178: Chapter 178 Marriage (Quick Read)

(Speed-reading, aliens would probably be very gluttonous)

In January 2017, the first snow of winter fell in Yancheng. Xu Weidong's wedding was set at a hotel in the west of the city that was not open to the public.

It was called a hotel, but it was actually more like a quiet garden hidden in the bustling city, with green bricks and grey tiles, shaded by pines and bamboo. As the snow fell, covering the eaves and stone paths, the entire courtyard looked as pure and serene as an ink wash painting.

It had no sign, accepted no walk-in guests, and only hosted internal events. Its threshold was so high that most officials in Yancheng did not even know of its existence.

Xu Weidong was dragged to the dressing room early in the morning, changed into that custom-made dark blue suit, and stood in front of the mirror for a good while.

Mu Ruxue was putting on makeup next door. The door was closed and he wasn't allowed in, so he could only hear the laughter and chatter coming from inside.

There was Shen Ziwei's voice, Mu Ruxue's mother's, and those of a few female relatives.

Xu Tianhua stood at the entrance of the main hall, wearing a dark Zhongshan suit, his hair combed meticulously, and a perfectly appropriate smile on his face.

Today, he was not the Deputy Director of The Government Compound, but simply a father marrying off his son.

But everyone knew that no one standing before him could possibly regard him as just an ordinary father.

Shen Ziwei was wearing a dark red cheongsam with a cashmere shawl draped over her shoulders, weaving through the guests.

Greeting this person, asking after that one, her smile was gentle and appropriate, and every gesture carried the composure only a lady from a prominent family would have.

The hall was not large, with only twenty tables set up, but the name cards on every table were filled with names that would make one's heart race.

The first table, the main table, was seated with family and the most important elders.

Ning Anbang arrived early, accompanied by his secretary.

Liu Dehai arrived shortly after; his hair was completely white, but his back remained as straight as ever.

When shaking hands with Ning Anbang, the two exchanged a smile, saying nothing, yet it was as if everything had been said.

Several Deputy Directors of The Government Compound had all arrived. Some had just finished meetings, others had rushed back from other regions, looking travel-worn, but all wore smiles on their faces.

When shaking hands with Xu Tianhua, they patted his shoulder, offered a few words of congratulation, and were then guided to their respective seats.

The other tables were occupied by leaders from various ministries and commissions, covering fields such as education, science and technology, ethnic and religious affairs, culture, sports, health and family planning, medical reform, women and children, and aging work—almost all of them were heads of the sectors Xu Tianhua oversaw.

They sat upright in their seats, exchanging greetings and chatting, but their eyes would occasionally sweep towards the main table, the entrance, and those elders who were arriving one after another.

Besides these people, there were also several powerful regional officials who had rushed in from the provinces. Mu Qing was naturally among them, sitting at the main table, talking to Ning Anbang with a smile that carried the unique satisfaction and pride of a father-in-law.

Governor Zhou Wenbin and Minister Ma Fuqiang had also arrived. The two had taken an early morning flight from Fengtian Province to Yancheng and had taken a taxi directly from the airport, not even stopping at a hotel.

They sat at a table on the side, but their eyes followed Xu Tianhua, as if they were looking at a mountain.

The Governor of Fengtian Province had also come, sitting at a table in the corner, whispering to the person next to him. He wore a smile, but it looked somewhat forced.

In such an occasion, even a powerful regional official like him couldn't get a seat at the main table and could only sit in the corner, squeezed together with those of lower rank.

It wasn't that Xu Tianhua didn't give him face, but that there was simply no room.

Those who could sit at the main table were either veterans like Ning Anbang and Liu Dehai, or the Deputy Directors and close relatives like Mu Qing.

Ten minutes before the wedding began, Xu Weidong snuck to the entrance of the main hall and took a look inside, unable to help but gasp.

Those faces he usually only saw on television were now sitting in the hall, drinking tea, chatting, just like ordinary old men and women, but the aura they carried in their every gesture was not something an ordinary person could possess.

He turned to look at Mu Ruxue beside him. She was wearing a white wedding dress, lightly made up, with her hair put up, looking like a freshly bloomed lily.

His heart skipped a few beats, not because of nervousness, but because she looked so beautiful.

"Are you nervous?"

Mu Ruxue rolled her eyes at him and said, "Not nervous."

"I'm nervous."

"Look at my hands, they're all sweaty."

Mu Ruxue reached out and touched his palm; it was indeed damp.

The emcee was a famous host from CCTV who had been invited to help out and refused any payment.

His voice was deep and magnetic. He stood on the stage, recited an opening, and set the atmosphere just right.

Xu Weidong held Mu Ruxue's hand and walked down the long red carpet, while the guests on both sides stood up one after another, clapping and smiling.

Their gazes held blessings, envy, and a few indescribable nuances.

Xu Tianhua stood on the stage, took the microphone, looked at those familiar faces below, was silent for two seconds, and began, "Thank you all, friends and family, for coming to attend the wedding of my son, Xu Weidong, and my daughter-in-law, Mu Ruxue."

