Epiphanies of Rebirth Chapter 91 (Part 3)
Translated by Pure
Chapter 91.3 Extra [Returning in Glory I]
As in his recollection, the national team amassed a multitude of gold medals. Unfortunately, Lin Jingzhe could only catch a few shows in haste before embarking on an extended journey.
Zhou Family, Gao Family, Deng Mai, Lin Jingzhe, and Xiao Chi—this time, the entire family set out once more.
Their destination was particularly unique: Qunnan.
Having fully settled in Yan City, close relatives from their hometown were gradually relocated, and everyone's lives and professions slowly centered around their new city life. Except for Deng Mai, who occasionally visited his parents during the New Year, the Gao and Zhou families, along with Lin Jingzhe, had likely not returned for over a decade.
The Zhou Family's parents faced unemployment there, experiencing the harsh realities of life. The tragedy in Lin Jingzhe's previous life also had its roots in this location. For him, Liyun Town was more than just a hometown.
However, today, everyone's mindset had evolved. Coinciding with New Beginnings Conglomerate's preparations to extend its Mixed-Use Building projects from first-tier cities to potential second-tier cities, there was a need to conduct market research before formalizing a plan. Mao Dongqing set his sights on Qunnan Province, where the property market had been gaining traction in recent years. The parents of the Zhou and Gao Families simply suggested taking advantage of the long Olympic holiday to revisit their hometown with Lin Jingzhe.
When Lin Jingzhe returned to his hometown, Xiao Chi made sure to accompany him, referring to it with the glorified term 'a casual inspection of residential real estate.' Hu Shaofeng, who started working overtime endlessly on the second day of the opening ceremony, rolled his eyes to the sky at his words.
At the airport, after checking in her luggage, Mother Zhou took the ticket and sighed, "Times have really changed. We can now reach Qunnan from Yan City in just two hours."
She traveled to various remote countries for work, but Mother Zhou still couldn't help but reminisce about the time more than ten years ago when she and her husband left Liyun Town for the first time, embarking on their journey to Yan City. Back then, Zhou Haitang had just entered college, and the couple had recently lost their jobs. During the most challenging period of her life, she huddled in the corner of the train car with her large luggage, leaning on her husband's tired shoulders, unaware that her future was about to unfold.
The lengthy journey spanned dozens of hours. As she stepped off the bus, she gazed at the expansive and splendid Yan City Railway Station, overwhelmed by a sense of inferiority that deterred her from seeking directions.
Both she and her husband anticipated the onset of a potential nightmare.
Yet, to their surprise, it marked the conclusion of their tribulations.
A few years ago, Qunnan discovered abundant rare earth resources in several smaller cities, leading to a sudden boost in its economy. As a result, the flight from Yan City to Qunnan is bustling with passengers, and the first-class cabin is completely occupied.
After Deng Mai called his parents in his hometown, he powered off his phone, accepted the motion sickness medicine and water from Gao Sheng, and swallowed them. Despite over ten years having passed, the symptoms of motion sickness for the two individuals have considerably diminished, yet they still occasionally experience bouts of vomiting during boat or airplane journeys.
The shuttle bus outside the window slowly pulled away, and Xiao Chi secured Lin Jingzhe's seat belt just before the powerful roar pierced through the clouds.
The reception staff from Qunnan had been at the airport early, and as soon as everyone disembarked, they were swiftly chauffeured away in a limousine.
Over the span of more than ten years, a primitive society transformed into a modern one. High-rise buildings now graced the skyline, and the roads were wide and immaculate.
Lin Jingzhe pointed out to Xiao Chi, recalling from his memory, "See there? That used to be an old bus station."
It was at this spot that he boarded the long-distance bus to Shen City, marking the beginning of his first encounter with Xiao Chi.
"That's Qunnan University over there."
In his previous life, it was his foremost aspiration during the college entrance examination. "That building used to be quite remarkable."
The structure on the roadside, once rented by Qiqing Real Estate and a former landmark building in Qunnan, has been left behind by the passing years. Although still functional, the lower floors and dusty gray exterior walls have long faded in brilliance amidst the towering structures around it.
Xiao Chi simply embraced him, listening attentively with a soft gaze, while the receptionist ahead couldn't resist her curiosity. "Has Mr. Lin been to Qunnan a long time ago?"
"I am originally from Qunnan, specifically Liyun Town of Qunnan," Lin Jingzhe responded with a smile. "It's just that I haven't had the opportunity to return for many years. The transformations are quite significant."
"You're from Liyun Town!" The staff member expressed increasing surprise. "Oh my God, Liyun Town has unearthed several rare earth mines in recent years, and our branch was invited by the city government to explore them. It's a wonderful place with a good environment and friendly people, but the economic development is slightly behind. If news of your return to your hometown gets out, it might stir up quite a sensation!"
In recent years, Qunnan has been closely monitoring economic issues, with its major cities making concerted efforts to attract investments. When a few well-known companies make an appearance, there's a strong desire to publicize them with great enthusiasm. Due to its slower economic development, Liyun Town has fallen behind in recent years and is occasionally singled out as a negative example during provincial meetings. However, compared to New Beginnings, those other companies that have been shielded seem inconsequential!
It's just peculiar that Liyun Town has never publicized this matter.
Lin Jingzhe smiled. He had very little contact with the people from his hometown. Initially, he had done this to avoid attracting the attention of Qi Qing and Jiang Qiaqia. Later, when his company established itself in Yan City, there was no real need to seek local protection in Qunnan.
