Chapter 162: Chapter 162: Lobbying
“Old Zhou is outside,” Sister-in-law Zhou explained to Yang PeiMin. “He went to find Old Li to get his chess set back, saying he wanted to play a couple of gas with Xiao Shen.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Political Commissar Zhou, with a chess set in one hand and the other hand behind his back, returned. His voice could be heard from afar, “Xiao Shen, last ti I was careless, and you took advantage by slipping through a gap to win. That wasn’t a real victory. Co, let’s have another match.”
Yang PeiMin stood up and saw Political Commissar Zhou, dressed in a military uniform and looking spirited and lean, striding into the room.
“This must be Xiao Shen’s wife, eh? This young man is really lucky,” he said, laughing heartily at Yang PeiMin.
Sister-in-law Zhou pulled her back to sit down, “Let’s not bother them; they’ll entertain themselves.”
Shen Yiguang had already been called out by Political Commissar Zhou to play chess under the banyan tree in the courtyard.
Sister-in-law Zhou took out so tea leaves to make tea while talking with Yang PeiMin, “Why didn’t you co over at noon? We all could have had lunch together.”
Nowadays, nobody was well-off enough to co over for a nice al.
Yang PeiMin smiled and replied, “Yiguang told Sister-in-law is always busy, and it’s rare to see you. I just happened to co over without any other plans.”
Sister-in-law Zhou gave her a once-over, “You know how to speak well, no wonder Old Zhou said that young man is lucky.”
“I am the lucky one; Yiguang is really great.”
Sister-in-law Zhou nodded in agreent, “I heard you are preparing for the college entrance exam?”
Yang PeiMin was also ready for the question, “Yes, I tried last year, and it’s always been a regret.”
Sister-in-law Zhou poured her a cup of tea, and Yang PeiMin quickly bowed and received it with both hands, “You could have done it yourself, Sister-in-law.”
“Does your family agree?”
Yang PeiMin replied, “I convinced them to agree.”
Sister-in-law Zhou gestured for her to drink her tea, then took a sip herself and casually looked at her before asking, “So tell , what do you want to do in the future?”
“I don’t have grand aspirations, just a college dream. It’s so close; without effort, I might regret it for life.” Yang PeiMin spoke her honest feelings.
Sister-in-law Zhou then inquired about her intended major.
And about her choice of universities to apply to.
Yang PeiMin knew her own level; she didn’t even consider the key schools in B city, but at that ti, her specialty was quite unique, and not many schools offered it. She felt fairly confident about N city University, and of course, Sister-in-law Zhou was even more inford, and she in turn was consulting her.
Seeing how Yang PeiMin spoke with confidence and had plans, Sister-in-law Zhou silently nodded in approval, “PeiMin, Ah Guang has already settled down here; he won’t have any major changes in the upcoming few years. If you study in N city, that’s a thousand miles away; it’d be a long-distance relationship.”
Yang PeiMin’s heart skipped a beat, and she looked up, “Sister-in-law.”
Sister-in-law Zhou put out her hand to stop her from continuing, “PeiMin, I’m speaking from an elder’s perspective. I’ve known Ah Guang for many years, and I’ve seen him work his way up step by step. He’s never shared the hardships he’s faced with anyone, including his family. This year, he’s settled his personal matters, and we’re all very happy. Brother Zhou heard the news and imdiately started arranging his military dependent matters. Later, he said that housing here was tight and that he would wait for the new military family building to be finished, which is understandable. Anyway, it didn’t take long for him to have soone by his side who knows his warm and cold, and this will allow him to concentrate more on his career. PeiMin, have you considered applying to a university here?”
On the chessboard, there were more black pieces than red. Political Commissar Zhou, who had the red pieces, had just lost a chariot to Shen Yiguang’s horse and was on the verge of defeat. He muttered to himself, “Why did I make such a move? Ah, it must be because my eyes are blurry, and I saw it wrong. I ant to move this pawn. Yiguang, it’s not honorable to win against an old man whose eyesight is failing. Let’s go back one step and play it over.”
After saying that, he reached out to put his chariot back on the board.
Shen Yiguang didn’t even lift his eyes and said indifferently, “You’ve really gotten old, burning through decades of face until it thickened. How shalessly you can barefacedly act the rogue.”
Political Commissar Zhou’s face turned red, and he humd in protest, “Who’s playing unfair!”
“Not even a bit of respect for your elders.”
Shen Yiguang’s brows did not move as he captured another of his horses.
Political Commissar Zhou was again frustrated, “Can’t you leave your battlefield tactics off the chessboard?”
Shen Yiguang raised an eyebrow, “I care more about results than process.”
“How’s the preparation for that mission at the end of next month?”
“No big issues on my end, my teammates are experienced and tough-minded.”
“I’m talking about your family,” Political Commissar Zhou glanced aningfully towards the house, clearly referring to Yang PeiMin.
“She’s still young; have a proper talk with her, don’t keep her in the dark completely, let her be a part of it.”
Silent for a mont, Shen Yiguang seriously acknowledged.
“You can rest assured about this side, and as for your sister-in-law, my wife will take care of her. She’ll be able to help out in the future, so you don’t need to worry.”
Shen Yiguang nodded, “Thanks to your wife for the trouble.”
On Yang PeiMin’s side, she was surprised to hear Sister-in-law Zhou’s suggestion and took a mont to co back to her senses. She wasn’t in a position to respond right away, only searching her mory for a university related to this field in her past life, but couldn’t recall any specifics at the mont.
It seed Mrs. Zhou also realized what she was thinking and introduced T University to her, “They have qualified teachers, although not much investnt, but the situation for this major in other schools is similar—it’s just that those schools might have a bigger na… I hope you’ll consider all factors carefully.”
After Sister-in-law Zhou finished speaking, she didn’t expect an imdiate answer, just handed Yang PeiMin so tea.
Yang PeiMin nodded, taking a sip of the cup, tasting the black tea, which was good for the stomach even though it wasn’t particularly tasty.
“I have to thank you for your concern, Sister-in-law; I’ll think it over carefully.”
“Good, as long as you don’t find annoying, that’s all that matters. If you choose this side, I can give you a recomndation when the ti cos. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself, and feel free to stay for a few more days. If you have any problems with your review, you can co to for help. If I don’t know the answer myself, I can find soone who does.”
Yang PeiMin quickly nodded her gratitude.
Sister-in-law Zhou shook her head, “It’s good to be polite with strangers, but with family, too much formality feels distant.”
Yang PeiMin and Shen Yiguang declined Political Commissar Zhou and his wife’s invitation to stay for dinner.
Shen Yiguang took her to the west side of the military region to see the newly built Military Family Building.
Yang PeiMin glanced at Yan Zheng, completely absorbed in the view ahead, “You really put on a good show.”
Shen Yiguang laughed openly, turning his face toward her, “Then, Mr. Yang, do you have any thoughts?”
Yang PeiMin shook her head, feigning indifference.
Shen Yiguang raised an eyebrow, seeming sowhat surprised.
Yang PeiMin didn’t care, it was his own fault for playing tricks with her.
Shen Yiguang did not press further, only started to talk about tonight’s al, “Today is Friday, I don’t know when the canteen started having an understanding with the students, but the dinner on this day is always a rare treat: atballs.”
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