MMB Chapter 1368 You're Too Dedicated
Chapter 1368 You're Too Dedicated
Chapter 1368 You're Too Dedicated
It wasn't until he heard a series of discussions and questions about military affairs from his father-in-law that Li Xuewu began to reflect and realized that he might have been wrong.
Regardless of his father-in-law's initial decision, he played a role in actively pushing his father-in-law to be transferred away from Guangzhou and to take a break.
Honestly, was it all for my father-in-law's sake? Was there not a single selfish thought of him feeling isolated and vulnerable in his position?
Seeing his son-in-law, who was still enthusiastic and concerned about military affairs, and who had decided to focus his future on business development, Li Xuewu began to doubt himself.
If he had transferred directly to the Third Guard Regiment when the 816th Regiment merged with the Public Security Brigade, would he have had a better chance of development?
This might have fulfilled his father-in-law's wishes, but upon closer examination, without the foundation of the Red Star Factory, even with his many talents, he would lack a stage to showcase them.
Even if he is adept at managing both sides and can keep both sides in check, there will always come a day when he has to neglect one and neglect the other, and in that case, he will not benefit from either side.
You can not have it both ways.
Even if he could sense his father-in-law's regret about his life choices, for him, the business had a longer-term perspective.
Furthermore, both his brother-in-law and brother-in-law are in the military, so the Gu family's influence in the army is neither significantly different from that of the other.
The father-in-law's regrets mostly stem from himself. He has wasted his career in the past two years and fears he will have little chance of making a comeback.
The elder brother-in-law is mature but lacks shrewdness, while the younger brother-in-law is ambitious and brave, but also somewhat unruly.
Gu Haitao had a very high opinion of his son-in-law, Li Xuewu, especially regarding his work ability.
Without the support of his family, he has managed to achieve this much in Beijing all by himself.
He certainly didn't believe that his son-in-law had benefited from the Gu family's influence; it was impossible for him not to. But to say that he had would be incredibly unfair to his son-in-law.
One important reason why Gu Yan admired and trusted his brother-in-law was that his brother-in-law never shied away from being Gu's son-in-law, but he never used this identity and relationship to seek personal gain.
He is easygoing and polite to relatives, respectful and humble to elders, and caring and responsible to his family. How could he not be respected and admired?
Even Gu An, who had little contact with his brother-in-law and had only met him a few times since they met, could tell from the conversation between his brother-in-law and father in the study that his brother-in-law was shrewd and calculating.
Looking at his son-in-law's performance, how could Gu Haitao not feel regret? If Li Xuewu had stayed in the army, his future potential would have been much higher than that of his two sons.
He is a professional and an academic, giving him a more strategic perspective on the international situation.
The fried egg has crackled a few times in the past two years, and he is now convinced that there will be no more earth-shattering battles to fight in the next 30 years.
You can't go far by just relying on your skills and professional competence; what's important is a sound ideological and political foundation.
This is precisely the quality that both Gu An and Gu Yan lack.
Gu An is somewhat better, but his shortcomings are not hard to spot from his resume. He has always served as a commanding officer and has no experience in governance.
In times of turmoil, military officers may still have a voice, but in times of peace, they are nothing more than tigers kept in a cage.
Li Xuewu is different. He has both grassroots management experience and social experience, as well as rich political thinking and leadership skills. With a little help, he's like a tiger unleashed from its cage.
Unfortunately, this tiger's ambitions lay elsewhere. Although he still held a position in the garrison, he neglected it completely.
Gu Haitao wanted to persuade him, but after listening to his son-in-law's relatively clear vision and explanation of the future, he gave up.
Such a comprehensive career plan is something he couldn't have achieved even when he was younger. His children and grandchildren will have their own destinies.
***
The climate in Nanjing is quite different from that in Beijing. The difference may not be very noticeable in summer, but it is quite significant in winter.
Although the house was heated, Li Xuewu wasn't used to sleeping there, so he got up early.
He had intended to stretch his legs in the yard, but as soon as he went downstairs, he saw his father-in-law already in the living room, looking like he was about to go out.
"Why didn't you sleep a little longer?" Gu Haitao looked at his son-in-law and nodded, "It's alright. I've already told the waiter that breakfast will be served a little later, after a long journey."
"I'm not very tired, but I can't sleep." Li Xuewu smiled and asked, "Are you going out?"
