172: Chapter 172 Engagement Banquet

In October, Yancheng was deep in the heart of autumn.

Xu Weidong exited the airport, got into the car sent by his father, and headed west, traversing more than half of Yancheng before finally stopping at the entrance of a quiet alley tucked away in the bustling city.

It wasn't far from Yuyuantan; the autumn sunlight filtered through the locust trees, casting dappled shadows on the grey-tiled, blue-brick buildings.

The engagement banquet was held in a private club deep inside the alley. It had no sign and was not open to the public; only a waiter in a black uniform stood at the entrance.

Seeing someone arrive, he bowed slightly, opened the door, and stepped aside to let them pass.

Xu Weidong walked in, passed through a short corridor, and suddenly, the view opened up before him.

It was a small courtyard with a few stalks of bamboo, a shallow pond, and a few koi swimming slowly in the water.

The door to the main hall was open. Several people were already sitting inside, speaking in low voices, as if deliberately keeping them down.

Xu Tianhua stood at the entrance of the main hall, wearing a dark jacket. His hair was combed meticulously, and he looked full of energy.

Seeing Xu Weidong enter, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly. He didn't walk up to greet him, just nodded.

Shen Ziwei walked out, wearing a dark red qipao. Her hair was pinned up, and she wore a pearl necklace. She looked dignified, elegant, and imposing.

Seeing Xu Weidong, she walked over quickly, took his hand, and looked him up and down, her eyes full of smiles.

"You've lost weight. Have you not been eating properly down there again?"

Shen Ziwei's voice was soft, carrying the unique heartache and reproach of a mother.

Xu Weidong smiled, held his mother's hand, and squeezed it gently.

"Mom, I haven't lost weight; I've actually gained two pounds. Don't nag me the moment we meet."

Shen Ziwei rolled her eyes at him, let go of his hand, and turned to look behind her.

Mu Ruxue was just entering through the door, wearing a light pink jacket, her hair loose, and wearing light makeup.

Shen Ziwei's eyes lit up instantly. She walked over quickly, took Mu Ruxue's hand, and looked her up and down several times, more and more satisfied with what she saw.

"Ruxue, are you tired from the trip? Did you take a plane or the high-speed rail? Are you cold?"

Shen Ziwei's voice was several times softer than it had been with Xu Weidong, carrying the unique warmth and affection of a mother-in-law towards her daughter-in-law.

Mu Ruxue's face flushed slightly, and she lowered her head, her voice as quiet as a mosquito's hum.

"Auntie, I'm not tired. I came by high-speed rail, and it wasn't cold on the train."

Shen Ziwei kept holding her hand and used her other hand to tidy up the hair that had been blown messy by the wind, her eyes full of maternal love.

"This girl is so beautiful."

"Old Xu, look at this. Her appearance, her temperament—she's more than good enough for that brat of ours."

Xu Tianhua walked over and stood beside them. He glanced at Mu Ruxue, unable to suppress the smile at the corners of his mouth, but he still maintained the demeanor of a father, saying in a moderate tone:

"Ruxue is a good girl. If Comrade Weidong dares to bully her, I won't let him off."

Mu Ruxue's face turned even redder, like a ripe apple.

She snuck a glance at Xu Weidong, who was standing nearby smiling—a smile that held an indescribable sense of pride.

Mu Ruxue glared at him, then lowered her head, letting Shen Ziwei hold her hand as they sat down on the sofa.

Shen Ziwei sat beside her, holding her hand and asking about everything.

Was work tiring? Was the cafeteria food to her taste? Was the dormitory comfortable? Did she go out on weekends?

Mu Ruxue answered one by one, her voice soft but very well-behaved.

Shen Ziwei was more and more satisfied the more she listened. She turned to Xu Tianhua and said: "Old Xu, look at how sensible this girl is. She's much better than that one of ours."

Xu Tianhua smiled and shook his head, not responding.

He turned and walked to the other side of the main hall, where a round table was set with several plates of cold dishes and a bottle of baijiu.

Mu Qing was sitting at the table, whispering something to someone next to him. Seeing Xu Tianhua walk over, he looked up and smiled.

"Old Xu, is your wife satisfied with my daughter?"

Xu Tianhua sat down next to him, picked up the wine bottle, unscrewed the cap, poured a glass for Mu Qing, and then poured one for himself.

"Satisfied, more than satisfied. For that brat of mine to be able to marry your daughter, it's a blessing he's cultivated over eight lifetimes."

Mu Qing laughed immediately, but the smile held the unique pride and heartache of a father.

He raised his glass, downed it in one gulp, set the empty glass on the table, and looked at Xu Tianhua, his voice dropping half a notch.

"Old Xu, let me tell you something from the bottom of my heart. Ruxue has been pampered since she was a child. Her mother and I raised her in the palm of our hands; we never let her suffer the slightest grievance."

"When she wanted to go to Changyuan County, I was ten thousand times against it, but I couldn't sway her."

"You tell that brat of yours: if he dares to bully her, I, as her father, will be the first one to object."

Xu Tianhua patted his shoulder, his tone as solemn as if he were making a vow.

