Chapter 121

Song Huihua came to Zhu Hongyu, Narenhua, and Wang Li in a carefree manner, saying proudly, “What do you think? Do you believe that my younger brother is a genius? He’s at the age to pursue a master’s degree. I estimate he’s the only one in the country.”

All three women sincerely agreed with Song Huihua. Zhu Hongyu said, “No need for your reminder, Second Sister. We all think so.”

Feeling a bit embarrassed by their remarks, Song Haowen said to everyone, “What’s going on? We’re not doing business anymore, just chatting here? Go on, everyone, and busy yourselves with your own affairs.”

Song Huihua asked Song Haowen, “Are you ready? Then come with me. Bring the admission letter too, so our parents can be happy to see it.”

Song Haowen didn’t really want to bring the admission letter home, feeling it was a bit troublesome to have it on him, but since his second sister said so, he could only bring it along.

Song Haowen and his second sister rode their bicycles back to their home in Guihua Alley. Before he even entered the house, he saw a tall and handsome young military officer standing in the courtyard looking towards them. Based on his memories from his past life, Song Haowen immediately recognized the military officer in front of him as his eldest brother, Song Haojun, and called out excitedly, “Big Brother.” At the same time, Song Huihua also called out, “Big Brother.”

Song Haojun was very happy to see his younger sister and third brother, walking up to them and looking them over. “It’s been two or three years. Third Brother has grown up, and Second Sister is getting more and more beautiful. I never dreamt that our family would produce two top scholars from the capital, one provincial champion, and one municipal champion. It’s really remarkable. I have to learn from you guys.”

At this time, their father, Song Huaisheng, came out of the room and said, “Your big brother is also remarkable. He was promoted to platoon leader for his first-class merit in the self-defense counterattack this time. It’s not easy.”

Song Haowen remembered that his eldest brother had only achieved second-class merit on the front lines in his past life, was promoted to deputy platoon leader, and around this time, retired and was assigned to be the head of the People’s Armed Forces Department in their hometown of Zhaosheng Commune. Now, his eldest brother’s fate had clearly changed. First, he had achieved first-class merit on the battlefield instead of second-class merit. Second, he was promoted to platoon leader instead of deputy platoon leader. Third, he was transferred to the Beijing Garrison District instead of retiring back to their hometown, which provided upward mobility. Therefore, when he heard his father’s introduction, he immediately congratulated his eldest brother.

His mother, Li Ying, came out from the hall and said, “Our family has produced a military champion and two academic champions. This is truly the blessing of our ancestors.”

Song Haojun smiled and retorted, “Mom, what military champion? Third Brother won the championship at the Huami International Martial Arts Competition against the American champion. That’s what you call a military champion.”

Song Haowen quickly said modestly, “How can a competition compare to the battlefield? They’re not the same thing at all. Brother, now that you’re in Beijing, our whole family is here. Even if you retire, you shouldn’t go back to our hometown, just stay in Beijing.”

Song Haojun laughed, “That’s great. I know you’re famous now. Maybe I’ll have to rely on you, Third Brother, for help in my future work.”

Song Huihua nodded and said, “Big Brother, I know you’re just saying that. However, Third Brother’s potential really surprises us. Mom, Dad, Big Brother, let me tell you some good news. Third Brother has been accepted to pursue a master’s degree at Beijing University. He just received the admission letter today.” With that, she took out the letter from Song Haowen and handed it to her eldest brother, and the whole family was both surprised and delighted.

Song Haojun sighed, “Third Brother, it seems you’re the one who keeps bringing surprises to our family. You’re studying for a master’s degree at such a young age, you’re a nationally renowned Red Song Star, and I heard you’re even making movies now. You’re so outstanding, it makes me, as the eldest brother, feel ashamed.”

Song Haowen shook his head and said, “Without you, Big Brother, we wouldn’t have come this far. You’ve always been the one we look up to.”

Defending the country and ensuring its safety, how can people enjoy peaceful and stable lives? There’s also no comfortable learning environment for us. So, no matter how great our achievements, half of the credit will always belong to you.”

“Well said!” Song Huaisheng said happily. “It’s getting late, everyone come inside and sit. Mom has made a lot of dishes you all like, if we don’t eat them soon, they’ll get cold.”

Everyone entered the house and sat around a large table, with Song Haowen sitting next to his eldest brother. The fourth child, Song Haomin, was playing with a toy gun that his eldest brother had brought him, while the youngest sister held the cloth doll that her eldest brother had given her, muttering to the doll.

In his past life, Song Haowen had admired his soldier brother very much, and had once earnestly wanted to be a soldier himself. Now, seeing his eldest brother wearing a green military cap with a red five-star emblem, a pair of red collar badges, a cadet’s jacket with four pockets, although he didn’t have a pistol, he still looked mighty and handsome, which made him feel respectful.

During dinner, Song Haojun took out some Maotai liquor from the special supply troops for everyone to taste. He first toasted his parents, then his four younger siblings. Thinking about how much the family had changed during his years away from home, he couldn’t help but feel emotional and his eyes moistened.

Song Huihua had always had a good relationship with her eldest brother. She stood up and toasted her eldest brother, asking him to come home more often in the future. Song Haojun nodded and agreed, saying that since they were all in Beijing, the distance wasn’t far, and whenever he had the chance, he would come back to reunite with everyone. He missed home while in the army. Before coming here, his concept of home was still stuck on the three grass huts, let alone this quadrangle courtyard, even the newly built high-rise buildings had no emotional significance to him.

Talking about housing, Li Ying sighed, “Our family has produced this money-spinner as the third child, learning from who knows where, making money is his forte. He has even started two companies, one sole proprietorship and one joint venture, both of which are thriving, making others envy us.”

