Chapter 164: The Unbelievable Father Wang
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
“Stay there and stay resolute.
Whether it’s a hint of bitterness or a trace of fatigue, the soldiers carried on just like this.
You’re now an adult and a man. Clenching your teeth, you’ll endure for two years.
This will also become the most crucial experience of your life, do you comprehend?”
He held the phone in his hand. His father’s voice echoed from the other end.
But before Wang Ye could respond, the phone was snatched away, “Alright, alright. It’s the new year. Let’s hear less from you.
Son, don’t take your father too seriously. If you’re worn out, take a break. It’s important to maintain a good rapport with your superior. After all, didn’t he provide you with financial support?
Get some quality cigarettes and fine wine, and let them work in your favor. Let him watch over you!”
“Mom, don’t worry. I don’t have to be like this. Actually, I’ve been getting accolades in the army.”
Wang Ye said with a smile.
“Hmm?
What was that?
Accolade? What accolade?”
“A commendation and a third-class merit.”
“Ah!”
On the other side of the line, his mother suddenly exclaimed. Then, his father’s stern demeanor shifted, and he inquired, “What’s happening? Son, where did you earn these merits? Aren’t you just a recruit?”
“Yes, yes! Xiao Ye, are you fabricating this? It’s New Year’s, so don’t toy with us!”
“That’s right! It can’t be that easy to achieve something significant in the army, can it?”
Voices on the other end of the call became a blend of skepticism.
This was because many extended family members were present.
The Wang family was affluent; Father and Mother Wang had returned home for the New Year, and all the aunts and uncles had congregated.
Previously, when Wang Ye made the call and his mother spoke, they remained silent, cautious not to interrupt. Thus, even though he was on speakerphone, Wang Ye could only hear his parents’ voices.
However, now Wang Ye’s revelation detonated like a grenade tossed into a fishpond, stirring up a frenzy.
“Alright, let’s halt the discussion for now. Listen to Xiao Ye. Your bickering is so disruptive that he can’t speak.”
His mother’s voice still carried weight over the phone.
Though his mother had always been tender and gentle with Wang Ye, this was her son we were talking about.
Now, she was at her hometown, and the dignified lady retained her influence. A single statement subdued the commotion on the other end of the line.
“Son, give us the details!”
Wang Ye chuckled and said, “Mom, it’s because I performed outstandingly during training. I broke a regimental record in a particular event, earning me a third-class merit. Additionally, I secured first place in another event and received a commendation!”
Wang Ye didn’t believe in hiding these accomplishments. It was a perfect moment to celebrate the New Year and allow his parents to gain some prestige. Otherwise, his relatives would always perceive his father as a successful individual with an inept offspring.
“Is it truly so straightforward to attain recognition in the military?”
“Two achievements? Goodness, is Xiao Ye truly that extraordinary?”
A faint voice drifted through the phone.
But it lacked fervor.
“You shattered the record?” Wang Jianjun’s voice interjected.
His disbelief was palpable through the receiver.
Naturally, how could he be unaware of his son’s true nature?
In his eyes, Wang Ye was a waste of potential. He had strived his entire life and hoped that Wang Ye would be more promising. However, the latter had habitually surfed the internet when he should’ve been studying. When at home, he still indulged in online activities, often staying up all night gaming or engaging in web surfing.
It was as if he viewed his son as an entirely useless entity.
This was why he had no qualms about sending Wang Ye to the army.
Yet now, this purportedly inept son of his, having been in the army for just over two months, was asserting his achievements.
Two of them? And it was due to training that he clinched the first position?
Such grandiloquence was beyond his wildest dreams.
Could the others all be more inept than my son?
More useless than my offspring?
Wang Jianjun was beginning to question the course of his life.
Wang Ye smiled.
“Absolutely! Dad, I shattered the team record in the 400-meter obstacle run. 1 also excelled in the 50-meter grenade throw, taking first place!”
These weren’t classified details, so Wang Ye didn’t obscure them from his family.
Of course, there was also the third-class merit, but Wang Ye didn’t mention it again.
Well, he hadn’t anticipated divulging that.
“You’re not deceiving me, are you?
Mind you, it’s New Year’s, and there’s a house full of relatives here. If you dare to mislead me, you know the consequences!”
Wang Jianjun remained incredulous.
