Siheyuan: Relieve stress and relieve worries

Chapter 1163 News about Xiao Wu
Even though the sky was already ablaze with sunset colors, the Tie family compound was still bustling with noise. Neighbors from all around had come over, especially Lao Tie's childhood friends, who surrounded him and chatted incessantly until Lao Tie said he would be home for the next few days and would get together with them the next day. Only then did the young people from the neighborhood who had grown up with Lao Tie disperse.

The Bow and Arrow Compound is different from Compound No. 95. It was originally a training ground for the Qing Dynasty army. There were dozens of households and nearly a thousand people in it. This time, Wang Zhan truly saw what neighbors and family lineage meant.

That evening, the entire Tie family gathered together. At the large table in the main room, Wang Zhan was the only outsider. Old Tie was curious about Wang Zhan's arrival. He had been busy and hadn't yet revealed why he was back. Because of his status, neither the family nor Wang Zhan had asked. Now, as soon as the wine was poured, Old Tie said to Wang Zhan, "Brother Zhan, are you some kind of fortune teller? How did you know I was coming back today?"

Wang Zhan clinked glasses with him and said irritably, "What do you mean I can't predict the future? The kids in our compound saw you outside Andingmen, so I came over to ask."

The old man suddenly realized and said, "You know some of those kids? No wonder. I thought you had reached a higher level and could even predict the future."

Master Tie tossed a peanut shell at him and said, "Why are you getting more and more mischievous? What has the army been teaching you?"

Big Brother also felt that he had become more talkative than in the army for some reason. He said, "I'm just happy to be home."

Grandma Tie ate a pork rib, then threw the bone on the table and complained, "You're happy, but we're all worried. Tell me, what's going on? How can you come home to visit your family at such an inopportune time? Have you really done something wrong?"

When Master Tie heard what his mother said, he was stunned. He put down the wine glass he was holding on the table. Only now did he realize that something was wrong. On the other hand, Wang Zhan looked relaxed. Seeing the change in Tie Jun and how relaxed he was after returning, he knew that this guy's return must be for a good reason. Otherwise, he wouldn't be so relaxed.

Tie Jun then realized that his sudden return might cause misunderstandings among his family and others, but there were some things he couldn't say. After thinking for a long time, he looked up at his grandmother and father and said, "Actually, I came back because I got a promotion, but not the kind of promotion you're thinking of. It's just that my branch of service is different now. From now on, I'll be a member of the elite unit in the army, so that's why I was transferred back here. I came back this time to report on my duties and take care of some paperwork."

The people at the dinner table fell silent after hearing Tie Jun's words. They were all old-timers in Beijing and had heard about the military to some extent, especially after the Korean War. Everyone was familiar with the military's style. Tie Jun's words were simple, but in the eyes of the Tie family, they were extraordinary.

His youngest son has become successful, a top soldier, but this also means that his future missions will be increasingly dangerous. His youngest son will have to face many unknown dangers, and the burden on his shoulders will be heavier.

When Master Tie looked at Tie Jun for the first time, he felt that he had really grown up. From a kid who couldn't say a word, he had become a member who defended the country's honor. Master Tie felt a mix of emotions, not knowing whether it was relief, worry, or something else. He quietly drank the wine in his glass.

Grandma Tie looked at Tie Jun, then at her son, and said, "Your son has grown up and become successful. You should be happy, shouldn't you? Why are you drinking alone? Give your wife a drink instead."

Master Tie was taken aback, then stood up, took the half-empty bottle of Lotus White wine and a wine glass, and turned to walk into the inner room. The three Tie brothers looked at each other, knowing that their father had gone to offer incense to their mother. They were a little at a loss. Grandma Tie looked at them and said, "You guys eat quietly and let your father and mother talk for a while."

The second brother then asked Tie Jun, "Third brother, does that mean you'll be staying in Beijing from now on, and can come home anytime?" The eldest brother slapped his younger brother and said, "Are you stupid? Third brother is a soldier, he obeys all orders. Do you think he's like you, going to work and coming home?"

The second son said, feeling wronged, "I was just asking."

Big Brother chuckled and said, "I guess it'll be the same as before. You guys rarely see me. I have to train, you know. By the way, Brother Zhan, Xiao Wu also participated in this selection. Guess how he did?"

Wang Zhan rolled his eyes and said, "Do you even need to ask? If he had been selected, he would have been even more smug than you. He would have been jumping at my doorstep by now. He wasn't selected, so that's why."

At this point, the second brother got anxious and said, "Third brother, start from the beginning. How did you get selected? Don't keep changing your story."

The old man took a sip of his drink and began to recount his story from the moment he received the news. Wang Zhan listened attentively while smoking a cigarette beside him.

It turns out that this competition involved all military units across the country. The purpose was to build an elite force, and the specific mission was still unknown. However, all the soldiers were highly motivated and actively participated in the preparations. They expected strictness, but they did not expect the brutality of this competition.

Big Brother and Little Five are both in the same unit, but in different companies. This time, they both signed up, but when the supervisors and judges came down, they found out that only the top three in this competition were eligible. You can imagine how fierce the competition was.

The competition proceeded smoothly. After ten days of competition, the final results were announced. Big Brother stood out from the crowd and won first place thanks to his physical fitness and accurate shooting skills, while Xiao Wu ranked fifth and missed being selected.

Therefore, Lao Tie took leave and took Xiao Wu out of the barracks to a nearby town for two days of heavy drinking. On the third day, when Lao Tie woke up in the hotel in the morning, Xiao Wu was gone, leaving only a note that read, "Thanks, buddy, I'm fine now. I'm going back first. Have a safe trip. I probably won't be able to see you off. Go back to Beijing and see your buddies. Give them my regards. One last thing for you: who knows who will win on the battlefield in the future? When we compete again, I'll definitely be the best." It was signed Xiao Wu.

The old man chuckled and muttered, "Still so long-winded."

When Da Lao Tie left, he received news that although Xiao Wu had not been selected, he had been specially rewarded by his superiors and promoted to deputy platoon leader. Da Lao Tie was completely relieved and could give his brothers an explanation when he got back. He turned around and boarded the bus back to Beijing.

If you were to ask who Wang Zhan's best friend was, it would definitely be Xiao Wu. Don't let Xiao Wu's lack of common sense and tendency to do silly things fool you; even though he's not a good student, for some reason, the two of them are of one mind. They don't even need to discuss things; they know what the other is thinking and will support each other unconditionally. Hearing news about Xiao Wu made Wang Zhan feel relieved, and after that, he stopped asking his best friend. It was pointless to ask; it was all confidential. What was the point of asking?

(End of this chapter)