143: Chapter 143: What? Su Han is a major?

Teacher Wang adjusted his reading glasses and said kindly, "It's good for young people to be willing to work hard and use their brains. Back when you were in class, although your math scores weren't the top, your mind was flexible and your reactions were quick. I knew you would definitely be successful in the future."

"It's all thanks to your excellent teaching, Teacher."

Chen Hao took the opportunity to flatter him, "Especially the word problems you taught, Teacher Wang; they've been a huge help to me now. Last time I was negotiating a partnership with a supplier involving cost accounting and profit sharing, I laid out a set of formulas and everything was crystal clear. They couldn't fool me even if they wanted to."

As he spoke, he secretly observed Lin Ruoxue's reaction. Seeing her listening intently, he immediately grew more spirited and continued, "Also, I recently took over another storefront in the east of the city and I'm preparing to open my fourth branch. There's a lot of foot traffic there, and several universities are nearby. I plan to target the student population and run some promotions. It should be a hit."

"Oh? Opening a fourth one already?" Teacher Liu was somewhat surprised. "Your pace is certainly fast. Is your cash flow holding up?"

"No problem!" Chen Hao patted his chest, his tone confident. "The profits from the previous shops are enough to support the renovation and operation of the new one."

"And I've also secured an investment from President Zhang, a famous real estate developer in our city. He's particularly optimistic about the prospects of the fitness industry and said he wants to collaborate with me long-term to grow the brand bigger and stronger together."

As soon as these words came out, many classmates showed expressions of envy.

"Not bad, Chen Hao! You can even pull in investments from real estate developers now!"

"Don't forget your old classmates when you're rich and successful in the future!"

"When the new shop opens, we'll definitely be there to support you!"

Chen Hao enjoyed the adulation of the crowd. His gaze drifted toward Lin Ruoxue from time to time. Seeing that although she didn't speak, she didn't show any look of disgust either, he became increasingly smug.

He cleared his throat and continued, "Actually, doing business isn't that hard. The key is choosing the right industry and finding the right connections."

"Like me opening gyms; not only can I make money, but I can also meet people from all walks of life and expand my social circle. Last time, I even had dinner with leaders from the Municipal Sports Bureau. They said that if there are any sports activities in the future, they'll give priority to collaborating with our gym."

Zhao Xiaodao curled his lip as he listened, leaning in to whisper in Su Han's ear, "Can this guy stop bragging? If he keeps blowing hot air, he's going to lift the ceiling right off."

Su Han gave a faint smile and didn't speak.

He could see that Chen Hao was showing off so hard simply because he wanted to impress Lin Ruoxue and, while he was at it, belittle Su Han.

Unfortunately, Su Han wasn't interested in any of it.

At this moment, Teacher Wang suddenly spoke up: "Xiao Chen, it's indeed worth being happy about having achievements in business, but you shouldn't be too impetuous. I heard you stopped studying after graduating from high school?"

The smile on Chen Hao's face stiffened for a moment before he said, "Yes, Teacher. I felt that studying wasn't very useful for me. It was better to come out and make my way in the world earlier. Look at me now, aren't I doing pretty well?"

"You can't say that." Teacher Wang shook his head and said earnestly, "We are in the age of knowledge now. No matter what industry you're in, you have to keep learning."

"Look at Ruoxue; she got into the University of Political Science and Law and is even researching the Law on the Protection of Minors. How meaningful is that?"

Chen Hao's expression instantly turned somewhat ugly. He hadn't expected Teacher Wang to suddenly mention Lin Ruoxue and Su Han, and to imply between the lines that he was uncultured.

Teacher Liu also nodded in agreement: "Teacher Wang is right. Xiao Chen, you're still young. If you have the chance in the future, you should still read more and improve yourself. You can never finish earning money, but knowledge is something others can't take away."

"Yes, Teacher, I understand," Chen Hao responded perfunctorily, though he was very defiant in his heart.

