever lies down is a puppy."

The three of them tilted their heads back, the strong liquor went down their throats, burning away the bitterness of the past and igniting a surge of heroic spirit.

As night deepened, red candles flickered inside the bridal chamber.

After the guests had all left, Gong Yiqing sat in front of the dressing table and slowly removed her veil.

Tang Muyang picked up a hot towel and gently wiped her cheeks.

As she combed her hair to the ends, the comb accidentally caught a strand of hair, and she couldn't help but let out a soft gasp.

He immediately panicked and slowed his movements a hundredfold.

"Does it hurt? I'm so clumsy, I hurt you."

Gong Yiqing turned her head and took his hand, her eyes crinkling with a smile.

"It's okay, it doesn't hurt."

Tang Muyang looked at her gentle profile in the mirror and his heart softened.

"Doesn't it feel especially reassuring to hold the wedding in your hometown?"

He spoke softly, his voice filled with emotion.

"When I was little, I always wanted to escape the mountains, feeling that this place was a prison. Only today do I understand that Tangtian has never been a shackle, but my roots, the source of confidence that I can turn back to rely on no matter how far I go. And you are my only weakness, and also my only armor."

Gong Yiqing turned around and smiled.

"Then we'll come back often in the future, to see your river, your school, and every place where you grew up."

"it is good."

After the wedding banquet ended, Tang Muyang went to the Fuyi River alone and lit a cigarette.

Behind me are the lights of my hometown, and in front of me flows the river.

The project promised by Zhang Haoting broadened his horizons and allowed him to see the potential for development in his hometown.

He took out his phone, dialed his assistant's number, and spoke firmly.

"After checking the prime land plots around Xiangsha City, I want to build a high-quality residential project here, named 'Qingyang·Guli'."

He wants to leave the mark of Qingyang Industrial in his hometown.

The cigarette butt glowed in the night wind. He gazed at the river and suddenly an idea came to him.

If we have a son in the future, we will name him Tang Zhenyang. May he revitalize the family business and make a name for himself in our hometown.

Let the child's roots be half planted in the prosperity of Zhejiang and half planted in the soil of Tangtian.

Gong Yiqing came out at some point, wearing a light coat, and gently leaned on his shoulder.

"What are you thinking about? Your cigarette is almost burning your fingers."

"Thinking about our future."

Tang Muyang embraced her, resting his chin on the top of her head, his tone gentle yet firm, "From now on, whether it's a sunny day on the Zhe River or a rainy day in Tangtian, I will be by your side, never leaving your side."

It was already late at night when we returned to the villa in Zheshui.

Gong Yiqing kicked off her high heels, stepped barefoot onto the soft carpet, and let out a long sigh.

"Home is still the most comfortable place."

Looking at her bright profile, Tang Muyang finally relaxed the tension that had been building up inside him for the past two weeks.

The next morning, sunlight streamed into the room through the French windows. Unusually, he didn't get up early to go to the company, but instead stayed in bed, quietly watching her get ready in front of the mirror.

"What's the plan for today?" he asked, his voice hoarse from just waking up.

Gong Yiqing turned around and winked at him.

"I'm going to the flower market this morning to get some new Phalaenopsis orchids for the living room."

"I made an appointment with the designer this afternoon to rearrange the study so that it can accommodate all your precious engineering drawings."

She paused, a sly smile playing on her lips.

"Oh, right, I also booked a medical check-up for you. You've been so busy lately that your dark circles are as heavy as a panda's. You really need to get checked out."

Tang Muyang chuckled softly and reached out to pull her back into his arms.

This is what marriage should be like.

It's not about grand vows, but about having someone care about your health in the mundane details of daily life, and having someone accompany you as you gradually turn your future plans into reality.

Time may be kind, but the road ahead is bright.

The happiness that belongs to Tang Muyang and Gong Yiqing has only just begun.