72: Chapter 72 Jiangshan Yin Renovation Progress

In the driver's seat, Fatty wore a slightly tight, oversized T-shirt, his round belly stretching the fabric to its limit. With one hand on the steering wheel and a cigarette pinched in the other, his face beamed with an irrepressible joy.

"Lao Lin, the environment in this residential complex is really nice, and it's close to your company." Fatty chuckled, showing a mouth full of white teeth. "From now on, I'll drive for you for the rest of my life. If anyone dares to block us, I'll bash them with this steering wheel!"

"Stop being tongue-in-cheek." Sitting in the back, Lin Yu shook his head helplessly. "Drive steadily and don't cause trouble for me. Also, put out that cigarette."

"Hehe, you got it!" Fatty quickly put out the cigarette.

He glanced at Lin Yu through the rearview mirror, his expression suddenly becoming a bit bashful as he rubbed his hands together. "Um... Lao Lin, there's something I want to report to you."

"Speak."

"Well... Huihui and I are planning to get engaged in the next couple of days." Fatty scratched his head, his voice dropping slightly. "I originally wanted to pick a better date, but Huihui said she wanted to settle it early. I think this Saturday is pretty good."

Lin Yu raised an eyebrow, a smile playing at the corner of his lips. "Oh? That's a good thing. Where are you planning to hold it? At Junlin Yunding or Min Shi Wei Tian?"

Fatty froze for a moment, clearly not expecting Lin Yu to give him this choice.

"Lao Lin, aren't you just teasing me? Yunding is Sister Qin's turf, meant for big bosses. Small fry like Huihui and me wouldn't dare to make a scene there. Let's just do it at Min Shi Wei Tian. Sister-in-law Xiaotang's cooking is great and affordable!"

"You silly fool," Lin Yu scolded with a laugh, his eyes filled with warmth. "What's wrong with Yunding? Yunding is mine too. Since you're getting engaged, go to Yunding. I'll book the largest banquet hall for you. As for Min Shi Wei Tian, that's where we'll host your baby's one-month celebration in the future."

"Really?!" Fatty's eyes instantly widened, and his excitement made the steering wheel wobble. "Lao Lin, you... you really treat me like a real brother!"

"Cut the crap." Lin Yu rolled his eyes at him. "Who are we? If you hadn't risked your life to block that blow back then, the grass on my grave would be two meters high by now. What does this little thing matter?"

At the mention of this, the smile on Fatty's face faded slightly, replaced by a simple, honest look. "Lao Lin, let's not talk about that. Without you, I wouldn't have the life I have now..."

"Alright, stop." Lin Yu waved his hand. "Since the engagement is set, what about the wedding? Have you set a date?"

Fatty took a deep breath, a smile returning to his face. "Isn't the wedding house being renovated? Looking at the progress, October 1st is definitely out of the question. But that's fine, it gives us time to air out the formaldehyde and clear the smell. Huihui and I discussed it, and we plan to get married at the end of the year. It'll be cold then, and moving into the new house with the floor heating on will be so warm!"

"Alright, we'll do as you say." Lin Yu nodded. "The end of the year is good. I'll be a bit free then too, so I can drink a few more cups."

...

Jiangshanyin Residential Complex, Building 9.

The Phantom parked in its designated spot in the underground garage.

Fatty led Lin Yu into the elevator and pressed the buttons for the "16th" and "17th" floors.

"Lao Lin, look at this layout. One apartment per elevator lobby, so the privacy is excellent." Fatty explained while scratching his head sheepishly. "The 16th floor is for Huihui and me, and the 17th floor, the top floor, is for Uncle and Aunt. With our two families living upstairs and downstairs, it'll be convenient to look after each other."

"Yeah, the location is great." Lin Yu nodded with satisfaction. "Having you close by puts my mind at ease."

The elevator doors opened on the 16th floor.

Before they even entered the apartment, they heard a clattering din of renovation work inside.

Stepping into the foyer, the once-empty concrete shell had already begun to take shape.

Warm wooden flooring had been laid on the ground, the walls were plastered white, and the suspended ceiling was completed. In front of the living room's floor-to-ceiling windows, several workers were standing on ladders, installing the vents for the central air conditioning.

"President Lin is here!" The foreman, Old Li, saw Lin Yu and quickly climbed down from the ladder, wiping his hands on his clothes. "How is the progress looking? The plumbing and electrical are all done, and the carpentry is wrapping up. Next is painting and installing the cabinets."

"Yes, looks good." Lin Yu scanned the area and nodded in satisfaction. "You've worked hard this past month. Make sure to keep a close eye on the quality. This is my brother's wedding house, so we can't be careless."

"Rest assured! We are the renovation team from 'Min Shi Wei Tian.' We wouldn't dare cut corners even when working for General Manager Xia, let alone for you!" Old Li guaranteed, patting his chest.

