My heart is tied to that sky

In the early spring of the new year, the chill in Hezhou was more intense than in previous years.

The wind whipped up yellow sand, battering the Qingyang Industrial Building from 2012, making muffled "bang" sounds against the floor-to-ceiling windows.

The sound was urgent and muffled, much like a raging storm that could burst through the door at any moment.

Tang Muyang stood by the window of his top-floor office, his figure appearing particularly desolate in the dim light.

The last hotpot gathering between the Tang and Peng brothers had just ended, and the grudges of half a lifetime had finally been resolved, with the warmth still lingering.

The regretful past relationship with Wang Lin from their youth has come to a dignified end and been perfectly settled.

But in the blink of an eye, he had to face a life-or-death struggle between sentiment and the rule of law, with no room to breathe.

He held the Northwest Branch's emergency report in his hand; the thin A4 paper was softened by the sweat in his palm.

The edges of the paper were already frayed, revealing his anxiety and torment over the past few days.

Gong Yiqing held a cup of freshly brewed West Lake Longjing tea and gently pushed open the heavy mahogany door of the office.

She didn't approach immediately, but stood at the doorway, quietly watching her husband's back.

The man she had loved for many years had long since grown from thin to broad-skinned.

He used to be able to shelter her and her son from the wind and rain, but now his heart is like a lonely island, enduring a loneliness that no one can replace.

Gong Yiqing took a deep breath, smiled gently, and walked lightly behind him.

"Muyang, take a break." Her voice was very soft, like a feather, gently soothing his tense nerves.

She placed the teacup on the table and gently pressed her warm palm against his cold back.

She wanted to use her own body heat to warm this man who was shouldering everything, little by little.

Tang Muyang shuddered and slowly turned around.

His eyes were covered with dense red blood vessels, the result of several consecutive nights of staying up late.

"Yiqing, this tea... is so bitter."

Tang Muyang picked up his teacup and took a sip, his voice hoarse as if it had been repeatedly rubbed on sandpaper.

"Bitter tea can reduce internal heat." Gong Yiqing reached out and gently stroked his furrowed brow with her fingertips.

Her movements were incredibly gentle, as if she were soothing a wounded and agitated lion: "Is it about Lao Zhou?"

Tang Muyang suddenly closed his eyes, and two lines of clear tears silently slid down his cheeks.

Tears fell onto the expensive carpet, spreading instantly without leaving a trace: "Yiqing, was I too cruel?"

He slammed the report on the table, his voice trembling with barely suppressed pain.

"He changed the steel reinforcement grade without authorization in order to save two million in budget! This is a violation of regulations, a crime!"

"Once this is exposed, Qingyang's brand, built up over many years, will be completely ruined!"

"But he's Lao Zhou!" Tang Muyang's voice suddenly rose, filled with a sob, his heart pounding with struggle.

"He's Uncle Zhou who carried me, who was suffering from heatstroke, for ten miles along mountain paths to the hospital back in the day at the Zhejiang Waterworks construction site!"

"It was Old Zhang who, with just a sip of water and a bite of food, helped me get through the hardest days!"

"Now I have to deal with him personally, and I can't bear the stigma of being a 'discarding a millstone after it has served its purpose'!"

Gong Yiqing felt a sharp pain in her heart as she watched her husband's extreme suffering.

She gently put her arm around his shoulder, her fingertips tracing his tense back again and again.

"I know you're in a difficult situation, torn between the debt of gratitude for being saved and the survival of millions."

"Ke Muyang, personal relationships are a weakness, but the system is the armor. We cannot let personal feelings interfere with public duty."

She paused, softening her voice further, yet every word pierced the heart.

"By upholding the rules, you can truly save Lao Zhou and everyone who follows us."

Tang Muyang closed his eyes in pain, held his head in his hands, and slowly squatted down on the ground.

"I understand the logic, but it's too difficult to bring myself to do it when it's done to one of our own."

Just then, the office door was suddenly pushed open, and Peng Jiahui, exuding a chill, strode in.

"Mu Yang, I've thoroughly investigated Shan'an's accounts, and the loopholes are far more numerous than I imagined!"

He carried a well-worn briefcase, his eyes sharp with the weariness of travel.

That was the decisiveness and ruthlessness he had honed over many years of battling in the business world, leaving no room for leniency.

"Not only Lao Zhou from Shaanxi An, but Pan Xingwang from the Sichuan branch also reported two project managers for similar violations."

Peng Jiahui slammed a thick stack of receipts on the table, his voice cold and hard, showing no mercy whatsoever.

