Names: Uncle Zhao Mengsheng, Father-in-law Pei Yihong

"Mom, of course!" Pei Xiaotong said with a hint of pride. "I've said it before, I like soldiers, preferably those who have gone to university. They have the courage and responsibility of soldiers, and they're also cultured. Tongwei fits all my requirements perfectly; he's practically tailor-made for me."

Do not!

Perfect match!

Zheng Qiuxia nudged her daughter's arm. "Xiaotong, you should get along better with Tongwei in the future. Don't be petty. Mutual understanding and tolerance are the only way for things to last."

Also, your brother and sister-in-law Qianqian originally wanted to come and see Tongwei, but they said they were too busy with work to get away.

Pei Xiaotong sighed: "Sigh, I knew it."

Mom, my brother and sister-in-law are both very busy people.

I don't even know if they'll be able to come home for Chinese New Year this year.

Pei Xiaogang, the older brother, graduated from a university of science and technology and is now an engineer at the China Ordnance Weapons Research Institute.

My sister-in-law, Fang Qian, is also in the same research institute.

Because it was a classified unit, they dedicated their youth to national defense.

Zheng Qiuxia sighed, "Yes, it's not easy for them. They do confidential work, which is a huge responsibility. We can't hold them back, so we can only support them silently."

By the way, Xiaotong, your father might be coming in a few days. He's currently undergoing evaluation; it's a crucial time for his promotion from governor to party secretary of Hanjiang Province.

Pei Xiaotong clapped her hands, "Great! My dad is finally going to make progress."

I haven't seen him in a long time either.

"Alright, I should go now. You should go back and keep Xiao Qi company. Don't let him stay alone for too long," Zheng Qiuxia said.

"Okay, Mom, take care on your journey." Pei Xiaotong waved and watched Zheng Qiuxia get into the car before turning around and going upstairs.

Back in the ward, Qi Tongwei was leaning against the headboard reading a book.

Seeing Pei Xiaotong return, Qi Tongwei put down his book. "Xiaotong, you're back? Did your mother leave?"

"Okay, I'm leaving. I've taken her downstairs." Pei Xiaotong walked to the bedside, took Qi Tongwei's hand, and said, "Tongwei, my mom, Old Zheng, really likes you as her son-in-law."

Qi Tongwei secretly smiled and took Pei Xiaotong's hand. "That's good. I was worried your mother wouldn't like me. What if she objected to us being together?"

"How could that be?" Pei Xiaotong blinked her bright eyes and gently poked Qi Tongwei's cheek. "Comrade Qi Tongwei, listen to me, close your eyes, and I'll give you a gift."

"Okay, Comrade Pei Xiaotong." Qi Tongwei closed his eyes.

He wondered to himself, what is this little girl going to give me?

A few seconds passed.

He felt Pei Xiaotong's breath approaching, carrying a faint scent of gardenias, brushing against his cheek.

Qi Tongwei's heart began to race involuntarily.

The next second, a soft, warm substance gently covered his lips.

It was fleeting, yet as swift as an electric current.

Pei Xiaotong blushed, leaned close to his ear, and said with a grin, "Comrade Qi Tongwei, I've already stamped it, you can't go back on your word, hehe."

Qi Tongwei opened his eyes, reached out and pulled her into his arms, "No regrets, never in this lifetime, I want to stamp it."

That night.

Right here in this hospital room.

Two young people, their passionate hearts drawing ever closer.

The next day, looking at the rose petals on the bed sheet, Qi Tongwei folded the sheet, put it in a bag, and stuffed it into Pei Xiaotong's bag, saying it was to keep as a memento of their first time together.

Pei Xiaotong didn't know what Qi Tongwei and the nurse said, but the medical staff quickly put on new sheets.

A week later.

Pei Yihong had just finished his work report when he went straight to the Army General Hospital to see Qi Tongwei.

Pei Yihong looked Qi Tongwei up and down: "Little Qi, I've also heard about your situation from Meng Sheng. You're quite good; you're a promising talent."

"Uncle Pei, I still need to keep working hard." Qi Tongwei was a little nervous.

Pei Yihong is about to take up the post of the first governor of Hanjiang Province.

My future father-in-law is the Party Secretary of Hanjiang Province.

Gao Yuliang has just taken up a new post in Lüzhou as the Party Secretary of Lüzhou.

"No need to be modest, everyone has seen your performance." Pei Yihong waved his hand and got straight to the point, "I'm here today mainly to talk to you about you and Xiaotong."

"Xiaotong has been spoiled by us since she was little, and she's a little willful, but she's kind-hearted. You need to be more tolerant of her and treat her well in the future. This is my first requirement for you." Pei Yihong felt that this was also a father's most basic requirement.

