Chapter 23: Tone It Down, Be Careful Or General Su Will Break Your Leg
Over the next few days, Su Yuan seemed to relax a lot.
A week later, it was the day he was appointed.
To be honest, he was somewhat excited, and even a little nervous.
This conferment of rank was different from when he was in the Bear Kingdom.
The circumstances were different, and his mindset was also very different.
Everyone wants their country to be strong, and Su Yuan was no exception.
Serving as a senior military officer in Daxia, his mindset was worlds apart from when he was in the Bear Kingdom.
That sense of honor deep down in his bones was innate.
It could be said that in these past few days, Su Yuan's mood was both excited and apprehensive.
Of course, besides this, there was another thing that made him happy.
He already had an idea for the gift he wanted to give the girl from another family, and it had special commemorative significance.
In Su Yuan's opinion, there was no better gift than this.
With the gift sorted, he naturally felt much more relaxed.
“Old man, want to go for a walk?”
Going downstairs, Su Yuan shouted to the old man's study.
Su Bing Sheng was practicing calligraphy in the study.
He had two daily tasks for himself.
He would get up in the morning and take care of his little vegetable garden.
Of course, in the past few days, the vegetable garden had been picked clean.
However, Su Bing Sheng had planted some new seasonal vegetables.
After all, this old man wouldn't feel comfortable unless he had something to do.
Taking care of the vegetable garden was his active activity, while calligraphy was his quiet one.
The old man was also very accomplished in calligraphy, and often had old friends come to ask him for calligraphy.
Normally, under ordinary circumstances, he wouldn't pay attention to anyone while practicing calligraphy.
However, today, he raised his head for the first time, smiled, and put down his brush, looking at Su Yuan: “Good, I was just thinking about going for a walk.”
“Why don't you finish practicing first?”
Su Yuan thought for a moment, then said.
“Forget it, I'm not going to practice today.”
Su Bing Sheng shook his head, took a light jacket from the side, put it on, and walked out.
“Let's go, let's go for a walk.”
Su Bing Sheng motioned.
Su Yuan opened his mouth, but didn't say anything more.
The two of them went out together.
On the way.
The old man said, “For such a big thing, you seem to be in a pretty good mood. If it were me, I wouldn't be as calm as you.”
At the age of twenty-two, being conferred the rank of junior general, this kind of thing, let alone the person involved, probably even someone completely unrelated would be incredibly shocked.
These past few days, he may have appeared calm on the surface.
But inside, he was incredibly excited and full of enthusiasm, as if he had returned to his youth.
How could he be like Su Yuan, as if the conferment of the rank of junior general a few days from now was not his own, but someone else's.
It was as if he hadn't even heard it.
This made Su Bing Sheng feel somewhat depressed.
His grandson was too calm.
Su Yuan shrugged: “You taught me from a young age to face any situation calmly.”
“You kid, you're educating your own grandpa now.”
Su Bing Sheng was stunned for a moment, then laughed.
However, despite the scolding, Su Bing Sheng felt even more pleased in his heart.
Soon to be in a high position but not arrogant or flamboyant, remaining calm in the face of major events, this wasn't something just anyone could do.
Even he, who was in a high position back then, couldn't say he could maintain that inner calmness when faced with such a thing.
But Su Yuan, at the age of twenty-two, had done it.
“You kid, you keep giving me more and more surprises,” Su Bing Sheng didn't hold back his praise at all.
With such an excellent grandson, what couldn't he praise?
Even if he praised him to the heavens, he wouldn't hesitate.
Others, if praised twice, might become conceited and arrogant.
But Su Yuan wouldn't.
Faced with the old man's praise, Su Yuan looked into the distance: “Old man, there will be even more surprises in the future.”
Su Bing Sheng was taken aback, not expecting that Su Yuan, who could remain calm even when facing the conferment of the rank of junior general, would suddenly say something so bold.
However, instead of getting angry, he laughed: “Alright, I'll wait for your surprises.”
At this moment, Su Bing Sheng secretly felt a sense of anticipation.
He was curious to know how long it would take for Su Yuan to bring him more and bigger surprises.
The two of them chatted as they walked towards the park.
On the other side.
Chen Yuan Xiang put down his army green suitcase, sprawled out on the sofa, chugged down a few mouthfuls of tea, then leaned back on the sofa, sighing, “Still, home is the best. So comfortable, so comfortable.”
“You've been in the army for so many years, and you're still like this, no posture when standing, no posture when sitting. How can you be so uncouth?”
Chen Yuan Xiang hadn't sat down for long when he heard a hoarse yet authoritative voice behind him. He was startled and about to get up, but another, gentler voice sounded in his ear at the same time:
“You're home now, what's with all the rules? Yuan Xiang is much better compared to four years ago.”
“Old man, don't be too demanding. Besides, when you sent Yuan Xiang to the army back then, he didn't say anything, he just packed his bags and went. Not only did he go, he didn't disgrace you in the army.”
