Chapter 411: War on the Brink

Yang Yin nodded heavily.

"Yes, aunt, think about it: a person only lives a short span, just a few dozen years, and in the long river of history we are no more than a speck of dust."

Chen Xianglan gently nodded along: "Makes sense."

Yang Yin asked: "So then?"

"So?"

"So, on what grounds should we care about others' eyes? Life is short, aunt; we must live for ourselves, live however makes us happy, pursue beauty—that's a woman's right, and no one can stop us."

Chen Xianglan inhaled deeply, and in her eyes seemed a flame burning.

Lu Cheng had seen eyes like that, especially these past few days, when university students marched with colorful flags while shouting slogans, their eyes also burning like that.

Lu Cheng knew that mom, in such a mood, would soon erupt.

Even if dad Lu Beitang were here, should he dare to stop her, mom would definitely brandish a kitchen knife and slash dad.

Lu Cheng hurriedly said to Yang Yin: "Hey, hey, don't meddle in our family affairs."

The incited mom, seeing nothing mattered and feeling fearless, if this escalates, when dad returns tonight the house will surely erupt into war.

Yang Yin could just pat his butt and walk away, but the unlucky ones are him and his older sister.

Once mom ignites, it could spread to the entire Da Za Yuan.

Little did Lu Cheng know he had underestimated the power of slogans these days; Chen Xianglan's eyes flared with anger: "Who are you? Try another!"

Lu Cheng involuntarily swallowed, for now mom was completely infected, exuding a vibe of god versus god, Buddha versus Buddha, let alone his own son.

"Aunt, let's go right now," Yang Yin clenched his fist.

Chen Xianglan also clenched her fist: "Yes, go now; why should I ask his opinion? I have the right to pursue freedom."

"Yes, pursue freedom."

"Pursue freedom."

"Pursue beauty!"

"Pursue beauty!"

"..." Lu Cheng watched the two, walking out resolutely while clenching his fist and shouting slogans, then cried out "It's over!"

Tonight, just wait for the battle!

Hearing the courtyard's resonant shouts, Wu Guiwen stuck his head out of the house: "Who is that, shouting there! Lower your voice, you're disturbing my daughter's studying…"

Wu Guiwen's daughter's college entrance exam results this year have been released.

Though much better than last time, they still didn't meet Wu Guiwen's expectations.

With the current scores, she can only enroll in a small teachers college in another province or city.

Wu Guiwen disagreed; even if she can't attend Qingbei University like Lu Cheng, she must go to a teachers school in Capital City.

This way the daughter can stay nearby; otherwise, if she enrolls elsewhere, after graduation she may have to work locally, making returning to Hui Cheng meaningless, so Wu Guiwen insists she repeat a year.

Yet at this moment Chen Xianglan was in a hot‑blooded mood, and having long been fed up with Wu Guiwen, his daughter's studying and exam meant no sound was allowed in the courtyard.

If his daughter studies for a lifetime, wouldn't she never be able to make a sound?

Life is short; we must pursue freedom!

Instantly Chen Xianglan turned and stared at Wu Guiwen, her eyes seeming ready to spew fire like a lion, making anyone who saw them feel dread.

Wu Guiwen realized something was wrong and hurriedly retreated.

Chen Xianglan was very satisfied with that.

"Xiao Yang, I've had an epiphany: we must pursue freedom, and no one can stop us."

"Yes, aunt, we must pursue freedom, pursue beauty."

"Pursue beauty!"

"..."

Lu Cheng crouched at the doorway, a black line across his forehead.

"What's up with our mom? What is she shouting over there?"

Lu Cheng didn't even lift his head, muttering: "Mom's gone crazy, just wait, tonight our house will have a battle, I've decided to stay at the Siheyuan tonight."

Lu Ying stood there: "Is there really going to be a battle?"

"It'll definitely break out, dad's temper…"

Lu Cheng suddenly realized his sister didn't mean that.

"Sis, have you finished reading Wu Zhekun's letter?"

Lu Ying repeated: "Are you saying there will really be a war?"

People these days aren't unfamiliar with war; even parents of that age lived through eras of relentless artillery.

So people of this generation aren't afraid of war at all; they may even become unusually excited.

However, when someone close to them really has to go to war, they can't help but worry.

Lu Cheng didn't want his sister to worry too much: "Not necessarily; for now we just want to intimidate, but… you know, if it really comes to that, we'll have to fight."

Lu Cheng's final words served as a preemptive warning to his sister.

Because he knew this war would indeed be fought.

Lu Cheng could only pray in his heart for Wu Zhekun to return safely.

Actually he understood Senior Brother's intention.

As a military family, the children must never be cowards; otherwise, given Senior Brother's background and status, he could easily have his son transferred away from the front.

Yet Senior Brother deliberately chose to send this only son to the front line.

"Sis, I trust Lao Wu; he's not a coward, he'll definitely break formations and slay enemies on the battlefield, achieving great feats."

"I know he's not a coward, but war kills people; what if—what if…" Lu Ying ultimately didn't finish the sentence.

"I'm just a bit worried about Ning Ning; Lao Wu wrote in the letter that if he can return this time, he'll bring Ning Ning back home to raise him…"

Sister's words were obviously rambling, and at that moment Lu Cheng could not see Sister's true inner thoughts.

Is it worry for Ning Ning? Or worry for yourself?

Perhaps it's both.

Lu Cheng stood up: "Sister, don't worry too much; Lao Wu is very clever…"

"But he's also reckless; who knows if he'll keep charging forward foolishly."

Lu Cheng didn't know how to comfort her; given Wu Zhekun's temperament, he could indeed do such a thing.

But defending the country is Wu Zhekun's duty as a soldier, even at the cost of his life.

Lu Ying, of course, also knows that Wu Zhekun, as a soldier, belongs not to any individual but must be ready to sacrifice for the nation at any time; she silently returned to her room.

Lu Cheng sat at the doorway, silently smoking, until dusk gathered, September of autumn had come, and the evening was still scorching.

When the last cigarette was almost finished, Lu Cheng saw two women entering through Chuihua Gate.

At first glance, these two people looked very unfamiliar.

Only because each of them sported a head of curls, completely different from their previous appearances.

Weren't they supposed to take Mom to get her hair curled? How come Yang Yin's hair is curled too?

"Mom, is that you?"

Chen Xianglan was just about to answer when Lu Beitang, who had just returned from work, happened to pull his bicycle in from the front yard.

Just catching a glimpse of the two curled‑haired silhouettes, his mind immediately grew disdainful.

"Hey, which Da Za Yuan are you two from? You can't just come and go in our courtyard; get out quickly."

Seeing his dad return, Lu Cheng exclaimed that things were bad; a battle was about to erupt!