The 60s Island: The Daily Life of a Capitalist Young Lady with the Army - Chapter 14: Well Said, Young Man!

Chapter 14: Well Said, Young Man!

These senior officers were all shrewd individuals. Having heard Long Peiye speak to this extent, how could they not grasp the underlying complexities?

A young woman, her mother long deceased, her maternal grandfather’s family struck by major misfortune—she had essentially lost all support. Her own father was unreliable, and now she faced a watchful stepmother and stepsister. Just when she thought marriage would provide some stability, she was promptly cast aside by her husband’s family. What would become of her reputation? How could she face society afterward?

One didn’t need to think hard to imagine her bleak future—likely even more miserable than being sent to a labor farm.

Political Commissar Zhao Zhenbang let out a long sigh, his face etched with deepening regret. He strode steadily over to Long Peiye and gave his solid shoulder a firm pat.

“Peiye,” he began earnestly, his tone noticeably softer than before. “Since you’ve clearly thought this through and made your decision, we old-timers won’t say more. We just feel it’s a pity—your career prospects are so bright. We worry the path ahead might be tougher for you than for others.”

“After all, you’re rare talent, and we all have high hopes for you.”

Feeling the weight and warmth on his shoulder, Long Peiye finally relaxed his tense lips into a relieved smile. “Thank you, Commissar, and thank all the senior officers for your concern and care.”

He grinned, revealing a set of neat white teeth, his eyes clear and bright with the straightforward fearlessness characteristic of soldiers. “Actually, there’s not much to regret. I believe if I work hard in the army, train diligently, strive to achieve more merits, and make significant contributions to the troops and the country…”

“Then when promotion is due, the organization will still promote me, right? They can’t deliberately overlook truly capable and meritorious personnel just because I married a wife with questionable background, can they?”

“Hahaha!” The regimental commander could no longer contain himself, clapping his hands and laughing heartily. His booming, cheerful laughter dispelled the previously oppressive atmosphere in the office. Slapping his thigh, he pointed at Long Peiye with evident admiration. “Well said, young man! Spoken with courage! I admire your spirit—treating the collapsing sky as a blanket, always optimistic and daring to think and act!”

The regimental commander’s robust laughter echoed in the office for a while before gradually fading.

Political Commissar Zhao Zhenbang looked at Long Peiye with relief, his smile gentle and paternal. “Alright, Peiye, we old folks understand your resolve and your thoughts now.”

He nodded slightly, his tone turning serious. “Go back and rest now. Spend some time with your wife. As for Comrade Xu Xiangsi’s specific circumstances…” Zhao Zhenbang paused thoughtfully. “We’ll quickly arrange for someone to conduct a more detailed verification in Shanghai.”

“Consider this… making up for a belated political review procedure.”

Hearing this, Long Peiye immediately straightened his posture, his expression turning solemn. “Yes, sir! Thank you, Commissar! My apologies for troubling the organization!”

Zhao Zhenbang waved his hand, signaling him not to be so nervous: “We’ll study this carefully and try our best to find a solution.”

“As long as we handle this properly, we can shape Comrade Xu Xiangsi’s image as an advanced proletarian youth who, despite coming from a Capitalist family, is ideologically progressive, firmly draws a clear line with her reactionary grandfather, and actively throws herself into the great torrent of class struggle.”

“This way, the negative impact on your personal prospects, Comrade Long Peiye, should… should be minimized.”

As the political commissar spoke these words, Zhang Weihe, the regimental commander of the Second Regiment who was standing nearby, couldn’t help but let out a disdainful “tsk” while shooting Long Peiye a sidelong glance filled with irritation.

Pointing at Long Peiye, he said with a mix of laughter and reproach to the political commissar and the First Regiment commander: “You, Long Peiye!”

“You caused such a huge mess without making a sound, and now we old-timers have to rack our brains cleaning up after you!”

Long Peiye looked somewhat embarrassed, gave an awkward chuckle, and scratched his short, bristly hair, not daring to respond.

Zhang Weihe heaved a heavy sigh, his tone carrying genuine regret and a hint of frustration.

“Speaking from the heart, Peiye,” he said with a furrowed brow, “originally, I was planning to recommend you for promotion when the next opportunity arose.”

“To let you climb higher and bring some honor and glory to our Second Regiment.”

“But now…” He shook his head heavily, his face full of regret. “With this delay, who knows how long it’ll be before the next chance comes!”

The First Regiment commander, who had remained mostly silent until now, also put away his smile and looked at Long Peiye with a complicated expression.

“That’s right, Peiye,” he said earnestly. “You chose this path yourself. I hope you won’t regret this decision in the future.”

Long Peiye’s eyes remained clear and firm, without the slightest hesitation: “Reporting, sir! I, Long Peiye, never regret my actions!”

Political Commissar Zhao Zhenbang watched them with an understanding smile and gently shook his head.

“Alright, alright, you two should stop worrying unnecessarily on his behalf.”

With the wisdom of experience, he said meaningfully: “Every single one of the Long family members has a temper and stubbornness like rocks in a latrine—both smelly and hard! Once they set their mind on something, not even nine oxen could pull them back.”

“So,” he pointed at himself, “did you notice how I didn’t bother trying to persuade him from start to finish?”

“Why? Because it would be useless! Completely futile! A waste of breath!”

At these words, both regimental commanders nodded in deep agreement, and when they looked at Long Peiye again, their eyes held a mix of resignation, understanding, and a trace of something indescribable… admiration.

Long Peiye saluted the officers crisply once more, his voice resonant: “Thank you for your concern, sirs! I’ll return to my battalion now!”

“Mm, go ahead,” Zhao Zhenbang waved kindly. “Go back and properly settle your wife. Don’t let her suffer any grievances.”

“Yes, sir!”