Year: I planted trees in Saihanba

Chapter 336 Arranging the Marriage

You can't go back on your word!

"When we get back, I'll ask your parents for your hand in marriage and marry you in a grand and glorious way!"

This time, Meng Yue didn't push Xia Tian away; instead, she hugged him tightly.

The two held hands and climbed up the mountain again along the path paved with bluestone slabs.

Soon, the two reached the summit of Thousand Buddha Mountain.

Looking at the city of Jinan not far away and the people around him, Xia Tian suddenly felt like singing a song.

However, given that there were other tourists around, he had to suppress his excitement for the time being.

Meng Yue took Xia Tian on a half-day tour of Thousand Buddha Mountain, including the Xingguo Zen Temple.

On the way down the mountain, the two held hands tightly the whole time.

The setting sun cast long shadows of them, and while occasional tourists cast curious glances, they remained focused on each other.

As evening fell, Xia Tian and Meng Yue returned to the Meng family home together.

At the dinner table, after hesitating for a while, Xia Tian spoke to Meng's father and mother.

"Uncle, Aunt, do you two have time tomorrow?"

Upon hearing this, Mencius' father and mother exchanged a glance and understood.

"Tomorrow is Sunday, I have time!"

Xia Tian nodded upon hearing this.

"Alright, Uncle, then I'll just get straight to the point!"

"I've come here for two reasons: first, to pay my respects to you both, and second, to ask for your hand in marriage with Xiaoyue!"

"I'm not very familiar with the rules either, so please let me know if I've offended you in any way!"

Xia Tian looked at the two of them and spoke sincerely.

"Xia, I understand what you mean!"

"We'll talk about the specifics tomorrow. Let's eat first!"

Hearing Xia Tian's words, Meng's father nodded and spoke.

Dinner was over soon.

"Xia, you should get some rest!"

"Okay, thank you, Auntie. You should get some rest too."

Inside Meng Yue's room.

Meng's father was sitting opposite Meng Yue, just watching her without saying a word.

Meng Yue didn't understand her father's meaning, nor did she know how to break the deadlock.

Soon, Mencius' mother also came in.

After Meng's mother sat down next to Meng Yue, Meng's father finally spoke.

"Xiaoyue, let's have a good talk between the three of us today!"

"It feels like we haven't talked in ages since you went to college and started working!"

"Why don't we take this opportunity to have a heart-to-heart talk between the three of us?"

"Okay, Dad!"

Meng Yue listened to her father's words and nodded seriously.

"Xiaoyue, your father was powerless back then, so you went to Saihanba alone!"

"You won't blame your dad, will you?"

"how could be?"

"When I was assigned a job after graduation, I was the one who was willing to accept the assignment."

"How could I blame you, Dad!"

"Besides, I'm going to Saihanba to do something meaningful!"

"Furthermore, I not only made many friends in Saihanba, but also met Engineer Xia!"

"I don't regret my decision back then, so why would I blame you?"

Hearing his daughter's words, Mr. Meng nodded with satisfaction.

"Xiaoyue, are you really sure you want to marry Xia?"

Immediately afterwards, Mencius' mother also spoke.

"Mom, I've made up my mind!"

“I know your concerns and worries, but I believe in Engineer Xia and in myself.”

Meng Yue spoke with a firm expression.

"Alright, since you've made up your mind, we won't try to persuade you anymore."

"As long as you don't regret it!"

Meng Yue's father is a fairly open-minded person; otherwise, he wouldn't have sent Meng Yue to university.

He will fully support his daughter's decision.

"If you're not happy with your life then, just come home!"

"Home will always be your strong support!"

"Thank you dad!"

Upon hearing this, Meng Yue stood up and gave her father a hug.

"Alright, you should get some rest!"

Meng's father patted his daughter on the back, got up and left Meng Yue's room.

Walking into the courtyard, looking at the pomegranate tree there, Meng's father sighed.

In Meng Yue's room, Meng Yue's mother held Meng Yue's hand and explained many things to her.

The next day, Meng Ming brought his family to the Meng family compound again.

He didn't have any particular thoughts about his younger sister's marriage.

My younger sister is already an adult.

As the older brother, all he could do was support his younger sister.

Inside the main hall of the Meng family compound.

Summer sat upright, while Meng's father and Meng Ming sat opposite her.

"Uncle, this is what I'm thinking about the marriage with Xiaoyue!"

"My aunt's idea is to find some time for my uncle and aunt to go to Beiping."

