In the living room, Shen Jun shook his head with a wry smile.
"Don't even mention it. It really feels worse than being in the field army. There are too many messy things there. It's much better to be fighting alongside the brothers."
“You can’t just stay on the training field forever. You’re almost fifty. How many more years can you keep going? Uncle Chen is about to retire. You should change your mindset and stop making Uncle Chen worry about you.”
"I know, that's why I agreed to the transfer. Maybe I'm not used to it yet, but I should be fine after a while."
Shen Jun picked up the cup on the coffee table and took a sip of water. Then, remembering what his father had told him before he left, he swallowed the water and said, "By the way, Li Chu, before I came here, my dad asked me to tell you that if this matter succeeds, your contribution will be remembered by the higher-ups."
"Such a small matter, why did Uncle Shen have to give me special instructions?" Li Chu smiled and said, "Okay, I understand."
"What exactly is going on?" Shen Jun asked curiously, still confused, and quickly added, "If it involves classified information, then pretend I didn't ask."
He knew that what his in-law did every day was mostly classified information, and not something outsiders could easily inquire about.
"What secrets are involved? There aren't that many things that need to be kept secret. It's just that a foreigner came to see me for a medical consultation, but this foreigner is the president of a large American company, and he might be investing in building a factory in China this time."
"Wow, you're quite something now, your reputation has even spread overseas." Shen Jun looked Li Chu up and down in surprise.
"What reputation? I just met a few foreigners when I was setting up the drug testing base there."
"Don't be modest," Shen Jun waved his hand. "Putting everything else aside, just look at my old man's health. Thanks to your treatment, he's much more energetic than before these past two years."
"As a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, this is what I do: prevention, conditioning, and treatment. In fact, as long as prevention and conditioning are done properly, there will be fewer cases that require treatment."
"So you're now focusing all your efforts on grooming Wenxuan to succeed you, right?"
"It's not a matter of succession; it depends on his own abilities. I can't force him into it." Li Chu shook his head. "I've already taught him everything I needed to. How he integrates and masters those things is up to his own efforts. If he truly reaches that level, the Health Bureau will contact him on its own without my recommendation."
"Don't put pressure on the child. I heard he's already seeing patients on his own. He's only in his early twenties, which is already quite good."
"Is it really that good?" Li Chu asked rhetorically, then smiled and said, "I never put any pressure on him. All the pressure he feels comes from the outside world. Xiao Yi should understand this."
Hearing this, Shen Jun fell silent. How could he, as a father, not know the pressure his son was under? Well, he's already been transferred back. This time he's just back to handle the formalities, and he won't have to go out again.
As his son had said in a previous conversation, he had deserted.
But he didn't think so; he felt that coming back meant facing another challenge.
"Li Chu, Brother Chu, as Xiao Yi's father, I can't be of much help. I'll have to trouble you in the future."
"Why all this nonsense? Xiao Yi is my son-in-law. If he needs help, how could I stand idly by? You don't need to say anything."
"By the way, Xiao Yi got an apartment in their unit's family compound. Although it's an old apartment, it's actually less than ten years old and looks pretty good. Can you give me some advice on how to renovate it? I think you know a bit about this kind of thing."
"What do I know? I just think it's best to do what's comfortable and convenient. Let the two kids decide for themselves. They'll be living here in the future, so as long as they're happy, that's fine."
Shen Jun didn't dwell on the issue any longer. After thinking for a while, he said more seriously, "Brother Chu, there's one more thing we need to discuss beforehand."
"What is it?" Seeing his solemn expression, Li Chu couldn't help but sit up straight.
"This matter is actually giving my dad a headache, namely the dowry you gave Huihui. You're really putting our family in a difficult position!"
"What are you saying?" Upon hearing this, Li Chu relaxed again.
"Why can't I even give things to my daughter?"
"No one said it was impossible. What I mean is that on the wedding day, the things you give Huihui shouldn't be on the dowry list. Our family really can't afford an equivalent dowry."
Because of this bride price issue, Shen Jun and his wife have been working themselves to the bone at home.
Especially after the dividends came in a couple of days ago, when they got home, Old Shen told the couple about it, which made them even more worried.
The woman's family is so wealthy, the man's family is under a lot of pressure.
Shen Jun never imagined that one day he would lose sleep over how much dowry to give to the woman's family.
"You're worrying unnecessarily," Li Chu said with a smile. "Uncle Chen, is it really necessary to fuss over this?"
Shen Jun, let me put it this way: the things I gave Wen Hui weren't for showing off. They were just so that the young couple could have a better life in the future and wouldn't have to worry about money.
Xiao Yi is ultimately pursuing a political career. In these past few years of opening up, many people's views seem to have changed; it seems that many things are measured by the amount of money one has. I don't want them to have to bow down for a pittance in the future.
Shen Jun nodded silently, then realized something was wrong and quickly shook his head: "No, no, don't talk to me about this nonsense. I just said that your dowry items can't be included in the gift register, otherwise I'll be too embarrassed!"
“No problem,” Li Chu said, somewhat amused. “I’ll just give her a few cups as part of her dowry, and two boxes to hold quilts. Is that alright?”
"Hehe, thanks, Brother Chu! Alright, we've finished talking, I'm going back now."
"I'll have Wenxuan take you back."
"No need, Xiao Yi and I will take a walk back, and we can have a good chat as father and son."
...
After seeing Shen Jun and his son off to the main road, Li Wenhui returned to the living room and immediately knelt down.
"Mom and Dad, I'm sorry. It's all my fault today. I've embarrassed you."
Li Wenxuan helped his wife sit on the sofa, and then he stood there without daring to say a word.
“Sigh, Huihui, this isn’t about losing face, it’s about etiquette. The guests have come to our home, and we’ve arranged it in advance. We, as the hosts, haven’t prepared anything. Tell me, what do you think the guests will think? If you were in their shoes, what would you think?”
slkslk.
I won't say much to you. It's the father's fault if the son isn't taught properly; I haven't raised you well. This time, I'll be punished along with you. I have a few books passed down from my master on my shelf; let's each copy those books once.
(Announcement: Dear readers, there will be three chapters updated tomorrow, August 20th, at 6:00 AM, 11:00 AM, and 5:00 PM respectively. Thank you for your support and encouragement.)
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