“Everything is strict in the army, strict means hard work. Now he's home, why won't you let him relax a bit.”
“What, do you want to enforce the army's ways at home?”
“Is that even home anymore?”
Lin Wen Lan glared at Chen Qi, then looked at Chen Yuan Xiang: “Oh, my grandson, come here, let grandma have a look, have you gained any weight in the past six months?”
“Grandma!”
Chen Yuan Xiang smiled and got up, allowing Lin Wen Lan to pull him over to look at him.
“Look, not only haven't you gained weight, you've actually lost a little bit. It seems your diet hasn't been good in the past few months!”
Lin Wen Lan said jokingly.
Chen Yuan Xiang laughed.
Diet not good?
That wouldn't be true.
Twenty years ago, the food in the Daxia army wasn't good, even a bit bad, but now, the food has improved a lot.
It was even completely different from before.
The food in the army now is very good.
This was also to improve the nutritional intake of the soldiers.
Without adequate nutrition, how can you train a strong physique?
He had lost some weight, but it wasn't because of bad food, but because of the high intensity training in the past few months, plus the military exercise, it was hard not to lose weight.
On the side, looking at Chen Yuan Xiang who was indeed a little thinner, Chen Qi opened his mouth, but didn't say anything this time.
Lin Wen Lan didn't know what was going on, even though he had retired, he still cared a lot about his grandson's situation in the army.
Large-scale military exercises are extremely draining for any soldier participating.
In extreme cases, it's normal to be unable to sleep for days and nights.
And it's not just physical hardship, the mental pressure is the greatest.
If you want to win in the exercises, to achieve great merit, it's impossible to not make sacrifices.
Under such circumstances, it's really impossible not to lose weight.
Four years ago, Chen Yuan Xiang, who was called a playboy, four years later, he also made a name for himself in the army. As a grandfather, honestly, what else could he say?
When other families' children were sent to the army, they caused a lot of trouble.
Only Chen Yuan Xiang went without a word.
He had saved face for him back then.
Thinking about it, Chen Qi's tone softened: “Don't do it when no one's around, but when guests are here, tone it down.”
Seeing his old man loosen up, Chen Yuan Xiang quickly nodded: “Grandpa, you can rest assured, I still have some manners.”
After saying that, he directly looked at Lin Wen Lan: “Grandma, what are we having for lunch?”
“I made you your favorite braised pig trotters, and also beef in soy sauce.” Lin Wen Lan said with a doting look.
Chen Qi was somewhat helpless.
This old woman was too doting on Chen Yuan Xiang.
However, he didn't dare say anything to his wife, so he could only keep it to himself, which was incredibly uncomfortable.
In the end, he could only sit down on the sofa and start reading the newspaper.
Out of sight, out of mind.
To avoid getting upset.
They talked for a while, then Lin Wen Lan said, “You rest for a bit, if you have nothing to do, take a shower, then we can eat.”
“Okay.”
Chen Yuan Xiang nodded repeatedly.
Lin Wen Lan didn't stay and went back to the kitchen.
Once the queen left, Chen Yuan Xiang immediately became much more behaved. Seeing Chen Qi reading the newspaper, he quickly became servile: “Grandpa, let me make you a cup of tea.”
He didn't care whether the old man wanted it or not, he directly started fiddling around, then handed the brewed tea to Chen Qi.
Looking at the tea placed in front of him, Chen Qi finally put down the newspaper and looked at Chen Yuan Xiang: “The exercise is over?”
“Yeah, it's over. The regiment gave us a break, so I came back.”
Chen Yuan Xiang answered obediently, completely a different person from before.
He knew to behave in front of his grandfather.
Chen Qi nodded, just about to speak when Chen Yuan Xiang walked to the side, took out clothes from his suitcase, put them on, then took out a delicate wooden box and handed it to Chen Qi: “Grandpa, this is a gift for you.”
Looking at Chen Yuan Xiang wearing his army uniform and the single star with three stripes on his shoulder, Chen Qi was taken aback, slightly surprised: “Promotion again?”
“Yeah.”
Chen Yuan Xiang said with a proud tone: “Hehe, first lieutenant, platoon leader.”
His grandfather had said that it would take at least two years for him to get a promotion, but how long had it been, less than a year, and he was promoted.
He couldn't help but feel proud.
Without giving Chen Qi a chance to speak, Chen Yuan Xiang handed the wooden box over respectfully: “Open it and have a look, you'll definitely like it.”
Chen Qi suppressed his surprise, took the wooden box, and opened it under Chen Yuan Xiang's smiling gaze.
Inside the wooden box, a metal medal lay quietly.
Personal Second Class Merit Medal!
With just a glance, Chen Qi looked up, a bit surprised, at Chen Yuan Xiang.
