Looking up at the sky, Xu Hesheng felt his emotions surging. His face was flushed, and he was so excited that he could hardly speak. Yue Lingtian had actually brought an entire air force formation to propose marriage! What an honor this was for the Xu family! What an incredible thing it would be to tell people about!
Standing beside Xu Hesheng, Li Wenzhe also tilted his head back to watch. The smile at the corners of his mouth grew wider and wider. He had never imagined that Yue Lingtian’s marriage proposal would be so high-profile and grand. He firmly believed that Xiao Rui would be happy from now on!
After the air force’s aerobatic display ended, the leading aircraft slowly descended onto the landing platform in the Xu family garden. The other eight aircraft circled above the Xu residence before arranging themselves into two neat rows and hovering in place.
Xu Hesheng hurriedly instructed the butler to prepare tea and refreshments. Then he stood waiting with Li Wenzhe and Xu Rui.
The cockpit door opened, and a silver-white metal staircase extended from the aircraft cabin down to the ground. Yue Lingtian stood at the cabin entrance wearing a white military uniform and black knee-high military boots.
His perfectly proportioned, athletic figure made the uniform look as though it had been tailored onto him like a model. He wore all his insignia, shoulder boards, and medals of merit. Every detail displayed his rank and authority.
His features were handsome and striking, and his entire person radiated an imposing presence. He looked at Xu Rui, then descended the staircase one step at a time, his bearing dignified and solemn.
Following Yue Lingtian were two young servicemen dressed in blue air force uniforms. Judging from their shoulder boards, Xu Rui guessed that their ranks were at least senior colonel.
One of them had already seen Xu Rui at the matchmaking event, although Xu Rui had never met him. He was Yue Lingtian’s rather shameless cousin, Ji Weixin. The other was Yue Lingtian’s good friend, Ye Youwei, a man with a stern expression. Each of them carried a red wooden box decorated with carved patterns.
As soon as Yue Lingtian stepped out of the aircraft, Xu Hesheng hurriedly led Li Wenzhe and Xu Rui forward to greet him.
Yue Lingtian strode up to Xu Hesheng and Li Wenzhe. With a sharp snap, he gave them a solemn military salute.
“Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, greetings. I’ve come to propose marriage.”
Ji Weixin and Ye Youwei, who were following behind Yue Lingtian, also stepped forward. Holding their wooden boxes in one hand, they gave Xu Hesheng and Li Wenzhe a crisp salute.
Li Wenzhe held Xu Rui’s hand and stood behind Xu Hesheng. The more he looked at Yue Lingtian, the more pleased he became. Xu Hesheng, meanwhile, was already grinning from ear to ear. He was practically over the moon. Yue Lingtian had just called him “Father-in-law”!
Although he was an elder, standing before three imposing servicemen made Xu Hesheng feel somewhat intimidated, no matter how happy he was. He stammered slightly as he spoke.
“Y-Yue… son-in-law, please, come inside and have a seat.”
Yue Lingtian glanced at Xu Rui, who was staring intently at the medals of merit on his uniform with great interest. He couldn’t help smiling faintly and extended a hand toward him.
Xu Rui stared blankly at the hand held out before him. He looked up at Yue Lingtian, then glanced at everyone else. Finally, he stepped forward without hesitation and placed his hand in Yue Lingtian’s palm.
Yue Lingtian closed his fingers around Xu Rui’s hand, and his mood improved even further. The imposing aura he exuded also softened somewhat. Standing together, one handsome and the other beautiful, they made a truly lovely picture.
Seeing how naturally and intimately Yue Lingtian and Xu Rui interacted, Xu Hesheng was even more delighted. He quietly pulled the butler aside and instructed him to make absolutely sure that the Second Madam did not come out. He also ordered two more robots to guard the door, just in case!
If Meng Ming came rushing out and everyone saw him, how was Xu Hesheng supposed to introduce him? Besides, having him present would be no different from slapping Li Wenzhe in the face in front of everyone!
Family scandals should never be aired in public. Better for people to hear about them than to witness them. Li Wenzhe was Xu Rui’s father and Yue Lingtian’s mother-in-law. If Meng Ming appeared at a time like this, how would Xu Hesheng handle the situation? Just thinking about it… Xu Hesheng wiped away his sweat. He didn’t even dare imagine what would happen.
The group settled down in the living room. Yue Lingtian had always been cold and taciturn in front of outsiders. He didn’t say anything unnecessary, and he wasn’t particularly receptive to Xu Hesheng’s flattery. He merely nodded perfunctorily.
