Yang Shusheng pulled out a piece of paper to wipe the tea from the corner of his mouth, digesting the news he had just heard, then looked up at Tang Zelin with a puzzled gaze.
"If I remember correctly, you're not exactly of a ripe old age this year, right? A young man in the prime of his life should be building a career, not chasing love—doesn't that delay your future prospects?"
"That's exactly the point I've been making to my dad, but he just won't listen!"
Yang Shusheng clicked his tongue disdainfully and added, "That said, marrying first and then making a career is also reasonable. After all, you're not getting any younger. Spending all day in a monk's temple—where are you going to find a wife? I think Old Tang's idea isn't bad. Since you still have a few days before rejoining the ranks, it's a good thing to solve personal problems in the meantime."
"Uncle Yang, ah!"
"Don't play the victim with me. You've got more tricks up your sleeve than anyone. There's nothing you can't handle. You're just looking for a shield because you find your dad too whiny, aren't you?" Yang Shusheng grunted without mincing words.
"It's really not like that."
"Oh? Is there a hidden story?"
Tang Zelin said, "My old man is quite stubborn, as you know. But it's never been as bad as this time. A while back, when I was still in the military, the old man went to Mount Wudang with some friends. Who knows which valley he met some able person. The guy tells my father that I'm not long for this world. Uncle Yang, if this charlatan stood in front of me, let's see if he'd dare repeat those words. But as you also know, during last year's operation abroad to capture troublemakers, I almost lost my life. The old man was stupefied when he heard and thought about how he's fought his whole life, and all he's got left, aside from injuries, is me, his only child. He became restless and easily got manipulated by that charlatan."
Yang Shusheng laughed, "How exactly did he get swindled? Do share, for a good laugh."
Tang Zelin said, "Alright. That person told my dad, 'Don't think the world is at peace now and prospering—it's more like the calm before the storm. Disasters are imminent, yet everyone is living in a dream, only thinking about enjoying the present without a care for tomorrow's pile of bones.'"
"Hmm, sounds partially reasonable. Then what?"
"That's what my father thought, too. The guy then goes on to say, 'Your son's name is already on the pile of bones. If no influential person helps, he'll probably be unable to escape his fate. Just see how bothersome that is," Tang Zelin said.
"Annoying indeed. Did Old Tang believe that?"
At this point, Tang Zelin sighed helplessly.
"If he didn't believe it, would he have faked illness so my superiors would let me take leave? I had a ton of things to deal with back there, and my superiors were all but kicking me out. As soon as I get home, there's nothing wrong, and he's hell-bent on getting me to go on blind dates. Just this morning I had three, and with a dizzy head, I came straight to you, Uncle. On my mother's behalf, could you please, please persuade my old man to stop his madness?"
"Hold on, let me get this straight."
Yang Shusheng thought for a moment, then asked, "So that man talks about a looming calamity, then says you can't escape it unless some noble person helps, and next thing, Old Tang is sending you on blind dates? Figures, did he think you'd find a life-saving noble through matchmaking?"
"Who knows what's going through Old Tang's head. A man who's weathered many storms yet believes this stuff—if not for his using my redeployment as a threat, I wouldn't even dream of those blind dates. Uncle, please, convince him, make him stop this insanity." Tang Zelin came asking for help, truly at his wit's end.
Old Tang's stubbornness was legendary; he respected few and was disgruntled with many, save for the former squad leader Yang Shusheng, who had once risked his life for him.
If Yang Shusheng could speak up, there was a good chance Old Tang would cut Zelin some slack.
"Let me think about it. You know, despite Old Tang's tough exterior, he's been both father and mother to you. It wasn't easy raising you, and then you go off risking your life. Which father wouldn't worry? Let's not talk about calamities for the moment; honestly, if you manage to find a wife and have a couple of kids through the matchmaking, that wouldn't be so bad either. You should try to understand him," Yang Shusheng said sensibly, and Tang Zelin nodded in understanding.
"Alright. Once I finish this mountain training, I'll definitely find a good daughter-in-law for Old Tang, I promise to make him a grandfather within three years! Add some joy for both of you elders."
Yang Shusheng's eyes widened as he half-laughed, half-scolded, "Buzz off, you rascal!"
Such nonsense, who would believe that!
As Tang Zelin was leaving, he earnestly repeated his plea, "Uncle Yang, whether or not I can get assigned to this mountain training depends on your help!"