Chapter 289: The Chess‑Playing Youth Who Stirs the Clouds

This is your uniform; the item returns to its rightful owner.

Ding Tengfei cleaned the uniform Lu Yang had lent him and returned it.

Lu Yang wiped his hands and took the bag handed over.

"If we leave tomorrow, returning it at the train station wouldn't be too late—did you come all the way just for that?"

"Mainly, my parents and I wanted a chance to thank you in person."

Ding Yongxin stepped forward two paces, his wife beside him, and bowed to Lu Yang.

"Thank you, Lu Yang. If it weren't for you, I might already be dead."

"Looking back, we were really foolish and impulsive back then."

Lu Yang comforted, "Let's not dwell on the past. I'm a soldier; even without the Ding Tengfei connection, I would have saved you."

Lu YongQiang also looked at his once high‑spirited old classmate: "Lao Ding, from now on live steadily, keep your wife and children, that's better than anything. Let the past stay the past; don't dwell on it, the important thing is to look forward."

With Lu Yang and his son's consolation, Ding Tengfei's father's eyes reddened again.

He thought back and realized how foolish he had been, losing his mind for a big deal and a few extra coins.

After being swindled and having no way out, he absurdly considered ending his life by jumping off a building.

Such sorrow for kin and joy for foes is itself a cowardly act.

"Come, don't stand—sit and chat."

"Perfect time for a late snack; my mom's fried skewers are definitely the best in Guangling City."

Lu Yang brought over a folding table, unfolded it, and fetched a few small stools so everyone could sit.

At first, his mother thought this might be a bit improper.

After all, Ding Yongxin is her husband's old classmate, once a well‑known big boss; serving fried skewers to guests would be a social faux pas.

But Lu Yang insisted that, compared with overpriced, substandard barbecue joints and cheap eateries, his mother's fried skewers were truly genuine value.

"Everyone try; my mom's cooking is excellent, especially these fried enoki mushrooms and the lotus‑root sandwich."

"Ding Tengfei, the gentlemen can have some beer, and the aunt can have a soft drink, okay?"

Lu Yang placed the freshly fried skewers on the table and opened a few bottles of beer to pour for everyone.

By now the night market crowd was thinning, and many stalls beside them had already extinguished their fires and closed.

His mother was usually popular; seeing friends arrive needing hospitality, several neighboring stalls reignited their grills.

They brought over a few signature night‑snacks, adding a touch of splendor to this modest feast.

"Eat, don't be shy."

"Uncle and aunt, if you're not into fried skewers, we have stir‑fried clams and stir‑fried snails."

"Uncle Sun's stir‑fried clam noodles next door are famous far and wide; many can't even get in line."

Watching Lu Yang busily attend to everyone with a relaxed composure, Ding Tengfei felt an inexplicable sense.

Even though they had just come of age, he felt like a child pretending to be an adult, while Lu Yang seemed the true adult.

On the day of his grandfather's funeral, he forced himself to hold on the whole time, because with his father absent he had to try to shoulder the family's main support.

But before Lu Yang, whose core was truly strong, his façade collapsed instantly, leaving him feeling helpless and wronged like a child.

Honestly, if it weren't for Lu Yang this time, his family would have been ruined and he might not even have been able to return to his unit.

"Brother Yang, I toast you!"

Lu Yang saw he seemed about to brew something and immediately raised his hand to stop him.

"We're brothers; no need for sentimental words, it's all in the wine."

"Alright, all in the wine!"

Ding Tengfei and Lu Yang clinked glasses.

Ding Yongxin also sat silently with his old classmate Lu YongQiang, quietly sipping their drinks.

Young people have their youthful friendships and comradeship; middle‑aged people bear middle‑aged burdens and the unique memories of the '70s and '80s.

Compared with the past, today's life is truly ten thousand times better, yet people are never satisfied, always wanting more after getting something.

After a walk on the rooftop and facing huge life setbacks, Ding Yongxin found himself envying his old classmate.

In that moment, he finally understood, in the true sense, what it means that ordinary is a blessing.

Money is false, the friends at the table are all false, only family companionship is the truest happiness.

His father nudged Ding Tengfei under the table, and Ding Tengfei immediately pulled something from his chest and handed it to Lu Yang.

"Lu Yang, there's something you must accept. It's a token of our gratitude!"

Lu Yang took it curiously and discovered it was a property deed, for a shop.

"What's this?"

"It's a shop across from the Experimental Primary School. My dad bought it long ago when it was cheap; it's only about ten‑odd square meters. We want to give it to you so Aunt won't have to push a cart in wind and rain to do business anymore."

"No, no, no—this, this, this is too valuable; we can't accept!"

"My god, Lao Ding, that's outrageous! A storefront there goes for hundreds of thousands, you're being reckless!"

Not only Lu Yang, but even his parents were startled by Ding Tengfei's generous gesture.

It's not just the Ding family now; their fortunes have declined compared to before.

Even when they were wealthy, a storefront worth several hundred thousand wasn't something you just gave away.

This isn't some urban‑genre novel where tens or hundreds of millions are as cheap as cabbage.

Everyone knows storefronts are valuable, and with the real‑estate market's growth they'll only become more expensive.

But Ding Yongxin and his wife insisted they take the shop, stressing that it was practically worthless when they bought it.

"Lu Yang saved my life, saved our whole family, drove away the bad guys in our darkest hour, restored the last dignity of our Lao Ding family, and gave Grandfather Tengfei a final sense of respect."

