Before five o’clock, almost all the guests had arrived.
Leaving Yue Lingyun and Yue Lingfei in the banquet hall, Yue Lingtian escorted Xu Hesheng and Li Wenzhe to the reception room on the second floor. His father, Yue Xiao, and his dad, Ji Xuan, were already waiting there.
Originally, they had planned to personally visit the Xu residence tomorrow to formally ask Xu Rui’s parents for their son’s hand in marriage. But since everyone had already met, why not settle the matter now?
Besides, Ji Xuan really didn’t want to encounter Meng Ming at the Xu residence. Although the chances of that happening were extremely slim, it would still be awkward.
“Father, Dad.”
Yue Lingtian had barely called out when Ji Xuan stood up and warmly walked toward Li Wenzhe.
“Dear in-laws! We’ve finally met!”
Li Wenzhe was momentarily stunned, but quickly recovered. He warmly returned Ji Xuan’s handshake.
“Dear in-laws, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Yue Xiao didn’t approach them. He simply stood up where he was and smiled.
As for Xu Hesheng, who was standing beside Li Wenzhe, he was grinning so widely that his mouth practically stretched from ear to ear. Even his gums were showing. A perfectly handsome middle-aged man was smiling like an idiot.
Yue Lingtian rubbed his nose and pulled Xu Rui aside. With his dad around, there was nothing left for him to do.
Ji Xuan had always extended his affection to the people his loved ones cared about. Xu Rui clearly adored his dad, so Yue Lingtian wasn’t surprised by his dad’s enthusiasm.
At that moment, Xu Hesheng gently nudged Li Wenzhe with his elbow, reminding him to get to the main point.
Such a small gesture naturally couldn’t escape anyone present, but it was harmless.
Li Wenzhe understood the hint and smiled.
“Lieutenant General Yue, Madam Yue, thank you for inviting us to attend the birthday banquet. It is an honor for the Xu family to be able to celebrate your birthday with you.”
Before Ji Xuan could respond, Li Wenzhe immediately continued, “Let’s dispense with the formalities, dear in-laws! On behalf of the Xu family, I wish you blessings as vast as the Eastern Sea and a lifespan as long as the Southern Mountain!”
“A small gift. I hope you’ll accept it.”
Xu Hesheng could finally find something useful to do. He presented Ji Xuan with the second gift he had carefully prepared.
He had heard that Yue Xiao particularly enjoyed drinking tea, so he had purchased this precious tea gift set as a meeting present.
Ji Xuan smiled and accepted the gift.
“You shouldn’t have gone to so much trouble. Please, come and sit. Make yourselves comfortable. Bring the tea.”
The four adults exchanged a few more pleasantries before taking their seats.
Yue Xiao, Ji Xuan, and Yue Lingtian sat together on one side. Across the coffee table sat Xu Hesheng, Li Wenzhe, and Xu Rui.
Both Yue Xiao and Yue Lingtian were men of few words in front of outsiders. They also tended to maintain serious expressions and unconsciously radiated an overbearing, commanding presence.
As a result, Xu Hesheng, sitting opposite them, felt extremely uncomfortable. He wanted to start a conversation but couldn’t think of a suitable topic.
He was afraid that saying too much might accidentally offend some military taboo. At the same time, he worried that his knowledge might prove too shallow and cause the generals to look down on him, making him lose face.
In the end, he could only smile and remain silent.
He left control of the conversation to his wife, Li Wenzhe, who was always graceful and capable of holding her own in social settings.
He hoped Li Wenzhe could liven up the dull, chilly atmosphere.
Fortunately, Li Wenzhe didn’t disappoint him.
Ji Xuan was a very talkative person. He was knowledgeable and straightforward.
There was a reason for this. Yue Xiao and their three children were each cooler and more taciturn than the last. Every one of them was a walking icebox, capable only of radiating cold air.
If Ji Xuan weren’t more lively and talkative, he was certain their home would have absolutely no human warmth. It would truly become a frozen Arctic wasteland.
