Heavenly Road Alliance

Three days later, in the "Future City" district of Jingzhou.

This sci-fi-inspired urban area looked much the same as it had a year ago, when the group had established the Xia Nation Technology Industry Healthy Development Alliance.

The International Convention and Exhibition Center at the district’s heart—a massive silver shell-like structure—remained closed today.

Lu Chenyuan had chosen a different venue: the sky lounge on the observation deck of Future City’s tallest building.

The floor-to-ceiling windows, curved in a sweeping arc, offered a panoramic view of the entire district and even a good portion of Jingzhou beyond.

There was no conference table, no projector.

Just a few plush sofas and an antique tea table.

By the time Lu Chenyuan and Mo Qingli arrived, Qin Ya was already there.

She wore a fitted red gown today, her presence as commanding as ever as she sat on the sofa.

Beside her was Huangfu Chengshi.

The young man had shed much of his youthful naivety over the years, his features now carrying a quiet steadiness.

Yet his gaze when he looked at Qin Ya held both tenderness and something inscrutable.

This rising star of the tech world had never aligned himself with the Huangfu family, choosing instead to move in lockstep with Qin Ya.

When Lu Chenyuan and Mo Qingli walked in side by side, a flicker of something complicated passed through Qin Ya’s eyes.

There was a time when her greatest ambition had been to crush Mo Qingli in this cutthroat business arena.

But now, she realized, it had been a long time since she’d last entertained that thought.

"President Lu, President Mo, it’s been a while," Qin Ya said, rising to her feet.

"President Qin," Lu Chenyuan acknowledged with a nod.

Mo Qingli offered a polite smile in greeting.

Huangfu Chengshi also gave a calm nod. "President Lu, President Mo."

Soon, Ren Qian and Lin Yuan arrived, followed by the founders of other core companies within the Xia Nation Technology Industry Healthy Development Alliance.

These were titans of the tech world—figures whose slightest move could send shockwaves through the industry.

Yet today, they had all come as if attending a casual gathering of old friends, settling quietly into the lounge.

The atmosphere was… peculiar.

Everyone was wondering why Lu Chenyuan, who had been "semi-retired," had summoned them all here today.

Lu Chenyuan didn’t rush to speak.

Instead, he took his place behind the tea table, washing the cups, warming the pot, brewing the leaves—his movements fluid, exuding a calm that put the room at ease.

The first pour was offered to everyone present.

"Everyone, it’s been a while," he said, lifting his cup.

"Let me propose a toast."

The others raised their cups in unison and drank.

Setting his cup down, Lu Chenyuan finally spoke.

"Today, I’ve invited you here not to discuss business or competition," he said.

"Only one thing."

His gaze swept across the room.

Qin Corporation’s humanoid robot, "Kaiwu," had been making waves lately.

Mo Corporation’s new materials had become the standard in multiple high-end manufacturing sectors.

Hanqing Technologies had firmly established itself not just in semiconductors but across several cutting-edge fields.

And the other companies present were undisputed leaders in their respective domains.

"We’ve all built our ‘cars’ well," Lu Chenyuan said.

"But the road beneath us is still too narrow."

He paused, then continued.

"From the very beginning, Expedition Technology was never about building a faster car."

"We’re building the road."

"A highway where every one of your cars can run without restraint, at full speed."

The lounge fell silent.

Every breath was held, waiting for his next words.

"This road leads to space."

Lu Chenyuan’s tone was even, but the words landed like a detonation.

"Expedition’s rocket will launch soon for the first time."

"But it doesn’t belong to Yuanlong Technology. It doesn’t belong to me personally."

"It’s a platform."

"An open platform, available to every member of this alliance."

"Expedition’s rockets are the carriers. They’ll transport your dreams, your technologies, your products—at the lowest cost, with the highest reliability—to wherever you want them to go."

"And that’s not all," he said, scanning the room.

"Every challenge we overcome in reaching for the sky, every problem we solve, will become shared wealth within this alliance."

"More efficient thermal solutions, more stable balancing algorithms, stronger composite materials…"

"All of it will be fully accessible to every member."

Lu Chenyuan’s gaze was steady, sincere.

Finally, he asked the question everyone had been waiting for.

"Today, I’ve gathered you all here to ask one thing."

"On this road to the stars—will anyone walk it with me?"

……

Three hours later.

Just as consensus had been reached among everyone in the lounge, the door gave a soft knock.

Zhang Qi stepped in, followed by an elderly man with silver hair but a vigorous bearing.

Dressed in a traditional Zhongshan suit and cloth shoes, he looked like an ordinary grandfather from the neighborhood.

But the moment everyone present saw him, they instinctively rose to their feet.

"Elder Qian."

Lu Chenyuan also stood up and strode forward to greet him.

This Elder Qian was one of the founding figures of Xia's aerospace industry, a true national treasure.

Though long retired, his influence within the aerospace system remained unparalleled.

"Ah, Chenyuan," Elder Qian chuckled, patting Lu Chenyuan's shoulder.

"You've stirred up such a commotion—how could this old man not come and join the excitement?"

His gaze swept over the assembled crowd, his face brimming with pride.

"Good, very good."

"All of you are Xia's finest."

He walked to the tea table, picked up a cup, poured himself some slightly cooled tea, and drained it in one gulp.

"I overheard your discussion from outside."

"I'll say just three things."

Elder Qian raised one finger.

"First, the nation supports you."

He raised a second finger.

"Second, the nation needs you."

His eyes locked onto Lu Chenyuan, turning solemn.

"Aerospace is a ravenous beast. Relying solely on national efforts, our strides aren’t bold or fast enough. We need commercial forces like yours to pave the way, drive down costs, and invigorate the industry."

"The national teams will focus on exploring the deeper, farther unknowns."

"You—your role is to widen, stabilize, and enrich the path beneath our feet."

Finally, Elder Qian scanned the room, his voice resolute.

"This alliance—I propose we call it 'Celestial Path.'"

"The Celestial Path Alliance."

"The road to the heavens shall be forged by your hands."

After seeing off Elder Qian and the others, only Lu Chenyuan and Mo Qingli remained in the tea room.

The fading glow of sunset streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting their elongated shadows across the floor.

"Celestial Path Alliance," Mo Qingli murmured, leaning against Lu Chenyuan's shoulder. "You did it."

"We did it," Lu Chenyuan corrected.

He clasped her hand.

Outside, the city’s lights flickered to life like a terrestrial galaxy.

"Oh," Mo Qingli suddenly recalled, "who do you plan to entrust with the day-to-day operations of the alliance?"

"Lin Yuan," Lu Chenyuan answered without hesitation.

"He’s steady, pragmatic, and utterly loyal."

"More importantly, he lacks my strong personal imprint. He’ll balance interests impartially and run the alliance as a true platform."

"As for me," Lu Chenyuan smiled, "it’s time I truly step back."

"Oh?" Mo Qingli arched a brow.

"Is CEO Lu really retiring to raise children at home?"

"Mm." Lu Chenyuan bent down, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.

"The road is paved."

"This roadbuilder’s shift is over."

His voice was tender, lingering.

Mo Qingli wrapped her arms around his waist, burying her face in his chest.

"Alright."

"Let’s go home together."