Fang Huai, having heard this, thought about how his parents had already bought the gifts for the marriage proposal and were waiting to visit, lost any inclination for jest, straightened his face, and said solemnly:
"Uncle Chen, actually, I discussed this with my parents before coming. Yang Shaoqing has been very good to , and we’ve been talking for a while now. I’m serious about her. Today, I ca to get your opinions. If you agree, once we return to Chongqing, my parents will co to your door to finalize everything. After she graduates, we shall marry."
Fang Huai practically blurted out these words, holding his breath.
The couple in front were montarily silent upon hearing such sudden news, not knowing how to respond.
Today’s timing was just terrible, on the highway, without a chance for the couple to discuss privately.
Yang Shaoqing grasped Fang Huai’s arm, gazing steadfastly forward, and after several seconds of silence, she spoke with unusual determination:
"Dad, Mom, I want to marry Fang Huai."
Fang Huai, who had been sowhat nervous while speaking, now relaxed, and gave Yang Shaoqing’s hand a pat, saying:
"Uncle, Auntie, if you have any conditions, feel free to state them. As long as I’ve agreed, I’ll make sure it gets done."
For a mont, the older couple’s minds were overwheld.
"Ahem, ah, ah." Chen Louxiang spoke first:
"Fang Huai, you’ve changed a lot, which is impressive. Shaoqing has been sensible from a young age, and we trust her judgnt. However, I know firefighting is very dangerous and ti-consuming. Do you plan to transfer to a less demanding post in the future? ...Your uncle is there, so it shouldn’t be a problem, right?"
Fang Huai smiled at this.
"Uncle, I can’t transfer away for now. Our squadron is one of only two pilot units in the country, with huge investnts; the unit needs , and I enjoy front-line work. However, I won’t be staying many more years as surpassing the rank of squadron requires moving to a governnt agency."
anwhile, Yang Lan asked seriously: "How many years?"
"Well...our unit is a regular company with a high level, so I should be able to transfer after becoming a deputy regint leader."
As Fang Huai was about to count on his fingers, Chen Louxiang was startled.
"Deputy regint leader, lieutenant colonel?"
He knew a bit about these matters after sending Chen Shuang to the Military Academy and turned to look at Yang Lan, asking:
"That classmate of yours, Chen Kang, he transferred as a deputy regint leader, right? ...How old was he?"
Yang Lan was stunned, counted for a mont, then turned and said:
"You would be in your forties?"
"No, that’s too slow." Fang Huai waved his hand and said, "Let calculate, this year, regular company, next year, deputy battalion, to regular battalion... probably another two to three years? Deputy regint..."
He thought for a mont, looked up, and said sowhat uncomfortably:
"I’m twenty now, in eight years, I should be about twenty-seven, and then I should rotate through two positions in a governnt agency, waiting for promotion to deputy regint leader."
At this, Chen Louxiang slamd on the brakes for the first ti.
This accounting sounds terrifying!
"You, a regint leader at twenty-seven?!"
Fang Huai seriously nodded: "Yes, if nothing goes wrong."
He calculated the ti, it should be around 16 years, and if the fire service wasn’t restructured, he would likely be the youngest deputy regint leader in national firefighting.
If restructuring happened, it was uncertain, as many promotions seed to halt after the transition.
Yang Shaoqing, seeing her parents’ incredulous expression, clung to Fang Huai’s arm, boasting about her beloved plaything:
"Fang Huai is really incredible! He was awarded the August First dal at the People’s Great Hall! Out of millions in the army, there are only two dals nationwide!"
Tsk, tsk, tsk.
My God.
The People’s Great Hall, two dals.
Chen Louxiang finally understood what Principal Luo ant about the August First dal.
In an instant, he felt considerably smaller.
Only those from their generation who went through those tis knew, with such a dal, back in the day, it would an an arranged marriage, marry she must, regardless of her wish! How could her family dare to object?
Fang Huai imdiately spoke modestly: "Division Commander Jin and I were just in ti; soon, five to six soldiers who have made significant contributions to the army will receive the August First dal. I heard a People’s Liberation Army academician has already been selected."
