The leaders were all shrewd people. Long Peiye had already spoken so bluntly, how could they not understand the intricacies involved?
A young woman, whose mother had passed away early and whose maternal grandfather’s family had suffered such a major tragedy, had essentially lost all support.
Unable to rely on her biological father, she also gained a stepmother and stepsister who were eyeing her with hostility.
She thought she had finally gotten married and found someone to rely on, but in the blink of an eye, she was divorced by her husband’s family.
Does he even care about his reputation anymore?
How can I face people after this?
It’s obvious that their future will be bleak and miserable, perhaps even worse than being sent down to a farm.
Political Commissar Zhao Zhenbang let out a long sigh, his face showing even more regret.
He walked steadily to Long Peiye, reached out and patted his strong shoulder heavily.
“Peiye,” he said earnestly, his voice much gentler than before, “you know what you’re doing, you’ve thought it through, and you’ve made this decision, so we old folks won’t say anything more.”
“We just feel a little sorry for your bright future, and we worry that the road ahead will be more difficult for you than for others.”
“After all, you are a rare talent, and we all have high hopes for you.”
Long Peiye felt the strength and warmth coming from his shoulder, and a relieved smile finally appeared on his tense lips.
“Thank you, Political Commissar, and thank you to all the leaders for your care and concern.”
He grinned, revealing a set of neat white teeth, his eyes clear and bright, carrying the cheerfulness and fearlessness unique to soldiers.
“Actually, there’s nothing really to regret.”
“I believe that as long as I work hard in the army, train diligently, strive to earn more merits, and make significant contributions to the army and the country…”
“When it’s time for a promotion, won’t the organization still have to promote me?”
“We can’t let a truly capable and meritorious person be deliberately overlooked just because I married a woman from a less-than-ideal family background, right?”
“Hahahaha!” As soon as he finished speaking, the regimental commander could no longer hold back and burst into loud laughter.
The loud and cheerful laughter dispelled the slightly oppressive atmosphere in the office.
He slapped his thigh, pointed at Long Peiye, and said with admiration, “Good lad! Well said! You have guts! I admire your spirit of always being optimistic and daring, even if the sky falls, you’ll be covered up with a blanket!”
The regimental commander’s loud and hearty laughter echoed in the office for quite a while before gradually subsiding.
Political Commissar Zhao Zhenbang looked at Long Peiye with satisfaction, his smile softening and carrying the concern of an elder.
“Alright, Peiye, we old folks understand your determination and your thoughts.”
He nodded slightly, then his tone became serious: “Go back and rest first, spend some time with your loved one.”
“As for the specific details of Xu Xiangsi and Zhi,” Zhao Zhenbang pondered for a moment, “we will arrange for someone to go to Shanghai as soon as possible to verify them in detail again.”
“This can be considered… a belated political background check for you.”
Upon hearing this, Long Peiye’s expression turned serious, and he immediately straightened his posture: “Yes! Thank you, Political Commissar! I’m sorry to have troubled the organization!”
Zhao Zhenbang waved his hand, indicating that he didn’t need to be so nervous: “We will study this carefully and try our best to find a solution.”
“As long as we handle things properly, we can portray Xu Xiangsi as an advanced proletarian youth who, despite coming from a capitalist family, is progressive in thought, resolutely severs ties with his reactionary maternal grandfather, and actively throws himself into the great torrent of class struggle.”
“In this way, the negative impact on your personal future, Comrade Long Peiye, should be minimized.”
As soon as the political commissar said this, Zhang Weihe, the commander of the Second Regiment next to him, couldn’t help but scoff and give Long Peiye a sidelong glance with a hint of annoyance.
He pointed at Long Peiye and said with a smile to the political commissar and the regimental commander, “You good-for-nothing Long Peiye!”
“You little rascal, you’ve quietly stirred up such a huge mess. Now we old folks are going to have to rack our brains and follow you around, trying to figure out how to clean it up for you!”
Long Peiye felt a little embarrassed by what was said, chuckled, scratched his stubble-like short hair, and didn’t dare to respond to the comment.
Zhang Weihe sighed heavily, his tone filled with genuine regret and a hint of disappointment.
“To be honest, Peiye,” he said, his brow furrowed, “I was planning to promote you next time I had the chance.”
“Let you climb higher and bring some honor and glory to our Second Regiment.”
“Now look what’s happened…” He shook his head heavily, his face full of regret, “This delay, who knows when it will be!”
The regimental commander, who hadn’t said much until now, also put away his smile and looked at Long Peiye with a rather complicated expression.
The regimental commander, who hadn’t said much until now, also put away his smile and looked at Long Peiye with a rather complicated expression.
“Yes, Peiye,” he said earnestly, “you chose this path yourself, and I hope you won’t regret this decision later.”
Long Peiye’s eyes remained clear and firm, without the slightest wavering: “Reporting to the commander! I, Long Peiye, never regret what I do!”
Political Commissar Zhao Zhenbang looked at them, a knowing smile on his face, and gently shook his head.
“Alright, alright, you two stop worrying about him for no reason.”
With the wisdom of someone who’s been there all along, he said meaningfully, “Every single one of the Long family members has a temper and a brain as hard and stubborn as a rock in a latrine! Once they’ve made up their minds, not even nine oxen could pull them back.”
“So,” he pointed to himself, “didn’t you all see that I wasn’t willing to say a single word of advice to him the whole time?”
“Why? Because it’s pointless to try to persuade them! They simply won’t listen! It’s a waste of breath!”
Upon hearing this, both regimental commanders nodded in deep agreement. When they looked at Long Peiye, their eyes held a mixture of helplessness, understanding, and a hint of…admiration that was hard to define.
Long Peiye gave the officers a crisp military salute once more, his voice booming, “Thank you for your concern, officers! I’ll head back to the camp now!”
“Okay, go ahead,” Zhao Zhenbang waved gently. “Go back first, settle your wife properly, and don’t let her suffer any injustice.”
“yes!”