Chapter 84: Chapter 84 Quite Suitable
âXiao Wang?â Huo Shiqian repeated Uncle Xiaâs words.
His tone was light and shallow, and no emotions could be discerned.
âI see Xiao Wang isnât very old, is he?â Uncle Xia excitedly looked at Xiao Wang, sizing him up.
âLooking at his epaulettes, his rank isnât low eitherâŠâ he added, nodding repeatedly.
Uncle Xia completely failed to notice that Xiao Wang had stiffened up like a statue.
Unable to wait for Huo Shiqian to respond, Uncle Xia directly asked Xiao Wang, âSoldier Xiao Wang, are you married yet? If not, I think you and my niece Chuyi would be quite a match. What do you think?â
...
His face beamed with a smile.
Aunt Xiaâs eyes lit up, she clapped her hands and echoed, âHey, now that you mention it, they really do seem suitable!â
The two elders were quite excited, leaving the other three with varying emotions.
Xia Chuyi bit her lip, trying hard to suppress the laughter between her teeth. Only her eyes, curved into crescents, gave away her thoughts.
At that moment, Xiao Wang wasnât just hallucinating auditory but visually too, as though a sniper rifle was aimed at his head.
Huo Shiqian still wore an expressionless face, but that previously casual and relaxed air had vanished.
âThisâŠâ Xiao Wang glanced at his superior officer, hesitating over how to respond.
Huo Shiqian glanced at him indifferently, lifted his tea cup, and took a gentle sip.
âDonât be nervous, just speak,â he said, the tone neither light nor heavy.
âYes!â Xiao Wang immediately stamped his foot vigorously, stood at attention, saluted, and shouted, âReporting, fellow villagers, I am already married!â
His expression was serious, lying earnestly.
âWhat? Already married? You donât look old enoughâŠâ Hearing Xiao Wangâs words, Uncle Xia was somewhat disappointed.
After thinking it over, Uncle Xia turned to Huo Shiqian and asked, âHey, Huo Commander, do you have any other young soldiers under your command who are older than He Qing, already promoted, and have good conduct?â
Huo Shiqian glanced towards Xia Chuyi who then turned her head away.
Donât look at her; she knows nothing.
Lowering his gaze, Huo Shiqian sipped his tea and asked unhurriedly, âWhy must it be someone from my command?â
âHaha, Huo Commander, let me be honest with you.â Uncle Xia chuckled heartily and said, âMy nieceâs previous match was that He Qing, whose character really didnât cut it, so I took it upon myself to call off the engagement.â
âFor that bastard, I almost got turned off by military men,â he said, sighing before continuing, âMeeting you today made me realize I was biased.â
Huo Shiqian paused his tea-sipping and asked, âHow so?â
Uncle Xia smiled again and said, âWell, Iâve come to realize that we should judge each individually.â
âHe was not good, but that doesnât mean other military men arenât.â
âLike you, Huo Commander, upright and righteous, arenât you a good man?â
Uncle Xiaâs face showed sincere appreciation.
Huo Shiqianâs expression eased slightly, just about to say something.
âHehe, so, I was thinking, your subordinates, must be well-taught like Xiao Wang,â Uncle Xia nonchalantly continued.
âAnd following such a good commanding officer like you, their future is surely unworried!â
âTherefore, picking a match for Chuyi from your men definitely canât go wrong!â
His words carried both flattery and sincerity, and hearing them, to Xia Chuyi, it felt like quite the burden.
To Xiao Wang, it sounded like a bomb.
But to Huo Shiqian, only irritation lingered.
Tapping his finger lightly on the teacup, Huo Shiqian gently cleared his throat.
Receiving the cue, Xiao Wang immediately stood straight and declared with a strong voice, âReporting, fellow villagers, all the promising young men under our commander are married!â