Free Web NovelChapter 474: Chapter 474: Ding Xingye’s Marriage
The clarion call of reform and opening has sounded, ushering in a new era. By the end of December, the whole country was buzzing about this, and Xu Ancheng began his resignation process. He was ready to make his mark officially.
Just like in the memories, Xu Ancheng’s resignation was not approved. Instead, it was unpaid leave. Once he had his goals set, he became busy. Xu Ancheng had prepared well in the early stages, so he proceeded relatively smoothly, but there were more business trips.
Yi Roujing felt a bit distressed, but she was also busy with her coursework, preparing for her second semester graduation.
Li Hongying was also busy. She received calls from Ding Xiaoding and Huang Kaiying saying they were coming to Jing City to discuss Ding Xingye and Shu Yujie’s marriage arrangements. If not for the expensive phone bills, Huang Kaiying would have loved to chat more with Li Hongying.
Upon arriving in Jing City, Ding Xiaoding and Huang Kaiying would stay in Beiluo Lane. This was mutual support among villagers. Over the years, Ding Weihuo and Li Hongying had received much help from Ding Xiaoding and his family when they were with the Dingping Production Team. Back then, Xu Ancheng’s mother, Chi Moyao, went to the countryside at Dingping Production Team, managed to get pregnant out of wedlock and safely gave birth to Xu Ancheng, softened by Ding Xiaoding’s father, the former team leader of the village.
As a result, Xu Zongyin was pleased about Ding Xiaoding and his wife’s visit and suggested having a meal together at Beiluo Lane.
On New Year’s Day, Ding Xiaoding and Huang Kaiying arrived in Jing City by train. Being older, they did consider having their eldest son accompany them, but the couple decided they should come alone because, after all, Ding Xingye’s partner was from Jing City, with a much better family background than theirs. Having more people might give the impression of taking advantage of the host.
Furthermore, staying in Beiluo Lane meant more effort from Li Hongying if more people came. Ding Xiaoding and Huang Kaiying, known for their courtesy, would not do such a thing. Initially, they thought of staying at a guesthouse, but at the warm invitation from Ding Weihuo and Li Hongying, the couple agreed to stay at Beiluo Lane.
There was also another reason. The Ding Weihuo family was not ordinary now, backed by the Xu Family, and also acquainted with the Shu Family. Although Ding Xiaoding and Huang Kaiying believed their son was excellent, they had to acknowledge the girl’s excellence and her family’s, hoping familiar faces would help their son marry sooner.
On New Year’s Day, Ding Weihuo, Ding Anguo, and Ding Xingye went to personally receive them. Ding Anguo rode a bicycle to help carry the luggage.
The distance from the station to Beiluo Lane wasn’t short, taking two hours on foot. Seeing the state of Ding Xiaoding and Huang Kaiying, the four agreed to take the bus, with Ding Anguo cycling ahead.
By the time the four of them reached Beiluo Lane, it was already dark. The piercing cold wind had left their faces stiff.
"Captain, Kaiying, come inside and sit down. Have a cup of ginger tea to warm up. Dinner will be ready soon," Li Hongying welcomed the four at the door, guiding them to the main room where basins of hot water and hand towels were prepared, and enamel mugs filled with reddish-brown ginger tea with brown sugar. Once they drank it, warmth spread through them.
"Hongying, we haven’t seen each other for so long. You seem to be getting younger by the day," Huang Kaiying remarked, noticing Li Hongying’s rosy complexion and her clean, blue cotton jacket.
"With my children married and having kids, there isn’t much to worry about anymore. Once you settle Xingye’s marriage this time, you too will have fewer worries in life," Li Hongying replied with a smile.
"So true," Huang Kaiying agreed, thinking of how right Li Hongying was. Ding Xingye was not young anymore, and people his age in the village were already married, though Xingye could afford it. "Hongying, you have to tell me about the girl. You’ve met her; I trust your judgment. How is she?"
Despite her confidence, Huang Kaiying was a bit anxious. For once, her son was set to marry up, marrying not just any girl, but one from a family with a high-ranking official. The girl was outstanding herself, a top student at Jing University. She felt a little insecure.
Ding Xingye was dumbly smiling nearby, thinking of Shu Yujie. Even he hadn’t expected to meet such a wonderful girl.
"Mom, Yujie is wonderful," Ding Xingye couldn’t help but speak up for his partner.
"Xingye, go outside and help Anguo," Huang Kaiying gently dismissed her son’s words since she didn’t want to rely on someone with a vested interest for the truth.
Unable to decline, Ding Xingye exited, leaving Huang Kaiying looking expectantly at Li Hongying, while Ding Xiaoding anxiously rubbed his hands.
"I’ve seen the girl a few times. She’s good friends with Roujing — they’re from the same school, both in the math department, and a student from the class Xu Ancheng teaches," Li Hongying explained the connections.
"The girl has a straightforward personality. Kaiying, you’d certainly like her. The family is well off, yet she’s not the least bit pretentious. When she came to Beiluo Lane to eat a few times, she always helped out. She’s quite striking, though of course, she can’t compare to our Roujing," Li Hongying’s words made Huang Kaiying beam with a smile.
"Speak of my future daughter-in-law, yet you end up complimenting your own daughter-in-law," Huang Kaiying teased.
Li Hongying’s smile deepened at this. "But she does look stunning, much like Anmin."
Huang Kaiying’s eyes lit up. "As beautiful as that? Even better than Song Yiluo."
In the Dingping Production Team, Ding Anmin’s beauty was like a flower’s — she wasn’t any less so in Jing City. Of course, Song Yiluo was also attractive, but beauty is subjective, and in Huang Kaiying’s eyes, Ding Anmin was prettier than Song Yiluo.
"Watch what you’re saying. Bringing up that person won’t do favors in such happy occasions." Ding Xiaoding knitted his brows at his wife’s words. "Don’t mention it in front of others; it’s unsettling. With everything that girl has going for her, she can find any partner. Even if Xingye is over her, having them find out would upset the girl."
Huang Kaiying had held a grudge in the past, but let it go once Ding Xingye got into university. Now, as her words flowed, they were more of a way to vent. "I’m just talking to you all. I’m not silly; I’m just so happy that our Xingye has found someone even better."
"I can share this with you," said Li Hongying, knowing the truth, having heard it from Yi Roujing. The daughter- and mother-in-law pair shared openly, trusted each other’s discretion, and viewed it as a joy to share. "The girl knows about Song Yiluo and is aware of Xingye’s past liking for her. Their meeting was serendipitous," Li Hongying said with satisfaction.
"Yet it’s turned out well. It’s the first relationship for both, and they’ve clicked perfectly. That girl knows about Xingye and Song Yiluo’s past and is empathetic towards Xingye, and the two complement each other perfectly," Li Hongying was genuinely delighted that Ding Xingye had found such a good match.
