151: Chapter 151: I Don't Like Women!

"Pfft—" Zhao Xiaodao sprayed the drink he had just taken into his mouth directly out. He wiped his mouth and winked at Su Han with a grin. "Old Su, not bad! You hid it deep enough! Even Xiao Budian knows?"

The boy wearing glasses also joined in the teasing. "I knew Su Han looked at Ruoxue differently; turns out there's something going on!"

"Su Han always helped Ruoxue out of tight spots back in school. I felt there was something between them long ago!"

"Quick, confess! When did it start?"

The classmates' teasing rose and fell in waves, and even Teacher Liu and Teacher Wang showed knowing smiles.

Teacher Wang looked at Lin Ruoxue's flushed face and joked, "Ruoxue was close to Su Han back in school. Now it seems their fate was decided long ago."

Teacher Liu also nodded. "Su Han is steady, and Ruoxue is gentle. The two are indeed a good match."

Su Han was extremely embarrassed and helpless by this sudden teasing. He glared at Xiao Budian, but she wasn't afraid of him. Instead, she made a face at him and hid in Su Wu's arms, giggling.

"Stop messing around." Su Han cleared his throat, trying to explain. "It's just normal contact between old classmates."

"Normal contact involves writing love letters?" Zhao Xiaodao chuckled. "I've known you for over ten years, why didn't you write one to me?"

Su Han: "..."

Listening to her classmates, Lin Ruoxue's heart beat even faster.

Seeing this, Su Wu quickly stepped in to smooth things over. "Xiao Budian is young; don't take a child's words seriously. My Third Grandpa here has nothing but training and missions in his head. He probably hasn't even had his romantic awakening yet."

The teasing in the private room grew louder. Zhao Xiaodao even started planning their wedding ceremony, drawing a burst of laughter from everyone.

Su Han looked at the chaotic scene and then at Lin Ruoxue's cheeks, which were so red they looked like they might bleed. He knew he couldn't let things continue like this.

He took a deep breath, cleared his throat, and spoke in a steady voice, "Alright, everyone, stop joking."

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an unquestionable power that instantly silenced the noisy room.

Everyone's eyes focused on him, waiting for what he had to say.

Su Han's gaze swept over everyone present before finally landing on Lin Ruoxue. His eyes were sincere and firm. "Ruoxue is a good girl—excellent, kind, and gentle. She deserves to be cherished by the best person. But in my current situation, it's really not suitable for me to be in a relationship."

Lin Ruoxue's heart sank. The blush on her face gradually faded, replaced by a trace of imperceptible disappointment.

She lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes casting a shadow over her eyelids, making it impossible to see her expression.

Zhao Xiaodao was somewhat puzzled. "Old Su, what do you mean? You don't have feelings for Ruoxue?"

"It's not that I don't have feelings," Su Han shook his head, speaking frankly. "Ruoxue helped me a lot in school. I've always been grateful to her and consider her a very good friend. But when it comes to feelings, gratitude isn't enough."

He paused and continued, "Right now, my mind is entirely on the military. I don't have the energy or the time to maintain a relationship."

"Furthermore," Su Han's gaze became distant, "the life of a soldier is special. Being apart more than being together is the norm, and there's even the possibility of danger at any time. I don't want the people close to me to live in fear, and I certainly don't want to hold anyone back."

He spoke these words with genuine sincerity, without the slightest hint of perfunctoriness.

The atmosphere in the room turned quiet again, and the classmates who had been teasing him earlier fell silent.

They remembered the scars on Su Han's body, his heroism in saving people from the fire, and the illustrious military achievements he had earned.

Indeed, behind a soldier's glory are sacrifices and dedication unimaginable to ordinary people. Su Han's concerns were not without reason.

Teacher Liu sighed and looked at Su Han, his eyes filled with understanding and sympathy. "Good boy, we understand your thoughts. Protecting the country is a major matter. Personal feelings can indeed be set aside for now."

Teacher Wang also nodded in agreement. "Su Han is right. Soldiers shoulder a special mission; feelings are not something to be trifled with. Ruoxue is a sensible child; she will understand."

Lin Ruoxue slowly raised her head. Her face had returned to calm, but the disappointment deep in her eyes could not be hidden.

Seeing the heavy atmosphere, Zhao Xiaodao quickly smoothed things over. "Aiyaya, feelings can't be forced anyway. When the time is right, it'll happen naturally. Old Su, don't think too much. Focus on your military work first; that's the most important thing right now."