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

"If Comrade Weidong dares to treat her badly, you won't need to lift a finger—I'll break his legs myself."

Mu Qing laughed heartily, the sound echoing through the main hall and causing several people nearby to look over.

He raised his glass and clinked it with Xu Tianhua's again. This time, he didn't down it; he just took a sip and set it down.

Mu Qing's gaze fell on Mu Ruxue, who was talking to Shen Ziwei on the other side of the hall. He watched her for several seconds before looking away.

"Old Xu, where's that brat of yours? Call him over to have a drink with us two old guys."

Xu Tianhua turned his head and called out: "Comrade Weidong, come here."

Xu Weidong was at the entrance talking to Governor Zhou Wenbin. Hearing his father call him, he nodded to the man and walked over quickly, sitting down next to Mu Qing with the respectful attitude of a primary school student.

"Uncle Mu, you called?"

Mu Qing looked at him, examining him from head to toe, his gaze carrying the scrutiny and pickiness unique to a father-in-law looking at his son-in-law.

He watched for a few seconds, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly, and he picked up his glass and held it out to Xu Weidong.

"Comrade Weidong, today is the day of your engagement to Ruxue. As her father-in-law, I'd like to propose a toast to you."

Xu Weidong hurriedly took the glass with both hands, stood up, and bowed respectfully.

"Uncle Mu, I should be the one toasting you. Thank you for entrusting Ruxue to me. I will definitely treat her well and not let you or Auntie worry."

Hearing this, the smile on Mu Qing's face deepened.

He raised his own glass, clinked it with Xu Weidong's, and downed it.

Xu Weidong followed suit and finished his. The liquor slid down his throat; he pursed his lips without frowning.

In Changyuan County, no one could force him to drink, but in front of elders—especially his father-in-law—even if it meant alcohol poisoning, he would have to drink today.

Xu Tianhua watched from the side, unable to suppress the smile on his face.

He raised his glass and took a sip as well.

People came and went in the main hall; everyone who came today was a trusted confidant of the two families.

Not many, just three or four tables.

On his side sat several old subordinates who had been with him for years—some who had followed him since Hanzhong Province, some promoted within the ministry, and one who had come specifically from Xishan Province.

On Mu Qing's side sat cadres he had promoted in Qiantang Province and Handong Province; each of them was an important figure holding real power.

But on this occasion, they all reined in the authority they usually displayed at their units and became easygoing.

Governor Zhou Wenbin sat in the corner, whispering something to Minister Ma Fuqiang.

Both of them had come all the way from Fengtian Province; they had come straight to the club after getting off the plane, not even stopping at a hotel.

Minister Ma Fuqiang lifted his teacup and took a sip, his gaze sweeping across the main hall, his voice very low.

"Wenbin, the old leader is in a good mood today."

Governor Zhou Wenbin nodded and also lowered his voice.

"With Comrade Weidong's matter settled, the old leader can finally set aside a heavy worry. Next, he can focus on his own affairs."

Minister Ma Fuqiang glanced at him. The two exchanged a knowing look, said nothing more, and slowly sipped their tea.

On the other side of the main hall, Shen Ziwei was still holding Mu Ruxue's hand, talking non-stop.

She chatted about everything from Mu Ruxue's work to her life, from life to her hobbies, and from hobbies to her future plans.

Mu Ruxue answered one by one, as well-behaved as a kitten.

Shen Ziwei liked her more the more she looked at her. She turned to a female guest nearby and said: "Look, what a wonderful girl. For our Comrade Weidong to find her, he must have accumulated merit in his past life."

The female guest nodded with a smile and chimed in with a few words.

Mu Ruxue's face turned red again; she lowered her head, twisting the hem of her clothes with her fingers, not daring to look at anyone.

Shen Ziwei took her hand and said she would take her to see the backyard.

Mu Ruxue followed obediently. When they reached the door, she looked back at Xu Weidong.

Xu Weidong was drinking with Mu Qing and didn't notice her. She pouted slightly and followed Shen Ziwei out.

The backyard was quieter than the front. A few ginkgo trees were a sea of golden yellow, and fallen leaves covered the blue-brick ground, rustling when stepped on.

Shen Ziwei held Mu Ruxue's hand, walking slowly along the path at a leisurely pace.

"Ruxue, tell Auntie the truth: how does Comrade Weidong treat you? Does he bully you?"

Mu Ruxue shook her head, her voice as light as the wind.

"Auntie, he treats me very well. It's just that his work is too busy; he often works overtime, and sometimes we don't see each other for days."

Shen Ziwei sighed, her tone carrying a mother's helplessness and heartache for her son.

"That child, Comrade Weidong, is just like his father—he works himself to death. Please be patient with him; it will be better once he gets through this busy spell."

"If he keeps acting like this, you tell me, and I'll deal with him."

Mu Ruxue smiled, a sweet smile that carried the peace of mind of being protected by an elder.

"Auntie, don't worry, I will take good care of him."

Shen Ziwei patted her hand, looked at the leaves filling the courtyard, and took a deep breath.

Husbands like theirs were destined to have many things beyond their control.