Chapter 118 – End of Main Story

 

What is dumping: Selling goods below cost in international trade to seize market share and suppress competitors.

What is anti-dumping: For the purpose of trade protection, another country imposes high anti-dumping duties, causing the exported products to lose their price advantage and thus withdraw from the international market.

Over the past few years, Ming Xi had absorbed a great deal of international economic knowledge from Liang Jiancheng, and had gained a certain understanding of how several major countries operate.

Take the United States, which initiated an anti-dumping investigation against Mingzhou Textile, for example. Whenever there was an economic crisis, what they do best was to raise the banner of trade protection and apply double standards to suppress the trade of other countries.

On the surface, it claimed protectionism; in reality, it undermined the fair competitive environment of international trade.

In the simplest terms, it was typical power-based bullying.

Ming Xi had been in the foreign trade industry for nearly ten years. She had heard many things and personally experienced many as well.

In recent years, it had become increasingly common for Chinese companies to face anti-dumping investigations overseas. Regardless of the industry—whether well-known large enterprises or unknown small factories—anyone could encounter this kind of unfair blow.

This time, the United States launched an investigation targeting Chinese exporters of polyester staple fiber, mainly concentrated in southern port cities with light industry clusters.

On the entity list alone, there were no fewer than one hundred companies! Mingzhou ranked second in market sales among them.

Faced with such reality, as an export company with a relatively large share of the U.S. market, Mingzhou could not sit and wait for defeat.

This was Ming Xi’s stance, and it was also Liang Jiancheng’s. From the moment they received the news to now preparing to respond to the lawsuit, there had not been a trace of retreat.

Liang Jiancheng would go all out in this lawsuit and accompany Miss Ming throughout the entire process. Of course, this was not, as the doctor in the delivery room had joked, a “reward” for giving birth—it was something Ming Xi herself would remember.

At the same time, this appeal was also related to the future export prospects of Mingzhou’s products in other countries. Although the U.S. market held a large share, it was not the only market Mingzhou relied on. However, once labeled with the “anti-dumping” stigma imposed by the United States, sooner or later Mingzhou Textile would face similar treatment in European and North American markets.

Over the years, from founding Mingzhou Foreign Trade to building her own factories and production lines, Ming Xi had come to understand one thing: a boss might be able to swallow their pride, but a business must stand firm when necessary.

On the 24th floor of Jiemu Building, in CEO’s office,

Ming Xi sat face to face with Zhou Mingjun, while Liang Jiancheng got up to retrieve contracts and related documents.

Before Ming Xi arrived, Liang Jiancheng had already discussed details with Zhou Mingjun many times. Today was for the formal signing of the legal representation contract.

Zhou Mingjun’s legal fees were naturally not low. However, whether it was representing Shuangyang Television back then or representing Mingzhou now, he would not charge a single cent above the market rate.

On one hand, Zhou Mingjun and Gu Shuangyang had been friends for many years, and that relationship carried more weight than a simple business partnership.

On the other hand, several years ago, Zhou Mingjun’s team had handled Shuangyang Television’s anti-dumping appeal case against the United States. That case not only greatly increased Shuangyang’s reputation, but also made Zhou Mingjun himself widely known. Therefore, for this case, he had originally only intended to charge a modest fee.

Liang Jiancheng insisted on paying the standard rate—not because he had too much money to spend, nor to take advantage of personal connections, but as part of his business philosophy.

Zhou Mingjun also admired Liang Jiancheng’s magnanimity.

This time, when Liang Jiancheng approached him again, it was to file an appeal for his wife’s company in response to the U.S. anti-dumping investigation on polyester staple fiber. When he first heard the news, Zhou Mingjun was somewhat surprised, but he knew that Liang Jiancheng’s wife must be Miss Ming, whom he had met once years ago in Seoul.

Back in 2001, when they met in Seoul, Zhou Mingjun clearly remembered Liang Jiancheng introducing her in English to a group of them: this was Miss Ming, the woman he deeply admired, and he was striving to win her heart.

In 2001, Liang Jiancheng was still trying to win Miss Ming’s heart. By 2009, he had already become a father.

As an elder, Zhou Mingjun felt happy for Liang Jiancheng and also felt that Miss Ming was fortunate.

There is a Chinese saying: “Those who are not of the same kind will not enter the same household.” Who would have thought that this entire family would be so fond of taking the United States to court?

Because this family was full of strong-willed people!

