Chapter 123: A Surprise from the Family

"No way! Isn't this just leading Xiao Tian into committing a mistake? I absolutely disagree. It's one thing for you two to walk down a crooked path, but there's no need to drag my child into it!" Huang Biao's reaction was exactly as Yang Tian had anticipated. Straightforward and blunt, he jumped up, furious, at the couple who had come to seek his help.

"Oh, Biaozi, you don't understand. Little Yang is now the sworn younger brother of Mayor Lang Ping. Isn't this just a matter of a single word from him? It has nothing to do with committing any mistakes! Besides, this isn't even a crooked path; isn't that just how things work in the officialdom?" Jiang Mei leaned in close to Huang Biao, speaking in a soft, persuasive tone. If it weren't for Huang Jian's career, she would never have lowered herself to beg Huang Biao. In her eyes, he had always been so rustic and unaccomplished. To think she was now forced to beg him—what kind of situation was this!

"What? Xiao Tian has become sworn brothers with Mayor Lang? Heh, that kid always has so many tricks up his sleeve... But still, no! He can't just act recklessly because he's the Mayor's sworn brother!" Huang Biao first let out a mischievous chuckle, his silly grin filled with pride, but a moment later, his face darkened again as he retorted to Jiang Mei.

"Biaozi, just think of it as helping your third brother. He has spent his whole life working in the Construction Bureau, and he's only a few years away from retirement, yet he hasn't even managed to become a section chief. How are we supposed to live from now on?" Jiang Mei resorted to the classic tactics of a common woman, weeping as she spoke.

"Well... I'll talk to Baozi about it later. I can't decide this on my own, after all, Xiao Tian isn't my son!" Although Huang Biao was stern and stubborn, he was a kind-hearted man at his core. Seeing Jiang Mei in tears, his heart softened.

"Okay, okay! Biaozi, we can rest easy now that you've said that!" Jiang Mei finally let out a sigh of relief. She and Huang Jian had been at Huang Biao’s house since early morning, pleading until noon. He had finally relented, and Huang Jian, standing beside her, wiped the sweat from his brow.

When Huang Biao mentioned the matter to Yang Bao, Yang Bao was strongly opposed; he didn't want Yang Tian involved in such under-the-table dealings. However, Li Xiuying agreed, mostly because it was Huang Biao who had asked. By now, the Yang and Huang families were essentially inseparable.

Yang Tian made a call to Zhang Siguo that very night. A few days later, the Huang family came to visit Yang Bao and his wife to announce that Huang Jian had been promoted to section chief. Yang Bao and his wife found it hard to believe. In the old days, Huang Jian was such a big shot in Big Willow Tree Village—whenever he returned to sweep the ancestral graves, he acted as if a provincial governor were visiting, with such great airs. Who would have thought he would now be here, fawning over them so humbly? Looking at the obsequious couple before them, Yang Bao and his wife wore bittersweet smiles. It was truly a case of "the river flows east for thirty years, and west for the next thirty."

As summer vacation approached, construction of the Binhai University new campus was halfway complete. Yang Tian had finished his landscaping project, and on the day he was set to wrap up, Zhang Siguo asked for his advice on how the new teaching buildings should be constructed.

Since Yang Tian owed Zhang Siguo a favor for his help with Huang Jian, he was happy to oblige. Binhai University was a comprehensive institution, so Yang Tian suggested building two blocks: the Wenyin Academy—a liberal arts building for the schools of Humanities, Management, Law, Arts, and Economics—and a Technology Building for science teaching and research. He recommended that the Wenyin Academy follow a classical architectural style, while the Technology Building should be built with modern concepts.

Zhang Siguo and the experts from the Construction Bureau discussed the proposal and agreed it was a brilliant, win-win solution. They immediately altered the blueprints and began construction according to Yang Tian’s vision.

With these matters settled and the internet cafe arrangements in place, Yang Tian began to look forward to his summer vacation. Since he and Huang Juan would be entering their final year of high school in the second half of the year, he had an idea: the two families should go on a trip together to relax.

Upon hearing the idea, Huang Juan and Yang Xueling were overjoyed. Yang Bao, his wife, and the Huangs had no objections; as long as the children were happy, they didn't mind. Besides, having been in Binhai for a year, they had felt the lightning-fast pace of urban life and were eager for a getaway.

Huang Biao suggested Qingdao, as he had served in the military there and had fond memories, but the plan was shelved because Zhong Hehua suffered from motion sickness. Li Xiuying suggested Mount Jiuhua in Anhui; she wanted to burn incense and pray for the health and safety of both families. Unfortunately, Yang Xueling had been allergic to the smell of incense since she was a child, so that plan was also canceled.

"Xiao Tian, why are you grinning? Say something! Where are we actually going?" Huang Biao, being impatient, grew anxious after several plans fell through.

"Back home!" Yang Tian smiled with complete confidence.

