180: Chapter 179: What a henpecked husband!

"This..." Su Han was stunned.

He knew he had high exposure recently, but he hadn't expected to be so popular that he'd occupy station billboards.

Zhou Haitao was also dazed, only clicking his tongue after a long while: "Third Grandpa, your popularity is even higher than those movie stars. Last time I was at the airport with Ling Xue, even the entourage of a star's bodyguards was only about this much."

"Don't talk nonsense." Su Han glared at him and was about to walk forward when he was blocked by a news influencer.

"Hello, Major Su! I'm a news influencer reporter!" The influencer thrust a live broadcast microphone toward his mouth, the phone lens very close, "The Ten Most Touching Figures of China selection is about to begin. May I ask if you will participate in this selection? How do you think the public should understand a soldier's dedication?"

This rapid-fire series of questions made Su Han frown.

He took half a step back to avoid the microphone: "That's not important; what's important is doing one's job well. As for dedication..."

He pointed to the Armed Police soldiers on duty not far away, "They stand guard at the station every day to ensure everyone's safe travel. That is the most practical dedication."

The reporter wanted to follow up with more questions but was led away by Zhou Haitao's half-persuasion and half-blocking: "Sorry, we're catching a train. Let's interview next time if there's a chance."

After finally squeezing into the waiting hall, Su Han realized the 'spectacle' here was even larger.

On the waiting seats, almost everyone's phone screen was lit up—some were scrolling through videos of the Su Family Village banquet, others were discussing his Hard Qigong performance.

There was even a non-commissioned officer in military uniform holding his phone in a video call with a comrade, shouting excitedly: "Look! I saw Major Su Han in person! He's even younger than in the news!"

It wasn't until the broadcast announced ticket checking that Su Han escaped the crowd under Zhou Haitao's escort.

At security, the inspector looked at his military ID and suddenly saluted: "Major Su, have a safe journey."

In the waiting hall's broadcast, a notice was even temporarily inserted: "Would Major Su Han, traveling toward East Guangdong, please come to the service desk to collect a special souvenir after hearing this broadcast."

Zhou Haitao laughed so hard beside him he couldn't stand straight: "Third Grandpa, you're becoming a 'walking billboard.' I bet when we get to the unit, the sentries at the gate will have to salute and shout 'Welcome the hero back to the squad' when they see you."

Su Han didn't respond, merely looking at the electronic screen above the platform outside the window—it was still broadcasting his deeds.

The moment Su Han stepped onto the train, waves of farewells came from behind him.

He looked back to see many people in the waiting hall waving in his direction.

The train slowly pulled away from the platform, and the scenery outside the window gradually blurred.

Su Han sat down by the window and placed his backpack on his lap.

Zhou Haitao sat in the opposite seat and was about to speak when he suddenly slapped his forehead: "Oh! Third Grandpa, the station broadcast mentioned a special souvenir for you, and we forgot to get it!"

He leaned out to look out the window, as if he could see the service desk through the layers of people: "Maybe it's some small pro-military gift, like a mug or a keychain with your photo on it? If I got that, I could show it off in front of those kids in the 7th Company for half a year!"

Su Han glanced at him sideways, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth: "What? Is Company Commander Zhou looking to run errands for me? Why don't you get off the train now and get it? I see the conductor hasn't started checking tickets yet; you can make it."

Zhou Haitao immediately pulled his neck back and chuckled: "Don't tease me, Third Grandpa, I wouldn't dare violate discipline. We soldiers can't take a single needle or thread from the masses; I still remember that!"

He paused, then couldn't help teasing again: "But seriously, Third Grandpa, the 'treatment' you've had along the way is high enough. From the thousand-person send-off in Su Family Village to the continuous broadcast of your deeds on station billboards, and then the broadcast calling your name for a souvenir... This level of prestige, tsk tsk tsk, it's enough to make anyone envious."

Su Han picked up the mineral water on the table, unscrewed it, and took a sip: "You think this is a good thing? When we get back to the unit, Captain Wang will probably tease me about this again, saying I'm 'neglecting my duties and obsessed with internet traffic.'"

"Captain Wang is just envious!" Zhou Haitao lowered his voice and leaned in closer, "After the celebration of the last All-Army Grand Competition, he came to our regiment, had a few too many, and chatted with our colonel. He said that in all the years since the Falcon Special Forces Brigade was founded, they've never produced a 'walking billboard' as capable as you. He also said that as long as you agree to join the Falcon, let alone a War Eagle Squad, he'd be happy to give up his position as Captain—the colonel told me all this over the phone."

Su Han laughed: "He just wants to use me as a training benchmark to make the whole brigade strive to overtake me. If he really had to step down, he'd be the first one to be unhappy."

While the two were joking, the train broadcast suddenly sounded a prompt, reminding passengers to look after their belongings.

Zhou Haitao's eyes lit up, and he nudged Su Han's arm: "Third Grandpa, do you think... this trip will have any 'surprises'?"

Su Han raised an eyebrow: "What surprises?"

"The 'Walking Third-Class Merit' you mentioned earlier!" Zhou Haitao rubbed his hands, his eyes shining with excitement, "Think about it, you're a combat hero famous throughout the army now. If we really run into a pickpocket, wouldn't that be a merit delivered right to our door?"

"When the time comes, I'll hold him down, and you perform a beautiful grapple. Maybe it'll even make the local news. I've already thought of the headline—'Major Captures Thief on Journey Home, Showing the True Colors of a Soldier'!"

"Your mind is quite active." Su Han shook his head and laughed, "But I suggest you don't count on it. If something really happens, how could it be that easy? Besides, I still have a back injury; I can't handle too much tossing around."

Despite this, Zhou Haitao seemed to have his interest piqued and began looking around, his gaze as alert as a wolf patrolling its territory: "If you don't want it, I do! This is performance credit! If I can get a Third-Class Merit, maybe I can be promoted to Major next year and be at the same rank as you!"

Su Han looked at his eager expression and suddenly remembered when he first crossed over to the 7th Company. Zhou Haitao had held the roster and solemnly called him 'Comrade Su Han,' only to be forced by Su Lingxue to call him 'Third Grandpa' a moment later.

Back then, Zhou Haitao's face was written all over with 'absurdity' and 'helplessness.' How could he have been like he is now, joking with him about military medals?

"Alright, stop looking around." Su Han patted his shoulder, "Even if there's a pickpocket, they wouldn't be stupid enough to act in front of a soldier. As for you, Ling Xue told you to take good care of me, yet you're hoping I run into danger. Careful, or I'll call Ling Xue!"

Zhou Haitao shrank his neck and said sheepishly: "I was just thinking of serving the people... besides, with you here, what danger could there be?"

After a pause, Zhou Haitao asked cautiously: "You... wouldn't really call Ling Xue, would you?"

Su Han: "..."

Truly henpecked!