My heart is tied to that sky

The following morning, the atmosphere in the conference room was tense, and Gao Tianlang's face was even more gloomy than the torrential rain outside the window.

Zhou Zhengqi pushed a detailed due diligence report in front of him.

Every page pinpointed the Achilles' heel of his financial situation: the bank's loan withdrawal window was next Monday.

Tang Muyang sat in the main seat, exuding an aura of authority.

He wasn't aggressive; he simply picked up his teacup and slowly blew away the foam.

"Mr. Gao, your jewelry is of excellent quality and resources are scarce. But in this era, going it alone is no longer viable."

Qin Fendou stood behind Tang Muyang like a silent iron tower, his gaze sharp as he scrutinized Gao Tianlang's every micro-expression.

Gu Zhixing's voice was calm and rational, and he delivered the final blow at the opportune moment: "President Gao, the supporting projects for the West-to-East Power Transmission Project have ample funding."

"If you are willing to join the Qingyang system, we can give priority to Tianlang Jewelry's financing needs."

The brothers joined forces, one openly and one covertly, to cut off all of Gao Tianlang's escape routes.

Tang Muyang looked at Gao Tianlang, a hint of weariness in his voice: "President Gao, we're here to be friends, not enemies."

Gao Tianlang tapped his fingers on the table for a long time before finally letting out a long sigh, like a deflated balloon.

He accepted his defeat wholeheartedly.

Looking at the man in front of him, who was a few years younger than him, he had to admit that Tang Muyang's vision and perspective were far superior to his own.

He picked up a pen and signed his name on the acquisition agreement.

His brushstrokes are vigorous and powerful, as if he has entrusted half a lifetime of his life's work to someone else.

"Chairman Tang, I, Gao Tianlang, have been in the business world for twenty years, and you are the first person who has made me willingly bow my head."

Tang Muyang stood up, extended his hand, and showed the first genuine smile of the day.

"Mr. Gao, welcome to Qingyang. From now on, your jewelry will be Qingyang's calling card."

A cool river breeze ruffled the corners of their clothes, but it couldn't dispel the ease and comfort between them.

Tang Muyang handed Xie Xiaotong an offer letter from Qingyang Industrial.

"Xiaotong, let bygones be bygones."

"I've reserved a position for you in Shanghai, in the jewelry sector of Qingyang. We need someone like you who understands art to take the helm."

Xie Xiaotong looked at the thin card, and tears welled up in her eyes again.

But this time, it wasn't bitterness, but rather a feeling of being moved and at peace.

She hesitated for a moment, then nodded gently and solemnly accepted the card.

Then, she took out her business card from her bag and handed it over.

"Muyang, thank you."

"I... opened a small art gallery in Shanghai. If you have time, you are welcome to visit."

Tang Muyang took the business card and watched her turn and leave.

The words of encouragement his wife, Gong Yiqing, had given him in the hotel last night flashed through his mind, and his heart became clear.

He and Xie Xiaotong missed the best years of their lives.

But supporting each other in this way now is perhaps the best way to honor that period of youth.

As long as Gong Yiqing supports him, he dares to openly and generously stand up for his old comrade-in-arms, Hengxin.

In his Shanghai office, Tang Muyang handed Xie Xiaotong's business card to Su Man.

Looking at Su Man's capable profile, Tang Muyang's gaze held a deeper meaning that only the two of them could understand.

"Like you, I'm one of Chairman Lu's old subordinates."

His tone was firm, filled with unquestionable trust: "The capable people from Hengxin will be assigned to their posts within a week."

Su Man took the business card and replied crisply, "Understood, Chairman Tang."

She is the "Iron Lady" of Zhejiang's business community and Tang Muyang's most reliable support; her strong execution is the best answer.

Tang Muyang withdrew his gaze and turned to face the people in the conference room.

His expression instantly switched back to that of a generous and forthright older brother.

His gaze fell on Gu Zhixing and Ye Zhiqi, and his smile deepened.

"And there's more good news! Zhixing and Zhiqiu's wedding date has been set!"

