Sure enough, when Meng Ming saw the lengthy dowry list, he flew into a rage. He practically shoved and kicked Xu Hesheng out of the room, then refused to open the door no matter how much Xu Hesheng pleaded.
With no other choice, Xu Hesheng could only head back. He could get into Li Wenzhe’s room, but there was nobody inside!
During tonight’s banquet, Li Wenzhe had still been perfectly nice to him, gentle and obedient like a little cat. His smile had made Xu Hesheng’s heart itch with desire, and he had been looking forward to getting home so they could have some fun together.
But the moment Li Wenzhe returned home, he changed completely. Not only did he shake off Xu Hesheng’s hand, but his expression also turned icy. Raising an eyebrow, he pointed in the direction of Meng Ming’s room and said, “Your beloved is waiting for you. Why aren’t you hurrying over?”
Of course, Xu Hesheng had no desire to go to Meng Ming. He had finally managed to improve his relationship with Li Wenzhe, and it was rare for the latter to be so gentle with him. Naturally, he wanted to get them between the sheets and strengthen their relationship!
Besides, Li Wenzhe’s current behavior was obviously jealousy!
Xu Hesheng felt rather pleased with himself. Without caring that his son, Xu Rui, was still standing nearby, he reached out with his wolfish claws and took Li Wenzhe’s hand. His voice turned gentle and coaxing.
“Wenzhe, I’m not going. I’ll stay with you tonight…”
“Brother Sheng, tonight is out of the question!” Li Wenzhe immediately interrupted him.
He forcefully pulled his wrist free, walked over to Xu Rui, and linked his arm with his son’s. Smiling at Xu Rui, he said, “Didn’t your future in-laws say just now that Ling Tian is coming over tomorrow to deliver the betrothal gifts and formally propose? There’s really too little time, but there are still some customs and etiquette I need to explain to Xiao Rui. I need to give him some pointers. We don’t even know exactly when Ling Tian will arrive tomorrow, so I’ll have to give Xiao Rui a crash course tonight.”
Xu Hesheng didn’t want such a good opportunity to slip away. He walked over and grabbed Li Wenzhe’s hand again, asking pitifully, “Then… what about me?”
“Don’t you still have your beloved upstairs? Oh, by the way, tell him not to come out tomorrow! We don’t want him embarrassing himself in front of the Yue family!”
After saying that, Li Wenzhe lifted his chin and glanced at Xu Hesheng from beneath his eyelids. Then he linked arms with Xu Rui and led him upstairs.
Xu Hesheng stood in the living room, watching Li Wenzhe’s retreating figure. His blood immediately began to boil, and his eyes turned red.
Why had he never noticed how alluring Li Wenzhe could be when he acted so haughtily and coquettishly? Could it really be because he had been deprived for too long?
Since Li Wenzhe had a perfectly legitimate reason to refuse him, Xu Hesheng couldn’t follow him. He could only suppress the burning desire in his heart and go looking for Meng Ming instead.
Who would have thought that after they had gotten all affectionate and climbed into bed, Meng Ming would kick him out before they could even get down to business?
Xu Hesheng lay alone on the enormous double bed, unable to sleep!
He was thoroughly frustrated. Once they had gotten into bed, he shouldn’t have said anything unnecessary. He should have taken care of business first and talked afterward.
But Xu Hesheng had simply been too happy and excited. He had wanted someone to share his joy with! Since Meng Ming had always indulged and humored him, he had accidentally let the news slip.
Sigh! If he had known, he should have pinned Meng Ming down and enjoyed himself first before bringing up the dowry. He had already been fully prepared to go, yet Meng Ming had kicked him right out!
Still, when he recalled how impressive and triumphant he had been at tonight’s banquet, Xu Hesheng couldn’t help grinning again.
Forget it. Tonight, he would just let his long-neglected right hand serve His Majesty!
Meanwhile, in Xu Rui’s room on the second floor, Li Wenzhe was carefully calculating the lengthy list of gifts from the Yue family.
The betrothal money would naturally have to remain with the Xu family, but he could select some of the finest properties, antiques, and jewelry from the betrothal gifts to serve as Xu Rui’s personal dowry.
Xu Rui was soaking in the bathtub. Even though his entire body was submerged in warm water, he still felt waves of coldness running through him.
He had already mentally prepared himself for marriage and having children, and he didn’t dislike Yue Lingtian’s affection toward him. But now that the wedding date had actually been settled, he could no longer remain calm.
He hadn’t had much time to think during the banquet tonight, so he had managed to endure it. But the moment he returned home, that feeling of fear and anxiety came rushing back.
He didn’t know how much time had passed when Li Wenzhe’s worried voice sounded outside the bathroom.
“Xiao Rui, Xiao Rui, are you finished bathing?”
Xu Rui came back to his senses. Releasing his lips, which he had bitten until they had turned pale, he answered, “Just a moment. Almost done.”
However, his voice came out hoarse and barely distinguishable, making Li Wenzhe, who was standing outside, even more worried.
At the same time, his resentment toward Xu Hesheng deepened.
