Chapter 8 — The Poor and Honored Soldier

“Your mother will know.” Trieu Chan Quoc nodded, "Moreover, not only your mother, the district leaders, officers of the District Military Command, people of related units—will all know."
I took a deep breath. It's been eight years. My mother only knew me as a "soldier". She didn't know that in my second year, I scored a third-class achievement. I didn't know that in my fourth year, I would be specially promoted. I wonder what rank reward I received after the sixth year campaign. I don't know what my current status means in this military region. But now—— She's about to know.
“One more thing.” Trieu Chan Quoc's voice became magical, "Invitations for the commendation conference have been sent to units in the district. Basically, all prominent people in the district will attend."
He looked at me, the corner of his mouth twitching as if he was holding back a laugh.
“Including——the neighborhood office where the estranged mother-in-law of your date works.”
Me: “……”
“Of course, this is completely coincidental.” Trieu Chan Quoc spread his hands, "The invitation was sent by the Political Department, it has nothing to do with me."
The female civil servant of the Political Bureau next to her nodded expressionlessly: "Yes, follow the procedure." Trieu Chan Quoc chuckled twice: "Xuyen T. Tu, at that time you will wear a military uniform, a medal on your chest and stand on the podium. Tell me what that mother-in-law sees..."
“Uncle Trieu.” I interrupted him.
“Huh?”
"Did you know about this for a long time, so you deliberately chose the third day of Tet for Cam Thu to come and have dinner with me, causing the events of that day at Vong Giang Lau to continue to ferment?"
Trieu Chan Quoc's expression stiffened. Then he smiled wryly and moved his eyes: "What is this kid thinking, am I that kind of person?" Chu Hang Chi coughed next to him, lowered his head to look at the documents, his shoulders shaking. I don't pursue it. Anyway, no matter how you say it—— Next month, go home. This time, it's not as a "demobilized soldier doing some business". But—— The person standing in the middle of the military region's commendation conference, receiving military honors from everyone. I picked up my phone and sent Trieu Cam Thu a text message:
"I'm going back to my hometown next month, there's an activity. Are you coming?"
Ten seconds later, she replied:
“What activity?”
“Public commendation.”
Five seconds of silence. Then:
“Are you finally willing to take off that torn cotton shirt?”
I laughed out loud.
“Consider it.”
“Then I will definitely come.”
"Why?"
“Look at how you look in military uniform.”
Stop for three seconds. She sent another message:
“And——look at the faces of a few people.”
I leaned back in my chair, my finger resting on the screen for a moment. Finally type two words: "Waiting for you." I don't know when Trieu Chan Quoc came to look at my phone screen. After reading it, he patted his thigh: "It's done! My daughter will definitely marry you!"
“…… Uncle Trieu, can you stay away from me for a bit?”
“I'm concerned about your life imprisonment!”
“Deputy Commander Zhou, take care of him.”
Chu Hang Chi finally couldn't help it and burst out laughing. 【Chapter 6】 April 3. One day before the commendation congress. I returned to my hometown. But the situation this time is completely different from Tet. On the main road of the city district, red banners were hung—“Warmly welcome comrade Ly Xuyen, a first-class meritorious citizen, honorably returning to the homeland.” I sat in the back seat of the army vehicle, looking at the banners outside the window, the mood is complicated.
“Chief, is something wrong?” Chu Dinh looked at me through the rearview mirror.
“Take down the banner.”
"This matter... is the district's own hanging, not ours."
I sighed. Okay. The car drove straight to the district Military Command headquarters. Outside the door, there was a line of people standing to welcome him—the commander, political commissar of the District Military Command, and several key leaders in the district. The moment he saw me getting out of the car, the commander of the District Military Command's legs clearly trembled. Can't blame him. Maybe he didn't see my resume until yesterday. A twenty-seven-year-old young man holding a position that he could never reach in his entire life——anyone else would be stunned.
“Comrade… Comrade Ly Xuyen, welcome back!” The commander reached out both hands, grabbed my hand and shook it vigorously, "All the people in the district are proud of you comrade!"
“It's polite.” I withdrew my hand, "It's okay to simply praise the organization, don't make it too big."
“Not big, not big, only representatives of units in the district, there are also some representatives of the public——”
“Is my mother here yet?”
"Here, here! Waiting inside!"
I quickly went in. The meeting room door was pushed open. Mom sat in the first row, next to my aunt. Today she wore new clothes—a bright red cotton shirt, her hair had just been dyed, and she looked very spirited. Seeing me come in, she immediately stood up. Then——dumbfounded. Because today I'm not wearing that faded blue cotton shirt. I wear military uniform. The military uniform is dark blue, smooth and neat. Medals and badges of seniority before the chest reflect light under the lamp. The sign on the shoulder, perhaps the mother does not understand the specific meaning.