The strong-willed Gu Shuangyang gave birth to a strong-willed son; that son then married an equally strong-willed Miss Ming…

Zhou Mingjun spoke with ease, his thinking rigorous and meticulous. He could make originally dry commercial law sound vivid and engaging, explaining it bit by bit to Ming Xi.

During the discussion, he unconsciously used many professional legal terms, some of which he expressed directly in English due to translation difficulties. He was used to communicating this way with Liang Jiancheng—after all, Liang Jiancheng had graduated from Princeton University and had studied international commercial law, so there was no barrier. But he wasn’t sure whether Ming Xi could follow.

When Zhou Mingjun realized he might have been too technical, Ming Xi began to explain her understanding of the response strategy he had proposed.

Not only had she fully understood, she had grasped the key points deeply and articulated her thoughts clearly and logically. Her excellent memory and strong comprehension astonished Zhou Mingjun, a seasoned international lawyer. He had met many entrepreneurs—each with different personalities, but all possessing extraordinary willpower and energy.

Ming Xi was the same. Perhaps, given Mingzhou’s current scale, she could not yet be called an entrepreneur—but she already possessed the most important trait of one: She was not afraid of trouble.

Back then, within Shuangyang Group, there had been divided opinions on whether to appeal the U.S. anti-dumping ruling. It was Gu Shuangyang who overruled all objections and made the final decision: “Fight it. Why not fight? In the face of injustice, being afraid is not the Chinese way!”

Zhou Mingjun still vividly remembered those powerful words: being afraid is not the Chinese way.

Good! Good! Good! Not one member of this family was afraid of trouble!

After an afternoon of discussion, Zhou Mingjun, Ming Xi, and Liang Jiancheng concluded their meeting.

Finally, they stood up and said their farewells.

Ming Xi and Liang Jiancheng escorted Zhou Mingjun to the office door. Before leaving, Lawyer Zhou shook hands with Liang Jiancheng, then with Ming Xi, solemnly assuring her, “Miss Ming, our legal team will spare no effort to find the key to a successful response to Mingzhou’s anti-dumping appeal. However, for Mingzhou, this will also be a demanding and arduous undertaking, and it will require your full cooperation. In addition, I can confidently tell you that my success rate in handling anti-dumping cases is one hundred percent. Please rest assured.”

Ming Xi smiled slightly and replied with calm determination, “Whether it’s me or Mr. Liang, we will fully cooperate with Lawyer Zhou’s work.”

That evening, the family had dinner at Gu Shuangyang’s place. At the table, the conversation naturally turned to Mingzhou’s preparation to respond to the investigation. While keeping an eye on the nanny feeding the baby, Gu Shuangyang encouraged them in a casual tone, “Fight it—of course you should fight! Being afraid of death is not the Chinese way.”

Liang Jiancheng coughed lightly. Who would have thought that in this lifetime he would hear Gu Shuangyang say something like that? And that it had shifted from “not fearing trouble is the Chinese way” to “not fearing death is the Chinese way.”

Perhaps what his mother originally said back then really was “not fearing death is the Chinese way,” and when Shuangyang Electronics released the statement publicly, they changed “death” to “trouble” to make it sound more appropriate.

Given Liang Jiancheng’s understanding of his mother, this was highly likely.

Interestingly, after hearing his grandmother’s words, little Minglang in the nanny’s arms clenched his fists, kicked his legs, and his cheeks turned red, looking very encouraged and full of energy.

“Look, even my Little Minglang is getting fired up listening to this,” Gu Shuangyang said, very pleased with her grandson’s “response.” She laughed heartily and even called everyone at the table over to admire his reaction.

Then, for the first time, Yang Minwen did not agree with his wife Gu Shuangyang. He gently reminded the nanny, “…He’s probably pooped.”

Sure enough, Little Minglang wasn’t fired up—he had simply… pooped.

His mother Ming Xi couldn’t hold it in and nearly choked on her soup.

With a helpless expression, Liang Jiancheng stood up to change Minglang’s diaper. Although there were two nannies at home helping take care of the baby, Liang Jiancheng still handled many of the childcare details himself.

One night during her postpartum period, Ming Xi woke up to find Liang Jiancheng not in the room. She got up and went to the nanny’s and baby’s room, where she saw Liang Jiancheng with his back to the soft light, skillfully holding the baby in his arms, gently humming an English nursery rhyme, his voice as gentle as a clear spring flowing slowly in the night.

With great patience, he soothed Little Minglang, who had woken up crying in the middle of the night.

Soon after, the nanny returned softly with warmed milk. She moved so quietly not only to avoid waking the baby, but also out of concern for not disturbing Ming Xi, who still needed rest and recovery.