Fatty pulled a carton of Chunghua cigarettes from his pocket and stuffed it into Old Li's hands. "Master Li, thanks for your hard work. Take these to smoke. Get some extra dishes for the guys at lunch, it's on me."

"Oh, how can I accept this!" Old Li demurred briefly but accepted anyway. "Thank you, Brother Fatty! Thank you, President Lin!"

"Alright, keep at it. We're going upstairs to take a look."

Fatty and Lin Yu left the apartment and took the stairs up. It was only one floor, and the 17th floor above was where Lin Yu's parents lived.

Before they even reached the door of Lin Yu's parents' home, they heard a warm and lively chatter coming from inside.

"My dear sister, it's all thanks to your Li Hang! If it weren't for him, our Xiaoyu would probably have..." Lin Yu's father, Lin Jianguo, sighed with emotion, his voice choking up slightly.

"What are you saying! That was only right! We watched Xiaoyu grow up; he's no different from our own son." Fatty's father, Uncle Li, said in a booming voice. "Besides, if Xiaoyu hadn't helped secure a loan for our farm and found a market for our products, our family would still be wallowing in the mud! He even gave him a three-million-yuan wedding house downstairs and arranged the renovation... Our Li family can't repay this kindness in several lifetimes!"

"Exactly, exactly." Chen Huihui's gentle voice chimed in. "Uncle, Aunt, please don't be so polite. Li Hang often says that Brother Yu showed him great appreciation and guidance, and he'd be willing to work like an ox or a horse for Brother Yu for the rest of his life."

"You sweet-tongued child," Lin Yu's mother, Wang Xiulan, teased with a smile. "Huihui, if Li Hang ever dares to bully you in the future, just tell me. I'll teach him a lesson for you!"

"Mom! What are you all chatting about? Talking behind my back?"

Fatty had heard them clearly from downstairs and couldn't help but shout as he and Lin Yu entered the apartment.

The two pairs of parents were sitting around a temporary small table, which was set with melon seeds and fruit.

Seeing Lin Yu come up, everyone stood up.

"Xiaoyu is here!" Lin Jianguo greeted him. "Quick, come and sit. Look at the apartment, does the renovation look alright?"

"Dad, Mom, Uncle Li, Aunt Li." Looking at the familiar smiling faces before him, a warm current welled up in Lin Yu's heart.

Sitting on the left were Fatty's parents, Uncle Li and Aunt Li. They were dressed simply, with an air of honest sincerity in their eyes. They had long since regarded Lin Yu as their benefactor, and the elderly couple was incredibly grateful, treating Lin Yu's parents with the closeness of in-laws.

Sitting on the right were Lin Yu's parents. Ever since Lin Yu made it big, although they were living a good life, they were still honest and simple-minded deep down. Since Fatty had risked his life to save Lin Yu this time, the elderly couple regarded Fatty as their savior and were extremely fond of Chen Huihui.

"Brother Yu!" Chen Huihui called out, her face flushing slightly.

"Huihui, thank you for your hard work. You even found time to help watch over the renovation for my parents." Lin Yu smiled and nodded.

"It's no trouble at all. Uncle and Aunt are so nice, they feel just like my own parents," Chen Huihui replied with a sweet smile.

"Ah, our two families coming together is truly fate." Uncle Li picked up his teacup. "Lao Lin, come, have some tea! Once the apartments are renovated, our two families will live right above and below each other. We can drop by every day!"

"Yes! Every single day!" Lin Jianguo laughed heartily. "When the time comes, I'll have your sister-in-law make dumplings for you all!"

Sunlight streamed through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating everyone's faces.

The air was filled with the faint scent of renovation materials, mingled with the aroma of melon seeds and the warmth of human connection. Watching this scene, the corners of Lin Yu's mouth curved up slightly. He sent out two text messages, then stood up to look around.

The once-empty concrete shell had now undergone a complete transformation.

The floors were paved with Carrara white marble that Lin Yu had specially ordered to be shipped from Italy. Its veins flowed as naturally as an ink-wash landscape painting, gleaming with a warm luster under the afternoon sun. Wall paneling had already been installed, made of North American black walnut wood—steady and grand, creating a perfect contrast of warm and cool tones against the chilly marble.

In the center of the living room, a massive crystal chandelier had already been installed. Although it was still covered with a dust sheet, its complex and luxurious design was still clearly visible.

The most eye-catching feature was the twenty-meter-long sky garden.

The balcony, which had been nothing but steel and concrete, had now been transformed into a "sky courtyard" by a professional landscaping team. The preservative-treated wood flooring was laid out neatly, surrounded by green bamboo and red plum blossoms. Space had been reserved in the middle for a fish pond, and a wisteria trellis was already set up. Although the plants still needed time to grow, the poetic vibe of "plucking chrysanthemums beneath the eastern fence" was already beginning to take shape.