"If these problems aren't thoroughly rectified according to the new system, they will eventually drag down the entire Qingyang!"

"At that time, not only will thousands of workers go hungry, but the three of us will also suffer a complete defeat!"

Immediately afterwards, the office door was slammed open again, and Tang Jianguo charged in like an enraged bull.

He was clutching a crumpled petition in his hand, which Old Zhou had written with the help of his long-time employees.

"Muyang, listen to my advice: always leave yourself an out, don't be so ruthless!"

Tang Jianguo's face was flushed, and the veins on his neck were bulging; he was extremely agitated.

"Old Zhou said that as long as he's not held accountable, he's willing to be demoted, have his salary docked, or even clean toilets!"

"Are we really going to tear each other apart over a few cold, hard legal clauses after decades of friendship?"

He rushed up to Tang Muyang, his finger trembling as he pointed to the map of China on the wall, filled with resentment.

"That year, when we gathered in Zhejiang, you said we were an iron triangle, and none of us could be missing."

"We're so divided right now; this is tearing apart our inseparable bond, it's ripping my heart out!"

The office fell into a deathly silence; the air seemed to freeze.

Tang Muyang slowly stood up from the ground and looked calmly at the two people in front of him.

Peng Jiahui represents the law, which is the bottom line that the group must adhere to and the way to survive in the future.

Tang Jianguo represents emotion, the original aspirations along the way, and the past that is hard to let go of.

He took a deep breath, turned around and walked to his desk, taking out a thick document.

The large gold lettering on the cover, titled "Compilation of Group Management System (Draft)," was particularly dazzling under the lights.

"Jiahui, Jianguo, sit down."

Tang Muyang's voice was unusually calm, so calm that it was unsettling, without the slightest ripple.

"Today, we won't talk about brotherhood, we'll only talk about Qingyang's life or death."

The three sat around the conference table, the atmosphere so oppressive it was suffocating, you could hear a pin drop.

Tang Muyang opened the document and tapped the words "clear division of powers and responsibilities" heavily with his fingertips.

The "thump, thump, thump" sound struck everyone's hearts with immense weight.

"In 2011, we fought our way through the northern market by working together as brothers."

"But this year, if the group wants to survive and go far, it can only rely on the system and the rules."

"From now on, Qingyang has no old brothers, only employees who each perform their duties."

"There are no special approvals, only strictly enforced work procedures."

"There are no exceptions for personal relationships, only inviolable red lines of compliance."

"Snapped!"

Tang Jianguo suddenly stood up, ripped off his tie, and threw it hard on the ground, his anger completely erupting.

"You're just discarding me after I've served my purpose; you've forgotten your roots! I won't sign this, not even if it kills me!"

"Brother Jianguo, wake up!" Peng Jiahui also stood up instantly, slamming his fist on the table without backing down, his eyes resolute.

"This is like scraping the bone to remove poison; without setting rules and eliminating the parasites, we're all doomed!"

"Shut up!" Tang Jianguo pointed at Peng Jiahui's nose and roared angrily, his eyes full of rage.

"What do you know! Old Zhou was trying to save the company money; he was doing it for the public good!"

"Just for this, you want to use cold, hard legal terms to drive him to his death? You're so heartless!"

"Does being selfless mean you can ignore the rules and break the law?" Peng Jiahui sneered, his tone full of disappointment.

"If everyone makes excuses to break the rules, the group will sooner or later descend into chaos and ultimately perish."

The two confronted each other fiercely across the table, much like their last argument about speed versus stability.

This time, however, there was no heat from the hot pot, no warmth from the strong liquor, only the cold reality.

Tang Muyang did not step forward to mediate the fight; he simply watched the two arguing quietly, his eyes filled with sorrow.

He recalled the days when the three of them squeezed together to eat instant noodles in the Southern Special Economic Zone.

I remember the days when the three of us braved the cold wind, ate and lived together, and worked side by side on the Zhejiang Waterworks construction site.

At that time, they had nothing, but they trusted and supported each other, their hearts closely intertwined.

Now, they have everything, but they face a choice between loyalty and survival, and are drifting further and further apart.

"Enough! Stop arguing!" Tang Muyang suddenly roared, his voice filled with long-suppressed pain and anger.

He suddenly grabbed the teacup on the table and smashed it on the ground, sending shards of porcelain flying and tea splashing everywhere.

The crisp sound of shattering instantly interrupted their argument, and the office fell completely silent.