"Shall we meet and sit down together to discuss my marriage with Xiaoyue?"

"Because my parents passed away early, my father's side of the family doesn't have any relatives."

“My mother has two aunts and one uncle.”

"So my only elders are my aunt and uncle."

"My uncle and aunt couldn't visit in person because of their work."

"Of course, it all depends on your and Auntie's schedules."

Meng's father frowned slightly as he listened to Xia Tian's words.

"Are we going to Beiping?"

"Yes, Uncle, when is a convenient time for you? I'll discuss it with my aunt!"

My aunt and uncle will come to Jinan from Beiping in the summer.

Then it's not a trip to discuss marriage.

At that time, leaders from the Shandong Provincial Government and the Quancheng Municipal Government, both big and small, will likely come to receive them.

We still need to be mindful of the potential impact.

Therefore, the only option was to send Meng's parents to Beiping City to discuss the marriage.

"Okay, I'll discuss it with your aunt and we'll find a time to go to Beiping with her!"

Mencius' father nodded in agreement.

He could tell from Xia Tian's conversation that Xia Tian's background might be unusual.

As for how extraordinary it is, I have no idea.

This marriage was already a step up for their family.

Therefore, he had no objection to going to Beiping.

He has never been to Beiping in his life!

This is a good opportunity to visit the capital of our country.

"Okay, Uncle, is there anything else you need?"

"I only have one thing to say!"

"I hope that after you get married, you will treat Xiaoyue well!"

"I only have one daughter, and I've spoiled her rotten."

"If there's anything I've done poorly, I hope you won't take action against me!"

"If one day you can't make it work, I hope you'll let her go!"

Xia Tian listened to Mencius's father's words and nodded very seriously.

"Uncle, I promise you!"

"I will definitely treat Xiaoyue well!"

"If that day ever comes, rest assured, I will definitely do it!"

"And after we get married, I promise I won't lay a finger on Xiaoyue."

"I mean what I say. If I don't, may I be struck by lightning!"

Hearing Xia Tian make such a vicious oath, Meng's father's expression changed.

"What nonsense are you talking about, kid?"

"Uncle, actions speak louder than words!"

"Please rest assured, Xiaoyue and I will be together forever!"

"Alright, stop making those kinds of vows, I believe you."

Although he said that, seeing Xia Tian's firm attitude, he felt more at ease.

"Thank you uncle!"

After discussing some details with Meng's father, lunch was served.

After everyone finished eating, Meng Yue took Xia Tian and left the Meng family.

They were going to find a place with a telephone to call Beiping.

Meng family.

Meng's father sat in the main hall, looking at his eldest son with a solemn expression.

"Xiaoming, you heard that too!"

"Xia Xia wants your mother and me to go to Beiping!"

"You can probably tell from Xia's words that she comes from a good family background."

Meng Ming nodded as he listened to his father's words.

"Dad, I'm worried that if my sister marries into that family..."

"Your mother and I share this concern, but since it's your sister's own decision."

All we can do is offer our support!

"While your mother and I are not home, please take Xiaoxing to live with us for a couple of days!"

"Don't worry, Dad, I know!"

"Xiaoming, you've grown up now, you need to work harder."

"You are the eldest son in our family, and I will gradually hand over the family responsibilities to you in the future."

"You not only have to support your own little family, but also our big family, do you understand?"

"Don't worry, Dad, I'll do my best!"

Looking at his eldest son's resolute face, Meng's father felt much more at ease.

"Alright, you can go now. Call Xiaoxing in. I have something to say to him."

"Okay, Dad!"

Upon hearing this, Meng Ming left the main hall.

"Xiaoxing, stop playing, Dad needs to talk to you!"

Seeing Meng Xing playing with his little nephew in the yard, Meng Ming walked over, picked up his son, and said to his younger brother.

"Okay, brother!"

Meng Xing responded and, while quickly thinking to himself whether he had made any mistakes recently, walked towards the main hall.

"Dad, what do you want from me?"

Meng Xing walked into the main hall, calmed himself down, and carefully asked.

"Little Star, come here!"

When Meng's father saw his youngest son appear at the door, he waved him over.

Seeing this, Meng Xing moved towards his father's direction.

"You're about to take the high school entrance exam, you know that, right?"

"Dad, I will work hard to get into a vocational school, and I promise I won't let you down!"

Hearing his father's words, Meng Xing thought his father was going to ask him about his homework.

"Next year you'll be eighteen, I'm not asking you to go to a vocational school!"