Would having a child affect a couple’s relationship?

The nanny they had hired understood this most clearly: for many couples, conflicts peak during this stage because the man of the house has not fully stepped into the role of a father, while the woman must fully take on the role of a mother. This imbalance leads to marital tensions.

But this family—truly, they had both wealth and love.

It was enviable.

The envy was genuine, but beyond envy, there was also genuine worry.

Especially listening every day at the dining table as they discussed work—how to hire lawyers, what cases to fight—the nanny couldn’t really understand it all. She could only sigh that ordinary people and bosses, like everyone else, have relationships, children, different tastes, and different work styles.

The pressures they carried, however, were also different.

As her son, who was still in school, once put it: “The wealth of the rich is a form of flowing social resource. The more one possesses, the greater the responsibility one must bear. Without the corresponding ability to shoulder it, any wealth one temporarily holds will eventually return to the currents of history. The meaning of wealth is not merely private ownership—it is also a kind of trust.”

The nanny felt her son had “studied himself silly,” and while feeding the baby, she repeated his words to the Liang family.

Hmm…

Ming Xi blinked, those words sounded so familiar.

Then she remembered! Those were words Liang Jiancheng had written many years ago on a forum under the name “Jiangliu Dadao.” Oh my—had she just run into a fan of “Young Master Jiangliu”?

Ming Xi shot Liang Jiancheng a playful look, then turned to the nanny and said, “Aunt Tang, your son is not only talented, he also has great taste.”

Aunt Tang asked skeptically, “Really?”

“Of course. If you don’t believe me, you can ask Mr. Liang—he studied economics too, he’ll definitely agree with this viewpoint,” Ming Xi said with a teasing smile.

Aunt Tang looked at Liang Jiancheng expectantly.

Liang Jiancheng felt genuinely embarrassed by what he had written in his youthful exuberance. He glanced helplessly at the smug and happy Ming Xi, and objectively said to Aunt Tang, “Everyone’s pursuits are different. We all strive to make our own small families happy, and in doing so, our country prospers as well.”

Aunt Tang understood this! Because it reflected the most common reality of ordinary, hardworking Chinese families—diligently striving for a simple, happy life.

But Boss Liang was truly remarkable—he could elevate even the happiness of a small family to the level of the nation. No wonder his company had grown so large; his perspective on life was simply on another level.

Ming Xi loved hearing Liang Jiancheng being praised. After all, if he was so exceptional, didn’t that also mean she had great discernment—

especially since such an exceptional Boss Liang deeply admired Miss Ming!

…

What Lawyer Zhou had said was true: an anti-dumping appeal was a difficult, complex, and long-term battle requiring immense effort.

Upon returning to Mingzhou after giving birth, Ming Xi’s first task was to assemble a response team. Under the professional guidance of Lawyer Zhou’s team, they not only met high standards in cooperation but also strove for excellence in every detail.

Mingzhou’s proactive stance became like a spark, igniting the fighting spirit of other textile enterprises also trapped in anti-dumping difficulties. With the full support of the industry association—

On July 3, 2009, the U.S. Department of Commerce initiated an anti-dumping investigation into Chinese polyester staple fiber;

By November of the same year, thirteen textile companies from Haigang and Ning City, all subjected to high anti-dumping duties, set out together on the path to appeal in the United States.

In her lifetime, Ming Xi had never imagined that one day she would sit, as a Chinese businesswoman, in the first-floor conference hall of the U.S. Department of Commerce in Washington, attending a public anti-dumping hearing on textiles before global media—seated right at the central presentation table.

The gallery was packed. Journalists from China and abroad filled every seat, and countless camera lenses, like gun barrels, were all aimed at the presentation table.

The atmosphere of the hearing was not as solemn as she had imagined, yet the invisible pressure was enough to make anyone tense.

Cultural differences, conflicts of interest, historical entanglements—all these factors intertwined, weighing heavily on Ming Xi’s heart. But she could not back down. Throughout the proceedings, she kept her back straight and her head held naturally high.

During the entire hearing, she only turned once to look at Liang Jiancheng. But she knew that over the course of those two hours, his gaze had never left her.

Being in such a large international setting for the first time, nervousness was inevitable. But Ming Xi told herself that no matter how nervous she was, she had to stay calm; humility couldn’t diminish her pride. At this hearing, before both Chinese and international media, she would present herself as a composed, principled, and well-reasoned Chinese businesswoman.

Still, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of reflection.