Tang Jianguo and Peng Jiahui were both stunned, staring blankly at Tang Muyang, whose eyes were red.

"Keep arguing, argue until you're satisfied." Tang Muyang's voice trembled, tears welled up in his eyes again, and he felt utterly powerless.

"After the argument, the rules had to be signed; there was no room for negotiation."

"Anyone who doesn't sign will be fired. Anyone who doesn't want to follow the rules will be dismissed."

These words struck them like a thunderbolt, leaving them momentarily stunned.

Tang Jianguo looked at Tang Muyang with disbelief in his eyes, as if he were seeing him for the first time.

The boy who used to follow him around, calling him "Brother Jianguo" at every turn, has completely disappeared.

The man before me was no longer my brother, but the stern and impartial chairman of the group.

"Good, very good..." Tang Jianguo pointed at Tang Muyang with trembling fingers, his lips quivering, unable to utter a complete sentence.

He turned abruptly, strode out of the office, his back view desolate and helpless, full of disappointment.

Peng Jiahui watched Tang Jianguo's retreating figure, then looked at Tang Muyang, whose face was streaked with tears, and finally fell silent.

He picked up a pen, solemnly signed his name on the compilation of regulations, and turned to leave silently.

The huge office was now empty except for Tang Muyang, surrounded by a mess.

He slowly slid to the ground, hugged his knees, and finally couldn't hold back his sobs, letting out all his pain.

Outside the door, Gong Yiqing leaned against the wall, listening to the suppressed sobs inside, her eyes already red.

She quietly took out her phone and looked at more than a dozen unread messages on WeChat, all of which were insults from relatives in her hometown of Zhejiang.

Those offensive words were all accusations that Tang Muyang was heartless, ungrateful, and treacherous.

She didn't argue, but listened patiently to each point, then quietly edited a reply to comfort the family members of the long-time employee.

From the very beginning of the institutional reform, she kept it a secret from Tang Muyang, accepting all malicious accusations and appeasing all discontent.

She never mentioned the grievances she suffered, but silently shielded her husband from all the open and hidden attacks.

Late at night, the office lights were off, with only a desk lamp casting a dim, yellowish glow.

The light illuminated the signed compilation of regulations on the table, and the three signatures stood out starkly, piercing the heart.

Gong Yiqing gently pushed the door open and came in, carrying a steaming bowl of egg noodles.

She knelt down, held her husband's head, and gently kissed away his tears with her warm lips.

"You've been hungry for a long time, eat something, don't ruin your health."

Tang Muyang looked up and saw the bloodshot eyes in his wife's eyes, and his heart tightened suddenly.

"You weren't asleep either? Are there a lot of nasty things being said outside that you're keeping from me?"

Gong Yiqing's heart softened, and she pulled his head into her arms, gently patting his back.

"With me here, you have nothing to fear. I'll shield you from all the gossip."

"I answered the call from my hometown, and I've also reassured the families of the long-term employees. You just need to do what you're supposed to do."

Tang Muyang hugged her waist tightly, buried his face in her shoulder, and could no longer suppress his sobs.

He cried because he was powerless to control his own destiny, because of his brother's misunderstanding, and even more so because of his wife's silent sacrifices and protection.

"Yiqing, I'm afraid of losing to my brothers, and I'm also afraid of ruining the company."

Gong Yiqing stroked his hair, tears silently streaming down her face and dripping onto his hair.

"Muyang, you're not alone in this. I'll always be by your side," Gong Yiqing murmured, her voice choked with emotion.

"A merciful general cannot command an army, and a righteous man cannot manage wealth. Your ruthlessness today is for the sake of everyone's tomorrow."

"I believe in you, I'll wait for you, I'll stay with you, until everyone understands you."

On the third day of the reform, an unprecedented storm swept through the entire Qingyang Industrial Group.

The Hezhou branch was the first to experience a large-scale work stoppage protest, with long-term employees taking to the streets.

Dozens of veteran employees blocked the entrance to the construction site, holding banners and shouting protest slogans.

"Tang Muyang is ungrateful and has abandoned his old brothers!"

"Resist unreasonable systems and demand justice!"

The site was in chaos, construction was completely halted, and hundreds of millions of yuan in project funds could not be approved and paid according to the new process.

Construction halted, public opinion escalated, and partners raised questions, plunging the group into a life-or-death crisis.

Major media outlets rushed to report on it, negative news flooded the internet, and the entire internet was filled with voices cursing Tang Muyang.

Cold-blooded, heartless, and ruthless – all sorts of harsh words were used against him.

