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Chapter 599: Chapter 589 Promotion and Transfer
Commander Yu did indeed speak to Li Hongjun about his return to the unit after his injury. Originally, the higher-ups intended to let Li Hongjun, a newly-minted war hero, organize a new team. However, due to the incident with Qiu Shuping from the Li Family, there were objections. Opponents used his mother as a point of contention. In the end, the decision was for Li Hongjun to go to Z Province, but not to form a team on his own. Rather, he would continue as a regimental commander in a certain military region.
"So, it means you’re still getting promoted, but the opportunity isn’t as good as before, right?" Shen Yunfang summarized after listening to his recount.
"It can’t be said that way. Isn’t there a saying ’a blessing in disguise’? Right now, no one knows which path will lead to better prospects," Li Hongjun consoled his wife. Things had already come to this, and there was nothing he could do about having a mother like that.
Shen Yunfang pursed her lips. She wasn’t a child—forming her own team meant being the boss with the final say, which made it easier to achieve results. But if she were to go to the military region, Li Hongjun’s rank wouldn’t allow him to call the shots. He would have to follow superiors’ directives and likely feel suffocated in his work.
"Are you blaming me? If I had given your mother the money without hesitation back then, could she have avoided creating the problems that came later?" Shen Yunfang asked, somewhat despondently.
At the time, seeing Qiu Shuping captured and getting her just deserts was satisfying, but now her husband’s career was being impacted by it, which made her feel down.
"What are you talking about? I know my mother’s temper all too well. Even if we had pleased her this time, there’s no guarantee there wouldn’t be a next time. Incidents like this were bound to happen, and they have nothing to do with you. Besides, although you are my wife, that doesn’t mean you should compromise without principles. I should support the family with my salary. Supporting my wife and our children is manageable, but there’s not enough left to satisfy Li Hongqi’s endless demands. I’m a man; I can’t bring myself to have my wife earning money to support my family," Li Hongjun said gravely. When Commander Yu informed him of the situation, he didn’t first think of his own vexation but was concerned whether his wife might overthink the situation. That’s why he pondered en route how to break the news and persuade his wife.
"Hmm, it’s best that you think this way. As for your mother, there’s no such thing as someone else’s money supporting someone. We are husband and wife, a single entity. What’s yours is mine, and what’s mine is yours. But I felt that we can’t continue to indulge your mother, which is why I didn’t give her the money. Your mother shouldn’t be spoiled. If I’d given her the money again, it would only inflate her greed, which wouldn’t be a good thing," Shen Yunfang responded, pleased with the conversation.
Li Hongjun didn’t speak but nodded, indicating agreement with his wife’s words. However, he didn’t actually feel the same way. There was still a touch of male chauvinism in him. He believed that as a man, he should be responsible for supporting the family and the children. He was happy that his wife could earn money, but the money she earned was hers. It didn’t make sense to let his wife contribute financially to his family’s relatives.
"Did your leader mention when you should return to your unit?" This was what concerned Shen Yunfang the most.
To Shen Yunfang, it didn’t matter where they were. She didn’t expect Li Hongjun to climb very high in rank—her main concern was his happiness at work. So what she cared about most was when Li Hongjun would need to return to the unit and how much longer they could spend together as a family.
"I told the commander that I haven’t fully recovered from my injuries and need two more months of rest. He agreed to let me report for duty after the Solar Calendar New Year," Li Hongjun replied.
Commander Yu also felt that Li Hongjun was somewhat short-changed by the outcome, so he was more lenient with his unreasonable demands. Hearing him insist on recuperating, Commander Yu simply turned a blind eye, granting him an additional month of vacation.
After all, as long as he didn’t report there, the other side wouldn’t release him.
However, this news made Shen Yunfang very happy. She counted on her fingers and figured out that it was now mid-October. That meant Li Hongjun could stay at home for another two and a half months. This was an unexpected piece of good news—she had originally thought he would have to return to the unit in November.
"That’s just wonderful. By then, I’ll have graduated, and soon after, I’ll be able to join you with the children," Shen Yunfang said, having already discussed with Li Hongjun that she would not stay in the Capital after her graduation but would follow him wherever he went. She would find a job wherever he was stationed so that the family could stay together, avoiding both emotional and psychological issues for the children.
She had been worried about the children’s education, thinking that if Li Hongjun really got assigned to a remote and secluded post, she would hire several professors to go with her and teach her children. Now there was no need for such plans, as Li Hongjun was being assigned to a well-established military region that was sure to have complete educational facilities for the children.
"Hmm, I’ve also mentioned your job to the commander." Of course, he had to turn to the party for help. Naturally, Li Hongjun made requests, suggesting that someone as outstanding as his wife should, at the very least, be a university professor somewhere. To have her stoop to tilling the fields every day would be quite a sight.
Commander Yu, upon hearing his request, bristled with anger but eventually agreed.
"Fine, just don’t work too far from your military region, okay? Otherwise, traveling back and forth will wear me out," Shen Yunfang said, comfortably lying on the bed and thinking about what she needed to do in the upcoming months.
"Sure, can’t let my wife get tired." Li Hongjun reached out his large hand, starting to massage his wife.
"What if I buy a car? Then it would be convenient for commuting to and from work," she suggested.
"Buy a car?" Li Hongjun asked alertly.
"A car, of course. What else? I’ve seen some people driving Santana on the streets," Shen Yunfang thought, recalling that the Santana had come out around this time.
"I haven’t seen it. What’s a Santana?" Li Hongjun was confused. He didn’t shop as often as his wife, so it was normal for him to be unaware.
"It’s a type of sedan. Ah, forget it. If I buy a small sedan once I get there, our family will be the talk of the town again," Shen Yunfang considered, feeling uneasy at the thought of being the center of gossip and attention.
"Alright, your wish is my command," Li Hongjun said, relieved to hear his wife drop the idea of buying a car. If she did buy one, the organization would likely need to have a talk with him.
