Chapter 706: A Chance Encounter
On a business class flight from San Francisco to the Imperial Capital, Liu Yutong selected a window seat.
She had originally planned to fly directly to South City, but just before departure, she received a call from Uncle Li.
This elder had always been a strong supporter of the Dragon Chip Project. With a last-minute meeting suddenly scheduled in the Imperial Capital, he suggested she join him when he learned she was returning to China—an opportunity for her to make an impression on the relevant leaders beforehand.
Of course, this wasn’t a formal meeting, merely a chance for the leadership to become aware of her.
Liu Yutong understood the importance of this face time, so she changed her flight to the Imperial Capital.
Now she lay half-reclined in her seat, intently studying a copy of Semiconductor Physics and Devices.
After all, the leaders she would meet this time were completely different from any she had encountered before. Having some additional knowledge would be preparing for any eventuality.
Three hours into the smooth flight, cabin service began.
“Miss, would you like something to eat?” The flight attendant approached softly, her tone cautious.
Liu Yutong closed her book and rubbed her tired eyes. “Not right now, thank you. Could I have an unsweetened Americano first?”
“Of course!”
Moments later, the coffee arrived.
Liu Yutong took a sip, her gaze unconsciously sweeping her surroundings.
Her Wanlong Society entourage were positioned protectively around her. Only in the seat to her left sat an unfamiliar woman.
The woman wore a light gray Chanel suit with a lavender silk scarf at her neck, reading a financial magazine with her head bowed.
She appeared quite young, perhaps in her early thirties, with a scholarly air about her—graceful and refined, likely a woman of considerable wealth and status.
Liu Yutong’s eyes lingered on her face for several seconds, a strange sense of familiarity welling up inside.
Perhaps it was because the woman had a kind face, she thought.
Just then, the woman seemed to sense Liu Yutong’s gaze. She looked up, momentarily startled before offering a polite smile and slight nod.
Liu Yutong smiled back and nodded, then looked away and reopened her book to continue reading about the principles of bipolar transistors and MOS field-effect transistors.
A few minutes later, the plane hit turbulence and jolted.
Caught off guard, Liu Yutong spilled her coffee across the book.
She sighed and pulled out a tissue to wipe it up.
Just then, the woman to her left spoke: “Need some help?”
Liu Yutong looked up to see the woman standing, offering a towel. “Use this. It’ll clean better.”
“Thank you!” Liu Yutong took the towel and, after wiping the book dry, pressed the call button to request a fresh towel for the woman.
Perhaps because of this small incident, or perhaps because the twelve-hour flight was simply too tedious, the woman initiated conversation.
“Semiconductor Physics and Devices—that’s quite specialized. Are you a student in that field?”
Liu Yutong shook her head. “No, I’m just reading out of interest. I studied business management.”
“Business management?”
A flicker of surprise crossed the woman’s eyes. “That’s unusual. Most young people studying management rarely show interest in such technical material.”
Liu Yutong smiled. “Just casual reading.”
“Many industries are deeply integrating with technology these days. Without understanding the fundamentals, it’s easy to make mistakes. Learning more is never wrong.”
The woman nodded. “I didn’t expect someone your age to have such insight. My husband’s company is involved in technology investment, and he often says what’s most lacking now are versatile talents who understand both business and technology.”
They fell into natural conversation, the topic gradually shifting to investment.
“Are you involved in investment work?” Liu Yutong asked.
The woman laughed. “Being called ‘sister’ by someone so young makes me a bit embarrassed. I’m forty-three this year.”
Liu Yutong was surprised—the woman didn’t look over forty at all. She seemed around thirty and remarkably beautiful.
“I never would have guessed. You don’t look much older than me.”
“Really? I’ll take that as a compliment.”
The woman’s smile grew warmer. “I rarely meet young people I connect with so easily. Having you beside me for this long flight has been truly pleasant.”
“I feel the same way!”
Liu Yutong also found their conversation remarkably comfortable.
They talked for nearly an hour, their discussion ranging from technology trends to business logic, from learning to fashion and skincare.
“Young lady, though you’re very young, your perspective is quite mature. I’ve encountered many people your age, but someone with both business acumen and technical appreciation is truly rare.”
“You’re too kind.”
Only now did the woman express what she’d been feeling: “Strange as it sounds, though this is our first meeting, I feel a particular closeness to you, as if we’ve known each other for a long time.”
“I feel the same way,” Liu Yutong replied.
The woman smiled, her expression warm. “Then this is fate. Are you returning to school in the Imperial Capital?”