Opposite him, Zhao Xiaodao almost couldn't help but laugh out loud.

He whispered to Su Han, "This idiot's brain is definitely waterlogged! To actually say studying is useless in front of a teacher! Damn, how can a brain like this do business! His father's little estate is going to be squandered by him sooner or later!"

Su Han also found it hard to keep from laughing, but he couldn't help teasing Zhao Xiaodao, "Aren't you cut from the same cloth? Didn't you also think studying was useless?"

Zhao Xiaodao choked up and curled his lip, "Big brother, don't forget, you didn't go to university either!"

Su Han: "..."

Chen Hao's face had turned pale from Teacher Wang's words. He was holding in his anger with no place to vent when he heard the conversation between Zhao Xiaodao and Su Han. It was as if he had caught a lifeline, and he abruptly turned his head.

"Zhao Xiaodao is right!" His voice suddenly rose, carrying a sense of reckless abandonment. "Didn't Su Han also skip university? He went to be a soldier right after high school graduation, and now he's just..."

The words were on the tip of his tongue, but catching the gazes of the surrounding classmates, he forced himself to swallow the phrase "not doing so great" and changed his tone: "Of course, defending the country is an honorable thing. I didn't mean it like that."

"I just feel that everyone has their own ambitions." He rolled his eyes and deliberately emphasized his words, "There's no need to judge someone based on their education. Look at Su Han; he didn't go to university, and now he's also..."

"Also what?" Zhao Xiaodao immediately glared. "When Old Su was earning military merits in the army, you were still wondering how to sell memberships for your gym!"

"Military merits?" Chen Hao laughed exaggeratedly as if he had heard a huge joke. "He's only been enlisted for ten months. What military merits could he have earned? At most, he's just been helping the Cooking Squad chop meat fillings, right?"

These words hit on the common perception of most people present, and several classmates couldn't help but nod in agreement.

In the eyes of ordinary people, the rules for rank promotion in the military were strict. In a year's time, one could only advance from a recruit to a Private First Class.

"Exactly, my cousin stayed in the army for five years before he managed to become a First Class Sergeant."

"How can it be so easy to become an officer? You'd at least have to graduate from a military academy, right?"

He deliberately drawled his words, his gaze circling Su Han. That look clearly said, "You're nothing special either."

Zhao Xiaodao immediately glared back: "What do you mean? Old Su and I voluntarily chose different paths. How can that be the same as someone like you who's afraid of the hard work of studying?"

"How is it different?" Chen Hao sneered. "Neither of you went to university, right? Is him being a soldier somehow nobler than me doing business?"

"You!" Zhao Xiaodao was so angry he wanted to slam the table, but Su Han held his hand down.

Su Han looked at Chen Hao, his eyes calm and rippleless. "The path is one's own choice, there's indeed no need for comparison. But you're wrong about one thing—I didn't skip university; I took a leave of absence to enlist. When I'm discharged, I will go back to finish my studies."

"Leave of absence?" Chen Hao scoffed. "That sounds nice. I bet you just couldn't hack it in the army and found an excuse."

"Besides, how long have you been enlisted? Ten months? At most, you're just a Private right now, maybe just a common grunt. What's there to be so proud of?"

As soon as he said this, many classmates showed looks of agreement.

After all, in everyone's understanding, without three to five years in the military, one couldn't really make a name for themselves.

For someone like Su Han who had been enlisted for less than a year, it was indeed unlikely for him to have any high military rank.

Just then, Teacher Wang, who had been silent, suddenly spoke. His voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears:

"Xiao Chen, you can't say that."

The homeroom teacher's gaze fell on Su Han with an appreciative smile. "Su Han is now a Major. To have such achievements at such a young age, his future is limitless."

"Major?!"

Those two words rang out in the Private room like a clap of thunder, and everyone was stunned.

...

Four chapters updated today, nearly 8,500 words! Thank you everyone for supporting my brother's new book!

There are more updates tonight!