If it weren’t for Xu Hesheng, why would Xiao Rui have to marry so hastily right after reaching adulthood?
Li Wenzhe clenched his fists, his face turning pale.
Back then, he himself had graduated from university and was twenty-four before marrying Xu Hesheng. But Xiao Rui had only celebrated his twentieth birthday a little over two months ago…
The door opened, and Xu Rui paused in the middle of drying his hair.
“Daddy?”
Li Wenzhe’s eyes stung terribly. Looking at the still-youthful face before him, he realized that he wouldn’t even have the chance to wait until Xu Rui had fully grown from a boy into a young man before sending him away.
“Daddy, what’s wrong?”
Xu Rui hurriedly took Li Wenzhe’s hand and led him to the sofa. Seeing that he looked as though he were about to cry, Xu Rui asked with concern.
“Xiao Rui, tell me honestly. Do you not want to get married? If you really don’t want to, we can ask to… break off the engagement. General Yue is a magnanimous man. He should forgive us.”
Li Wenzhe knew perfectly well that he had no real power to change what was happening, and the chances of breaking off the engagement were slim. But for his son, he was still willing to take a gamble. Perhaps there might be a way out?
“Break off what engagement?”
Xu Rui smiled and wrapped his arms around Li Wenzhe’s neck, preventing him from seeing his expression.
He patted Li Wenzhe’s back and said, “I’m just a little scared. I didn’t want to show it in front of you, Daddy. After all, I’m already an adult. How can I still act like a child and need you to comfort and reassure me?”
Li Wenzhe raised his arms and hugged Xu Rui. He touched his still-damp hair and forced a smile.
“Even when you’re eighty, you’ll still be my child. What are you afraid of?”
Xu Rui pulled at the corners of his mouth, but couldn’t quite manage a smile. He mumbled, his voice still carrying a nasal tone, “Of course I’m afraid of leaving you, Daddy. From now on, I’ll have to live with Yue Lingtian. He’s still practically a stranger to me. I’m actually quite anxious.”
That wasn’t what he was anxious about at all. He was anxious about the things two people had to do when living together!
But Xu Rui was too embarrassed to tell Li Wenzhe that. He was afraid his daddy would start teaching him all sorts of embarrassing techniques.
Sigh…
“You silly child.”
Li Wenzhe couldn’t help laughing at Xu Rui’s childishness.
“Although the Yue family has a distinguished background, its members are very well-mannered. Just compare them with your father, and you’ll understand.”
“Daddy, you’re really good at telling jokes. Can they even be compared?”
Xu Rui couldn’t help laughing too.
He thought to himself: Xu Hesheng, you’re only thinking about making a grand show of yourself. You haven’t considered how lonely it is at the top! By then, Daddy will only need to lift one little finger to push you right back down. Then you’ll know what it feels like. You’ve brought this upon yourself. Don’t blame anyone else when you suffer!
Seeing that his son was finally smiling, Li Wenzhe’s lips curved upward too. He patted Xu Rui’s back and continued.
“Although Ling Tian has to guard the border for most of the year and won’t have much time to accompany you, there’s an advantage to that. He’s far removed from this flashy world, so he won’t be distracted by other women. At the very least, he doesn’t have many opportunities to have an affair. He won’t suddenly bring home a mistress and give you a fright.”
“Who knows?” Xu Rui curled his lips. “The military camps are practically overflowing with bromance!”
“What do you mean, overflowing with bromance? Don’t talk nonsense!”
Li Wenzhe pinched Xu Rui’s ear.
“The military places great importance on discipline and obedience to orders. How many pairs of eyes are watching everyone, from top to bottom? Who would dare make a mistake? Especially someone like General Yue Lingtian! He doesn’t represent only himself. He represents Earth, the United Government, and the Yue family. Would he dare act recklessly?
“The more famous Ling Tian becomes, the more careful he has to be. Look, the more famous someone is, the more people pay attention to him. That means there will be plenty of people keeping an eye on your husband for free. Don’t worry. It’s very difficult for Ling Tian to have an affair.”
Xu Rui opened his mouth but didn’t dare say anything more.
In Li Wenzhe’s heart, Yue Lingtian was the perfect son-in-law, and he hoped the two of them would grow old together.
But Xu Rui was thinking that if Yue Lingtian had an affair, wouldn’t that finally set him free?
However, when he imagined Yue Lingtian kissing someone else, Xu Rui felt distinctly uncomfortable.
Yue Lingtian belonged to him!
Li Wenzhe glanced at Xu Rui’s conflicted expression and continued.
“Aside from their wealth and power, none of the children in General Yue Taian’s branch of the Yue family has ever taken a mistress or kept several spouses. Think about it. They have money, power, and good looks. If any of them had such intentions, wouldn’t people be throwing themselves at them?
“Let’s not even talk about Old General Yue. His wife, Ou Xue’er, is an absolute beauty! Take Ling Tian’s father, Yue Xiao, for example. He’s a lieutenant general, and his family background is excellent. Yet he has only one spouse, Ji Xuan. The Yue family’s sons-in-law are all outstanding too. I’ve never heard of any of them cheating. They hardly even have any scandalous gossip surrounding them.”
