blueteamnovel Chapter 126 The Liar's Birthday Appears on CCTV News
Chapter 126 The Liar's Birthday Appears on CCTV News
Chapter 126 The Liar's Birthday Appears on CCTV News
The morning after the press conference for "Lucy," Jiang Yu packed his bags and prepared to head to Shenzhen.
The purpose of this trip to Shenzhen was to finalize investment agreements with several technology companies. Chen Jingming was waiting for him in the VIP lounge at the Capital Airport.
"Mr. Jiang, Mr. Wang from Shenzhen Capital Group has arranged dinner for tonight." Chen Jingming handed over the schedule. "And Mr. Wang from DJI has also made a special adjustment to his schedule after hearing that you were coming."
Jiang Yu took the schedule and glanced at it: "Oh, right, tell Wang Wei that she can handle the company's routine affairs while I'm away. If there's anything urgent, just call her."
"clear."
After the plane took off, Jiang Yu closed his eyes to rest.
But I couldn't help but think of my video call with Liu Yifei last night.
That girl has been acting all mysterious lately, asking him very seriously what gift he wanted for his birthday.
Jiang Yu jokingly said, "I want a cake made by you," and Liu Yifei actually wrote it down in her phone's notes app.
Thinking of this, Jiang Yu's lips unconsciously curled up into a smile.
"Mr. Jiang, are you laughing?" Chen Jingming asked curiously.
"Nothing," Jiang Yu opened his eyes. "I was just thinking about something personal. By the way, did you bring the Wuhan project materials I asked you to prepare?"
"I brought it." Chen Jingming took out a folder from his briefcase. "The East Lake High-tech Development Zone has given the best policies to the semiconductor industrial park project in your hometown: ten years of tax exemption, five years of half-tax, and a 50% refund of the land transfer fee."
Jiang Yu took the document and carefully read through it.
This is one of his plans to give back to his hometown: to invest 20 billion RMB to build a semiconductor design industrial park and attract domestic and foreign chip design companies to settle in.
Although the returns may not be seen in the short term, in the long run, this is crucial for the development of China's semiconductor industry.
"How's the communication with Huazhong University of Science and Technology going?" Jiang Yu asked.
"Everything is settled," Chen Jingming said. "The university has promised to send at least 100 microelectronics graduates every year. We also plan to establish a scholarship specifically to support underprivileged students to pursue chip design-related majors."
"Very good." Jiang Yu nodded in satisfaction. "This project doesn't pursue short-term profits; the focus is on cultivating talent and accumulating technology. Ten years from now, we hope to see several world-class chip design companies emerge from here."
The plane landed at Shenzhen Bao'an Airport at 2 p.m.
March in Shenzhen already feels like early summer, with temperatures reaching 25 degrees Celsius.
Jiang Yu took off his suit jacket and draped it over his arm. Just as he turned on his phone, he received a message from Liu Yifei: "Arrived in Shenzhen? Remember to eat on time, don't forget again when you're busy [worried]."
Jiang Yu replied with a smile, "Just landed. You too, don't overexert yourself in training."
"Okay~ I'll contact you again tonight [heart emoji]"
Jiang Yu's schedule was packed for the next two days.
On Wednesday morning, I met with Shenzhen Capital Group, visited DJI's R&D center in the afternoon, and had dinner with Wang Tao until 11 p.m.
Thursday was a non-stop event, with meetings with the founders of seven technology companies, covering everything from smart technology to biotechnology, from new energy to robotics, each field offering surprises.
On Saturday, on his return flight, Jiang Yu summarized what he had learned over the past two days.
Five companies have initially expressed their intention to invest, among which DJI impressed him the most. Wang Tao's dedication to technology and vision made Jiang Yu admire the fact that even the United States couldn't control him in his previous life.
It was raining in Beijing when the plane landed at the Capital Airport.
The light rain in March brought a cool breeze, typical of springtime in the north.
As Jiang Yu walked out of the VIP passage, he immediately saw Wang Wei holding a black umbrella and waiting by the car.
"Boss, thank you for your hard work." Wang Wei opened the car door. "Everything went smoothly with David, and the funds have arrived."
Warner's Barry Mayer personally called three times to say he admired your strategic vision.
Jiang Yu got into the car and rubbed his temples. Four consecutive days of intensive meetings had left him somewhat exhausted. Chen Jingming stayed in Shenzhen to handle the follow-up issues.
"It's not about the big picture, it's about reality." He took the documents Wang Wei handed him, which contained a summary of the transactions that had just been compiled. "In the North American market, if we don't include them, we'll be played to death sooner or later. The current situation is good; we hold 70% of the shares, maintaining control while also winning over the local bigwigs."
The car drove onto the airport expressway, and the windshield wipers swung rhythmically.
Jiang Yu carefully examined the document.
Public opinion was indeed diverted by the news that Warner Bros., Fox, and Disney each acquired a 10% stake in Light Chaser in North America.
Discussions about Light Chaser Holdings and Jiang Yu himself have clearly cooled down, replaced by analyses of why Hollywood giants collectively invested in a Chinese company.
