Chapter 230: Xu Mo’s Disdain for Huo Zhenting

After lunch, Uncle Lu and Aunt Lu went to work.

Xu An stayed for a while before heading back.

Xu Mo went to his brother-in-law’s room for a nap. When he woke up and checked the time, it was only a little past two, and it was still too early to cook.

With nothing to do at home, he decided to wander around the compound. He noticed some children playing and approached them cheerfully in his northeastern dialect.

At first, the few kids ignored him, so he showed off the bullet shell hanging from his neck and demonstrated a set of military punches his brother-in-law had taught him.

After exchanging glances, one of the boys, about seven or eight years old, walked over to ask him,

“Who are you related to? We’ve never seen you before!” the boy asked.

Xu Mo finished the set of punches, caught his breath, and then glanced at the child.

“I’m the youngest son of Chief Lu. That little building over there is my home,” he said, pointing to Uncle Lu’s house.

He then asked the boy, “Where do you live? You can come over to play whenever you want. I can tell you a lot of stories.”

Just then, Huo Zhenting happened to pass by. Hearing the boy claim to be Chief Lu’s youngest son, he stopped and curiously asked, “You said you’re whose youngest son?”

Xu Mo saw a soldier who was about the same height as his brother-in-law.

Xu Mo saluted him with a military gesture and stood at attention, saying, “Reporting, sir! I am the youngest son of Chief Lu and Director Shen.”

Seeing the boy perform a somewhat unstandard military salute while seriously claiming to be from the Lu family, Huo Zhenting couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

Seeing him laugh, Xu Mo huffed in anger, feeling that the man was quite rude. He had given him a salute, and the man didn’t return the gesture but instead laughed at him, so he turned away and ignored him.

Noticing that Xu Mo was upset, Huo Zhenting cleared his throat, suppressing his laughter, and said, “Isn’t the youngest son of Director Lu called Lu Xiaotang?”

Xu Mo turned back when he heard him mention his brother-in-law, saying, “Not anymore! I’m the youngest son now.”

Xu Mo looked at him again and asked, “Do you know my brother-in-law?”

Upon hearing this, Huo Zhenting realized that this kid was Lu Xiaotang’s little brother-in-law and decided to have some fun with him.

“Of course I know him. Was that set of punches you practiced just now taught to you by your brother-in-law?” he asked.

Xu Mo proudly replied, “Yes! My brother-in-law is really amazing.”

Huo Zhenting teased, “What’s so amazing about him? He’s still one of my defeated subordinates.” He said this intentionally, wanting to see how the boy would react.

Xu Mo wasn’t angry; instead, he smiled and nodded, complimenting him, “Then you’re really impressive.” He even gave him a thumbs-up.

He then asked with a grin, “Are you in the military too?”

Huo Zhenting found the boy amusing. Despite his teasing about Lu Xiaotang, Xu Mo didn’t get upset.

He smiled and nodded, saying, “Yes, I’m currently serving in this military district.”

Xu Mo generously praised, “With your demeanor, you must be an officer.”

A nearby boy, around eight or nine years old, chimed in, “Brother Zhenting is now a battalion commander.”

Curious, Xu Mo asked the boy, “Is a battalion commander more important, or is a deputy regiment commander more important?”

The boy shot Xu Mo a disdainful look and said, “You don’t know that? Of course, a deputy regiment commander is higher.”

Xu Mo exclaimed in surprise, looking at Huo Zhenting, “So your defeated subordinates are all deputy regiment commanders, but you’re just a battalion commander?”

After speaking, he sized Huo Zhenting up, his disdainful gaze unmasked and unapologetic.

Huo Zhenting realized that the boy was trying to set him up and burst into laughter.

This little brother-in-law of Lu Xiaotang was truly clever; at such a young age, he could maintain his composure while skillfully setting a trap, culminating in a heavy blow.

He patted Xu Mo on the shoulder and laughed, “With your smarts, does your brother-in-law know about it?”

Xu Mo stumbled a bit from Huo Zhenting’s pat, feeling that this person was petty and relied on being older to bully him.

However, he was smart enough to know that a wise person wouldn’t suffer losses in front of him, so he planned to go back and tell his brother-in-law, hoping he would deal with Huo Zhenting next time he returned.

With a smile, he said, “How could my brother-in-law not know? He spoils me! Every time he comes back, he brings me gifts and delicious food.”

He then proudly displayed the bullet shell hanging around his neck. “Look at this! My brother-in-law made it for me. He even crafted a little wooden sword and let me ride on his back like a horse!”

After hearing Xu Mo boast, Huo Zhenting couldn’t help but laugh again. He hadn’t realized that Lu Xiaotang, with his serious demeanor, could be so playful with his little brother-in-law. He couldn’t wait to tease him when he returned.

Later, when he saw Wenqing, Donggua, and the others, he would definitely share this with them, eager to find out how the serious Lu Xiaotang had managed to win over his little brother-in-law and let him ride on his back like a horse. It was simply hilarious!