Rebirth in the 90s: Her Counterattack and Redemption

Chapter 1024: Chapter 597: One Year Later

One year later.

Office of the A Army Commander.

Lei Dawei stared straight at Ye Xuan opposite him, dressed in a black casual suit, for a long time, then sighed: ”Have you really decided?”

”Yes, from the day I made this decision, I was set on it.” Ye Xuan stood up and saluted, ”Director Lei, I have let down your generosity and guidance, I’m sorry.”

”Forget it...” Lei Dawei waved his hand, ”Actually, with your abilities, whether in the military or in politics, your future would be bright. Upon reflection, your concerns make sense. Luo Ye’s abilities are not much inferior to yours, but politics isn’t really suitable for a girl, so... it’s pretty good this way. Cough, cough, cough...”

Ye Xuan glanced at the ashtray on the table, frowning: ”Director Lei, didn’t Elder Zhan urge you to quit smoking for the sake of your health? Are you treating it like a breeze past your ears?”

Lei Dawei glared at him, ”I’m already annoyed enough with Lei Yutian nagging me. Don’t start another fuss. I say, when did you become so nagging? Without smoking, how is that being a man?”

Ye Xuan was speechless: ”Isn’t it because you have a lung problem? Otherwise, why would I bother with such trivial matters? Besides, even my father, with such a heavy smoking addiction, quit. Aren’t you better than him?”

”Don’t provoke me!” Lei Dawei glared at him, ”Let me tell you, I won’t fall for it, and I’ve already reconciled with your dad. Stop trying to stir things up.”

”Your body is your own, do as you see fit.” Ye Xuan stood up, ”I’m going to handle the paperwork.”

”Brat, what’s with your attitude? Sit down!” Lei Dawei said, throwing a pen at him, ”It’s just becoming the Mayor, I’m telling you, in my eyes, it’s nothing.”

”Director Lei, can we be reasonable?” Ye Xuan looked at him helplessly, ”You say, if I wasn’t worried about your health, who would bother with such things?”

Lei Dawei waved his hand impatiently: ”I know, I know. From now on, I’ll smoke less... think about it for a bit, holding up two fingers, ”two fewer cigarettes, will that work?”

Ye Xuan laughed, ”With your daily two packs of cigarettes, smoking two fewer won’t do much, dare you say.”

Lei Dawei frowned: ”Would you have me smoke one pack less?”

”One and a half packs less, aim to quit smoking within a year. Director Lei, this is not a joke. If you continue like this, the consequences...” Ye Xuan sighed, ”I won’t say more about the consequences, actually, you know yourself.”

”One and a half packs less is too hard. I mean, with my smoking habit, how can I cut down so much at once?” Lei Dawei scratched his head, ”You know, I spent a year and a half as a Gold Soldier, this habit is truly hard to change.

Back then, when I was smoking cow dung, I swore that when I had the means, I would indulge myself. Alas, it’s just this little hobby. How about cutting it in half first?”

”That’s more like it.” Ye Xuan’s eyes showed a smile, ”You are a soldier.”

”I know.” Lei Dawei glared at him, ”Do you think I’m someone who doesn’t keep their word?”

”You always keep your word at work, in other matters, we’ll see.”

”We’ll see.” Lei Dawei looked serious, ”I’ve promised you, you must promise me too, come back once a month, is that okay?”

”Okay.” Ye Xuan nodded readily, ”Coming back often to see you is proper.”

”Not just that.” Lei Dawei took a document from the drawer and handed it to Ye Xuan, ”You’re a born soldier, letting you leave like this is hard for me, and for the old commander too.”

Ye Xuan looked at it for a moment, amazed at Lei Dawei: ”This... actually got approved?”

Lei Dawei nodded: ”Yes, it’s approved. You will be the only exception, willing to accept?”

”No wonder you agreed to quit smoking, waiting for me right here.” Ye Xuan chuckled bitterly, shaking his head, ”You tell me, do I have the energy for this?”

”More capable, more responsibilities. As long as you’re determined, you can definitely get it done.” Lei Dawei tapped his finger on the table, ”We worked hard to secure this appointment.”

”Alright, I agree.” Ye Xuan closed his eyes and sighed, ”Thank you, Director Lei, and thank you to the old commander. Just hoping, I won’t make things hard for you and the old commander.”

Director Lei waved his hand: ”What’s hard about it? Your achievements speak for themselves, breaking the rule is also justified. Plus, it’s for the good of the country, not just for you personally.”

Ye Xuan stood up: ”Director Lei, it’s getting late, I need to go handle the paperwork.”

Lei Dawei waved: ”Go ahead, finish up and come home with me for dinner tonight, you’re lucky, Lei Yu is bringing her boyfriend home to meet us, perfect timing, you can help assess.”

”Congratulations, Director Lei.” Ye Xuan’s lips curled up, ”Set your mind at ease?”

”Alas.” Lei Dawei scratched his head, ”Finally at ease. Her mother left early, and in matters of emotion, as a father, I can’t interfere too much.

Honestly, I was worried she might cling to that crooked tree Feng Tianzhi, fortunately, this girl isn’t stubborn. Okay, I won’t chatter on these things, hurry up, I’ll wait for you in the office.”

”Alright, I want to be involved in this.” Ye Xuan quickly darted out of the office as he spoke.

