Chapter 265
After carefully considering it in her mind, Su Xiaoxiao dismissed her doubts. However, she still didn’t take any braised pork, and Su Hongchen was even less likely to do so. But Jiang Guoli, seemingly casually, picked up a piece and placed it in his bowl. Su Hongchen glanced at it but didn’t eat.
Jiang Guosheng’s expression changed slightly, and he smiled, “By the way, we heard from Xiaoxiao that you’re already a company commander. I remember the military has strict requirements regarding tenure, right?”
“I’m now a deputy battalion commander. But if you think there’s something wrong with my promotion, feel free to report me,” Su Hongchen replied casually with a smile.
The Jiang family members were all a bit taken aback. In such a short time, Su Xiaoxiao’s brother had been promoted again. How old was he?
But then they were scared by the other meaning in Su Hongchen’s words and awkwardly forced smiles.
“We didn’t mean it that way, just a bit curious. We’re just chatting as a family, no need to take it so seriously.”
“Huh, we’re not family yet,” Su Hongchen coldly snorted.
Jiang Guoli secretly frowned, feeling this statement sounded familiar. He turned to look at Su Xiaoxiao, who was sitting on the side with her chin propped up, watching the scene unfold. It dawned on him—no wonder it sounded familiar, Su Xiaoxiao had retorted to him like this many times before. They really were siblings, even speaking the same way.
Jiang Guoli felt like he was about to explode internally, and Jiang Guohua hurriedly poured Su Hongchen a glass of wine.
“Listen to your words. Yexun and Xiaoxiao have such a good relationship; they’ll definitely be family in the future.”
“That’s not certain. Whether they become family depends on whether my parents approve when they returns to Shanghai for New Year’s,” Su Hongchen directly denied.
The Jiang family members widened their eyes and looked at each other. Finally, Jiang Guoli braced himself and said, “Didn’t they already go after the autumn harvest? Running around frequently these days isn’t good, right?”
“Are you talking about October to November? They came to take care of me and didn’t return to Shanghai. Didn’t they tell you? And who says you can’t travel frequently these days? As long as you have a referral letter and a legitimate reason, no one will stop you from traveling ten times a month,” Su Hongchen said, his expression darkening, and his tone turning harsh.
Jiang Guoli’s mouth twitched, revealing a smile uglier than crying.
“Mainly, isn’t it unusual for the man to go to the woman’s house during New Year? If word gets out, won’t people laugh?”
“Who will laugh? Why laugh? Is this looking down on women?”
Su Hongchen’s tone turned icy, sounding like he was interrogating a criminal. Not just Jiang Guoli, but everyone at the table from the Jiang family didn’t dare to breathe loudly.
“Let’s eat! My cousin is a bit old-fashioned, and with the recent family incident, he hoped all the kids could be home for New Year. But since Yexun is marrying the Su family’s beloved daughter, he naturally needs to visit her parents,” Jiang Guohua quickly tried to smooth things over.
He felt awful. His cousin and brother were both stubborn and couldn’t understand why Su Hongchen came to their team—to support his sister. Acting high and mighty now might get them beaten up in the middle of the night. Moreover, Jiang Yexun wasn’t someone he could control.
“Not only me, but my mom will also go. It’s proper for elders to propose marriage,” Jiang Yexun took the opportunity to make things clear.
“Bang!” Jiang Guoli slammed his chopsticks on the table in anger.
“It’s fine if you want to meet your future in-laws, but she’s my wife! If she doesn’t spend New Year with me, who would agree?”
“Most of the people in the village would agree,” Su Xiaoxiao said, sitting up straight and smiling at Jiang Guoli. Although her face showed a soft smile, it felt provocative. The Jiang family members knew she was mocking Jiang Guoli, who was no longer the team leader, and people wouldn’t follow his lead anymore. It was harsh but true.
Jiang Guoli gritted his teeth, “The new team leader agrees to let your mother go to Shanghai?”
“Yep,” Jiang Yexun responded softly. He wanted to pick some food for Su Xiaoxiao, but as soon as he moved, she gently kicked him under the table. Jiang Yexun silently put his hand down.
Jiang Guoli laughed angrily, “Fine! Fine! You’ve got everything planned and didn’t think to tell me, nor plan to take me to Shanghai, right?”
“Why take you?” Su Xiaoxiao countered. “Your own son just died. Is it appropriate to propose marriage now? At least Yexun isn’t directly related by blood.”
“Educated Youth Su!” Jiang Guohua, usually patient, finally turned stern.
But before he could finish, both Su Hongchen and Jiang Yexun’s gazes were on him.
“Did my sister say anything wrong? Such events shouldn’t mix,” Su Hongchen’s tone was freezing.
Jiang Yexun coldly laughed.
Jiang Guohua frowned, “I just meant respect for the deceased.”
“That doesn’t apply here. No one’s misfortune should ruin my happy event,” Su Xiaoxiao said arrogantly, raising her chin.
If it were the daughters-in-law of Jiang Guosheng and Jiang Guohua talking like this, they’d have slapped them long ago. Hu Yuezhen would never get away with such remarks either. But they had no way to deal with Su Xiaoxiao.
Jiang Guoli wanted to control Aunt Guo, but she glared back, “What are you looking at? Is Xiaoxiao wrong? This is the only wedding for these kids in their lives. You’re making a fuss and holding them back! If you ruin their happiness, I’ll scratch your face!”
In the past, Aunt Guo wouldn’t dare be so bold. But seeing her future son and daughter-in-law not caring about the Jiang family emboldened her. If the kids were already defiant, why should she worry? Otherwise, she’d just be holding them back.
Jiang Guoli’s face turned black with anger, but he didn’t dare touch his wife in front of Jiang Yexun and Su Hongchen. He knew his wife would indeed scratch him if he tried. And if he fought back, his son might tie him up and let her scratch him freely. If he had known his youngest son would push him to this point, he wouldn’t have let his wife give birth to him.
But it was too late for regrets.
Jiang Guoli coldly snorted, “It’s not like I want to go! Do you think marrying a pampered girl is easy? Just wait until city folks humiliate you country rubes.”
“Don’t smear my family! We respect farmers. Otherwise, would my brother easily agree to me being with Yexun? My parents’ requirements are just tests to protect their daughter. It’s the same for all parents, whether city or country,” Su Xiaoxiao quickly retorted, like a slippery eel, not giving the Jiang family any chance to catch her.
Seeing the increasing tension, Auntie Tian and Auntie Zhou got anxious and nudged their husbands under the table. Jiang Guohua finally calmed down and smiled, “We really don’t know how to talk. Xiaoxiao is thorough in speech and actions. Kids who’ve been to high school are different.”
Su Hongchen was pleased to hear praise for his sister, regardless of its sincerity. Auntie Zhou, noticing his smile, eagerly asked, “Xiaoxiao’s brother, since you’re a battalion commander…”
“Deputy battalion commander!” Su Hongchen corrected.
But Auntie Zhou waved it off, “Deputy or not, you’re still a commander. You’re so capable; it’s only a matter of time before you become a commander.”
“That’s not how it works. Everyone in the military is outstanding and has a chance to be promoted,” Su Xiaoxiao wouldn’t let her brother be put on a pedestal, knowing how rumors could spread and harm his reputation.