Fang Huai didn’t answer but turned to size up the young man who had asked the question.
Knowing the term "first year," he must have been a soldier, but given his large pompadour hairstyle, he was surely not on active duty.
"Oh, Fang Huai is with the Firefighting! His uncle’s over there too, I heard from Shaoqing that he’s a big shot, a Regintal commander... Regintal commander, right, Fang Huai?"
Seeing that Fang Huai didn’t respond, Chen Louxiang thought he was reluctant to talk about his family connections and smiled as he ntioned it.
In the local area, having connections was not sothing to be concerned about; instead, it could earn soone a higher regard.
Moreover, the Firefighting cadres held great power and were highly sought after.
Fang Huai knew that Uncle Chen wanted to save face, so he nodded and said,
"Yes, he was recently promoted to major general, serving as the deputy of the whole corps."
Chen Louxiang imdiately smiled, poured a cup of tea for Fang Huai, and handed it to him.
Last year, this cousin had used connections to find a leader, a retired major general, and called an old subordinate to take them to see Chen Shuang. He wasn’t short of favors, so before returning ho, the family of three went to the best restaurant in Yunnan and invited that leader’s family for a al.
But afterward, this cousin beca especially attentive to his own family matters, frequently ntioning the young son of that leader whom they had dined with, inviting him over every ti the university vacation ca around.
Wasn’t it clear to him what Uncle Wu’s intentions were?
His daughter was beautiful, and he was generous, so of course, other people got their ideas.
But his precious daughter was still so young, how could that be possible? They had already entertained with a al and bought tea leaves worth over ten thousand, what more did they want? Constantly ntioning that leader, it was really quite annoying.
So, upon hearing that Fang Huai had co, he imdiately thought of his daughter praising Fang Huai and brought him up to poke at this cousin.
As expected, the couple kept sizing Fang Huai up upon hearing this.
Eager as they were to curry favor with that leader, they certainly understood rank; being a deputy corps captain was no small office.
Chen Louxiang also smiled as he poured a cup of tea for Fang Huai and introduced him.
"Fang Huai, these are Shuang Shuang and Shaoqing’s uncle and aunt, Uncle Wu, Aunt Jiang."
Uncle, in this context, is rather broad, encompassing both second and third generation relatives who don’t share the surna Chen. It could be a son of Chen’s aunts or soone even further removed, a descendant from Chen’s grandfather’s generation’s siblings.
For Yang Shaoqing’s generation, it is even more distant.
Fang Huai nodded and said, "Uncle Wu, Aunt Jiang."
The two elders also smiled and nodded in return.
Although Chen Louxiang used Fang Huai to tease them a bit, there was no enmity, and with the big Firefighting connections, there was no need for a cold reception.
But the young man with the pompadour, who hadn’t been introduced, spoke discontentedly,
"I thought as much, you’re from Firefighting. Your discipline must be laxer. In our old Troops, if soone was just in for a year, there’s no way they would be let out."
This comnt was purely to assert his presence.
Chen Louxiang thought this was rather impolite and coughed to indicate his displeasure.
Aunt Jiang hurriedly smiled and interjected to smooth things over, "Xiaoqing served in the military for five years, and has certain rules we don’t understand. They, as soldiers, understand! Fang... Fang Huai, right? Your big brother Xiaoqing is a discharged soldier. He has habits developed from his ti in the Troops. He speaks frankly, don’t take it personally."
This explanation was worse than no explanation at all.
However, under different circumstances, certain explanations could be left at that.
But Fang Huai couldn’t ignore the comnt and turned seriously to say,
"Conscripts in the Firefighting services also can’t co and go as they please. Troops everywhere follow the sa rules."
"Heh," Wu Xiaoqing chuckled, "Aren’t you a conscript?"
Fang Huai also started to smile.
"I’m a cadre."
At this, the expressions around the room shifted.
"Fang Huai, weren’t you enlisted with Chen Shuang? Did you get into the Military Academy?" Chen Louxiang sat up straight, suddenly interested.
Hearing ’Military Academy,’ Uncle Wu also glanced at his son with a mix of frustration and disappointnt,
"Look at that, he got into the Military Academy in just one year. Why couldn’t you manage it in five? You had the luxury of preparing in an easy-duty unit, with such good conditions! Ah!"
Wu Xiaoqing said incredulously, "How is it possible to get into the academy in the first year? Our Internal Guard isn’t the sa as their Firefighting!"
It was then Fang Huai spoke up, "Uncle Chen, didn’t Shaoqing tell you? I was promoted, I didn’t get into the Military Academy."
Hearing this, Wu Xiaoqing laughed at his parents, "See? How could it be so easy? He got in through connections. If I was a leader’s son, I’d have been sent up too! No exams needed, I could have been arranged into the Military Academy right away! Can you bla ?"
At these words, the couple felt put down.
But Aunt Jiang reconsidered and confidently nodded at Chen Louxiang, boasting,
"Louxiang, see, when leaders speak... it works wonders. If Shaoqing were to... Tsk, if Chen Shuang got into the Military Academy, there would be hope for sure!"
Chen Louxiang’s gaze wavered for a mont but then he waved dismissively,
"Let’s not talk about this anymore. If Chen Shuang can make it on his own, that’s great. If not, when I return, I’ll find sothing for him to do. I’ll leave him more money; that should be enough for a decent living."
Though he owned so assets, the business hadn’t been too favorable in recent years. He hoped Chen Shuang could beco an officer and have a steady life, buy him a few houses, leave so money, and that would suffice. If Chen Shuang had to struggle in society, then he’d need to think of ways to earn more for him.
But for sure, he wouldn’t sacrifice his daughter just to pave the way for his son.
Aunt Jiang then clicked her tongue again.
"Don’t say that! The child will be here any minute, and if things work out, wouldn’t all of this co naturally?"
"Ah, Auntie, can I say sothing?"
This woman was talking too fast. Fang Huai had wanted to speak up from the start and had been holding back until now, but he couldn’t hold it in any longer.
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