Chapter Seventy-One: Relocation

After leaving the alchemy chamber, the sky was radiant and clear. The success rate of the Pure Yuan Pill this time had been excellent, and Li Yang’s mood matched the weather—vast and cloudless.

“Husband! You’re back. I’ll go to the kitchen and have them prepare a meal.”

Just as he entered the estate, he was greeted by Ren Tingting, who was watering flowers in the small courtyard. Seeing Li Yang, her face lit up with joy. She put down the watering can and was about to head to the kitchen.

Ren Tingting’s appearance had changed completely from a few months ago. She now wore a long white moon-hued dress with a pink sash at her waist, styled like a lady of ancient times. Her long, dark hair was tied up with a pink ribbon, coiled atop her head, with two locks softly framing her face. Her figure was tall and slender, voluptuous and alluring, the very picture of feminine grace. Her brows were like strokes of a painting, her almond-shaped eyes shimmering with misty charm, as if autumn waters flowed within them—captivating and seductive. Her exquisite features glowed with a faint blush, delicate as a blooming peach blossom, lips parted slightly in a smile, making her seem as if she had stepped straight out of a painting.

“No need, I’ve already eaten. By the way, where is your sister? Has everything been well at the estate these days?”

Li Yang gently took Ren Tingting’s hand and smiled as he asked. In his two lifetimes, marrying Ren Tingting was the first time he truly wed in earnest. Though much of it was motivated by the Ren family’s wealth, he couldn’t help but be moved. He wasn’t sure why, but as he spent more time with Ren Tingting, his feelings shifted—less calculating, more genuine affection for this gentle, kind girl.

It was as though he had experienced the transformation from boy to man for the first time in his past life—after that night, he felt as if he had suddenly understood many things. Now, he sensed that same feeling again. This, he thought, must be growth—a stage everyone must pass through in life.

“Sister took Little Tuantuan to the market in town. Everything here has been fine, and my father’s business is going smoothly. Oh, he came by yesterday—he seemed to want to talk to you about something.”

Looking at Li Yang, Ren Tingting instinctively hugged his arm, her face full of gentle warmth.

“Oh… Father-in-law wants to see me? Do you know what it’s about?”

Li Yang led her into the living room, asking as he walked.

“I’m not too sure, but I think it’s about your suggestion to move the family to Hong Kong.”

She poured him a cup of tea as they sat in the living room, speaking casually. Since marrying Ren Tingting, Li Yang had been considering relocating the family to Hong Kong to escape the turmoil. But most of Ren family’s business and connections were inland, with deep ancestral roots. Old Master Ren had been hesitant about the move.

After all, such an immense enterprise couldn’t be uprooted at a moment’s notice. Farmland, shops—these immovable assets couldn’t be liquidated quickly, not to mention the difficulty of leaving their homeland.

Li Yang understood, yet he foresaw the direction China would take. The country was already in chaos, but this was only the beginning; when the island nation landed, the real brutality would begin.

“So it’s about that. Has Father-in-law made up his mind?”

Li Yang was well aware of the situation. The move was imperative, and Old Master Ren’s attitude was crucial.

“He didn’t say, only that he wanted you to come by.”

Seeing how seriously Li Yang took the matter, Ren Tingting grew solemn, though she didn’t fully grasp the stakes.

“In that case, there’s no time to lose. I’ll go see Father-in-law now. Tingting, would you like to come with me?”

Li Yang stood up decisively.

“You go ahead. I was just there yesterday. I’ll stay and help Sister manage the household accounts.”

She stood up as well, stepped in front of him, straightened his collar, and spoke softly.

...

“Master is back! Please, come in!”

Just as Li Yang reached the gate of the Ren mansion’s courtyard, Steward Tian opened it and greeted him.

“Is Father-in-law home?”

Li Yang nodded with a smile and asked.

“He is… The master is having afternoon tea in the living room.”

Steward Tian had dealt with Li Yang many times. As a gifted, polite young man and future heir, he dared not slack in the slightest.

“Steward Tian, you go ahead with your duties. I’ll go in myself.”

Li Yang greeted him, but his mind was occupied with persuading Old Master Ren, so he didn’t linger.

“My dear son-in-law, you’re here! Yesterday, Tingting was talking about you.”

Old Master Ren, sipping tea in the living room, was pleased and a little surprised to see Li Yang arrive.

“Father-in-law, I heard from Tingting that you wanted to see me, so I came to pay my respects. The tea you brew is truly unforgettable!”

“Enough, you’re a busy man. If you have something to say, tell me straight—I know you well, haha!”

Though he recognized the flattery, Old Master Ren accepted it with pleasure.

“Father-in-law, Tingting said you wanted to discuss the move to Hong Kong. Have you made a decision?”

Li Yang knew Old Master Ren’s temperament and went straight to the point.

“Ah… To be honest, my family has developed in the mainland for generations. Most of our connections are here. Such a vast business can’t be moved overnight.”

Old Master Ren sighed, troubled by the mention. He trusted Li Yang’s abilities and words, but relocating the entire family was no small matter. One misstep could cripple the Ren clan.

“My son-in-law, is it really as serious as you say? Is the move truly necessary?”

After a long pause, Old Master Ren asked, his face grave.