Tang Muyang locked himself in his dark office for three whole days without stepping out of the room.

He refused to see anyone, refused to eat or drink, and allowed himself to be enveloped by endless pressure and abuse.

The office was dark, with only cigarette butts scattered on the floor and the weariness etched into his eyes.

Gong Yiqing stood guard outside the door, dealing with the aftermath while silently staying by his side, never leaving his side.

On the morning of the fourth day, the office door was finally opened.

Tang Muyang stood at the door, his eyes bloodshot and his face covered in stubble. Several days of sleeplessness made him look ten years older.

He still stood tall and straight, his eyes filled with the determination and resolve that came with weathering storms, and the clarity of faith.

Looking at his wife outside the door, her eyes filled with worry, his voice was hoarse, but his tone was steady, without the slightest hint of backing down.

"Let them curse, let them make a scene, let them run wild for three days."

"Only when the criticism subsides will people be willing to listen to the truth, and only then can the system truly stand firm."

He will no longer compromise or back down, and is waiting for an opportunity to completely break the deadlock and win over the public.

Gong Yiqing looked at him, nodded gently, and handed him a warm towel, her eyes full of heartache and support.

Just then, hurried footsteps came from the end of the corridor, and Tang Jianguo walked quickly towards them.

He clutched the quality inspection report tightly in his hand, his brows furrowed, his face devoid of its usual ruggedness and ferocity.

The moment he pushed open the door, he stood still, his fingertips gripping the paper tightly, his knuckles turning white.

His hands trembled uncontrollably, his eyes filled with complex emotions—guilt, regret, and resentment.

He looked at Tang Muyang, opened his mouth, his throat bobbed countless times, but he couldn't bring himself to say a single soft word.

The pride of a tough guy and the cruelty of reality were tearing him apart, making his eyes red with suppressed emotion.

After a long silence, he managed to utter a hoarse, choked-up sentence, his voice deep and weak.

"...You win."

These three short words encapsulate all his stubbornness, guilt, and helplessness in the face of reality's harsh realities.

After saying that, he could no longer hold back, and tears instantly fell to the ground. He turned his back to Tang Muyang.

His shoulders trembled slightly; this man, who never shed a tear, was now filled with regret and self-blame.

"If these steel bars are used and the building collapses, I will be a sinner for all time..."

"I was foolish before, I didn't understand anything, I only thought about loyalty and friendship, I didn't think about the consequences..."

Tang Muyang watched his retreating figure, feeling a pang of sadness in her heart. She slowly walked to his side and gently patted his shoulder.

There were no accusations, no complaints, only relief and tolerance after the misunderstanding.

Peng Jiahui followed closely behind into the office, and his eyes reddened slightly as he watched this scene.

Tang Jianguo slowly turned around, no longer caring about saving face, and hugged Tang Muyang tightly.

"Mu Yang, I was wrong, I was really wrong. I shouldn't have gone against you, I shouldn't have misunderstood you."

"You can scold me or hit me, just don't distance yourself from me anymore. We're still the inseparable trio..."

This belated reconciliation lacked a straightforward admission of wrongdoing and an easy sense of relief.

It's all about tough guys bowing their heads after struggling, about the heart-wrenching pain of loyalty clashing with reality, and it's especially poignant.

In the days that followed, the turmoil within the group gradually subsided, and the long-time employees, upon learning the truth, ceased to oppose the restructuring.

Everyone understood Tang Muyang's good intentions and fully cooperated with the implementation of the new system.

Tang Jianguo took the initiative to shoulder the heavy responsibility of grassroots management, patiently comforted veteran employees, and promoted the implementation of the system.

Despite the pressure, Peng Jiahui steadily implemented performance appraisals and streamlined various work processes within the group.

With the three brothers working together, they completely removed obstacles to reform, and the group gradually got back on track.

One day during lunch break, Tang Muyang passed by the office area and inadvertently caught a glimpse of a busy figure in a corner.

Wang Lin, dressed in a smart business suit, was meticulously checking the attendance sheet.

Even when dealing with old acquaintances, she remained strictly professional.

Without hesitation, the perfect attendance bonuses of two long-term employees who were late were deducted.

She noticed Tang Muyang's gaze, looked up and nodded slightly, her eyes full of gratitude and acceptance.

Tang Muyang smiled faintly, turned to look at Gong Yiqing beside him, his eyes full of contentment and tenderness.

The feelings of the past have long since faded into acceptance; the present companionship is the most precious happiness of his life.

