Xin Tai collapsed, and the news spread throughout Dongjiang that evening. Within three days, the entire nation knew.
Countless citizens went to the Xin Tai building, only to find it sealed off. The parking lot, usually filled with luxury cars, was now empty.
The exquisite advertisements on the walls were taken down, revealing the bare gray walls. In just two or three days, the once magnificent building was deserted and appeared dilapidated and desolate.
For a long time, this building was a popular spot for social media check-ins. Even ten years later, the legend of Xin Tai Entertainment was still circulating among the people, though the versions varied.
As for whether the boss of Xin Tai was arrested or had fled, there were always differing opinions.
One month after the Xin Tai casino was shut down, Yang Jian's case went to trial at the Hancheng Intermediate People's Court.
Lu Hao and his sister Lu Yue attended the hearing.
Also present were Yang Rui and her boyfriend Ma Ming, Biao Biao, Liang Liang, Jing Yongli, Song Jianmin, Wu Wangchun, and Yu Feng.
In court, the prosecutor presented several testimonies from casino henchmen, proving that Yang Jian was a partner in Li Jin's casino.
Yang Jian's lawyer refuted this on the spot, arguing that since the main organizer of the casino had denied Yang Jian's partnership, the henchmen's testimonies were insufficient. Yang Jian merely had business dealings with Li Jin.
Ultimately, the court ruled that the evidence presented by the prosecution was insufficient, and the charge of Yang Jian organizing gambling was not established. He was released on the spot.
Yang Rui, in the spectator stands, was so excited that she cried. Jing Yongli immediately called home to share the good news.
After three years of fear and evasion, Yang Jian's fugitive status was finally cleared, and his eyes were also moist.
"Brother Hao, thank you."
As they left the court, Yang Jian was the first to embrace Lu Hao. He knew that this outcome was all due to Lu Hao's behind-the-scenes efforts. Otherwise, his entire life would have been rewritten.
Lu Hao patted his shoulder, "What are you thanking me for, brother? It's good that you're cleared. From now on, you're a normal person."
"Yes, we don't need to be polite. Brother Hao, what's the situation in Dongjiang?"
"Xin Tai is gone, Bai Zheng has fled. Don't worry, it won't affect you. The old man has suppressed the reports against you, and the police haven't investigated you or Ah Feng."
"That's great. What about Ah Feng and the others' cases?"
"They are involved in the murder case of Wang Zi, and Wang Zi's father is very influential. They couldn't be completely acquitted. However, the main culprit, Yang Fan, has not been apprehended. They are only accomplices and have been sentenced to three years in prison. Ah Feng is currently serving his sentence at Huanglong Prison."
"Huanglong Prison?"
"Yes, it's in Hongzhou. You can visit him when you have time."
"I will. I have another brother serving time there too, he should be out soon."
Lu Yue walked over, "Little Yang, thank you. If you hadn't intervened, Lu Hao's future would have been ruined, and my father would have been affected too."
"Sister Yueyue, you all treat me like a younger brother, so we are family. Shouldn't family members help each other? I returned safely from Dongjiang, and this lawsuit, aren't you all helping me?"
"That's true, but you fronted a hundred million yuan. That's a huge favor, and it will take us many years to repay it."
"Sister, Brother Hao, don't mention the money again. Compared to my safe return from Dongjiang, any amount of money is meaningless to me. So, Brother Hao, don't think about repaying me, I don't want it. Oh, by the way, do you know where Li Jin is serving his sentence?"
"In Shayang Prison."
Lu Hao didn't know what to say, still feeling indebted to Yang Jian.
Wu Wangchun came over and shook Yang Jian's hand, "Little Yang, the great disaster has passed. May your future be smooth sailing."
"Thank you, Uncle Wang. You're not still running a casino, are you?"
"I'm still running it, and it's quite big. I don't know how to do anything else besides these shady businesses."
"Uncle Wang, take my advice, quit. The bigger the casino, the more dangerous it becomes. Do something legitimate. If you need money for investment, let me know. Within ten million yuan, it's no problem."
Yang Jian always felt grateful to Wu Wangchun. Although he hadn't helped him much, he had always genuinely cared about him. During the years Yang Jian was away, Wu Wangchun visited his parents from time to time. Therefore, Yang Jian hoped he would have a good outcome.
Wu Wangchun nodded, "Thank you, Little Yang. If that day comes, I will ask you."
Seeing Wu Wangchun's attitude, he clearly had no intention of giving up the casino. Yang Jian didn't say much more, as he was an elder.
"Er Jian, you're finally back safe. Sister, let me hug you."
Yu Feng walked over and opened her arms.
Yang Jian hugged her, "Thank you, Sister Feng. You've always supported Li Jian Company and me without wavering all these years."
Yu Feng interrupted him, "Alright, don't say such sentimental things. Now that you're back, focus on your entrepreneurship and make Li Jian Company bigger and stronger. You're a big boss now, and I might need to borrow money from you for cash flow in the future."
Yang Rui walked over at this moment, "Brother, let's go home. Mom, Dad, and Grandma have been waiting impatiently."
"Okay, let's go home."
Ma Ming reminded him, "Brother, I've already booked a hotel. You can take a shower and change your clothes."
Everyone agreed with this suggestion. While they were happy, they wouldn't break the rules.
After showering, Yang Jian bid farewell to the Lu siblings and took Ma Ming's car to Xinqiao Town.
"Rui Rui, you've graduated, haven't you? Have you found a job?"
On the way back, Yang Jian chatted with his sister.
"I've graduated. I've joined Ma Ming's securities company."
"That's good. When are you planning to get married?"
"We haven't planned yet. His parents are always urging us, but I want to get married after you do."
"Why wait for me? You get married, you get married. Is there any difficulty?"
Yang Rui glanced at Ma Ming, who was driving, "Their family still lives in the old house at the shipyard. Don't we need to buy a bigger new house to get married? He's been working for five or six years, but he can't even afford the down payment. How can we get married without a house?"
Yang Jian looked at his sister incredulously, "Don't we have money in our family? If he can't afford the down payment, can't you either?"
Seeing Yang Jian getting angry, Ma Ming quickly said, "Brother, Rui Rui meant that she wanted to ask Uncle and Aunt for money to buy a house, but I disagreed. I want to buy a house through my own efforts. If my mother hadn't been sick and spent a lot of money these past two years, I would have bought a house long ago."
"Since you two are getting married, you both have the obligation to buy a house. There should be no division. So, you find a house you like, and I'll pay for it. You're not young anymore, get married soon, so the parents on both sides don't worry."
"Brother, you really don't need to pay. I'm already preparing to go solo and start a company, taking orders to trade stocks for others. The commissions are very high, and I'll have money to buy a house soon."
"Stop talking nonsense. Starting a company isn't that easy, and it makes money right away? Buy a house and get married first, full payment. I'm not short of that little money."
"Okay, brother. If you have any spare money, invest some in me. I'll trade stocks for you. With my experience, the returns won't be lower than running a factory."
Ma Ming was preparing to go solo as a professional stock agent, so he naturally sought clients with financial strength. Yang Jian, his brother-in-law, became his first target client.