“Father-in-law, it’s even more serious than I’ve said. The foreigners, for all their violence, are distant rulers; at most, they loot and pillage, but their impact is limited. Most of the current unrest comes from our own warlords fighting each other. The foreigners merely stoke the flames.

The tides of history are ever thus. If the world is a great cake, the cake has already been divided. When the common folk can no longer survive, they must seize what remains from the old powers and shatter it to create something new.

If that were all, I wouldn’t worry. But the greatest threat is outsiders coveting the cake. Father-in-law, who holds the cake today?”

Seeing Old Master Ren reluctant, Li Yang carefully analyzed the situation, hoping he’d grasp the urgency.

“This… Ah… I know what you mean, son-in-law. Though the Ren family is merely a merchant clan, our ancestors were scholars. Dynasties rise and fall, the cake is divided, and when it’s gone, the era ends. But the business my family has built for generations, now…”

Old Master Ren agreed with Li Yang’s analysis. Though he couldn’t fully see the bigger picture, he had prepared. Otherwise, why else would the Ren family, with its wealth, move to such a remote town?

“Well then! Since all this will be yours one day, if you insist, I’ll have people start making arrangements.”

After much deliberation, Old Master Ren finally gave in.

“But our business is vast. Moving will take time. The shops and land must be sold gradually. I hope you understand.”

“Rest assured, Father-in-law. I don’t mean we must leave immediately. We can begin shifting toward Hong Kong slowly. I estimate that the chaos won’t reach its peak for another two years. We have time. But Tingting and my wife should go ahead to Hong Kong for safety.”

Seeing Old Master Ren’s pained expression, Li Yang explained gently.

“Father-in-law, I came in a hurry and didn’t bring a proper gift. This bottle of Blood Renewal Pill is for you.”

Li Yang took out a porcelain bottle he’d prepared and handed it over.

“Hahaha… Your pills are truly effective! Since I took the ones you gave me last time, I’ve felt much more energetic. I was just thinking of coming to get another bottle!”

Old Master Ren coveted Li Yang’s pills. Ever since Li Yang became a partner in the Ren family’s business, the pills had sold like hotcakes—demand far outstripped supply. Old Master Ren made frequent trips to Li Yang’s estate, but even the lower-quality pills couldn’t be produced at will.

Not only were ingredients scarce, but pill-making required skill and cultivation. Even with the recipe, others couldn’t replicate them.

Li Yang alone, aside from his own cultivation and alchemy, couldn’t make enough, even if he worked day and night.

Especially the Blood Renewal Pills for Old Master Ren—these were premium, not the inferior versions sold to the public, making them even more precious.

Since last tasting their benefits, Old Master Ren had been longing for more, often visiting Li Yang.

“If you like them, Father-in-law, just ask anytime. If I’m not around, Tingting knows where I keep my pills.”

Li Yang grinned, winking slyly.

“That girl! Don’t mention her. Now that she has a husband, she’s forgotten her father. All my care for nothing…”

Old Master Ren feigned outrage, playing along with Li Yang’s jest. For a moment, the two were perfectly in sync.

...

“Big brother is back!”

At the estate’s gate, Little Tuantuan called out in her sweet, childish voice when she saw Li Yang from afar.

“Hey… Has Tuantuan been listening to her sisters lately? Have you done your homework?”

Li Yang bent down and scooped her up, gently tapping her nose, his face full of doting affection.

“Tuantuan is very good—every day I do the homework my aunties and sisters assign. Also, big brother, please don’t tap my nose anymore, or I won’t be pretty.”

She shook her head, dodging Li Yang’s hand, her bright eyes innocent and serious.

“Haha… Who told you that? Tuantuan is so adorable. You’ll be very pretty when you grow up.”

Hearing her innocent voice, seeing her earnest little face, Li Yang’s worries melted away and he laughed.

“I heard it from Sister Jinling. Is Tuantuan really cute? Will I be as pretty as my sisters when I grow up? I’m still a child, big brother, don’t lie to me!”

She let him pinch her cheeks without protest, asking with a clear voice.

“Of course. When have I ever lied to you?”

Carrying her into the courtyard, Li Yang saw Zhao Yuehua poring over a thick ledger, with Ren Tingting beside her checking figures.

“You’re back! How did the talk with Old Master Ren go?”

Zhao Yuehua looked up from her abacus, her face gentle.

“Father-in-law agreed to the move!”

Li Yang put down Tuantuan, walked over and massaged Zhao Yuehua’s shoulders, speaking softly: “Here’s what I’m thinking—we send you and Tingting to Hong Kong first. What do you think, my dear?”

“What did you say…”

At that, Zhao Yuehua dropped her ledger and jumped up; even Ren Tingting was stunned.

“Don’t worry, sit down and hear me out. It’s like this: the mainland is getting more dangerous. I’ve corresponded with Chief Chen, and next month I’ll go with him to Yunnan. I’m worried about leaving you all here, so please go with Tingting to Hong Kong and settle in. When I return from Yunnan, I’ll join you. How does that sound?”

Seeing their disbelief, Li Yang felt uncertain and tried to explain with a forced smile.

“I don’t agree to this plan. We should leave together…”

Zhao Yuehua was not unreasonable, but at that moment she felt an ominous premonition, as if some unseen force urged her not to leave Li Yang behind, lest she regret it.

Even the usually gentle Ren Tingting did not support Li Yang’s proposal this time.