"Yeah, let's take a stroll." Gu Haitao looked at his son-in-law's clothes and knew he wasn't faking it, so he said, "If you want to go out for a walk, we can go together."
"Great, I was just thinking of checking out this historic school."
Li Xuewu gladly accepted his father-in-law's invitation, wearing a woolen overcoat, a leather cotton hat, and leather gloves.
He was tall, and the height difference between the father-in-law and son-in-law was quite noticeable when they walked together. However, Li Xuewu was only half a step behind his father-in-law, so the difference wasn't as obvious.
Although Li Xuewu has been busy with official duties over the years, he has not neglected his physical training. Although his combat skills may have deteriorated slightly, his physique has only become stronger and he no longer appears clumsy.
His attire was already quite impressive, and walking beside his father-in-law, he exuded both nobility and domineering presence. The scar on his face, in particular, made him appear even more menacing.
After leaving the military, he worked in the security department. His dignity was ingrained in his bones, and no matter how much he tried to cultivate himself, he could not erase that air of authority in a short time.
In Beijing, within the company, he could maintain a gentle smile. But on his father-in-law's side, with early risers passing by, he had no chance to show a smile; he wasn't a complete fool.
Some people recognized Gu Haitao; those who weren't of a higher rank would quickly salute, while those of a higher rank would inevitably greet him.
Gu Haitao would always give a second glance to any fierce-looking young man who appeared beside him and accompanied him on a walk.
Gu Haitao was only the vice dean of the college, not a member of the standing committee, and his work was quite leisurely. The silence of the past few years had eased the seriousness and tension on his face considerably.
Although it still looks dignified, it doesn't appear stern.
When someone salutes him, Gu Haitao doesn't say much, he just nods and returns the salute before moving on.
If someone stops to greet him, he will take the initiative to introduce Li Xuewu to them, saying that he is his son-in-law.
Those who truly have a relationship with the Gu family will naturally know about the Gu family's situation and the situation of the Gu family's children.
So when Gu Haitao was said to be the son-in-law, many people suddenly realized and looked at him with a curious gaze.
Ding Fengxia really praised her son-in-law too much, and it became somewhat exaggerated after the news spread.
However, Ding Fengxia was deliberately trying to vent her anger, for her daughter's sake and for the sake of her family, so she didn't really care.
This is the first time Li Xuewu has come to Jinling. Even if someone asks, so what? After all, her son-in-law's situation is the real deal; she's not one to exaggerate.
It just so happens that today, while these people were observing Li Xuewu, they were comparing the information they had gleaned from the rumors.
Although he was disfigured, he did look very young. Many people who follow the Gu family know that this son-in-law is quite young.
***
Confucius Temple was too chaotic, and Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum was too far away, so we chose Xinjiekou Department Store for our morning itinerary.
Of course, the Xinjiekou mentioned here is not the Xinjiekou in Beijing, but the Xinjiekou in Nanjing.
Li Xuewu did not participate in the family outing in the morning. After eating dumplings, he took a car to the group's Jiangnan branch for a research meeting. Even though it was New Year's Day, he had to attend to official business first, and even his father-in-law had to go to the duty room.
Gu An and Gu Yan had a small gathering with some friends in Jinling, so only women and children went out together in the morning.
Nanjing is an ancient capital of six dynasties. Countless heroes gathered here since the Three Kingdoms period, leaving behind many historical sites.
There are plenty of places to go for leisure. But with the men all away, how can the women travel far with the children?
Shopping at department stores became the first choice, which also reflected Ding Fengxia's desire to choose gifts for her children and grandchildren for the New Year.
With grandsons, eldest grandsons, and a daughter-in-law who is not yet married into the family, the family made a very impressive appearance.
If she hadn't kept a low profile in the last two years, she would have liked to take the children to the club for a visit.
At her age, she doesn't value position and career as much as men do; family is her daily focus.
When young, peers compare talents and ambitions. After marriage, they compare families and spouses. Now, she's more interested in comparing her children and grandchildren. It truly proves the saying that people are always competitive and constantly comparing themselves to others throughout their lives.
Women are ultimately different from men in this life. Their prime years for their careers are very short, at most twenty years. They have to take care of their spouses, their children, and even in their old age, they still have to worry about their grandchildren.
Compare yourself to outsiders, and compare yourself to your family members.
