Reunion

The night was a deep blue, the city lights blazing. The old train station stood there quietly, a tiny one-story structure that had witnessed countless travelers come and go. Taxis constantly stopped and drove away. Huang Fuda stood by the roadside, looking up. The hall was lit, bustling with people, each heading to their own destination. He pulled two large suitcases, dodging the heavily made-up hairdressers, and weaved through the crowd.

Which train is the next one?

"We're going to Snow City."

"...I need the next trip to the south, anywhere is fine."

The trial is scheduled for two months from now.

Bao Rongxiang is suspected of 21 crimes, including intentional homicide, illegal transfer and resale of land use rights, illegal possession of firearms, organizing prostitution, operating a casino, extortion, forced trading, bombing, and causing flooding. He is sentenced to death with immediate execution.

Yun Ge is suspected of 13 crimes, including intentional homicide, bribery, malicious competition, false capital contribution, illegal market manipulation, money laundering, forced transactions, and flood control. He was sentenced to death with a 15-year reprieve.

Meanwhile, 11 officials, including the Party Secretary of Xianye City, the Deputy Director of the Finance Bureau, and the Chief of the Criminal Investigation Section of the Public Security Bureau, were dismissed from their posts, marking a major reshuffle in Xianye City.

The Yun Group suffered a severe blow, its very foundation crippled. Minority shareholders fled, leaving only a handful of shareholders clinging on. Several companies that partnered with the Yun Group were also affected, including Tiancheng Construction. Tiancheng couldn't secure funding for its projects with the Yun Group, and with the situation becoming increasingly tense, everyone in Xianye was on edge. Even General Manager Wu's brow furrowed even more deeply.

Hearing Fang Chuan's words, she was so angry she laughed.

"You want ten million, and you want to bring people to build a branch company? Do you have the ability? Besides, there are so many company veterans and shareholders watching. It's not your turn."

Sunlight streamed through the window into the office. Fang Chuan lowered his eyes, smiled obediently, and said, "There are people in the company willing to work for me. I don't lack manpower, I only lack money. I can pay it back. Besides, Mom, I'm your son, and I'll eventually have to take over the company."

General Wu tugged at his shawl, leaned back in his chair, and looked at his good son. He was smart, young and impetuous, and still didn't know his place.

"Who said you took over?"

Upon hearing this, Fang Chuan suddenly looked up and stared wide-eyed at his mother.

"I can only guarantee that you will live well. The rest is up to you. Whether the company is donated or sold in the future is up to me and has nothing to do with you."

General Manager Wu took out a check, wrote down the amount, and pushed it in front of Fang Chuan. "Aren't you running some kind of business yourself? Here's 2 million, consider it my support for you. If you want to continue developing in Tiancheng, you'll have to wait at least three more years. We'll talk about other things then."

"...Thank you, Mom."

Fang Chuan stepped forward and took the check, but General Manager Wu held it down and wouldn't let him touch it.

"Huang Fuda has been gone for two months. You'll have to meet new people eventually. You can have the two million, but you have to meet Miss Chen tomorrow."

Snow-laden branches broke and fell to the ground, where they were trampled underfoot. Fang Chuan, clutching the check, looked up at the sky.

Has it snowed where Huang Fuda is? How is he now? Is he feeling any better?

He dared not pursue them, dared not imprison them; the person he cherished most had threatened him with their life, so he had no choice but to let them go.

With the New Year approaching, how would he spend it alone outside? Gently stirring his coffee, Fang Chuan gazed out the window at the birds, lost in thought.

"Fang Chuan, you don't want to meet me, do you?" Miss Chen brushed her hair back.

Fang Chuan stopped stirring his coffee, snapped out of his reverie, and smiled at Ms. Chen, "I'm sorry."

Ms. Chen smiled sweetly, "No need to apologize, I've heard about your sexual orientation for a long time. I didn't come here today for that..."