After drinking some tea, Yue Lingtian checked the time, then opened the two red wooden boxes on the table and pushed them toward Xu Hesheng and Li Wenzhe.
“Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, these are the betrothal money and gifts. Please accept them.”
Although Xu Hesheng had known the amount of the betrothal money for some time and was also aware of the value of the gifts, his eyes remained fixed on the white diamond card from the world’s largest bank resting on top of the box. He couldn’t look away. Seeing the long string of zeros after the amount, Xu Hesheng couldn’t help swallowing.
Then he looked at the thick stack of property deeds in the other box, the special contracts granting the Xu family business partnerships, and the collection slips bearing the name of a famous antique shop. Xu Hesheng’s mouth grew dry.
The combined value of these two boxes was almost enough to buy the Xu family’s traditional businesses outright. He had never imagined that marrying off his son could bring in such an extravagant betrothal gift. Back when Li Wenzhe married him, the betrothal gifts their Xu family had provided hadn’t even amounted to one-tenth of this!
Xu Hesheng felt as though he were dreaming. All of this would belong to the Xu family! He secretly glanced at Yue Lingtian, almost wanting to ask him just to make sure it was real.
Li Wenzhe merely glanced at the contents, smiled, and nodded at Yue Lingtian. Then he closed the boxes one by one and handed them to Xu Rui, who was sitting beside him.
“Xiao Rui, accept these.”
“Yes.” Xu Rui silently took them.
This meant that Xu Rui had accepted Yue Lingtian’s marriage proposal.
“Brother Sheng.”
Li Wenzhe handed Xu Hesheng a silver rectangular box that had been prepared in advance.
Xu Hesheng understood. He took the silver box, placed it on the table, and pushed it toward Yue Lingtian before opening it.
“This is the dowry we’ve prepared for Xiao Rui.”
Xu Hesheng had originally thought that the dowry their family had prepared for Xu Rui was already too generous. But compared with the gifts from the Yue family, it was practically nothing!
On top of the contents lay a contract transferring ownership of one of the Xu family’s mines. Beneath it were several property deeds, as well as a twenty-percent stake in the Xu family’s business group.
In peacetime, the best assets were naturally real estate. They were the first choice for preserving and increasing wealth. As for the shares, Li Wenzhe believed that Meng Ming would certainly do everything he could to buy back the twenty percent held by Xu Rui. Even if he didn’t, Xu Rui’s eldest and third uncles would want them too. By then, Xu Rui would be able to turn them into cash very quickly.
Xu Rui was getting married and leaving the family. There was no point in holding shares in the Xu family anymore. If anything happened, they might only bring him trouble.
Although this dowry couldn’t compare with the Yue family’s betrothal gifts, its value was already equivalent to half of the Xu family’s entire estate.
“Thank you, Father-in-law and Mother-in-law.”
Yue Lingtian lifted the gift box with both hands and bowed respectfully to Xu Hesheng and Li Wenzhe. After closing the lid, he handed it to Ji Weixin.
With both sides having exchanged their gift boxes, the marriage proposal ceremony was considered complete.
Thinking of all those zeros in the betrothal money, Xu Hesheng was so happy that his head was practically spinning. In a moment of excitement, he even told the butler to open a bottle of red wine he had treasured for twenty years.
“Come, son-in-law! Let’s have a drink to celebrate!”
Yue Lingtian did not accept the wineglass Xu Hesheng held out to him. His voice was cool, but his reason was impossible to refuse.
“I’m sorry, Father-in-law. We’ll be flying back shortly, so we can’t drink and fly. Besides, we’re all servicemen.”
Xu Hesheng’s hand holding the wineglass froze in midair. He neither knew whether to drink it nor put it down. Under everyone’s strange looks, his face turned red, then green, then pale. In the end, he laughed loudly, trying to smooth over the awkwardness.
At that moment, Yue Lingtian gave Ji Weixin a look. Ji Weixin understood immediately. He took out a small, antique telegraph machine and placed it on the table. His fingers began dancing deftly and rhythmically across the keyboard.
Beep, beep, beep.
Beep, beep, beep.
Beep, beep, beep.
Yue Lingtian’s actions left Xu Hesheng and Li Wenzhe completely puzzled. What was he trying to do? They couldn’t help growing curious.
Xu Rui, who had been sitting quietly with his head lowered, also looked up at Yue Lingtian and then at Ji Weixin. Unable to resist, he asked, “Lingtian, are you sending a telegram? Who are you sending it to?”
Yue Lingtian looked at Xu Rui with the corners of his mouth lifted.