As a child, she had crouched beneath utility pole loudspeakers listening to international news, mimicking the rapid, incomprehensible English word by word. Later, whenever she had time in school, she memorized vocabulary, then studied business English for several years at Yicheng TV University, before working in Haigang as a foreign trade sales representative… Back then, she had only wanted to learn English well to earn more money. She had never imagined it was all preparing her for this moment.

As Mr. Liang aptly put it—learning another country’s language is not for traveling the world, but for seeing the world clearly.

Only by seeing the outside clearly can one understand one’s own heart.

The hearing began, with Lawyer Zhou presenting Mingzhou’s arguments and submitting materials. When more than a hundred pounds of documents were carried onto the table, the entire room stirred in surprise—

These dense stacks of files were all financial data and internal records from Mingzhou’s years of textile exports.

To prove that Mingzhou’s pricing of polyester staple fiber exports to the U.S. was reasonable, these detailed financial records were the most powerful evidence.

Deeply influenced by Liang Jiancheng from the very beginning of Mingzhou’s establishment, Ming Xi had never cut corners in financial management. Now, these meticulous data records and carefully preserved cost documents had become the key pillars supporting this appeal.

Seeing the surprised reactions of the American officials, Ming Xi felt her tension gradually dissipate, replaced by a sense of calm rising from within.

“China’s textile industry has always adhered to the principles of fair, just, and transparency in trade, actively participating in international market competition.

“The difficulties faced by U.S. domestic textile enterprises stem from multiple factors. You cannot shift the responsibility for declining competitiveness onto Chinese companies. That is clearly unreasonable and irresponsible…”

After Lawyer Zhou finished his presentation, the session moved into the corporate questioning phase.

That meant it was Ming Xi’s turn to speak.

One of the commissioners tapped the long table out of habit and asked, “Miss Ming, would you require translation services?”

Ming Xi shook her head; she didn’t need them.

Liang Jiancheng and Lawyer Zhou had both warned her: American lawyers excel at leading questions, and any carelessness could lead into linguistic traps. Thus, she leaned forward slightly, focusing intently on every detail in their wording.

However, some of the questions were truly laughable.

“Does your factory use the cheapest, outdated textile machinery?”

Ming Xi frowned briefly, then replied calmly: “China’s machine tool industry ranks first in the world. Purchasing high-end sewing machines in China can cost more than fifty percent less than acquiring second-hand, obsolete equipment. I have no reason to use outdated machinery—it is neither rational nor aligned with business logic.”

“Does your company employ child labor?”

This was practically a standard question.

Ming Xi’s tone turned serious. “The use of child labor is prohibited—not only in the United States, but also in China. My company and factories operate in China and are subject to strict legal supervision.”

As questions continued, Ming Xi provided clear and organized answers to each one.

China might be temporarily lagging behind in technology due to historical reasons, but Chinese culture had always been ahead of its time. Technology is culture that hasn’t been tested by time, but culture is wisdom refined through trials.

She further explained, “Why are you so surprised by these financial records? China has become a manufacturing powerhouse capable of producing high-quality, affordable goods—not necessarily because of more advanced technology, though we may surpass that in the future. What we lead in is a culture of diligence, unity, perseverance, and endurance. It is this culture that enables countless Chinese enterprises to control costs to the extreme and turn the impossible into possible.

“The products we export to your country strictly comply with your quality standards. I am here today following your legal procedures, presenting our case in your language. That is the source of the competitiveness of Chinese goods. Our advantage lies not only in labor, but also in a complete industrial chain. That is the fundamental reason we can offer both quality and affordability.”

Ming Xi’s voice was clear and steady, carried through the microphone to both Chinese and international media. Every English word she spoke was precise, crisp, and powerful.

Over the years, she had gone from imitating Liang Jiancheng as a boss to becoming an independent leader, constantly learning and acquiring more knowledge.

Because she had always believed she wasn’t good enough.

But now, she realized—the one who wasn’t good enough was not her.

She had simply been too humble.

Facing the relentless flashing lights, Ming Xi remained composed. Though there was no smile on her face, her expression was calm and collected, radiating a quiet, accumulated confidence.

As the hearing neared its end, a commissioner asked an unexpected question: “Miss Ming, during your time in foreign trade, have you ever applied for a U.S. green card?”

In that instant, Ming Xi understood the arrogance and prejudice behind the question. She shook her head lightly and replied in a calm yet firm tone: “Never. Neither I nor my husband has ever applied. This year, we have just welcomed our child. With our qualifications, we are fully capable of obtaining a U.S. green card, but we have never considered it.”

