newbobooks Chapter 1071 Silent Respect
Chapter 1071 Silent Respect
In the courtyard of the Teng family villa, a rockery waterfall flows with gurgling water, and koi carp swim freely in the clear pond, as if they too are celebrating this double blessing.
A huge ceremony stage was set up in the center of the courtyard, with floor-to-ceiling monitors in the corners continuously playing wedding photos of the two couples.
The exchange of glances between Teng Zijing and An Ran held a clash of sharpness and tenderness, while the smiles of Deng Zhouyi and Yu Qianqian were filled with youthful sweetness.
The stage was adorned with pure white roses, and even the passageways leading to various places were covered with petals, filling the air with a sweet fragrance.
On either side of the stage, two rows of "wine waterfalls" made of stemmed glasses flowed slowly, the amber liquid shimmering under the lights.
Guests gathered in small groups, raising their glasses and chatting quietly. Their blessings mingled with the fragrance of flowers carried on the breeze, filling the entire courtyard.
Indoors, Jiang Chengyu wore a white best man suit, which accentuated his features and added a touch of handsome elegance to his brows.
He helped Teng Zijing pin on the groom's boutonniere, and seeing that the other man's fingertips were slightly clenched and his jawline was taut, he couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"That's not fair, Mr. Jiang, what are you laughing at?" Teng Zijing's tone was harsh, with a hint of annoyance at being exposed.
Deng Zhouyi had just straightened his bow tie with Ouyang Jian's help when he heard this and said, "Brother, President Jiang is just envious of you."
“What’s there to envy?” Jiang Chengyu raised an eyebrow. “It’s just that Master Jing is usually fearless, but today, with this happy occasion, he’s so nervous.”
"Why am I nervous?" Teng Zijing retorted stubbornly, but her ears were secretly turning red.
Yang Fan spat out the water he had just drunk, met with Teng Zijing's cold glare, and quickly waved his hand:
"I'm so sorry! Jing-ye looks especially handsome today, really, you're the most handsome person here!"
Just then, Ling Ya, dressed in a custom-made cheongsam with a dark pattern, walked in arm in arm with Teng Junhao.
Teng Junhao, dressed in a navy blue Tang suit, perfectly complemented his wife's gentle and elegant demeanor.
As everyone in the room busily helped the two grooms tidy up their clothes, a complex warmth flickered in the couple's eyes.
"Congratulations, Mr. Teng! Congratulations, Mrs. Ling!" The young people stood up to offer their congratulations.
Teng Junhao smiled and waved his hand: "Make yourself at home. How are the preparations going? It's time to go pick up the bride."
Before he finished speaking, Deng Min came in with two red waistbands: "Young Master, Ayi, come on, tie these on."
"Mom, no need, who wears a red belt these days?" Deng Zhouyi declined, and Teng Zijing also frowned with a look of disgust.
Ling Ya took the belt, approached Teng Zijing, and said softly, "It's for good luck, so listen to me."
The two brothers exchanged a glance, and as they hesitated, Jiang Chengyu chimed in, "Shouldn't the best man take care of everything? Come on, Brother Jing, let me help you tie it." He then reached out to take it.
"You brat, try touching me!"
Teng Zijing glared, but his hands honestly grabbed the belt and tied it around his waist, his movements so fast it was as if he was afraid of being laughed at.
Seeing this, Deng Zhouyi quickly and obediently fastened his belt, though he was very unwilling and had no choice.
Teng Junhao glanced at his watch: "Hurry, don't be late." He waved for everyone to leave.
As soon as everyone stepped out of the guest room, they saw the old man sitting upright at the tea table, also dressed in a Tang suit.
With white hair and a silver beard, possessing an extraordinary temperament and bearing, he was slowly brewing tea, his eyes calm and undisturbed.
Deng Zhouyi stepped forward first and knelt down with a thud. Teng Zijing followed suit and knelt down steadily. The two kowtowed together.
