160: Chapter 160: Our benefactor is above us, please accept our bow!

"Then do you feel this inheritance of seniority has an impact on you?" the reporter pressed, "For example, do you feel constrained by the status of a 'senior'?"

"Definitely," Su Han smiled. "When I was a child, the clan elders would always grab my ears to teach me the rules, saying, 'You are a senior, you must set an example for the juniors.' Now that I think about it, those constraints were actually protection—letting me remember who I am and where I come from, no matter how far I go."

The interview proceeded methodically. The reporters' questions ranged from daily training routines to the martial arts traditions of the Su Family. Su Han handled them appropriately throughout, maintaining military confidentiality without seeming dismissive.

That was until a reporter from an entertainment media outlet suddenly asked: "Major Su, there are many 'visual fans' of yours online who say that you in uniform are 'walking uniform temptation.' Will you be wearing your Major's uniform for the merit-awarding ceremony this afternoon? The fans are all looking forward to it!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere suddenly became subtle.

The other reporters frowned—this kind of question was truly inappropriate for a serious military merit interview.

Su Han, however, was not angry. Instead, he raised an eyebrow, his tone carrying a hint of teasing: "A military uniform is a soldier's skin, not something used for 'temptation.'"

He looked into the camera and added earnestly: "I will definitely wear my uniform this afternoon. This is the basic respect I owe to the military for awarding me these merits and to the military emblem on my medals. But I think everyone should focus more on the medals and the military flag, rather than me—after all, in terms of looks, there are plenty of people in our unit who are more handsome than I am."

This humorous response defused the awkwardness, and a wave of good-natured laughter filled the flower hall.

The live stream comments were even more delighted:

"Hahaha, that 'uniform is skin' metaphor is brilliant!"

"Strong survival instinct! And he didn't forget to praise his comrades for being handsome."

"Suddenly curious about his comrades' looks. To be praised as handsome by Major Su, they must be something special."

"The point is he said 'focus on the medals'! The perspective is back!"

The last question came from a reporter from a military forum, their tone sincere: "Major Su, many young netizens have started paying attention to the military because of you, and some even want to sign up. Do you have anything you want to say to them?"

Su Han was silent for a moment, then leaned slightly forward and said earnestly to the camera: "Think clearly about three questions before making a decision—can you endure waking up at six every day to fold your quilt? Can you accept training until you vomit and still having to get back up? Can you turn and leave when your family needs you, because of 'duty'?"

"If the answer to all of them is 'yes,' then welcome to the unit." His eyes were bright. "It is very bitter here, but it is worth it."

By the time the interview ended, the sun had passed its zenith.

As the reporters packed up their equipment, they were still whispering about the conversation just now.

"This interview material is explosive, especially the part about seniority. It's definitely going to trend."

"I'm more interested in what he said about 'comrades who couldn't return.' I'm planning to do an in-depth report on the sacrifices of soldiers in peacetime."

"Xiao Budian is so cute! I want to request to edit her footage out separately!"

Just as Su Han walked out of the flower hall, Wang Yuanchao patted him on the shoulder: "Not bad, kid. You're getting more and more skilled at dealing with reporters. What you said just now was very grounded; I reckon it will dissuade quite a few kids who wanted to join the army on impulse."

"What we want are those who genuinely want to wear the uniform to protect the country, not those who are here to pad their resumes or because they think being a soldier is cool, just to slack off."

"Please don't make fun of me," Su Han said helplessly. "Compared to doing interviews, I'd rather go run five kilometers."

"That's not up to you," Wang Yuanchao shook his head with a smile. "You are now a 'model for the whole army.' You don't just need to be able to fight; you also have to be able to speak—otherwise, how will you lead your troops well?"

Su Han: "..."

"Oh, that's right!"

Wang Yuanchao suddenly winked and gestured to Su Han: "This morning, Commander Qin called me! He said that during the merit-awarding ceremony, there will be a big surprise for you and everyone present!"

"He told you to be prepared!"

Su Han was stunned. "A surprise? What kind of surprise?"

Wang Yuanchao waved his hand. "I can't tell you that! If I told you, would it still be a surprise?"

The commotion in front of the ancestral hall had just quieted down slightly after the end of the interview in the flower hall, when a deafening sound of gongs and drums suddenly came from the direction of the village entrance, followed by the crackling of firecrackers, startling a flock of sparrows from the branches.

"What's going on?" Su Bowen, who was arranging the schedule for the afternoon ceremony, looked up abruptly, his brows furrowed. "Isn't the merit-awarding team arriving at three in the afternoon? That's still three hours away!"

Wang Yuanchao also put down his teacup and walked to the entrance of the ancestral hall to look out. "Listening to this commotion, it doesn't seem like the military's style."

The members of the War Eagle Squad were even more curious. Monkey grabbed the vines on the stone wall to look out, clicking his tongue in wonder: "Whoa! Such a big scene, with gongs and drums—it's livelier than a wedding!"

Just as they were puzzled, a young villager wearing a red vest ran in, panting, his face full of excitement and nervousness: "Village Chief! Third Grandpa! It's... it's those eight people who were saved at the hot pot restaurant last time! They brought their relatives and friends, and several elders, and they are carrying silk banners! They said they want to thank Third Grandpa in person!"

"The people who were saved are here?" Su Bowen's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly straightened his clothes. "Quick! Line up to welcome them! This is the glory of our Su Family!"

Several clan elders also perked up, walking quickly to the ancestral hall entrance with their canes, muttering, "Good people are rewarded; they know how to be grateful!"

Su Han watched his clansmen suddenly bustling about and shook his head helplessly—he was least skilled at handling these kinds of scenes, especially being surrounded by a group of people thanking him.

As they spoke, the sound of gongs and drums grew closer. Accompanied by the discussions of the villagers, a massive procession appeared in the open space in front of the ancestral hall.

Walking at the very front were eight men, women, and children, some of whom still bore obvious burn marks—these were the eight people Su Han had saved at the hot pot restaurant.

Behind them followed dozens of people, some carrying fruit baskets, others carrying plaques. Most eye-catching were two unfurled silk banners—

One read, "Divine power displayed in saving lives from the fire, the army and the people are as close as fish and water," and the other read, "A kindness as heavy as a mountain, a parent who gives new life." The calligraphy was vigorous and powerful, clearly written by a master.

"Benefactor, please accept our bow!"

The eight people saved by Su Han knelt straight down toward him, shouting loudly with gratitude.