Looking at his youngest son, Meng's father spoke earnestly.

My youngest son has been mischievous and naughty since he was little.

In addition, he was born late, and by the time he could remember things, the war was already over.

So I didn't suffer much hardship growing up.

He was terrible at studying, and if it weren't for his connections, he probably wouldn't have even been able to finish junior high school.

However, the boy was physically robust from a young age, so Meng's father planned to send him to the army after he turned eighteen.

After a few years of training in the military, and then when he comes back, I can give him a push before he retires, and he'll be set for life.

"Of course, if you're ambitious and manage to get into a vocational school, I'll be very happy!"

Meng Xing listened to his father's words and gave an awkward smile.

He knows his own level better than anyone.

With my current level, let alone getting into a vocational school, I'd have a hard time even getting into high school.

"Xiaoxing, your mother and I are going to Beiping in a few days!"

Seeing his son's awkward smile, Meng's father subtly changed the subject.

"Going to Beiping? What are you going to Beiping for? I want to go too!"

"Your mother and I went to Beiping to discuss your sister's marriage. What are you going there for?"

Hearing his father's words, Meng Xing responded with an "oh".

"While your mother and I are away these past two days, I've arranged with your brother that I'll be staying at his place for a few days!"

"While I'm not around, you must listen to your brother and sister-in-law, understand?"

"I know, Dad!"

Meng Xing nodded.

Although he was mischievous, he dared not disobey his father's arrangements.

After instructing his two sons, Meng's father sat in a chair, closed his eyes, and pondered.

……

Three days later, Meng's father, along with Meng's mother and Xia Tian, ​​boarded a train to Beiping.

Amid the roar of the train, Meng's father gazed out the window at the rapidly receding fields, his fingers unconsciously stroking the armrest of his seat.

When the train came to a smooth stop at Beiping Station, Meng's father followed Xia Tian off the train.

Looking at the ground beneath his feet, Meng's father suddenly felt as if he had been transported to another world.

"Brother Tian, ​​over here!"

As I exited Beiping Station, my cousin Song Yamin stood not far away waving.

"Brother Tian, ​​sister-in-law!"

"Are these your sister-in-law's parents?"

"Uncle and Auntie, get in the car quickly!"

Song Yamin, with great perceptiveness, opened the car door for Meng's parents.

Mencius' parents were shocked when they saw the jeep in front of them.

Meng's father had run his business in Jinan for half his life, but he had never ridden in a jeep.

They had only just arrived in Beiping when they were already taking a jeep.

"Uncle and Aunt, this is my younger brother, Song Yamin, my aunt's youngest son!"

Seeing that Meng's father was stunned, Xia Tian began to introduce them.

"Oh!"

Upon hearing Xia Tian's voice, Meng's father finally realized what was happening.

"Hello!"

Mencius' father and mother carefully stepped into the jeep, and after sitting in the back seat, they still felt a little uneasy.

"Brother Tian, ​​where should we go first?"

Song Yamin sat in the driver's seat, looked at Xia Tian in the passenger seat, and asked.

"Let's take your uncle and aunt to their place first!"

Xia Tian thought for a moment and then spoke.

Upon hearing this, Song Yamin responded and then stepped on the gas, and the jeep sped away.

Feeling the strong push-back sensation from the back seat of the jeep, Meng's father tightened his grip on Meng's mother's hand.

Soon, the jeep came to a smooth stop in front of the Beiping Guesthouse.

After arranging accommodations for Meng's father, mother, and Meng Yue in the summer, they were temporarily settled here.

Meng's father and mother sat awkwardly on the bed in the guesthouse, looking at Meng Yue.

"Xiaoyue, tell me the truth, what is Xia's family background...?"

"Dad, I don't know much about Xia Gong's family either."

"However, when we were having dinner together that day, there was someone whom Engineer Xia called his uncle."

"That person looks like that general!"

"But judging from his easygoing manner, he doesn't seem quite like it!"

Meng Yue carefully recalled the scene of the meal that day.

Hearing Meng Yue's words, Meng's father was startled once again.

It's possible that the person Meng Yue met that day was that general!

"Xiaoyue, you're probably not mistaken, that person is probably that general!"

Meng's father looked at Meng Yue and spoke.

"what?"

Hearing her father's words, Meng Yue stared in shock.

"You probably didn't notice that jeep just now. That jeep had military license plates!"

"From Xia's speech and his brother's clothes to that jeep."

"Do you think Xia's family background is just average?"