"Grandpa, thank you and the Teng family for your great kindness." Deng Zhouyi's voice choked with emotion. Teng Zijing looked up and said:
"Grandpa, we're going to pick up the bride. You'll be holding your great-grandson soon!" After saying that, he stood up, and Deng Zhouyi followed closely behind.
The convoy slowly drove away from the villa, drawing much discussion from the onlookers: "As expected of a major enterprise in Kunming, this scene is too grand!"
Look at these roses, they're all freshly picked cut flowers, and even the wine is from the top-tier Antoine family winery in Italy..."
A breeze swept through the courtyard, and the white roses swayed gently, as if echoing this grand celebration.
Rong Shishan's van slowly pulled up in front of the Teng family villa. Song Shijie got out of the car first, then turned around and gentlemanly took Shen Rou's hand to help her out.
Rong Shishan took a wheelchair out of the trunk, and Mu Xiaoji nimbly sat down inside.
Shen Rou carefully took a blanket and covered his legs: "Son, cover yourself up, it's a bit chilly today."
Mu Xiaoji nodded: "Thank you, Mom."
Rong Shishan pushed the wheelchair and followed behind Song Shijie and his wife inside.
"Hey, Mr. Song, why are you only arriving now?" Fan Guohua greeted him.
"Hello, Mr. Fan." Song Shijie returned the greeting with a smile. "Where's Fan Wei?"
Before Fan Guohua could speak, two small figures came running over; it was Xiaolong and Xiaofeng, chattering excitedly around them.
"Dad went to pick up the bride with Godfather!"
"Yes, yes, yes, let's go pick up the pretty auntie!" Xiao Feng chimed in with her silvery voice.
"Oh hahaha, these must be Fan Wei's two little darlings, right?" Song Shijie was amused by the children's innocence.
Yang Ying then walked over, gently patted the two children on the back, and scolded them, "Xiaolong and Xiaofeng, your grandfathers are talking, don't make a fuss, that's rude."
He then turned to Song Shijie and Shen Rou and greeted them politely, "Hello, Uncle Song, hello, Aunt Shen."
Shen Rou nodded gently, and Mu Xiaoji smiled and greeted the children, "Little Dragon and Little Phoenix, it's been a long time."
"Uncle Mu!" the two little ones called out cheerfully, twirling around the wheelchair happily.
Yang Ying's gaze fell on Mu Xiaoji, and she asked softly, "Xiaoji, you're here? Where's Jiang Shuo? Didn't he come with you?"
"He's still in class, so we didn't let him come back." Mu Xiaoji's tone was flat, revealing no emotion.
“Jiang Shuo is nothing like you; he’s more like Cheng Yu in many ways. Old Chen is steady and has a good sense of propriety.”
"However, it's a bit of a shame that he won't be attending Master Jing's wedding!" Yang Ying smiled and shook her head, then said to the two children.
"Little Dragon and Little Phoenix, calm down. Shall we take Uncle Mu inside for some tea and a leisurely chat?"
"Okay!" the two little ones said in unison, their voices both childish and loud.
Yang Ying looked at Rong Shishan: "Mr. Rong, please leave Xiao Ji to me. I'll take him inside to find a place to sit."
Mu Xiaoji turned to Song Shijie and Shen Rou and said, "Dad, Mom, let's go in first. You can talk to Uncle Fan and the others."
He nodded to Fan Guohua and Feng Meijuan, who was standing next to him, and said, "Uncle, Aunt, excuse me."
Feng Meijuan smiled and waved her hand: "Go ahead, don't be shy, it's quieter inside."
Yang Ying pushed the wheelchair inside, with Xiao Long and Xiao Feng following on either side, chattering away every now and then, asking interesting questions.
"Uncle Mu, doesn't that little boy like being around people? Why didn't you bring him along to play with us?"
"It's not that he doesn't like crowds, he just has important things to do. Next time he comes back, he'll take you all to the amusement park, okay?"
"Okay, I'll drive him the electric scooter. The electric scooter my godfather gave me is really awesome!"
"Alright, alright, it's decided then!"
Mu Xiaoji gave the two children a high-five, and the wheelchair rolled over the stone path paved with rose petals.
