Chapter 2227 - 718: Engagement Banquet

Meanwhile, above the cloudless stratosphere.

The fuselage of the Bombardier Challenger 850 tilted slightly, beginning a gentle descent, breaking through the clouds.

Outside the window, the vast and grayish-yellow terrain of the Guanzhong Plain in winter gradually became clear and familiar.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we are now beginning our descent..."

A soft English announcement from the captain echoed through the cabin as the seatbelt sign lit up with a soft chime.

The meeting in the cabin’s office area had concluded.

Sitting in an independent aviation seat, Lin Muxue elegantly closed her laptop and turned her gaze towards the land that had nurtured her.

The plane, with a gentle bump, made a graceful arc on the runway and finally landed steadily on its designated tarmac at the airport.

The cabin door opened.

A gust of cold wind, mixed with the unique crispness of the Guanzhong Plain, rushed in.

Lin Muxue felt no chill; instead, she straightened her slender back and, amidst the respectful farewells of the cabin crew, stepped down the gangway.

She wasn’t wearing a heavy coat, just a crisp and smart white haute couture suit. In the harsh winter sunlight, she was like a silhouette outlined by light.

Elegant, confident, her aura fully unleashed.

On the tarmac, a scene that made her heart race, even causing her bladder to tense slightly, was already in place.

A clean Toyota Coaster minibus quietly awaited, with a prominent red banner displayed under the front windshield:

[Warmly Welcome Rongliu Capital Delegation]

On either side of the Coaster, two black Hongqi H9 sedans with exceptionally orderly number plates were parked.

Like loyal guards, solemn and majestic.

Several government officials, dressed in dark administrative jackets and exuding a composed and steady demeanor, were already waiting beside the gangway. Seeing her descend, they immediately approached briskly.

The middle-aged man leading the group wore a warm and standard smile:

"President Lin, hello. I am Wang Chen, Mayor Li’s secretary. Mayor Li has specifically sent me here to personally extend his warmest welcome to you and the delegation. He will be awaiting your honored presence at a banquet at the Shangri-La Hotel."

"Mayor Li is truly too kind." Lin Muxue felt her throat dry slightly, a surge of uncontrollable warmth and excitement rising to her cheeks, "Please be sure to convey my regards to Mayor Li, and thank the provincial and municipal governments for their warm reception."

She knew very well that the "Mayor Li" Secretary Wang mentioned was the relative of Ms. Ouyang Xianyue, who held real power and was in charge of the economy and investment promotion.

The deputy mayor of her hometown personally waiting at a hotel banquet, with the provincial government sending people to receive her at the airport...

This level of arrangement and grandeur had far exceeded her boldest imagination!

The moment of glory belonging to Emperor Muxue was finally here!

✧(> v <)✧

After a round of ceremonious and proper greetings, Lin Muxue, surrounded by the entourage, boarded the Coaster.

Under the escort of a lead vehicle, the convoy smoothly left the airport and merged into the highway traffic heading towards the city.

Inside the car, the atmosphere was harmonious.

Secretary Wang sat beside Lin Muxue, introducing the economic development and investment environment of Chang’an in recent years.

Lin Muxue listened attentively, occasionally posing one or two professional and precise questions regarding the details of policies related to the photovoltaic industry.

Her conversation was elegant, her logic clear, exuding the demeanor of a top financial elite.

She looked at the swiftly receding, both familiar and unfamiliar, scenery outside the window.

The wave of excitement in her heart surged back and forth like a tide.

When she was in high school, with limited funds, she most looked forward to weekends when she could ride the bumpy bus with classmates and friends to the city to "experience the world."

They would go see a discounted movie at the People’s Theater under the Bell Tower, eat a steaming bowl of mutton paomo at Hui People Street, and eagerly gaze at the beautiful yet expensive clothes in the small shops along Great East Street...

Back then, Chang’an was the embodiment of all her youthful dreams of "prosperity," "fashion," and "distant places."

And now, sitting in a private vehicle accompanied by a dedicated secretary and government officials, she reassessed this homeland in the role of a "capital representative."

The dreams once out of reach were now part of her everyday life.

"Ring-ring—"

A burst of phone ringing shattered the atmosphere inside the car.

Seeing the word "Brother" flashing on the screen, Lin Muxue gave an apologetic smile to Secretary Wang next to her, indicating to wait for a moment before sliding to answer the call.

Immediately, the anxious voice of Lin Muchuan came through the receiver: "Oh my sister, I finally got through to you! I sent you WhatsApp messages for so long without a response, I thought something might have happened on your way! Xue, we’ve all reached the hotel, what about you? Have you landed? When will you probably arrive?"

Lin Muxue’s tone was calm and steady: "Mm, just got off the plane, on the way now. I will be there in about half an hour."

"Alright! Let me know when you are close."

"Okay."

After hanging up the call, she opened WhatsApp.

Sure enough, there were already several unread messages.

Most were from her brother, anxiously inquiring about her location, along with a precise location of the hotel shared once again.

Besides that, there was the group chat called "A Loving Family," which was currently being updated at an unprecedented speed, showing a "99+" unread badge.

She opened it.

What met her eyes was a bustling and lively scene.

Relatives who had already arrived at the hotel were excitedly sharing photos of the place.

The grand and luxurious lobby’s crystal chandelier, the spiral staircase with its red carpet, the entrance with its exquisite sign-in board...