Gong Yiqing understood the emotions in his eyes, gently took his hand, their fingers intertwined, and smiled sweetly.

No words are needed; our hearts are in sync, and all the past becomes a footnote to highlight the beauty of the present.

Spring has passed and winter has come. After a year of rectification, all the turmoil has finally settled down.

At the all-staff meeting of Qingyang Industry, the entire room was silent, and everyone was filled with awe.

Tang Muyang stood in the center of the dais, his posture upright, his eyes firm and bright, his aura calm and powerful.

"From now on, the system takes precedence over the general manager. Qingyang is officially bidding farewell to 'rule by man' and moving towards the rule of law."

"We have broken down seniority barriers and implemented open competition to allow the most capable people to take the positions."

"We established a board of directors and a board of supervisors to ensure that the group is no longer the private property of the Tang family."

"From now on, Qingyang belongs to the Gong family, and every share of the profits belongs to every hardworking employee."

The applause from the audience was thunderous and lasted for a long time.

Tang Jianguo sat in the audience, clapping vigorously, tears streaming down his face.

He finally understood that his brother's forbearance, decisiveness, and ruthlessness were all for good reasons.

Peng Jiahui, a cigarette dangling from his lips, grinned, his eyes filled with relief and admiration.

Gong Yiqing sat in the first row below the stage, looking at her husband under the spotlight, her eyes filled with tears and her face full of pride.

This is the man she devoted her entire life to protecting, a hero who grew from a village elder to a true entrepreneur.

After the meeting, Peng Jiahui and Tang Jianguo accompanied Tang Muyang out of the venue, one on each side.

After experiencing rifts, misunderstandings, and adjustments, the trio of brothers reconciled, their bond stronger than ever before.

The three walked side by side, the sunlight shining on them, dispelling all the gloom.

As dusk falls, the setting sun paints the entire sky red, creating a warm and soothing atmosphere.

Tang Muyang and Gong Yiqing strolled side by side through the headquarters campus, enjoying a peaceful and tranquil time.

The setting sun cast long, long shadows of the two of them, just like the long road of life they had walked hand in hand.

"Yiqing, the foundation of the group has been laid solidly. In the future, we can build taller buildings and go further."

Gong Yiqing leaned gently on his shoulder, her smile tender, her eyes crinkling with affection.

No matter how tall your building is or how far you travel, I will always be behind you, keeping the light on for you.

In the distance, Peng Jiahui, holding a gold-embossed invitation, strode towards the two, a happy smile on his face.

"Muyang, Jianguo, my wedding with Yanting is set for December. You must come and support us."

Tang Muyang nodded to Peng Jiahui, indicating that it was necessary to hold a grand event.

He turned back and patted Tang Jianguo on the shoulder, his tone gentle: "You and Yang Liu are not in a hurry. Once Hezhou is completely stable, we'll hold a grand celebration too."

The three of them smiled at each other, and all misunderstandings, barriers, and conflicts vanished.

Having weathered many storms, the "Iron Triangle" has finally been rebuilt and restored to its former glory on the path of reform.

Back home, his son, Tang Zhenyang, was already fast asleep, sleeping soundly.

The little guy was still clutching the picture book version of the group's management system compilation tightly in his arms.

Gong Yiqing had it specially made so that her child could understand her father's good intentions.

On the cover, there is a picture of a Superman holding a ruler, guarding a large city.

Tang Muyang gently entered the room, bent down, and placed a tender kiss on his son's forehead.

"Son, what I'm leaving you isn't a fortune or a mansion."

"It is a set of rules that can protect you and all Qingyang people, and it is the bottom line for living in this world."

"I hope that when you grow up, you will understand all the painstaking efforts and choices your father made today."

Outside the window, the night was gentle, and inside, the lights were warm and inviting.

Tang Muyang knew that the most difficult days for the group were completely over.

That once rough-and-tumble team, bound together by the loyalty of a mountain village, has finally transformed into a business legend with a strict system.

And he has grown from a loyal and sentimental village elder brother into a true entrepreneur.

All the struggles, pain, misunderstandings, and torment along the way have become a thing of the past thanks to the protection of those around me.

"Yiqing, being able to marry you in this life is the greatest blessing I have ever had."

"Me too, with you in my life, I have everything I need."

Their hands were clasped tightly together, their hearts in perfect harmony, and no force could separate them.

In the trials and tribulations of 2012, Qingyang Industry completed a crucial coming-of-age ceremony.

But Tang Muyang's business legend has only just begun.