Chapter 111: Parental Love
Tong Youyou took a deep look at the gate of Chang Ning’s neighborhood, her eyes full of reluctance.
But no matter how reluctant she was, what was the use? She couldn’t use force, so she had to take it slow. She didn’t believe she couldn’t wear Chang Ning down.
The car started up, and Tong Youyou left. The genetic researcher she had found had already arrived at Donghai City Airport, so she had to go pick them up.
Chang Ning, who had returned home, still didn’t know that he had been targeted by Tong Youyou.
Seeing his dad, whom he hadn’t seen for a year, Chang Ning felt a lot of emotion inside. Two Lives as a Human, his observation skills had improved a lot.
The moment Dad saw him, the expression on his face was happy, but he suppressed it.
‘Dad is still so bad at expressing himself.’
Chang Ning thought to himself as he entered the door, changed into slippers, and put the vegetables Mom bought into the Refrigerator.
Only then did he come to the Living Room and pour himself a glass of water. On the way home, he was so eager to get back that he hadn’t even drunk any water. Once he got home and relaxed, he immediately felt parched.
“How was it in the Military Unit? Was it tough?”
No matter how bad Dad was at expressing himself, Chang Ning was still his son. Seeing his son thinner, he felt heartbroken too, just not showing it like his wife did.
“It’s fine, I’ve gotten used to it.”
While the father and son were talking, Mother Chang brought out washed Fruit and told Chang Ning to eat.
“By the way, let me show you something.”
With Fruit in his mouth, Chang Ning took out his Military Merit Medal from his Backpack and placed both on the coffee table.
“What’s this?”
Mother Chang looked at the red Small Box on the coffee table and asked.
“Is it a Military Merit Medal?”
Before Chang Ning could answer Mom’s question, Dad’s question came.
“Yes, two of them! Both are your son’s.”
There was no need to pretend in front of his parents. Chang Ning was still very excited to have earned the Military Merit Medals.
Even though a long time had passed since he earned them.
“You kid… you kid…”
Dad opened the Small Box and looked at the brand-new Military Merit Medal inside, so happy he didn’t know what to say.
“Did you show off? Don’t rush into dangerous things!”
Mother Chang didn’t know the weight of one Second-class Merit and one Third-class Merit on the coffee table, but the old neighbors nearby also had kids who enlisted, and none had earned a Military Merit Medal. She could tell it was very rare.
She was afraid Chang Ning would get hurt in the Military Unit. Whether he had a Military Merit Medal or not didn’t matter; the key was that her son couldn’t have an accident!
“I’m fine, aren’t I? These were all obtained casually.”
Chang Ning didn’t want his parents to worry and didn’t mention a word about the detailed process of how he got the Military Merit Medals.
Besides, he couldn’t say too much detail, as some things involved the Secrecy Order.
“You’re just coaxing me. Anyway, you can’t have an accident. If something happens to you, how am I supposed to live?”
“Alright, the son is back after a hard time. Don’t ask so many questions.”
Like his wife, Dad didn’t want his son to have an accident either, but he could still distinguish major right and wrong.
Since he enlisted, he couldn’t worry about home anymore.
He understood all that.
“Anyway, you’re my only son. Think more about the fact that there’s still Dad and Mom at home from now on.”
Originally, Dad was quite happy and proud seeing his son’s Military Merit Medal, but after his wife made a fuss, he started to worry a bit too.
“Oh, don’t worry. I’m doing great in the Military Unit.
Um, Mom, I’m a bit hungry.”
The atmosphere felt off, so Chang Ning quickly changed the subject. If it went on, the two might not let him go back to the Military Unit.
As soon as eating was mentioned, the three realized they hadn’t eaten yet.
It was already Mealtime, but the three sat in the Living Room discussing Chang Ning’s Barracks life and the Military Merit Medal matter, forgetting about eating.
“I’ll go make dinner.”
Mother Chang hurried to the Kitchen, lit the stove, and heated the oil.
“I’ll come help you.”
Dad also headed to the Kitchen. He could still cook the family’s meals. Though not as exquisite as in restaurants, it was the taste Chang Ning had eaten for over ten years.
Watching his busy parents in the Kitchen, Chang Ning suddenly didn’t know what to do.
In the Military Unit, this time should be Mealtime too. After eating, some would Study while others Trained.
Used to the tight schedule in the Military Unit, Chang Ning really wasn’t used to suddenly being idle.
What entertainment was there in the early 2000s? Chang Ning thought and realized there really wasn’t any. At home, he could only watch a TV Series or something.
Chang Ning returned to his Room. Everything inside was spotlessly clean and tidy. The Room had been cleaned while he was away.
He pulled out his Mobile Phone. Having been gone for almost a year, his friends must be curious about his Whereabouts. He hadn’t told anyone when he enlisted.
The Mobile Phones now were still button ones. Chang Ning’s phone brand was Changhong, that super battery-life brand.
He plugged it in to charge, turned on the Mobile Phone, and text message alerts kept coming.
Most were from the mobile Company urging payment of phone bills, the latest one from yesterday morning at ten o’clock.
The sender was Cao Ninghua, his good Buddy.
The message said there was a small gathering tomorrow night at eight at the Regal Hotel and invited Chang Ning.
To be honest, Chang Ning didn’t want to go, because he was three or four years younger than the group, plus he had a bit of Academic God potential, so in School he only had a few people he could talk to.
But the one inviting him was his good Buddy Cao Ninghua, so he couldn’t not go. He had to give face to his Buddy.
“Son, come out for dinner.”
Mom was calling from outside the Room. It felt just like when he was in School, the scene replayed.
“Coming.”
Chang Ning put down his Mobile Phone, went out, and sat down at the Table.
Probably because he was back today, all the dishes on the Table were his favorites.
Because he came back too suddenly without telling the family, the ingredients weren’t fully prepared, and many of his favorites weren’t made.
But this was already great. Chang Ning wolfed down the delicious meal, bowl in hand.
“Slow down, kid. No one’s rushing you.”
Mother Chang told Chang Ning to eat slower, but her hands didn’t slow down clipping food into her son’s bowl.
Not sure if it was psychological or he was really hungry, Chang Ning clearly felt his Appetite had increased today. In the Military Unit, he couldn’t eat as much as today; he was a bit stuffed.
“Burp~”
Putting down the Bowls and Chopsticks, Chang Ning let out a satisfied burp. This time he was really stuffed.
At the dinner table, chatting with his parents about family matters, Chang Ning would also share some interesting stories from the Military Unit that didn’t violate the Secrecy Order.
Especially when talking about the Medic and the Ostrich, his parents were amused and said that next time there was an Opportunity, he should bring his Comrades home.
Chang Ning naturally agreed readily, but he knew in his heart that it might be difficult.
Their Holidays were few, and who knew when the next leave would be.
After his parents finished eating, when Chang Ning tried to help clear the Bowls and Chopsticks and take over the dishwashing, Mom refused.
The Reason was that he had just returned today and should take a shower and Rest well; the dishes could wait until tomorrow.
Late at night, Chang Ning lay in bed thinking about tomorrow’s small gathering. Some things should also be brought to a conclusion.