Academician!
To receive the sa award!
No wonder he could still calculate promotions within the system; Fang Huai’s future was utterly clear!
Chen Louxiang’s mind was reeling, and when he rembered Fang Huai’s mischievous antics as a child, he could no longer recall them.
Yang Lan was sowhat more composed and asked:
"Fang Huai... do you plan to transfer back here eventually? Guizhou... it’s quite far. If you marry far away, it would be inconvenient for us to visit Shaoqing."
Chen Louxiang cleared his throat and quickly ntioned conditions: "If you co back, you don’t need to worry about a house! We’ve got a house ready for Shaoqing, all decorated, and there’s a car too!"
Thinking about it, he recalled what Principal Luo had said:
"You are a special talent. Take good care of your future, and don’t feel too much economic pressure!"
Yang Lan imdiately gave Chen Louxiang, who was quick to talk, a glare.
He should have been allowed to struggle on his own! You’ve given him everything so easily, how will he cherish it?
Chen Louxiang got the hint from his wife’s look but sighed internally, thinking she was beautiful but short-sighted, and said:
"With Little Fang’s capabilities, he has a limitless future! He shouldn’t worry about these things. If he performs well, the positions he could reach can’t be asured by money!"
Having said that, Chen Louxiang straightened his back.
When it ca to economic matters, he still felt a bit superior.
But, Fang Huai laughed.
"Uncle, Auntie, I’m in the provincial city. Flying is actually very convenient, and it’ll be even closer with the high-speed rail. Besides, how could I let you buy a house? I’ll buy the houses myself, two large flats or even villas, one in Guiyang and one in Chongqing. I can live wherever I want."
At this, the couple was stunned again.
"Little Fang, how much is your salary?"
"Uh... I haven’t received the officer’s salary yet, currently it’s over 1000 with allowances. Maybe it’ll reach 5000 in a couple of years."
"... When do you plan to buy these houses?"
"If you agree, I’ll go buy them right now."
"Do you have savings? What will you use to buy them?"
"My parents will buy them. I also have so money."
"Aren’t your parents starting a business?"
"They succeeded in their venture!"
"... What do they do?"
"They own a store, selling household appliances in the countryside."
"You can make that much money selling appliances in the countryside?!"
"Of course not with just one store; they opened over 200."
Chen Louxiang, Yang Lan: ???
Yang Shaoqing also shyly added, "Right, dad, mom, Aunt Zhang said the family business is worth over a billion now. She and Uncle Fang are too busy by themselves and want to help them after I graduate."
"Cough, cough..."
The car suddenly slowed down again amid a bout of violent coughing.
Chen Louxiang, who had just straightened up, slouched again...
...
The next day.
Yunnan, Zhaotong, Zhenxiong.
The crowing of the roosters can be heard across three provinces.
Though this is Yunnan, it’s not too far from Guizhou, just 60 kiloters to Bijie Qixingguan and 100 kiloters to Sichuan Xuyong County, truly at the junction of Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan.
Chen Louxiang and Yang Lan clicked their tongues as they got off the bus.
Only now that their son was here did they start to pay attention to this place.
It’s a deeply impoverished county, ranking first in Yunnan in terms of the number of impoverished people.
They wondered how much hardship their son had faced in this place.
anwhile, Fang Huai was looking at the fire brigade’s courtyard wall built from bricks and tiles not far away.
It was another place where the firefighting and ard police walls abutted each other.
From the outside, it looked even smaller than the decrepit ard police compound, and the walls were so low that one could see inside just by tiptoeing.
Walls made of $2,000 worth of clay tiles protecting fire trucks worth several hundred thousand.
He couldn’t help but think of General Luo’s words: There are still many places in need, one must consider the big picture.
Fang Huai sighed, walked to the entrance of the Ard Police Squadron, and saluted the non-commissioned officer standing guard.
"Comrade! Hello... we’re looking for Chen Shuang. Chief Fang called, right?"
As soon as he finished speaking, a dark, small figure darted out of the nearby guard pavilion.
"Son, why are you here?"
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