Last night, when Gu Haitao called his son and son-in-law upstairs, a subtle tension arose in the living room. It was a matter between the sisters-in-law; watching their husbands go upstairs with their elders inevitably led to comparisons. Looking back at themselves, how could they not feel jealous?
Ding Fengxia took the initiative to inquire about the living conditions of her eldest daughter-in-law and daughter, and also showed concern for her prospective daughter-in-law.
Mu Hongyan is the eldest sister-in-law. She used to live with her mother-in-law, so the main pressure came from the next generation.
Although her mother-in-law didn't say anything during those years, she could still feel the expectations that the elders had for their children and grandchildren.
Just as her father-in-law was being transferred to Jinling, her mother-in-law was also being transferred there, so Mu Hongyan finally made up her mind to go to Xijing with her husband.
If given a choice, who would willingly give up a familiar work environment and a stable job? It's all for the family, for having a child, and for fulfilling the expectations of the elders.
She said she had gotten what she wanted, a son, but deep down she felt a little regretful. If she had stayed in the capital, perhaps her career would have progressed much further, and she would have achieved even greater success.
I live with my mother-in-law in Beijing, in my father-in-law's residence, where we enjoy high-class services and treatment.
After arriving in Xi'an, Gu An's rank was not high, so she didn't enjoy the same treatment as a waitress. Even though she was allocated cadre housing, the conditions were basic, and she had to arrange everything herself.
Adding to the challenges of job transfers and getting familiar with the process, she also suddenly became pregnant, making the past two years truly difficult for her.
Back to her mother-in-law, she couldn't very well talk about the hardships she'd endured. After all, her mother-in-law wasn't her own mother, and saying too much would make her seem pretentious. Really, wasn't the era her mother-in-law lived through much harder than her own?
So when the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law met, watching the children playing around the sofa and listening to their greetings and expressions of concern, she simply smiled. But whether she felt bitter or sweet inside, only she knew.
When her mother-in-law asked about Gu Ning's living conditions, how could Mu Hongyan suppress her envy and jealousy? She also knew that her sister-in-law was pure and kind-hearted, not a sharp-tongued or boastful person.
That's why she felt even more bitter inside.
When she was pregnant, if she wanted something hot to eat, she had to go to the cafeteria herself, or she had to cook for herself.
Even after she gave birth, it was her mother-in-law who came to take care of her for a while, and then it was her mother who came to visit her.
From pregnancy to childbirth, Gu An did consider hiring a nanny to help take care of her, but how could she dare to do so, and she certainly didn't have the means?
Where is Gu Ning?
Li Xuewu is spoiled rotten. Not only has his family never lacked maids to serve him, but he also doesn't have to worry about any trivial matters in life.
The mother-in-law asked several questions about daily life, but the sister-in-law couldn't answer any of them.
The answers were unanimous: ask Li Xuewu.
She doesn't care about daily necessities like food, clothing, or shelter. Not long after giving birth, she was selected for a training program and has been there ever since.
After work, I eat and study. Feeding the child is one thing, but I don't have to worry about anything else. I don't like the cafeteria food at work, so the nanny can bring it to my office.
Even when her mother-in-law asked her about her relationships with relatives and friends, she couldn't answer, and it was Li Xuewu who had to maintain those relationships.
She knew the Li family's situation well, and if she couldn't even answer this question, her mother-in-law would probably get angry.
This doesn't even go into Gu Ning's workplace connections. If she knew that her daughter didn't even need to personally maintain those connections—it was all taken care of by her son-in-law—she would be both amused and exasperated.
Looking at her daughter, whose temperament had changed so much, Ding Fengxia still felt somewhat helpless, but could she blame her son-in-law for his favoritism?
Is this a wife I married or a daughter I raised?
Even before her daughter's marriage, Ding Fengxia wouldn't have dared to be so accommodating. As her own mother, how could she not consider the difficulties her daughter would face in getting along with her in-laws after marriage?
I never expected my daughter's life to be so comfortable after getting married, so comfortable that it makes people envious of her carefree and easygoing nature.
Ding Fengxia couldn't hide the intense gaze of her eldest daughter-in-law, Mu Hongyan, and she saw it all. Looking at her future daughter-in-law's eyes, she too was filled with envy for her daughter's life.
What's that saying again? It's not scarcity that's worrisome, but inequality.