Light Chaser Animation Studios in North America is valued at $40 billion, a figure higher than he had anticipated.
Last year, the company's profit was 400 million yuan, calculated based on a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.
After all, Light Chaser Animation's films have been box office hits for two consecutive years, and last year they even grossed $1 billion worldwide with "Insidious," "Twilight," and "Iron Man," making them the dark horse independent production company of the year.
David cashed out 1%, receiving $4000 million in cash.
This former Paramount producer has been with Jiang Yu for three years, since Light Chaser Studio was just a studio; it's his due.
Jiang Yu transferred 29% of his shares, receiving $11.6 billion in cash.
The money will arrive in three installments, with the first batch of US$4 million already deposited into an offshore account in Hong Kong.
"Did Wu Na and Zhou Mu really not cash out at all?" Jiang Yu asked.
"No," Wang Wei shook her head. "President Wu said the money is enough; I'm more concerned with how to develop the technology." President Zhou was even more direct: "What do I need the money for? We lack nothing; we just want to create the world's number one virtual production system."
Jiang Yu smiled.
Zhou Mu is still the same Zhou Mu, the typical image of a Silicon Valley programmer: plaid shirt, jeans, almost indifferent to material things, and with an almost obsessive pursuit of technology.
Wu Na, on the other hand, has a different style. A Stanford master's graduate, she is extremely rational and only interested in technology and business logic.
"Tell finance to give them both an extra bonus, from my personal account," Jiang Yu said. "Ten million US dollars each, say it's project profit sharing. Don't let them refuse; say it's an order."
"Understood." Wang Wei noted it down. "Also, the preparatory meeting for the Chasing the Future Fund is scheduled for 2 PM tomorrow. The Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology have both confirmed their participation, and the National Development and Reform Commission may also send someone."
"That's quite a lineup." Jiang Yu looked out the window. The rain gradually stopped, and the sky over Beijing revealed a rare blue. "It seems everyone has high hopes for this fund."
"After all, it's China's first billion-dollar private fund focused on hard technology," Wang Wei said. "The media has already taken notice, and several financial magazines want to interview us."
"I won't take it for now." Jiang Yu waved his hand. "We'll talk about it after the fund is officially established. It's better to keep a low profile than to say too much now."
As the car entered the city, Jiang Yu asked the driver to take Wang Wei home first, and then went back to his apartment near Chaoyang Park.
It was already 10 p.m. when I finished showering.
Jiang Yu, wrapped in a bathrobe, was in his study looking at documents sent from North America. The dense English clauses on the computer screen made his eyes dizzy.
Just as I was about to make a cup of coffee to perk myself up, my phone chimed.
Liu Yifei sent a crying face emoji: "I'm sorry Jiang Yu, a new shoot suddenly happened in Shanghai, and I have to fly there first thing tomorrow morning. It'll be two days—I can't be with you for your birthday."
Jiang Yu was taken aback for a moment, then typed back: "So sudden? Which brand? I'll have Wang Wei coordinate it."
"No, no, no!" Liu Yifei replied instantly, "It's a domestic jewelry brand. The schedule was changed at the last minute. Their director personally called my mother. And the contract was signed a long time ago, so the penalty for breach of contract is quite high."
Then a screenshot was sent, showing blurry contract terms, and the penalty clause indeed had several zeros.
Jiang Yu stared at the screen, feeling that something was off.
Liu Yifei's schedule is usually set a month in advance, and there are very few last-minute changes like this.
And her mother, Liu Xiaoli, answered the phone herself? That's quite a high-profile arrangement.
Liu Yifei sent a few more text messages: "You haven't had a proper rest in ages, so take advantage of your birthday to rest for two days [poor thing]"
"I'll celebrate your birthday when I get back; I'll cook it myself!"
"Although my cooking skills are—you know what I mean [facepalm]"
Jiang Yu smiled.
He had witnessed Liu Yifei's cooking skills firsthand. Last time, when she tried to make scrambled eggs with tomatoes, she used sugar instead of salt, making it unbearably sweet.
Her earnestness was particularly endearing; the way she busied herself in the kitchen, wearing an apron and all, was more captivating than any of her on-screen roles.
"Okay, work is important," Jiang Yu replied. "Let me know you get to Shanghai safely, and don't stay up too late. GG, be careful during filming, especially the wire-work scenes; make sure you check the equipment thoroughly."
"Okay! Go to sleep early then, don't stay up until the early hours again looking at documents! Goodnight [kiss]"
"Good night."
Jiang Yu put down his phone and shook his head.
This girl has been acting all mysterious lately. The day before yesterday, when I asked her what she wanted for her birthday, her eyes were all over the place.
There was a child crying in the background during yesterday's video call. She said she was watching a parenting show, but Liu Yifei is watching a parenting show? She can't even take care of herself.
"Forget it, I don't want to think about it anymore." Jiang Yu shut down his computer, deciding to trust his girlfriend this once.
Maybe there really has been a change in work arrangements, and I've been too busy lately, so I'm being a bit paranoid.
