"I need to take a leave," Huo Shiqian bluntly told the leader sitting in front of him, who was sipping tea.
"Leave? What’s the reason?" The old chief asked softly, sipping his tea one sip at a time.
"Capital City, to visit family." Huo Shiqian replied, sparing with his words.
Stinky kid, would it kill you to say a few more words!
"Since I’ve been in the military, I’ve never taken any leave to visit family, so by law, you should approve it," Huo Shiqian added indifferently.
Old Chief: ...You really should talk less.
"Ahem!" The old chief coughed, saying, "Going back to Capital City to visit family? Well, isn’t that nice, nice!"
"You going back would definitely make Old Huo very happy!"
Huo Shiqian glanced at him, his voice cool and composed, "My trip this time is not to visit the Huo Family."
"Pfft..." The old chief, who had been smiling with tea in his mouth, spat it all out, "Cough cough, what are you saying?"
"You’re going back to Capital City to visit family but not to see your dad? Then who are you going to see?"
The old chief immediately puffed up and glared at him angrily.
Although he and Old Huo weren’t quite on good terms either, seeing Old Huo trying to see his son only under official pretexts made him feel quite sorry for his old competitor.
Huo Shiqian faced his superior with utter calm, saying, "I’m going to Kyoto University to visit family."
"What, Kyoto University?" The old chief’s gaze hesitated for a moment.
Kyoto University? Isn’t that what those darn kids said... where Huo Shiqian’s wife studies?
"Ahem." The old chief coughed again and said, "Going to Kyoto University to visit family, that’s good, that’s good!"
"Yes, cough cough, Huo boy, who exactly are you going to see? You have to make it clear to me!"
"You know, the last time you went to Ling County to crack down on crime, I made an exception for you, made special arrangements."
"Cough cough, this time, it’s definitely not possible, cough cough, unless, you make it clear who you are really going to see!"
The old chief looked distressed; if it weren’t for his overly piercing eyes, his performance would have scored a perfect ten.
Stinky kid, just admit it, you want to see your wife! The old chief looked hopeful.
Huo Shiqian paused briefly, then faced the old chief, saying, "Chief, you’re getting old, if you’re sick, you should get treatment."
"Constant coughing isn’t good."
The old chief, choked by his words, coughed "cough cough cough cough cough" for quite a while, saying, "I’ll be dead because of you sooner or later!"
"Hmph, unless you tell me who you’re going to see today, I’m not approving your leave!"
Huo Shiqian’s face bore an expression of "you’re really sick," saying, "I’m going to Kyoto University to see my uncle."
"Your uncle?" The old chief paused, "Bao Jiaye?"
"Yes." Huo Shiqian answered calmly.
"If you’re going to see him, then I’ll approve your leave," the old chief sighed, "You should indeed visit him more often."
"But since you’re back in Capital City, you should still go see your dad."
"Otherwise, what does it mean if you don’t even enter your family home?"
"I have little time, I’m busy," Huo Shiqian said calmly.
"Don’t give me that crap, busy my ass!" Old Chief stared and puffed again.
"Date, seeing my wife," Huo Shiqian dropped the words sharply.
"What?" The old chief froze for a moment, "Am I hearing things?"