Not long after a group of people stepped out of the Huo Family's gate, they saw three sedans driving into the compound one after another.
During this era, official vehicles were allocated according to rank. Those who lived in a compound of this level knew a thing or two about this.
However, when they saw that all three cars were Hongqi sedans, everyone was quite shocked.
Moreover, the license plates of these three cars belonged to different systems.
A short while later, the cars stopped.
After seeing who was coming, everyone gasped in surprise.
A few days ago, when the Yu and Ling families were about to become in - laws through their children's marriage, many people privately speculated that the position of the top leader of the military department was likely to go to the Yu family.
But at present, it was really hard to say.
It was one thing that the ministers of the Ministry of State Security and the Ministry of Public Security had come.
The crucial thing was why the Deputy Leader would have the time to come.
Even Father Huo and Huo's fourth uncle showed looks of disbelief when they saw who it was.
Jiang Si also showed a rather shocked look. She had seen this person!
It was in the photo left to her by her grandfather.
It wasn't until Grandpa Huo stepped forward to shake hands with the visitor that everyone gradually came back to their senses.
Grandpa Huo said with a smile, "I thought you wouldn't have time to come today."
The Deputy Leader also had a beaming smile on his face. "No matter how busy I am, I still have time for the wedding - officiating."
After they chatted for a few words, the Deputy Leader suddenly changed the subject.
"Your granddaughter - in - law is really remarkable. When I opened the newspaper today, it was all about her."
Since the leader had praised her like this, Grandpa Huo naturally wouldn't miss this opportunity.
Wasn't he staging all this today just to pave the way for the third branch of the family?
"Si Si, come here to Grandpa."
Although Jiang Si was a bit nervous inside, she didn't show any sign of timidity on the surface.
After they whispered to each other for a few words, Jiang Si noticed that the Deputy Leader seemed to have some difficulty breathing.
So she made a gesture of invitation. "It's cold outside. Please move to the auditorium, Leader."
The Deputy Leader already thought her speech and manner were natural and graceful. Unexpectedly, at such a young age, she was so sensible in dealing with people.
The smile on his face became even more sincere.
"No wonder I heard from Old Chen that you helped the Ministry of State Security catch two spies in less than three months."
"You young people are really something to be reckoned with!"
After he finished speaking, Minister Chen also stepped forward in good time.
Seeing the special badge of the Ministry of State Security pinned on Jiang Si's chest, Minister Chen also smiled widely.
Last time, due to the tight schedule, he hadn't had time to give her the commendation certificate. Unexpectedly, he happened to run into her wedding today.
It was also a double celebration.
While handing the commendation certificate to Jiang Si, Minister Chen said a lot of words of encouragement to her with a smile.
At this time, the Minister of the Ministry of Public Security who came along also casually mentioned that Jiang Si was helping them update the facial feature database.
Being praised by the two ministers, Jiang Si was happy but also didn't forget to express her stance.
"Both of you are over - praising me. These are all what I should do as a military family member."
"My husband and I are well aware that the happiness of our 'small family' cannot be separated from the peace of the 'big family'."
"In the future, we will continue to stay vigilant and work steadily. Please rest assured, the organization!"
Hearing this, the Deputy Leader nodded repeatedly.
Although he didn't say anything, the admiration in his eyes was obvious.
Well, after the group entered the auditorium, the Deputy Leader took a look at the extremely plain hall and whispered a few words to the guard.
A short while later, the guard came into the auditorium with several red silk scarves.
By the time everyone was seated and the auditorium was decorated, it was exactly twelve o'clock.
After a burst of crackling applause, the Deputy Leader walked to the center of the wedding stage.
"Since time is tight, I'll make it brief. First of all, I'm very glad to be here to attend the wedding of Comrade Huo Tingzhou and Comrade Jiang Si."
"Secondly, on behalf of the organization, I extend my warmest congratulations to you on forming a revolutionary couple."
"Finally, I hope that after you get married, you two can help and encourage each other, and forge ahead bravely on the revolutionary path!"
After the speech, the applause from the audience was even more enthusiastic.
It was at this moment that Jiang Si and Huo Tingzhou were invited to the center of the wedding stage.
Next, in the presence of all their relatives and friends, they bowed deeply three times to the portrait hanging high above the auditorium.
