Chapter 20: Liu Hong's Method

  Summer vacation has arrived, and Xujie left Xilin City. Liu Hong's plan can finally be implemented. Although there is a subtle relationship between Xujie and Zheng Yuxin, Liu Hong is not in a hurry, he naturally has his own way.

  After Liu Hong returned home, he told his mother Cai Yunhua that he liked Zheng Yuxin. Both of them were students at Xilin University and had similar conditions. Liu Hong was very clever and wouldn't directly tell his father Liu Zhiwen because he knew his father wouldn't listen to him.

  Cai Yunhua loved Liu Hong dearly, and since Liu Hong's academic performance was good and he was making progress, he was Cai Yunhua's pride. She often bragged about her son Liu Hong at work. As for Zheng Yuxin's situation, Cai Yunhua was very clear that her husband and Zheng Qingshan had a good relationship, and the two families were on good terms. If they could be married, it would be a great thing.

  Cai Yunhua didn't think there was anything wrong with Liu Hong having a girlfriend since he was already 20 years old and could start dating. After graduating from university at 24 years old, they could prepare for marriage in about one to two years.

  "Lao Liu, you must think carefully about this matter. Zheng Bureau Chief's daughter Rain is very good. I've seen this girl, she's beautiful and elegant, knowledgeable and reasonable. If you miss this opportunity, there won't be another one like it. Hong'er is 20 years old now, after graduating from university, he'll be 24, where will you find such a good girl then?"

  Liu Zhiwen puffed on his cigarette, not saying a word. He is now the deputy secretary of the Xueyuan District Committee and also a regular county-level leader. The district committee has already reported to the municipal committee, and if everything goes smoothly, by the end of the year, he can take on the role of Director of the People's Congress, becoming a vice-ministerial level leader. The secretary of the Xilin Municipal Committee is concurrently serving as the deputy secretary of the Provincial Committee, and the mayor is concurrently serving as the deputy governor. The municipal committee members are all regular ministerial-level leaders. Below them, the secretaries, district heads, People's Congress and CPPCC chairmen, as well as the top officials of municipal units, are all vice-ministerial level leaders. Liu Zhiwen and Zheng Qingshan have been very familiar with each other for a long time. When Liu Zhiwen served as the executive deputy district head, he often contacted the Municipal Finance Bureau, and since Liu Hong and Zheng Yuxin were classmates, Liu Zhiwen and Zheng Qingshan had even joked about becoming in-laws.

  Liu Zhiwen has been in the officialdom for many years, and what he values more is the relationship behind marriage. Marrying Zheng Qingshan's daughter is a good choice. Zheng Qingshan has some connections in the city, and the union of the two families is a force not to be underestimated. Moreover, political marriages are common nowadays, and everyone understands the benefits they bring, even if they don't say anything on the surface. This trend will lead to the emergence of several political families in the future, and their influence in the political circle will be extraordinary.

  "Lao Cai, is this your opinion or Liu Hong's opinion?"

  "It doesn't matter whose opinion it is, Rain is a good kid, I've made up my mind, Rain will be the daughter-in-law of the Liu family. And also, Hong'er has already submitted his application to join the party, you have the opportunity to talk to the school leaders about it, joining the party is a very important thing, Hong'er is so excellent, what's the problem with him joining the party?"

  "I know, don't spoil Liu Hong too much, he's already 20 years old and still being called 'Hong Er', from now on just call him by his name."

  "You're talking nonsense, in my eyes, Hong'er is still a little kid, and will always be a little kid."

  Liu Zhiwen shook his head, not knowing what to say. Cai Juanhua was spoiling Liu Hong like this, it wasn't a good thing, but Liu Hong was the youngest son, and common people loved their youngest child, Cai Juanhua couldn't help following the trend.

  "Lao Liu, regarding Yu Xin's matter, take a stance."

  "As for this matter, I don't have any opinion, it still depends on Old Zheng's opinion. If Old Zheng doesn't agree, we can't force him to agree, right?"

  "No, tomorrow I'll go find Old Zheng's wife first and talk to her about it. After that, you can tell Old Zheng about this matter. You'd better think carefully and speak well, as this is a big deal for our son. If you mess it up, I'll hold you accountable."

  Cai Yuhua left the living room with a smile, her goal had been achieved. Zheng Yuxin's mother, Luo Ling, and she had a very good relationship, they often met on the street and had endless conversations. Cai Yuhua believed that this matter was almost certain to be settled without any issues.

