Chapter 258
When Jiang Guoli heard Su Xiaoxiao’s words, he felt as if she was just as annoying as his younger son. Every argument seemed to boil down to the same few phrases. It drove him crazy. But there was a difference between being annoyed and truly losing his mind.
Jiang Guoli held back his frustration for several seconds before forcing a smile that was more painful than tears. “Look at how you speak, child. Even though you and Yexun aren’t married yet, to me, you’re no different from my daughter-in-law…”
“Being a person requires some sense of propriety. Just because you’re an elder doesn’t mean you can act like one. My sister doesn’t have to marry your son. The choice is ours, and you haven’t done anything to make us feel like she should marry him. If you haven’t done anything, then save your breath.”
Su Hongchen cut Jiang Guoli off with a cold glare.
Jiang Guoli’s eyebrows furrowed further.
And now they’ve got another one who can’t speak or behave properly.
Is this how they teach in the army? Even as a leader, it’s pathetic!
He cursed inwardly but managed to maintain a friendly facade. No one paid him any attention, and they turned to continue heading home.
Unable to do anything else, Jiang Guoli followed them. “Xiaoxiao, your brother is visiting our team. Why not come over for lunch? Let’s all get together.”
“No, thank you. My brother came to see me, and he doesn’t need to have lunch with anyone,” Su Xiaoxiao flatly refused.
Jiang Guoli was left standing there, then frowned. “Xiaoxiao, what do you mean by this? Do you plan to sever ties with us? Even if there’s some misunderstanding, we’re still family. Are we really going to avoid each other forever?”
It was true that Jiang Guoli’s words had some merit. If Su Xiaoxiao didn’t know what Jiang Guoli might do later, she might have had to compromise. But before she tried to refuse again, Su Hongchen agreed.
“Alright, we’ll come over for lunch,” he said.
Su Xiaoxiao shot him an irritated look. Jiang Guoli quickly nodded, “Good, good. I’ll go prepare now.”
He hurried off, seemingly afraid they might change their minds.
Su Xiaoxiao scowled at his retreating figure, taking a deep breath in frustration. Su Hongchen, seeing her displeased expression, patted her head and said, “No matter what, he’s still Jiang Yexun’s father. Even if Jiang Yexun can bear to ignore him, the law won’t allow it. As your brother, I have to meet this future father-in-law you’re not fond of.”
“…”
Su Xiaoxiao wanted to say she didn’t acknowledge Jiang Guoli as her future father-in-law, but such sentiments were best kept unsaid.
Reluctantly, she sighed and said, “In their eyes, you’re definitely a hot commodity right now. Aren’t you afraid they might drug the food and make you make a principled mistake?”
Su Hongchen paused in surprise, then raised his hand as if to knock her. Jiang Yexun’s reflexes were quick, and he stopped Su Hongchen’s hand.
“It’s colder in winter, and it hurts more to hit someone,” Jiang Yexun said, frowning.
Su Hongchen wasn’t upset. Instead, he was impressed that Jiang Yexun remembered even such small details. He shook his head, looking at his sister with resignation. “If they’re foolish enough to drug me, I’ll go to the hospital for a checkup. If there are drug residues in my blood, the consequences for drugging a soldier are severe. Besides, those who scheme will stay sober to ensure success. If they’re caught, not only will the person responsible face repercussions, but the female accomplice will also be sentenced for at least ten years.”
“What if they don’t know?” Su Xiaoxiao argued.
Su Hongchen looked at her with a helpless expression. Seeing his spoiled sister’s defiant attitude, she raised her chin and repeated, “What if they don’t know?”
“Then let them know,” Su Hongchen said with a smile and a shake of his head.
Su Xiaoxiao’s eyes sparkled with understanding. Her previously stern face brightened into a beaming smile.
They returned to their own home, and Jiang Yexun resumed preparing the medicine. Su Hongchen looked at him and asked, “You’re still working on this?”
“Yes,” Jiang Yexun replied, not elaborating further.
Su Hongchen stared at him, wondering if he always spoke so little. He turned to Su Xiaoxiao.
“No, he usually talks quite a bit when we’re together,” Su Xiaoxiao quickly clarified.
Hearing this, Su Hongchen raised his eyebrows at Jiang Yexun, urging him to show some more expression.
Jiang Yexun responded, “We’re doing well in Beijing, so they’ve increased the quantity. We’ve already arranged things, and after receiving the rewards today, we’ll pack up and visit my sister in the city tomorrow. We’ll head back to Shanghai the day after. My mother will join us to formally propose to your parents.”
“We’ll stay here for a few more days. I need to assess this team. If it’s not suitable, we’ll find a way to ensure Xiaoxiao gets a salary for a month and a half to stay in Shanghai. As for your marriage, we’ll have to set it aside,” Su Hongchen said sternly.
He wasn’t about to trust his sister to a team he hadn’t thoroughly evaluated. He needed to be sure before allowing her to marry into that environment.
“I won’t stay here long. As long as the regulations loosen up, I’ll be wherever Xiaoxiao is,” Jiang Yexun replied seriously.
Su Hongchen knew that the regulations were indeed loosening and that some scholars in mathematics and chemistry were expected to return to their original positions soon. With these changes, the restrictions would gradually ease, making Jiang Yexun’s hope not entirely unfounded.