If the whole family lives together, even if Mu Hongyan and Zhou Yao live with them in the future, there won't be any problems with the nanny and their compensation. Even if they can't take advantage of the government's resources, they can always find someone to help take care of the children themselves.
One is in Xi'an, the other in Beijing; she and Gu Haitao are in Nanjing, which is quite far apart.
When Mu Hongyan talked to Gu Ning about work, she heard her daughter say that she could still improve after the training course.
She knew about her eldest daughter-in-law's situation; she was old and experienced, not afraid of being made difficult, and her progress was all in a steady and methodical manner.
However, she lacks the training opportunities like her daughter, and will have to endure two more years of hardship. This is also why Mu Hongyan vaguely regrets leaving Beijing.
If she were to stay in Beijing, she would definitely have a place in this training program; at the very least, she was certain that her professional skills were superior to Gu Ning's.
Time is also destiny.
Ding Fengxia privately approached Mu Hongyan to discuss hiring a nanny for her, but Mu Hongyan refused.
The reason is simple: we've gotten through the toughest times, and my child is almost two years old and old enough to go to kindergarten.
At this point, even the mother herself would be reluctant to leave her child with a nanny.
So, despite her envy, Mu Hongyan knew her own situation and declined her mother-in-law's offer.
Given Gu An's status and the influence of her father-in-law, she's always been very cautious and afraid of what others might say. If she were to actually start enjoying herself, the couple would be drowned in gossip sooner or later.
He is indeed different from Li Xuewu. Judging from what his father-in-law said, his brother-in-law's career is developing faster than Gu An's.
When she was in the capital, she thought her brother-in-law was a man of his own mind. In the past two years, she had heard from Gu An that the father-in-law and son-in-law got along very well.
Gu Andu rarely discussed work with his father in his letters home, let alone analyzed or discussed the situation.
He focused solely on his work, training, and management, rarely getting involved in those messy matters. While this seemed to save him a lot of trouble, it also meant he missed out on many opportunities for development.
Upon hearing that Li Xuewu frequently exchanged letters and made phone calls with her father-in-law, and that they discussed important topics, Mu Hongyan was not only surprised but also somewhat taken aback. She was surprised by her father-in-law's usually stern and authoritative attitude towards Li Xuewu.
The unexpected thing was that Gu An told him that his father-in-law had voluntarily stepped down after consulting with Li Xuewu.
Just how capable is this brother-in-law that his mother-in-law praises him so much, though it's rare, she mentions it frequently? And how does he earn his father-in-law's trust, entrusting him with the maintenance of old and valuable items belonging to relatives and friends in Beijing?
It's said that you're asking your son-in-law to maintain the relationship, but in reality, it's about taking care of him. These relationships involve exchanging gifts during holidays, and when trouble arises, you inevitably have to lend a hand or say a word—isn't that also a form of reliance?
Just last night, Gu An told me that the main people talking in the study upstairs were her father-in-law and brother-in-law. Gu An and Gu Yan mostly listened, but he was able to chime in a few more times than his younger brother.
Even Gu An praised his vision and sensitivity to the situation, which surprised and delighted Mu Hongyan.
But thinking back to the argument before their marriage, when she went to the Red Star Factory to confront Li Xuewu, she still harbored resentment.
Even if her sister-in-law's words were very convincing last night, she still harbored suspicions that Li Xuewu was fooling Gu Ning and keeping the whole family in the dark.
While shopping with her mother-in-law, Mu Hongyan took the opportunity to privately ask her sister-in-law for the truth.
To her surprise, Gu Ning knew nothing about these matters and seemed completely indifferent.
"Aren't you afraid he'll have someone else outside?" Mu Hongyan whispered, putting her arm around her sister-in-law's arm. "Your brother-in-law is young, but he has a lot of ideas."
"If it's something I can't stop, it's just worrying for nothing," Gu Ning said calmly. "Except for business trips and a few days on duty, I always go home on time every month."
She looked at Zhou Yao walking beside her mother. Zhou Yao was Li Xuewu's former subordinate. What didn't she know?
She had a different explanation for her sister-in-law, not because she disliked her for meddling, but because she didn't want to complicate a simple matter.
“This year is different from last year; he’s been working very hard.” Gu Ning could see her sister-in-law’s concern, but she shook her head firmly and said, “Instead of wasting time on suspicion, it’s better to give him our trust. Besides, I don’t have the inclination to engage in scheming.”