He waved his hand dismissively, exclaiming with boundless confidence, "The National Day Golden Week! I'll take full responsibility for the wedding!"

"No budget constraints; we need the best in terms of venue, setup, and security!"

"I want to make Zhi Qiu the happiest bride in the world!"

Gu Zhixing held Ye Zhiqiu's hand tightly, and the two smiled at each other.

That unspoken understanding and deep affection moved everyone present.

Just then, a clear and excited voice came from the corner: "Chairman Tang! This is Qingyang's biggest IP this year! We absolutely can't waste this traffic!"

Everyone turned around and saw Xia Tiantian with bright eyes, already holding her phone in her hand.

She gestured to the air, indicating the angle of the camera, looking eager to try it out.

Tang Muyang looked at this "e-commerce queen" personally introduced by Ye Zhi Qiu and shook his head with a smile.

He said indulgently, "Okay! Sweetie, the bridesmaid position is definitely yours!"

He then changed the subject, a shrewd glint in his eyes.

"Your livestream will be set up at the wedding venue, and you'll need to plaster it all on Douyin and Kuaishou!"

"Let the whole internet see how Qingyang is teeming with handsome men and beautiful women!"

"Alright, Mr. Tang!" Xia Tiantian gave an "OK" sign, full of confidence.

"I'll make sure Mr. Gu and Mr. Ye's wedding video tops the trending charts!"

"Let all my friends across the country feast their eyes on this ultimate dose of 'dog food'!"

Seeing this, Peng Jiahui paused slightly, his hand holding the teacup still, and couldn't help but chuckle and mutter, "Well! Another one getting married!"

Upon hearing this, everyone in the room burst into laughter.

Zhu Xiaohui and Xu Yichen, who were sitting in the back row taking meeting minutes, also stopped writing at the same time.

Zhu Xiaohui, who is usually very shrewd and charming, had a faint blush on her cheeks at this moment.

Xu Yichen, standing to the side, maintained the serious posture of a chief secretary.

But those eyes that usually only hold schedules.

At this moment, she softened, her eyes revealing envy for that sweet bond.

Sitting on the side seat in the conference room, Su Man, who usually exudes a powerful aura as a "domineering female CEO," seemed somewhat absent-minded at this moment.

She tilted her head slightly, seemingly watching the commotion, but her peripheral vision secretly fell on Zhou Zhengqi, who was not far away.

Zhou Zhengqi, with his upright and dignified demeanor and resolute eagle eyes, was intently looking back at her.

On that stormy night, he stood in front of her, shielding her from the wind and rain, his voice low and resolute.

"President Su, seeing you off on your journey is just a small token of my appreciation."

That phrase, "my meager contribution," has transformed into a tender sentiment that silently grows amidst the clamor of this moment.

Seeing this, Tang Muyang's heart stirred. He turned around, walked to the window, and dialed Gong Yiqing's voice call.

"Honey, Zhixing is getting married, and I'd like you to be in charge of planning the wedding. What do you think?"

At home in Zhejiang, Gong Yiqing's excited voice came through the receiver: "Haha, great!"

Her voice was as clear as a wind chime, with a hint of teasing: "However, you can't be like Yanting and Yangliu, who, after getting married..."

Tang Muyang naturally understood that ever since Ye Zhi Qiu entered Qingyang, everyone knew that she and Gu Zhi Xing were a match made in heaven.

He couldn't help but recall Tang Jianguo's prophetic words: "Gu Zhixing, Ye Zhiqiu? The former knows how to act, the latter knows autumn when the leaves fall."

Gong Yiqing once jokingly retorted, "Honey, if Zhi Qiu gets kidnapped, won't we need a replacement?"

Thinking of this, Tang Muyang smiled and looked at the bustling traffic outside the window, suddenly feeling a tenderness in his heart.

It turns out that life has so many warm and beautiful things besides making money and business battles, which are worth the people of Qingyang's best efforts.

Xie Xiaotong finally stepped into the gates of Qingyang.

