When She Stops Being Dramatic

Chapter 261: Chapter 106: The Top Sister of the 60s Cultural Troupe (45)

Xia Zhaoyun asked with a gentle smile, "Junzi, have you ever thought about joining the army?"

Everyone at the table stopped to listen. Huo Tianhao agreed, saying, "Junzi, you’re in good physical condition and have a middle school diploma. As long as you have a specialized skill and pass the physical and political reviews, you can be specially recruited."

"In the service, you can work on your physical fitness, technical skills, and academics all at once. If you excel, you might even be able to make a career out of it and stay for life."

"It’s much better than letting your studies fall by the wayside, not having a job, and just drifting around. At the very least, you can build up a solid record in the military."

He Qingjun’s eyes lit up. ’What man doesn’t dream of being a soldier?’

’It’s incredibly tough, but isn’t that how everyone gets through it?’

There was a saying in later years: a man might regret joining the army for two years, but he’ll regret not joining for a lifetime!

"I do! I really, really do! If I become a soldier, I can finally get away from my family and stop playing mind games all day. If I make something of myself, I can be a pillar of support for my two older sisters and my nephews. We’ll see who dares to bully them then!" He Qingjun clenched his fists, trembling with heroic ambition.

Huo Tianhao nodded. "Alright, then. You’ll come with me today. I’ll put you through some intensive training, and we’ll see if you meet the requirements when recruitment starts in the fall."

He Qingjun asked, a little sheepishly, "Brother-in-law, um... can I... can I bring a few of my buddies along?"

"I promise, every one of them is strong and fit, and they’re good listeners!"

"The thing is, we’ve been running together since we were kids. We’re thick as thieves, and we always have each other’s backs. Honestly, they’ve helped me out more than I’ve helped them."

"So, I was thinking... they’re also just middle school graduates. If they just hang around at home, they might fall in with a bad crowd..."

Huo Tianhao raised an eyebrow. "Fine. Bringing one is the same as bringing a whole crew. However, if it were just you, I’d cover your room and board. But with a group, you’ll have to sort that out yourselves."

He Qingjun grinned and nodded. "Of course. Even if you did it for free, I’d have to get the money from my old man. We’re all his children; it makes no sense for him to only care about his new family and not his first."

"Master, please accept your disciple’s respects!" With that, He Qingjun raised his glass in a toast.

Huo Tianhao just smiled and shook his head. "You should stick to calling me Brother-in-law. This doesn’t make us master and disciple. At most, I’ll give you some pointers. Becoming my disciple isn’t easy. You need to have the talent for it, and you have to be willing to endure hardships most people couldn’t handle."

"I’m not afraid," He Qingjun said, thumping his chest. "I wouldn’t even blink if I had to shed my blood for my country, let alone grit my teeth to learn a few skills. Everyone has to struggle a bit to get somewhere, right?"

"Only by enduring the bitterest hardships can one rise above the rest!"

Huo Tianhao clapped him on the shoulder. "Alright. Since you’re so insistent, we’ll talk more after you pass my test."

Seeing her younger brother so motivated and driven, He Qingran’s face filled with the kind of relief and pride a mother would feel. Her eyes welled with tears as she looked at Xia Zhaoyun and her husband.

Once all the dishes had been served, Liu Mingkun stood up with his glass. His usual smile was gone, replaced by an uncharacteristically serious and solemn expression. "Today, I suppose, is my formal meeting with He Qingran’s family. I’d like to make a statement. On the surface, I might seem like a happy-go-lucky guy who’s easy to get along with and very generous."

"In reality, every action I take is carefully considered. I’m also very selective and only open my heart to the people I’ve truly committed to."

"The Liu Family is no great noble house, but our lineage can be traced back several hundred years. We place great importance on the upbringing of our children—we don’t ask them to be geniuses, only that they grow up to be good people!"

"Therefore, I’d like to think my character is at least decent. I am now ready to build a family with He Qingran and face the storms of the future together. I hope all of you here will act as our witnesses and hold me accountable."

He Qingran’s eyes shone as she gazed at him. Their lines of sight met and held, tangled in a bittersweet tenderness.

Xia Zhaoyun was the first to raise her glass. She smiled and said, "Our lives are our own. Every choice we make is less about being responsible to others and more about being responsible to ourselves."

"Brother Kun and my sister have chosen to walk the path of marriage. From now on, you’ll face wealth and poverty, honor and disgrace, together. It’s no longer a solo journey. You will also welcome the fruits of your love and take on the responsibilities of parenthood. Every step is an essential part of the path of life."

"Perhaps along the way, after being weathered by the daily grind, your love might lose some of its initial passion. But in its place, you will become the most perfectly matched partners for one another."

Huo Tianhao turned his head to look at the earnest young woman beside him, wondering just how long she had mulled things over to arrive at such a mature outlook on life.