The trees in the school sprouted buds and blossomed again. The summer breeze blew through the corner of Fang Chuan's scholar's robe. He straightened his pink sash and gazed at the horizon.

"Okay, smile, smile again, look at the camera, don't blink, 3, 2, 1—"

Click.

Fang Chuan put the graduation photo in a frame, placing it next to the one he had taken from the Yun family. The cat and dog had both grown up, still nameless, and always jumping around the house. Now, out of nowhere, he found a pair of open-crotch suit pants. Fang Chuan snatched the pants from the puppy's mouth, examined them carefully, and then placed them on the bedside table, sniffing them intently while watching the video on the wall.

One year, two years, three years later, he went from junior manager to project manager, and then to project general manager. In addition to his position at Tiancheng, his own company, Yiyu Technology, has also gained a small reputation in the industry.

General Manager Wu summoned him and asked, "Do you still want to go to the branch office?"

"think."

“You and Xiaoqing have been together for three years now, it’s time to talk to President Chen about marriage.”

Fang Chuan touched the ring, lowered his head, and said shyly, "I was planning to tell you all anyway, Chen Qing is pregnant and we are planning to get married."

President Wu was pleased and immediately arranged an extremely lavish engagement ceremony. Fang Chuan, arm in arm with Miss Chen, slowly descended the stairs, his smile sincere and appropriate, exchanging pleasantries with the guests with ease.

Tiancheng wanted to expand into East China, so its branch office was set up there. However, it was not just a construction company; it also began to get involved in the real estate industry. After Fang Chuan arrived, he made bold moves and built a large commercial plaza in Luozhou two years later.

He joined forces with other shareholders of the parent company to completely sever ties between the branch company and the parent company, and took a large number of people from Tiancheng with him.

"Mom, the two sides are indeed developing in different directions now, and I built that side up myself. If you are not satisfied, you can talk to the shareholders' meeting again."

General Wu was furious, pointing at Fang Chuan but unable to speak.

Fang Chuan smiled and lowered his head, poured a glass of water for President Wu and placed it on the table, saying, "Chen Qing and I have been quite busy this year. Her father is sick, and she has just taken over Qimeiguo, so we probably won't be able to find time to come back and see you often."

"Yueyue is 2 years old now, and she will gradually learn to read and write. Luozhou has better resources than Xianye in all aspects, so we will live there year-round from now on."

Without waiting for Wu Zong's reply, Fang Chuan turned and left, rushing to catch a flight back to Luozhou.

As soon as he landed, he texted Chen Qing, telling her to come back early. Yueyue had just been put to sleep by the nanny, and Fang Chuan was sitting in his study, having a meeting with his subordinates. When he came out of the meeting, Chen Qing was already sitting downstairs.

Chen Qing, reeking of alcohol, rubbed her head and asked him what was wrong.

Fang Chuan leaned back comfortably on the sofa and said, "Ms. Chen, we can live separately now. I can also discuss the divorce anytime, as long as you've finished dealing with everything on your end."

Chen Qing rubbed her lower back and shifted her sitting position. "Finally, I can live with my new boyfriend, Fang Chuan. You have no idea how clingy he is. I'll also take Yueyue with me, so he can stay home and take care of the child."

"However, you should wait a bit longer regarding the divorce. My dad hasn't fully agreed yet. Let's wait until the old man dies."

"You still won't get that part of the technology?"

“He insists that I have another son, saying that only having a son can carry on the family line. Isn’t he out of his mind?” Chen Qing frowned, then waved his hand. “It’s okay, he doesn’t have many days left to live. He’ll have to give it to me whether he wants to or not.”

After finishing that, the two started talking about business. Fang Chuan's shopping mall had been open for some time, and recently they were planning to hold a smart technology exhibition, mainly to take the opportunity to promote Yi Yu and Qi Meiguo.

"Let's hire a few models while we're at it, just to attract attention." Chen Qing casually crossed his legs. "I'll choose the models. You only know how to pick men, not women."

