"I’m not worried about work-related stuff. After all, you’ve been an apprentice chief officer on an ocean-going ship, leading a squadron responsible for the security of two inland rivers and the water area of Yingchuan Port. That’s easier than managing a ten-thousand-ton ocean-going giant vessel in practice."
Xu Sanye turned to look behind him and smiled again: "What I’m really worried about is Xiao Yu. He’s different from you; he hasn’t seen much of the world. Over these years, each of us has treated him like a kid. Although we didn’t spoil him, we did indulge him a bit."
Han Yu smiled and said, "Master, Xiao Yu is a good kid."
"I know he’s a good boy, but he’s grown up now, always trying to sneak Yu Zhen over to Yingchuan Port. It’s not easy for us to say certain things, so once Yu Zhen goes there, let Ningning mention it to her in private.
After all, they’re both young and unmarried, and it’d be awkward if the family planning department came knocking. If it gets blown out of proportion, it’ll turn into an issue of conduct."
"I understand, Master. Rest assured, I’ll... I’ll have a good talk with Yu Zhen when the time comes."
"Take care of yourself too."
The disciple was stunned, apparently not so innocent himself.
A hint is enough for this kind of matter; there’s no need to say too much.
Xu Sanye held back a laugh and changed the subject: "Captain Wang mentioned this morning that it’s Lin Xiaohui’s birthday today. She’s made something of herself, knows to repay the leaders of the shipping company and the old neighbors with a grand feast at Linghai Hotel."
Han Yu came back to his senses and said, with a hint of embarrassment, "I know, Xiao Yu just told me."
Xu Sanye reminded him seriously and solemnly: "Salted Fish, I don’t know if she has invited you or if she will seek you out in the future. But one thing you must always remember: Ningning is a good girl, and you must never do anything to wrong her."
"Master, how could I ever do anything to wrong Ningning!"
"That’s good. Now I can rest assured."
The old problem flared up again...
Right now, Xu Sanye was at Bailong Port Health Center; not his arm, but his leg hurt.
Not only did it hurt badly, but it was also swollen.
He turned back to glance at his son waiting by the door and said with feeling: "You and Xiao Yu have both grown up. From now on, you’re on your own."
Han Yu heard something strange in his words and asked subconsciously, "Master, what’s wrong with you? Why are you saying this all of a sudden?"
Xu Sanye rubbed his leg and laughed, "Just had some thoughts."
"I visited the bureau yesterday, and several new police officers didn’t recognize me, some hadn’t even heard of me. I went to the Political Consultative Conference to see Secretary Li, and the office building was filled with new faces. Old Ge has stepped down, Shameless Zhang has been transferred, even the Armed Forces Minister has changed. Linghai County has become Linghai City, a new generation replacing the old ones. We old folks should be stepping off the stage now."
Xu Sanye felt not just old, but also realized his words didn’t carry the same weight as before, thought about it and sighed: "If it weren’t for my dual role as a member of the Water Police Station’s Party Committee, probably not many at the Water Police Station would remember me. So, you kids need to rely on yourselves in the future."
Han Yu discerned a touch of heroic decline in his master’s words and silently reflected on how time brings many changes.
Once in Linghai, who didn’t know Xu Sanye.
But how many of the young people know Xu Sanye today.
Then again, it has a lot to do with him voluntarily retreating to the riverside, marginalizing himself.
If he hadn’t been spending his days on the dunship or 001 like five years ago, acting as a de facto "uncrowned director," at least no one in the bureau, from top to bottom, would dare take him lightly.
Thinking back to how his master is only forty-seven, still comparatively young among the battalion commanders and police station chiefs of Linghai Police Bureau, yet his remarks just now reflected a mentality of a fifty-seven-year-old, Han Yu couldn’t help feeling bitter inside.
Xu Sanye, unaware of his disciple’s thoughts, went on to say: "Take the matter of teaching at the radio and television university seriously, it’s a task assigned to you by the Party Committee of the bureau. While assigned to the Water Police Station, consider yourself a member of it, and show respect to Director Zhou and Political Commissioner Wang."
"The area under your squadron’s jurisdiction borders Changhang Navigation Police Branch’s jurisdiction, so you must report to Director Zhang regularly. Don’t be shy; Director Zhang is different from others. He watched you grow up and personally sent you to East Sea for training. He sees you as his junior and genuinely cares about you."
Xu Sanye took a deep breath and continued giving instructions: "On New Year’s Day holiday, take Ningning to visit President Yu in Jiangcheng. President Yu cares about you, too. He used to call and ask when you’d return while you were on the sea ships. Now that you’re back, you must go visit him."
Han Yu replied without hesitation, "Okay, I’ll tell Ningning tonight."
"I have good news. Almost forgot to tell you."
"Master, what’s the good news?"
"Your Brother Haoran is going back to the military in a few days. I told him to hurry back."
"How is that good news? Brother Haoran’s leave was only for a few days."
Xu Sanye turned to look at his son and grinned, "After I made a long-distance call previously to express our intentions, that girl’s parents agreed to let them continue seeing each other. Dating is like solving a case for us; it’s all about quick action.
I went to the bureau yesterday to take leave. His mother and I plan to go with him to meet her parents, sit down, and have a good talk, aiming to formalize the relationship as soon as possible. After all, he’s already twenty-seven. If her parents are agreeable, maybe they can arrange to get married during the Spring Festival."
Han Yu laughed, couldn’t help saying, "That’s good news. But if they get married during the Spring Festival, my senior brother and I might not be able to go drink the wedding wine."
"It’s so far away, no need for you guys to run over."
Xu Sanye took out a cigarette and smiled, "I’ve thought it through. I’ll let them have their wedding at the military base first. Next year, when he gets leave, he’ll bring his bride back home for another celebration."
PS: Because I haven’t divided the Chapter, the update is late, please forgive me, dear readers.
Also, Xiao Yu’s current status is somewhat similar to that of the Special Patrol Police Brigade’s special duty team, wearing uniforms and having the chance to carry guns, but not being formal police officers.