Reflecting on this, he couldn't help but pause for a moment. How strange. More than ten years have passed, how come he hasn't heard any news regarding Jiang Qiaqia?
Where did she go? Was she still alive?
The reception unit booked a suite for them in the best hotel in Qunnan Province. Although their original plan was to head to Liyun Town immediately, they couldn't resist staying for the night. After all, there were indeed business matters to discuss upon their return. In the world of social interactions, there are always important responsibilities that one cannot avoid.
When everyone stepped out of the vehicle, they found themselves surrounded by a group of local leaders eagerly waiting at the hotel entrance. Xiao Chi and Lin Jingzhe, being familiar faces often seen on camera, were immediately recognized. Handshakes and greetings were enthusiastically exchanged, and even a grand welcome banner adorned the hotel entrance. The chairperson of the Qunnan’s Chamber of Commerce gracefully ignored the intertwined hands of Lin Jingzhe and Xiao Chi. His smile radiated enthusiasm as he expressed, "Mr. Xiao, hello hello! Mr. Lin, hello hello! Mr. Deng, hello hello! Great to meet you all at last! Your esteemed presence brightens our humble abode! Thank you for taking the time to visit! And who might these esteemed individuals be...?"
Lin Jingzhe reciprocated the greeting with politeness. Observing the chairman's focus on the elegantly dressed Mother Zhou, he gracefully took a step back and proceeded to introduce the family members behind him. Starting with Zhou Haitang and Mother Zhou, he said, "This is Chairman Ding of Haitang Non-staple Food, and this is the Director-General, Mr. Zhou."
The Chamber of Commerce Chairperson was visibly astonished. Haitang Non-staple Food? The renowned producer of sauces and pickles? As one of the country's largest food companies, it has extended its influence not only nationwide but also overseas. The staggering annual growth in its market value is truly remarkable. Unfortunately, Qunnan had received no prior information about the arrival of the other party, signifying a significant oversight.
Realizing his oversight, beads of sweat formed on the chairman's forehead. He quickly extended his hand to Mother Zhou, expressing, "I deeply apologize for this error! The revelation that Chairman Ding and Director-General Zhou are among us is truly unexpected. I have eagerly awaited this meeting for a long time."
Mother Zhou smiled and nodded to him.
Lin Jingzhe then gestured towards the two fathers and introduced, "These two gentlemen are Chairman Gao and Chairman Zhou from Family Restaurant."
"..." How... how did two more appear? The magnitude of Family Restaurant needed no explanation. The nationwide presence of the restaurant with hundreds of branches was no laughing matter. These are two influential figures who demand serious attention. It became evident that the originally arranged security level in the hotel was insufficient. Beads of sweat formed on the forehead of the Chairperson of the Chamber of Commerce as he stammered, "Hello, Chairman Gao, Hello, Chairman Zhou, welcome, welcome. Glad to have you all with us."
He wiped his forehead, intending to discreetly arrange for additional security. However, Lin Jingzhe took another step forward, saying, "And this is Chairman Gao Sheng of Gao Sheng Film."
Gao Sheng Film, a subsidiary with a controlling stake in the country's largest advertising and film and television entertainment company, encompasses various branch industries. Over the past two years, it has invested in nearly all the top-rated variety shows on Qunnan's local TV stations.
Gulp——
The Chairperson of the Chamber of Commerce heard himself audibly swallow, a nervous tension hanging in the air.
Gao Sheng just responded with a simple smile.
"Plea–Please come in! The dining arrangements are all set!" The Chairperson hastily recovered, struggling to find his voice, and his attempt at a smile became more strained.
Finally relieved from the continuous greetings, the tired family wearily entered the hotel guided by the reception unit. Lin Jingzhe, feeling both sleepy and hungry, let out a yawn. Out of the corner of his eye, he thought he saw a familiar figure and turned around with a frown.
However, surrounded by a sea of people, all he could discern were smiling faces eager to please.
Reconsidering, Lin Jingzhe dismissed the idea that he might recognize someone in Qunnan. How could there be anyone in Qunnan whom he could feel familiar with?
The distinguished group swiftly entered the elevator, prompting onlookers in the hotel lobby to disperse hastily, marveling at the grand occasion of numerous local dignitaries appearing together. The family, previously squeezed into a corner, finally had a moment to catch their breath.
Jiang Xiaoyun straightened her wrinkled skirt and reprimanded the onlookers for their lack of tact. "It's not every day that we come across Chairperson Zhang in public. If the crowd wasn't so thick, I would have approached him by now."
Liu De sighed. "Let's not bother to push it. Why would someone as prominent as him concern themselves with nobodies like us?"
"Don’t give me that attitude!" Jiang Xiaoyun pushed him roughly, "Our son has been out of school for so many years and can't even find a decent job. As his father, what have you provided for him? If I don't help him, who will?"
Liu De glanced at his dejected son beside him and couldn't help but sigh.
Jiang Run attended an average school, pursued an average major, and had average abilities. After graduation, he struggled to find a job he liked, aimlessly drifting about. Now, at an age suitable for marriage, faced with the rising housing prices in Qunnan, continuing like this seemed increasingly unsustainable.
After venting her frustration, Jiang Xiaoyun couldn't help but contrast it with Chairman Zhang's polite demeanor as he shook hands and welcomed guests, leaving her heart filled with longing.
A group of influential figures had arrived in Qunnan, but their identities and names remained unknown. Oh, how she wished Jiang Run could catch the attention of these individuals and receive a helping hand.