"I really don't know what to say to you." Mu Hongyan understood her sister-in-law's feelings, but advised her, "He is your own man after all. If you don't take the initiative to keep him in check, he will get used to running wild and will inevitably throw a tantrum. You will regret it if he runs away."
"Don't worry, sister-in-law." Gu Ning smiled faintly and said, "She won't run away."
-
"Hahaha--"
Li Shu was overjoyed. Although she hadn't brought the big box from home, she had bought so many toys today.
My maternal aunt and my maternal aunt didn't buy as much as my maternal grandmother, but when you add them all together, it's a lot.
Nanjing is indeed different from the capital. Even the toy counters in the department stores are different, with more regional characteristics.
In those days, there was no tourism economy, let alone tourist-themed products like refrigerator magnets, but the basic form of tourism was already emerging.
For example, there are Yuhua stones here, but not in the capital.
The big devil, accompanied by his two little followers, indulged his grandmother's favoritism and swept through all the toys he liked in the display case.
But with her mother around today, she didn't dare to be too unruly, otherwise she would get a slap on the bottom when she got home.
Even though Grandma said she would buy her whatever she wanted, she was sensible enough to only choose a few things she liked.
When children get together, there's always the risk of disagreement. Whatever Li Shu likes, Li Ning and Gu Yunzhi want the same thing.
The result was three servings of the same item, and Ding Fengxia paid the bill with a smile.
But such days were far too short for Li Shu. On New Year's Day, her maternal grandfather, uncle, and father returned in the afternoon, and together they went for a stroll in Xuanwu Lake Park.
Winter is not without its beautiful scenery. With the help of security guards and secretaries, the family took several photos together in the snow.
It wasn't until dark, when the city lights came on, that the family went to the restaurant they had booked in advance and enjoyed Nanjing's local delicacies.
Li Shu was so happy that day that, like her two younger brothers, her energy was depleted early on.
When they got home, the two little ones were already asleep, and she was still swaying, so her father carried her to the bedroom to rest.
After settling his daughter in, Li Xuewu returned to the living room. The family members quickly washed and tidied themselves up before sitting together again.
Yesterday we talked about our work and current situations, but tonight we'll be discussing a major family matter.
Seeing her lover nod, and considering that they had all had a hard day, Ding Fengxia got straight to the point and asked Zhou Yao.
Zhou Yao also sensed the unusual atmosphere and vaguely noticed that everyone's eyes were on her.
Although she knew from the beginning that this trip to Jinling was to discuss their marriage, she still felt a little shy when she saw it in person, after all, she was still a young woman.
“You are all young people of this era, unlike us back then.” Seeing her blush, Ding Fengxia smiled and comforted her, “Feel free to speak your mind.”
She gestured to the people sitting in the living room and said, "They're all family, your elder brother and sister-in-law, your sister and brother-in-law."
"Mom, we're not in a hurry."
Seeing Zhou Yao blush when her mother asked her, Gu Yan took the initiative to say, "Let's wait a little longer."
"Did I ask you?" Ding Fengxia glared at her son. Although her tone was more reproachful, she still had a smile on her face, but the blame was also very obvious.
She has a keen eye; when Zhou Yao came to Jinling last time, she looked like a young girl, but this time she looks different.
The eyebrows and eyes have already opened; it must be the son's doing.
As she just mentioned, both of them are young people of the times and cadres who are eager to make progress. Their understanding of love and career is more advanced and fashionable than that of the older generation.
No matter how advanced or fashionable it is, it can't go too far. Now that you have a real relationship, you should consider marriage.
The Gu family has strict family rules. If it weren't for the fact that the two youngest sons were already engaged, Gu Haitao would probably be furious.
At this point, it wasn't Gu Yan's turn to speak, since he had done something wrong; Ding Fengxia wanted to hear what Zhou Yao had to say.
The girl wants to get married early, so her parents have no reason to refuse. Besides, they also want Gu Yan to get married soon, so he won't be so irresponsible and cause them worry.
In fact, Gu Yan has grown up very quickly in the past two years. He is no longer as carefree as before, and he has matured a lot.
But in his parents' eyes, he will always be a child. Compared to his older brother and brother-in-law, he will always be the one who is good for nothing.
During his rebellious phase, he was often compared to his older brother by his father and mother, and he did so somewhat deliberately.
His older brother was already older than him. When his older brother was naughty, he didn't understand anything. By the time he became naughty, his older brother had grown up. How could they compare? He was at a disadvantage due to his age.