Although Ji Xuan and Li Wenzhe came from different social backgrounds, they ultimately belonged to the same social circle. There were many things they had in common.
The two spouses hit it off wonderfully. Their conversation covered a wide range of topics, yet they always found common ground.
In his younger days, Li Wenzhe had helped Xu Hesheng manage his business. Having seen so much of the world, he was no longer easily intimidated in social situations.
Later, because he wanted to raise Xu Rui into an outstanding family head, he had not only educated his son but also spent considerable time reading and studying himself, leading by example as well as through instruction.
Over those ten-plus years, his temperament had gradually changed, becoming more cultured, knowledgeable, and elegant.
Unlike the lively and friendly atmosphere between the two spouses, the atmosphere between Yue Xiao and Xu Hesheng remained oppressive.
Of course, it was entirely Xu Hesheng’s one-sided nervousness and unease.
Although Li Wenzhe had successfully enlivened the atmosphere, his efforts only extended to his own side!
In front of Yue Xiao, Xu Hesheng didn’t even dare raise his eyes.
Was he supposed to count on his son?
Xu Hesheng turned to look at Xu Rui and nearly choked with frustration.
Xu Rui was sitting perfectly straight, his eyes lowered and the corners of his lips slightly raised. He looked like the picture of an obedient young man.
Every now and then, he would raise his head and exchange a glance with Yue Lingtian.
He didn’t even look at his own father, let alone notice the awkwardness on their side.
Time suddenly seemed to drag on endlessly.
Xu Hesheng was sitting on pins and needles. Every so often, he would nudge Li Wenzhe’s foot with his toe or touch his arm, reminding him to wrap up the conversation and pay a little attention to his predicament.
Li Wenzhe was extremely impatient inside, but in front of the Yue family, he had no choice but to keep up his spirits.
He smiled at Ji Xuan and said, “We’ll be entrusting Xiao Rui to your care from now on. I’m not just praising my own son when I say this, but he’s truly obedient and sensible. However, he’s still quite young. If he ever does anything inappropriate or behaves improperly, please guide him and give him some advice.”
Ji Xuan smiled and glanced at Xu Rui, who was sitting beside Li Wenzhe, before looking at Yue Lingtian beside himself.
“Dear in-law, you’re being too modest. Xiao Rui is a wonderful child. Our entire family likes him very much.”
After noticing Xu Hesheng looking at him expectantly, Ji Xuan smiled at Li Wenzhe and added, “Xiao Tian brought Xiao Rui to our home at noon today. My father-in-law and mother-in-law both liked him very much.”
Xu Hesheng’s eyes lit up when he heard this. He was overjoyed.
Since even the two most senior and respected members of the Yue family had already met Xu Rui, this marriage was practically set in stone!
Not even a Category Ten typhoon could blow it away!
Li Wenzhe was also pleasantly surprised. He glanced at his son and asked, “I hope Xiao Rui didn’t cause you any trouble.”
Ji Xuan waved his hand.
“How could such an obedient child as Xiao Rui possibly cause trouble?”
He then smiled warmly at Xu Hesheng and explained, “Originally, we planned to take Xiao Tian to your residence tomorrow to discuss the marriage. Since we’ve happened to meet today, we thought we might as well discuss it now. What do you think?”
“Discuss it now?” Li Wenzhe looked at Xu Hesheng.
He had already drafted the dowry list last night, but hadn’t yet shown it to Xu Hesheng for approval.
“Look at me, getting ahead of myself. How rude!” Ji Xuan said with a smile. “But you also know that it’s not easy for Xiao Tian to come home. This time, he’s back to celebrate his father’s birthday, and he only has seven days of leave in total. He’ll be returning in just a few days, so we thought it would be best to settle everything as soon as possible.”
Xu Hesheng immediately nodded to show his understanding.
“We understand. Then let’s discuss it now.”
Li Wenzhe gave Xu Hesheng a meaningful glance, indicating that he was already prepared.