Leaving faint tracks, mingled with the children's laughter, they blended into the noisy yet warm atmosphere of the wedding banquet.
As soon as I stepped into the living room, I saw the adjutant whispering something to the old man.
The old man looked up and saw the person who came, and instructed his adjutant: "Go down and entertain my old comrades-in-arms. Tell them that I will bring Zijing over to toast them later."
"Yes, sir." The adjutant bowed respectfully, turned and walked towards the door, meeting Mu Xiaoji and his group.
Mu Xiaoji nodded slightly: "Lieutenant."
"Mr. Mu, please come in." The adjutant nodded in response, and after the two exchanged greetings, he walked straight out.
Yang Ying watched the adjutant's figure disappear through the door, and Mu Xiaoji whispered, "Let's go over there."
Yang Ying then pushed the wheelchair closer to the tea table, and Mu Xiaoji said with a smile in his eyes:
"Congratulations, sir! Double happiness! The house is so lively now."
The old man put down the tea box in his hand, looked up at Mu Xiaoji, and said with a hint of teasing, "Mr. Mu, you're late."
As she spoke, she picked up the teapot, poured him a cup of freshly brewed tea, and presented it to him.
Mu Xiaoji reached out and took it, tapping his fingertips lightly on the edge of the tea table: "Thank you, sir."
Xiao Feng, clinging to the armrest of the wheelchair, blinked her big, round eyes and looked up at the old man, asking:
"Grandpa, there are lots and lots of colorful candies outside, do you want some?"
Yang Ying quickly looked at Xiao Feng somewhat nervously and whispered, "Shh, Grandpa doesn't like sweets. Xiao Feng, why don't you go outside to eat them with Xiao Long?"
Upon hearing this, Xiaolong and Xiaofeng immediately shrank behind Yang Ying, like two frightened little animals.
Yang Ying turned to Mu Xiaoji and said, "Xiaoji, I'll take them out to play for a while. Maybe the old man has something to talk to you about. We'll come in to find you later."
Mu Xiaoji nodded: "Okay. Xiaolong and Xiaofeng, be good and listen to your mother. Uncle will go out to play with you in a little while."
"Okay, goodbye Uncle!" The two little ones peeked out from behind Yang Ying and waved their little hands.
Mu Xiaoji raised his hand and waved, watching Yang Ying quietly retreat with the child.
For a moment, only he and the old man remained in the living room, where the aroma of tea created a sense of tranquility.
"Jiang Shuo went to the training base. Are you feeling a little reluctant to see him go?"
The old man picked up his teacup, his fingertips tracing the warm rim of the cup, his gaze falling on Mu Xiaoji with a gentle, inquisitive look.
Mu Xiaoji was silent for a moment, a complex emotion flashing across his eyes, then he sighed softly:
"To be honest, that child was raised by Jiang Chengyu and was indeed exceptionally outstanding under his guidance."
Before that, there wasn't much of a deep connection between us; until my aunt's kidnapping case,
Only then did I truly see him for who he was—that child was brave and resourceful, and so sensible it was heartbreaking.
Upon hearing this, the old man put down his teacup, smiled, and said with a hint of apology, "The country needs such promising talents, but..."
He paused, looked at Mu Xiaoji's injured legs, and let out a long sigh of relief.
“They should have stayed by your side. You are already disabled, and you should have had a child with you to take care of you.”
"There's no question of 'should' or 'shouldn't' it." Mu Xiaoji shook her head, her tone calm yet firm.
“Since it was Jiang Shuo’s own decision to choose the same path as Teng Zijing, I, as his father, respect his choice.”
Looking at his composed demeanor, the old man's eyes gleamed with approval, and he nodded solemnly.
"Thank you. You are all good children who understand the greater good. On behalf of the country, thank you."
The aroma of tea wafted from the tea table, growing ever richer, while the noise outside seemed to be shut out.
Only these two simple sentences remain, yet they carry a heavy weight, like a pebble thrown into the center of a lake, rippling out a silent respect.