On Sunday morning, Jiang Yu slept in late, a rare occurrence, and was only woken up by his biological clock at 8:30.
Looking at her phone, Liu Yifei sent a message at 8:00 AM: "Boarding now, turning off my phone. Contact me when I arrive in Shanghai." The accompanying picture was of the airport waiting area, with airplane wings visible through the glass window.
Jiang Yu zoomed in on the image and stared at it for a long time.
The signs in the waiting area were blurry, but the words "Wuhan" were vaguely visible. He shook his head, thinking he was overthinking it.
I'm probably too tired lately, and I'm suspicious of everything I see.
Liu Yifei clearly said she was going to Shanghai to film GG, so why is she in Wuhan?
After getting up and washing up, Jiang Yu began packing his luggage to go home.
My mother, Zhou Huiwen, called last night specifically to tell me, "Don't wear those jeans! Dress decently when you come back!"
He had no choice but to pick out a casual suit from his wardrobe. It was dark blue, made of soft fabric, and was both formal and relaxed.
I had just finished tidying up when my phone rang.
The ringtone for "Only Mother is Good in the World" rang out; it was Zhou Huiwen's exclusive ringtone, and Jiang Yu dared not not answer it.
"Son! Are you up yet? What time is your flight back to Wuhan today?" A mother's voice is always strong and penetrating.
"Mom, my flight is at 10 o'clock, I'll arrive at 12." Jiang Yu rubbed his eyes. "Don't worry, I'll definitely be home on time."
"How can I not be anxious? Your uncle's whole family is coming, and—" Zhou Huiwen smiled and said, "Oh, right, remember to bring your uncle some Beijing specialties, nothing too expensive."
After hanging up the phone, Jiang Yu sat on the bed in a daze for a while.
At 8:30, the doorbell rang on time.
Wang Wei stood at the door carrying two exquisite gift bags: "Boss, the car is downstairs. The gifts are all ready."
She handed over the list: "A 30-year-old Moutai for my uncle, a jade bracelet for my aunt, a Wuyi Mountain Mother Tree Da Hong Pao tea for my eldest uncle (this one was quite difficult to obtain; I had to pull several strings to get half an ounce), a Suzhou embroidery shawl for my aunt, a Montblanc fountain pen for my cousin, and a Chanel bag for my older cousin—"
Jiang Yu glanced at it: "Isn't this too formal? It's just going home."
17
"Given your current status, giving something too ordinary would be inappropriate," Wang Wei said earnestly. "My aunt told me last time that ever since you were on the cover of 'Caijing' magazine, the neighbors have been coming to visit every day after seeing the news," and the gifts they bring are all quite expensive.
Jiang Yu sighed. "The world of fame and fortune is so fierce that even going home can't be pure."
He recalled what Mr. Ren had said: "The higher you're lifted up, the harder you'll fall." Now he truly understood the weight of those words.
On his way to the airport, he sent Liu Yifei a message: "Have you arrived in Shanghai yet?"
He then opened his work email and dealt with several urgent emails.
At 10:00 AM sharp, the plane took off on time.
The first-class cabin wasn't crowded, and Jiang Yu chose a window seat. The flight attendant, a young woman, noticed her eyes light up when she saw his boarding pass and offered him exceptionally warm service.
"Mr. Jiang, would you like a blanket? We have a new cashmere one, it's especially soft."
"Mr. Jiang, this is today's menu. The chef has specially prepared a low-fat set meal for you."
"Mr. Jiang, this is today's newspaper, with a report about your company—"
Jiang Yu politely thanked him and accepted the newspaper.
As expected, the headline in the financial section was "Light Chaser Pictures introduces Hollywood giant, a new model for Chinese films going global."
The article was fairly objective, analyzing the impact of the deal on the film and television industries in China and the United States.
The commentator concluded, "Jiang Yu's cleverness lies in his ability to share the cake at the right time."
Given the repeated setbacks faced by Chinese companies going global today, this "win-win cooperation" model is worth learning from.
Putting down the newspaper, Jiang Yu put on an eye mask to catch up on sleep.
The past week has been really tiring. I've been in meetings until late at night every day, and I also have to deal with all sorts of dinner parties.
The day before yesterday, I had dinner with Mr. Ren from Huawei. He patted me on the shoulder and said, "Xiao Jiang, you're a national idol now. Remember, the higher you're praised, the harder you fall. Be down-to-earth in your work and humble in your personal life."
Rough words are not rough.
Jiang Yu knew that his every move was being watched under a magnifying glass.
In a daze, he had a dream.
I dreamt that I went back to my college days, playing games with my roommates in the dorm, staying up all night grinding dungeons for a piece of equipment.
When I woke up, that simple joy still lingered in my heart.
"Mr. Jiang? Mr. Jiang?" A gentle female voice woke him up.
Jiang Yu opened his eyes. The flight attendant bent down beside him and said, "The plane is beginning its descent. Please straighten your seat back."
"Thank you." He glanced at the time; it was 11:40, almost there.
