Yang Jian was not interested in Ma Ming's proposal, mainly because he didn't understand it and had no interest in investing, as he was not short of money.
"Ma Ming, you two should buy a house and get married first. We can talk about investments later."
"Okay, brother."
Ma Ming knew he couldn't rush things. He and Yang Rui hadn't registered their marriage yet, so they weren't officially family. Yang Jian wouldn't entrust large sums of money to him to manage.
An hour later, their car arrived at the board factory. They saw a hundred-meter-long display of fireworks and firecrackers lining the road outside the factory gate, with thousands of people standing on both sides, clearly welcoming Yang Jian's return.
"Boom."
As Yang Jian's vehicle entered the factory grounds, Yang Huailin personally lit the first skyrocket.
Immediately, hundreds of fireworks shot up from both sides of the road, their loud explosions echoing throughout half of Xinqiao Town.
Yang Jian had to get out of the car and, surrounded by Biao Biao, Liang Liang, and others, walked towards Peng Zhaoyang, who had been waiting for a long time. Behind Peng Zhaoyang were several cadres from the town government, as well as village cadres. The entire staff of Lijian Company was also present.
"Town Chief Peng, won't such a grand display have a bad influence?"
The scene was too grand, and Yang Jian felt a bit embarrassed.
Peng Zhaoyang shook his hand tightly. "Mr. Yang, you were released without conviction, not after serving a prison sentence. We welcome you back, and any display is not against regulations. Your Lijian Company is a leading enterprise in Xinqiao Town, a major taxpayer, and provides employment for hundreds of people. Your investment in the rubber dam has solved the agricultural irrigation problems for several townships along the Xiaosha River, a contribution that benefits the present and future generations. On behalf of the Xinqiao Town government and its people, I thank you. I hope you will continue to use your abilities to benefit more of our fellow villagers."
These words made Yang Jian feel ashamed. The money he earned came from casinos and was illicit income. The town chief's praise and encouragement felt somewhat ironic.
"Town Chief Peng, please don't say that. I will do my best to help in any way I can."
"Your words are enough. You should rest for a few days. I needed to see you. I haven't seen your parents in years, so I won't disturb your family reunion."
Peng Zhaoyang had only come to show his face and emphasize his regard for Yang Jian. After a few pleasantries, he left with his entourage.
Yang Huailin also welcomed Yang Jian's return on behalf of the village, offering similar words of praise and encouragement.
Then, Jiang Bin and the employees of Lijian Company surrounded Yang Jian, showering him with warm greetings and concern. The scene was lively and emotional, with some employees even shedding tears. They were genuinely grateful to Yang Jian for providing them with the opportunity to earn a salary comparable to that in big cities right at their doorstep.
After finally completing the welcome ceremony, Yang Jian was finally able to go home.
There were also many people at home, including uncles, neighbors, and all his relatives, gathered at the entrance to set off firecrackers.
Then came the rituals of cleansing with mugwort and stepping over a brazier. As he walked into the house, he saw his grandmother and parents, and Yang Jian knelt before them.
"Grandma, Dad, Mom, Er Jian has been unfilial. I've made you worry for the past few years."
"My son, it's good that you're back. Get up quickly. Your grandmother can't recognize you anymore."
Liu Xingzhi pulled her son up. After such a long separation, she was more concerned about him than anything else, and wouldn't let him kneel for long.
"Grandma, it's Er Jian. Do you still remember me?"
Yang Jian held his grandmother's hand, feeling even more guilty, believing that her current state was his fault.
The old woman's gaze was vacant. She looked at Yang Jian without any reaction, her memory completely gone.
Yang Jian then turned to greet his maternal uncle, aunt, and other relatives.
"Uncle, where have you been? Why haven't you visited my house for so long?"
His nephew, Gao Yang, ran over and hugged his leg.
Yang Jian patted his head. "Yang Yang has grown taller and looks like a man. Have you missed your uncle?"
"Of course, I have! No one has bought me toys or delicious food for the past few years."
This remark made the adults laugh.
Yang Rui, however, was not pleased. "You ungrateful Yang Yang, how could you forget so quickly when your aunt bought you toys last time? Don't expect me to buy you anything from now on."
"I've grown up and don't need toys anymore. Uncle is back, so I don't need my aunt to buy me things either, but I still love you, Auntie."
Gao Yang stuck out his tongue at her.
Yang Rui chased after him to hit him, but Yang Hui stopped her. "Stop fooling around. Let Er Jian offer incense and kowtow to the ancestral tablets."
Yang Shuanglin had already prepared the incense and candles. Yang Jian offered incense at the shrine and kowtowed three times, completing the ritual of worshipping the ancestors.
Afterward, he recounted some of his experiences fleeing outside over the past few years to his relatives and uncles, omitting the part about the Xintai Casino and only saying he was doing business elsewhere.
By the time dinner was ready, most of the relatives had left. Only Yang Hui's family planned to stay for dinner before returning. Since they had a car, they weren't afraid of driving at night.
"Er Lao, now that you're back, don't mess around anymore. The priority is to get married. Your sister's house is also renovated. That Xiao Ma seems to have feelings for you, and she's good-looking and a university student. Why don't you marry her?"
At the dinner table, Yang Shuanglin began to discuss Yang Jian's lifelong event.
"Xiao Ma? Which Xiao Ma?"
Yang Jian looked bewildered.
"It's Ma Lan, the company's legal counsel. She said you asked her to come. This child is quite sensible. She often comes to help your mother with housework. We all thought you had gotten together with her while you were away."
"Ma Lan? Don't try to force us together. I have nothing to do with her. Sister, do you have any news about Lu Yao?"
Yang Hui shook her head. "No. She probably hasn't returned in the past three years. However, I met her father, Chief Engineer Lu. He told me that Lu Yao is already married."
"What did you say? Impossible! Is Chief Engineer Lu at home? I'll go find him tomorrow."
Yang Jian's heart suddenly ached. He could not accept this news at all. After waiting for three long years, this was the outcome.
Yang Hui sighed. "Er Lao, I'm not lying to you. Lu Yao is not only married but also has a child. I saw it with my own eyes."
Yang Jian suddenly roared like a madman. "Impossible! Give me Chief Engineer Lu's phone number. I'll find him now."
"I met him at the hospital when he was seeing his child for Lu Yao. It was a hurried encounter, and we only exchanged a few pleasantries. I didn't get a chance to get his phone number. Later, I went to Jiao Shi Village to look for him, but his neighbors said his whole family had moved away."
"How could this happen?"
Yang Jian collapsed onto the dining table in pain. He had accepted this cruel reality. His sister would not lie to him.
Yang Shuanglin patted his head. "My child, you went through such a big ordeal. You can't blame Lu Yao for not waiting for you. Any parents would not agree to marry their daughter to a wanted criminal. She comes from a scholarly family, and you have a notorious reputation. Your families were already not entirely in favor of your marriage. After your incident, her family must have forced her to marry someone else. Face reality. Your mother and I both think Xiao Ma is a good match. Although she's not as beautiful as Lu Yao, she's well-educated and a lawyer, which would be respectable."