“I want the whole world to know that we’re getting married. I want everyone to come and congratulate us!”
Xu Rui felt a rush of blood surge from his chest to his head. His face flushed. He looked at Yue Lingtian with excitement. It was only one sentence, but those words filled his heart to the brim, so full that it felt as though they might overflow.
Xu Hesheng and Li Wenzhe were stunned too. They had never expected this. Truly, they had never expected it!
Ye Youwei, who was sitting upright on the sofa without saying a word, had the corners of his mouth twitch in an extremely rare display of emotion. Ji Weixin’s lips curled slightly, but he wasn’t affected in the slightest. When it came to being unconventional and doing things completely out of left field, Little Tian still couldn’t compare with him. This was nothing more than child’s play.
At the same time, the communications office of the United Government Military News Agency had already received the telegram:
At exactly 11:00 a.m. on August 15, 3013, General Yue Lingtian formally proposed marriage to Xu Rui, son of Xu Hesheng and Li Wenzhe. The two will register their marriage and become lifelong partners on August 17, 3013. Their wedding ceremony will be held on October 1, 3013. End of transmission!
As soon as the United Government Military News Agency received Yue Lingtian’s telegram, it immediately pushed the announcement as the day’s breaking headline. Sure enough, the whole world knew about it.
The Yue family’s chief butler, Yue Jia, and second butler, Yue Xin, were suddenly busier than ever. Congratulations, gifts, and flowers began pouring in from all directions. Aircraft waiting to land crowded the sky above the Yue residence until it was dark with them. In the end, they had no choice but to call out the security force to maintain order.
In the side hall, Ou Xue’er sat on the sofa holding a tablet computer. Looking at the thick, bold headline and the fresh breaking news on the screen, she laughed so hard she nearly doubled over.
“Oh my goodness! That boy really has a way of doing things! He’s truly my good grandson! Hahaha!”
“Even proposing marriage has to be such a grand affair. Usually, he’s so cold that you could kick him and he wouldn’t even grunt. That reserved, secretly passionate fellow. I wonder who he takes after?” Yue Xiao was extremely irritated. He had practically worn his hand out answering calls.
Although the congratulatory calls had already been screened, and his guards handled those that didn’t require him to answer personally, the Yue family was enormous, and Yue Taian no longer concerned himself with worldly affairs. Above Yue Xiao were his uncles, his father’s friends, as well as his superiors and comrades. He simply couldn’t avoid taking their calls.
Ji Xuan glanced at Yue Xiao and merely chuckled. She was smart enough not to respond to his complaint.
Ou Xue’er smiled at her son and daughter-in-law.
“Who does he take after? You have the nerve to ask? When you went to Little Xuan’s home to propose marriage back then, wasn’t yours just as grand? Your son is even more talented than you, though. He actually deployed aircraft! Oh my goodness, the student has surpassed the master! Hahaha! My great-grandchild will definitely be even cleverer in the future! I can’t wait!”
Yue Xiao was just about to say something when his electronic communicator rang again. He had no choice but to stop.
That little brat! He hoped the second and third boys wouldn’t turn out like him!
While things were just as lively at the Yue residence, the entrance to the Xu family home was also completely blocked by the continuous stream of congratulatory gifts and flowers.
The nine military aircraft that Yue Lingtian and his group had used for the proposal had barely departed when one aircraft after another began lining up in the sky above the Xu residence, waiting to land in the garden. It was truly an extraordinary commotion.
While directing the butler and servants to arrange the beautiful flowers and expensive gifts, Li Wenzhe also took the opportunity to teach Xu Rui how to handle such matters in the future.
Standing at the living room entrance, Xu Hesheng watched the endless stream of congratulatory gifts being carried inside, grinning from ear to ear. Before long, he had to deal with the incessantly ringing communications device again. He was thoroughly enjoying everyone’s enthusiastic flattery and eager attempts to curry favor with him. His speech became increasingly bold and triumphant, and he laughed heartily without stopping.
After Yue Lingtian’s grand gesture, Xu Hesheng was so carried away with delight that the wariness that had crept into his heart when he was alone the previous night disappeared once more.
Li Wenzhe loved him so much, and Xu Rui was Li Wenzhe’s only son. For the sake of his son’s future and happiness, how could Li Wenzhe possibly scheme against him and ruin the close relationship they currently shared?
As for his plan from the previous night to transfer some of his assets to Meng Ming, it was once again put on hold. At this critical moment, Xu Hesheng truly didn’t dare make any rash moves. He was afraid of angering Li Wenzhe, and even more afraid of angering Yue Lingtian as a result.