The plane landed, taxied, and came to a stop.
Jiang Yu opened his phone; Liu Yifei hadn't replied yet.
It's been more than three hours; we should have arrived long ago.
He frowned, his suspicions growing clearer.
While collecting his luggage, he received a call from his cousin Jiang Ming: "Xiaoyu! Have you arrived yet? I'm at Exit B, driving that black Audi, the license plate ends in 668, you know it!"
"Come out right away."
As I pushed my luggage cart out of the arrival hall, I saw Jiang Ming waving at me.
My cousin was dressed very formally today. His white shirt was perfectly ironed, his black trousers were crisp, and his hair was styled with hair gel, making it shine in the sunlight.
"Ming-ge!" Jiang Yu walked over with a smile.
Jiang Ming took his suitcase and looked him up and down: "Not bad, Xiaoyu, you've got style now—tsk tsk, exactly like the cover of a financial magazine. Is that suit custom-made? It doesn't look cheap."
"It was a gift from a friend," Jiang Yu said vaguely. "Have you been waiting for a long time?"
"Not long ago, just arrived." Jiang Ming led him towards the parking lot, lowering his voice as they walked, "You wouldn't believe it, my dad's been all the rage these past few days. At their Fifth Metallurgical Group's big meeting, the chairman specifically mentioned that one of our group's family members is such an outstanding entrepreneur as Jiang Yu," and even got my dad to speak on stage for ten minutes. After he finished, the applause was thunderous, even more enthusiastic than when the chairman was speaking."
Jiang Yu was both amused and exasperated: "This isn't appropriate—I'm not a member of the Fifth Metallurgical Construction Company."
"Perfect! Perfect!" Jiang Ming patted his shoulder. "Now, who at Fifth Metallurgical Construction Company doesn't know that I, Jiang Ming, have a cousin who's a billionaire? Even our department head treats me with utmost respect. Yesterday, he even asked me, 'Little Jiang, when is your cousin free? I'd like to invite him to dinner and ask him some investment advice.' Although I think he's trying to get to know you through me."
The two walked to the car, chatting and laughing. Jiang Ming was driving an Audi A6, which was very well maintained and had a spotless interior.
"Oh, right," Jiang Ming suddenly said as he fastened his seatbelt after getting into the car, "we have guests at home today."
"Who is it?" Jiang Yu asked casually. "Isn't it just your family?"
"More than that." Jiang Ming smiled mysteriously. "You'll see when we get there. I guarantee you'll be surprised—a truly shocking surprise."
.
Jiang Yu's heart skipped a beat, and he deliberately asked, "Could it be... Yi Fei?"
Jiang Ming's expression froze instantly, then he sighed dramatically, "Damn! How did you guess? Was my acting that bad?"
"You acted very well, but my mom gave it away," Jiang Yu laughed. "Besides, Yifei has been acting very mysteriously lately. She even sent me a boarding pass photo this morning." I suspect that photo is fake.
"Wow, you're like Sherlock Holmes," Jiang Ming said, starting the car. "Indeed, Yifei and her mother arrived in Wuhan yesterday and are staying at a hotel. They came to your house early this morning to help with the preparations. Your mother went to great lengths to keep it from you; she even bribed Wang Wei."
"Wang Wei knows too?" Jiang Yu raised an eyebrow.
"I know, Yifei personally contacted her," Jiang Ming said. "I heard they've been planning this for a long time, just to surprise you. You're something else, finding such a thoughtful girlfriend."
The car drove out of the airport and onto the airport expressway.
In March in Wuhan, the flowers along the roadside were already in bloom, a sea of pink and white, dazzling in the sunlight.
Looking at the familiar scenery outside the window, Jiang Yu felt a warm current flowing through his heart.
It turns out that the girl's talk of "GG photoshoot" was all a pretense; she just wanted to secretly come to Wuhan to celebrate his birthday.
And that "airport photo" was probably taken at Wuhan Airport, but they deliberately said it was taken in Shanghai.
He took out his phone and sent Liu Yifei a message: "What are you doing?"
No reply.
I clicked on the photo she posted that morning, zoomed in, and zoomed in again.
Although the signs in the waiting area are blurry, the words "Wuhan" are becoming increasingly clear.
Well done, Liu Yifei! Your acting skills are impressive; you could win an Oscar.
Jiang Yu smiled and shook his head. The slight annoyance at being stood up for his birthday vanished, replaced by a deep sense of gratitude.
At 12:30, the car entered the Donghu Villa District.
This is Wuhan's earliest high-end villa area, with lush greenery and a quiet, pleasant atmosphere.
As soon as Jiang Yu got out of the car, he heard lively sounds coming from inside the house.
There were not only my uncle and aunt, but also women's laughter, which sounded very familiar.
Pushing open the door, Jiang Yu was stunned by the scene in the living room.
My father, Jiang Jianguo, was brewing tea with the professionalism of a tea master. A set of purple clay teaware was placed in front of him, and steam was rising from the teapot.
Mother Zhou Huiwen and Liu Xiaoli were busy in the kitchen, chatting and laughing as they cooked.