The commissioner seemed to tease, smiling as he pressed further: “Don’t you have an American dream?”

Nonono!

Ming Xi met his gaze with a smile and, for the first time before international media, spoke openly about her background: “In China, my education might not be considered a traditional university degree. If I had been born in the United States, I might have been a struggling drifter at the bottom of society. I don’t know whether someone like me could have succeeded here. But in China, I have built my own company and factory, and I have a happy family and a lovely child. Standing here today, I am grateful not only to those who love me, but also to my country.”

Scattered applause rose from the back rows. Ming Xi did not turn around. Only after the hearing fully concluded did she gently turn and look toward the back left.

There sat Liang Jiancheng, dressed in a formal suit, his smile warm, his gaze clear and tender, his eyes filled with the deep affection she knew so well.

Once, it was he who had shared pride and glory with Miss Ming. Now, it was Miss Ming who responded to that affection with the same brilliance.

During the hearing, Ming Xi, who had performed steadily throughout, cast a slightly hesitant, nervous glance at Liang Jiancheng.

It was as if she were asking: I didn’t embarrass myself, right? Right? I didn’t embarrass myself, did I?

The night before, at the hotel, Ming Xi had repeatedly changed and selected her outfit for the hearing. Liang Jiancheng had remarked, “It’s the first time I’ve seen Miss Ming care this much about what she’s wearing.”

Nervous, Ming Xi tried to ease her own tension. “If I embarrass myself at tomorrow’s hearing, I’ll jump straight into the Columbia River…” Then, after a moment’s thought, she added, “No, better to go home and jump into the Huangpu River!”

As a person, one must not disgrace oneself; as a businessperson, one must not disgrace one’s country. That was how Ming Xi saw it.

And because she held herself to such standards, there was pressure. Even after winning the appeal by the end of the year and securing the lowest tariff rate for Mingzhou Textiles, that heavy weight still lingered in her heart.

On December 31, 2009, after half a year of relentless effort, Mingzhou won its anti-dumping appeal. The thirteen companies that had appealed alongside them all won as well.

As the plane pierced through the clouds, the dawn of 2010 was already in sight.

During the long flight, Ming Xi lay under a blanket, her head tilted against Liang Jiancheng’s shoulder, fast asleep. In the early hours of Beijing time, as the plane was about to land at Haigang International Airport, she was gently woken by him.

The plane had not yet fully descended.

Ming Xi opened her eyes. Sitting by the window, Liang Jiancheng pulled her closer to his side.

Not quite understanding, she thought he wanted her to look at the night view of Haigang. But as she leaned toward the window, she saw not only the sea of city lights—but also fireworks bursting across the sky.

These were the New Year’s fireworks for 2010! By chance, they had caught the moment just before landing. It was a rare sight—no wonder he had woken her.

Beneath the night sky, less than a thousand meters below, countless lights and brilliant fireworks intertwined, as if the entire city were welcoming the arrival of 2010.

“Ming Xi, Happy New Year, may everything only get better.”

“Boss Liang, Happy New Year, we will only get better.”

The deeper the love, the shorter the blessing.

Intertwined fingers, gazing into each other’s eyes, Ming Xi and Liang Jiancheng welcomed the new decade with the roar of the plane landing safely.

…

Looking back, in the year 2000, Ming Xi chased wealth amidst the waves of opportunity, like a small boat adrift on the current.

Yet she had never lost her direction, always holding fast to her true self. As Helen Vendler once said—“Amid the rolling dust of the world, and also high above the layered clouds.”

Over these ten years, their perseverance, their self-driven struggles, and their soul-deep love had together written a chapter belonging to their era.

“The current may be ruthless, but my heart remains eternal.” This was Ming Xi’s confession to Liang Jiancheng. “Tomorrow will be as bright as day, radiant and shining.” This was Liang Jiancheng’s blessing to her.

Their dreams had already been realized—but their story was far from over.

No matter how the world might change, that dazzling sea of stars before Ming Xi would always be waiting for her.

Just as, to Liang Jiancheng, his Miss Ming would always shine brilliantly.

Just like their tomorrow—it would always come, always as bright as day.

After 2010, China, too, continued to surge forward with immense momentum—undaunted by storms, unafraid of obstacles.

 

Epilogue—

In May 2010, Mingzhou Textiles’ high-end outdoor apparel brand Bright made a stunning debut at the 41st World Expo.

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Translator’s note:

The main story ends here, there’s three more extra chapters.