Wen Xinya and Xu Tongxuan did not continue to dwell on that topic since Zhou Tianyu obviously didn’t want to continue talking about it. Although they were feeling anxious, they did not wish to force Zhou Tianyu and decided to find out more themselves.
The thought of Zhou Tianyu and Gu Junling’s ending in her previous lifetime made Wen Xinya feel extremely uneasy.
However, Gu Junling was rather sensitive and could instantly sense the tension in the air. He glanced at Zhou Tianyu and asked, “What were you guys talking about earlier on?”
Zhou Tianyu looked down to avoid eye contact with Gu Junling,
Wen Xinya answered smilingly, “Nothing much… By the way, why didn’t Xu-er come along with you guys?”
Just like in the past, Xu Zhenyu was frequently away on missions and would spend at least 300 out of 365 days a year carrying out tasks and missions. However, he was away less frequently ever since he returned to Capital city, because of the Xu Family’s supervision.
Xu Tongxuan chimed in. “He’s not going to make us wait again, is he!?!”
Gu Junling did not dwell on it any further. Instead, he answered, “Who knows? I called him just now and he said that he would be late, so he told us not to wait for him. We all know what he’s like. He’s always late and making us wait. Since he said that he’ll be coming, let’s just trust his words. We’ll drink and ignore him for now.”
They all agreed.
At this moment, the door of the room was pushed open and Xu Zhenyu entered, clad in an immaculate military uniform. He walked towards them and said, “I heard you guys badmouthing me. Do you guys think you’ll become as tall, handsome and rich as me just by putting me down?”
The girls burst into laughter.
While laughing, Wen Xinya threw an orange at Xu Zhenyu and chided. “What a narcissist!”
Xu Tongxuan guffawed and chastised. “I’ve never seen someone so thick-skinned like you!”
Zhou Tianyu smiled and said, “It takes talent to be so thick-skinned.”
Xu Zhenyu caught the orange and peeled the skin off before eating it. “Hey, hey! You’re not allowed to launch a personal attack. Can… we still have fun?”
Han Mofeng kicked Xu Zhenyu in displeasure and rebuked. “We were tall, handsome and rich in the first place. Must we bring you down?”
Ling Qingxuan guffawed uncontrollably. “Tall, handsome and rich? You’re barely earning enough each month. Trust you to have the cheek to say that.”
Xu Zhenyu retorted. “I like calling myself tall, handsome and rich. What’s wrong? I belong to a family of soldiers.”
At this moment, Wen Xinya noticed something different about the badges on Xu Zhenyu’s shoulders. She teased. “Ah, no wonder you praised yourself as soon as you entered. Turns out you got promoted! Colonel Xu, hurry and tell us how you managed to get this far as well as the experiences that you’ve been through, and how you feel about the promotion!”
Wen Xinya did not expect Xu Zhenyu to be promoted to Colonel, a rank that was in between a Major and an Admiral. Colonels were usually assigned to high-level missions and they were meticulously handpicked by the generals.
However, it would be harder for a Colonel to be promoted to a General. Some people would never be able to make that achievement at all.
Wen Xinya’s words made everyone turn to look at Xu Zhenyu in shock, only to see that there were two gold bars and four stars on the green epaulet of his uniform. He had indeed been promoted to a Colonel.
Gu Junling whistled and teased. “Wow, two bars and four stars. Indeed, you’re tall, handsome and rich!”
Ling Qingxuan patted Xu Zhenyu on his shoulder and exclaimed excitedly, “Brother, you’re tall, handsome and rich!”
Green with envy, Han Mofeng inched closer towards Xu Zhenyu and began to caress the epaulet on his shoulder. “Xu-er, you got promoted so quickly! I slogged away for three to four years and I only got promoted to a Lieutenant Colonel. Are you out to kill me!!?!”
Xu Tongxuan chided. “Loony, don’t be so discontented. If you go to the Northwest Military camp for a few years, I bet you’d get promoted that quickly too. Xu-er managed to get this far, all because of his hard work, blood, sweat, and tears. He’s really got what it takes.”
Appearing extremely smug, Xu Zhenyu said, “I was just promoted today and the person who promoted me was a Lieutenant General. He told me that it was time for them seniors to give the young blood a chance to shine and that heroes are all young!”
Seeing at how smug he was, Wen Xinya almost threw the orange peel at his face. “Xu-er, could you not be so smug? Could you behave like a soldier and a General-to-be?”
He was just childish!
Everyone burst into boisterous laughter.
Xu Zhenyu retorted. “How am I smug, arrogant and petty? I’m telling you, I’m the hero of citizens.”
Everyone laughed again relentlessly.
Xu-er was just a fool!
Xu Zhenyu barked. “You guys, stop laughing. I’m being serious…”
Everyone laughed even more hysterically.
At last, even Xu Zhenyu began laughing together with them. “Seriously… you people are just out to criticize me. Would it hurt not to poke fun at me!?!”
After some banter, Xu-er raised her glass and said, “Here, everyone. Let’s toast to celebrate Xu-er’s promotion to becoming a colonel and a true blue tall, handsome and rich bachelor!”
Everyone raised their glasses and clinked them together excitedly. “Cheers!”
The liquor splashed out of the cups, just like their euphoria.
Everyone was genuinely happy for Xu Zhenyu.
Wen Xinya was no exception.
However, she could not help but feel emotional, for Xu Zhenyu had managed to transform from a spoiled brat to a disciplined Colonel within just six years. It was a drastic change.
Everyone was feeling nonchalant.
Xu Zhenyu lit up a cigarette.
Gu Junling snatched it from him and put it in his own mouth. “Haven’t you already quit smoking? Why did you start again?”
Xu Zhenyu lit up another cigarette and sucked on it. “I can’t show my masculinity if I don’t smoke or drink.”
Gu Junling laughed uncontrollably.
Wen Xinya glanced at him and quipped. “So you need cigarettes to prove that you’re masculine. You’re really something, huh?”
Zhou Tianyu and Xu Tongxuan snorted with laughter.
Xu Zhenyu raised his hands to show that he had surrendered. “Miss Wen, would you please stop criticizing me?”
He has already had his fair share of bitterness after drinking the herbal soups that Wen Xinya had prepared for him.
Ling Qingxuan laughed and mocked. “You were asking for it.”