Uncle Jiang Jianhui and Aunt Jiang were sitting on the sofa watching the news on TV.
Next to her, the girl in the light pink sweater, with her hair in a bun and no makeup, who else could it be but Liu Yifei?
Liu Yifei was chatting happily with her aunt, peeling an apple in her hand.
Knife skills—well, not very skilled. The apple peel broke several times, and a lot of the flesh was also peeled away.
When she saw Jiang Yu come in, her eyes curved into crescent moons, and she smiled like a kitten that had stolen a fish.
"Xiaoyu's back!" Zhou Huiwen poked her head out of the kitchen, a spatula in her hand. "What are you standing there for? Call him!"
"Hello Uncle and Aunt, hello Aunt Liu—" Jiang Yu greeted mechanically, his gaze never leaving Liu Yifei.
Liu Xiaoli also came out of the kitchen, smiling as she explained, "Xiao Jiang, were you surprised? Yifei was just kidding you yesterday. We've been planning to come to Wuhan to celebrate your birthday for a long time. Your mom called me two weeks ago, saying she wanted to give you a surprise."
Liu Yifei stood up, walked over to Jiang Yu, and handed him the poorly peeled apple: "Happy birthday—surprised? Unexpected?"
Jiang Yu took the apple and took a bite.
Mmm, sweet, really sweet.
"You acted quite well," he raised an eyebrow. "Those apologies last night, I actually believed them. And Wang Wei, were you in cahoots with me to lie to me?"
"Secretary Wang was forced!" Liu Yifei quickly said. "I begged her for so long. I told her that Jiang Yu's birthday only comes once a year, and I wanted to give him a surprise," and she softened. "Please don't blame her."
At this moment, her cousin Jiang Min also came out of the kitchen, wearing an apron and carrying a plate of crookedly cut lotus root slices: "Xiao Yu is back! Wow, Yi Fei, you peeled this apple so well—it's very artistic."
Everyone laughed.
Liu Yifei blushed: "Sister Min! You promised you wouldn't laugh at me!"
"Don't laugh, don't laugh, he's very cute." Jiang Min put down the plate, came over and hugged Jiang Yu. "Happy birthday, tycoon! It's harder to see you now than to see the mayor. Last time I called you, Secretary Wang answered and said you were in a meeting with some minister."
"Sister, please don't tease me." Jiang Yu smiled wryly. "I have been really busy lately, the fund matter has taken up too much of my energy."
""
Uncle Jiang Jianhui walked over and patted Jiang Yu on the shoulder: "Good lad, you've made our Jiang family proud! Come, sit down and try the tea your dad brewed. I brought this tea specially; it's genuine West Lake Longjing."
Jiang Yu distributed the gifts he brought to everyone one by one.
Lunch was a feast, all authentic Hubei dishes.
The lotus root and pork rib soup was stewed until it turned milky white, the Wuchang fish was steamed until it was tender, the pearl meatballs were crystal clear, and there was also stir-fried bean curd with cured pork, braised turtle, and Hongshan rapeseed—a whole table full of food.
"Yifei, try this." Zhou Huiwen picked up a piece of fish belly meat for Liu Yifei. "It's the best part. Xiaoyu has always fought over this since he was little."
"Thank you, Auntie." Liu Yifei took a bite, her eyes lighting up. "Delicious! Much more authentic than the Hubei food I had in Beijing!"
"Of course," Zhou Huiwen said proudly. "The water in Beijing isn't good, and neither are the fish. To make Hubei cuisine, you have to use Hubei ingredients and Hubei water. This fish was caught fresh from East Lake this morning, and this lotus root is a nine-hole lotus root from Honghu Lake, which is perfect for making soup."
Liu Xiaoli laughed and said, "Sister Huiwen's cooking is really good. I need to learn a few more tricks from you."
"Why bother learning? Come anytime you want to eat, I'll cook for you." Zhou Huiwen said, glancing at Jiang Yu and Liu Yifei, "After they get married, we'll be a family, and we can eat together every day."
Liu Yifei blushed again and lowered her head to eat her rice.
Jiang Yu gently squeezed her hand under the table. She looked up, and the two smiled at each other.
The meal was very lively.
When his uncle asked about the company, Jiang Yu only shared what he could say.
When he heard that the North American company had brought in Disney and Warner, his uncle nodded repeatedly: "This is a wise decision! When doing business abroad, you have to localize. You can never earn enough money, safety comes first. Now that you've expanded your operations so much, it's most important to proceed cautiously and steadily."
Cousin Jiang Ming asked curiously, "Xiaoyu, is it true that you have over 300 billion yuan, as some online sources say?"
Everyone at the table looked over, and even Zhou Huiwen, who was serving soup, stopped what she was doing.
Jiang Yu thought for a moment and decided there was no need to hide it from his family: "More or less, but most of it is stocks, not that much cash. Besides, the company's valuation is inflated; it's high when the market is good and low when it's bad."
"How much cash is there?" her cousin Jiang Min pressed.