  On Sunday, Luo Ling went to the street to buy vegetables and found Cai Juanhua in front of her, as if waiting for her. Luo Ling hurried over and greeted Cai Juanhua. The two walked towards the vegetable market while chatting. Today, they had a lot to talk about and almost forgot to buy vegetables. As they talked, they started talking about their children.

  "Sister, your daughter is getting more and more beautiful every day, just like a fairy. She must have inherited your good genes! I wonder what delicious food you feed her every day."

  "Cai Jie, your family's Liu Hong is quite good too, a talented person, who doesn't know that Liu Hong has abilities? He's also the class cadres, he will definitely have a bright future."

  "Hey, that kid at home needs someone to take care of him properly. He's always thinking about doing something big and doesn't know his place. It's all because of my old partner's influence."

  "Cai Jie, Liu Hong has ambition, it's a good thing. I heard that Secretary Liu is going to take on the role of Director of the People's Congress too. A tiger father will not have a dog son, Liu Hong will definitely make something of himself in the future."

  "Sister, I'm getting more and more fond of Yu Xin, thinking about her every day. If she could come to our home often, I'd be overjoyed."

  Nowadays, when officials' family members speak, they are somewhat ambiguous and will not directly say it out loud, lest they be rejected and lose face. But the meaning of their words is very clear. Cai Juanhua's intention was quickly understood by Luo Ling, who realized that today's early wait was just to talk about this matter. Luo Ling had a good impression of Liu Hong, thinking he was a talented young man who knew his manners. Whenever he saw her, he would come over from afar and greet her warmly. Sometimes when she was carrying things, Liu Hong would even offer to help carry them for her until they reached the downstairs before leaving. Luo Ling was hesitant, knowing her daughter's temperament well. She thought that although Rain's requirements were high, Liu Hong was indeed not bad, and his family conditions were good. Moreover, if the two families became in-laws, Zheng Wenru and Zheng Wenbin's matters would also be easier to handle. Her daughter was not young anymore, and it was time for her to have a boyfriend. Girls couldn't afford to delay too long, unlike boys. Liu Hong and Rain had known each other since childhood and were classmates.

  In a very short time, Luo Ling made up her mind.

  "Cai Jie, I'll tell Yu Xin to visit your home more often. If my daughter does anything wrong or says something incorrect, please forgive her."

  "What's wrong with you, girl? Yuxin is such a great girl, I'm worried sick about her."

  Two women were happily buying vegetables, and the marriage of their children was settled in their conversation. In today's society, parents' opinions have great destructive power, and most children have to compromise, despite having a million unwillingness.

  "Lao Liu, I've spoken to Luo Ling and she's agreed to this matter. She'll definitely mention it to Lao Zheng when she gets back, so there shouldn't be any problems. You must find Lao Zheng as soon as possible and finalize this matter."

  "What's the hurry? It's not like anything has happened yet. Liu Hong and Yu Xin have just started their second year, and even if they do start dating, it'll be after graduation anyway."

  "You're such a blockhead, what do you know? Nowadays, which university student doesn't have a romantic relationship? By the time you realize it, the flowers will have wilted. You still think it's like when you were in college? The situation has changed long ago. No way, you have to listen to me on this matter, go find Old Zheng tomorrow and talk about this."

  "Alright, alright, I'll go find Old Zheng, isn't that enough?"

  After Luo Ling returned home, she carefully considered the matter and felt that it was not bad. Liu Hong was a good young man, had grown up under her own eyes, had no bad habits, and his family conditions were good. Her daughter would not be at a disadvantage if she married into the Liu family. Moreover, the relationship between Old Zheng in her household and Secretary Liu was also very good. After thinking it over, Luo Ling felt that Liu Hong and her own daughter Yu Xin were absolutely well-matched. Having thought it through, she immediately went to discuss it with Zheng Qing Shan.

  "Lao Zheng, Cai Juanhua came to talk to me today."

  "Oh, you guys often chat together, what's so strange about it."

  "Alas, you really don't understand. Cai Yuhua was talking about Yu Xin, she likes Yu Xin very much and wants Yu Xin to be their daughter-in-law."

  "What? How did you guys start talking about this?"

  "What's wrong with that? Boys will be boys, girls will be girls. What can't be said? Liu Hong is someone we've watched grow up, and he's a good kid. I think this thing can work out. Moreover, Wen Ru and Wen Bin have been working down there for a long time and can't get transferred to Xilin City. Secretary Liu is about to become the head of the District People's Congress, and with his help, Wen Ru and Wen Bin's transfer will be much smoother."

