Chapter 293: Capital Banquet, Dividing the Lu Clan

After the meal, the family sat together in the living room, warm yellow light illuminating each face, the room steaming with heat.

Big brother Lu Qingyuan rubbed his hands, his face unable to hide excitement, also a bit uneasy about handling this massive family business, and he was the first to speak: "Qing Shan, the industries you've been handling are all settled. The Xinghan Commercial Building outside Jianguomen, twelve stories high, all glass curtain wall—when I went there in the daytime, the sun on it looked like piles of gold! And that national specialty market, a real beast, three large halls inside and out, can hold hundreds of stalls, brighter than any department store! Also the two big courtyards beside our home, dozens of courtyard houses, plus the two dormitory buildings of the sugar factory, all tidied up neatly. The dorms, as you said, have been turned into a hotel; I went in to look, the carpet is thick enough to sink your ankles, the beds and sofas inside are new, high‑spec! Just waiting for your word, when to open."

Speaking of that, his voice faltered, a bit troubled: "But… such a big stall, only the frame, no staff at all, this still needs your decision."

Father Lu Hua sat steadily at the head, holding an enamel tea cup, smiling at the grown children: "These matters you youngsters discuss, your mother and I can't handle; seeing each of you making achievements makes us happy."

Everyone's gaze fell sharply on Lu Qingshan.

Lu Qingshan took a sip of steaming hot tea, warmth flowing from his throat into his heart; after a moment of contemplation, his eyes swept the crowd, and he began assigning: "The hotel, leave it to the elder sister and brother‑in‑law to run. Two buildings, with a large plaza and parking lot, the stall isn't small, needs careful handling. Being close to home, they can also look after dad, mom and the little nephew more."

He looked at brother‑in‑law Zhang A Yu's son Zhang Xiao, who was almost asleep in his arms, and said, "I heard Xiao and Xiao Xue are in the same kindergarten, they can look after each other later."

"Me? Us?" elder sister Lu Hong's eyes widened instantly, a breath almost caught, face flushed bright red, hands not knowing where to go, instinctively squeezed her husband's thigh hard.

Zhang A Yu let out a startled "Aow" sound, almost jumping up, his hand holding the child froze; he looked at Lu Qingshan, his face turned white, stammering: "Qing… Qing Shan… can't, absolutely can't! This… this is a hotel! I… I'm just a farmer who has been plowing the fields in Jiaozuo all my life, I can't even do simple calculations, you want me to run a hotel? That's like throwing money into water! I… I can't do it, really can't!"

"Hey! Shut up!" Lu Hong snapped back, a heavy slap landing on her husband's arm, her eyes already red, she looked at Lu Qingshan, voice trembling, brain buzzing like pounding garlic, "Qing Shan, don't worry! Your brother‑in‑law and I will work hard! We'll even smash pots and sell iron for you! It's just… if there's anything we don't understand, we'll ask you and Yue E."

"No problem, talk more with Qingjun; he's seen many big hotels on Hong Kong Island, let him be your strategist." Lu Qingshan then turned to his big brother, "The Xinghan Commercial Building will later be the office of our Xinghan Group's domestic company, not urgent now. Big brother, first set up a property management company, handle daily maintenance and security well."

Speaking of that, his tone shifted, a grin spreading, he teased: "Of course, the most urgent thing now is you, big brother, find us a sister‑in‑law quickly, otherwise who will manage this huge family business?"

"Hahaha!" the whole family burst into laughter.

Lu Qingyuan, a man nearing thirty, was flushed red from the siblings' teasing, buried his head low, scratching his head foolishly while smiling.

After the laughter, Lu Qingshan's expression grew serious: "The Xinghan National Specialty Market, leave it to second sister."

He looked at second sister Lu Fang, who had said little but whose eyes were full of expectation.

Lu Fang's breath suddenly stalled, she clenched her garment tightly, lips turning pale: "Me? Second brother, I… can I do it? Such a huge market…"

"You can." Lu Qingshan said firmly, with undeniable authority, "Second sister, register as an individual business, or directly register a company. This job isn't easy; you'll have to deal with all regions nationwide, big brother will also need to support. We're not selling goods ourselves; we're providing a platform, attracting investment, letting specialties from across the country come here to sell. It's a big subject; initially you can list products from a few factories in Baishan City, thin profit, high volume, build popularity first."

Lu Fang and Lu Qingyuan exchanged a glance, both seeing mountain‑like pressure in each other's eyes, but more a trusted, blood‑igniting excitement; the two solemnly nodded.

"Yue E," Lu Qingshan looked at his wife, his gaze instantly softening, "From now on, you'll handle the household accounts. Over at the Baishan factory, let Fu Gui's sister take over finance, Fu Gui will focus on sales, Tie Zhu will handle procurement, ensuring quality."

Lin Yue'e said little, but met her husband's gaze, gently and firmly nodding. She knew this meant he was handing the entire rear support, the lifeline of the family, to her hands.

Third brother Lu Qinghe waited until the end, then spoke a bit timidly: "Second brother, I…"

"Qinghe, you work in a government agency, not like us doing business, so be careful in everything." Lu Qingshan looked at his brother, now agricultural bureau chief, speaking earnestly, "Learn more from the seniors in the unit, especially the county secretary and county head, be more active, ask more. You're now the agricultural bureau chief, it's time to lay foundations, plan well, strive for a few years of progress."

"Got it, big brother." Qinghe nodded repeatedly, "County Committee Secretary Li, Deputy Secretary Xi and County Head Cheng have all been good to me, often giving advice."

"Hmm, that's good."

Finally, Lu Qingshan's gaze fell on his little sister Lu Xiaoyu.

"Xiaoyu, don't think about anything else, just study your books peacefully. The country will need technology most later; your smart brain should be used in a lab for research."

Lu Xiaoyu proudly lifted her chin, face full of pride: "Of course! I'm smart! I'm a junior now, already in our school's key laboratory! It's right by the Aerospace Bridge, managed by the Second Institute!"

"Second Institute?"

Lu Qingshan felt a stir in his heart; he knows the weight of those two characters better than anyone.

He immediately grew solemn, cutting off his sister's brag: "Alright, that's enough. There are confidentiality rules, be careful."

"Oh…" Lu Xiaoyu stuck out her tongue, daring not to say more.

In the living room, warm light fell on each face, reflecting a scene of steaming heat and thriving prosperity.

Lu Qingshan watched the gathered family, a massive commercial empire expanding its grand blueprint from this home as the origin, blood ties as the link, quietly unfolding.

And he was the one moving the pieces.

He suddenly recalled the words his brother Lu Qingjun said in that half‑mountain mansion on Hong Kong Island.

That meticulously tended, priceless Buddha's pine was indeed not as pleasing as the old elm back home where mother could dry beans under its shade.

Because the roots are here.