Chapter 201: Happiness Comes From Yourself
Shen Qingyao suddenly raised her head, her cheeks instantly flushing red as if blood were about to drip from them, looking at her father with both shame and urgency, then quickly glancing at Chen Yang, her eyes filled with complex emotions.
Shen Xing Shan was first stunned, then his face burst into immense joy!
He had been worrying about how to further strengthen ties with Chen Yang, this “connection,” and unexpectedly, the opportunity fell from the sky!
If he could form a marriage alliance with Chen Yang, then his position on the Shanghai Bund would be…
Shen Xing Shan immediately seized the chance, slapping his thigh and laughing: “Oh! Boss Lin, you truly have a keen eye! Now that you mention it, I also think these two children are a perfect match!”
“Section Chief Chen is young and promising, my daughter may be naive, but she’s still quite obedient… This is truly… truly a match made in heaven!”
“Boss Shen! Uncle!” Chen Yang was truly amused and exasperated, his tone turning serious, “What time is it now? The situation is so complex, I tread on thin ice every day, how could I have the mind to consider these things? Moreover, this is completely one-sided wishful thinking, how can we joke about Miss Shen’s lifelong happiness? This matter is absolutely out of the question!”
Shen Qingyao finally mustered her courage, tugging at her father’s sleeve and whispering: “Dad! Let’s go… don’t say any more…”
Lin Zonghan, however, seemed to think this was a great idea and continued laughing: “Chen Yang, starting a family and career is only natural.”
“Miss Shen looks very good to me, Boss Shen, don’t you think?”
He was genuinely considering his nephew’s best interests, thinking he needed a family to settle down.
Chen Yang grew up in the Lin family, Lin Zonghan treated him like his own son, and Lin Jing favored Chen Yang more than her two younger brothers. Now with his studies completed and thriving among the Japanese.
He lacked nothing, except someone warm and caring to look after him.
At the same time, Lin Zonghan knew Shen Xing Shan’s background and vaguely felt that allying with the Shen family could provide Chen Yang an extra layer of cover in the complex environment!
Chen Yang felt a massive headache; this was just causing trouble.
“Boss Shen, don’t misunderstand, my uncle was just speaking casually, please don’t take it seriously, I…”
Before Chen Yang could finish, Shen Xing Shan quickly stood up, “Boss Lin, Section Chief Chen, it’s getting late, we’ll take our leave first.”
“Boss Lin, let’s have tea together sometime.”
Shen Xing Shan was a shrewd man; he knew that currying favor with Lin Zonghan to gain his approval was far easier than gaining Chen Yang’s.
Besides, in this era, it was still parents’ orders and matchmaker’s words; since Lin Zonghan had this intention, he certainly wouldn’t give up easily.
“Boss Shen, Boss Shen.” Chen Yang still wanted to explain, but Lin Zonghan pulled him back, while Shen Xing Shan dragged Shen Qingyao away faster and faster.
“Chen Yang, why reject Boss Shen’s good intentions?” Lin Zonghan shook his head and said: “I think this Miss Shen is indeed quite good, and you’re not getting any younger. If I can settle your matter, then later when I go see your parents, I’ll have something to say.”
“Uncle, aren’t you just making trouble? I’m not acquainted with Miss Shen, how can we talk about marriage just like that.” Chen Yang was also somewhat amused and exasperated.
Lin Zonghan said seriously: “Since ancient times, marriages have been by parents’ orders and matchmaker’s words.”
“Don’t think that after studying a few years outside with some new ideas, you start to disdain this or that.”
“Let me tell you, with your parents gone, I have the responsibility to get you a wife and children; you don’t need to worry about it, I’ll first inquire about this Miss Shen’s character.”
“Our family isn’t one where just any woman can enter; at least, that sort from Phoenix Cry Pavilion won’t do.” After speaking, Lin Zonghan flicked his sleeves and left.
Chen Yang was stunned for a moment, looking at Lin Zonghan’s retreating figure with the corner of his mouth slightly upturned. It seemed not only that clueless elder brother unaware of faction affiliations, but even his uncle appeared not so simple.
Moonlight Sand was a membership-system club, Lin Su’s identity was known only to members, and Lin Zonghan could accurately name Lin Su’s identity—not simple, absolutely not simple.
Shanghai, Huafu Fund..
The office on the third floor still had its lights on; Aisha looked at the documents on the desk, sighed, and continued reviewing the next one.
Since the last banquet, Life Sunshine Pharmaceutical’s factory in the UK homeland had begun construction.
With the Dutch Royal Family’s backing, plus Taylor following Chen Yang’s instructions to pull in some British royals and old nobility to join.
The factory progress was very fast, and US Pfizer Pharmaceuticals had also delivered the previously promised canned fermentation technology to the UK.
In exchange, after obtaining Chen Yang’s authorization, Taylor signed a joint factory proposal with Pfizer Pharmaceuticals.
Of course, this proposal was just signed; actual construction would start only after seeing the finished product and obtaining all clinical trial data, with the contract stipulating before August 1940.
That is, within two years, they needed to obtain all drug clinical trial data and production processes.
With Pfizer’s participation, the other countries had no choice left and successively applied to their home countries to purchase the penicillin patent.