"Uncle Pei, don't worry, I will definitely treat Xiaotong well, love her, pamper her, and never let her suffer the slightest grievance," Qi Tongwei said confidently.

Pei Yihong nodded. "Tongwei, there's one more thing I need to make clear to you beforehand."

If you transfer to civilian life and want to enter politics, I won't object; I'll even support you.

However, there's one condition: before you reach the main hall, no matter which way you go, I personally generally won't interfere.

I will still take action under special circumstances, mainly to see Qi Tongwei's capabilities.

Qi Tongwei replied, "Uncle Pei, I understand."

I want to rely on my own abilities, taking steady and solid steps to go further and achieve more.

"That's right, you're very smart." Pei Yihong smiled. "I've also told Meng Sheng that we don't want to interfere too much with your development. If you're a talented person in politics, you should be able to reach the level of a full-fledged department head, or at least a deputy department head, based on your own abilities."

Our Pei family has only one son and one daughter. My son, Xiaogang, is an engineer at the China Ordnance Weapons Research Institute.

To put it bluntly, they are meant to contribute to the country and will not go into politics.

"Tongwei, if you have the ability to enter politics, all my resources will be yours."

Qi Tongwei was shocked; Pei Yihong's words undoubtedly reassured him.

"Thank you for your trust, Uncle Pei. I will definitely not let you down."

"Tongwei, no need to thank me yet. Opportunity is for those who are prepared," Pei Yihong continued. "Of course, if you are not suited for politics, that's okay too. We'll talk about it later. When the time comes, I will help you find a suitable path and ensure that you and Xiaotong will be well-off for the rest of your lives."

"Thank you, Uncle Pei. I'll do my best!" Qi Tongwei nodded.

Pei Yihong's unspoken message was that he should rely on his own abilities to rise to the provincial level, and not depend on the Pei family's influence.

Two months later, Qi Tongwei had almost fully recovered and really didn't want to stay in the hospital anymore.

Pei Xiaotong vomited incessantly while checking out of the hospital.

Liu Lan took it very seriously, and a check-up revealed that she was pregnant.

The two got married after the woman became pregnant, and held a simple wedding ceremony. Wu Shuang was the witness at Qi Tongwei and Pei Xiaotong's wedding.

December 19, 2014

Friday

October 28th of the lunar calendar

Between the first and second ring roads.

Siheyuan.

living room.

A teapot and teacups were placed on the table.

Wu Shuang picked up her teacup, took a sip, and put it down. "Tongwei, you're going to Handong too. Take care of yourself."

Qi Tongwei sat up slightly. "Grandma Wu, please take good care of yourself too. I'm from Handong, my roots are in Handong, and I want to go and build up my hometown."

Zhao Mengsheng laughed heartily, "Good, that's ambitious!"

So when the military region was reorganized recently, I sent Guoqiang to Handong.

Tongwei, Guoqiang's vote on the Standing Committee will always be yours.

Zhao Guoqiang had just been promoted from the level of a department director to a vice minister, and his first stop in his new vice ministerial post was Handong Province.

Currently serving as the political commissar of the Handong Provincial Military Region.

Qi Tongwei said respectfully, "Thank you, Uncle Zhao. I, Qi Tongwei, will remember this kindness."

Zhao Guoqiang was his comrade-in-arms, someone he could trust with his back.

It is said that at the Standing Committee meeting of Handong Province, the military almost always abstained from voting.

Now, that vote is in the hands of his own brother.

Qi Tongwei's arrival in Handong is equivalent to bringing two votes with him.

With the addition of teacher Gao Yuliang, that makes three votes.

Pei Yihong looked at Qi Tongwei and felt that his daughter, Pei Xiaotong, hadn't misjudged him. "Tongwei, do you still remember what I said back in the hospital?"

"Dad, I remember, we don't interfere before the provincial level," Qi Tongwei replied.

"Tongwei, good job! You did it."

To be honest, I really didn't expect you to rise so quickly from the division level to the department level, and then steadily into the vice-ministerial level. You didn't let me down, Pei Yihong." Pei Yihong was proud of Qi Tongwei.

During the meeting, some people were still worrying about their sons and grandsons.

Pei Yihong's son-in-law is already a vice-minister.

I'm so envious.

Qi Tongwei stood up and poured tea for the three of them. "Grandma Wu, Dad, Uncle Zhao, no matter what, I, Qi Tongwei, will always be grateful to you."

I also want to thank Xiaotong. Without your silent support, I, Qi Tongwei, the son of a farmer, would never have been able to reach where I am today.

Actually, I know in my heart that you have been helping me, whether in a tangible or intangible way.

Whenever I mention my grandmother Wu Shuang, my uncle Zhao Mengsheng, and my father-in-law Pei Yihong.

Some difficult things become easier.