This time, she is no longer a senior executive of Hengxin Group, but a corporate culture and art consultant for Qingyang Industrial Group.

She will take charge of the aesthetic style of Qingyang Industrial Group and be responsible for reshaping the company's core spirit using the language of art.

Tang Muyang extended his hand: "Xiao Tong, welcome to the Qingyang System." The two shook hands.

"Chairman Tang... I will try my best." Xie Xiaotong saw the composure in Tang Muyang's eyes and withdrew her hand.

This handshake stripped away the ambiguity and regrets of the past, leaving only the weight of professionalism and respect.

From then on, they became colleagues who fought side by side and confidants who helped each other achieve success.

Tang Muyang led Xie Xiaotong on a tour of the company, incessantly peddling Qingyang's glorious history along the way.

His unique eloquence and humor made Xie Xiaotong laugh frequently.

This long-awaited liveliness perfectly diluted her initial sense of alienation upon arrival.

The early autumn wind swept across the control tower, swirling up a few scattered fallen leaves.

Carrying a lingering warmth from the end of summer, it swept across the wide tarmac of Rainbow International Airport.

As night fell, the runway lights stretched towards the sky like flowing gold, creating a magnificent spectacle in the cool night air.

A private plane roared past Victoria Harbour, its tires kicking up wisps of white smoke the instant they touched the ground.

This corporate jet, belonging to Hengxin Group, brought not only Lu Zhenting, Chairman of Hengxin Group.

It also brought top-level endorsement from the Victoria Harbour capital market to Qingyang Industrial.

The cabin door opened, and Lu Zhenting slowly walked down the gangway.

There were no noisy passengers, only a motorcade of ceremonial vehicles that had been waiting on the tarmac.

Senior representatives from the Shanghai Listed Financial Services Office held a brief but efficient meeting with him at the VIP building.

Immediately afterwards, the convoy, escorted by police vehicles, drove out of the airport and headed straight for Hutanyuan.

The wheels rolled on, passing through the brightly lit city center, and finally came to a stop in the heart of Shanghai's riverside area.

This is the Hengxin Shanghai Capital Center, a century-old red-brick villa rented by Hengxin Group at a huge cost.

This building, once the club of financial tycoons in the old days, has been completely transformed after six months of secret renovations.

At this moment, it stands quietly in the river breeze, brightly lit, just to welcome a guest, Tang Muyang!

A gentle breeze wafts across the river from the rooftop terrace.

Hengxin Chairman Lu Zhenting was already waiting there. He extended his hand as Tang Muyang walked into the hall.

Tang Muyang approached respectfully: "After more than 20 years, I've finally met you!" The two smiled with emotion and shook hands tightly.

Lu Zhenting didn't exchange many pleasantries. He slowly walked to the edge of the terrace, put one hand in his pocket, and gently swirled a half-glass of red wine in the other.

He tilted his head slightly, his gaze not focusing on Tang Muyang.

Instead, he cast his gaze toward the distant, blurry surface of the river, his voice low and deep, carrying a distinctive Hong Kong-style Cantonese accent, with a slightly languid trailing off at the end.

"Muyang...you made a very risky move, but you won beautifully." Lu Zhenting said in a strong Hong Kong accent.

"Lu Sheng, this wouldn't have been possible without your guidance."

Tang Muyang bowed slightly and personally poured Lu Zhenting a full glass of red wine, his tone full of respect.

"Without Hengxin Group's endorsement on the Weihai Stock Exchange, Qingyang would not be where it is today."

Lu Zhenting smiled knowingly, but did not reply immediately.

He raised his wrist, elegantly adjusted his cuffs, and then turned around, his eyes, which had seen countless people, slightly narrowed, revealing a sharp glint.

"Shanghai is a fertile ground for industry; Victoria Harbour is a port for capital."

He paused, extended a finger, and lightly touched the ground beneath his feet in the air, his tone suddenly becoming resolute.

"Now that Qingyang has grown so large, relying solely on its mainland funding pool isn't enough. Here..."

Lu Zhenting stared intently at the young man opposite him, each word like a chess piece struck on a chessboard.