Based on Liu Yutong’s demeanor and the flight’s destination, she naturally assumed the young woman was a student at a prestigious Imperial Capital university from a well-off family.
“This trip is at the invitation of an elder,” Liu Yutong said.
“An elder? Are you from the Imperial Capital?”
“No, I’m from Pearl City. My university is also in Pearl City—you may not have heard of it. This flight to the Imperial Capital is purely to broaden my horizons.”
“Pearl City? You attend university in Pearl City?” The woman’s expression froze as if some unpleasant memory had been triggered, her face paling slightly.
“The Finance University in Pearl City. Have you heard of our city?” Liu Yutong asked, immediately noticing the woman’s sudden emotional shift, her face almost white.
“Ma’am, are you alright? Feeling unwell?”
“Should I call the flight attendant?”
“No, no need.”
The woman quickly waved her hand. “I just… suddenly remembered some past events.”
Her gaze toward Liu Yutong became complicated. “Pearl City is a good place. I lived there when I was young.”
“Really? What a coincidence—we’re hometown folk then. Have you been away for long?”
The woman nodded. “I haven’t returned for many years. I don’t dare to. I lost too much there, including my daughter.”
Liu Yutong listened quietly. She could sense the woman’s deep sorrow, as if touching upon some painful past.
After a long silence, the woman composed herself and said half-jokingly to Liu Yutong, “If my daughter were still by my side, she would be about your age.”
“Your daughter was in Pearl City too?” Liu Yutong asked.
The woman slowly nodded. “Many years ago, I left home and her for certain reasons. All these years, I’ve wanted to find her. I know roughly where she is, yet I haven’t had the courage to seek her out.”
“Why?”
“I owe her too much. I left her when she most needed a mother’s love. If I suddenly appeared before her now, saying I’ve had a change of heart and want to make amends—wouldn’t it be too late? I’m truly afraid she hates me, even more afraid she won’t acknowledge me.”
Liu Yutong fell silent for a moment.
She thought of her own mother, that completely blurred figure in her memory.
If her mother were still alive, if she suddenly appeared before her, how would she react?
She didn’t know.
“Ma’am, perhaps you should give yourself a chance, and give her one too. You can’t keep running forever.”
“Some regrets, if you don’t try to mend them, may remain regrets forever.”
Perhaps moved by Liu Yutong’s words, the woman gradually found her resolve.
“You’re right. I can’t keep hiding from her. When I return, I plan to go to Pearl City, to see her. Even if she hates me, I’ll accept it. If I keep hiding from her, I’m afraid I’ll regret it for the rest of my life.”
“I support you. When you reach Pearl City, you can look for me. I’ll help you find her.”
Liu Yutong truly felt they’d connected, and sensed there must have been some unspoken reason for her departure.
The woman wiped away her tears and smiled. “Thank you. For some reason, talking to you has made me feel much better.”
“You’re welcome.”
They chatted about other topics until they grew tired and rested.
When Liu Yutong woke, the announcement sounded that the plane would begin its descent.
The flight attendants reminded passengers to fasten seatbelts and adjust their seats.
Before deplaning, the woman suddenly asked, “How long will you be in the Imperial Capital?”
“Just a day or two. After meeting the elder, I’ll return to Pearl City. There are many matters there.”
“I see. If you have time during your stay, you’re welcome to visit my home. It’s in the Western Hills area—the environment is quite pleasant.”
“Thank you for your kindness, but this trip is packed. I may not have time. Next time, perhaps. If I come to the Imperial Capital again, I’ll certainly visit.”
“Good, it’s settled then. Next time you’re in the Imperial Capital, you must contact me.”
“Definitely.”
The plane landed smoothly at Imperial Capital International Airport.
After deplaning, they parted ways at the jet bridge exit.
Exiting the terminal, Liu Yutong quickly spotted Uncle Li’s car—a discreet black sedan.
Uncle Li personally emerged to greet her. “Yutong, you must be tired after the long flight.”
“Uncle Li, I can’t trouble you to pick me up personally,” Liu Yutong said deferentially.
“No need for formalities between us. The Dragon Chip Project is now a key focus. The leaders you’ll meet are responsible for technology and industrial planning. Perform well and let them see the project’s potential.”
“I understand, Uncle Li.” Liu Yutong nodded and followed him into the car.
Meanwhile, at another VIP exit from the airport.
The middle-aged woman had just emerged when she saw a black Bentley waiting at the curb.
Beside the car stood a man not yet fifty, refined in bearing—her current husband, Lin Dong, head of the prominent Lin Family in the Imperial Capital.
