157: Chapter 157 The Wedding

When Xu Tianhua's call came through, Mu Qing was in his office at the Handong Province Provincial Party Committee, reviewing documents.

The sky outside had already darkened; his secretary came in to turn on the lights and then quietly retreated.

Mu Qing, Secretary of the Handong Province Provincial Party Committee, put down his pen, picked up his phone, glanced at the caller ID, and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly.

"Old Xu, it's so late, is something the matter?"

Xu Tianhua's laughter came through the receiver, carrying the casual warmth that only old friends possess.

"Old Mu, nothing major, just wanted to discuss something with you. About the two kids, don't you think it's time to settle things?"

Mu Qing leaned back in his chair, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said unhurriedly, "Settle things? How? That brat of yours doesn't even know how to be proactive."

"My Ruxue is a young lady; surely I can't have her make the first move?"

Xu Tianhua laughed heartily, his voice filled with a father's pride and helplessness.

"Old Mu, you have no idea. Comrade Weidong, that brat, recently discovered that his old man's name is quite useful, so he's put his heart and soul into his career."

"Over in Hukuang Township, he's building roads, developing industrial parks, and renovating mining areas; he's so busy he barely has time to touch the ground, and he rarely even calls home."

"As his father, I have to make an appointment just to say a few words to him."

Mu Qing heard this, couldn't help but laugh, and shook his head, his tone carrying a hint of teasing.

"What, is your son throwing his weight around?"

"Let me tell you, Old Xu, we've been friends for so many years, I don't want to see your boy go down the wrong path. If you can't keep him in line, I'll do it for you."

Xu Tianhua's laughter grew louder. He laughed for a moment before stopping, his tone turning serious.

"Old Mu, how can you say that? Don't you know what kind of child Comrade Weidong is?"

"From the time he was little until now, when has he ever thrown his weight around? He's been working in Hukuang Township for nearly a year, and he's managed to open up the situation solely through his own ability."

"People go there to invest because of the apples in Hukuang Township, not because of my face, Xu Tianhua."

"It's good enough that he doesn't get bullied by others; you expect him to bully others?"

Mu Qing could hear the protectiveness and pride in Xu Tianhua's voice, and his satisfaction with Xu Weidong grew a few notches.

He picked up his teacup and took another sip, falling silent for a few seconds before speaking, his voice carrying the decisiveness of a head of the family making a decision.

"Alright, let's set the engagement first."

"How about we finish it after the New Year?"

Xu Tianhua quickly replied, "Good, good, good, let's do as you say. You pick the date; I have no problem with it."

"Old Mu, you know the special circumstances of our two families; we shouldn't make a big scene."

"My thought is, let's not invite outsiders. Just our two families and close relatives, sit for two or three tables, and get it done."

"What do you think?"

Mu Qing nodded, though he knew Xu Tianhua couldn't see it; it was just his habit to show agreement.

His voice lowered, carrying a father's unique tenderness and sentimentality.

"That's what I was thinking too."

"Ruxue has been pampered since she was small, and following your boy to a place like Changyuan County, she's suffered quite a bit."

"As her father, I've always felt I owed her. It doesn't matter if the wedding is simple; as long as she lives a good life in the future, that's better than anything else."

Xu Tianhua was silent on the other end of the line for two seconds, his voice also dropping, carrying the solemnity and promise between old friends.

"Old Mu, rest assured. Once Ruxue marries into our family, she will be our own daughter."

"If Comrade Weidong dares to treat her badly, you won't need to do anything; I'll break his legs myself."

Mu Qing smiled, his expression filled with relief and satisfaction.

"Alright, alright, don't go around talking about breaking legs. You only have this one son; wouldn't you feel bad if you broke them?"

Xu Tianhua also laughed, "Feeling bad is one thing, but if he needs a beating, he gets one. Alright, Old Mu, it's settled then."

"I'll tell Comrade Weidong on my end, and you tell Ruxue on yours. If the two kids have no objections, we'll start making preparations."

Mu Qing agreed and gave a few more instructions, mostly about keeping the wedding simple and not making a spectacle of it.

The two chatted for a few more minutes, from the development of Hukuang Township to the economic situation of Handong Province, from the work of Xu Weidong to the life of Ruxue, talking for over ten minutes before hanging up.