Song Haojun said, “Third Brother, your top priority right now is to focus on your studies. Everything else is secondary. Since you and Second Sister have reached the dream school of scholars nationwide, you must cherish it even more. I’ll give you and Second Sister a Hero pen and a notebook each, hoping you’ll excel in your studies.” After saying that, he left the dining table and took out two pens and two notebooks from the military shoulder bag placed on the family shrine, handing them to Song Huihua and Song Haowen respectively. The two of them accepted the gifts and thanked him repeatedly.

Song Haojun then said, “I have to return to the army early tomorrow morning. I’ll try to come home once a quarter in the future. There’s nothing much I can do at home, I’m really sorry.”

Li Ying hurriedly said, “What can there be at home? Your father and I don’t work in the fields anymore, we only take care of these household chores, which are quite easy. You do well in the army, that’s our greatest hope.”

Song Haowen said, “Big Brother, actually the household chores at home are quite difficult. In addition to this third courtyard we live in, there are two small gardens that need to be taken care of. I’ve always been urging Mom and Dad to hire one or two maids to help out, and I’ll cover the cost, but they just can’t bear to, they don’t know how to enjoy life. Today, with you at home, it’s a good opportunity to persuade Mom and Dad.”

Song Huaisheng quickly said, “We need to hire help for these few household chores? That would be a waste. Besides, being a bit busy makes us feel fulfilled. If it weren’t for the opposition from Second Son and Third Son, I would have wanted to turn the two gardens and this courtyard into several vegetable plots. Several mu of land, all filled with flowers and plants, after seeing them for a long time, it’s just like that, it’s not as practical as growing some vegetables and grains.”

Song Haojun smiled and said, “Mom, Dad, don’t underestimate these flowers and plants, some of them are worth a lot. I used to not understand these things, but this time in Beijing, seeing the flowers and plants arranged in the barracks, I realized how valuable they are. Like the dragon-shaped cypress, Taihu stone and potted plants I saw in the garden this afternoon, they are all worth a lot, not something you can get from your several mu of land.”

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Song Huaisheng remained silent after listening. Li Ying remarked dismissively, “We have as many of these flowers and plants in our hometown as we want. What’s so special about them? I didn’t expect them to become so precious once we entered Beijing.”

Song Huihua said, “The wild trees and plants in our hometown can’t be compared to the trees and plants in the garden here. Most of the trees and plants here are not only precious varieties but have also been carefully nurtured for decades. To put it in an inappropriate analogy, it’s like the children of the wealthy families in Beijing, who have received education from Beijing University or Tsinghua University. Can our poor children in the countryside who haven’t even attended school for a few days compare to them?”

“Comparing oneself to others will only lead to frustration.” Song Haomin, who had been silent and focused on eating, suddenly chimed in, making everyone laugh.

Song Huifang also added, “When my classmates see the garden at our house, they all say we’re wealthy, praising how beautiful it is inside.”

Song Haojun said, “Mom, Dad, you’ve raised the five of us with great difficulty. It’s time to enjoy yourselves. Listen to Third Brother, hire two maids at home, one to help Dad maintain the garden, and one to help Mom with the household chores. This way, you’ll be more relaxed and not lonely.”

“Yes, on rainy days, you won’t need to personally take care of picking up the fourth child and the youngest sister.” Song Huihua agreed.

Song Haowen took out a one-thousand-yuan deposit slip from his pocket and handed it to his mother. She refused to accept it, saying, “We already have two or three thousand yuan in monthly rent, we have enough money.”

Song Haowen said to his mother, “I know you don’t really need money now, but this money is for hiring maids for you. Don’t be reluctant, otherwise, I’ll take it back.”

Song Huaisheng snatched the deposit slip from Li Ying’s hand. “If you won’t take it, I will. Let’s do as you say, tomorrow we’ll ask someone to find two maids for us, so we can also live a few days like wealthy landowners.”

Li Ying scolded, “You are such a wimp!”

The whole family laughed.

Next, Song Haowen took out another one-thousand-yuan deposit slip from his pocket and handed it to Song Haojun. Song Haojun was taken aback and asked, “Third Brother, what are you giving me money for?”

Song Haowen smiled and said, “Pocket money for you, Big Brother.”

Song Haojun immediately said seriously, “I have nowhere to spend money in the army, so this money is useless to me. Thank you for your kindness, but I cannot accept it.”

Song Haowen smiled and said, “Just take the money, you. I won’t tell you my current income, so as not to scare you. This amount of money is nothing to me. Big Brother, although you have everything provided in the army, you can’t be completely ignorant of worldly affairs, right? You are now in Beijing, not in the mountains. There must be many places where money is needed. With just your monthly allowance of around ten yuan, how can that be enough? Consider this money a small token of my appreciation, and if you need anything in the future, just ask.”

Song Haojun refused to accept the money, but Song Haowen’s persuasion was of no use. Finally, Song Huihua couldn’t bear it and said, “Big Brother, just take the money. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about accepting money from your own brother. When the time comes, you can find us a beautiful sister-in-law without spending money, right?”

In the end, with the parents’ help, Song Haojun accepted the money. To relieve his eldest brother’s burden, Song Haowen frankly said, “I’m currently starring in a movie called ‘Tai Chi Fist,’ which I’m exclusively investing in. This movie is planned to be released during National Day and is sure to be a hit. Just wait and see.”

Song Haojun was taken aback by this news. “Third Brother, you’re investing in… a movie? How is that possible? How much money did you have to invest?” The others at home also looked at Song Haowen with disbelief, waiting for him to explain.

Song Haowen calmly explained the details of his investment in the movie, leaving everyone at home astonished.