“Enough, enough! What’s with that tone?
Son, disregard your father. He thinks my son is no better than that.
Come on, son, recount for us how you earned these merits!”
Once more, his mother assumed command over the phone.
Wang Ye didn’t address his mother’s inquiry. Instead, he smiled and said, “Mom, didn’t I tell you I’d achieve something like this? And as for Dad, I’ll send back a letter after New Year’s. You’ll know everything when you read it!”
“Alright, alright, alright…”
Ten minutes later, his mother had exhausted her conversational reserves, and Wang Jianjun had expended his arsenal of reprimands and reminders.
However, ultimately, nothing was uttered at all. The dialogue shifted solely to Wang Ye’s accomplishments.
Of course, in the end, Wang Ye extended his New Year’s greetings to his relatives, including his grandparents.
Ten minutes later, his mother reluctantly hung up.
“Finished,” Ye Sanshi declared with a grin. “Actually, I wouldn’t have rushed you if you had chatted for an additional two minutes tonight.”
“Nearly there!” Wang Ye smiled, passing him the phone.
“Absolutely!” Ye Sanshi affirmed, retrieving a pack of Double Happiness cigarettes. “Go ahead, take one if you smoke.”
Wang Ye regarded him, and he reciprocated the gaze, his smile unwavering. “By all means. It’s an exception for the New Year. Certain troops are permitted to indulge tonight.
However, our Iron Bones Hero Regiment serves as a rapid response unit, thus we’ve always been forbidden from alcohol.
Nonetheless, cigarettes—despite being new recruits, I’ll offer you one tonight.
Of course, no one is coerced into smoking.”
“Smoking it is!”
Wang Ye accepted a cigarette, tapped it out, and nestled it between his lips. Then, he extracted his lighter and sparked a flame.
“Cough !”
Having abstained for a considerable period, he choked on his initial inhalation.
“Haha! Looks like you genuinely haven’t been sneaking smokes during this time. Impressive!”
Balancing the cigarette, Wang Ye stared at him with bemusement.
What a tremendous charade. It’s the New Year, for heaven’s sake. Can’t you guys be more trusting? Where’s the basic faith among individuals…
“Haha, take a drag. Once you’re done, head inside. I’ll beckon the next person!”
Qin Li pocketed his phone and headed toward the mess hall.
Inside the canteen, revelry prevailed.
The gala had fallen silent.
Reason being, they were immersed in song.
“A row of…Is that even right? Why are you dragging this out?”
ii
Just like a woman!”
“If you’re reluctant to sing, I’ll step in.”
Their chorus reverberated as the three platoons exchanged banter.
Those on calls emerged to converse, afterward receiving a cigarette. Though their turn had yet to arrive, the ones who’d completed their calls entered the building and reveled within.
Wang Ye grinned, surveying the scene inside. Then, he ambled slightly further from the entrance, cigarette in hand.
Tonight, the heavens displayed an array of stars, yet the moon exhibited a mere crescent.
The 30th day of the year symbolized reunion, yet the moon was absent, akin to the children in the army.
Everyone congregated at their respective homes, yet they couldn’t partake.
However, these homesick youths now comprised a vast family here.
Within the military camp, the festive ambiance persisted.
“Hu…”
As laughter echoed from behind, Wang Ye settled onto the grassy roadside, stretching out.
Smoking and gazing at the stars.
Feeling homesick?
Absolutely.
Despite his rebirth, Wang Ye had surpassed thirty years of age before his transformation. Plus, he’d spent several years within society and had even encountered a year without returning home.
Yet this didn’t mean he didn’t yearn for home.
In fact, following his rebirth, Wang Ye realized he missed home even more during these moments.
In his prior life, he wasn’t wise enough during this phase. He hadn’t cared for his grandparents as he should’ve, nor had he paid them adequate attention.
Some regrets often remained inconspicuous, only revealing themselves during the New Year.
This divergence in mood set him apart from the other recruits.
However, joining the army was also among Wang Ye’s regrets.
Now that he was in, Wang Ye bore no regrets.
Furthermore, he wouldn’t be able to make it home for the New Year over the next two years.
As Wu Jianfeng indicated, once he entered the military academy, there would be a winter break during the New Year. Even if he remained in the army, he could still return home.