517: Chapter 512 How did they get here?

The entire cabin instantly fell silent.

Everyone was so stunned by the sight before them that they couldn't speak.

This was the 'Heart of the Blue Ocean'.

A gift from Shen Yan to every member of the janus team, a gift where cost was no object.

The plane landed on the island's private tarmac.

The cabin door opened.

A wave of warm air, carrying the scent of salt and flowers, rushed in.

The Employees were like wild horses let loose from their reins, cheering as they rushed down the gangway.

Some ran straight for the beach, kicked off their shoes, and sprinted across the soft sand.

Others rushed to the sea, letting the cool seawater lap at their ankles.

And some charged directly into the cluster of villas that resembled a palace, eager to find their rooms.

Chen Guangke dragged a few tech geeks along, loudly announcing they were going to explore the island's bar.

Wu Ya, accompanied by several female colleagues, walked together toward the infinity pool in the distance.

The noise and revelry belonged to them.

Shen Yan and Liu Hui walked side by side at the very back.

He didn't look at his subordinates who were celebrating.

His eyes were fixed only on the woman beside him.

"Do you like it here?" he asked.

"Mhm," Liu Hui nodded, her eyes reflecting the azure sky and sea.

"It feels like a dream."

"This isn't a dream," Shen Yan said.

He took her hand.

"From now on, you can come whenever you want."

They walked slowly along the beach.

The setting sun stretched their shadows out long, very long.

In the distance were the cheers of their subordinates.

Nearby was the gentle sound of waves hitting the sand.

Shen Yan stopped walking.

He turned around and looked at Liu Hui.

The last rays of the setting sun cast a golden halo around her.

The 'Tear of the Stars' pendant on her chest refracted a mesmerizing brilliance under the light.

Shen Yan felt that everything he had strived for had meaning in this moment.

What he wanted to give her was not just a trip, not just a necklace.

But a stable future where she could always smile with such peace of mind.

That future was right before his eyes.

The sea breeze was salty, carrying the slight coolness of the early morning, brushing across Liu Hui's hair.

She leaned into Shen Yan's embrace; beneath her feet was fine, soft sand, smoothed like a mirror by the previous night's tide.

The horizon was just beginning to show the pale white of dawn.

The entire island was still asleep.

Only the two of them were awake.

"Are you cold?" Shen Yan's voice was very low, carrying a slight huskiness from just waking up.

Liu Hui shook her head and snuggled deeper into his arms.

His chest was very warm.

They stood there quietly, watching the sun struggle free from beneath the horizon little by little, spilling golden light across the entire world.

It wasn't until a faint rumble came from her stomach that Liu Hui somewhat shyly raised her head.

"I'm hungry."

Shen Yan chuckled softly and took her hand.

"Let's go, I'll take you to breakfast."

The island's restaurant was open-air, offering a direct view of the blue sea and sky not far away.

Chen Guangke's group had already noisily claimed a large section of tables, which were piled high with various tropical fruits and pastries.

Seeing Shen Yan and Liu Hui, Chen Guangke raised a huge mango and shouted across the distance,

"Yan Zi! Sister-in-law! Over here!"

Shen Yan ignored him and led Liu Hui directly to the corner table.

It was the quietest spot.

The two ate breakfast, chatting intermittently.

They talked about trivial, unimportant matters.

But the sunlight was beautiful, the sea breeze was gentle, and even the food carried a hint of sweetness.

Liu Hui felt that this was probably what happiness was supposed to look like.

In the afternoon, a huge cheer suddenly erupted on the beach.

It turned out that a young programmer from the janus project team, named Xiao Li, was proposing to his girlfriend from the same team in public.

The young man knelt on one knee, holding a simple ring, his face flushed red with nervousness, stumbling over his words.

The girl covered her mouth, tears welling up in her eyes, and finally nodded forcefully.

The people around were cheering, shouting, and showering them with champagne.

Liu Hui stood at the edge of the crowd, watching the happy couple with bright eyes.

A smile played on her lips, but deep in her gaze, a hint of envy that even she hadn't noticed was hidden.

Shen Yan stood beside her.

He said nothing, just gripped her hand a little tighter.

Liu Hui felt the strength in his palm, turned her head, and gave him a smile.

That smile was full of understanding and An Ran.

She knew he was very busy.

She also knew that he held her in his heart.

That was enough.

Shen Yan gazed into her eyes, and a place deep within his heart was gently touched.

He thought that once the 'Dawn' project was on track, once everything settled down,

He would give her the grandest wedding in the world.

This thought planted itself quietly in his heart like a seed.

The week-long vacation ended amidst everyone's lingering reluctance to leave.

On the first day back at the company, Shen Yan convened a meeting with the heads of all departments.

In the conference room, those whose spirits still carried the scent of the island appeared somewhat listless.

"The vacation is over."

Shen Yan's voice wasn't loud, but it instantly silenced the entire room.

"Everyone, within three days, adjust back to work mode."

"For the commercial application of janus, I want to see new progress on all projects."

His words were concise and powerful.

Not a single wasted word.

Those who were still immersed in the vacation atmosphere the second before suddenly tensed up.

The decisive CEO Shen was back.

The meeting ended, and Shen Yan didn't linger at the company.

He instructed his assistant to book a flight to T City and traveled alone to the newly acquired land.

According to the plan, the 'Dawn' team would be the first occupants of that land.

He arrived in T City.

Shen Yan was somewhat surprised; the main structure of the flat buildings' renovation was basically complete, and workers were methodically carrying out the interior finishing and wiring installation.

The progress was at least twice as fast as he had anticipated.

A dark-skinned middle-aged man wearing a safety helmet walked quickly toward him.

It was the site supervisor, Feng Yuanshan.

"CEO Shen, why did you come in person?" Feng Yuanshan handed him a clean safety helmet, his tone respectful.

Shen Yan took the helmet and put it on, his gaze sweeping over the busy workers.

"Engineer Feng, this progress is a bit fast."

Feng Yuanshan grinned, revealing a set of white teeth.

"CEO Shen, speaking of which, we have you to thank."

"Thank you?" Shen Yan looked puzzled.

"Yes," Feng Yuanshan pointed to a group of workers in the distance moving a glass curtain wall, "See those people? The one leading them is called Brother Hu."

Shen Yan followed the direction he pointed.

The man referred to as 'Brother Hu' was burly, with a dragon tattoo running over his shoulder, and was bare-chested, loudly directing his subordinates to handle the work carefully.

Shen Yan had a faint impression of that face.

It was the leader of the group that had caused trouble last time.

"How could they be here?" Shen Yan asked.