The Way of the Dragon

On the evening Lin Yuan and Ren Qian received their marriage certificate.

Near the headquarters of Yuanlong Technologies, in an exclusive private dining establishment not open to the public.

The private room seated only about thirty people.

Lin Yuan, Ren Qian, Zhang Qi, Lu Ruoxi, Su Yang, and some of the most senior department heads from Yuanlong, Hanqing, and Lianshan were present.

This was the true brain center of Yuanlong Technologies.

Lin Yuan and Ren Qian stood up, holding teacups in their hands.

"Today, we’ve invited everyone here for one reason," Lin Yuan began.

"We just wanted to share some news—Ren Qian and I have officially registered our marriage."

The room fell silent for a moment before erupting into enthusiastic applause and cheers.

Lu Ruoxi and Su Yang were the happiest of all.

"Brother Lin! Sister Qian! Congratulations!"

"I have to toast you two for this!" Zhang Qi also stood up, wearing a sincere smile.

Ren Qian raised her hand slightly, signaling for quiet.

The applause gradually subsided.

All eyes turned to her.

"I know this isn’t the best time to discuss personal matters," Ren Qian said, her gaze sweeping across everyone present.

"Old Lu and Sister Qingli have sacrificed themselves as bait, trapping themselves in J Country."

"They’ve bought us the most precious breathing room we could ask for."

"What we must do—the only thing we can do—is protect what they’ve built."

She raised her teacup.

"Today, this cup is a toast to celebration."

"But it’s also our vow."

"If Old Lu is here, Yuanlong remains Yuanlong."

"If Old Lu isn’t here, then we become Yuanlong."

"Yuanlong’s pace won’t falter. Hanqing’s research won’t stop. Lianshan’s charge forward won’t slow."

Her words were firm, each syllable striking deep into the hearts of those listening.

Everyone stood up.

The lightheartedness on their faces vanished, replaced by an unprecedented solemnity and resolve.

They looked at Lin Yuan and Ren Qian.

From this moment on, this newlywed couple was no longer just their colleagues and friends.

They were the new captains of this massive ship, steering it through stormy seas.

Lu Chenyuan’s "absence" did not fracture the team.

Instead, it acted like a crucible, forging an unbreakable unity.

The "post-Lu Chenyuan era" of Yuanlong Technologies quietly began that night.

……

J Country, Gedu.

Time flowed quietly in the stillness.

Lu Chenyuan and Mo Qingli’s lives had settled into an unusual rhythm.

During the day, they lived like a true reclusive couple.

Lu Chenyuan spent much of his time in the kitchen.

He studied local J Country ingredients, learning to prepare intricate dishes.

His ability to learn was astonishing—within weeks, his culinary skills rivaled those of professional chefs.

Mo Qingli occasionally handled non-core documents for both the Mo family and Yuanlong Technologies.

The cold electronic shackle around her ankle contrasted starkly with the comfort of her loungewear, creating an absurd juxtaposition.

At night, this "prison" transformed into a true command center.

Lu Chenyuan would engage in encrypted calls with Zhang Qi, Lin Yuan, and others, receiving updates on domestic progress and issuing new directives.

With Lu Chenyuan’s help, Mo Qingli began studying J Country’s convoluted legal system and power structures.

She was searching for an invisible path—a way to break free, for both herself and Lu Chenyuan.

One afternoon, just as Lu Chenyuan finished simmering a pot of matsutake chicken soup, the doorbell rang.

The visitor was Li Wenbo, the ambassador of Xia Country to J Country.

He was the only person granted unrestricted access to their residence.

"Mr. Lu, Mrs. Lu," Ambassador Li Wenbo said, his expression grave.

"Ambassador, please have a seat," Lu Chenyuan said, pouring him a cup of tea.

"J Country has been making some moves recently," Li Wenbo cut straight to the point.

"They seem intent on accelerating the legal proceedings against Mrs. Lu. A Country is applying significant pressure behind the scenes."

Mo Qingli’s heart sank slightly.

Lu Chenyuan, however, remained composed.

"Expected," he said. "They want to resolve this quickly, to dispose of us like hot potatoes."

"Exactly," Li Wenbo nodded. "So legally, we need to find a strong leverage point as soon as possible."

He pulled a file from his briefcase.

"This is the complete dossier on Attorney Lu Jinlin that you requested."

Lu Chenyuan took it but didn’t open it immediately.

"Ambassador, I’d like to ask for a favor."

"Go ahead."

"I’d like to arrange a meeting with Attorney Lu," Lu Chenyuan said. "Not at the embassy, and not here."

