The night passed, and Mu Rong's parents assumed she had stayed overnight at Yin's place as usual. The two girls had grown up together, so it wasn't surprising if one of them spent the night at the other's house. Both families were connected through their children.
That morning when everyone had arose from their sleep, Sir Bangwan, the esteemed district commissioner, beckoned his son, Lu Zheng, with a voice as warm as the sun that bathed their favorite spot. Seated amidst the fragrant notes of mint and basil tea, expertly crafted by Mrs. Bangwan, father and son shared a moment of respite.
The smiles exchanged between them spoke volumes, revealing a silent understanding. Sir Bangwan, a man of authority and fatherly wisdom, cut through the pleasant atmosphere with a directness only a father could muster.
"I never knew you loved Yin so much, but I hope she performs the tasks I will assign her well." he admitted, his gaze fixed on Lu Zheng, the only child he had fathered with his wife.
"I will talk to her and see to it that she is dedicated in her tasks without wavering." Lu Zheng, now a grown man, exhibited the courage to pursue Marquis's daughter as his bride, a feat many in town shied away from due to her lofty standards and the enigma surrounding her ever reserved father.
"Are you planning to get married, or is there another path you're considering?" Sir Bangwan inquired, recognizing his son's dedicated efforts to build a career for his beloved. All of that couldn't simply go to waste.
"Well, marriage hasn't come up, but I do intend to marry her, Dad," Lu Zheng disclosed to his father, who was particularly concerned about the age gap between his son and Yin. With a decade between them, he worried about potential manipulation.
"Have you met her father? Do you communicate frequently?" Sir Bangwan inquired, seeking a deeper understanding of the relationship, especially since Lu Zheng had been reluctant for so long about settling down.
"We talk a lot and spend time together at his office. I'm even welcome at his home when he is off duty. Dad, he's quite easy to get along with," Lu Zheng confidently shared, surprising Sir Bangwan, who never expected his son to be so at ease with a man he himself was cautious about.
"The man seems to be in his own world." Sir Bangwan remarked, his energy conveying both surprise and admiration for his son's audacious courtship with Yin, openly aligning himself with Marquis while keeping it discreet from the public eye.
"Dad, I made a promise to you that I wouldn't tread down the wrong paths in relationships again. After being certain about wanting to marry Yin, I introduced myself to Mr. Gu Yong. He accepted me gradually, especially after I demonstrated my commitment," Lu Zheng explained to his father, recounting how they had initially met through a local friend and how their relationship had evolved from a secret to a serious commitment.
Sir Bangwan couldn't help but congratulate Lu Zheng on the finesse and responsibility he displayed as a man. Yet, what brought particular joy to Lu Zheng was his father's approval of Yin as one of his secretaries.
After the tea session, Sir Bangwan tasked Lu Zheng with the responsibility of informing Yin and Mu Rong about their upcoming duties.
"See you at work. I have to meet with the planning committee for the trade fair, which is just weeks away," Mr. Bangwan said to his son.
"Alright, father. Please, I hope it goes well," Lu Zheng replied. His father finished the last soy cake, got up, and left. After he departed, Lu Zheng's mother and sisters came out to congratulate him on finally getting approval from his father. They all loved Yin and hoped for her to become their daughter-in-law.
As the morning sun changed to noon, Mu Rong, having spent the night at Yin's place, returned home to the eagerly awaited news about the accounting job she had fervently pursued. Her mother, anxiously awaiting her return, had lunch ready and money set aside for new clothes to be bought from the bustling Saturday market.
The revelation of the accounting position in their familiar kitchen left Mu Rong surprised, and Mrs. Mok Dan puzzled by the realization that Yin had orchestrated another job offer on her daughter's behalf. Despite the unexpected turn, Mu Rong felt fortunate, considering both job offers were appealing.
"Your father, being friends with both parties, will find a solution," assured Mok Dan to her daughter, aiming to ease any confusion. After enjoying their lunch, they ventured out for shopping to prepare Mu Rong for her impending job.
While Mu Rong selected her favorite clothes and accessories at the market, Mok Dan took the opportunity to visit her husband, just a few blocks away, seeking a solution to the dual job offers. In her husband's inner office, Mok Dan shared details about the district commissioner's job offer, which coincidentally came with a starting date only a day away.
"I don't want Yin to feel offended." Mok Dan emphasized but Mu Qing, impressed by the news, suggested her not to worry and assured that he would speak to his friend at the district commissioner's office to find a way forward. Delighted with this solution, Mok Dan left to catch up with Mu Rong.
That evening, after finishing his work, Lu Zheng, the project coordinator for Naerang's social projects, set out to provide Yin and Mu Rong with essential insights for their upcoming work, offering a set of "cheat codes" to navigate the details of their tasks in the first week. Lu Zheng was determined to see Yin excel in her new role, anticipating a swift promotion from his father. These cheat codes served as a guide to office protocols, detailing tasks, responsibilities, and office locations.
Lu Zheng, aware of the complex office politics, aimed to familiarize Yin with everything before her first day at the office. His goal was to ensure her prolonged stay and eventual ascent to one of the highest-ranking positions in the parliament of Naerang.
After spending some quality time with Yin, Lu Zheng proceeded to share the good news with her father. The relationship between Lu Zheng and Marquis was unique, resembling that of a father-in-law and son-in-law, despite the absence of formal ties through marriage. The job offers for Yin and Mu Rong brought a positive light to Marquis, leading him to entrust the care of the two women to Lu Zheng at the district commissioner's office.
In the confines of Marquis's office, the two men engaged in spirited discussions about their future plans. As closing time approached, Marquis contemplated the importance of establishing a connection with Lu Zheng's father, recognizing the significance of strengthening the bonds between their families. They went out for a drink and retired to their homes respectively.