"There are many guests here today. Some are my old leaders, some are my old colleagues, and some have traveled specifically from other regions."

"I, Xu Tianhua, am not good at expressing myself. A thousand words can be summed up in one sentence... Thank you, everyone!"

He turned to look at Xu Weidong and Mu Ruxue, his gaze carrying the unique affection and seriousness of a father.

"Comrade Weidong, Ruxue, you must support and tolerate each other in the future and live your lives well. Marriage is not child's play; it is a lifelong commitment."

"You are both adults, so I don't need to say more."

Xu Weidong nodded. Mu Ruxue lowered her head, her face slightly flushed, her eyes a bit moist.

During the toast, Xu Weidong finally understood what it meant to be "numb."

Twenty tables, a toast for each. Even if he only took a small sip for each, downing twenty glasses was daunting.

He held his glass, following Mu Ruxue, walking from table to table.

The first table was the main table. Ning Anbang was sitting there. As he walked over, Ning Anbang set down his chopsticks, looked at him, the corners of his mouth turned up slightly, and he reached out to pat his shoulder.

"Comrade Weidong, now that you're married, you're an adult. In the future, treat the young lady well, and don't learn from your father, who only knows how to work."

Xu Tianhua heard this from the side, smiled, and didn't dare to respond.

Liu Dehai also said a few words. His voice wasn't loud, but every word carried the weight of decades.

"I watched this child, Comrade Weidong, grow up. He was good as a child, and even better as an adult. Ruxue is also a good child. You two live well; that's better than anything else."

Xu Weidong nodded repeatedly, toasted, and moved to the next table.

Several Deputy Directors were sitting at the second table. Seeing him approach, they all stood up, raising their glasses with a politeness as if they were attending a formal foreign affairs event.

When one of them clinked glasses with him, he whispered, "Your father is the youngest in our leadership team, and his future is boundless. You children also need to make us proud."

Xu Weidong understood the weight of these words, nodded quickly in agreement, and drank it all in one gulp.

The third table was for the ministers, those in charge of education, science and technology, culture, health, sports, women and children, and aging work—they were all there.

When they clinked glasses with Xu Weidong, their smiles were warm and their attitudes kind. Some even held onto him to chat about daily life, asking how he was doing at his post and if he had any difficulties.

Xu Weidong answered one by one, polite and appropriate, as if he were reporting on his work.

By the fourteenth or fifteenth table, Xu Weidong's steps had started to feel unsteady.

Mu Ruxue held his arm and whispered, "Drink a little less. If you can't, use tea instead."

Xu Weidong shook his head, saying it wouldn't do. On an occasion like today, he couldn't fake a single drop; faking it would be a sign of disrespect to the guests.

Mu Ruxue had no choice but to let him be.

When he reached the eighteenth table, he saw the Governor of Fengtian Province.

The man was sitting in the corner, holding a glass, with a smile on his face, but there was something indescribable in that smile.

It was as if he wanted to tell everyone that his relationship with the Xu Family was not as close as Governor Zhou Wenbin's or Minister Ma Fuqiang's, but he was present, and he was on this side too.

Xu Weidong clinked glasses with him and exchanged a few polite words. The Governor held his hand for two seconds longer than necessary and whispered, "Comrade Weidong, you've done a good job with the affairs in Changyuan County. The province will continue to support you."

Xu Weidong thanked him and turned to leave. The Governor was still watching his back, his gaze filled with complex emotions—like envy, and also like regret.

The last table was the one where Governor Zhou Wenbin and Minister Ma Fuqiang were sitting.

When Xu Weidong walked over, both stood up, raised their glasses, their attitude more intimate than the others, but not excessively so; the boundaries were handled just right.

When Governor Zhou Wenbin clinked glasses, he smiled and said, "Comrade Weidong, give our regards to your father. He's busy today, so we won't go over to disturb him."

Xu Weidong nodded in agreement and drank it all in one gulp.

Minister Ma Fuqiang didn't speak, just patted his shoulder. The movement was light, but Xu Weidong felt the weight of it.

After finishing the last toast, Xu Weidong returned to the main table, sat next to Mu Ruxue, and let out a long breath.

His face was as red as a boiled shrimp, his head was dizzy, but his mind was crystal clear.

He looked at the people filling the hall, looked at those faces he usually only saw on television, and suddenly felt like he was dreaming.

Mu Ruxue noticed his strangeness and reached out to hold his hand.

"What's wrong? Are you tired?"

Xu Weidong shook his head and smiled, "Not tired, just feel that this wedding is too grand, a bit unreal."

Mu Ruxue looked at him and smiled, "No matter how grand the wedding is, the life we live is still just our own."

"After we go back, we'll just keep doing what we should be doing."

Xu Weidong looked at her and suddenly smiled. That smile carried a sense of relief.

He squeezed her hand, not saying anything, but his eyes said it all.

The guests in the hall were still drinking and chatting, the clinking of glasses and laughter filling the air.