Chapter 48

  One arm wrapped around Ding Xueya, Mao Feng's gentle gaze fell on the woman in his arms. In his heart, he couldn't help but feel a deep sense of emotion. Ding Xueya was also a woman, and her usual sharpness had become so... perhaps it was because they were both close to her.

  Although Ding Zhong didn't get along with Ding Hua, he was very fond of Ding Xiao Ya. Every time he came to the Ding residence, he would bring gifts, and several times when he encountered Ding Hua scolding Xiao Ya, he would unhesitatingly confront him. Each time he came, he would take Xiao Ya on outings to play! All this was only told to me by Ding Xiao Ya herself!

  "Feng Zhi, let's be real, we can't stay here. Let's leave and go abroad, find a quiet place to spend the rest of our lives, just the two of us, okay?"

  Under the faint light, his chin rested on Ding Xiang's head, and he gently rubbed against her as he said softly: "It can't be now, what about all these brothers? What about your family? Besides, I am Chinese, why should I leave? It's just like a family, when the family is struggling inside and out, would I become an unfilial and disloyal person? You know my character, rather than living in hiding, I'd rather die with a bang! Even a shooting star has its moment of glory! Isn't that what people live for, to fight for that one moment of brilliance?"

  Ding Xiaoya remained silent for a long time, and the two of them just sat there on the three-person bench. Ding Xiaoya suddenly said: "So you must take good care of yourself from now on, because you're not alone anymore, what you need to worry about is no longer just your own safety. If anything happens to you, I won't be able to stay in this world either! For my sake, you have to live well! Okay?"

  Mao Feng's arm tightened around Ding Xiao Ya's waist, his cheek brushing against her hair as he inhaled the scent of her hair. "Definitely!" he said. "I believe we'll both definitely live to see the moment when our country rises again! This is my promise!"

  Ding Xiaoya was infected by the atmosphere at this moment, and she didn't even know how she would be moved to tears! She barely controlled herself not to let her tears fall, all she could think of was to feel the warmth given by Mao Feng as much as possible.

  It wasn't long before Xiahe walked in, breaking the silence. She let out a cry of surprise as she took in the scene inside, but the next second she knew she had disturbed Miss and Master. Covering her mouth with her hand, she saw that Miss and Master were already waking up and returning to normal.

  Mao Fengzhi couldn't help but smile when he saw Xia He, this little fool. Mao Fengzhi wasn't annoyed at all. Ding Xiaya was also crying and laughing, she pretended to be angry and said: "Xia He, you have no discipline at all!"

  Miss Xiahe's face turned red as she nodded and said: "Yes, Miss!"

  "What's wrong?"

  "Miss, Master, the old master has ordered dinner to be served. I just came in to inform you both!"

  It turned out to be such a thing, Mao Feng also felt that his stomach was hungry, he smiled and said: "Then, let's go!"

  "Uh-huh!" Ting Xiao Ya naturally agreed.

  But it wasn't very quick to set off, after all, they still spent some time having tea, because Ding Xiaya needed to reorganize her outfit and of course also help Mao Feng tidy up.

  Mao Feng couldn't help but smile wryly at this, but he also knew that as of today, he was no longer the same person, and he too had a status to uphold. Every word and action represented himself, and mutual respect was essential regardless of the era.

  Entering the hall, this is a specially built hall for the annual clan reunion dinner. At a glance, there are people everywhere, with an estimated 20 or more tables! There really are many people.

  However, it was very quiet and orderly here. Especially after Mao Feng and his wife walked in, it became even quieter, with a pin drop silence. Everyone's eyes were on the newlywed couple! Many people saw Mao Feng for the first time, this man who had just become the son-in-law of the Ding family a month ago.

  The Ding family members all sized up Mao Feng, and had to say that Mao Feng indeed had the goods, with regular features, majestic momentum, and his military uniform set off his fierce and heroic aura. Meanwhile, Ding Xiao Ya by his side was elegant and stately, with a subtle charm between her eyebrows and eyes that drew people's gaze in, a perfect combination of handsome man and beautiful woman, talented man and lovely woman.

  Ding Hua and Ding Qiang, among other direct descendants of the Ding family, all stood up. This was because of Mao Feng's own power and influence, not just because he was a maternal uncle. If Mao Feng didn't have real power, Ding Hua and others wouldn't have acted this way!

  Listening to Ding Hua's introduction, Mao Feng was very familiar with everyone's title, uncle, aunt, sister, brother-in-law! The posture was put in place, looking respectful but not flattering! Let people can't pick out the thorn.

  Mao Feng gave enough face to Ding Hua, and the knot in Ding Hua's heart was also loosened a lot. Sitting proudly at the main table, although not in the first position, but sitting on Ding Hua's left side, second only to him, Ding Xiao Ya also sat down tightly following Mao Feng. According to reason, Ding Xiao Ya should not be seated at the main table, although noble, she can only sit in the adjacent seat, however, because now she is no longer Miss Ding of the Ding family, but Mrs. Mao Feng, so she also has this qualification to take a seat.