Having walked around, it looked even better than he had expected. Not bad!

Lin Yu walked over to the railing, gazing down at the river view below, a surge of pride and ambition weling up in his heart.

...

The afterglow of the setting sun spilled over the surface of the river in Ze City, sparkling like scales.

"Let's go, stop working so hard." Lin Yu went downstairs and clapped his hands, interrupting the elders who were still discussing curtain colors. "We aren't eating at home today. I'm taking you somewhere."

"Where are we going, Xiaoyu?" Wang Xiulan wiped her hands, looking at her son with concern. "You've been busy outside all day and must be tired. Why don't we just head home and have a simple bite?"

"Mom, today is a special day, we have to celebrate." Lin Yu smiled mysteriously and turned to Fatty. "Fatty, everyone's coming. We're going to the Yunding Hotel. I've asked Sister Qin to arrange a 'family banquet' table."

"Yunding?!" Uncle Li and Auntie Li were startled. "That's a five-star hotel! Why are we going there? It's too extravagant!"

"Uncle, Aunt, please rest assured." Lin Yu smiled as he supported the two elders. "I own half of that hotel. How can eating at our own place be considered extravagant? Besides, we're going to sample some dishes today, and I've invited my sister and brother-in-law to join us."

"Oh, that's wonderful!" Hearing that his daughter was coming too, Lin Jianguo immediately perked up. "Let's go, let's go. No need to cook then!"

...

At 6:30 PM, in the "Yunduan Pavilion" private room of the Junlin Yunding International Hotel.

A massive crystal chandelier cast a soft glow, illuminating the entire private room in magnificent gold. Through the 270-degree floor-to-ceiling windows, the myriad lights of Ze City were fully visible, resembling a flowing river of stars.

When Lin Yu led the two families into the private room, two beautiful figures were already standing by the window, conversing in low voices.

The one on the left wore a beautifully tailored, white haute couture business suit, her long hair casually swept up to reveal a slender, fair neck. Her features were exquisite and sharp, and her brow carried an innate nobility, looking like a queen stepped out of a pictorial—she was none other than the helmsman of the Yunding Hotel, Su Manqin.

The young girl holding her arm was another kind of ultimate stunner. She wore a light blue "first love" dress, her long hair cascading like a waterfall, her skin as white as snow. Her clear eyes resembled those of a fawn in the forest, so pure that one could not bear to defile them. Her beauty was of that non-threatening, breathtaking purity that could make anyone hold their breath at first sight—this was Mu Wan.

"Xiaoyu!" Seeing Lin Yu enter, Mu Wan's eyes lit up. Almost subconsciously, she let go of Su Manqin and quickly walked over to greet him, naturally taking his arm. Her voice was soft and sweet, carrying a bashful playfulness she only showed in front of him.

Although Su Manqin was not as eager as Mu Wan, the moment her beautiful eyes landed on Lin Yu, the frost in them instantly melted into a pool of spring water. She nodded slightly, a proper smile gracing her lips, but the deep affection and reliance in her eyes were things only Lin Yu could read.

"Wanwan, Sister Qin." Lin Yu smiled, quietly patting the back of Mu Wan's hand resting on his arm with one hand, while naturally wrapping his other arm around Su Manqin's waist, his movements so natural they seemed practiced a thousand times.

"Dad, Mom, Uncle Li, Aunt Li." Lin Yu turned slightly to introduce them, a hint of hard-to-detect pride in his tone. "This is President Su of Yunding whom I often mention to you, Su Manqin. And this is Mu Wan, my... good friend."

"Hello, President Su! Hello, Miss Mu!" Uncle Li and Auntie Li rubbed their hands together somewhat nervously. Though simple and rustic, they could see that these two young ladies were extraordinary—especially Mu Wan, whose beauty was like a fairy descended to earth, making them dare not look directly.

"Hello, Uncle, Aunt. Please sit." Su Manqin reined in her corporate sternness, putting on a proper smile as she personally stepped forward to support Auntie Li. "I am Manqin, Xiaoyu's partner. We are all family from now on, so please don't be so polite."

"Oh, President Su is really too polite!" Wang Xiulan held Su Manqin's hand and then looked at Mu Wan, sighing in admiration. "These two girls are so beautiful, just like fairies! Xiaoyu, you must treat them well and thank them!"

"That goes without saying." Lin Yu smiled and nodded.

Just then, a well-built man with a buzz cut walked over from the window. He was dressed in a black casual suit, and though he wasn't wearing a uniform, his upright posture and sharp gaze still exuded the tough demeanor of a soldier.