"Around $10 billion, or more than 70 billion RMB," Jiang Yu said frankly. "This money can't be spent recklessly; most of it needs to be invested in funds and new projects."
"Hiss—" Jiang Ming gasped. "10 billion US dollars? My God, I've never seen so much money in my life. Our Fifth Metallurgical Group only has a net profit of two or three billion a year."
The aunt patted her son: "Look at you, so useless! Xiaoyu's money is Xiaoyu's, what are you envious of? You should just go to work honestly and live a peaceful life, that's better than anything else."
"Mom, I'm not envious, I'm just shocked." Jiang Ming scratched his head. "I worked at the Fifth Metallurgical Construction Company for a year, and my salary plus bonuses only amounted to 200,000 yuan, which isn't even a fraction of what Xiaoyu earns in a day. The difference—sigh."
Jiang Jianguo suddenly spoke up: "Money is just a number. Xiaoyu, remember, money must be used for good. Now that you have the ability, you should do more things that are useful to society. That poverty alleviation fund is very good, but it needs to be implemented effectively, not just for show."
"Dad, I know." Jiang Yu nodded seriously. "We've set up a special oversight committee and hired a third-party auditor to ensure that every penny is spent wisely. In addition, I plan to establish a charitable foundation specifically to support education and healthcare in impoverished areas."
Jiang Jianguo looked at him, his eyes filled with both relief and worry: "The road ahead won't be easy, you need to be prepared. Doing charity is harder than making money; there will be many people watching and a lot of criticism."
"I'm prepared," Jiang Yu said. "Things that need to be done have to be done by someone. There are still many people in China who need help, and I'll do what I can."
Liu Yifei listened quietly beside her, her eyes gentle.
She knew about Jiang Yu's pressure and his ideals.
This man is different from those in the entertainment industry who pursue fame and fortune; he genuinely wants to change things.
The meal took more than two hours.
After dinner, the women cleaned up in the kitchen while the men drank tea in the living room.
Liu Yifei wanted to help wash the dishes, but Zhou Huiwen chased her away: "Go talk to Xiaoyu, you're not needed here. Your aunt and Sister Min are enough to help me."
Liu Yifei had no choice but to go to the living room and sit down next to Jiang Yu.
The uncle, with great tact, stood up and said, "I'm going out for a smoke," leaving the two young people alone.
Jiang Yu poured Liu Yifei a cup of tea: "You must have gotten up very early today? Thank you for your hard work."
"It wasn't hard work," Liu Yifei shook her head. "Actually, I was quite happy. Your mother is a very kind person. She taught me how to cook, although I learned very slowly—but Aunt Zhou was very patient."
"My mom only does this because she likes you," Jiang Yu laughed. "She's never been this patient with me. When I was learning to cook as a child, I cut my hand while chopping vegetables, and she scolded me while bandaging it up, saying, 'What's a boy doing learning to cook? You can just get married and cook for yourself.' But now, she's personally teaching you."
Liu Yifei smiled, then said earnestly, "Jiang Yu, I'm especially happy today. Seeing you with your family, seeing your parents so loving, seeing your whole family so harmonious—I feel like this is what life is all about."
Jiang Yu held her hand: "There will be many more days like this in the future. Once I get through this busy period and the company is on track, I won't be so busy anymore. Then we can come back often, or bring Mom and Dad to stay in Beijing for a while."
"Mmm." Liu Yifei leaned on his shoulder. "But don't let me interfere with your work. I know what you're doing is important; it's not just about making money, it's about driving the development of the entire industry. Although I don't understand the technology, I understand what you're doing."
The two sat quietly for a while, with only the sound of the television and water from the kitchen in the living room.
It was three o'clock in the afternoon, and the sun was shining brightly.
"Shall we go for a walk?" Jiang Yu suggested.
"Okay." Liu Yifei nodded.
The two said goodbye to their parents and left hand in hand.
The path along East Lake was quiet, and the willows were just sprouting, their tender green leaves swaying in the wind.
The lake was sparkling, with elderly people fishing, children flying kites, and couples taking a walk.
"My mom and your mom get along really well," Liu Yifei said. "Yesterday they chatted all afternoon, from cooking to health, from parenting to travel. My mom hasn't been this happy in a long time."
"Yeah, I can tell," Jiang Yu laughed. "They're probably discussing how to 'transform' us. My mom's probably giving me tips on how to make men obedient, while your mom's sharing her experiences on how to make her daughter happy."
Liu Yifei smiled, then stopped and looked at him seriously: "Jiang Yu, happy birthday. This is your first birthday since we started dating. I originally wanted to prepare something special, but I was afraid it would be too ostentatious—so I came up with this silly idea: I lied and said I had to work, and then I came here secretly."
Jiang Yu held her hand: "Today is the best. Family, you, a simple meal is better than anything else. I've attended too many lavish parties and celebrity birthday banquets, they're all meaningless. Only today, I'm truly happy."
"I'm just glad you don't mind that I lied to you."
