Cheng Su accompanied Qi Taiguo all the way through the village to the main road, where they were greeted by many of the villagers.
"Where are you two off to? Heading back to the unit? Oh my, you’ve only been married for a few days, and you have to return to the ranks already? Well, yes, you’re a company commander now, the responsibilities are heavy..."
In those words, one could always hear a sense of admiration. Cheng Su glanced at Qi Taiguo and saw him walking with his head held high and chest out, standing tall and straight, which made her chuckle.
Indeed, Qi Taiguo was only twenty-eight this year. He joined the army right after junior high when he was what, fifteen or sixteen years old?
In just over a decade, a boy from the countryside with no backing had persevered to his current rank. It was no wonder he was so proud.
A capable person has the foundation for pride. If Qi Taiguo kept being so ambitious, given time, he would truly stand out.
"What’s with that look?" Qi Taiguo couldn’t help but ask when he saw the ambiguity in her gaze.
"Nothing much, just thinking about how someone your age has already become a company commander. I wonder how you’ve endured these years!" Cheng Su did not hide her thoughts and expressed them openly.
Qi Taiguo was startled, not expecting such a question from her. His heart warmed slightly as he looked towards the distant mountains and forests. How did he struggle through? Simply by risking his life, that’s all.
Through wind and rain, amidst bullets and explosions, he fought his way step by step from an enlisted soldier to a commissioned officer. There was no luck involved, just risking his life and accumulating military achievements to earn the position of company commander.
And he had only just begun to fill this position; there was still a long way to go.
But he was still young, with plenty of opportunities ahead. Thinking of this, Qi Taiguo felt a surge of indomitable spirit and said, "Endure what? I’m a soldier, and I naturally shoulder the responsibilities of a soldier. All my actions are my duty. The country awarded me with the rank of company commander because the nation trusts me."
So cheesy!
Cheng Su curled her lip.
Qi Taiguo didn’t miss her expression and frowned, saying, "What’s that look? Aren’t you convinced?"
"You’re overthinking it!" Cheng Su shrugged.
Qi Taiguo, noticing her indifferent attitude, felt even more aggrieved. They were married now, and overnight, she seemed to have changed. The way she looked at him wasn’t as eager as it had been before the wedding!
What was going on? Was she planning to play hard to get all the way? Or was it a case of eating her words?
Qi Taiguo was startled by this thought that suddenly popped up in his mind. Weren’t these concerns supposed to bother women? Why was he feeling slighted like a little wife?
He felt his ears growing hot with irritation and said more sternly, "Let me tell you, now that we are married, you are a part of the Qi family. From now on, you can’t act as recklessly as you used to. Nor can you behave arrogantly because of my position. If I find out you’ve done something dishonorable, I will not let you off easily!"
As he spoke, his tone grew heavier, and his gaze grew sharper.
Cheng Su was momentarily taken aback.
Seeing this, Qi Taiguo thought he had intimidated her and couldn’t help feeling proud. That’s right, he needed to uphold the authority as a husband; he couldn’t allow her to drag him down.
"That’s the way it is. You take care of my parents and siblings at home, and I won’t let you down. So..." he continued.
"The bus is here!" Cheng Su stepped past him, raising her hand to wave towards the bus behind him.
Qi Taiguo was stunned. Sure enough, he saw a bus with a sign for Qing City arrive, and then his hand grew heavy as Cheng Su thrust a bag of smoked meat into it.
"This is where I leave you, bye!" Cheng Su waved her hand, not waiting for him to board, and started walking back to the village.
Qi Taiguo stood still until the bus horn urged him on, then, gritting his teeth, he boarded the bus. This damn woman!