Chapter 160

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Protagonist:

Yan Qianqian

As it happened, today the servants in the residence were sweeping the courtyard, but unexpectedly one of them accidentally knocked over a vase. At that moment, Guo Lanxin was resting in the inner room, lying lazily on the couch. Hearing a crisp "bang" from outside, Guo Lanxin was startled and hurriedly got up, walking quickly out of the inner chamber to investigate.

She saw the servant in utter panic, already frightened to the point of kneeling on both knees, kowtowing incessantly and begging for mercy, saying repeatedly: "Madam, spare my life! This little one truly didn't do it on purpose!

The price of this vase, this little one is willing to have it deducted from this month's monthly salary..." In truth, this vase wasn't worth much money to begin with. Seeing him so terrified and sincere, Guo Lanxin's heart softened and she wanted to just let the matter drop and pursue it no further.

However, at this very moment, Guo Lanxin's gaze was suddenly drawn to an object lying beside the vase fragments — it was actually a glittering gold ingot!

Guo Lanxin couldn't help but feel doubt arise, and immediately asked the servant: "Where exactly did this gold ingot come from?" The servant replied trembling with fear: "Answering Madam, just now while sweeping the vase, this little one heard a clattering sound coming from inside the bottle, as if something was hidden inside.

This little one originally thought it was some small insect or the like that had fallen into the vase and died inside, so wanted to investigate thoroughly. Who would have thought that a moment of carelessness would result in accidentally smashing the vase... As for what happened after, you've seen it all."

Hearing his explanation, Guo Lanxin truly didn't know whether to laugh or cry. And right at this moment, Ai Sheng appeared at the doorway at some unknown time, quietly poking his head in to peek inside.

When he saw that Guo Lanxin had already put down the feather duster in her hand and was chatting amiably with me, the heart he had been holding in suspense finally settled, and only then did he dare to swagger into the room. Ai Sheng stood at the doorway, secretly pondering the matter of that vase in his heart.

When this vase was originally bought, it was thought to be a precious antique. Who could have expected that after bringing it home, it would be discovered to be a fake! Upon learning this, Madam wanted to throw it out on the spot.

But Ai Sheng felt keeping it displayed in his own bedroom was no harm, after all, few people ever came here, so it wouldn't be seen by others.

Moreover, because Madam had zero interest in this fake vase, she normally wouldn't even give it a second glance. Even the servants cleaning the room often overlooked it. Over time, a thin layer of dust had accumulated on the vase.

And the reason Ai Sheng chose to hide his private savings in this vase was precisely because of its characteristic of being ignored by everyone. However, he never in his wildest dreams expected that some idle servant would accidentally smash the vase while cleaning!

Thinking of his private savings, painstakingly accumulated, being exposed just like that, Ai Sheng was practically fuming with rage.

Just then, Ai Sheng suddenly heard his son Ai Jiao's shouting voice. At this moment, Ai Jiao was conversing with Guo Lanxin. Hearing his son's call, Ai Sheng's mind raced, thinking what this visit of his was actually for. Finally, he heard Ai Jiao say: "Mother, I came today because I have a matter to find Father about."

Guo Lanxin heard this and her curiosity was instantly piqued. She asked: "What matter?" Seeing this, Ai Jiao hurriedly shouted toward his father: "Father, you come over quickly!"

Hearing his son's urging, although Ai Sheng still felt some trepidation in his heart, he still steeled himself and walked slowly into the room. When he reached the table, he carefully glanced at Guo Lanxin.

Discovering she was silent, he tiptoed and slowly sat down. After sitting steadily, he asked softly: "Jiao'er, what exactly is the matter that has you looking so worried?" Ai Jiao raised his head, looking at his father with determined eyes and said: "Father, this child wants to go join the Yan Family Army."

Ai Sheng frowned slightly and persuaded earnestly: "Jiao'er, this Yan Family Army isn't so easy to enter. Leaving aside their strict selection, even if you get in, the training there is far more arduous than in other armies."

However, Ai Jiao did not retreat in the slightest, responding resolutely: "Father, this child does not fear hardship. Since I wholeheartedly want to defend home and country, I must become the strongest warrior.

Moreover, Yan Wang became Deputy Commander in just two short years. This child believes I can certainly do it too. And An Wang has already agreed to help send me into the military camp. It's just that An Wang felt if he did so without your consent, it would be somewhat disrespectful to you.

So Father, would you be willing to mention this matter to An Wang and fulfill this child's wish?" Hearing this, Ai Sheng was first stunned, then nodded and replied: "Since it's like this, then tomorrow Father will go find An Wang to discuss it."

Hearing his father agree, Ai Jiao's face instantly blossomed with a delighted smile. He cheered: "Wonderful! Father really is the best father in the world! Then this child will return to his room first. Qianqian is still waiting for me in Eldest Sister-in-law's courtyard right now."

Ai Sheng smiled and waved his hand, instructing: "Mm, go quickly." Before his words had even finished, Ai Jiao had already happily sprinted out.

Guo Lanxin asked with a worried expression: "Really let Jiao'er go to the military camp? That's a battlefield! Flashing blades and shadows, fraught with peril. What if he accidentally gets injured? Even a slight carelessness could cost him his life..." Speaking, she couldn't help but shed tears.

Ai Sheng stepped forward and gently embraced his wife's shoulders, comforting her softly: "Madam, I know you ache for Jiao'er, but this is ultimately his own decision.

As parents, if we don't support him in realizing his dream, don't let him enter the military camp, then when he's fifty or sixty, we may already be gone from this world, while he can only spend his remaining life harboring deep regret, and resent us both. Are you willing to see that kind of outcome?

Besides, hasn't Yan Wang already been in the military camp for over two years? If Jiao'er can also get in, the two brothers can look out for each other."

Hearing this, Guo Lanxin raised her head. Her red-rimmed eyes were full of worry and reluctance: "But whenever I think of Jiao'er going to the battlefield to fight and struggle with people, my heart is filled with fear and unease."

Ai Sheng patted Guo Lanxin's hand and continued to console her: "Madam need not worry excessively. This is the path Jiao'er chose himself. Believe he can certainly handle all kinds of difficulties and challenges. Moreover, our family has been generals for generations. Jiao'er has a soldier's blood flowing in his bones. He has sufficient courage and wisdom to face everything."

Although her heart still held ten thousand reluctances, Guo Lanxin thought over her husband's words and felt they were not without reason. In the end, she gritted her teeth and nodded with difficulty: "Alright, then I'll listen to you. Hope Jiao'er can be safe and sound."

In fact, Guo Lanxin herself was born into a family of generals. She had once personally witnessed too many partings of life and death and bloody cruelty.

Precisely because of this, she was even more unwilling to let her beloved son step onto this road of military service fraught with hardship and danger. However, things having come to this pass, she also understood she could not change Jiao'er's determination. She could only silently pray for heaven to bless him with peace and safety.

On the other side, Ai Jiao walked with light and hurried steps, jogging all the way back to Yan Xiner's courtyard. She had just stepped across the courtyard gate when she couldn't wait to shout loudly: "Qianqian! My father agreed! My father said he'll go find your father tomorrow to discuss this matter!"

Hearing this good news, Qianqian and Yan Xiner's faces instantly blossomed with overjoyed smiles. Qianqian said excitedly: "That's truly wonderful!"

Yan Xiner also chimed in agreement: "Yes, this way it coincides with Wang'er also being in the military camp. He can also take good care of you." Speaking, Yan Xiner smiled at Ai Jiao, her eyes full of concern.

Hearing this, Ai Jiao nodded with a heart full of joy, her heart filled with anticipation and yearning for the future.