Ling Mingrui broke away from his usual demeanor, shedding the composure of a leader and became an ordinary father on stage expressing his emotions. He spoke passionately, wiping his eyes as he spoke, leaving everyone stunned.
Yet, Ling Mingrui’s display made many more people feel a deeper affection towards him.
This was a living, breathing father, not a lofty leader.
He loved his daughter like any ordinary father.
Ling Mingrui’s words pulled tears from some people’s eyes—fathers with daughters, daughters who have always enjoyed paternal love, and some mothers. Ling Mingrui’s words struck a chord in their hearts, making them wipe their eyes uncontrollably.
Xie Enhua was also wiping her tears, while Ling Ruonan was already sobbing uncontrollably, unable to control her emotions.
"In the blink of an eye, you grew up, becoming more lovable, increasingly beautiful. The pride in my heart grew with you, becoming more abundant and intense," Ling Mingrui seemed lost in reminiscence, the corners of his mouth slightly lifted as he smiled with reddened eyes, "When you entered middle school and blossomed into a graceful young girl, I wondered then, what kind of man could match you?!"
Ling Mingrui glanced in the direction where Ling Ruonan was seated behind the curtain and continued, "Fathers actually don’t want their daughters to grow up; they hope their daughters will forever be little girls before them. They would snuggle in your arms, cling to you when going out, ask you for piggybacks and hugs...Sadly, you inevitably grew up, and your old dad’s temples turned grey, and slowly aged."
"Although I don’t want you to get married, I hope you can stay with us always. But I also fear that someday I might leave unexpectedly, unable to be there for you anymore. I fear even more that if I am no longer around, who will protect you if you are bullied outside? Therefore, once you grew up, I wished you could find a man you could rely on for a lifetime, someone who could protect you, bring you happiness. Sometimes I...I kept thinking, if I couldn’t see you happy, how dare I age easily...But still, I am old. While I aged, you haven’t had a happy life yet."
At this point, Ling Mingrui couldn’t hold back anymore, tears falling from his eyes.
Xie Enhua standing beside him was also sobbing uncontrollably.
Sitting behind the stage with Luo Xusheng, Ling Ruonan’s face was already streaked with tears.
Luo Xusheng tried to comfort her but couldn’t; he could only hold her tightly in his arms.
With a choked voice, Xie Enhua took over, "Nannan, in our hearts, you are always the little girl who never grows up. Just like how I wish you could always stay by my side. But...but, you really have been beside us all along. Yet, your constant presence weighs heavily on our hearts..."
At this point, Xie Enhua found herself unable to continue.
"As you grew up, I knew, one day, you would leave us, embrace your own life and dreams, and form a family with another man, having your own children. But unexpectedly, even in our old age, you’re still with us," Ling Mingrui resumed speaking, continuing sentimentally, "One day, we will leave before you do, leaving you alone to face this complex world—we would not rest easy even in death. If that day comes, I hope there will be a man to replace us, continue to love you, protect you for life. Unfortunately, dad and mom didn’t protect you well; during our lifetime, you suffered so much. We feel ashamed and guilty. In others’ eyes, we are successful people, but before you, we are failures."
"Dad, without your protection, I would have died a long time ago!" Sitting behind, Ling Ruonan sobbed and murmured, "You’ve protected me so many years, given me so much, I’m very grateful."
She had already realized why Ling Mingrui wanted to speak so sentimentally in front of everyone.
He wanted to use this opportunity to express one point to everyone, that is, stop troubling his daughter. He loved his daughter deeply, and if anyone dared to trouble her again, he as a father would not agree.
Ling Mingrui also intended to demonstrate through this manner that he would provide her with a lot, always treating her as the closest person.
This was a show of strong support.
"Ruonan, marriage is not about finding someone to get through life together; it’s a lifetime’s company and mutual support—a commitment regardless of life, death, wealth, or poverty," Ling Mingrui continued, "We are aging, and you are nearing life’s second half. Getting married at your age is unfortunate, but also a blessing. I think, the person you want to marry must understand all your dreams and suffering, accept all your mess and shortcomings, provide you the greatest comfort and care in illness, and accompany you through the toughest times without regret. Your steadfastness over twenty years has proven to us the strength of your choice. Therefore, mom and dad unconditionally support you, and believe no one can separate you. We are very satisfied with the husband you chose."
Ling Mingrui’s words drew tears from many.
Ling Mingrui himself was also tearing up.
Over the years, both he and Xie Enhua felt deeply sorry for their daughter; they were not good parents because they couldn’t give her happiness.
Today, their daughter finally donned her bridal gown, allowing the couple’s hearts that had been hanging for years to finally rest.
Soon he would lead his daughter by the hand and entrust her to another man’s care.
He hopes, and believes, that man will love his daughter forever, bringing her happiness.
Ling Mingrui’s words were met with applause and thunderous claps from the audience.
After concluding his speech, Ling Mingrui signaled Xie Enhua to also share her sentiments.
Xie Enhua, emotionally charged, didn’t refuse Ling Mingrui’s request, took the microphone, and spoke at length.
She spoke even more emotionally than Ling Mingrui, offering blessings to her daughter, son-in-law, and grandson, and hoping those with prejudices against her daughter and son-in-law’s family would lay down their burdens and provide them a peaceful environment.
She also subtly warned those who still couldn’t accept Ling Ruonan and Luo Ziling’s family, advising them to stop making life difficult for their daughter.
She, alongside Ling Mingrui, would create better conditions for Ling Ruonan, considering it as compensation for their daughter.
Once Xie Enhua finished speaking, Ling Mingrui held her hand, and along with Luo Liansheng, they expressed gratitude to the entire audience.
Luo Ziling and Yang Qingyin, unable to stop their tears, stood behind them and bowed together.
Everyone in the venue stood up, responding to them with applause.
As Ling Mingrui, Xie Enhua, and Luo Liansheng prepared to leave the stage, Ling Jinhua stood up.
He asked Huang Chen, standing beside him, to help him onto the stage as he too wanted to say a few words.
The venue suddenly fell silent, and every gaze was directed towards Ling Jinhua, who trembled but stood up.