Lu Yao's resignation process was not smooth. Due to her strong business capabilities, the company leadership tried hard to keep her, even calling Lu Wan to persuade Lu Yao to stay.
However, Lu Yao was determined to leave and explicitly stated she didn't want any salary or bonuses.
Ultimately, the company leadership, considering her usual diligent and responsible work, and her being Lu Wan's cousin, agreed to her resignation and settled three months' salary for her.
With her resignation successful, Lu Yao focused on taking care of Yang Jian and preparing for their journey home.
After half a month in the hospital, the wound on Yang Jian's back had completely healed, but his internal injuries would require slow recovery.
On the day of his discharge, Lu Wan specially came to invite Yang Jian and Lu Yao's family for dinner.
Lu Wan, forty-two years old, possessed an elegant temperament and scholarly demeanor, and had a very good first impression of Yang Jian.
"Xiao Yang, I'm aware of your background. Initially, I didn't agree with Yaoyao being with you. To be honest, our Lu family is a scholarly lineage, and we strongly dislike dealing with people involved in the underworld.
Ironically, my uncle's family, besides Lu Feng who was involved in the triad, also committed murder and went to prison, bringing shame to the entire Lu family.
However, after this incident, our family's mindset has changed, and we are no longer so resistant to you, a former gang leader. Most importantly, we've seen your sincerity towards Yaoyao."
At the dinner table, Lu Wan, as the eldest sister among the younger generation of the Lu family, laid down her expectations for Yang Jian.
Yang Jian had always held scientists, as portrayed in textbooks, in awe since childhood. Facing Lu Wan, a real scientist and elder sister, he was even more profoundly admiring and dared not speak loudly in her presence.
"Sister Wan, I was forced into the casino business by circumstances back then, and later I couldn't extricate myself. After several stints in prison, I've decided to leave the underworld for good and focus on building my business after returning home."
"Mm, it's a great achievement to have awakened and successfully returned to society. Not only did you earn money, but you've also benefited the local villagers.
However, I must warn you, if you ever bully Yaoyao in the future, I won't let you off. Don't think that because you have money, can fight, and are a 'big brother' of society, we can't deal with you. If that day comes, even if we can't handle you through underworld means, we can use administrative measures to shut down your company and make you go bankrupt."
Lu Wan wasn't bluffing. Her husband had considerable influence in official circles, and it wouldn't be difficult for him to bring down a company.
Yang Jian quickly nodded, "Sister Wan, Yaoyao and I have gone through hardships, and we've finally come together. We will never be apart. She waited for me for four years, enduring societal prejudice and becoming a single mother. I could never let her down.
Today, in front of you, I won't make any guarantees or vows. You'll just have to see my actions. I definitely won't disappoint you."
"Alright, I've recorded what you said today. This is evidence, you know."
Lu Wan shook her phone, it was unclear if she had actually recorded anything, but it showed her genuine desire for her cousin's marital happiness.
After handing over the keys to the Tianhe Yuan apartment to Lu Wan, Yang Jian, along with Lu Yao, her son, and Chen Lan, set off on their journey home.
They drove Lu Yao's Camry, with Yang Jian driving most of the time and Lu Yao occasionally taking over.
Twelve hours later, the four of them arrived at Chengguan and checked into the Chunfeng Lou. Yang Hui had already prepared their rooms and food, as the houses in the teacher's village had been vacant for a long time and were difficult to tidy up quickly.
"Wow, is this my nephew? Come, let Auntie hug you. Do you remember me?"
Upon seeing Yang Zhengyuan, Yang Hui excitedly picked him up.
Yang Zhengyuan looked at her carefully for a moment and nodded, "Aren't you the auntie who spoke to Grandpa at the hospital?"
Yang Hui was greatly surprised, "Oh my goodness, your memory is so good! You still remember our meeting after such a long time? Yaoyao, could this child be a genius?"
Lu Yao smiled and said, "What genius? He just has a good memory, but his IQ is indeed quite high. He learns characters and English very quickly."
The siblings Gao Lu and Gao Yang ran over and held Yang Zhengyuan's hands, feeling surprised that their uncle, who was unmarried, suddenly had such a grown son.
"Zhengzheng, this is your Auntie, this is Sister Lulu, and this is your brother Yangyang. Hurry up and greet them."
Lu Yao never forgot to teach her son etiquette, wanting to pass on the family traditions of the Lu family to him.
Yang Zhengyuan shyly called out, "Auntie, Sister Lulu, Brother Yangyang."
Gao Yang happily responded, "Haha, I'm a brother now too! Zhengzheng, I'll take you to play from now on, and I'll beat up anyone who bullies you."
His words made everyone laugh.
Gao Daqiang was at work in the mall and wasn't present. Yang Hui, holding Yang Zhengyuan, took Lu Yao and Chen Lan on a tour of the entire Chunfeng Lou.
Meanwhile, Yang Jian called Jing Yongli to inquire if everything at home was ready. This time, he wanted to give Lu Yao a big surprise.
They rested for a night at Chunfeng Lou.
The next morning, after breakfast, Yang Jian announced that his parents had prepared lunch and everyone should gather there.
Chen Lan was initially hesitant to go, but Yang Hui insisted she get in the car. The two families drove two cars towards Xinqiao Yangli Village.
"Brother Jian, the changes in Xinqiao Town are quite significant after not coming for a few years. There are so many tall buildings now; it's more prosperous than before." Lu Yao clearly felt the huge economic changes in Xinqiao Town. The streets had more cars, the buildings were taller, and its prosperity was already comparable to Chengguan.
Yang Jian smiled as he drove, "Our Yangli Village has changed even more. You'll have to stay calm in a moment."
"Really? Could it be that Yangli Village has become Yangli Town?"
As they spoke, the car had already driven out of Xinqiao Town and onto the road leading to Yangli Village. They saw that both sides of the road were lined with tall landscaping saplings, and red and green flags were planted all along the way, resembling a grand ceremony.
About five hundred meters from Yangli Village, fireworks were displayed on both sides of the road, and a long line of giant decorative balloons stretched out. The number of vehicles and pedestrians had noticeably increased, creating a festive atmosphere.
"Brother Jian, are they holding a large-scale event? Why is it so lively?"
Lu Yao was very surprised. The scale of this event was not small, and cars and pedestrians were still arriving. Moreover, the sides of the road were lined with beautiful Western-style houses; this area was farmland just four years ago.
"I don't know what's going on. We'll find out when we go in."
Yang Jian pretended to be unaware, honked the horn, and drove slowly forward. More and more cars were ahead.
The short distance of a few hundred meters took ten minutes. A massive gate tower appeared before them, its top covered with red cloth.
Directly in front of the gate tower was a large square with a big stage set up. A crowd of at least five to six thousand people had already gathered in front of the stage.
On both sides of the square were large parking lots, already filled with various vehicles.
"Brother Jian, Sister Yao, you can get out now. We'll park the cars. Mayor Peng and leaders from the District Propaganda Department and Tourism Bureau have arrived and are waiting for both of you."
Jing Yongli, along with Biaobiao, Liangliang, and Feng Wu, stopped their car.
Yang Jian nodded and smiled at them, then got out to open the door for Chen Lan in the car behind.
Lu Yao, on the other hand, looked bewildered, "Leaders are waiting for both of us? What does that mean? What's going on?"