Seeing Jiang Lu emerge, Lin Dong immediately stepped forward to open the car door for her.
“Tired?”
Jiang Lu smiled. “Not too bad. Why did you come yourself? Didn’t you say the driver would suffice?”
“You’ve been gone half a month—I missed you terribly. If I didn’t come myself, I’d go mad with longing.” Lin Dong gazed at her affectionately, taking her luggage and helping her into the car.
“At your age, you still speak so sentimentally.” Jiang Lu laughed, her eyes full of love.
“Haha, old in years but young at heart. I’ve always felt we’re still very young,” Lin Dong quipped.
“Let’s go home first.”
“Yes.”
Before getting in, Jiang Lu couldn’t help but glance back.
“Lulu, what are you looking at?” Lin Dong noticed her movement, curious.
Jiang Lu: “I met a girl on the flight. We talked the entire way, yet I forgot to ask her name.”
“Should I have someone look into it? The business class passenger list should have a record,” Lin Dong offered.
Jiang Lu shook her head. “No need. Meeting someone you connect with doesn’t require a result. If fate allows, we’ll meet again.”
“Alright then.”
After they were in the car, Lin Dong asked, “How did the negotiations in San Francisco go?”
“Quite smoothly. The cooperation agreement with that biotech company is signed. I’ll have someone follow up.”
Lin Dong held her hand while driving. “You’ve worked hard. You could have left this to subordinates instead of traveling so far personally.”
“This project is important—I couldn’t rest easy. Besides, I wanted to get away and clear my mind,” Jiang Lu replied.
Lin Dong detected a subtle shift in her tone. “What is it? Did something happen on this trip? You seem somewhat unsettled.”
Jiang Lu was silent for a moment, then shook her head. “Nothing, just tired from the long flight.”
Lin Dong accepted this and nodded. “Then rest. I’ll wake you when we arrive home.”
“Yes.” Jiang Lu nodded and closed her eyes.
Perhaps due to jet lag, even after sleeping several hours on the plane, she still felt exhausted.
She didn’t know how much time had passed before a nightmare took hold.
In the dream, she was in a dilapidated house reeking of cigarettes and alcohol. A gambling addict was beating a frail little girl with a leather belt.
The child was pitiful, curled in a corner, crying heartbreakingly.
“Stop! Stop hitting my daughter!”
Jiang Lu rushed forward frantically, trying to shield the girl, but her hands passed through the child’s body again and again—she couldn’t touch her.
“You useless woman, why did you run!”
The gambler turned, his face full of malice: “If you hadn’t run, would I have lost so much money? This girl is a jinx—better to beat her to death!”
He raised the belt again to strike the child.
Jiang Lu could only watch helplessly as the belt fell upon the little girl, powerless, weeping in despair: “Tongtong! My Tongtong!”
“……”
“Lulu! Lulu! What’s wrong?”
“Jiang Lu! Wake up! Wake up quickly!”
“……”
Only after Lin Dong’s repeated calls did Jiang Lu jolt awake, her face already covered in tears.
The nightmare’s images continued tearing at her nerves, her body trembling uncontrollably.
Lin Dong pulled over and wrapped his arms tightly around her shoulders. “Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid, I’m here. It was just a dream.”
Jiang Lu leaned against his shoulder, finally unable to hold back, sobbing: “Lin Dong… I dreamed of Tongtong… She was so small, so thin, being beaten by that man with his belt, huddled in the corner crying… I wanted to hold her, but I couldn’t touch her… I couldn’t save her… I could do nothing…”
Seeing his wife like this, Lin Dong’s heart ached.
“It wasn’t your fault, Lulu, it wasn’t your fault. It was just a dream. Tongtong must be grown now. She’s your daughter—she’ll be as strong as you are.”
He knew what Jiang Lu had suffered, knew she had always carried the memory of that daughter. Over the years, she rarely mentioned it, perhaps afraid to face a daughter she had failed so gravely, perhaps afraid he wouldn’t accept it. She had kept it buried deep inside.
But they had known each other for over ten years, married for exactly ten this year—how could he not accept his wife’s daughter?
After a long while, Jiang Lu’s sobs gradually subsided.
Lin Dong comforted her further, gently wiping away her tears, and made a decision.
“Lulu, once I’ve handled my current affairs, I’ll accompany you personally to Pearl City. We’ll find Tongtong and bring her home. Whatever happened in the past, from now on, with me, with us, she’ll never suffer again. Your daughter is my daughter!”
“Really?” Jiang Lu raised her tear-streaked face to her husband.
“Of course it’s true. Three days. In three days, we go to Pearl City!”