Chapter 172 - 126 Love Information in an Office

Squadron Department.

Squadron Leader, Hao Chengbin, Fang Huai’s family.

A long discussion.

"...The entire process was like this. Just a few days ago, right here, the old gentleman he rescued even brought a banner to thank him."

Cao Yi pointed to a banner on the wall written with the words "Bravery shines in danger, lifesaving grace as heavy as a mountain."

Fang Kaiyang and Zhang Mei listened intently to the process of Fang Huai’s rescue, Zhang Mei was so nervous she occasionally pinched Fang Kaiyang’s wrist hard.

Fang Kaiyang grimaced from the pinching, but he could only sternly point at his son, admonishing him not to be so foolish and take such risks in the future.

It was a terrifying experience.

Looking at the squadron’s environment, although it wasn’t as harsh as the Reclamation Corps of their days, upon careful reflection, they realized that being a firefighter in peacetime is far more dangerous than what they faced back then.

When he was in the army, Sino-American and Sino-Japanese relations had already normalized, and their corps was originally known as the "Reclamation Corps," long since relocated to the border defense areas. To refer to it as the first field army and proudly call it the Reclamation Corps was a matter of honor.

Back then, the most dangerous thing was getting swept up by a severe dust storm, nearly getting buried.

Even Zhang Zhongting, who was used to seeing dangers, hadn’t expected the heroic lifesaving deeds reported by Special Duty to be so perilous.

It truly was perilous.

Having been a squadron and big team commander for over ten years, how could he not know?

Below was a reservoir full of water vegetation, and on a bitterly cold day, if one person could drown, so could a second.

To think that in a situation where no one could provide support and without the protection of a safety rope, this darn kid dared to dive in.

But the phrase he often said in meetings, "saving people first," left him without a rebuttal.

Given the circumstances at that time, with the endangered person’s life hanging in the balance, if it had been him, he wouldn’t have dared delay.

Let alone waiting for backup to arrive, even taking the time to secure a safety rope and lingering on shore for an extra half minute could likely cost a life.

Hao Chengbin felt half relieved and half anxious. Relieved because saving people was indeed the sacred duty of firefighters, anxious because Captain Zhang wasn’t someone who always played by the rules, and he had been entrusted with looking after Fang Huai.

The only one who seemed quite at ease in the office was Fang Huai.

Heh, my uncle is arranging a third-class merit for me? Do you understand now? He’s holding back my progress!

"Why are you looking at me?"

Zhang Zhongting, in a leadership position and just as sensitive as Old Teacher He, covered his lack of confidence with a louder voice after seeing Fang Huai’s resentful look:

"Do you think the troops are run by your family? A third-class merit is an honor that many people can’t attain, do you think they can be handed out one after another?"

Hao Chengbin also came over and patted Fang Huai on the shoulder:

"That’s enough. I’ve been serving for ten years and have only one second-class meritorious service and two third-class merits!"

But Fang Huai cheerfully said, "All I need is to earn more honors than my uncle!"

"Whoa!" Zhang Zhongting stood up abruptly, "Kid, you want to compete with me?"

Hao Chengbin was a bit disheartened and whispered, "But Captain Zhang is a recipient of first-class merit!"

Zhang Zhongting laughed with a sense of pride:

"In the whole province, there aren’t many cadres with more honors than me!

One first-class merit, one second-class merit, eight third-class merits! It’s just that I’m a bit short on second-class merits!

You want to catch up to me? By the time you do, you’ll at least be a regimental commander!"

Fang Huai pursed his lips.

You’ve been on duty for over twenty years, what’s there to compare with me right now?

However, my uncle’s second second-class merit is also coming soon.

Thinking about this, Fang Huai felt a sense of urgency and didn’t want to delay any longer.

"Old man, mom, how about I accompany you to buy some clothes? After we’re done shopping, we can have a meal."

The old couple was actually still a bit unaccustomed to this.

