Chapter 356: Return to the Capital

The two smiled tacitly and reached an agreement.

Yang Qing was also extremely happy.

He Xin looked at Yang Qing with admiration; such a thing, which he thought hard to bring about, just happened like that.

After the person left, Huang Shanhe pulled Yang Qing back to the home office.

"Working with the black society, is there really no problem?"

Yang Qing gave him a strange look.

"We're in the smuggling business; if we don't cooperate with the black society, who else would we cooperate with?"

"Or go to the Huo family? They've already suffered heavy losses because of us; don't let them get involved in this."

"Moreover, if we want to exert influence in Gangdao, the black society is a barrier we cannot cross."

"Those rich people in Gangdao are unreliable; they rely on Yinglian for their livelihood, so even if they wanted to, they're powerless."

"Moreover, businessmen are all profit-driven; how many are truly loyal to the country and the people?"

Huang Shanhe furrowed his brow.

"We cannot now affect our relationship with Yinglian."

"What if ……"

Yang Qing waved his hand to interrupt him.

"Director Huang, Gangdao exists because we want it to exist."

"We are the Zhuang family; letting Yinglian come to the table is already our grace."

"If they dare openly sabotage our interests, why would we keep them around?"

"They can stay only as long as they're useful; they dare not cross this bottom line."

"At most they'll shout a couple of times, put on a show, and throw a little tantrum."

"Director Huang really hadn't considered this, because Gangdao is now extremely important, and many things have to be imported through here."

"If Yinglian people cause trouble, their losses would be huge."

"Moreover, relations between the two countries are good now; Yinglian was the first to establish diplomatic relations with us."

"Moreover, many precious things are supplied by them."

"(The profits of those firms mostly come from domestic sources; they are also the biggest smugglers. Refer to the famous China-UK Trade 48 Group—later, many military technologies also have British product influences.)"

"No, we can do the thing, but we must avoid generating interest conflicts with Yinglian people."

"Before you launch other projects, you must report to me and pass our review."

"You can't mess around."

"Now he feels Yang Qing has a hint of being a trouble-magnet."

"He's too bold."

Yang Qing nodded.

"Although he thinks Director Huang is overly sensitive, when faced with huge benefits, Yinglian people are reluctant to let go."

"Anyway, most of the subsequent garment industry is run by locals, so there's little interest conflict with Yinglian people."

"Moreover, maybe we can draw their attention, get involved, and expand the scale."

"Although Yingjiang is fighting right next door, for Yinglian, which still sees itself as a top-tier power, to hell with it—you say yours, I'll do mine."

"Moreover, they do the same, and their business thrives."

"Director Huang, all this thinking is just empty."

"Let's talk after this business is done."

"In the meantime, you can investigate."

"In Gangdao, the Xinyi'an and 14k gangs have WanDao's influence behind them."

"If we have no influence at all, we'll be too passive."

"Director Huang didn't want to discuss this topic."

"Alright, alright, let's see how things go."

"We have our principles; we cannot possibly get deeply involved in gang affairs."

"Afterward, he looked at Yang Qing with doubt."

"How do you know all this?"

"Yang Qing had long been prepared."

"That's what I said when I talked with their people that day."

"This is common knowledge in Gangdao; Director, you wouldn't not know, would you?"

"Director Huang's face turned red."

"What's the point of me understanding these things?"

"Someone else handles this."

"Yang Qing let out an ah, then took his leave."

"He was going back."

"He needed to walk the road more, get familiar with it, to be more confident."

"He bought some local specialties."

"He originally wanted to ask Shuili Niu to help him buy things in Gangdao, but after thinking, he still didn't do it."

"Too sensitive; don't let these small matters ruin the whole plan."

"Returning to Jingcheng again, it was already the end of April."

"Jingcheng was already blooming everywhere."

In the courtyard, the rack-grown vegetables can now be eaten.

Seeing Yang Qing return, many people warmly greeted him, and Yang Qing warmly responded.

Arriving at his own home, Yang Qing saw Yi Da Ma accompanying a little girl over four years old, playing with Rou Dan and them.

"Yi Da Ma, thank you for your hard work."

Then Yang Qing pulled out a handful of lemon candy and butter candy from the package and stuffed them into Yi Da Ma's hands.

"Yi Da Ma, what is this?"

Seeing Yang Qing return, his skin darkened from the sun, Yi Da Ma put the candy aside and pulled the little girl over.

"This is my daughter, Yi Xiaoxiao; Xiaoxiao, this is your older brother Qing."

The little girl shyly hid in Yi Da Ma's arms and spoke softly.

"Hello, Brother Qing."

Yang Qing smiled and rubbed her head, then pulled out a nice hair tie from the bag.

Yi Da Ma took it and handed it to the little girl.

"Say thank you."

The little girl took the flower-patterned hair tie, lifted her head to look at Yang Qing, and showed a smile.

"Thank you, brother."

At that moment, Rou Dan and three others excitedly ran over.

"Dad, dad…"

"Did you bring us something tasty and fun?"

Yang Qing grabbed another handful of candy and gave each a few pieces.

Rou Dan refused to let go, clinging to Yang Qing's leg.

"I want toys, I want toys."

Yang Qing flicked his forehead.

"That's all you've got."

Saying that, he took out a flat paper box from the bag and handed it to Rou Dan.

"This is plastic checkers, for the sisters to play."

Rou Dan saw the toy and excitedly opened it.

Meatball and Osmanthus also gathered around, staring intently.

"Brother, I want to play."

"Brother, I want to play too."

Rou Dan opened it, set up the pieces, then seriously began teaching how to play.

Yi Xiaoxiao also came over.

The three children completely forgot about Yang Qing.

Yang Qing felt left out, and he spoke unhappily.

"Rou Dan, is this how you welcome your father?"

Rou Dan didn't even lift his head.

"Dad, you're such a big person, you should learn to take care of yourself."

Yang Qing nearly spat out a mouthful of blood.

"What a big filial son."

At that moment, Lou Xiao'e walked out from the house.

Only then did Yang Qing notice that the old lady wasn't outside basking in the sun.

He couldn't help but ask.

"Grandma?"

Lou Xiao'e pointed inside.

"I don't know what's wrong with the old lady lately; her spirits have been poor, and she's lain down to sleep."

Upon hearing that, Yang Qing breathed a sigh of relief.

The old lady's energy is indeed not as good as before.

It might just be spring lethargy.

"Nothing serious, right?"

Lou Xiao'e said softly.

"Hong Jie had someone look at her, said there's no problem, old age just makes one prone to drowsiness."

Yang Qing stuffed his belongings into Lou Xiao'e's hands: "There's food inside, take it yourself; I'll go check on the old lady."

Entering the house, the old lady was sleeping deeply.

Yang Qing took a look, then stepped back out; his complexion looked fine, probably no problem.