164: Chapter 164 The Sudden Arrangement of a Marriage

Elder Li gently stroked an old photograph taken with Elder Zhang, finally reaching a decision: this marriage alliance was, by all accounts, imperative.

Meanwhile, thousands of miles away in Guantian Township, Jiang Province, Li Dakang remained completely unaware of the undercurrents surrounding this marriage alliance in the capital.

This young Township Party Committee Secretary was leading the fellow villagers, working diligently in the fields to write their own chapter of struggle and achievement.

Under Li Dakang's meticulous planning and coordination, the development of Guantian Township had hit the fast lane.

Brand-new concrete roads wound through the mountains like silver snakes, and the "Village-to-Village Connectivity Project" breathed new life into remote villages;

The electronics factory's facilities were constantly expanding, with the roar of machinery continuing day and night;

In the Vegetable Base, seedlings of new varieties were thriving in the greenhouses;

The livestock at the breeding farm were ready for market;

And the once small, workshop-style Bean Products Factory had now transformed into a leading enterprise with its own brand.

The name Guantian Township began to appear frequently in the provincial newspapers and at investment promotion conferences.

Convoys of inspection delegations arrived one after another, and the gaze of investors grew increasingly eager.

Li Dakang stood before the Township Government building, looking out over this vibrant and thriving land, a gratified smile appearing on his face.

He was interpreting another path to revitalization in his own way.

… In the blink of an eye, the National Day holiday was approaching.

In the Township Government office, Li Dakang held a fountain pen, carefully marking his itinerary for the National Day holiday on his desk calendar.

He planned to take advantage of the holiday to visit several entrepreneurs who had previously shown interest in investing in Guantian Township, striving to turn their willingness to invest into concrete action.

The investment promotion materials spread out on the desk still gave off a faint scent of ink when the red telephone suddenly rang urgently.

"Hello, Mom?"

Hearing the voice of Department Director Zhou Lan, Li Dakang was somewhat surprised.

On the other end of the line, Department Director Zhou Lan was uncharacteristically urgent, urging him: "Dakang, you must come back for the National Day holiday."

His mother's words caused Li Dakang's pen to pause on the paper.

You see, Department Director Zhou Lan had always been considerate of his busy work schedule and had never proactively asked him to come home for a reunion.

Li Dakang keenly sensed an unusual silence on the other end of the line and pressed, "Has something happened at home?"

A soft sigh came over the phone, and Department Director Zhou Lan lowered her voice: "It's your grandfather's wish... The old man specifically gave instructions."

These words made Li Dakang's heart tighten; in the Li family, anything that Elder Li personally inquired about was bound to be of great significance.

"Alright, I will come back once I have arranged my work."

Li Dakang agreed decisively, hung up the phone, and looked at the mountains outside the window, which were gradually taking on autumn colors, his brows furrowing unconsciously.

He vaguely felt that this sudden summons was likely related to a major family decision.

Although the construction of Guantian Township was at a critical stage, as a son of the Li family, family matters were equally his bounden duty.

Thus, for the next few days, the lights in Li Dakang's office remained on late into the night.

He worked at his desk to implement each task one by one, personally overseeing every single item to ensure that the pace of development in Guantian Township would not stop while he was away.

Before leaving, he specifically held a major meeting to arrange everything properly.

Finally, on the first day of the National Day holiday, Li Dakang set off on his journey home.

Along the way, his thoughts churned as he repeatedly guessed what was happening at home: was there a dispute within the family, or was there to be cooperation with the outside world?

Full of doubts, he could only wait silently for the answer to be revealed.

… The moment he stepped into his home, Li Dakang was met with strange looks from everyone in the Li family.

These looks made Li Dakang's heart tighten, further confirming that something unusual was definitely happening at home.

On the sofa in the living room, Elder Li sat upright, his expression both kind and solemn.

Seeing Li Dakang enter, he nodded gently to signal him to sit.

Subsequently, Elder Li said slowly in a deep, powerful voice: "Dakang, the reason I called you back this time is that there is a matter I need to discuss with you."

Li Dakang felt a jolt in his heart and respectfully replied: "Grandfather, please go ahead."

Elder Li pondered for a moment: "I have decided to form a marriage alliance with the Zhang family, and after careful discussion within the family, the chosen candidate for this marriage is you."

"A marriage alliance?"

Li Dakang only felt a buzzing in his ears, as if he had been struck by lightning.

He subconsciously looked up at Elder Li; in those eyes, filled with the frost of passing years, there was not a hint of a joke, only unquestionable resolve.

As a son of the Li family, Li Dakang certainly understood that his marriage was never a private matter.

Given his background, his spouse would inevitably have to be a woman from a family of equal social standing; even if they didn't quite measure up to the Li family, they certainly could not be too far off.

But when this moment finally arrived, at not yet twenty-five years old, he still felt a wave of dizziness.

In his twenties, it might be the right time for marriage for an ordinary family, but for Li Dakang, this sudden arrangement disrupted the rhythm of his carefully planned life.

Li Dakang had originally wanted to settle down for a few more years, waiting until his career foundation was stable before considering matters of the heart.

What's more, even if there had to be a marriage alliance, why specifically the Zhang family?

The Zhang family of the past had been renowned in the capital, enjoying limitless prestige, but now they were far from what they once were, no longer possessing their former glory.

Logically, given the potential and ability he had demonstrated, Elder Li should not have let him wade into these muddy waters.