"A quiet teahouse—an informal setting."

Li Wenbo looked at him, a flicker of approval in his eyes.

He understood Lu Chenyuan’s intent.

This wasn’t a request for legal representation—it was an invitation for an equal, cooperative dialogue.

"I’ll arrange it," Ambassador Li Wenbo agreed.

……

Two days later.

Downtown Gedu, a Xia-style teahouse named "Serenity Pavilion."

This was Lu Jinlin’s private establishment—elegant, refined, and steeped in classical aesthetics.

Lu Chenyuan and Mo Qingli arrived ten minutes early.

The electronic shackle on Mo Qingli’s ankle was cleverly concealed beneath a specially tailored long skirt.

Yet the faint glow of the device still served as a reminder of her constrained freedom.

Soon, the door to the private room opened.

A gray-haired elder in a traditional Tang suit walked in, his demeanor sharp yet serene, exuding the wisdom of decades.

This was Lu Jinlin.

A legend in J Country’s legal world, a respected leader of the Xia diaspora community.

His gaze was penetrating yet calm, carrying the weight of years of experience.

"Mr. Lu, Mrs. Lu," he greeted with a slight nod.

"Attorney Lu, please sit," Lu Chenyuan stood and personally poured tea for him.

Lu Jinlin took his seat, his eyes studying Lu Chenyuan with quiet scrutiny.

He had met countless powerful and wealthy individuals.

But this young man before him was different.

Despite being trapped in dire circumstances, there was no trace of anxiety or panic in his eyes.

His composure didn’t seem feigned.

"You sought me out regarding your wife’s case, I presume," Lu Jinlin said directly.

He disliked beating around the bush.

"Yes, and no," Lu Chenyuan replied, sliding a cup of tea toward him.

Lu Jinlin’s brow lifted almost imperceptibly.

"Do elaborate."

Instead of discussing the case, the evidence, or legal fees, Lu Chenyuan looked at Lu Jinlin and spoke slowly.

"Attorney Lu, before coming to J Country, I reviewed some historical records."

"Over the past century, more than two million Xia people have come to this land."

"They built railroads, mined mountains, established factories—their sweat and blood fueled J Country’s prosperity."

"But a hundred years later, the Xia diaspora remains second-class citizens here."

"Economically, we’ve succeeded. Politically, we have no voice."

"We’re scattered like loose sand—easily manipulated, exploited, even sacrificed."

His voice was soft, yet each word struck Lu Jinlin like a hammer.

The teacup in Lu Jinlin’s hand paused mid-air.

A complex emotion flickered in his eyes.

What Lu Chenyuan described was the pain of his generation—and his father’s before him.

"Mr. Lu," he said solemnly, "what exactly are you implying?"

"My wife is the latest victim," Lu Chenyuan's gaze sharpened.

"Today, they can arbitrarily detain the head of the Mo Group."

"Tomorrow, they can shut down any Chinese-owned business at will."

"The day after, they might even strip every Chinese descendant here of their lawful property."

"Because we are divided. Because we lack the strength to protect ourselves."

Lu Jinlin fell silent.

He set down his teacup and exhaled deeply.

"Mr. Lu, I understand everything you're saying."

"But J Country is dominated by the Europeans. What can we possibly do?"

"A single spark can start a prairie fire," Lu Chenyuan said, meeting his eyes with deliberate emphasis.

"One voice is weak. But ten thousand, a hundred thousand voices—that’s enough to make an entire nation listen."

"I need a fulcrum, Attorney Lu."

"A fulcrum to unite this scattered sand."

"You command respect among the Chinese community here. Your word carries weight."

"My case is an opportunity. A chance to show our people that unless we stand together, they could be next."

"I’m not asking you to help me, Lu Chenyuan, or my wife, Mo Qingli."

"I’m asking you to fight for the future of every Chinese descendant in J Country."

The private room lapsed into prolonged stillness.

Lu Jinlin studied the young man before him.

At last, he understood the source of his composure.

His vision transcended personal plight.

He hadn’t come to beg a lawyer for exoneration.

He’d come seeking an ally—for a game that would decide the fate of their entire community.

The teahouse remained quiet until, after a long pause, Lu Jinlin slowly raised his cup.

He drained it in one swallow.

"Mr. Lu," he said, aged eyes reigniting with fire.

"I’ll take your case."

"Not for money."

"But for what you just said."

"To fight for a future where our children won’t live as prey."

Lu Chenyuan rose and bowed deeply.

Mo Qingli stood too, her eyes brimming with reverence and emotion.