Back when he had brought Meng Ming and Xu Yi into the Xu family, Xu Hesheng had relied on having Xu Rui in his hands. He had been certain that Li Wenzhe wouldn’t dare ask for a divorce and would even accept Meng Ming. But now Xu Rui was marrying Yue Lingtian, and with the Yue family as his backing, Li Wenzhe might no longer have any reservations. That prenuptial property agreement he and Li Wenzhe had signed back then was now a ticking time bomb. As long as that bomb remained unresolved, Xu Hesheng wouldn’t be able to sleep peacefully. Even so, he still clung to wishful thinking. Li Wenzhe loved him so much. Perhaps he simply needed a little more time.
As for Meng Ming, Xu Hesheng’s feelings toward him were complicated. Meng Ming was his first love. Unlike Li Wenzhe, he was completely obedient to him, always doing whatever he said. And when it came to first love, men always entertained all kinds of unrealistic fantasies. However, Xu Hesheng didn’t feel comfortable entrusting money to Meng Ming. He always felt that the moment Meng Ming got his hands on the money, he would take his son and leave him immediately.
Where there were happy people, there were naturally unhappy ones.
As soon as Meng Ming came downstairs, he saw the flowers and congratulatory gifts piled throughout the living room and hallway. Looking at the names on them, he clenched his fingers so tightly that they nearly dug through his palms.
Admitting one’s mistakes wasn’t difficult. What was most difficult was admitting one’s jealousy. But Meng Ming had no choice but to acknowledge that he was jealous of Li Wenzhe—and that he hated him.
When they were young, because his family background couldn’t compare with the Li family, Li Wenzhe had stolen his Brother Sheng away from him. Even though he had already been pregnant with Xiao Yi at the time, Xu Hesheng had ultimately chosen Li Wenzhe. All Meng Ming could do was stay in the shadows with his son.
After finally waiting for his son to grow up, Xu Yi had also proved himself capable, earning Xu Hesheng’s favor. And Meng Ming had finally been able to enter the Xu family openly and with dignity.
He had originally thought that being brought into the Xu family by Xu Hesheng would let him hold his head high and finally vent the resentment he had suppressed for more than twenty years. But before he had even finished celebrating, Xu Rui—who had already been pushed down from the position of family head and given the injection—had caught Yue Lingtian’s eye.
Xu Yi had been pushed into the position of family head by Xu Hesheng. But what about his own position?
Today was the most humiliating day of Meng Ming’s life! Xu Hesheng had actually ordered him not to come out and show himself to anyone, and had even assigned robots to guard him!
Meng Ming was filled with resentment. Was he really someone who had to be hidden away in this family? But at the very least, he had borne Xu Hesheng a son—and a very outstanding son at that.
That evening, Xu Hesheng and Li Wenzhe each notified their respective families to attend Xu Rui and Yue Lingtian’s engagement banquet the following day.
Sitting on a single sofa, Li Wenzhe quietly glanced up at Xu Hesheng, who was speaking with Old Master Xu over the phone. Lowering his voice, he said, “Father, everything on my side is ready.”
A slightly aged but firm voice came from the other end.
“Don’t worry. The grievances you and Rui’er have suffered—your father will make sure they’re repaid.”
Hearing his father’s words, Li Wenzhe suddenly felt his throat tighten. Even though he was already the father of a son, he was still his father’s child after all. A smile appeared on his face, but his voice choked with emotion as he struggled to say, “Yes. Thank you, Father. Thank you, Daddy.”
The person on the other end laughed, his tone full of affection.
“We haven’t seen Rui’er in several months. When we see him tomorrow, we’ll be witnessing the next stage of his life. Xiao Zhe, you’ve done very well. You’ve always done very well.”
Listening to his father’s words, Li Wenzhe’s nose stung, and his eyes grew sore. When he noticed Xu Hesheng looking over, he bit his lip and smiled at him. That fragile smile made Xu Hesheng pause. Back then, when Li Wenzhe had learned that he might never be able to conceive again, he had smiled at him in exactly the same way.
At exactly 10:00 a.m. on August 17, 3013, at the largest marriage registration office in China’s Northern District, Yue Lingtian and Xu Rui wore specially tailored white formal suits. With their families’ blessings and as everyone looked on, they took their photographs, signed their marriage certificate, and exchanged their engagement rings.
Afterward, everyone flew to the traditional courtyard residence at the Yue family estate to attend Yue Lingtian and Xu Rui’s engagement banquet.
Xu Yi attended this engagement banquet as well. Meng Ming, however, remained home alone because of his status.