Chapter 2524: Miao Jing and Zhai Yaohui (25)

Atlas Studios Atlas Studios

Zhai Yaohui sensed that the atmosphere had changed, and he could feel his mom’s guilt toward Miao Jing as well as Miao Jing’s distance from their family.

It was as though they had returned to the past when Miao Jing had first come to the family and didn’t know them at all.

But it had already been a year. How could Miao Jing still have such a distant relationship with his family?

Zhai Yaohui wondered if something had happened.

But Zhai Yaohui was in no hurry to satiate his curiosity for fear that he would complicate the situation even further because of how sensitive Miao Jing was. “I just entered the military and there are too many things I have to learn. That was why I was busy. Don’t worry. I’ll take it slow.”

Zhai Yaohui knew that time waited for no man.

If he didn’t work hard in the military, he would quickly lag behind.

Zhai Yaohui didn’t have many memories of his father and only knew of his father’s existence.

But as he grew older and started to understand the world around him, Zhai Yaohui was rather proud of having a father like Old Zhai.

He had once told himself that he would be just like his father once he grew up, becoming a soldier and hero who protected his country and people.

Now, Zhai Yaohui no longer thought of being a hero.

But as a man, he was still ambitious in his career.

He was his father’s son. If his father was able to do it, why couldn’t he?

While in school, Zhai Yaohui had always come out as the top student. There was no one who even came close to him.

But that changed in the military.

Shi Peng had entered the military before him and had already attained achievements while studying. Shi Peng was even more impressive than he was, and he didn’t even hesitate to risk his life to complete his mission.

They were about the same age, and yet, Shi Peng had already been sent to the hospital for emergency rescue twice due to injuries he had sustained in missions.

Because he had met someone who was just as hardworking and had even started earlier than him, Zhai Yaohui was even more motivated. It’s as though the blood in his veins was being pumped relentlessly.

This was the goal he had always been looking for. This was the goal he was going to surpass.

After setting Shi Peng as his goal, Zhai Yaohui gave his all in the military and was extremely serious in his training, giving much thought to military strategies.

Thankfully, Zhai Yaohui was still young, and his physical abilities became his biggest capital.

In such tight arrangements, not only was he physically fitter than all his peers, but his performance was also eye-catching.

Many praised Zhai Yaohui and even gave him more opportunities, and it wasn’t just because he was Old Zhai’s son.

They all admired and acknowledged Zhai Yaohui because of his own efforts and hard work.

In this state of madness, time was crucial to Zhai Yaohui.

If not for the annual leave that the military granted to new recruits, and his superiors insisting on Zhai Yaohui returning home, Zhai Yaohui would have spent the new year in the military to attain even more achievements.

After all, their enemies would never stop invading the country just because it was the new year.

“Humph!” Grandma Zhai didn’t believe a word that her son said.

Her husband was the first man in the Zhai family to enter the military, so Grandma Zhai already knew what lay ahead for the rest of the men in the Zhai family.

She had been ignorant in her youth and had been taken in by her husband. But now, did her son think that he would be taken in again?

“To both of you, the military is much more important than your family. It’s really bad luck to be married to you!” They would never be able to give their wives a normal life like other husbands.

Somehow, the entire Zhai family’s gazes fell on Miao Jing to see her attitude the moment Grandma Zhai said these words.

The Zhai family had been chatting normally like any family would at a reunion, and Miao Jing felt incredulous that she was suddenly thrown into the spotlight. Why were they looking at her? She wasn’t intending on marrying a soldier. So what if women became military spouses? That had nothing to do with her! She didn’t need to know much about it, nor give any opinions on it.

Zhai Yaohui felt embarrassed. He had clearly been led astray by his parents.

Upon hearing his mom’s words, his first reaction had been to look at his sister, Miao Jing! Had his training in the military turned him into a fool?

“Mom, I’ll chat with you later. I have some things to talk to Dad about.” Zhai Yaohui retracted his gaze and looked at Old Zhai.

Old Zhai nodded, leading Zhai Yaohui into his study. “What’s the matter?”

“I heard that the military intends to choose a talent and send him for further training.”

They talked about talent and training, but everyone understood that the leaders were looking for successors to the old revolutionaries of Old Zhai’s generation.

After all, no one could climb to the top in just one day. They had to learn the ropes along the way.

They couldn’t wait until the very last minute to choose their successors. They had to pick them out early.

“Yes, that’s true.”

It was alright for him to let his son know about this, but Old Zhai also believed that those who cared about this would have learned of this matter too.

However, Old Zhai was definitely not going to try to use his connections to help his son into that position. All he would do was to confirm the rumors that his son had heard.

Thankfully, Zhai Yaohui had no intention of asking his dad to do so either. “Alright, I understand.”

“Do you want to fight for it?”

“Shouldn’t I?”

If not for such a good opportunity, people of his generation would have to wait two to three more decades to rise into a position like his father’s.

Even if he succeeded this time, he would have to wait another ten years to be in an equal position as his father.

Compared to twenty to thirty years, ten years didn’t mean much.

“Alright. You can make your own decision in this matter. I won’t decide for you.”

Similarly, he wasn’t going to provide any help.

Zhai Yaohui smiled confidently. “Dad, I’m your son. Didn’t you pave the way for yourself too? If you could do it, I can do it too. I don’t have to rely on your connections just because I’m your son. Dad, I’ll prove to you that I’m your equal. Perhaps, I’ll be even better than you.”

Old Zhai smiled. “Alright, I’ll wait and see how you prove that you’re better than me.”

“Now that we’re done talking about work, shall we talk about your personal affairs?”…