After more than twenty years as a married couple, they still had a certain degree of默契.
Xu Hesheng was quite pleased with Li Wenzhe’s foresight and gave his wife a genuinely sincere smile.
Ji Xuan glanced at Yue Xiao. After receiving his nod, he handed the tablet computer to Xu Hesheng, the head of the Xu family.
“Dear in-law, this is our betrothal gift and gift list. Xiao Tian will be leaving in four days. We would like to hold a simple engagement ceremony for Xiao Tian and Xiao Rui before he leaves. After Xiao Tian returns to his post and completes his handover, he’ll come back for the wedding. The schedule is listed at the bottom. Please take a look.”
Xu Hesheng took the tablet and glanced at it.
His eyes immediately became fixed on the long string of zeros in the betrothal money. He couldn’t look away.
He couldn’t hear a single word Ji Xuan was saying anymore.
Good heavens!
The betrothal money alone was worth half of his mineral holdings, not to mention the endless list of engagement gifts!
Li Wenzhe leaned over to look as well. He was secretly astonished by the Yue family’s generosity.
He quickly scanned down to the bottom and saw that the wedding was scheduled for October 1 of this year.
“Dear in-law, will October 1 be soon enough? It’s already the middle of August.”
Naturally, Li Wenzhe hoped the wedding would take place as soon as possible, lest anything unexpected happen.
But the thought of being separated from his son so soon also made him reluctant.
“There’s plenty of time! Plenty of time!” Ji Xuan said. “Xiao Tian has already applied for marriage leave. He only needs to return to arrange and hand over his work.”
Li Wenzhe was holding Xu Rui’s hand very tightly.
Hearing that the wedding would take place so soon had also startled Xu Rui.
He looked at Yue Lingtian, his eyes clearly demanding an explanation.
Why hadn’t he discussed this with him beforehand?
This wasn’t a wedding that Yue Lingtian would be having alone! Xu Rui was getting married too!
Xu Rui had originally planned to protest, even if it meant being impolite.
An engagement was one thing, but the wedding should at least be postponed until next year!
He would be starting at Sitong Military Academy in September. How could he possibly take leave to get married in October?
What kind of joke was this?!
And more importantly, he was scared!
Getting married meant they would have to do that. Could he refuse?
Xu Rui had two pools of tears welling in his eyes.
Even if Yue Lingtian was considerate enough to understand that he was frightened because it was his first time, could he refuse him once and then refuse him a second time?
Judging by Yue Lingtian’s interest in him over the past two days, he probably wouldn’t even be allowed to refuse once!
But the hand holding his was cold and damp with sweat.
Xu Rui lowered his eyes, concealing the emotions in them.
They would have to get married sooner or later. He would have to be on the bottom sooner or later.
If they married earlier, then Dad could finally be free of his burdens earlier too.
Quietly persuading himself to accept the arrangement while listening attentively to the adults’ conversation, Xu Rui looked as obedient and adorable as could be.
Yue Lingtian, sitting opposite him, wanted nothing more than to pull him into his arms.
Xu Rui’s expression had changed so noticeably just now that it hadn’t escaped his eyes.
But this was something he was determined to have his way about.
After handing the betrothal gift list to their in-laws, Yue Xiao and Ji Xuan thoughtfully took Yue Lingtian with them, saying they were going to the side hall opposite to meet some relatives.
They left Xu Hesheng, Li Wenzhe, and Xu Rui alone, giving the three members of the Xu family some time and space to discuss things privately.
Although there was no one else in the small reception room, Li Wenzhe still didn’t dare speak too loudly.
He looked at Xu Hesheng questioningly and tapped the tablet.
“What do you think?”
“The Yue family is truly generous!”
Xu Hesheng’s eyes sparkled.
He could already imagine how much the Xu family would benefit once Xu Rui married into the Yue family.
Li Wenzhe glanced at Xu Rui, who was sitting with his head lowered and showing no reaction whatsoever. He felt a pang of heartache.