Li Xuewu had suffered this kind of loss before, so he understood his brother-in-law's feelings quite well, and therefore mostly cared for and protected him. Otherwise, how could Gu Yan trust his brother-in-law when it came to introducing potential partners?
Tonight was different from usual. His parents' serious attitude and his brother-in-law's expectant and supportive gaze made Gu Yan obediently shut up, look at Zhou Yao, and wait for her to speak.
Zhou Yao blushed even more as everyone watched her, but she tried her best to calm herself down, after all, it was a major event in her life.
After she composed herself, she looked up at Li Xuewu and said to her future mother-in-law, "I have no objections. Let's listen to Gu Yan."
Why listen to him? He's just making a fool of himself.
Ding Fengxia was not satisfied with this answer, and holding Zhou Yao's hand, she asked, "Have your parents set a wedding date?"
"Hmm—" Zhou Yao nodded with her head down and said softly, "They want me to check the time after the New Year."
"It's better to do it sooner, after all, you're old enough."
Ding Fengxia glanced at Gu Haitao, seemingly wanting to discuss it, but continued to say to Zhou Yao, "You don't need to worry about Gu Yan's thoughts, just tell him what's convenient for you."
"Whether it's before or after the New Year, you need to give us a definite date so we have time to prepare."
She gently patted Zhou Yao's hand and said, "It only happens once in a lifetime, so we should prepare carefully."
"It is better to do it sooner rather than later."
Seeing that Zhou Yao was still considering, and noticing that her mother-in-law was looking at him, Li Xuewu took the initiative to say, "You and Gu Yan are both cadres, so you also have to consider the organization's requirements."
“Your brother-in-law is right,” Ding Fengxia advised softly. “Even if we’re considering the new year, we should try to move forward as much as possible.”
"Mom, what do you want her to say?"
Mu Hongyan smiled and got up to sit on the armrest of the sofa next to her mother-in-law, resting her elbow on the backrest. She advised her mother-in-law, "She wanted to say 'let's go earlier,' but she was too embarrassed."
"There's nothing to be embarrassed about."
Ding Fengxia noticed that Zhou Yao's ears were red, but she didn't refute her eldest daughter-in-law's opinion, so she knew what she meant.
"This marriage is a major event that requires both harmony between the couple and the goodwill between the two families. I must ask for your opinion, and also your parents' opinion. There's no need for the family to feel so embarrassed."
“After the New Year, the end of February is too rushed.” Li Xuewu counted the days on his fingers and suggested, “How about we do it in March? There’s no problem with the timing.”
"March, well, not too busy." Gu An thought to himself, but nodded with a smile and agreed, "Let's go back to the capital for a family reunion. It's been several years, let's have some fun."
“March is a good month. It’s early spring, a time when everything comes back to life and the grass grows and the birds fly.” Ding Fengxia smiled and pulled Zhou Yao’s hand, asking, “If you have no objections, let’s choose a date in March.”
"Hmm—" Zhou Yao's response wasn't exactly a mosquito's buzz, but it wasn't that loud either. If Li Kui had yelled "I do!" like that, it probably would have scared Ding Fengxia to death.
"Let's leave it at that for now."
Ding Fengxia was very satisfied with the time her son-in-law had chosen. She was genuinely afraid that Gu Yan, that rascal, would cause a death. If her daughter-in-law entered the family heavily pregnant, wouldn't that be a laughingstock among the relatives?
These days are different from later generations. If a woman enters a family with a big belly, she will be laughed at, not only by her husband's family but also by the daughter-in-law.
What good girl would sleep with a man before marriage? Marriage is a good thing, but what if the marriage doesn't happen?
Gu Yan was actually quite confused, not because he was a scumbag, but because he was young and lacked his own opinions on this kind of thing.
He doesn't oppose marriage, but he also has no concept of it. Otherwise, why would the old saying go, "Establish a family and then a career"?
Settle down first, then build a career. When a man has a family, he takes on responsibilities and becomes more composed and mature in his actions.
But now that his family has already arranged his marriage, he feels uneasy.
"Mom, you haven't even asked for my opinion yet."
Before anyone could even look at him after he asked the question, Gu Yan noticed his father's gaze fixed on him.
Hmm, I was feeling uncomfortable just now, like something was missing, but now that my father has glared at me, I feel better.