Though the price Aisha quoted was high, if it truly had such effects, then this investment was naturally worthwhile.
Knock knock knock, a knock at the door interrupted Aisha’s thoughts.
“Aisha, I’m back.” Without waiting for Aisha to speak, the office door was pushed open, and Taylor appeared at the doorway carrying a suitcase.
“Taylor, why are you back?” Aisha was somewhat surprised.
“Aren’t all the matters in the UK finished?”
Taylor shrugged: “Of course not, but the boss had me come back to help him with the oil refinery matter.”
“He’s already talked it over with Mr. Medillen; I’m just here to go through the motions.”
“By the way, he also wants me to custom-order the latest production line from Standard Oil.”
“This guy, he’s using me like a workhorse.”
Aisha frowned: “Chen Yang, setting up an oil refinery?”
“China has no large oil fields; what is he doing this for?”
Aisha was right; Standard Oil had conducted geological surveys for oil in China as early as 1927.
They spent two years and ultimately determined China to be oil-poor.
Japan’s Mitsui Zaibatsu survey team had once pinned hopes on Daqing.
For this, the Kwantung Army General Staff Office assigned Asai Mitsuo to draft the “Tanuki Plan,” with South Manchuria Railway and Mitsui Zaibatsu jointly investing ten million Japanese yen, drilling over a thousand meters in Daqing, but still not getting a satisfactory result.
Later generations all knew Daqing Oil Field’s reserves ranked top in Asia, yet even with the most advanced drilling technology of the 1930s, it still couldn’t be conquered.
The Japanese spent vast time and effort but saw no dawn of victory, ultimately forced to halt the “Tanuki Plan” in 1936.
“These aren’t important, Aisha. Do you know, the moment I got off the ship, I heard a piece of news.” Taylor pulled out a chair and sat across from Aisha: “Chen Yang is getting engaged.”
The steel pen in Aisha’s hand suddenly paused: “When did this happen? How come I didn’t know?”
Taylor sighed: “Aisha, let me advise you: happiness sometimes has to be fought for yourself.”
“In the past, you might have just valued Chen Yang’s looks, but I know your personality wouldn’t cooperate with him just for his appearance.”
“Starts with looks, stays for character, trapped by talent.”
“Perhaps His Majesty doesn’t value wealth much, but when wealth reaches a certain level, it can change everyone’s views.”
“If you truly have such feelings, then bravely pursue your own happiness.”
“Chinese men are very traditional; they all follow parents’ orders and matchmaker’s words.”
Aisha seemed somewhat flustered: “Taylor, let me think about it.”
“Think, what more to think? If you keep thinking, this man will be snatched by someone else.” Taylor stood up: “I’ve arranged it.”
“Once the oil refinery contract is signed successfully, we’ll hold a thank-you reception, invite some people over, and at that time, you must seize the opportunity.”
“As long as you’re a bit proactive, then this man is yours.”
Taylor said earnestly: “After all, no man would joke about his own chastity.”
Aisha instantly understood Taylor’s meaning, a blush unavoidably appearing on her face.
Shanghai, The Bund, Cathay Hotel Banquet Hall, Huafu Charity Fund Thank-You Reception
The evening’s atmosphere was different from any previous social occasion.
It lacked the intrigue of political circles and gained the pragmatism and glamour of business elites and diplomats.
In the center of the venue, a huge banner read in Chinese and English: “Huafu Foundation Establishment and East China Oil Project Launch Banquet”.
Chen Yang, in a perfectly tailored white tuxedo, appeared even more upright and elegant.
And standing shoulder-to-shoulder beside him was Princess Aisha of the Dutch Royal Family.
She wore an elegant royal blue gown, adorned with exquisite sapphire jewelry, her smile poised and her demeanor noble.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Chen Yang addressed in fluent English, his voice transmitted through the microphone across the lobby, “Thank you all for attending the Huafu Fund’s establishment thank-you banquet.”
After a simple and unadorned speech, the audience erupted in thunderous applause. Reporters’ camera flashes flickered nonstop.
Everyone understood that this “Sino-Dutch partnership” pair—one holding administrative resources and channels in the Japanese-occupied areas, the other with royal background and crucial patents—their cooperation was a match made in heaven, with immense power.
In the crowd, Taylor held a wine cup, smiling as he watched his radiant cousin Aisha and Chen Yang on stage.
As a member of the Dutch Royal Family and one of the family’s representatives of interests in China, he was delighted to see this investment succeed.
It would not only bring enormous wealth but also greatly enhance the Netherlands’ influence in the Far East.
He looked at Chen Yang, his eyes carrying scrutiny and approval—this was an extremely shrewd and valuable partner.
The reception entered the networking phase. Chen Yang and Princess Aisha mingled among the guests, handling interactions with ease.
Their relationship appeared to outsiders as intimately close business partners, with appropriate demeanor but maintaining just the right distance.
Taylor seized the opportunity, wine cup in hand, walked to Chen Yang and Aisha, raised his glass and said: “Chen, congratulations, you’ve got what you wished for.”
Chen Yang was slightly taken aback; this Taylor seemed to have words with deeper meaning.