How mischievous was Fang Huai at home! Him buying clothes for them?

When Fang Huai was five years old, he bought a bag of his father’s favorite jerky with his pocket money, a fact Fang Kaiyang brought up until Fang Huai was a teenager!

Whenever relatives and friends praised their own children’s sensibility during holidays, that was the only story he could proudly tell.

Zhang Mei felt at that moment that her child had truly grown up.

Although Fang Huai had always been closer to her, it was just that he spoke to her more.

Zhang Mei was afraid that if Fang Huai got into trouble outside, he’d be afraid of being punished and wouldn’t tell anyone, so she never hit him, maintaining a mother’s tender attitude and hoping that Fang Huai would communicate more with her if anything happened.

But if anyone most wished for Fang Huai to grow up, it would be her.

Since Fang Huai would talk to Zhang Mei, naturally she was aware that Fang Huai had a girlfriend.

That was Fang Huai’s darling, on any holiday or the like, Fang Huai would never stay at home but would go to see that Huang Jiaojiao.

So even though Yang Shaoqing, who said she was Fang Huai’s friend, had come with big and small packages to see them several times, she didn’t believe that Fang Huai would change his heart.

Yang Shaoqing, that girl, good, really good, not only obedient but sweet-talking, caring, and also Chen Shuang’s sister, known origins and background.

Huang Jiaojiao... let’s not mention her.

She had encountered Fang Huai with her occasionally in the past, but that girl never even called her aunt.

But for Fang Huai’s sake, she endured it.

"Huai Huai, your girlfriend... do you want to buy her a set of clothes too? Give me the address, and we can bring it back for her."

Zhang Mei wanted Fang Huai to feel at ease in the army, letting him know she would help look after things.

However, Fang Huai was taken aback, "What girlfriend do I have?"

Cao Yi was also taken aback, "How can you not have one? She even sent you stuff! Have you finished the beef jerky?"

Not only do you have one, but you also drove me crazy!

Hao Chengbin, seeing how Cao Yi was behaving, knew who he was talking about and laughed while explaining for Fang Huai, "That’s his female classmate!"

He remembered Fang Huai’s explanation from their new recruit group days.

Zhang Zhongting, with the most information, confidently waved his hand, "That girl is from his same school, not really a classmate, more like an alumna. She’s almost a year younger than Fang Huai, and she hasn’t even started dating Fang Huai!"

As everyone spoke up, each confident in their understanding, they ended up bewildering Zhang Mei.

Fang Kaiyang was also bewildered.

Everyone knows, except for me that my own son has a girlfriend!

In my previous life, I was also discharged before I told Fang Kaiyang about a girlfriend named Huang Jiaojiao.

In that life, father and son didn’t communicate much before Zhang Mei left.

Zhang Mei was stunned, "That... Huang Jiaojiao, the one who sent you beef jerky? Must have been expensive, right?"

That girl, she really doesn’t seem like she would care about others, but it surprised her!

Now, several others were confused again.

"What Huang Jiaojiao! Little Yang! Her name is Yang Shaoqing!" Captain Zhang couldn’t help but correct.

Everyone couldn’t help but look at Fang Huai, especially Hao Chengbin and Cao Yi, who both had an inexplicable depth to their gaze.

Damn, brother, you’re quite the player!

Fang Huai’s mouth twitched under their stares.

Today’s lesson is called "Information Gap."

He had really neglected the matter with Huang Jiaojiao, not considering there was someone else at home in the know.

And in my previous life, mom clearly didn’t like her, yet during holidays, she would still prepare some food and drinks for me to take to her family.

Fang Huai never delivered them because he knew Huang Jiaojiao looked down on such things.

What she wanted was red envelope transfers.

And after mom passed away, my dad, who was openly indifferent to Huang Jiaojiao, seemed to have taken over my mom’s role, becoming the one who tolerated Huang Jiaojiao.

They worried too much for me.