Lei Dawei shook his head and sighed, ”What a pity, such a good son-in-law, and that foolish Xiao Yu doesn’t like him. What’s wrong with her eyes?”

Half an hour later, Ye Xuan returned to Lei Dawei’s office. Seeing the time, Lei Dawei shook his head with a smile, ”It seems that being handsome does have its perks. Tell me the truth, when you received your discharge papers, did the girls cry?”

”You’re getting more and more gossipy.” Ye Xuan looked at him speechlessly, ”Or are you hoping everyone would cry and bid me farewell with tears?”

”I’m not teasing you anymore, twenty more minutes to go...” Lei Dawei knocked on the table with a large hand, ”Let’s head home early; I’ll make an exception and go home to cook.”

When the two arrived home, it was just half-past five. Naturally, Lei Yu and her boyfriend hadn’t returned yet.

Lei Dawei deftly took meat, vegetables, fish, and eggs out of the fridge, tied on an apron, and started working.

”If your comrades saw you like this...” Ye Xuan propped his chin up with his hand, ”your image would be completely ruined.”

”Get out of here. Do you think everyone sees me only as a big brute with a gun?” Lei Dawei said while chopping vegetables, ”I learned to cook after Lei Yu’s mom passed away. Look at my skills now—I’d trade it for nothing less than a top chef. Kid, today you’re benefiting from being my future son-in-law, you’re in for a treat.”

”Yeah, I can tell.” Ye Xuan glanced around, ”Anything you need me to do? Just sitting here waiting to eat feels a bit wrong.”

”You can just watch and learn. Once you master this skill, you can cook for your wife in the future.”

Ye Xuan chuckled lightly, ”Honestly, my cooking isn’t much worse than yours. This past year, Ye’er has been making time every week to come to my place for a meal, so I’ve had plenty of practice by now.”

Lei Dawei glanced at him, ”Showing off in front of me, be careful I don’t pair Ye’er with Feng Tianzhi on a mission. That guy’s never given up.”

”I trust Ye’er.”

Lei Dawei glanced at him, seeing his calm expression, and shook his head with a smile, ”Pretty confident, aren’t you? Just wonder if you’d be this confident when the time actually comes.”

”No need to specifically arrange it to test me,” Ye Xuan said while stepping forward to grab the knife from his hands, ”Let me handle this, and I’ll let you taste my cooking skills.”

”Alright then, I’ll be your assistant,” Lei Dawei said with a shake of his head, ”Gah, it’s embarrassing to admit, the son-in-law is about to visit, and I don’t even know his last name.”

”You’re something else.” Ye Xuan looked at him speechlessly, ”I’ve gotta hand it to you.”

”I call this democracy, understand? Even though I’m worried about Xiao Yu’s marriage, I’ve never pressured her.”

Ye Xuan laughed, ”You and Captain Jiang really are good friends, he completely lets Jiang Yang have his way too.”

”We’ve come to understand that matters of fate can’t be forced,” Lei Dawei spread his hands, ”See, when the time comes, she’ll naturally bring the right person home.”

”Director Lei, you should step out. After all, it’s your first time meeting the potential son-in-law, what does wearing an apron in the kitchen say?”

”Dad, I’m back.” Before Ye Xuan could finish, Lei Yu’s voice called from outside the door.

”Director Lei, hurry and greet your son-in-law, leave the kitchen to me.” Ye Xuan said as he nimbly untied the apron from Lei Dawei, gave him a push, and emphasized, ”You’re the prospective father-in-law!”

”Of course I know, you’re getting more and more nagging.” Lei Dawei glared at him, quickly sitting in the center of the living room--hmm, very much like a father-in-law.

The door opened, and Lei Yu affectionately pushed a refined man inside. Before Lei Yu could introduce him, the man held out several gift bags in his hands, ”Hello, Uncle Lei, I’m Fu Mo, just a token, please accept it.”

Lei Dawei waved his hand with a smile, ”Why such courtesy? It’s just Lei Yu and me at home, you should take them back for your elders.”

Fu Mo quickly placed the bags by his feet, ”Uncle, these are a token of my appreciation, and even if you give them away, you can’t have me take them back home.”

”Alright then, I’ll keep them.” Lei Dawei gestured to the seat opposite him, ”Little Fu, have a seat. Make yourself at home, don’t be shy.”

”Dad, he’s definitely not shy.” Lei Yu raised her eyebrows proudly, ”I saw him hold a meeting in front of thousands in a large conference room, and wow, it was so cool.”

Lei Dawei hesitated, then looked at his daughter, ”Xiao Yu, how did you two meet?”

”Yuan Yuan is Fu Mo’s secretary. I went to see Yuan Yuan and met him, then we clicked...” Lei Yu caught a glimpse of someone at the kitchen door and quickly stood up straight. Once she saw who it was, she breathed out a sigh and patted her chest, ”Xiao Xuanxuan, what are you doing standing there pretending to be a ghost? Scared me to death.”

...

The first Chapter of Nu’an has arrived, there’s another Chapter to come. Special thanks to ”Jiu Ai,” ”Eternal Post-rainy Season” Xiao Yu, ”redrettred,” and friends for their rewards, and special thanks to Pink for Nuan, and friends who subscribed to the authorized version. (To be continued. If you like this work, you’re welcome to Qidian () to cast recommendation votes and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)