"Whatever you say, I have no objection."

The villa was rented, and the two of them moved out a few days later. Fang Chuan returned to the house he had bought. His assistant had packed up most of his things, except for one locked box that was still inside.

Fang Chuan put the box in the corner of the study and then started feeding the cat. The cat had lost a fight with the dog today and was so angry that it wouldn't eat, so Fang Chuan had to coax it.

Fang Chuan squeezed a cat treat in front of the cat's mouth, but the cat turned its head away, turning its rear end towards Fang Chuan. Fang Chuan sighed and said, "If you don't eat it, I'll feed it to the dog."

The dog heard the noise and ran over quickly, sat up straight, and waited to be fed, only to get a good beating from the cat.

Seeing the chaos at the house, Fang Chuan decided not to interfere any further. Tomorrow was the first day of the exhibition, and he needed to go and check on things.

The exhibition wasn't large, and the products weren't big either; they were all small gadgets. Only the intelligent driving car in the middle was big enough, and Yiyu's aircraft was taking pictures of the car from low altitude.

Chen Qing has a good eye; the female models she chose are all stunningly beautiful, and the male models each have their own unique charm.

Fang Chuan strolled around the exhibition, observing that there were only a few people scattered around, which seemed odd... He looked to the right with a puzzled expression and noticed a group of people gathered around a car.

He walked slowly closer, and after seeing who was sitting in the car, he froze on the spot.

He breathed carefully, not daring to blink. The person in the car got out, shirtless and wearing a gray suit jacket, and struck various poses beside the car.

Fang Chuan retreated into the crowd and watched secretly.

When Huang Fuda left, he looked a little heavier, his bangs were swept back, revealing his entire face. He was smiling at the people around him; he looked very handsome, the same as he hadn't seen in five years.

The sudden appearance of someone he had kept hidden in his heart for many years left him somewhat dazed.

Should I go forward? If I do, what should I say? Does Huang Fuda still remember him? Five years have passed; has he let go again?

Their eyes suddenly met, and Fang Chuan's breathing stopped abruptly. He couldn't take it anymore, so he strode forward, grabbed Huang Fuda, and left the scene.

Huang Fuda looked down at the hand gripping his wrist; it was tight and painful. The young man from back then had clearly grown up; his features were more defined, and he looked much more mature. Of course, Fang Chuan was 27 now.

After impulsively pulling the person away, Fang Chuan regretted it. He faced Huang Fuda, remaining silent for a long time, unsure of what to say.

Seeing that he hadn't spoken for a long time, Huang Fuda smiled at him and spoke first: "Fang Chuan, long time no see."

"……haven't seen you for a long time."

Fang Chuan took out a cigarette and offered one to Huang Fuda. He habitually reached out to light it for Huang Fuda, but his hand bumped into Huang Fuda's own hand holding the lighter. Huang Fuda lowered his eyes, then moved his hand back to his own.

Take a deep breath. "Are you working as a model right now?"

"Yes, I've only been here for six months. What are you doing in Los Angeles? Are you on a business trip?"

“No, I live here year-round now.” Fang Chuan looked up at him. “Do you also live in Luozhou?”

Huang Fuda shook his head, pointed to the exhibition hall, and said, "I'm here on a business trip. I'll leave after this exhibition is over."

"Oh... this exhibition only lasts three days."

Fang Chuan smiled at Huang Fuda and asked jokingly, "Don't you plan to stay a couple more days, take a stroll, and see the peonies? They're quite beautiful."

"No, I have family waiting for me."

Fang Chuan paused, his hand still holding the cigarette. "You..."

"You can't be away from work for too long, right? I also have things to do here, so I won't bother you any longer."

Fang Chuan smiled, turned around and left.

Yes, it's been five years. Huang Fuda can certainly have a home, and of course, there can be someone in that home.

He stood outside the mall, smoking one cigarette after another.

I wish it were me.