I'm back in 1990

Chapter 917: What is the most elite family relationship?

After having dinner and resting for a while, the father-in-law and son-in-law drank some tea before Huang Xiaochuan and Yu Xiang left the Yu family home with their children to go to their parents' home.

On the way, Yu Xiang looked at the man with a flushed face: "Look how happy you are! Your older brother isn't a general yet, and you and my dad were chatting away, drinking one cup after another. My mom's face turned dark, didn't you see?"

Yu Xiang was criticizing the man. Like her mother Zheng Aiying, she felt that her father and her husband were taking the opportunity to drink more. As for the two of them, they didn't understand anything about generals. All they knew was that the father-in-law and son-in-law had drunk a bottle and a half of Wuliangye at noon.

"Don't scare me, your mom will be very upset." Huang Xiaochuan pretended not to know what was going on.

Seeing the man like this, Yu Xiang was too lazy to argue with him and gave him a pair of mothballs for free to experience for himself.

When the family of four arrived at Huang Xiaochuan's parents' house, they saw that Huang Erhe and Cheng Jing's family of five were already there.

Seeing his youngest son's flushed face, Old Huang asked, "How much did you drink with your father-in-law at noon?"

Yu Xiang overheard this and looked at the man to see what he would say.

Huang Xiaochuan truthfully told his father, "It's alright, Yu Xiang's dad and I drank about one and a half bottles."

Hearing this, Zeng Lijuan became somewhat annoyed: "You! Your father-in-law isn't fully recovered yet, why did you give him so much to drink? Honestly!"

The two families have known each other for so many years and are very familiar with each other. Zeng Lijuan could naturally understand Zheng Aiying's feelings. She only didn't stop the father-in-law and son-in-law from drinking because of her son. That unlucky boy, knowing that his father-in-law was not fully recovered, still made him drink so much.

Although Old Huang also thought that his youngest son's actions were somewhat inappropriate, he still sided with his youngest son at the crucial moment: "Alright, alright, just say less. Xiao Chuan is a grown man, he must know what he's doing."

Zeng Lijuan glared at Lao Huang angrily, then turned around and started talking to her daughter-in-law Yu Xiang with a big smile on her face. She was a master of changing her expression.

"Second Brother, Second Sister-in-law!" Huang Xiaochuan finally had a chance to greet Huang Erhe and Cheng Jing.

After Huang Xiaochuan sat down, Old Huang asked him, "Why did you drink so much with your father-in-law at noon?"

"Yu Xiang's dad heard you say that my older brother was coming back to visit relatives, and he mentioned that my older brother has a chance to become a general. I certainly don't understand the ins and outs of this, but Yu Xiang's dad does! He told me a lot, and while we were chatting and drinking, I accidentally drank a little too much."

Huang Xiaochuan quickly assured him, "Dad, don't worry. You know how much Yu Xiang's dad can drink; he definitely won't drink too much."

Old Huang was relieved, but he still cautioned, "Age catches up with everyone. Your father-in-law is getting on in years, so you should let him drink less. As he gets older, his health is the most important thing."

"Okay, I understand!" Huang Xiaochuan nodded.

At this moment, Huang Erhe said, "Uncle Yu is right. My elder brother does have a chance to try for the position of general. His age is an advantage. On the other hand, even if he doesn't get promoted, it would be good for him to retire as a division commander."

Huang Erhe had served in the military for many years, so he knew a little about the situation. However, he lacked ambition and promotion in the army was much more difficult than in the navy, so he left the military early.

When his second son mentioned that his eldest son had a good chance of becoming a general, Old Huang perked up immediately. If that were true, it would bring honor to the Huang family's ancestors and make him, as the father, proud.

He looked at his second son with anticipation: "Erhe, is there really hope for Dahai?"

Huang Erhe said truthfully, "Dad, it's only a possibility. As for whether he can be promoted, there are many factors involved, and the competition will definitely be fierce. After all, the higher you go, the fewer spots there are—it's a pyramid!"

Although Lao Huang wasn't very familiar with the military's promotion regulations, he knew that these difficulties were bound to be tough. After all, his second son had said that the higher you went, the fewer promotions there were, which he could understand.

So he looked at his youngest son, Huang Xiaochuan.

Although Huang Xiaochuan had drunk alcohol at noon, his thinking ability was not affected. When he saw that Lao Huang looked at him after listening to Huang Erhe's words, how could he not guess what Lao Huang was thinking? It's a joke, they've been father and son for two lifetimes, if he still can't guess, he might as well find a block of tofu and smash his head against it.

"Dad, don't look at me like that. You overestimate your youngest son. I don't have that ability." Huang Xiaochuan waved his hands repeatedly in fright.

He was still self-aware enough to know that such a thing was not something a scholar or businessman like himself should get involved in.

Throughout China's five thousand years of history, the social hierarchy has been scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, with merchants ranking last, which demonstrates their low social status.

All he wanted in his life was for his family to live a good life and live out their lives in peace. He had no other unrealistic ideas. As for Huang Dahai’s success, he did provide some assistance at certain times, but that was just part of supporting the military and building together. In the end, Huang Dahai mainly relied on his own abilities and a little bit of luck.

Therefore, he resolutely avoids politics. He politely declined all proposals from committee members and representatives. He believes it's better to be pure and focused on creating wealth to give back to society, judging by actions rather than intentions.

Seeing his youngest son like this, Old Huang knew that his youngest son couldn't help him, and he couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.

Huang Xiaochuan advised, "Dad! You should try to think more positively about this. It's best if you have it, but it's not a big deal if you don't. Anyway, your eldest brother is already a full-fledged division commander. Our Huang family hasn't produced such a high-ranking official in generations. You should be content!"

Old Huang thought about it and realized that it made sense. He then dismissed his original idea. Desires are endless, so it's better to be more down-to-earth. He thought to himself that he was already so old, yet he was still so greedy. If he continued like this, when would he ever be satisfied?

However, he still had some things to say.

"Erhe, Xiaochuan, although your eldest brother hasn't returned yet, there are some things I still want to say to you two first."

"Dad, please tell me!"

Old Huang's words made Huang Erhe feel a little embarrassed, after all, his past actions had hurt his family.

Huang Xiaochuan naturally noticed Huang Erhe's embarrassed look, patted him on the shoulder and said, "Second brother, Dad is right. I'll just say one thing to you: the best family relationships are those where you can support each other behind closed doors, not those where you leave the door open for others to laugh at you."

Huang Erhe firmly believed this, because his younger brother had always done the same thing, taking meticulous care of his family. He had never seen a younger brother who was as good to his family as his brother.