"To tell you the truth," Xia Chengzong knew himself well, he was never good at his studies since he was a kid, always getting into mischief. As he grew up, he didn’t learn his lessons and became a delinquent, and from then on, he was scared every time he saw someone in a uniform.
Before this, he had never imagined that one day, he would have the chance to join the army.
Mother Xia, as if suddenly coming back to her senses, said to Xia Chengzong with joy and eagerness, "Joining the army is great! Chengzong, if you join the army, you’ll be following in your uncle’s... no, your father’s footsteps!"
Upon saying this, Mother Xia started wiping tears again.
Xia Chuyi slightly knitted her brows.
It was true that Daddy Xia was a glorious member of the liberation army, but he was also a glorious martyr of the liberation army.
Talking about continuing the legacy... it just didn’t seem quite right.
Forget it, Xia Chuyi thought, it’s foolish to argue with this woman.
"Chuyi, I don’t want to go."
After bowing his head and thinking silently for a long while, Xia Chengzong suddenly looked up and said.
"What?" His decision was somewhat unexpected.
Xia Chengzong shook his head resolutely, "Since I was adopted into the second branch of the family, I am the only male of that branch."
"Chuyi, I am your brother, it’s not right for you to take care of me, it should be me taking care of you."
He understood her concerns, she wanted him to avoid embarrassment.
But he couldn’t do that.
"Chuyi, girls eventually have to marry off. In the future, let me take care of Mom."
Girls eventually have to marry off, Xia Chuyi had heard this many times before.
But this time, her feelings were exceptionally different.
"Second brother, do you understand what you’re saying?"
Staying here, facing the big branch, the second branch, Aunt Xia, Mother Xia, and even the other Xia family members, he would have to deal with all sorts of troubles.
Xia Chengzong suddenly smiled, then showed his familiar fierce and intimidating expression, "I’m a delinquent, who am I afraid of?"
He had made up his mind to take the pressure upon himself.
"Second brother..." Xia Chuyi wanted to say something more but was pulled back by Huo Shiqian.
"Chuyi, respect his decision," Huo Shiqian told her.
In the Xia family, only Xia Chengzong still showed some responsibility.
Huo Shiqian was slightly approving.
And a man with responsibility, only after overcoming difficulties, can truly grow up.
In the end, Xia Chuyi sighed and said nothing.
And Mother Xia, touched that Xia Chengzong wanted to stay and take care of her, cried ceaselessly, and did not object.
Some people are so ignorant it’s almost heartless.
"Then we’re going back to the county town, will you come with us?" she asked Xia Chengzong.
Xia Chengzong thought for a moment and shook his head, "I’ll sort things out in the village first, then I’ll come find you."
His implication was that he would still go to the county town, but the village affairs needed to be arranged properly.
"Alright then," Xia Chuyi said, somewhat helplessly.
Finally, Xia Chuyi returned to the county town with Huo Shiqian and the others including Gong Na.
Before leaving, Mother Xia suddenly said to her, "Chuyi, actually, I still consider you my daughter."
Even Xia Chengzong frowned upon hearing that.
Xia Chuyi found it ironically amusing.
Look at that—her own mother actually had to say "I still consider you my daughter"!
As if she were not her daughter?
Uncle Liberation Army pursed his lips.
For the first time, he felt immense anger towards an ignorant woman.
Uncle Liberation Army decisively pulled Xia Chuyi to his side and took her away.
Once they were in the car, Huo Shiqian’s anger hadn’t subsided, and he was still giving off a cold vibe.
"Brother Shi Qian, I’m so cold!" Xia Chuyi deliberately shivered, looking pitiful.
The man beside her said nothing, took off his coat, wrapped her in it, and also pulled her into his embrace.