"Back home? To Big Willow Tree Village?" Yang Bao was slightly surprised, and the others widened their eyes in shock.

"Great! Great! I've been wanting to go back and see that big willow tree for a long time!" Yang Xueling was the first to shout, jumping with joy.

"Going back would be nice. I used to think life there was so boring, but now that we've truly left, I find myself missing it," Yang Bao sighed.

"Exactly! Every time I go back to transport dates, I deliberately find excuses to stay a bit longer. I just can't bear to leave. It feels like returning there is the only way to truly be home," Huang Biao added with a straightforward laugh.

"Yes, and we can go to the Earth Temple behind the village to burn some incense. We haven't done that in a long time!" Li Xiuying and Zhong Hehua shared a knowing smile.

"Returning is a good idea. We always hear people on TV talking about 'summer retreats.' We'll go back to the countryside, beat the heat, and follow the trend!" With Zhong Hehua's remark, everyone burst into laughter.

Indeed, Big Willow Tree Village was the perfect place to beat the heat—a chance for both a vacation and a homecoming.

After some brief preparations, the two families set off. Huang Biao drove his farm truck with Yang Bao and the others, while Yang Tian rode his motorcycle with Huang Juan. The group traveled back to Big Willow Tree amidst songs and laughter.

After a year's absence, they were all stunned upon their return. Was this really Big Willow Tree Village? If it weren't for the giant willow tree at the entrance still standing tall and proud, they would have thought they had arrived at the wrong place.

The former fields were now covered with vegetable greenhouses, and the hillsides and riverbanks were planted with various flowers and trees. A gentle breeze blew, carrying a faint, refreshing scent of greenery that invigorated them.

Even the houses in the village had undergone minor changes. The old brick-and-tile houses were gone, replaced by uniform water-town architecture, surrounded by neat rows of willows that swayed like paintings in the breeze.

What surprised them even more was the White Wave River. Both banks had been lined with natural stone, making them exceptionally beautiful, and the clear water flowed steadily toward a white pavilion in the east.

The pavilion was still under construction, with many workers busy at the site. Directly opposite the pavilion was Yang Qingtang’s grave, which was now tightly protected by a custom steel frame.

"How did everything change so much? I noticed protective film everywhere when I came to transport dates a while ago, and I thought Yang Tian was just planting trees. I never imagined he was renovating the entire village... Setting aside the houses, look at those hills and the White Wave River—how is this any different from a tourist attraction?" Huang Biao laughed heartily, his face full of disbelief.

Yang Bao and the others were equally amazed. They knew Yang Tian had leased the land, but they never expected he would transform it into such a beautiful place.

Huang Juan was the most surprised of all. Wasn't this the preliminary model of the Big Willow Tree Resort? Yang Tian was realizing his dreams, step by step.

"Yang Tian, you're back! Hey, Little Baozi, Biaozi, you're all back?" Old Song, the son of the former production team leader, came striding over, shirtless and carrying a shovel.

"I've told you how many times—call him Boss Yang, and call Elder Yang and Elder Huang by their titles! You’re still so disrespectful!" Old Song came running over from behind. Aside from him and his son Song Xing, the other villagers now worked for Yang Tian, looking after the plants around the village. Many people from neighboring villages also worked there, and everyone had long since started calling him Boss Yang; Song Xing just couldn't seem to get the hang of it.

"Old Song, don't let Song Xing call us that. What kind of boss is Xiao Tian? And Huang Biao and I aren't 'elders' yet!" Yang Bao stepped forward to greet him. In the past, Old Song hadn't paid much attention to Yang Bao or Huang Biao, as they were just farmers with average incomes. But things were different now. As Yang Bao walked toward him, Old Song looked somewhat flattered. The villagers knew perfectly well that their livelihoods depended on Yang Tian. If he ever stopped hiring them, they would be forced to work in factories far from home, which paid less and were far less convenient. Besides, tending to the trees was skilled work that wasn't overly tiring.

"That won't do! Rules are rules! Yang Tian is a big boss now, a big shot who appears on TV and in newspapers with the mayor. That’s not something just anyone can do! We see him on the news all the time, and we're proud of you from the bottom of our hearts. It’s good to have a child who makes something of himself! Unlike my own good-for-nothing kid, who is always so disrespectful!" When talking about Yang Tian, Old Song was beaming with pride, though he turned to scold Song Xing again.

Other villagers came forward to welcome them as well. Yang Bao and his wife wore faint smiles, but they were filled with happiness. Yang Tian’s success had made them the center of attention, no longer looked down upon. How could they not be happy?

Huang Biao laughed out loud, his joy plain to see. Back in the day, despite his loud voice, few people listened to him. Now, it was different—no one dared to oppose what he said.

Old Song led the families on a tour of Yang Tian’s renovations, while Yang Xueling and Huang Juan had already rushed toward the White Wave River—the place filled with their childhood memories. Yang Tian smiled and followed them.