"A tiny ten‑square‑meter shop isn't much; its market value isn't as high as you think. I spent only a few ten‑thousand yuan when I bought it."

Old Lu, I'm Ding Yongxin, I'm not an ungrateful person; is my life worth this amount of money? Just tell me whether it's worth these tens of thousands.

If you still treat me as an old classmate, as a friend, just accept it; otherwise I'll always feel indebted in my heart!

Lu YongQiang kept pushing outward: "One thing at a time, it doesn't work like that; if you invite me for a drink, treat me to a meal, that's fine, but you give such an expensive gift, I can't accept it."

Lu Yang also advised: "Take back the property deed; if you're about to give a gift, next time bring two baskets of free‑range eggs—that's better than anything!"

The two sides couldn't reach an agreement, and finally Ding Yongxin could only reluctantly change his tone.

"Then, what do you think, does this work?"

"I won't give it away; can I lease it to you?"

"Sign a long‑term contract, lease it to you at the market's lowest price; when the contract expires, if you want to buy, I'll sell it to you at a discount, and if you don't want to buy, you can consider other shops."

"You all know I'm not what I used to be; think of it as mutual benefit, and I'm counting on this rent to get by."

"But, doesn't this make you lose out?" Lu YongQiang said awkwardly.

"Actually it's not a loss at all; the shopfront is opposite the elementary school, it's street‑facing, but the entrance faces inward, and I've been using it as a Warehouse. Once we break through that street window, we can operate normally."

"Then we can install a TV in the shop, play some cartoons; when students finish school they can sit down, watch TV and eat. What do you think?"

Speaking frankly, Yuan AiQin was somewhat tempted.

She has always wanted to run a shop; after so many years of building a reputation, she has a stable customer base.

Having a storefront means she won't have to be constantly on the move; if it gets too busy, she can even pay to hire someone.

Ding Tengfei tugged Lu Yang's sleeve: "Brother Yang, just consider it a favor. My dad has already sold the factory, paid off the suppliers and workers, and that little Warehouse just sits there without making money; why not be a good person all the way?"

Lu Yang actually thought the proposal wasn't bad.

It's not only mutually beneficial, but also a fresh start.

Ding Tengfei's family won't suffer any loss, and Lu Yang's parents can accept this goodwill—a win‑win situation.

"Mom, just agree; I think this proposal is good."

"Didn't you always say before that when you have money you'd like to run a shop and give it a try?"

"There's one ready now, the market location is good, price is right, and we all know each other, so why not just lease it and see?"

"Who knows, maybe our family will get rich later and become big bosses? Then we can expand, buy all the shops on a street and open a chain; I've already thought of the name: Sister Qin's Fried Skewer Flagship Store!"

"Hahaha~"

Lu Yang's humor made everyone laugh.

Yuan AiQin glanced at her husband and finally nodded in agreement.

Having reached an agreement, both sides were happy, but the happiest was Lu Yang.

He knows how hard his mother works at a small business, how difficult it is, rising early, working late, braving wind and rain.

His own career in the troops has been flourishing, and he naturally wants to see his family's life improve.

Although doing business is destined to be hard, having a stable shop, instead of pushing a cart and being chased by the urban management, makes a fundamental difference.

Lu Yang filled everyone's glasses, raised his cup: "Come, come, let's toast the beautiful Ms. Yuan AiQin. May Sister Qin's Fried Skewer have a branch in a year, a chain in three, and go public with a bell in five!"

"Cheers!"

"Cheers~"

Just as Lu Yang's side was merrily raising their glasses.

A black Audi A6 slowly pulled up on the opposite side of the road.

In the back seat sat Political Commissar Gu Mingyuan of the Eastern Theater Command, who was on his way to handle business.

At that moment he wasn't in uniform, just wearing a plain jacket.

He personally oversaw the Strong City Construction Group affair, personally applying pressure on the local side.

If not for that, the case's detection speed and progress wouldn't be so fast; although the Armed Police Corps contributed somewhat, in the end they're just a bunch of tail‑chasers.

"Chief, over there, the one on the left laughing the happiest is Lu Yang."

"He's the kid who gave JunJun's mother advice, taught her to carry the plaque and kneel to the military district?"

"Yes."

"So he knows they're the family of an Armed Police martyr?"

"Right!"

The driver‑guard quickly recounted all the investigated details.

Including Lu Yang's failure in the college entrance exam, his enlistment, the capture of a spy, his extraordinary promotion, and every incident after returning from a family‑visit leave.

They've even uncovered how many times Lu Yang wet his kindergarten bed and which girl he had a crush on in school.

Gu Mingyuan looked over with interest: "I never expected that behind the whole affair, the one who stirred the waves and sparked this storm would be such a young man, hidden so deeply."

The guard nodded: "If JunJun hadn't inadvertently let slip, we might have all been kept in the dark."

Gu Mingyuan smiled faintly; that's why he deliberately took a detour.

Seeing the Chief open the door and step out, the guard hurriedly unbuckled his seatbelt to follow.

"No need to follow, stay in the car. I'm a bit hungry, going to buy some late‑night snack, try the trend."

"But Chief, the street food out there isn't clean…"

"Not clean? Not clean? You youngsters, why do you grab skewers and eat barbecue out there every now and then?"

"Uh, we only do it occasionally."

"Alright, stay in the car; I'll be back in a moment."

"Yes!"