Mu Qing put down his phone and sat in his chair for a while.

The night outside had deepened, and the buildings in the distance were lit with sparse lights.

He picked up the documents on his desk, intending to continue reviewing them, but his mind was full of his daughter.

Ruxue had been the apple of his eye since she was a child; he was afraid she would break if he held her in his hands, and afraid she would melt if he kept her in his mouth.

When she wanted to go to Changyuan County, he agreed readily enough, but in his heart, he was worried to death.

Now it was good; the marriage was settled, and his daughter's future was secured, so he could finally be at ease.

He picked up his phone and dialed Ruxue's number.

The phone rang twice and was answered.

"Dad."

Ruxue's voice was crisp, carrying the unique vitality of a young person.

Mu Qing leaned back in his chair, his voice softening unconsciously.

"Nannan, what are you doing?"

"Just finished eating, watching TV in the dorm. Dad, why haven't you rested so late?"

Mu Qing smiled and didn't answer the question, instead getting straight to the point.

"Nannan, Dad had a call with your Uncle Mu today. We discussed it and want to settle things between you and Comrade Weidong."

"Engagement first, marriage after the New Year."

"Your Uncle Xu's idea is, no outsiders, just our two families and close relatives sitting together, keeping it simple."

"What do you think?"

There was a two-second silence on the other end; Ruxue's voice was lower than before, carrying the characteristic shyness and reserve of a young girl.

"Dad, whatever you and Uncle Xu decide is fine, I have no objection."

Mu Qing laughed, his laughter filled with a father's pride and sadness.

"You girl, aren't you usually quite talkative? How come you go silent when we talk about this?"

"If you have no objection, I'll finalize it with your Uncle Xu."

"I'll tell you once the date is picked."

Ruxue gave an affirmative hum, her voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz.

Mu Qing gave a few more instructions, telling her to take care of her health, not to overwork, and to rest early.

Ruxue agreed to everything and hung up.

Mu Qing put down his phone, leaned back in his chair, stared at the ceiling, and remained dazed for a while.

His daughter was getting married; he was both happy and reluctant to let go.

What made him happy was that she had found a reliable person and would have someone to take care of her in the future.

What made him reluctant was that she would no longer be his own, and she couldn't be by his side every day like before.

He shook his head, smiled bitterly, picked up the documents on the desk, and continued reviewing them.

The night was still long, and the work still had to be done.

Meanwhile, far away in Hukuang Township, Xu Weidong also received a call from Xu Tianhua.

Xu Tianhua didn't beat around the bush and directly stated the result of his discussion with Mu Qing.

Xu Weidong listened, was silent for a few seconds, and then said one sentence.

"Dad, I have no objection; you and Uncle Mu can just decide."

Xu Tianhua snorted on the other end of the line, his tone carrying a father's dignity and dissatisfaction.

"You brat, don't just say you have no objection."

"I'm telling you, Ruxue is a good girl. Your Uncle Mu is handing her over to you; if you dare to treat her badly, I'll be the first one to object."

Xu Weidong held the phone, his voice calm but firm.

"Dad, rest assured. I won't let you down, and I won't let Uncle Mu down."

Xu Tianhua snorted again, his tone softening, carrying a father's exhortation and expectation for his son.

"Alright, just keep it in mind. No matter how busy you are with work, don't neglect Ruxue."

"Career is important, but family is more important. You'll understand this truth in time."

Xu Weidong agreed, Xu Tianhua said a few more words, and then hung up.

Xu Weidong put down the phone, stood by the window, and looked at the night outside.

The night in Hukuang Township was very quiet; there was no sound of traffic, no neon lights, only the occasional sound of dogs barking in the distance.

He thought of Ruxue's appearance, her eyes that curved when she smiled, and her soft voice when she called him "Brother Weidong," and the corners of his mouth lifted unconsciously.

He picked up his phone and sent a message to Ruxue: "My dad just called and said our matter is settled."

A few seconds later, Ruxue replied with a blushing emoji, followed by: "Yeah, my dad told me too."

Xu Weidong looked at the screen and smiled, then sent another message: "Sleep early, you have work tomorrow."

Ruxue replied with the word "Okay," followed by a heart emoji.

Xu Weidong put the phone on the table, turned off the lights, and lay on the bed.