"Brother Su, since you held such a high position in the army, the job they arranged for you after transitioning to civilian life must also be pretty good, right?" Zhao Lianqing still wanted to regain some ground. Being of a certain rank in the army was in the past; transitioning to a civilian position could mean a different kind of development.
Qiao Yushan immediately gave a light cough to remind Su Weifeng that this was the moment he could follow the plan they had previously discussed.
However, Su Weifeng left her speechless again by saying, "I've only transitioned to civilian life a little over a month ago, and I haven't yet decided on my future plans. I want to think it over carefully before making a decision."
Song Yuru's eyes lit up and she said, "Then it would be best for you to enter a government department. With your rank and age, you could easily get the appreciation of the leaders. With a bit of capability, advancing to a substantial position shouldn't be hard."
Zhao Lianqing replied, "Auntie, while ability is certainly important, connections also matter. He needs leaders who appreciate him; it's really not just an individual issue. Brother Su, do you have such connections and background?"
"I really don't," Su Weifeng shook his head.
Zhao Lianqing straightened up at once and said, "Then I'm afraid your development won't be that easy. Even if you start off at a high level, securing a substantial position is not easy, and it's not so simple to get promoted once you're working locally. I genuinely feel sorry for you; you should have stayed in the military rather than transitioning to civilian life."
Implicitly, he was saying that his, Zhao Lianqing's, future prospects were going to be stronger than Su Weifeng's.
Song Yuru held a position in the government department and firmly agreed with this view. Looking at Zhao Lianqing and Su Weifeng, she nonetheless leaned more towards the idea of Zhao Lianqing being with Qiao Yushan. After all, she could roughly predict Zhao Lianqing's future development, and she was very satisfied with his consistent performance.
"Mom, Dad, Weifeng has something else to take care of today, let's let him go for now," Qiao Yushan said, sensing that the current situation was pretty good already. To avoid Su Weifeng doing something else unexpected, it seemed better to let him leave sooner rather than later.
Qiao Yuanzheng and Song Yuru exchanged simple pleasantries, and then Su Weifeng got up to leave.
Qiao Yushan followed him out. After a few steps, she stopped, frowned, and said, "Why didn't you stick to our prearranged plan today?"
Su Weifeng smiled slightly and replied, "You want the outcome; why bother about the process? Do you really think if I said what we had arranged, the result would be as good as it is now?"
Qiao Yushan's mouth fell open, seemingly realizing he might be right. She shook her head gently and said, "Later when I go back, my parents will surely ask more questions. I'll send you a WeChat message with what I told them. You absolutely mustn't stray from the story this time, or we'll be exposed. Even if you have other plans, you must communicate them to me in advance."
Su Weifeng nodded and said, "Alright, we'll catch up later then. I think I'll have to come over a couple more times in the next few days; otherwise, it wouldn't look like I'm your boyfriend."
Qiao Yushan gave Su Weifeng a peculiar look. Su Weifeng immediately rolled his eyes and said, "Don't think I have any designs on you. I'm just fulfilling my promise. Besides, you should also learn well. When you visit my family, I don't want you to start off by embarrassing me."
"Hmph! I, Qiao Yushan, always keep my word."
"I hope so. Well, I'm off for today," Su Weifeng waved his hand and left with an air of nonchalance.
Having bought a heap of fruit, Su Weifeng carefully opened the door to his home.
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"You little pest, where the hell have you been?" As soon as he entered the house, a hand had already accurately seized his ear, followed by a roar beside it.
"Mom! Mom! Go easy, I bought you the grapes you love to eat."
"Don't try to fob me off with that nonsense. Have you grown some spine, huh? You don't answer calls, you don't reply to messages. Do you think your wings are fully grown, or that your mom can no longer wield a knife to deal with you?"
"When will I ever escape your palm, Mom? I went to find you a daughter-in-law, and I found one."
"Don't you try to bluff me. All these years, you haven't brought a daughter-in-law home, and you expect me to believe you found one just now?"
"Absolutely true, it won't take many days before I bring her home to you, and this daughter-in-law will surely satisfy you."
"If you dare to deceive me, you're dead meat!"
His ear finally released, Su Weifeng stood up straight, one hand holding the fruit, the other wrapping around his mother's shoulder, saying, "Mom, you really underestimate your son. This time I'm definitely going to give you a big surprise."
"Hmph, a surprise? If you really want to surprise me, then bring Qiao Yushan home as your wife."
Su Weifeng turned to stone, his eyes widening as he stared at his mother, Shen Jie, as if she were some kind of monster.
Shen Jie glared at him and said, "What's with that look? Hmph, do you know who Qiao Yushan is? She's one of the top ten outstanding young people in our city. Only twenty-five years old, but already the boss of a company with assets over a hundred million. I've seen her on TV and online. Beautiful and with an excellent demeanor. Tsk tsk, if she could become my daughter-in-law, that would be proof of your abilities. But you, kid, with that sullen look of yours, if you managed to exchange a couple of words with her in this lifetime, that would be impressive."
Only then did Su Weifeng realize his mother wasn't really clairvoyant but instead a fan of Qiao Yushan. It was a huge surprise that his mother didn't go for the big stars but became a fan of a career-oriented woman of strength.
"Hehe..." Su Weifeng suddenly flashed a smug, mischievous grin.
Once again, Shen Jie's eyes bulged and she said, "What are you laughing at? Am I not right? Let me tell you, don't you dare bring home some unattractive losers to fool me; your mother's eyes won't be fooled by the slightest grain of sand."
Su Weifeng blinked and said, "Yes, yes, but Mom, what if... I truly brought Qiao Yushan home to you?"
Shen Jie slapped him on the shoulder, saying irritably, "Scram! All these years you've been out and about, you've really picked up bad habits, even trying to fool your own mother. If you had such skills, you'd better go sweet-talk some girls out there and bringing one home would be the truth."
"Pfft, Mom, I'm telling the truth." Su Weifeng stumbled, such an action truly reflecting his mother's powerful and domineering spirit, then he said with a pained expression on his face.
"Scram! I don't believe a word you're saying!" Having said that, the mother snatched the fruit out of Su Weifeng's hand and went into the kitchen.
"Mom, I'm telling the truth and you still don't believe me, huh." Su Weifeng shook his head, wondering what kind of expression his mother would have if he truly brought Qiao Yushan home.
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