"I don't mind, it was a pleasant surprise." Jiang Yu looked at her. "But don't do that next time. I really thought you were going to work, and I was a little disappointed. In the future, just tell me what plans you have, and we can work on them together."
"Okay." Liu Yifei leaned on his shoulder. "Then—I'll give you your birthday present tonight."
"Another gift?" Jiang Yu raised an eyebrow. "Isn't today's surprise the best gift?"
"That's different." Liu Yifei smiled mysteriously. "I've been preparing for a long time. I guarantee you'll like it."
The two continued walking forward.
There were many people strolling along the lake. A young man wearing glasses, who looked like a college student, stared at Liu Yifei for a long time before hesitatingly walking over: "Excuse me, are you Liu Yifei?"
Liu Yifei instinctively wanted to deny it, but Jiang Yu gently squeezed her hand and smiled at the boy: "Yes, but we have a private schedule today, so it's not convenient for us to sign autographs or take photos. Sorry."
The boy blushed with excitement: "It's nothing, it's nothing! I just wanted to confirm! I really love your acting!"
I've watched "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils" and "Chinese Paladin" several times! Oh, and Mr. Jiang! I'm from the Economics Department of Wuhan University, and I admire you immensely! You're already a legend at our school!
Jiang Yu was a little surprised: "You know me?"
"Of course! You're now our School of Economics and Management's case study subject!" The boy spoke rapidly. "Last week, our professor talked about your handling of the subprime crisis, saying it was a textbook investment case! Our whole dorm really likes you."
Jiang Yu and Liu Yifei exchanged a glance and both smiled.
"Thanks for your support," Jiang Yu said. "But be careful with your investments; don't put all your living expenses into them. Study hard; maybe we can become colleagues someday."
"Definitely, definitely!" The boy bowed, wanting to say something but then hesitant, finally managing to say, "I wish you happiness! You two are truly a perfect match!"
Then he ran off excitedly, making a phone call as he ran, probably to show off to his classmates.
"Looks like we'll have to be fully armed when we go out from now on," Jiang Yu said.
"Then why don't you buy an island?" Liu Yifei joked. "I think there are private islands for sale in the Maldives—"
"I can consider it," Jiang Yu said seriously. "But I think Hainan is fine. It's close, and I'm used to the food there."
Or go to Yunnan, buy a small courtyard house, grow flowers and vegetables, and raise a dog.
"No, no, no, I was just kidding!" Liu Yifei quickly said, "That's too exaggerated, and buying an island would be so boring, there's no one there. It's fine as it is now, it's quite interesting to be recognized occasionally, it means people like us."
After walking for a while, the two sat down on a bench by the lake.
In the distance, a couple was having their wedding photos taken. The bride's white veil fluttered in the wind, and the photographer shouted, "Groom, smile!"
The two sat quietly for a while, looking at the lake, the sky, and the birds.
This kind of time, where he doesn't have to think about anything or do anything, is incredibly precious to Jiang Yu right now.
Fighting in the business world and maneuvering in the conference room are necessary, but they are not the whole of life.
Life is all about this moment: sunshine, lake, loved ones, and tranquility.
At five o'clock in the evening, the two slowly walked home.
As soon as you enter, you can smell the aroma of food and the sweetness of cake.
Zhou Huiwen and Liu Xiaoli collaborated on a birthday cake. It was a two-tiered cake with crooked buttercream frosting and the words "Xiaoyu is 26 years old" written on it with jam.
"Mom, your handwriting—" Jiang Yu suppressed a laugh.
"What's wrong? It's more heartfelt when it's handwritten!" Zhou Huiwen said matter-of-factly. "Your Aunt Liu wrote the calligraphy, and I framed it. We spent the whole afternoon working on it!"
Liu Xiaoli said embarrassedly, "I haven't written in a long time, I'm so rusty. I meant to write in an artistic style, but I ended up writing in elementary school style."
"It's beautiful, exceptionally beautiful," Jiang Yu quickly said. "It's even better than the 8888 I ate at the Michelin-starred restaurant last year."
"That cake looks much better. That one just looks nice, but it doesn't taste good. Ours will definitely look good and taste delicious."
"That's right!" Zhou Huiwen said proudly. "Those fancy ones can't compare to the practical ones we make. By the way, where are the candles? Jiang Ming! Where are the candles I asked you to buy?"
Jiang Ming pulled a bunch of candles from his bag: "Here they are! Auntie, 26 candles, not one less. But I think if you stick all 26 on the cake, it'll look like a hedgehog. How about we stick two candles each, one for 2 and one for 6?"
"That won't do!" Zhou Huiwen insisted. "At 26, you have to wear 26 braces, not one less. Wear them!"
Dinner was more lavish than lunch.
Jiang Jianguo opened a bottle of Moutai, not the thirty-year-old bottle that Jiang Yu brought, but one that he had treasured for over ten years.
"This wine was bought the year you got into university. I originally planned to drink it when you got married."
Jiang Jianguo poured a little for everyone, saying, "I'm happy today, so we started early. I'm even happier that you've become successful. What makes me happiest is that you haven't forgotten your roots, that you know to come home, to be filial to your parents, and to have found such a wonderful girlfriend."