"Hengxin and Qingyang are the common bridgehead!"

He tilted his head back and took a sip of wine, his Adam's apple bobbing, his voice becoming even deeper:

"What we need to do is guard this gateway. Bring in overseas money and sell your goods."

"In the future, when your Ching Yang Industrial goes overseas and seeks financing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, this capital center will be your logistics department."

Lu Zhenting stepped forward and patted Tang Muyang on the shoulder, the touch light but meaningful:

"Let's join forces to unlock the full potential of 'industry' and 'capital'."

The two clinked glasses, the crisp sound echoing in the night air.

This kind of trust built on mutual support is stronger than blood ties.

After bidding farewell to Lu Zhenting, Tang Muyang had already made plans in his mind, with the official establishment of Hengxin Capital Center.

Yiqing can then stay in Shanghai with her child, and the family will eventually reunite in this international city.

As night deepened and the hustle and bustle subsided, Tang Muyang stood by the window, a glass of red wine swaying in his hand.

The phone screen lit up; it was a video sent by Gong Yiqing, showing the children's sleeping faces and his wife's gentle smile.

At that moment, all the hustle and bustle of Shanghai paled in comparison to the warmth in that corner of the screen.

He sent Tang Jianguo a WeChat message: "Jianguo, it's all done. I'm going back to Zhejiang tomorrow."

A moment later, Jian Guo's voice message popped up, filled with a deep sleepiness and that lingering warmth of everyday life.

"Muyang, I'll take you there tomorrow, and I'll bring you some pig's blood sausage too."

Tang Muyang looked at the myriad lights outside the window, a smile playing on his lips, and silently said in his heart, "Wife, children, I'm home."

A black Maybach was parked quietly in front of the Qingyang High-End Club in Shanghai.

Tang Jianguo stood in the morning breeze, with his wife Yang Liu beside him, holding their two-year-old son Tang Zhenjia in their arms.

The little guy is at a lively and active age, clutching a small cookie in his hand.

With crumbs all over his hands, his big, dark eyes looked around curiously.

Yang Liu smiled and moved the child closer to Tang Muyang: "Jiajia, quickly call him uncle."

"Oh dear, this kid is just like his dad, his little hands are clenched tightly, and he hugs any new or interesting thing to his chest."

Upon hearing this, Tang Jianguo grinned憨厚ly.

He turned around, went to the trunk, pulled out a large, heavy bag of local specialties, and stuffed it into Tang Muyang's hands without saying a word.

"Take these back for my sister-in-law and Shiyang to try. This kid is growing a lot right now, so I specially picked out some firm, dried goods."

Tang Muyang took the bag, looked down at the chubby little guy, and couldn't help but reach out and pinch his plump little face.

"Zhenjia, Zhenjia, what a good name. Jianguo, you've finally done something elegant."

Tang Jianguo scratched the back of his head and chuckled, "That's right. Even though I'm a rough guy, I can't be careless when naming my son."

Xie Xiaotong stood on one side of the crowd, the morning breeze ruffling her hair.

After half a year of getting to know each other, she had long since shed her initial awkwardness and was now smiling as she looked at Tang Muyang.

"Be careful on the road, and let me know when you arrive safely."

Tang Muyang nodded: "Thank you for your hard work in Shanghai."

Xie Xiaotong smiled, said nothing, and simply waved her hand gently.

In the passenger seat, Xu Yichen was already seated, holding an itinerary in her hand, and glanced back at Tang Muyang.

Tang Muyang didn't say much, opened the car door, and sat in the back seat.

The car window rolled up. The black Maybach slowly started, drove out of the Qingyang Luxury Club, merged into the morning traffic, and headed towards the Zhejiang River.

Tang Muyang leaned back in his seat, closed his eyes, and the map of East China in his mind slowly rolled up, replaced by a family photo.

The prosperity of a great city is a place to house ambition.

The warmth and comfort of a small home are what truly provide a place for the soul to rest.

He left his ambitions in Shanghai, but brought his soul back to the Zhejiang River.