If Chen Yuan Xiang being promoted to first lieutenant, platoon leader within a year had already surprised him, then this Personal Second Class Merit Medal was a bit shocking.
You have to make a great contribution to get something like this!
Seeing his grandfather's shocked expression, Chen Yuan Xiang felt very satisfied, smiling and saying, “I led our platoon to make great contributions in this exercise.”
Chen Qi was also from the army, and he had even reached the rank of junior general, so he understood immediately what was going on.
He had earned a Personal Second Class Merit Medal, no wonder Chen Yuan Xiang was promoted within a year.
“Good, good, good!”
Chen Qi happily got up, constantly patting Chen Yuan Xiang on the shoulder, full of pride.
This time, he was truly happy.
“Go, go, get that bottle of wine I have. Have a good drink with me at lunch.” Chen Qi said.
Chen Yuan Xiang was a bit surprised, his mouth wide open: “You mean that bottle?”
“Which other bottle would it be?” Chen Qi responded impatiently.
Hearing this, Chen Yuan Xiang looked at his grandfather with disbelief.
That bottle was his grandfather's favorite!
He was usually too reluctant to open it.
Even when his old superiors and comrades came, they wouldn't be able to get a sip.
He was actually willing to take it out this time?
This...am I dreaming?
Crazy, crazy!
My grandfather was stimulated by me.
However, after being stunned for a moment, a smile spread across Chen Yuan Xiang's face.
The hardship he endured for a month in the exercise was worth it.
His grandfather was happy, which was better than anything.
Chen Yuan Xiang took out the treasured bottle of white wine. Chen Qi motioned for him to put it on the dining table, then seemed to think of something and said, “By the way, I heard Su Yuan might have returned. You just came back, go and see him, it'll be a reunion after four years for you hooligans.”
Chen Yuan Xiang's eyes were still fixed on the bottle of white wine. He had been craving this wine for years, ever since he learned to drink, he had been eyeing it.
However, he wouldn't dare touch it without his grandfather's permission.
Otherwise, he was guaranteed a broken leg, and even Lin Wen Lan wouldn't be able to stop him.
When the old man gets really angry, even his grandma has to yield.
Just then, hearing Chen Qi's words, Chen Yuan Xiang was also stunned, suddenly turning his head: “Su Yuan that guy is back?”
Surprise!
It was truly a surprise!
If Chen Qi hadn't mentioned it, Chen Yuan Xiang would have almost forgotten that Su Yuan had gone to study in the Bear Kingdom for four years, this year being the fourth. If he didn't do a postgraduate program, wouldn't he graduate this year?
After graduating, wouldn't he return to China to inherit his mother's billions of assets?
“He should be. I heard he came back, but he's living at General Su's old residence, a bit far away. I'm not very mobile, so I didn't go.” Chen Qi nodded.
“Then it must be him!”
Chen Yuan Xiang laughed out loud.
It was clear he was incredibly happy.
Even though they hadn't seen each other for four years, their friendship had remained unchanged.
He had wanted to go to the Bear Kingdom to see Su Yuan many times.
But due to his special status, he couldn't go abroad, so he had to give up.
“That guy is really amazing, he studied abroad for four years and didn't even come back once. If you hadn't mentioned it, I wouldn't have known. He didn't even contact me.”
“But you guys changed my contact information, he probably wouldn't be able to contact me even if he wanted to.”
Chen Yuan Xiang muttered to himself: “Grandpa, I'll go find that guy after we eat.”
Chen Qi nodded, but instructed: “You can go, but find out first. All of you hooligans, except for Su Yuan who wasn't sent to the army, the rest of you are in the army. If Su Yuan is still the same as he was four years ago, don't go and brag about your army stuff, it's not good to hurt his self-esteem.”
“Ah!”
“I can't talk about army stuff?”
“That's so annoying!”
Chen Yuan Xiang looked helpless, he was originally going to brag to Su Yuan about his current rank.
First lieutenant, platoon leader at the age of twenty-two, even faster than Su Ming's promotion to platoon leader.
The other guys weren't bad either, but compared to him, they were still a bit behind for now.
He couldn't brag, he couldn't see Su Yuan's shocked expression, just thinking about it made him feel suffocated.
This...
It's so unbearable!
Chen Yuan Xiang looked helpless.
Suddenly, he didn't really want to go see Su Yuan anymore!
Don't men just brag to each other?
Now he can't brag, what's the point of going?
Talk about life and ideals?
Don't be ridiculous!
Friendship between men is just that.
Drink and brag.
Now he's finally reached the rank of first lieutenant, platoon leader, but he can't share this good news with his best friend, he can't see his best friend's surprised, maybe even envious, expression, it's too painful!
Chen Qi knew what Chen Yuan Xiang was thinking, he had been young once too.
“Tone it down, be careful Or General Su will break your leg!”
Chen Yuan Xiang looked helplessly: “I...I understand.”