Fang Huai waved his hand with some emotion,

"That Huang Jiaojiao, she’s not a good person. Mom was so kind to her, yet she was especially rude to mom. I dumped her long ago; why bother with her?

Don’t worry, I’ll definitely find you a really good daughter-in-law in the future!"

Hearing this, Zhang Mei immediately relaxed, truly feeling her son had grown up now, with tears swirling in her eyes:

"Good... good, that’s also good."

"Yo! There’s this story too?" Captain Zhang couldn’t help but stand up, smiling at Fang Huai:

"Kid, I see you not only became sensible but also raised your standards! Little Yang is particularly good!

I’ve chatted with this girl several times. She’s simple, has a good heart, and as for looks, beyond reproach!"

When Zhang Mei heard this, hope flared again, "Huai Huai, is Yang Shaoqing the one who sent you the beef jerky?"

Fang Huai nodded.

"Ah, great, great!" Zhang Mei spoke much quicker this time, no longer hesitant:

"When did you start seeing Yang Shaoqing? How far have things progressed?"

Fang Huai couldn’t help but roll his eyes.

In my previous life, my parents never rushed me to get married, and I thought it was because they were progressive. Now it seems that it was the partner’s fault!

It looks like all parents are the same!

"Can we talk about this outside?" said Fang Huai, resignedly.

Captain Zhang clapped his hands, "Good, let’s talk outside!"

...

Five minutes later, an office was left with a four-hour leave request.

Exiting the Squadron Department door, many people saw Captain Zhang in civilian clothes; those who recognized him immediately saluted and greeted him loudly.

Descending the stairs, the crowd of cadres and non-commissioned officers had already grown.

Everyone, after learning of Fang Huai’s family ties, couldn’t help but sigh: Incredible, this Fang Huai, whether visible or invisible power, he has it all, he’s bound to soar high!

The group enthusiastically escorted Fang Huai and his family to the exit, while Captain Zhang stood at the Squadron gate, chatting privately with Hao Chengbin for two minutes. The two saluted each other, shook hands, and then departed.

Everyone saw this but felt an envy that was hard to come by.

...

Nanguo Huajin Mall.

Captain Zhang was recounting to the old couple how Miss Yang came to Guiyang and his impressions from meeting Yang Shaoqing.

The reasons and the consequences gradually aligned in the minds of the old couple.

There was potential, definitely potential.

This girl, she actually had feelings for Fang Huai!

Fang Kaiyang spoke concisely and directly, "Boy, I think you have an 80% chance! Seize the opportunity and take her down in one fell swoop!"

"You think it’s a battle..." Fang Huai said, speechless.

Zhang Mei, being practical, quickly thought and said, "Where does Shaoqing study? Give me an address, I’ll send her some homemade chili oil! Our homemade chili oil is delicious, unlike anything outside! And then... I’ll write her a letter, to send my regards."

Fang Huai was even more speechless, "Mom... chili oil, can you even make it better than Lao Gan Ma? That’s so old-fashioned. Besides, who sends such cheap things when courting a girl these days?"

"It’s homemade, it’s about the gesture!" Zhang Mei’s eyes showed an unusual depth:

"Girl likes what, I’m a woman, how could I not know?

You might afford it once or twice, maybe three or five times, but for a lifetime?

Our family’s financial condition is what it is, and you being a soldier, it’s not going to improve much.

By actively sending something I’ve made by hand and writing a letter to her, I want to show her that our family will treat her well.

If Shaoqing isn’t a materialistic girl and can accept this bottle of chili oil, she can accept you, understand?"

Fang Huai was clogged with emotion inside.

So that was what mom meant back then.

After a while, Fang Huai thought of this life and suddenly felt his spirits lift as if the clouds had cleared, and he said with a faint smile:

"Fine, Mom! Let’s do it your way, send the chili oil!

If you say the son you gave birth to is like chili oil, I’ll accept that!

But saying that my financial situation won’t improve much, isn’t that a bit absolute?"