  "Lao Luo, I'm listening to you, but it sounds like there's a deal being made."

  "Nonsense! If Liu Hong's character was not good, I wouldn't be willing to say anything. Liu Hong is a good guy, our two families are on good terms, what's the problem with this matter? You should take a stand!"

  "Lao Luo, this matter still needs to be discussed with Yu Xin."

  "Rain knows what? Nowadays, many young people don't listen to their parents and insist on making their own decisions. What's the outcome in the end? Young people don't know the height of the sky or the thickness of the earth, they don't know the reality of life. We've been through it all, besides, Rain is my daughter, would I harm her? I'm worried sick."

  "Hmm, you're right, Liu Hong is a good kid, I know him, he's very polite and has a good temper, alright, I understand."

  "I can tell you that I have already considered Liu Hong as my son-in-law, and I believe Secretary Liu will definitely look for you. At that time, you must speak well, if it's messed up, I won't forgive you."

  On Monday when he went to work, Zheng Qing Shan was still thinking about this matter. A man's heart is not that delicate, and after being a leader for a long time, he mostly focuses on unit affairs, leaving household matters to his wife. When Luo Ling brought up the matter, Zheng Qing Shan had no opinion, and it wasn't a bad thing that they could become in-laws with Liu Zhi Wen. Zheng Qing Shan still remembered that when they joked around, they even mentioned this matter, but he didn't expect it to actually become reality.

  Liu Zhiwen entered the office, Zheng Qingshan was looking at the financial report. Seeing Liu Zhiwen coming in, Zheng Qingshan quickly stood up and shook hands with Liu Zhiwen, both of them laughed loudly.

  "Director Zheng, I'm disturbing your work."

  "Secretary Liu, what are you talking about? You'll be my superior soon, and now you're here for an advance inspection of the work."

  "Director Zheng, aren't you criticizing me? I work in the district and you work in the city. I thought leaders were busy with work and rarely came to bother us, Director Zheng has an opinion now."

  The two people faced each other again and burst out laughing. The tea was ready, the cigarette was lit, and the two finally sat down on the sofa.

  "Old Zheng, I'm a straightforward person, I've come today for the sake of my children. My family's Old Cai has given me an ultimatum, so I've mustered up the courage to come and see you, please don't be offended."

  "Haha, Old Liu, we all know about this matter, my family's Old Luo is the same, we're all in the same boat."

  "Lao Zheng, originally I thought that after they graduated from university, they would clarify their relationship. But now the situation is different from our time. In our time, who dared to think about such things? We didn't even dare to touch hands. Nowadays, university students... sigh, we're all old and out of date."

  "Lao Liu, times have progressed, we can't help but admit that we've grown old. The world of the future belongs to young people, and it's no use being unwilling to accept old age. This is the current trend, and we can't change it."

  "Lao Zheng, your daughter Yu Xin is a good girl, I've watched her grow up. What I'm afraid of is that my son Liu Hong won't be able to match up to her. When I came here, I was thinking about this all the time. This kid Liu Hong, the bigger he gets, the more arrogant he becomes. I often have to discipline him. Society isn't as simple as you think."

  "Lao Liu, this is where you're wrong. We've all been young before and have gone through this age, it's the time for having dreams. It's good to guide them well, having ideas is a good thing! A soldier who doesn't want to be a general isn't a good soldier. We're all familiar with this saying. I think Liu Hong will definitely make something of himself, he'll definitely be better than us. The waves of the Yangtze River push forward one after another, when we retire, they should take over."

  "Haha, alright, Old Zheng, this matter is settled then. On Sunday, I'll bring Liu Hong to visit you, and you must help me educate him more and curb his arrogance."

  "Welcome, welcome! What a heroic spirit! I must give Liu Hong lots of encouragement. From now on, our relationship will be different. My daughter has a bit of a temper, if she does anything wrong, you must tolerate her more."

  "Heh heh, let's just keep this between young people, if Liu Hong dares to bully Yuxin, I'll make him come and apologize to you."

  "Alright, it's between young people, we won't interfere, we won't interfere."

  In the midst of laughter, a marriage was settled. Such a big thing should still be confirmed by the parents. Nowadays, the opinions of both families' parents are unified, and as for the children's opinions, they are not the most important. What do kids know?