But things had already come to this point. There was no changing them now.
He leaned closer to Xu Hesheng’s ear and whispered, “I’ve already prepared Xiao Rui’s dowry list. Adding the mineral holdings you agreed to give today, take a look and see whether it’s appropriate. If you think it’s suitable, we can show it to our in-laws in a moment. After all, courtesy demands reciprocity.”
The warm breath against his ear made it itch.
Along with Li Wenzhe’s gentle tone and the faint fragrance coming from his body, Xu Hesheng’s heart began to itch as well.
How long had it been since Wenzhe had let him touch him?
That slender waist, those long, fair legs…
Sigh…
Xu Hesheng closed his eyes briefly.
Now was not the time to get worked up!
Xu Hesheng adjusted the growing heat beneath him, then opened the electronic device on his wrist to examine Xu Rui’s dowry list.
One look nearly made him jump out of his skin!
Was Li Wenzhe dividing up the entire family estate?!
The dowry was practically worth half of the Xu family’s assets, and that was before adding the mineral holdings!
If Meng Ming saw this, would there be any peace left in the household?
Pleasing the wife meant offending the concubine. The household would undoubtedly be thrown into chaos.
And what about him, caught in the middle? Would nobody spare a thought for him?!
Xu Hesheng hesitated.
“Wenzhe, this… isn’t this a little too much?”
“Under normal circumstances, it wouldn’t need to be this much. But who are we marrying into? The Yue family!” Having lived with Xu Hesheng for more than twenty years, Li Wenzhe understood him very well. He continued persuading him. “Look at the betrothal gifts they’ve prepared, then look at our dowry. Although our Xu family can’t compare with the Yue family, they’ve made such a generous gesture. We can’t make ourselves look too shabby either. If the difference is too great, people will laugh at our Xu family.”
Xu Hesheng once again felt as though his heart were being cut with a knife.
But Li Wenzhe had hit him right where it hurt.
He was a man who cared deeply about his reputation.
“Today, you’ve attended this banquet as a member of the Yue family’s in-laws. How has everyone treated you?”
“Well.”
The treatment had been exceptionally good!
Now that he had the connection of being related to the Yue family by marriage, Xu Hesheng had been the center of attention today.
Those important figures who normally wouldn’t even deign to glance at him had all approached him one after another to chat, their words and attitudes filled with warmth and familiarity.
“Exactly. The Yue family is a prominent clan, and Yue Lingtian is a great general. Their wedding will certainly attract a great deal of attention. If our Xu family prepares a dowry that’s too shabby, we’ll only be humiliating ourselves. Tell me, what will people think of you?”
Li Wenzhe lowered his voice further.
“Every gain comes with a loss, and every loss comes with a gain! Brother Sheng, you need to look at the bigger picture.”
“Fine. I’ll listen to you.”
Xu Hesheng gritted his teeth.
If he sent Xiao Rui off in grand style, then Xiao Rui would be more willing to look after his birth family!
He nodded at Li Wenzhe.
“Then it’s settled?”
Li Wenzhe was delighted. He generously rewarded Xu Hesheng with a brilliant smile.
Blinded by that smile, Xu Hesheng took Li Wenzhe’s hand and said, “It’s settled!”
Li Wenzhe resisted the urge to shake off that grubby hand.
He turned toward Xu Rui, who had remained silent throughout.
“Xiao Rui, would you like to take a look?”
Xu Rui raised his head and smiled at Li Wenzhe.
“No need. I’ll leave everything to Dad to decide.”
Li Wenzhe sighed inwardly and gently stroked Xu Rui’s head.
Seeing that Li Wenzhe’s attention was entirely focused on their son, Xu Hesheng felt a little jealous.
Because of Xu Rui, Li Wenzhe had fallen out with him.
Because of Xu Rui, even his father had scolded him until he was thoroughly humiliated.
And because of Xu Rui, he hadn’t been able to enter Li Wenzhe’s bedroom for several months!
A little while later, Yue Xiao, Ji Xuan, and Yue Lingtian returned.
