Sweet Nostalgia of the 80s

Following this, the company commanders of the first, second, third, and fourth companies also stood behind Qin Jian.

Qin Jian saluted An Shuchao with a standard military salute, and the four company commanders followed suit, leaving An Shuchao stunned.

Although he was a civilian, he still had some understanding of military ranks.

Suddenly seeing so many senior officers and a major saluting him, An Shuchao was somewhat at a loss. He simply raised his hand in a salute that was far from standard as a response.

Qin Jian took a step forward and introduced himself, ”Uncle An, my name is Qin Jian, and I am thirty years old. I am currently serving in the military, and we have met before. I have taken a liking to your daughter, An Hao, and I have come today to ask for her hand in marriage.”

Listening to this formalistic speech, utterly devoid of emotion, Tian Niu wanted to go crazy.

Although he had never proposed himself, he had seen his mother propose on his behalf. Shouldn’t there be at least a little small talk? Shouldn’t he at least complement the girl’s family?

Shouldn’t he avoid getting straight to the point right away?

Oh, it really shows how someone could get used to being a leader—the language used in proposing marriage so concise and to the point.

”Good, good. Let’s go inside and talk,” An Shuchao said, slightly excited, facing this stern-faced prospective son-in-law, he truly didn’t know what to make of it.

Qin Jian and the few company commanders followed him into the house, where they found a table with leftover food and unwashed pots and pans from the meal.

An Shuchao, slightly embarrassed, explained, ”I apologize for the mess. My legs aren’t what they used to be, so I haven’t managed to wash the dishes after eating.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than he saw Tian, the company commander, signal with a look. The four company commanders moved in unison, stacking the supplies brought by the battalion commander to one side, and in the blink of an eye, they had cleaned up the house and moved into the kitchen to fetch water and wash dishes.

Seeing the yard in some disarray, they also carried out a thorough cleaning.

In the house, Qin Jian and An Shuchao sat facing each other.

An Shuchao lit a dry pipe for himself and took a deep drag, calming his nerves before saying, ”Qin Jian, as a father, I haven’t been very responsible, and I don’t know much about you and An Hao.”

”I met An Hao last winter. After getting to know her, I believe she is the ideal candidate for a wife. I like her and will take good care of her, and I promise to shoulder the responsibility of caring for both families! Please, Uncle An, rest assured and give your daughter to me! I give you my word as a soldier,” Qin Jian said very earnestly and seriously.

But the more earnest and serious he was, the more worried An Shuchao became.

Having such a steely-faced son-in-law at home, he wondered if he would be considerate of his daughter in the future, not to mention the considerable age difference.

However, Qin Jian was a good catch, and An Shuchao was deeply impressed by the help he provided when An Hao was moving last time.

Military marriages were protected, and he felt that Qin Jian was a good man, but he was concerned about his somewhat somber personality.

As An Shuchao kept smoking without a follow-up, Qin Jian’s brows slightly furrowed, experiencing a sense of uncertainty for the first time.

Just as he was worrying, he heard An Shuchao say, ”How about this, send someone to call An Hao over. If she is willing, then it’s decided!”

Qin Jian quietly breathed a sigh of relief, ”Okay.”

He stood up, lifted the door curtain, and called out to Tian Niu, who was busy in the yard, ”You go to where An Hao is living, call her over, and tell her I am here to propose.”

”Understood! Comrade Battalion Commander! I’m on it!”