Feng Wu and Liu Chao recovered quickly after their hospital stay, as young people's bodies are resilient. They spent half a month in the hospital and then another month resting at home before they were basically back to normal.
According to Yang Jian's arrangements, Feng Wu continued as the manager of the Security Department, while Liang Liang assisted Jing Yongli in managing the Yaochi Garden project.
Biao Biao went to the Dongjiang Casino to work as a marker.
Before leaving, Liang Liang accompanied Biao Biao to visit Lu Feng at Huanglong Prison.
Lu Feng had lost a lot of weight in the more than a year since they last saw each other. Separated by the glass of the visiting room, the former brothers-in-arms were speechless, with many things they wanted to say but didn't know where to start.
"Brother Feng, are you doing okay in there?" Biao Biao broke the silence first.
"I'm alright. I've already had two opportunities for sentence reduction and will continue to work hard to get out in four years," Lu Feng said, counting the days on his fingers, not wanting to spend a single extra day inside.
"This is Hongzhou. Did anyone bully you in there?"
"What are you talking about? Don't you trust your Brother Feng? I'm the one who bullies others here; who would dare bully me? Ever since I learned a few moves from Yang Jian, no one in my prison block can beat me. By the way, how is Yang Jian doing? Where is he?"
"Brother Jian's case hasn't been cleared yet, and he's still wanted online. Liang Liang and I were also arrested and were just released not long ago." Biao Biao did not disclose Yang Jian's whereabouts. Although he trusted Lu Feng, his family visited frequently, and any slip-up could cause trouble.
"So, what are you guys doing now?"
"Although Brother Jian isn't around, he set up two factories before he was wanted, and they're doing quite well. We're all working in the factories, and we're also shareholders in one of the trading companies."
"Really? That's great. You won't have to be involved in the underworld anymore. Damn it, it's not easy making a living in the criminal world. You're all bosses now, and I don't even know what I'll do when I get out."
"When you get out, you'll be with us. We'll give you some shares, and besides, you're Brother Jian's brother-in-law. If you get out, those two factories will be yours." Biao Biao said this deliberately to test Lu Feng, to see his attitude towards Lu Yao and Yang Jian's relationship.
"Ahem, brother-in-law? Yang Jian is on the run now, and we don't know what his future holds. It's good enough if he can stay alive." Lu Feng's tone was a bit regretful. He had hoped his sister and Yang Jian would get together before, but now he didn't think they had a future.
"Brother Feng, where is Sister Yao Yao?"
"I don't know where she is either. She visited me once around this time last year, and hasn't been back since. My parents haven't told me where she is either."
Liang Liang took the intercom. "Brother Feng, Brother Jian's factories are developing very well. He's even building new factory buildings to expand the scale. I heard from Yongli that Lu Hao has a way to clear Brother Jian's case, although it will take some time. If you have any news about Sister Yao Yao, please advise her to visit Yang Li Village."
"Advise Yao Yao to go back? Are you sure Yang Jian still has my sister in his heart?"
"Yes. To tell you the truth, I'm in contact with Brother Jian, and he entrusted me to inquire about Sister Yao Yao's whereabouts. Moreover, Brother Jian has already invested tens of millions to build a Yaochi Garden."
"Yaochi Garden?"
"Yes. The reason he invested in this Yaochi Garden is because Sister Yao Yao once said something to Brother Jian. She said that she wanted to build a scenic garden full of flowers next to the template factory and bring her classmates and colleagues to visit and play during holidays. Because of this sentence, Brother Jian has always kept it in mind. Once he had money, he immediately launched the scenic garden project, specifically hiring designers from Hancheng. He named it Yaochi Garden to signify that the owner of this garden is Sister Yao Yao."
Lu Feng pondered for a moment and said, "What is Yang Jian doing? How is he so rich? The template factory shouldn't earn that much money, right?"
"Brother Jian is doing big business and has money. Besides, his family's factories are also very profitable. He has hired professional managers to manage them, and plans for the total output value to exceed one hundred million next year. He is fully capable of supporting the construction of Yaochi Garden." Liang Liang found it inconvenient to mention that Yang Jian was involved in gambling, as this would make Lu Feng's family react negatively. He had to establish an image of Yang Jian having reformed.
"Alright, if I have the chance to see Yao Yao, I will convey Yang Jian's heartfelt intentions to her. Whether they can get back together is not something I can decide."
"Thank you, Brother Feng. I believe Sister Yao Yao also has Brother Jian in her heart."
"You're welcome. I also like Yang Jian and hope he can become my brother-in-law, but only if his case is cleared. Otherwise, I won't agree. By the way, where is Wu Laizi now?" Lu Feng couldn't forget Wu Laizi and regretted not crippling him in the hospital that time, which led to him not only harming Lu Yao but also severely injuring Yang Jian's sister.
"Wu Laizi was sentenced to three years. Although Yang Jian's sister wrote a letter of understanding, and Hong Xing helped him with connections, he committed too many offenses, and the nature of that incident was too severe. Jing Yongli also hired a lawyer with a heavy sum of money, so he was ultimately sentenced to three years."
"It's good that he was sentenced. This scumbag would only harm others if he were left out there." As they were talking, time was up, and the prison guard came to take Lu Feng away. Liang Liang had to give him a thousand yuan before he could send Biao Biao directly to the train station.
Dongjiang Train Station.
Yang Jian drove to pick up Biao Biao himself. When they met, they embraced each other under the gaze of onlookers. The two brothers-in-arms finally met. They had both gone through a difficult year, and their emotions were understandably stirred.
"Biao Biao, you've lost weight again." As they drove back, Yang Jian saw Biao Biao's thin frame and knew he must have been bullied in prison.
Biao Biao, however, smiled and said, "Of course I've lost weight. You've been inside before, haven't you? It's winter melon and cabbage all day long, with no oil or fat in sight. We visited Lu Feng yesterday, and he's even thinner."
"Is that so? How is he doing in there?"
"He's behaving very well in there and should have a chance for sentence reduction. He should be able to get out in about four years."
"That's soon. He'll have served two years by the end of the year, and he'll be out in another two years. Did he ask about me?"
"Of course he did. We told him you were doing business outside."
"Has he seen Lu Yao? Does he know why she left Xinhe without a word?" After much preamble, this was what Yang Jian was most eager to know.
Biao Biao smiled. "Brother Jian, you're so anxious. Lu Feng didn't tell us any news about Lu Yao, but I can tell he was lying, mainly out of concern for your current status. If you can't completely clear your identity as a wanted criminal, her family will never let you know Lu Yao's whereabouts. Although we told him about your intention to build Yaochi Garden to prove your thoughtfulness, as long as your identity is not restored to normal, Lu Feng will not convey what you've done to Lu Yao. Therefore, you need to hurry and clear your case. Otherwise, if too much time passes, Lu Yao might get married, and you'll regret it for the rest of your life."