After the Divorce, I Could Hear the Voice of the Future

It's late at night, and the rain has stopped.

But it's just the calm before the storm. The news reports that the 16th typhoon of the year will land tomorrow.

"Friends, please wait a moment."

Liangzi smiled broadly and left in a car, under everyone's gaze. Talking with these third and fourth-generation folks was probably his biggest unexpected gain tonight.

"Liangzi, drive safely on the road."

"Liang, next time you definitely need to have a few more drinks."

Everyone smiled brightly, bidding farewell to Liangzi.

Several hours of conversation greatly changed their impression of Liangzi, even Zheng Qilong no longer held hostility.

Because they were like Li Chengqian from the Great Tang, receiving elite aristocratic education from a young age, enjoying the best resources the world offered.

However, just when they thought they could accomplish their ambitions by entering a company after finishing school, they realized that, whether at home or at work, it was always the elder who had the final say.

The only choice left was to endure, endure until the older generation passed away, endure until they themselves became the older generation.

It would take at least twenty or thirty years to finally sit at the table and possess any significant say, but how many could endure that long and not make any mistakes in the meantime?

Just at this time, Liangzi was like a beam of light shining into their lives.

'The thoughts of the older generation are not always right, and the ideas of the younger ones are not always wrong.'

'Practice is the only criterion for testing the truth; idle thinking is ultimately just armchair strategy.'

'Zhe Kai made a name for himself at the age of 33, amassing a wealth of billions at the digital port battle.'

'I am 33 this year too, started with nothing, and now have a house full of guests.'

'Youth is our best capital. We can accept failure and entertain wild ideas.'

'The success rate without trying is zero, but there's at least a chance if we try.'

'Don't let yourself regret several years down the line, decades are too long, focus on the moment...'

Perhaps Liangzi had ulterior motives, but every word he spoke resonated with them, and they were willing to offer help.

The commercial bank Xingheng acquired in Neon will enter the Xiangjiang market within three months at the earliest, and six months at the latest.

They have ample time to think about which direction to pursue in the future and what help Liangzi can provide.

"Summer planting, winter harvest, hope it's a good one."

Liangzi sat inside the car, looking at the waving crowd bidding him farewell, he smiled and said, "Back to the city."

The next morning, the 16th typhoon of the year, Beibijia, landed on Hong Kong Island, with torrential rain and winds reaching level nine.

The entire sky of Xiangjiang was shrouded in clouds, the wind swirling papers skyward, much like the moods of stock market investors these past days.

The statement they awaited from the Financial Management Office came but left them greatly disappointed, straightaway characterized as a market behavior.

Once the statement was published, the whole of Hong Kong was in an uproar.

"They collude, snakes and mice in the same hole, officials and businessmen conspiring."

"Turns out driving away Liu Cixin was part of this calculation."

"Chen Jiebin, hurry back, check if your ancestral grave is still there?"

The public was outraged, not only cursing Liangzi but also denouncing Chen Jiebin to the point of worthlessness.

A large number of spectators from the mainland, armed with the latest intel, returned to the simplified Chinese internet for rampant dissemination.

"When did Liangzi's heart become so black?"

"Creating an unprecedented market disaster by his own hands, the Hang Seng Index's daily fluctuation second only to the financial crisis of '97."

"This tells us that capital is ultimately capital. Be more cautious in the future, don't end up helping someone count their money after being sold out."

"Terrifying, thanks to the Xiangjiang fellows for revealing Liangzi's true nature, the folks suffered."

"Why did Liangzi turn into a demon when he went to Xiangjiang?"

"Is there a chance he was always a demon, just restricted in the mainland, hence appeared human?"

"Socialism sure is nice."

Amid the mainland netizens' heated discussions, Ma Yun quietly returned to Hang City, focusing all efforts on preparing for Ant's IPO.

"Mr. Lu is a good man," Old Ma sighed.

Liangzi's recent activities and possible upcoming actions undoubtedly aimed at buying them time.

Being in Xiangjiang, Liangzi quickly called Old Ma upon hearing this, looking frustrated, "Mr. Ma, do you realize how much I've contributed to shifting public opinion?"

Old Ma's face darkened, he replied in a disgruntled tone, "Mr. Lu, you're speaking as if I asked for your help?"