Xu Rui tilted his head and hummed in agreement.
“The Yue family really does have excellent family traditions and upbringing.”
Li Wenzhe spoke earnestly.
“When you’re with happy people, you’ll become happy too. Once you’re living with the Yue family, you should observe and learn from them. Watch how they get along with one another and learn how they handle things.
“Child, I want you to be happy. Remember something your daddy is telling you from the bottom of his heart: It’s better to rely on yourself than on others!
“No matter how much the Yue family and Yue Lingtian like, cherish, and love you, you’ll ultimately still be an outsider by blood. You mustn’t become spoiled and arrogant just because you’re favored. You have to learn how to stand on your own two feet, even if you leave the Yue family, even if Yue Lingtian no longer wants you. You must still have the ability to pick yourself up and start over. These are your daddy’s heartfelt words!”
“Yes, I’ll remember, Daddy.”
Xu Rui lifted his head and looked at Li Wenzhe.
“Daddy, don’t worry. Once I’ve settled down over there, I’ll bring you over to live with me.”
Li Wenzhe snorted.
“What would I go there for? To be a third wheel? Don’t underestimate your daddy. Once I’m single again, there’ll still be plenty of people chasing after me. If I live with you, that icy aura of Ling Tian’s will freeze my springtime into winter!”
Thinking of Yue Lingtian’s perpetually cool expression, Xu Rui imagined the scene and couldn’t help giggling.
Seeing that Xu Rui’s mood had improved, Li Wenzhe finally felt reassured.
At precisely ten o’clock the next morning, nine military-green aircraft appeared in the skies above Northern China in a rare formation, flying in a V-shaped arrangement.
All the aircraft were identical in size and model. Each bore a large character, “Yue,” on its fuselage, making them extremely eye-catching in the sky.
Passerby A raised his left hand to shield his eyes and squinted upward.
“Is the Air Force putting on an aerobatic display today? I haven’t heard anything about it!”
Passerby B gave him a disdainful look.
“Did you see that character, ‘Yue’? Those are all aircraft belonging to the Yue family. Isn’t Yue Lingyun a senior colonel in the Air Force? But where are so many aircraft going?”
Passerby C jumped up and shouted excitedly.
“Ahhh! Look! They’re flying over there! Ah, they’ve stopped!”
Passerby D stared at the sky for a long time before suddenly exclaiming excitedly.
“Could it be General Yue Lingtian leading a delegation to the Xu family to formally propose marriage?”
“Huh?”
“Didn’t you see this morning’s headline?”
“……”
While the people below chattered among themselves, the media naturally needed no explanation. They were always the first to catch the slightest hint of news. They had already dispatched reporters to follow the aircraft and conduct interviews.
Wherever the aircraft passed, pedestrians on the streets, people standing on balconies, and anyone drawn outside by the noise all raised the electronic devices on their wrists and transformed them into telescopes, searching for the best possible viewing angles.
The Chinese people were the nation most fond of gathering around to watch a spectacle!
The sky was clear and cloudless, with fluffy white clouds scattered across the blue expanse. All nine aircraft circled above the Xu family residence, arranged in a V-shaped formation.
The distinctive rumbling of the aircraft brought everyone in the Xu household outside.
When Xu Hesheng and Li Wenzhe looked up and saw the enormous “Yue” characters, they exchanged a glance.
Xu Hesheng hurriedly dragged Meng Ming back into the house, while Li Wenzhe urged Xu Rui to change into a fresh outfit.
The three members of the family then stood in the garden, gazing up at the sky.
Yue Lingtian looked down at the little figure below, the corners of his mouth curving upward.
At his command, the nine aircraft began performing aerial maneuvers above the Xu family villa under his leadership. They rolled, weaved through one another, and swooped overhead…
They were like ferocious tigers charging out of their mountain lairs, or elegant dragons soaring through the heavens. The dazzling display was breathtaking and left everyone amazed.
Xu Rui tilted his head back and stared with his mouth wide open.
Was this an Air Force aerobatic performance? Was this how Ling Tian had decided to propose marriage today?
What an original idea!
But he loved it!
It was absolutely amazing!
Xu Rui couldn’t help grinning. Forgetting all about maintaining his elegant and dignified demeanor, he jumped up and down on the spot, laughing and waving at the sky.
Yue Lingtian watched the little figure below bouncing excitedly. The corners of his mouth lifted a little higher.
As expected, the little fellow liked this kind of thing!
Perhaps he would arrange a military-uniform seduction later. The little fellow would probably love that too.
It was settled. He would make sure to give his little darling a thoroughly satisfying experience!
Extra! Extra!
General Yue Lingtian pilots a special Yue family military aircraft to the Xu residence to formally propose marriage!
Extra! Extra!
General Yue Lingtian leads eight military aircraft in an aerobatic display above the Xu family residence!
Extra! Extra!
The Yue family and the Xu family have officially become relatives by marriage!
Extra!
Extra!