Li Wenzhe handed the tablet in his hand to Ji Xuan.
“Dear in-law, this is Xiao Rui’s dowry. Although it can’t compare with what your family has prepared, it’s our heartfelt gesture.”
Ji Xuan only glanced at it briefly before smiling at Xu Hesheng and Li Wenzhe.
“We’ll be one family from now on. There’s no need to stand on ceremony.”
Xu Hesheng was most pleased to hear those words.
He immediately grinned so widely that his gums showed again.
The heartache he had felt earlier, as though he were having his flesh cut away, instantly disappeared with Ji Xuan’s simple remark.
Ji Xuan turned and discussed things briefly with Yue Xiao before saying to Xu Hesheng and Li Wenzhe, “Then let’s settle it this way. Tomorrow, we’ll deliver the betrothal gifts to your residence. The day after tomorrow, we’ll have Xiao Tian and Xiao Rui register their marriage. Both our families, along with our relatives and friends, will then hold a simple engagement ceremony. I know everything is rather rushed, but Lingtian will have to start preparing to return to his planet the following day. We should at least give the two of them some time to be alone together, don’t you think?”
Xu Hesheng nodded repeatedly in agreement.
“Yes, yes, absolutely. Let’s do that. Wenzhe and I have no objections.”
Ji Xuan took Xu Rui’s hand and said, “Xiao Rui, our entire family supports your decision to attend Sitong Military Academy. However, would it be possible for you to wait until after the New Year to report to school?”
“Ah?”
Xu Rui looked at Yue Lingtian.
Had he already told his parents about this?
Actually, the family had already watched the entire live broadcast from the surveillance room.
Seeing Xu Rui look toward Yue Lingtian, Ji Xuan mistakenly thought that he was unwilling.
He quickly explained, “Look, school starts in early September, but October 1 is the big day for you and Xiao Tian. After the wedding, there’ll be the traditional visit to your parents’ home, followed by your honeymoon. Besides, there are many trivial matters to take care of before the wedding, such as trying on wedding outfits and arranging the decorations at your home. Since Xiao Tian won’t be here, you’ll have to make all those decisions yourself.
“By the time everything is finished and you return to school, you’ll already have to start preparing for your exams. It would be better to wait until after the New Year before enrolling. We can talk to the school and ask them to make an exception. What do you think?”
“…Okay.”
Could he possibly say no?
Xu Rui was practically in tears.
He suddenly remembered that military personnel were entitled to one and a half months of marriage leave.
There was no reason Yue Lingtian could take his marriage leave and stay home while he, as his wife, went off to school without accompanying his husband, was there?
“Such a good child.”
Ji Xuan happily stroked Xu Rui’s head.
Yue Lingtian was satisfied too. He also wanted to stroke Xu Rui’s head, but in front of everyone, he maintained his usual reserved, cool image.
Ji Xuan linked his arm through Yue Xiao’s and stood up.
“Dear in-laws, I’m truly delighted today. Let’s go downstairs. I’ll introduce you to our relatives and friends.”
Xu Hesheng hurriedly took Li Wenzhe’s hand and stood up, unable to contain his excitement.
“Good, good, good!”
The banquet hall downstairs was already filled with distinguished guests.
When everyone saw the birthday celebrant emerge, they instinctively gathered around Yue Xiao and the others.
Yue Xiao’s birthday banquet was a tremendous success. Both hosts and guests enjoyed themselves immensely.
The only regret was that General Yue Taian and his wife, Madam Ou Xue’er, hadn’t made an appearance. Otherwise, the guests would have had the opportunity to meet the esteemed General’s wife, Ou Xue’er.
Surrounded by everyone’s flattery and Li Wenzhe’s gentle smiles, Xu Hesheng once again lost himself in his own fantasies.
He was radiant with happiness and full of self-satisfaction.
He could already see a bright future ahead for the Xu family.
Xu Yisheng’s promotion and fortune were surely just around the corner!