Chapter 201: The Factory Thrives, and the Couple Is About to Reunite!

The dawn was just breaking, and a thin mist still lingered over the streets of Capital City.

Lu Qingshan and Lu Qingjun packed their luggage and prepared to set out for Baishan.

"Second brother, how long will we stay this time?" Lu Qingjun placed his suitcase into the trunk and asked eagerly.

"It depends on the situation; we'll come back after we pick up Yue E and Xiao Xue," Lu Qingshan sat into the brand‑new Tiger‑Head sedan, "This time we're mainly going to check on the factory and bring the family over as well."

The car slowly drove out of the yard as Wang Guilan and Lu Hua stood at the doorway to see it off.

"Take care on the road!" Wang Guilan waved toward the car window.

Heading northeast, the highway was sparsely populated, with the two cars traveling one ahead of the other.

A Qiang drove a Mercedes with Lu Qingshan inside; Lu Qingjun, who liked driving, was behind the wheel of the off‑road vehicle with three bodyguards, and the brothers chatted over the intercom.

"Second brother, how's the factory developing now?" Lu Qingjun's voice came through the intercom.

"It should be fine; Li Jianqiang is a reliable guy," Lu Qingshan said, looking ahead. "But we'll only know the specifics once we arrive."

The car passed through patches of farmland; the cornfields beside the road had been harvested, leaving only bare soil.

Occasionally a few farmers could be seen working in the fields, preparing for next year's spring plowing.

"Second brother, what do you think Sister-in-law Yue E will think when she sees these two cars?" Lu Qingjun asked with a smile.

"She'll probably be startled," Lu Qingshan recalled his wife's appearance, a smile tugging at his mouth. "Yue E is rather frugal; seeing such expensive cars might make her feel the pinch of money."

Night fell, and the six of them spent the night at an inn in a small town.

The inn's conditions were modest, but Lu Qingshan didn't mind.

In the years before his rebirth, he had endured every hardship, so this level of comfort was already quite good for him.

"Second brother, we should reach Shanwan Village by tomorrow morning," Lu Qingjun said excitedly from his bed.

"Hmm, thinking about it does make me miss that place a bit," Lu Qingshan said, gazing at the night sky outside the window. "We've only been away for two months, but it feels like much longer."

Early the next morning, the two continued on their way.

The mountain road was rugged, and the car moved slowly along the winding highway.

The forest along the road had donned its autumn garb, with red and yellow leaves covering the hills, making the scenery especially beautiful.

"Second brother, do you still remember our school days?" Lu Qingjun said, looking at the forest outside the window, reminiscing.

"Of course I do; back then you were just a clueless kid," Lu Qingshan laughed. "Things are different now; traveling with me has shown you the world."

At eight a. m., the two cars finally entered Shanwan Village.

The changes in the village surprised Lu Qingshan.

Where the factory area had once been modest now stood a brand‑new five‑story office building.

The building was light‑blue, sparkling in the sunlight.

The parking lot had also expanded considerably, holding several trucks and vans.

"Wow, this factory is impressive!" Lu Qingjun stepped out of the car and looked up at the office building.

Lu Qingshan also got out, surveying everything before him.

In two months, this place was practically a different location.

The office building's glass doors reflected the sun, and a few potted green plants stood at the entrance.

"Qing Shan! Director Lu is back!"

A familiar voice came from inside the office building.

Li Jianqiang ran out of the building, stumbling with excitement written all over his face.

"I guessed you'd be back!" Li Jianqiang ran up to Lu Qingshan, shaking his hand excitedly. "We've been looking forward to your return every day for these two months!"

"Lao Li, thanks for your hard work," Lu Qingshan patted Li Jianqiang's shoulder, "How's the factory doing?"

"It's great! It's great!" Li Jianqiang's eyes narrowed to slits. "Orders are so many we can't finish them; all three factories are running at full capacity."

At that moment, Qian Jin, Yao Bai'nian, and Wang Ming, the three factory directors, also walked out of the office building.

"Director Lu!" the three shouted in unison.

"Thanks for all your hard work!" Lu Qingshan shook hands with each of them.

"Director Lu, the two cars you drive are truly extravagant!" Li Jianqiang circled the Crown, "We only saw such cars at foreign firms before; I never thought we'd be able to drive such fine vehicles ourselves."

"How have you spent these two months?" Qian Jin asked curiously. "I heard you made a fortune on Hong Kong Island?"

"Just good luck," Lu Qingshan said modestly.

"Qing Shan, you're truly amazing!" Yao Bai'nian gave a thumbs‑up. "We old guys are lucky to be following the right person!"

"Don't just stand here talking," Lu Qingshan looked around. "Let's go to the cafeteria for a meal and chat while we eat."

"Alright, alright!" Li Jianqiang quickly nodded. "The cafeteria is much better than before; we've hired several top chefs."

The group walked toward the cafeteria behind the office building.

The cafeteria was also newly built, spacious and bright, capable of seating hundreds at once.

A few chefs were busy, and fragrant aromas drifted through the air.

"Director Lu, you're back!" a chef recognized Lu Qingshan and greeted him warmly.

"Chef, thank you for your hard work!" Lu Qingshan nodded in response.

Everyone gathered around a large round table, where several steaming dishes were laid out.

There were braised pork, stir‑fried seasonal vegetables, steamed egg custard, and a pot of fragrant steamed rice.

"Director Lu, you have no idea how we spent these two months," Li Jianqiang said, picking up a piece of braised pork. "We waited for you every day, fearing the factory might run poorly; we truly feel we let you down."

"What are you saying? You've done well," Lu Qingshan scanned the scene. "Just looking at this office building and everyone's spirit, it's clear the development is good."

"Exactly!" Qian Jin said proudly. "Our food factory now produces three thousand packs of instant noodles daily, and demand outstrips supply!"

"Our Chinese medicine factory isn't lacking either," Yao Bai'nian continued. "Astragalus slices and ginseng slices sell especially well; pharmacies in the provincial capital are all queuing for stock."

"The beverage factory is even hotter," Wang Ming said with a smile. "Our Vitality herbal drink is now a well‑known brand in Jilin Province, with dedicated counters even in Changchun's major malls."

Listening to the reports from everyone, Lu Qingshan felt a warm current rise in his heart.

These people have not betrayed his trust, running the factory in an orderly manner.

"By the way, where is Yue E now?" Lu Qingshan suddenly asked.

"Sister‑in‑law Yue E is in the finance office," Li Jianqiang said, "She is now our chief financial officer, overseeing the accounts of three factories."

"Xiao Xue?"

"She is attending kindergarten in Qianyingcun; school doesn't end until three p. m."

Lu Qingshan glanced at his watch; it was just past nine.

"Then let's go to the third‑floor conference room and give a detailed report on the factory's situation," Li Jianqiang suggested.

"No hurry," Lu Qingshan waved his hand, "Finish the meal first; I'm hungry too."

"Right, right, Director Lu is weary from travel and should rest properly," Yao Bai'nian quickly said.

"Brother Lu, how long do you plan to stay this time?" Qian Jin asked.

"Not certain, depends on the situation," Lu Qingshan took a bite of vegetables, "Mainly I want to bring Yue E and Xiao Xue to Capital City to see their families."

"Going to Capital City?" Li Jianqiang's eyes lit up, "That's a big matter!"

"Yes, my parents really want to see them," Lu Qingshan nodded, "You all keep managing the factory; while I'm away, everything remains as before."

"Rest assured, Director Lu!" several people said in unison.

At that moment, a series of footsteps came from the cafeteria entrance.

Lu Qingshan turned around; a familiar figure appeared at the doorway.

Yue E!