Courtyard Houses: From Bronze Compasses to Global Reach

Chapter 373 Vacation

After negotiating with the domestic authorities, Lin Yan felt relieved.

When he handed Lin San a thick outline of industrial layout and cooperation plan, which was hundreds of pages long, he only instructed him with one sentence: "The general framework has been set. You are in charge of negotiating the specific details. If there are any fundamental issues of principle or if the other party raises new issues outside the plan, then contact me."

Lin San solemnly accepted it. He knew the weight of this plan and understood that the young master was entrusting him with the "front line" of domestic affairs for a period of time.

Upon returning to Hong Kong, Lin Yan instructed the crew to prepare for the southbound flight route.

The plane flew smoothly over the South China Sea.

Through the porthole, below stretched the boundless blue sea, occasionally dotted with emerald-like islands. Little Seven was curled up on the sofa, fast asleep.

Lin Yan was flipping through an ancient book, but his thoughts were wandering.

Singapore, Changi Airport.

The plane landed smoothly. As the cabin door opened, a moist, warm breeze carrying the scents of the sea and vegetation rushed in. The atmosphere here was full of vibrant, orderly, yet relaxed island charm.

Lin Yan's gaze, hidden behind his sunglasses, casually swept across the orderly airport terminal. Xiao Qi followed at his feet, curiously looking around.

At the arrivals gate, a figure was already standing quietly waiting. Lin Yi, dressed in a fine light-colored linen suit, stood tall and straight like a pine tree. Upon seeing Lin Yan, a smile flashed across his face, and he quickly went to greet him.

"Young Master, you must be tired from your journey."

"You've been working so hard here all this time." Lin Yan reached out and patted his arm.

I settled into the waiting car, the air conditioning dispelling the stifling heat outside. The vehicle pulled out of the airport and headed towards the city along a wide, clean road. Outside the window, modern buildings intertwined with lush tropical plants, exuding a meticulously planned order and vitality; everything here was progressing according to plan.

"Let's go straight to our place in Sentosa," Lin Yan said to Lin Yi, leaning back in the back seat. "For the next few days, put aside all your reports and meetings and spend a couple of days with me. I need to soak up some sun and go swimming."

Lin Yi glanced at the young master in the rearview mirror. "Yes, young master. The villa and yacht are ready, and it will be absolutely quiet."

The sea breeze, carrying a salty, damp scent, caressed the pristine white sands of Sentosa. Lin Yan stood barefoot in the shallow water, watching Xiao Qi, like a snow-white ball of fluff, splash and chase among the waves, the golden sunset bathing everything in a warm glow.

In the evening, on the terrace of the seaside villa, Lin Yancai briefly recounted to Lin Yi the key points of their late-night conversation back home, as well as the preliminary cooperation framework subsequently finalized with Lin San. The lights were soft, and the sound of the waves could be heard in the distance.

Lin Yi listened quietly, unconsciously swirling his teacup in his hand, lost in thought for a moment.

"Young Master, now that you have personally sorted out the domestic situation and agreed on the pace of progress with Lin San, you can rest assured. I will personally follow up on the specific coordination, resource allocation, and rhythm of the subsequent communication with Lin San to ensure that the gears on both sides work together seamlessly."

He paused slightly, then turned his attention to the territory he had been managing.

"On our side, everything is progressing according to plan, and in some parts even faster than expected. The oil field in Sarawak, East Malaysia, successfully started trial production last month, and the first batch of crude oil was of very good quality. The supporting preliminary refining facilities are also under construction simultaneously."

Then, he mentioned another front:

"On the Indonesian side, Wang Qin and his team are acting very efficiently. According to his latest report, the 'guidance' of the core leadership is largely complete, and the mobilization of the grassroots is proceeding in a step-by-step manner with less resistance than expected. He estimates that the overall situation will be settled in about six months."

"At that time, the entire sea area from Malacca to the Java Sea and the surrounding land will belong to the Lim family."

Lin Yan leaned back in his chair, listening to the sound of the waves mingling with Lin Yi's report. He picked up a chilled juice and took a sip; its sweetness soothed his soul.

He knew that Lin Yi always kept his word; if he said six months, he wouldn't drag it out to the seventh month.

"Very good." Lin Yan nodded. "Then for the next six months, I'll occasionally come over for a vacation and soak up the sun. You're in charge of all the specifics here. Just one thing: get the 'Candle Dragon' lithography machine done as soon as possible. Everything else, go ahead and do it."

"Yes, young master." Lin Yi nodded.

Time flows like a gentle stream, quietly slipping through our fingers. Lin Yan took Xiao Qi back to the United States.

He met up with his old friends Tom and Mike at their familiar bar. The lights were dim, and laughter mingled with memories of the past.

After years of careful management, "Libre de Soi" has successfully joined the ranks of North American luxury brands, becoming a symbol of taste and status.

During a brief meeting, Lin Yan advised Tang Liuqian, "You should turn your attention back to China. Send people to the interior to find those rare artisans hidden among the people—mother-of-pearl inlay, brocade, paper cutting, mortise and tenon joints, bamboo weaving… those old crafts that are almost forgotten. Just imagine, using these thousand-year-old finger skills to interpret Western totems and patterns, the creations would be something those self-proclaimed well-informed 'Western gentlemen' would never have dreamed of." His words were light, yet they outlined a blueprint for cultural exchange and the acquisition of values.

He also took some time to attend a live performance by the Eagles. When the intro to "Hotel California" began, he leaned back in his chair and hummed along softly amidst the enthusiastic crowd. His gaze behind his sunglasses was somewhat distant, as if he were retrieval some vague memories from a past life that belonged only to him in the melody.

Afterwards, he went to Europe to visit the little girl "Duoduo" and left amidst her tears and snot.

Life seemed to flow gently between the clouds and different continents. Until a year later, Lin Yan received a message from Lin San through divine sense.

"Young Master, it's confirmed domestically that college entrance exams will resume this year. The wind has been blown. We've received a letter from above; it's time for those 'seeds' we sent out back then to come home."

Lin Yan stood on the balcony in a foreign land, facing the wind, a deep smile slowly curving his lips.