119: Chapter 119: Wearing a military uniform to a parent-teacher conference?

"I'm not going, I'm not going!"

Su Han waved his hands repeatedly.

Before, when Su Lingxue got married, he was already awkward enough just officiating the wedding.

Now, they wanted him to attend some parent-teacher meeting?!

Please!

Where would you find an eighteen-year-old parent!

If he went, the teacher would probably end up scolding him too!

No matter how old you are, you're still afraid of teachers, okay?!

"Third Grandpa, please just agree to it!" Su Wu approached with a soup bowl, his face covered in smiles. "In previous years, it was always me or Xiao Budian's mother who went."

"There were also several times when Great-aunt didn't even tell us about the parent-teacher meeting. This time, if her homeroom teacher hadn't called me, I wouldn't have known."

"Over time, the students in her class all found out that Xiao Nuan doesn't have parents."

"Openly and secretly, they've all been mocking her for being an orphan."

Su Han's brow furrowed. "That's happening?"

Su Wu nodded slightly. "Great-aunt never told me about this. It was Xiao Budian's mother who overheard Xiao Nuan's deskmate mention it when she went to pick Great-aunt up from school."

"Great-aunt is a stubborn girl; she never tells us about these grievances. But she's still a child; how could she not feel hurt in her heart?"

"So, I feel that since you have the time anyway, Third Grandpa, why not go just this once?"

"At least let her classmates know that she isn't without close family."

Su Han was still a bit hesitant. "But I'm only eighteen, just became an adult. Going there as a parent... isn't that a bit inappropriate?"

"How is it inappropriate!" Xiao Budian suddenly crawled out from under the table, a half-gnawed meat bone still in her mouth, as she shouted indistinctly, "Great-grandfather is the most impressive! When you took me to kindergarten before, you even outshone Wang Xiaohu's dad!"

Black Panther sat on his haunches beside Xiao Budian and let out a timely "Woof" in agreement.

Su Han's eye twitched. "That was kindergarten, this is middle school..."

"Third Grandpa," Su Wu put down his bowl, his expression turning serious, "do you know why Great-aunt never tells the family about these things?"

Su Han looked up at him.

"Because she knows you were studying before, and now you're in the army defending the country, so she doesn't want to distract you. And the rest of us are busy too, so she doesn't want to trouble us."

Su Wu said softly, "This child has been sensible enough to break one's heart since she was little."

"If I'm not mistaken, when you took Great-aunt to school last time and said she usually goes by herself instead of being dropped off, that was a rule set by the family elders, right?"

Su Han was startled. "It seems that was the case!"

Su Wu sighed slightly. "Although the family doesn't encourage it, they don't forbid it either. Many times, we wanted to take her ourselves, but she refused. Perhaps she was just worried we'd find out about her grievances at school."

Su Han's fingers unconsciously tapped the tabletop twice as his gaze drifted out the window.

The living room fell silent for a moment, save for the sound of Black Panther's tail gently thumping against the floor.

"Great-grandfather~" Xiao Budian suddenly lunged forward and hugged Su Han's leg, looking up with a wheedling expression. "Just go~ Great-grandaunt will surely be thrilled!"

Su Han looked down at Xiao Budian's watery eyes and thought of the irrepressible joy Su Xiaonuan showed every time she saw him.

"What time?" he finally asked.

Su Wu's eyes lit up. "Tomorrow morning at ten! At the Middle School Division of the City's No. 1 High School!"

"I want to go too! I want to go too!" Xiao Budian immediately started jumping around. "I want to see Great-grandaunt!"

"No," Su Han refused flatly. "That's a school, not an amusement park."

Xiao Budian's mouth immediately pouted, and her big eyes quickly filled with tears. "But... but I miss Great-grandaunt too..."

Seeing this, Black Panther immediately came over and rubbed his head against Xiao Budian's leg, letting out a comforting whimper.

"How about this," Su Wu quickly tried to smooth things over, "after the parent-teacher meeting tomorrow, I'll take Xiao Budian to pick you guys up, and we'll all go have hot pot together, okay?"

Xiao Budian's tears vanished instantly. "Really? Can we bring Xiao Hei along?"

"Of course," Su Wu smiled and rubbed his daughter's head. "I know a pet-friendly restaurant."

Black Panther seemed to understand, and his tail wagged even more vigorously.

"Well... alright then." Xiao Budian reluctantly accepted the arrangement, but then she remembered something and leaned in close to Su Han's ear mysteriously. "Great-grandfather, let me tell you a secret~"

"What is it?" Su Han looked warily at the quirky little girl.

"There's a boy in Great-grandaunt's class who's always writing her love letters!"

Xiao Budian "whispered" in what she thought was a very quiet voice, "I saw them when I went to her room to play last time!"

Su Han's expression instantly became quite colorful.

Su Wu couldn't help but chuckle. "Third Grandpa, it seems you have an extra mission for this trip."

"Humph," Su Han snorted coldly. "I'd like to see which little brat is so bold."

Xiao Budian winked triumphantly, knowing she had successfully persuaded Great-grandfather.

After dinner, Su Han stood alone on the balcony, lost in thought as he gazed at the city's night view.

Black Panther walked silently to his feet and sat down, keeping him quiet company.

"Old Hei," Su Han suddenly spoke, "do you think it'll be strange for me to attend the parent-teacher meeting like this?"

Black Panther tilted his head at him, seemingly not understanding what his big master was troubled about.

Su Han laughed self-deprecatingly. "True, what's the use of asking you."

"Third Grandpa, not asleep yet?" Su Wu walked over carrying a cup of hot tea and handed it to him.

Su Han took the tea, took a small sip, and continued to gaze at the distant city lights. "Thinking about tomorrow."

Su Wu smiled. "Actually, I have a suggestion."

"Hmm?"

"You should wear your military uniform tomorrow."

Su Han's brow shot up as he turned to look at Su Wu. "Military uniform?"

"Yes, there's nothing wrong with wearing a military uniform for formal occasions." Su Wu's tone was serious. "Besides, your current status is an active-duty officer; attending a parent-teacher meeting in uniform is perfectly reasonable."

Su Han pondered for a moment and shook his head. "Wouldn't that be too high-profile? It's just a parent-teacher meeting. Wearing a uniform feels a bit..."

"Posturing?" Su Wu finished his sentence with a smile.

Su Han gave a bitter smile. "Exactly. I don't really like using my military identity when meeting people."

Su Wu waved his hands hurriedly. "I actually think you should wear the uniform. Firstly, it fits your status, and secondly..."

He paused, his tone dropping slightly. "It would also give Great-aunt some face."

Su Han fell silent.

Su Wu continued, "Think about it. Great-aunt has always been mocked by her classmates for not having parents. If you show up in uniform tomorrow, it will at least let those people know that she doesn't lack family, but rather that her family—"

"—is defending the country." Su Han finished the sentence, his eyes flickering slightly.

Su Wu nodded. "Right. And with your rank and status, it'll be enough to intimidate those students who like to gossip."

"At least it will make the teachers pay more attention to Great-aunt, so she doesn't have to suffer so many grievances at school."

Su Han looked down at the teacup in his hand. In the reflection of the tea, his gaze gradually grew firm.

"Fine, I'll wear the uniform then."

Su Wu broke into a smile. "Great-aunt will definitely be overjoyed when she sees you in uniform!"

Su Han gave a light snort. "I just hope I don't scare her teachers and classmates."

"Even better!" Su Wu laughed. "It's the perfect way to let those who bully her know who's standing behind her!"