They also exchanged a pen and a copy of the "Little Red Book" with each other.
So far, the entire wedding ceremony was over, and the next part was the banquet.
Maybe the Deputy Leader was afraid that everyone would be too restrained during the banquet with him around.
As soon as he finished officiating the wedding for the young couple, he said hello to Grandpa Huo and left early.
As soon as the leader left, everyone heaved a sigh of relief.
However, since the two ministers were still there, no one dared to openly discuss this matter.
But after the wedding banquet ended, what everyone saw outside the auditorium that day quickly spread throughout the compound.
The Yu family failed to apologize that day and ultimately didn't receive an invitation from the Huo Family.
Both husband and wife were people who cared about their face. So early this morning, Zhang Yaqin went out, saying that she was going to the department store to buy dowry for her daughter.
When the couple returned to the compound with big and small bags, it was already around seven o'clock in the evening.
After learning about this, Zhang Yaqin instantly wilted.
Originally, she was quite proud because the person invited by the Ling family to officiate the wedding was Xiang Huawei, the chief of the General Staff Department.
She was planning to spread this news tomorrow morning.
Unexpectedly, the person the Huo Family invited to officiate the wedding was the Deputy Leader!
"Lao Yu, when did the Huo Family get in touch with the Deputy Leader?"
Zhang Yaqin had lived in the compound for more than a decade. She thought her information was quite up - to - date.
But she really hadn't heard anyone mention that the Huo Family had this kind of connection!
Yu Changqing was extremely puzzled. However, he finally understood one thing now.
No wonder he had been in a feud with Father Huo for so many years, and Father Huo always got the upper hand.
So this was the problem!
Good old Huo Zhendong! He sounded so nice, but in fact, he was a hypocrite!
Seeing that he didn't say a word, Zhang Yaqin suddenly felt a bit disheartened.
"Lao Yu, forget it then. You've already reached this position."
"Our family doesn't have to worry about food and drink. There's no need to compete with them for this breath..."
"What do you know!"
Yu Changqing suddenly interrupted her loudly, with a face so gloomy that it seemed to drip water.
"Only cowards would say forget it. Do you think I've been feuding with him for so many years just because of that position?"
"What we're competing for is a man's pride, and..."
"And what?"
Zhang Yaqin looked at him in surprise. "Lao Yu, what's wrong with you recently? I feel like your temper is getting worse and worse."
"Nothing."
Yu Changqing closed his eyes and suppressed the hatred in his heart.
"I'm tired. Go and draw some water for me. I'm going to take a bath later."
Zhang Yaqin gave him a strange look but didn't say anything in the end.
After she entered the bathroom, Yu Changqing turned around and went to the study.
A moment later, he took out a pocket watch from the secret cabinet in the study.
When he opened the pocket watch, a black - and - white photo of a young woman appeared inside.
If Zhang Yaqin were here at this moment, she would definitely recognize the person in the photo as Yue Ling, someone who had always been at odds with her.
Yu Changqing gently picked up the photo and spoke, as if to himself and also to the person in the photo.
"Clearly, the one who got to know you first was me!"
"You said you liked gentle and refined men, men with an air of literature... I remembered every single word you said."
"For you, I put away my edges and corners. I read those obscure poetry books. I learned to paint, to write calligraphy, and to make tea!"
"But why did you choose him?"
"Why! Why! Tell me, why on earth is that?"
"Other than looking better than me, what on earth makes him better than me?"
As he spoke, Yu Changqing suddenly pressed the photo against his chest.
"All these years, you think I've been fighting against him for what?"
"For that breath of anger? To outshine him? Or to be reluctant to give up that position?"
"Hehe... None of those..."
"I just want you to see with your own eyes that the man you chose is inferior to me in every aspect..."
At this moment, Yu Changqing was completely immersed in his own thoughts and didn't notice at all.
Outside the study, a figure froze in place.
Zhang Yaqin's hand hung in mid - air. There was no trace of color on her face, and her pupils had completely forgotten to contract due to excessive shock.
What had she heard?
She had always thought that her husband's endless fight against the Huo Family over the years was for glory, status, and the admiring looks of others.
Unexpectedly, he was actually doing it for—