-
Li Xuewu spent the Lunar New Year at his father-in-law's house, and the next day he went to a meeting in the Jiangnan area, where he hosted a banquet for the local comrades that evening.
On the third day, January 3rd, he finished his work in Jinling and set off to return to the capital.
Gu Yan and Zhou Yao had both taken leave according to his schedule, so naturally they had to go back to Beijing with him.
Gu An's holiday was even more hectic, as he also needed to make time for his younger brother's wedding in March, so the couple decided to return to Xi'an today.
After only two days of excitement, Ding Fengxia was filled with reluctance. First, she saw off her eldest son's family, and then she came to see off her daughter's family and her youngest son's family.
Gu Haitao, seemingly reluctant to part with his children, did not come to the airport to see them off.
He only gave his father-in-law a few words of advice before he left, and Li Xuewu took the initiative to comfort him, saying that they would meet again in the capital in March.
Ding Fengxia entrusted half of her youngest son's marriage to her fiancé, while she took charge of the other half.
Li Xuewu and the others will return to the capital first. Ding Fengxia will return to the capital to prepare for Gu Yan's wedding after she has settled things in Jinling.
Gu Yan is getting married, and the couple needs a small home. The property in Beijing is Gu Haitao's official housing, and it's still unknown how it will be allocated in the future, so it's impossible for the young couple to live there.
It's neither permanent property nor private property. We need to consider our daughter-in-law Zhou Yao's work situation, so we plan to buy a commercial apartment in the Workers' New Village. This way, we can have some private property security.
The reason Gu Yan accommodated Zhou Yao wasn't because he was eager to get married, but because of his job. He was in the army, and while he'd been here for the past few years, he might be transferred again.
Their family was originally from Beijing; it was Gu Haitao and her who ran away to join the revolution when they were young.
His relatives and friends are still in the capital, and Gu Yan's future should also be in the capital, so it is normal for him to accommodate Zhou Yao.
When it came to buying a house for the young couple, Ding Fengxia didn't want to neglect one aspect for another, so she asked her eldest son for his opinion.
Real estate available for purchase in Beijing is extremely scarce, making the self-financing and construction by Hongxing Steel Group a special case and exceptionally rare.
Ding Fengxia's idea was that since her younger son wanted to buy one, she might as well buy one for her older son as well.
Even if they don't live there now, they might return to Beijing in the future, and then it might not be as suitable to buy a place then.
Gu An's situation was similar to his younger brother Gu Yan's; they were also nomadic, rooted in the military. But now he wasn't alone; he had to make arrangements for his wife and children's future, so he didn't refuse.
I heard that the workers' new village is not far from the city, and it is very convenient for schooling and medical care, as well as commercial areas and a large park.
In Li Xuewu's opinion, it was necessary for Gu Yan and his wife to buy a house in the workers' new village, but it was unnecessary for Gu An and his wife.
My father-in-law will be returning to Beijing sooner or later. It's hard to say what will happen to the original property, but he'll eventually have to live with his eldest son. The house in the workers' new village will still be empty then.
However, given his mother-in-law's love for her son, he couldn't say anything. He could only think of trying to persuade her after she returned to Beijing.
Buying a house at this time is not cheap, at least relatively speaking; houses in the Workers' New Village are considered expensive.
You see, you can buy a house of more than 100 square meters for just a few thousand yuan, but then think about the wage level at this time.
My father-in-law and mother-in-law are not greedy or despicable people. They don't have any special income; they rely entirely on their salaries and benefits.
Their salaries aren't low, but they haven't saved much money. If they really want to buy two houses, they'll probably have to empty their savings.
Thinking this through, Li Xuewu mentioned it to his mother-in-law when he boarded the plane.
Ding Fengxia naturally wouldn't blame her son-in-law for meddling, and he didn't say anything either, only thinking that she would decide after returning to the capital and seeing how things went.
With Li Xuewu in the capital, she had ample time to settle things in Jinling before the wedding.
But considering that her son-in-law might go to Gangcheng before the new year, she was worried that it would be inconvenient due to the connections in Beijing.
The son-in-law said he would set out a plan and ask friends and childhood buddies for help with the preparations. But they're not family after all.
"Grandma, I'm so reluctant to leave you."
Before Ding Fengxia could think of anything else, Li Shu had already snuggled up to her neck and started acting coquettishly. Having given birth to a daughter, Gu Ning had never been this affectionate with her since she could remember.