  The Ding family has many rules, but in Mao Feng's eyes, rules are made by people and can also be broken by people. The so-called rules are nothing in Mao Feng's eyes!

  Listening to flattering words, looking at fawning expressions, all of this made Mao Feng feel a bit annoyed, but Mao Feng still smiled and patiently responded, everything seemed so calm.

  Ding Qiang said polite words, and his face also showed respect for Mao Fengzhi, but he was always observing Mao Fengzhi. He also heard that his third brother would return to Meizhou today, and he knew it was because of Mao Fengzhi's relationship. He was puzzled as to why his third brother had turned to Mao Fengzhi so quickly, from this morning when they were still talking, to not even having lunch yet, the change was too great, and he hadn't recovered from it yet.

  After drinking a few small cups of white wine and eating a few mouthfuls of dishes, Ding Qiang couldn't help but ask Mao Feng: "Nephew-in-law, how did the three brothers return? Wasn't it too sudden?"

  Ding Hua's face changed, he wanted to stop him but it was too late. Could someone ask such a question? Mao Feng calmly took a bite of his food and only spoke after chewing and swallowing: "Meizhou needs to strengthen its defenses. As the Commander-in-Chief of Chaozhou Garrison Command, I am also responsible for the safety of the people under my jurisdiction!"

  After finishing, he glanced at Ding Qiang lightly and said: "Isn't Shantou the same? I heard that there are several private sales of opium in Shantou. I am thinking about how to deal with it. I heard that Fifth Uncle is very familiar with Shantou. Let's have a good talk after dinner!"

  It sounds like nothing, but Ding Qiang's heart is racing. He is involved in the illicit sale of tobacco, and Mao Feng's words are laced with hidden meaning! Thinking about Mao Feng's current influence, Ding Qiang realizes his life is in his hands. With a forced smile, he unconsciously picks up his wine cup and takes a sip.

  After the meal, Ding Xiangya scolded Mao Feng in the room: "Fengzhi, don't scare Wu Shu again. Just now, he was frightened by your words and looked like a lost soul!"

  Mao Feng's smile said: "I didn't scare him, I don't do anything shameful and I'm not afraid of ghosts knocking on the door. I also knocked on his door because after finishing things in Meizhou, I will introduce a regulation that strictly prohibits the sale of opium! The Ding family is considered one of our own people, this is also for the sake of future events!"

  Ding Xiaoya nodded, but she also expressed her concerns: "However, the profit from this tobacco is huge, I'm worried that the opposition will be very strong! Will it lead to divisions among people?"

  "Ah, no need for that! I'll take it one step at a time, won't cut it off all at once. That's unrealistic and unreasonable. Besides providing opium to those old smokers, I can organize the rest of the opium to be sold elsewhere. And by elsewhere, I don't mean other provinces, but overseas, Southeast Asia perhaps? Burma, India are all possibilities! Why can't we do this business too? Is it only allowed for opium to come in, but not for it to go out? What kind of logic is that?! I'll organize these big tobacco merchants under the banner of the Chamber of Commerce. I believe this will have great prospects!"

  Ding Xiaoya never thought that this tobacco could be so good! This foreign stuff is not worse than the domestic one, after all! Although Ding Xiaoya had a lot of misunderstandings, she believed in Mao Feng. She nodded and said: "Well, I won't say more then!"

  Mao Feng continued, "I'll leave the matter of the Ding family to you. I won't guarantee anything else, but as for cleaning up some unstable elements, I can still guarantee that. If there's anything you need, you can go directly to Junsheng or Tiangxia, they're more than capable of handling these things!"

  "I hope it doesn't come to that!"

  Mao Feng said disdainfully: "Xiao Ya, sometimes you can't be too kind-hearted. If you want to change this society, then you must first change yourself. In a dog-eat-dog world, decisiveness is needed. Some things don't need me to say, you understand!"

  "Ah, don't worry about it, I was just thinking out loud! I know what I should do!"

  At this time, Xia He came in and reported: "Young master, Fifth Master has arrived!"

  Mao Feng smiled faintly and said: "This speed is really good, okay, please ask the old man to wait in the living room, I'll go see him!"

  After Xia He left, Mao Feng smiled and said to Ding Xiao Ya: "Alright, I'll go see him. I believe he will make a wise choice because he has no other choice, it can only be this way!"

  Ding Xiaoya stepped forward and said, "Don't scare Wu Shu too much, although he's not very good, after all, he is a member of the Ding family and my fifth uncle! If outsiders find out, it won't be good either!"

  "Don't worry, I know what you're capable of, Fifth Uncle. You've got a lot of clever ideas, but you don't have the guts! Otherwise, you wouldn't be stuck in Swatow, just making small moves and being afraid that others will find out! What a hypocrite!"

  Thank you for the support of reader Autumn One Autumn, congratulations on the appearance of the first guardian.