Chapter 266
In Auntie Zhou’s view, Su Xiaoxiao was simply overreacting. Who doesn’t say such things at home? Why was she being so strict? Auntie Zhou didn’t realize that Su Xiaoxiao nitpicked every word because she didn’t consider the Jiang family as her own family. If she were dining with her brother, Yexun, and Aunt Guo, or in her home in Shanghai, she would probably be more boastful than Auntie Zhou. But since she and the Jiang family were in constant conflict, being cautious was necessary to avoid giving them leverage.
“Okay, okay, it’s Auntie’s fault for not speaking properly. I apologize. But let’s talk about something serious. Auntie has a favor to ask your brother. Can you put in a good word for us?” Auntie Zhou suppressed her anger and smiled ingratiatingly.
Su Xiaoxiao and the others knew the Jiang family was up to no good. Without responding, they stared at Auntie Zhou, waiting to see what she had to say. Seeing their lack of immediate rejection, Auntie Zhou thought they had agreed and quickly pulled her youngest son over.
“This is my youngest son. He’s nineteen this year. His dream is to become a soldier. Xiaoxiao’s brother, could you see if you can help get him enlisted?” she asked, smiling apologetically.
The young man she pulled over squirmed, trying to free himself from Auntie Zhou’s grip. “Mom, let go of me. I don’t want to be a soldier. What’s so great about being a soldier? You have to train all day, and you can’t even be with your wife. Only an idiot would want that.”
“Smack!”
Su Xiaoxiao threw her chopsticks at the young man’s head. Just as he was about to get angry, he noticed the dark expressions on everyone’s faces.
“What do you mean by that? Our soldiers are on the front lines, protecting our safety and the country’s security. They endure separation from their families and harsh training. In times of danger, they are the first to respond. And you call them idiots?” Su Xiaoxiao was so furious she wanted to climb over the table and beat Auntie Zhou’s son.
Realizing he had said something wrong, the young man shrank back and stayed silent. Auntie Zhou hurriedly apologized, “I’m sorry, really sorry! It’s my fault for spoiling my youngest. That’s why I thought sending him to the army could straighten him out and teach him how to be a good person.”
Of course, the main reason was that once he joined the army, after passing the initial training, he would receive a monthly allowance of thirty-six yuan. Plus, there were bonuses for missions, often worth several months’ salary. She believed that if Su Xiaoxiao’s brother was willing to help, her son would excel in the army. Since Su Xiaoxiao’s brother, a pampered city kid, could quickly rise to deputy battalion commander, her son, a sturdy villager, would surely do better. If he advanced faster than Su Xiaoxiao’s brother, it would be a real face-saver.
Auntie Zhou couldn’t help but smile at her fantasy. Su Xiaoxiao saw this and thought she looked like a lunatic. Su Hongchen, recognizing her daydreaming, guessed her thoughts based on her words.
“So why didn’t you just enlist directly? The army recruits in the city every year, and as long as you pass the physical exam, you can join,” Su Hongchen said coldly.
Auntie Zhou, impatient, frowned, “I know the army recruits every year, but he can’t pass the physical exam. That’s why I hoped you, with your network in the army, could find a way to get my youngest son in. Once he’s under your wing, he’ll surely excel.”
“If he can’t pass the physical, then give up,” Su Xiaoxiao snapped.
Auntie Zhou was about to argue, but Su Hongchen interrupted, “If he can’t pass the physical, no one will let him enlist. The country isn’t blocking his future; it’s protecting his life and ensuring that he won’t endanger his comrades during missions.”
“But you’ll be there to protect him. How could he face any danger?” Auntie Zhou seemed determined to rely on Su Hongchen.
Su Hongchen looked at her as if she were an idiot. “First, recruitment is a national process, and I have no authority to intervene. Even if I did, I wouldn’t let him stay by my side. My rapid promotion is due to frequent missions and earning medals. Your son, who can’t pass a physical, would die on the first mission.”
Hearing this, the young man panicked, “Hey, watch your mouth! What do you mean I’d die? Just because my feet are flat, I got rejected?”
“Flat feet,” Su Xiaoxiao summarized.
“So what? It doesn’t stop me from working in the fields!” The young man glared at Su Xiaoxiao.
“Looking for trouble?” Jiang Yexun threw his bowl at the young man. With better aim and force than Su Xiaoxiao, the young man clutched his head, crying out in pain. Auntie Zhou comforted her son but dared not show her anger.
Su Hongchen continued, “Flat feet mean lowered or absent arches, leading to unstable gait, increased fatigue, and other issues.”
“I never felt any problems working in the fields,” the young man argued, feeling the unfairness of it all. He didn’t want to be a soldier, but being rejected made him feel humiliated in front of his friends.
“The army has professional standards, not based on your feelings,” Su Hongchen retorted.
Seeing this, Jiang Guohua, who had also considered enlisting his son, swallowed his words. His youngest son was only a year past the age limit, and he had hoped Su Xiaoxiao’s brother might help. They had initially thought the army was too harsh and wanted their sons close by. Now they realized they had missed an opportunity. Su Xiaoxiao’s parents, despite their high positions, sent their only son to the army, proving it was the best path. But seeing Su Hongchen’s firm stance, they knew he wouldn’t help the Jiang family. However, a deputy battalion commander was the highest-ranking connection they had, and they couldn’t afford to lose this potential asset.
“Alright, alright, let’s not ruin the mood. Let’s eat before the food gets cold,” Jiang Guohua said with a forced smile.
Aunt Guo casually ate some pickles, then tried to give Su Xiaoxiao some meat, but she already picked up some pickles herself. “Auntie, did you make these?” she asked, interrupting Aunt Guo’s attempt to give her braised pork.
Auntie Zhou quickly stood up and served Su Hongchen a piece of braised pork, “Comrade Su, please don’t take my earlier words to heart. I’m just a worried mother thinking about my son’s future, without any ill intentions.”
Su Hongchen smiled and covered his bowl with his hand. “No ill intentions? Then why didn’t anyone else touch this braised pork?” he questioned coldly.
Jiang Guoli panicked, “What are you saying? I didn’t eat because I couldn’t bear to buy much meat. As guests, we saved the best for you.”
Though he had his own schemes, he wasn’t foolish enough to poison the food. Auntie Zhou and Jiang Guosheng quickly nodded, “Yes, we saved it for you because we grew up poor and developed this habit.”