Chapter 296: All Hands On Deck, the Lu Family Enterprise Sets Sail!

A night of no words.

The family meeting that could change the fate of every member of the Lu Family brought shock and upheaval, which, in the warm blankets and heavy sleep, gradually settled into a scorching, solid anticipation.

The next morning, the winter sun in the Capital City pierced the windows, scattering mottled light on the ground; at the end of November in the Capital City, stepping outside chilled the whole body.

Lu Qingshan and Lin Yue'e together, holding Lu Xiaoxue, who was dressed like a little rice dumpling, took her to kindergarten. The little girl had slept soundly last night; now she was full of energy, her cheeks flushed red by the cold wind like a ripe apple, chattering all the way with her father about the kindergarten's fun.

At the kindergarten gate, elder sister Lu Hong and brother‑in‑law Zhang A Yu were also sending their son Zhang Xiao. The two kids met, immediately huddled together, whispering and sharing their little secrets.

"Bye‑bye, Mom and Dad! Bye‑bye, Aunt and Uncle!" Lu Xiaoxue stood at the gate, waving her gloved hand vigorously, her face beaming with a bright smile.

Watching his daughter's hopping figure disappear into the gate, Lu Qingshan felt an indescribable warmth fill his heart. Everything he does is just to protect this innocence and warmth, isn't it?

"Let's go see our family business." Lu Qingjun drove the brand‑new Tiger‑Head Van, with elder brother Lu Qingyuan already waiting by the roadside. When the door opened, a rush of warm air hit them.

The car moved smoothly toward Jianguo Gate.

When the twelve‑story building, its whole façade made of blue glass curtain walls, reflected dazzling light under the winter sun like a towering ice crystal peak, abruptly appearing among gray‑brick structures, everyone in the car instinctively held their breath.

"My heavens…" Lu Qingjun gripped the steering wheel tightly, his Adam's apple bobbing violently, his mouth half‑open, he forced out these words, "Elder brother… this… this thing… you really damn well built it! Just like the drawing, no, even more magnificent than the drawing! How much did this cost!"

Lu Qingshan got out of the car, the biting cold wind fluttering his coat's hem. He looked up at this iconic building belonging to the Xinghan Group; in that instant, even his heart raced uncontrollably. A surge of pride and pressure, a towering passion, surged toward the heavens.

He recalled Old Chen's three gaunt fingers and the "three hundred million dollars" entrusted to him. The building before him was not only the Lu Family's enterprise, but a flag planted in the Capital City's heart, a declaration of war to the coveting Western capital!

Elder brother Lu Qingyuan works like that—reassuring. Whatever the rendering shows, he can build it exactly, even better.

He walked to his brother's side, looked at his brother's blood‑veined yet strikingly bright eyes, and gave his shoulder a firm pat.

"Brother, thank you for your hard work."

"Hey, it's our own business, why call it hard?" Lu Qingyuan grinned, his pride impossible to hide. He extended his large hands, scarred and calloused, gently caressing the building's cold glass curtain wall, the motion as delicate as handling a priceless treasure, his voice trembling with restrained emotion: "I watched every pane they installed; when the crane lifted it up, my heart was in my throat. Sometimes I couldn't sleep at night and would come over to watch. Now seeing it standing here feels like a dream. Qing Shan, from now on our Lu Family has a real foothold in this Capital City!"

Afterward, the group drove to the Xinghan National Specialty Market not far away.

Here the scene was different: three massive trading halls merged into one, spacious and bright, the floor laid with clean polished stone, the air tinged with fresh paint and cement. Though not officially opened, the empty halls echoed with their footsteps, already evoking a future bustling with voices and a dazzling array of goods.

Second sister Lu Fang had long been waiting here, dressed in a sharp wool coat, hair neatly pinned, a small notebook in hand; when she saw Lu Qingshan and the others, she hurried over, a fire blazing in her eyes.

"Second brother, you're here! I was just pondering whether we should start this market with specialties from the Northeast—mountain produce, wood ear mushrooms, ginseng—these will surely be recognized in the Capital City. I've already asked someone to write a letter to the Supply and Marketing Cooperative over at Baishan, but they're a bit hesitant, fearing we're an empty shell, and won't ship." It's clear that yesterday's talk has fully put her into character, even anticipating possible difficulties.

Lu Qingshan looked at the light in her eyes and said with a smile, "Second sister, your thinking is spot on. But just writing a letter isn't enough; it's too slow and shows no sincerity." He turned to Lu Qingyuan, "Brother, you figure out a way to issue an Introduction Letter in the company's name. Second sister, take two people with you, bring enough cash, and in a few days go with me straight to Baishan, and also tour other Northeastern cities, negotiate face‑to‑face! Inspect the goods on the spot, settle payment on the spot! We need to show them that Xinghan Group isn't an empty shell; we have strength and sincerity! Not just the Northeast, specialties from across the nation can be handled the same way. Initially we can waive stall fees, only charge a small management fee, to gather popularity first. You don't need to worry about money—go bold and do it."

A few sentences made Second sister's doubts and the next steps crystal clear. The group gathered around the empty market, exchanging words, a grand commercial blueprint was sketched clearly in the winter's cold wind.

After inspecting the two enterprises, the brothers got back into the car. Lu Qingyuan and Lu Qingjun's faces were radiant with excitement and anticipation, filled with limitless hope for the future.

However, Lu Qingshan leaned against the back seat, watching the street scene flash backward outside the window, falling into silence. His gaze swept over the gray old‑style buildings, over passersby in plain cotton coats riding 28‑inch bicycles hurriedly, and finally settled on the distant, glittering Xinghan building.

That building, like a giant from the future, stood aloof on this ancient land, looking utterly out of place.

"Brother, what's wrong?" Lu Qingjun saw his second brother's solemn expression in the rearview mirror, a bit puzzled, "The building and market are both finished—a huge celebration—why are you still frowning? With these two big guys holding us down, who would dare look down on us later?"

Lu Qingshan pulled his gaze back, exhaled slowly, his eyes as deep as an unseen bottom of the sea.

He looked at his two brothers and said word for word, "The building is the body of our Xinghan Empire—tall, strong, intimidating; the market is the stomach that fills the belly, providing us with a constant stream of nutrients and cash."

He paused, then shifted his tone, his voice taking on a heart‑pounding weight.

"But have you ever thought, an empire, having only a strong body and a healthy stomach, is not enough."

"It also lacks a brain that thinks, judges, and speaks for us… a heart and a brain. It also lacks a mouth that can broadcast our voice to the world, so everyone hears, understands, and is convinced."

"A strong body without a brain to command is just a live target. A good stomach that can't speak is only silent suffering. This is harder than building a building, and more crucial. I must find talent."