The noise of the class reunion gradually subsided as the night grew late.

Teacher Liu patted Su Han's shoulder and spoke earnestly, "Su Han, no matter how far you go in the future, don't forget to come back to the school often. You are the pride of the school now, and you must set a good example for your juniors."

"Don't worry, Teacher Liu, I'll definitely come back when I have time." Su Han smiled and agreed, his gaze sweeping over the classmates. "Everyone, it's late. We should head out."

Zhao Xiaodao hooked an arm around his neck, looking reluctant. "Old Su, we just met and you're leaving already? I'll definitely be there for the military medal ceremony tomorrow. Don't you dare slip away early."

"I won't," Su Han shook his head helplessly. "I still have to wait for Minister Zhang and the others to deliver the plaque."

Lin Ruoxue stood to the side, clutching her bag strap. She hesitated for a long time before stepping forward and saying softly, "Su Han, be careful on the road. Also... thank you for what you said today."

She didn't explicitly say what words she meant, but Su Han understood.

He nodded. "You should head back early too. Graduate school is demanding; don't overwork yourself."

A simple farewell, yet it carried an indescribable weight.

Zhao Xiaodao winked from the side but was stopped by a sharp glare from Su Han.

The group walked out of the Regent Hotel. The reporters at the door had already been persuaded to leave by the Armed Forces Department personnel; only a few remained watching from a distance, politely held back by security.

The car slowly drove away from the hotel. The cabin was quiet for a while, save for Xiao Budian humming a tuneless nursery rhyme.

Su Han leaned against the back of his seat, watching the neon lights flash by outside. Thinking of the farce at the gathering, he couldn't help but rub his brow.

"Brother, are you mad at me?" Su Xiaonuan asked cautiously, her voice tinged with a bit of grievance. "I didn't mean to tell Xiao Budian those things..."

Su Han turned to look at her, a helpless smile appearing at the corner of his mouth. "What do you think?"

He reached out and pinched Su Xiaonuan's cheek. The pressure was light, filled with affection. "If you dare spread rumors again, see how I deal with you."

"And you." Su Han turned to look at Xiao Budian, who was pretending to sleep in Su Wu's arms while her ears were perked up listening.

He reached out and pinched Xiao Budian's cheek. The little one immediately opened her eyes and made a face at him. "Great-grandfather is a bully! Xiao Budian was telling the truth!"

"Even the truth shouldn't be blurted out recklessly." Su Han put on a stern face. "If you keep messing around, next time I won't take you to the military to see the Monkey Uncles."

"No!" Xiao Budian immediately grew anxious and lunged forward to hug Su Han's arm. "Xiao Budian was wrong! Great-grandfather, don't be mad! I'll never say it again!"

She turned to Su Xiaonuan and widened her eyes. "It's all Great-grandaunt's fault! If you hadn't given me candy, I wouldn't have said anything!"

"Hey, you little brat, you dare blame me?" Su Xiaonuan laughed in exasperation. She reached out to tickle her, but Xiao Budian nimbly dodged.

The car suddenly became lively as the two little ones played and fought, making Su Wu laugh as well.

Heibao, sitting in the passenger seat, watched the antics in the back and suddenly barked as if joining in.

"See, even Heibao is helping me." Xiao Budian raised her chin proudly.

"Brother, do you really not plan on being with Sister Ruoxue? She's so beautiful!" Su Xiaonuan asked in a low voice.

Su Han shook his head with a firm gaze. "I'm not interested in women right now."

Su Xiaonuan was stunned. "Then you're interested in men? No wonder you're so close to Brother Xiaodao. Could it be that you two are..."

Su Han realized what she meant and slapped her on the head. "You brat! I told you not to watch so many of those stupid idol dramas. Have they rotted your brain?"

"Right, right, right! Great-grandaunt's brain is definitely broken! She forgot what she told me last night so quickly."

Xiao Budian urged with a serious face, "Great-grandaunt, hurry up and eat candy. If you eat more, you can be as smart as Xiao Budian!"

Su Xiaonuan: "..."

Watching the scene before him, Su Han's helplessness gradually dissipated, leaving only warmth.

But at the thought of tomorrow—military representatives, the Armed Forces Department, various media reporters, and potentially many spectators coming to the village—his head began to ache.

...

Today's update of four chapters and ten thousand words is complete! There will be more updates tonight!

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