Chapter 147: The Commendation Ceremony Begins

"Baoguo? When did you get back? You didn't even come home to eat after returning..."

Xia Yan turned around to see Wang Baoguo walking over, dusty and travel-worn, his backpack still strapped to his shoulders.

"The plan was to arrive at the station yesterday afternoon, but things got delayed, as you can see. I just got back," Wang Baoguo said, lifting a jar he was carrying. He then handed it to Xia Yan. "Sister-in-law, this is the good stuff. Take it home later and stew it for my brother tonight, or use it to infuse some liquor!"

Xia Yan was puzzled, but looking at Wang Baoguo’s mysterious expression, she could guess that it was definitely 'good' stuff. As for what it actually was, she had a hunch—those two brothers were really something...

"Uncle Wang, what good stuff did you bring for my dad? Is there any for us?"

Lin Hongzhuo asked curiously, walking over to try and lift the jar. Finding it too heavy, he tried to open the lid to take a peek, but Wang Baoguo quickly pressed his hand down on it.

"Kids shouldn't be looking at this."

"Uncle Wang, you're so stingy. No wonder Auntie Zhu doesn't want to be with you."

"Huh?"

Wang Baoguo was left speechless, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. How was he being stingy? "Sister-in-law, how does he know about these things?"

"You were the one talking about it at home. The boy has sharp ears and heard you," Xia Yan replied, giving him a pointed look. "By the way, why aren't you wearing a big red flower today?"

"Me? I barely managed to make it back, how could I be wearing a big red flower? By the way, have you seen Zhu Yan lately?"

Xia Yan was just about to answer when she saw a figure approaching not far away. "Speak of the devil, isn't that her coming now?"

Wang Baoguo turned his head, unable to hide his eagerness. Zhu Yan saw him too. "Back today?"

"Yes, just arrived. Your hand..."

Wang Baoguo stared at her bandaged hand, a pang of heartache hitting him involuntarily. If only he had found her sooner that day, she wouldn't have been hurt.

"It's fine, just waiting for it to heal. I haven't properly thanked you yet. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be standing here today."

"I wish I could have found you sooner..."

"No, it was my own carelessness..."

"Are the two of you always like this when you talk? The commendation ceremony is about to start. If you’re not planning to watch, you can find a place to sit and keep chatting," Xia Yan teased, smiling at them both.

The two, who were already feeling somewhat awkward in their conversation, became instantly embarrassed.

Just then, the commendation ceremony began right on schedule.

The opening was the usual address by Sun Sheng. He first gave a summary of the year, followed by praise for each battalion. When he spoke of Lin You, he was particularly lavish with his compliments, saying so much that Xia Yan realized for the first time just how outstanding her husband truly was.

Afterward came a series of inspiring words. It had to be said that as a regiment commander, Sun Sheng was quite articulate; the entire crowd was fired up, breaking into thunderous applause.

Finally, he thanked the military families for their contributions to the station.

"Here, I must specifically commend Battalion Commander Lin’s spouse, Comrade Xia Yan."

Hearing her name mentioned by Sun Sheng, Xia Yan, who had been busy teasing little Nuannuan, was stunned. Why was she being commended? She hadn't made any real contributions since arriving at the station.

Beside her, Lin Hongzhuo clapped happily. "Mom, they’re praising you! They’re praising you..."

Fortunately, Sun Sheng didn't elaborate on the reasons, or even the 'thick-skinned' Xia Yan would have felt embarrassed.

Once Sun Sheng finished, it was Lin You's turn to take the stage.

Xia Yan couldn't help but worry. Did this guy even prepare a speech?

She watched as Lin You strode toward the stage with a vigorous, imposing gait.

In the audience, Xia Yan was the first to start clapping, and soon after, everyone joined in with enthusiastic applause, all eyes fixed on the man.

Standing on stage, Lin You spoke in a booming, resonant voice. His words surprised Xia Yan—he began by thanking the leaders and then every single soldier. Finally, he outlined the plans for the coming year, promising to lead his unit well.

"Big brother is really something; this speech is the same every year, hasn't changed a bit."

Xia Yan looked at Wang Baoguo behind her.

Seeing her puzzled expression, Wang Baoguo explained, "Sister-in-law, when I first left the station, this was the exact speech big brother gave on stage. It's been so many years, it's almost exactly the same."

Xia Yan finally understood. No wonder the usually icy and taciturn Lin You was speaking so fluently—he had been reciting the same lines for years.

She had actually been ready to see him in a new light, never expecting this to be the case.

Though the speech hadn't changed in years, it still drew thunderous applause from the crowd.

Next, battalion commanders Jiang Weiguo and Lu Haiyang took the stage, their content much the same as Lin You’s. Xia Yan began to suspect that the three of them were using the same script.

Then came the commendations for the soldiers. Regiment Commander Sun Sheng awarded medals to all the meritorious soldiers, and Lin You had five pinned to his chest—the most of anyone.

After the commendations, it was time for the art performance. The announcer from the Cultural Troupe, dressed in a green military uniform with two braided pigtails and a female soldier’s cap, had a light touch of makeup on that made her look quite festive.

With a bright smile, she announced, "The first item today is a song performed by Comrade Guan Yue, 'Defend the Yellow River,' accompanied by the chorus of Lu Xiaohua, Jia Ling..."

Xia Yan glanced at Lin Ling, who was still sitting beside her. "When are you performing?"

"Me? I'm later on. Sister-in-law, you don't know, this Guan Yue is the best singer in our troupe. Her voice is just like a lark."

"So, she's the ace?"

"Exactly, the ace!"

Lin Ling nodded and pointed excitedly at the stage. "Sister-in-law, look, that's Guan Yue."

Xia Yan didn't know that this Guan Yue had pursued Lin You even before Zhu Yan, and she hadn't given up after all these years.

"Greetings, leaders and comrades."

After getting on stage, Guan Yue introduced herself even though many present already knew her, her sweet voice ringing out across the parade ground.

However, her eyes were fixed on Lin You in the front row.

Her burning gaze made Lin You have to 'avoid the spotlight'…

Seeing Lin You look away, Guan Yue scanned the crowd, searching for the 'Battalion Commander Lin’s wife, Comrade Xia Yan' who had been praised by Sun Sheng. She hadn't met Xia Yan and didn't know who she was, but when she saw the three children, she noticed the young woman sitting next to them.

That face... she had heard she was from the city, so it must be her.