"Mr. Ma, I'm deeply saddened, burning bridges isn't the way of a true hero." Liangzi sighed, showing a sad face.

"If you have something to say, say it, if not, I'm busy," Old Ma said, his face still dark. He thought he was shameless enough, hadn't expected someone better at it.

"There's a typhoon in Xiangjiang, staying in a hotel is really boring."

Liangzi said with a smile, then he heard the busy tone from the other end.

"Heartless." He chuckled silently, feeling pretty good, believing that good deeds should be known, even if done unintentionally.

Next, Liangzi made several phone calls, reaching out to Sun Yutao in Modu and Wen Chao in Neon.

He instructed them to prepare the maximum funds for the upcoming Monday.

During the weekend, the typhoon raged.

Liangzi remained in the hotel, didn't take a step outside, refused any meeting requests, focused on arranging his battle plan.

As Monday dawned, Lin Yan's watch alarm vibrated on her wrist.

She glanced at Liangzi, who was still asleep beside her, then quietly kissed his face, picked up her nightgown from the floor, and left the bedroom.

"The typhoon seems to have passed." Lin Yan looked out the window, although the sky was still overcast, the rising sun could already be seen on the horizon.

Estimated within a few hours, once it's completely bright, the typhoon would completely pass, reverting to the sunny weather prior.

"Summer typhoons, they come quick, and leave just as fast."

Liangzi's lazy voice came from behind, accompanied by a pair of warm large hands wrapping around her waist.

Lin Yan was startled but quickly realized, smiling, she held onto Liangzi's arms, squinting, enjoying this moment of warmth.

The scene should be quite poetic now, especially under the dawn light on their faces, like a picture, if not for those naughty hands suddenly pinching her little love handles.

"My Chief Steward Lin, you seem to have put on some weight?" Liangzi jested, playing with her tummy.

Though Lin Yan wasn't as youthful and beautiful as Li Manli, not as mature and charming as Yang Mi, and didn't possess features as exquisite as Pang Di created by a god.

Her looks, figure, demeanor, none stand out particularly if taken separately, but together, leave a very pleasant first impression.

Lin Yan very much resembled a character from a drama Liangzi watched while studying, the human form of a cat demon in it.

She belonged to the type that grows more pleasant to look at the longer you observe, and seemed exactly right for her age.

Lin Yan rolled her eyes, then suddenly flashed a mischievous smile, "Mr. Lu, do you really think I just gained weight?"

Liangzi was taken aback, "Pregnant?"

Lin Yan's face turned bashful, nodding her head.

Liangzi hurriedly inquired, "When did this happen?"

"Probably on the way to Neon last time." Lin Yan secretly observed Liangzi's reaction.

"Is there someone who can cover your shift?"

"Why cover my shift?"

"Pregnant women probably shouldn't be on long flights, right? The change in cabin pressure might affect the baby, right?"

This was a knowledge blind spot for Liangzi, not particularly knowledgeable on this, seeing him about to search for answers.

Lin Yan got flustered, quickly saying, "Mr. Lu, no, don't… don't be so nervous, I was just joking."

"???" Liangzi's face darkened, "You better think carefully and answer, which of your words was the joke?"

"Not pregnant, I checked immediately after landing last time."

Lin Yan apologized, clinging to Liangzi coquettishly, "Oh, don't be mad, I just slipped, my mouth was quicker than my brain just now."

"So, were you testing me just now?" Liangzi squinted, his gaze not friendly.

"It was just a moment of indulgence, my bad." Lin Yan desperately sought forgiveness.

Although she always harbored thoughts of making money for a few years then retiring, occasionally her rationality would be eroded by emotion.

Sometimes she was curious, wanting to know how Liangzi would react if she was actually pregnant.

"...So how many points did you give my reaction earlier?" Liangzi asked with disdain.

"Ten out of ten!" Lin Yan beamed, her Funan dialect slipping out.

Liangzi sneered, "Thanks to your little test, my mood for today is ruined."

"I'm sorry."

"Not forgiving."

"Then what should I do for you to forgive me?"

Lin Yan put on a pitiful face, then suddenly yelped when Liangzi scooped her up by the waist, hearing him chuckle, "Of course, make the fake into real."