Spring Breeze Twenty Years

Chapter 1128 Don’t forget your roots

Amid applause, Lao Chen handed the microphone back to the host, nodded to Xiao Hong, patted Xiao Wei on the shoulder, and walked off the stage.

The host said, "We are truly grateful for Minister Chen's invaluable advice. Every word comes from the heart; it is a summary and experience of life from someone who has been through it all. We believe that these words will accompany this newlywed couple throughout their lives."

We know that marriage is not just a successful union of two lovers, but the beginning of two families becoming intertwined from this day forward. The greatest love in the world comes from parents, who have given everything for us.

Decades of companionship through thick and thin, decades of raising children with frugality and hardship, countless unspeakable moments, and countless hardships through spring, summer, autumn and winter.

Xiaowei and Xiaohong stood respectfully before Xiaowei's parents, Uncle Wang and Aunt Wang, and bowed deeply three times. Uncle Wang and Xiaowei's father smiled with relief, while Xiaowei and Aunt Wang wiped away their tears.

"Grandma cried, and Grandma cried too," Beibei said, sitting in Wang Guifang's lap and looking at the stage, her little face a little melancholy.

Wang Guifang wiped her face with emotion, saying, "That's because we're happy. Everyone is happy today."

Beibei nodded, not quite understanding. "Mommy, what's a wedding? Is it just bowing like this? What are you doing bowing like that?"

Wang Guifang laughed and patted her daughter's head.

"Next, please let the parents of the newlyweds speak and offer their blessings to the couple."

Xiao Wei's father politely declined, and Uncle Wang took the microphone and stood up.

"Hello everyone. First of all, thank you all, leaders, colleagues, friends, and relatives, for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend my daughter and Zhang Wei's wedding. Thank you." Uncle Wang bowed.

Secretary Gu turned to Secretary-General Zhang behind him and asked, "Is this Xiao Wang in the Construction Department?"

Secretary-General Zhang said, "Yes, the deputy director, who also serves as the director of the Urban Construction Bureau, has received very good performance evaluations and is the successor recommended by Director Wang and Director Wei."

Senior leaders don't wait until one person leaves before looking for the next; they prepare shortlisted candidates two or even three years in advance. These include recommendations from existing staff and candidates prepared by superiors; it can be one person or several.

Secretary Gu raised an eyebrow: "Reason?"

Secretary-General Zhang smiled and said in a low voice, "They have money and they have ability."

Secretary Gu was taken aback for a moment, then understood and shook his head with a smile.

"...Thank you to all my relatives, friends, and fellow villagers for your sincere blessings. I would also like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the leaders, colleagues, and friends who have cared for, supported, and nurtured my child over the years!"

Marriage is a major life event, and also a major event for every parent.

Facing so many relatives and friends below the stage, I would like to offer you three pieces of advice:

First, I hope you can understand and tolerate each other, and work together on the journey of life.

Secondly, you should respect and honor your partner's parents. Your marriage means your parents are getting old. We don't need your repayment, but we do need your company.

Third, we must strive for continuous progress and work diligently, and repay society, our parents, our workplace, and those who care for, support, and help us with our actions.

Finally, I would also like to thank my in-laws for raising such an outstanding son, our wonderful son-in-law.

Okay, that's all. I wish you all happiness in your lives, mutual respect and love, and I sincerely wish all the leaders and guests attending my daughter's wedding good health and happy families.

Uncle Wang sat down and handed the microphone to Xiaowei's father.

Xiao Wei's father was a little excited. He stood up, took a breath, and said, "I'm just a farmer, and I don't know much. I extend my sincerest welcome to all the leaders and guests. As a parent, I am incredibly excited at this moment, and I have so much to say to my son and daughter-in-law."

But I don't know how to say it.

I hope that from now on, you two will be a loving couple, and that you will respect and cherish each other for life, always devoted to one another, and grow old together in perfect harmony. May you have a happy and fulfilling life together.

At the same time, I hope that no matter how your lives change, you will remain a good son and a good daughter, and also a good daughter-in-law and a good son-in-law.

Our family has been farmers for generations. Remember what your mother always told you: one must never forget one's roots. Now we don't farm the land anymore, but we can't abandon our hearts. We must always know where we came from and what we do.

Thank you. Thank you everyone.

The host then took the microphone at the opportune moment: "Simple words reveal even more sincere emotions. I really didn't expect that Mr. Zhang's advice to the newlyweds would be just three words: 'Don't forget your roots.' I've been a host at Liaodong TV for many years, and truly, this is the least eloquent, yet most touching, sentence I've ever heard."

He paused for a moment, drawing the attention of the leaders in the audience to himself, and silently gave himself a pat on the back. The host continued, "Now, please enjoy the blessings from the leaders and elders to the newlyweds."

"Director Quan personally wrote: 'I will not fail your kindness, and may your future be bright.'"

"Secretary Gu personally wrote: Brothers united, a grand blueprint will unfold."

"Secretary He of Jibei personally wrote: 'May the flowers bloom and the moon be full, and may your future be bright.'"

"Secretary Longjiang Yue personally wrote: High banks become valleys, deep valleys become hills."

……

The framed calligraphy scrolls were slowly unfurled in the hands of the ceremonial staff, drawing rounds of applause from the audience.

Chen Hui whispered to Xia Maosheng, "The wedding has turned into a calligraphy exhibition."

Xia Maosheng said, "Look at the way those people look at you, they practically want to rob them and take them home. That's their confidence. Just hang these words in the house, and the golden statue is complete."

Chen Hui thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "That's true. It seems that inscriptions from leaders are quite useful. I'll get a few to hang at home later."

Xia Maosheng glanced at Chen Hui: "Isn't your house right next to Xiaowei's?"

Geng Hui chuckled and playfully slapped Xia Maosheng, saying, "You two, stop fooling around."

After the leaders' calligraphy was displayed, the cities and prefectures sent out physical gifts, which were mostly symbolic ornaments and pendants. Their monetary value wasn't high, but at this point, the monetary value couldn't be calculated; rather, it was the meaning behind them that mattered.

The military was the most direct: a tank made from shell casings and bullet casings of various sizes, with four large characters engraved on it: "Friendship Forever." It was signed by the Liaodong Military Region Command, congratulating their dear friends Zhang Wei and Wang Xiaohong on their wedding. With this worthless model displayed there, who would dare not take it seriously?

The emcee read out the couple's marriage certificate, then stepped down from the stage to ask the leaders to give the newlyweds a few words of encouragement. The ceremony was almost over. Looking at the time, it was already 11:30, so the banquet was announced to begin. Now it was time to eat and drink to our hearts' content.

(End of this chapter)