"Dad—" Jiang Yu's eyes welled up with tears.
"Come on, let's raise a glass." The uncle stood up. "Happy birthday, Xiaoyu! May your career reach new heights! And may our Jiang family prosper! May Xiaoyu and Yifei have a happy and fulfilling life together! Cheers!"
"Cheers!"
The clinking of wine glasses produced a crisp and pleasant sound.
Jiang Yu looked at his family gathered around the table, and at Liu Yifei beside him, his heart was full.
During the meal, Liu Yifei took out a gift, a dark blue velvet box.
"Open it and take a look." She was a little nervous, and her hands trembled slightly.
Jiang Yu opened the box; inside was a watch.
It wasn't one of those luxurious luxury watches, but a simple mechanical watch with a deep blue dial, like the night sky, adorned with tiny stars.
Turning it over, a line of small print is engraved on the back: "Give life to time, not time to life. —To Jiang Yu, March 15, 2009"
"This is—" Jiang Yu recognized it. "That Swiss independent watchmaker brand? I remember you said you liked their designs, saying that every watch is handmade and unique."
"Mmm." Liu Yifei nodded, her eyes sparkling. "I had a friend order it from Europe, and it took three months to get it. I had the watchmaker adjust it, and it was adjusted seven times before I was satisfied. The strap is alligator leather, but I also ordered a canvas strap so I can switch between them. The case is titanium alloy, so it's very light and won't tire your wrist—"
She explained very carefully, and Jiang Yu listened very attentively.
This watch isn't expensive, probably around a hundred thousand RMB, which isn't much to him now.
But this sentiment is priceless. She knew he didn't like ostentation or those luxurious watches with diamonds; she knew he was uncomfortable wearing watches, so she chose the lightest material.
"I really like it." Jiang Yu immediately took off his Patek Philippe and put on this watch.
The deep blue dial gleamed softly under the light, truly resembling a starry sky.
"Thank you, this is the best birthday gift I've ever received."
Zhou Huiwen and Liu Xiaoli exchanged a glance, their eyes full of smiles.
Auntie sighed, "Youth is truly wonderful. Old Jiang, look how well-matched that young couple is. Xiao Yu has good taste, and Yi Fei has a kind heart."
The uncle nodded: "Yes, Xiaoyu is lucky. Yifei is a rare find; she's not spoiled, not vain, and down-to-earth."
Jiang Jianguo smiled, a rare occurrence for him: "Yifei is a good girl. Xiaoyu, you must treat her well."
"I will, Dad."
After dinner, the family sat in the living room watching TV.
CCTV is currently broadcasting "News Broadcast," and coincidentally, there's a news segment today about Chinese films going global that mentions Light Chaser Pictures.
"It is reported that Light Chaser Animation, a Chinese-founded North American company, recently introduced Hollywood giants such as Disney and Warner Bros. as strategic investors, valuing the company at $40 billion. This marks the first time a Chinese film company has received large-scale investment from mainstream Hollywood capital, signifying that the Chinese film industry is gradually gaining international recognition."
A photo of Jiang Yu appeared on TV; it was from a press conference a few days prior, and the whole family erupted in excitement.
"Oh my god! My son is on the news!" Zhou Huiwen exclaimed excitedly, standing up.
Jiang Jianguo also sat up straight, his eyes fixed on the screen.
My uncle and aunt looked very proud, while my cousins excitedly took pictures.
Liu Yifei quietly took Jiang Yu's hand and whispered in his ear, "Look how amazing you are."
Jiang Yu, however, was a little embarrassed: "It's just a short report, it's not that serious—"
"How could it be!" Zhou Huiwen glared at him. "This is the evening news! So many people across the country watch it! I'm going to talk to Old Wang next door tomorrow and tell her to brag every day that her son is a section chief in a state-owned enterprise, and now my son is on the evening news!"
Everyone laughed. Jiang Yu shook his head helplessly. His mother's competitive spirit was something she never changed, even in her old age.
Around nine o'clock, my uncle's family said goodbye.
Before leaving, Jiang Ming, Jiang Yu's cousin, said, "Xiao Yu, I know you're busy. Come back often when you have time. If you need any help, just let me know. Although I can't be of much help, I can always run errands or pass on messages."
"Thank you, brother," Jiang Yu said sincerely. "Take care of yourself too. If you're unhappy at Fifth Metallurgical Construction Company, let me know anytime. My foundation has some companies that need reliable people."
Jiang Ming waved his hand: "No need, no need. I'm doing fine at the Fifth Metallurgical Construction Company, it's stable. Your sister-in-law is about to give birth, I can't afford to cause any trouble. Just take good care of yourself, our Jiang family is counting on you to bring honor to our ancestors."
After seeing off her uncle's family, Liu Xiaoli and Liu Yifei said they wanted to go back to the hotel, even though Zhou Huiwen tried her best to persuade them to stay.
"No, no, you all should have a proper talk," Liu Xiaoli said politely.
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