Ding Fengxia never experienced the tenderness of her own daughter, but she found it in her granddaughter.
She hugged Li Shu and Li Ning, kissing one and then the other, reluctant to part with any of them.
"Grandma will miss you all too."
Tears welled up in Ding Fengxia's eyes as she comforted the two children, saying, "Grandma will come back to Beijing to see you after the New Year."
After handing the two children over to Er Ya and Gu Ning, she looked at her son-in-law and instructed him, "You don't need to worry too much. It's their business anyway, so let the young couple take care of it."
"Don't worry, I'm here."
Li Xuewu knew his mother-in-law was reluctant to use him, but as her brother-in-law, how could he not do his best?
"I'll take care of the house, including the renovation and furniture. You can come and take a look and check for any problems."
“At this point, you shouldn’t stand back.” Ding Fengxia, hearing her son-in-law’s frank words, grabbed Zhou Yao’s hand and said with a smile, “It’s your own business, your brother-in-law is busy with work and has his own affairs.”
"Okay, we understand—"
Zhou Yao nodded, glanced at Gu Yan, her eyes filled with joy; she had achieved all the goals of her trip.
Gu Yan stood smiling beside his brother-in-law, showing the self-awareness of a brother-in-law and truly not treating his brother-in-law as an outsider.
"That's settled then. Call me if anything comes up."
Despite the pain of parting, Ding Fengxia gave Gu Ning a few more words of advice, nothing more than to take good care of the child and to work and live well.
When Gu Ning was at home, she said she didn't miss her parents and rarely expressed her longing for them. However, she was happy to come to Jinling. At the moment of parting, her gaze towards her mother held a greater sense of dependence.
Who can say that the heart of a blade of grass can repay the warmth of spring?
The mother meticulously instructed and took care of everyone, but she forgot about herself.
Although Li Shu and Li Ning, the two younger children, only spent three days with their maternal grandparents, they were still filled with reluctance to leave.
She had already started crying while climbing the suspended ladder, and Ding Fengxia below the ladder was also shedding tears.
Er Ya and Gu Ningqiang coaxed the two onto the plane. After saying goodbye to his mother-in-law, Li Xuewu took his brother-in-law and the other two onto the plane.
The plane took off at the scheduled time, carrying Ding Fengxia's longing towards the capital.
***
"You're back after only a few days?" Bu Qingfang glanced at Li Xuewu's office as she passed by, and seeing him sitting behind his desk working, she knocked on the door in surprise and came in, asking, "Didn't you say you were going to visit relatives again?"
"It's not right to let personal matters interfere with public duties." Li Xuewu looked up and saw that it was her, and said with a smile, "I finished my work, visited my family, and came back."
“You’re so dedicated—” Bu Qingfang walked to the desk, propped her hand on the table, and said meaningfully, “Not everyone expects you to be this dedicated.”
"Who is it? You, right?" Li Xuewu could tell the implication in her words, and deliberately joked, "If I stayed in Jinling for a few more days, would you be very happy?"
“My happiness has nothing to do with this,” Bu Qingfang said with a laugh. “I don’t need the training opportunities you give me.”
She raised an eyebrow and said, "Besides, you'll only be staying in Jinling for a few days. I'm afraid I'll have to make countless trips to Gangcheng to report to you afterward."
“Yeah, that’s right—” Li Xuewu ignored the teasing in her words, sighed, and said, “Even if I’m in their way, how long can it last? So let them bear with it.”
"Hahaha—" Bu Qingfang had a cheerful personality and laughed when she heard him say that.
"But there are people who can't stand to see you doing well."
Bu Qingfang reported softly, "Director Li instructed me yesterday to arrange a meeting with the president of Santay Group."
"Heh—" Li Xuewu chuckled lightly, then looked at Bu Qingfang and asked, "Why didn't you invite Deputy Director Gu?"
"Even if Deputy Director Gu can't make time, Deputy Director Gao can do it. I'll go and figure out what's going on."
“That’s right—” Bu Qingfang shook her head and said meaningfully, “It’s because you weren’t home. They’ve already made a decision, so you should get ready as soon as possible.”
"A meeting with ShanghART—"
Li Xuewu thought for a moment, then looked at Bu Qingfang and said, "Then let's get ready. They'll panic if I'm idle."
(End of this chapter)