42: Chapter 42: The Shocking Relationship of Generations in the Ancestral Hall!

Su Han patted her head. "No manners!"

"They aren't from our clan. They are Brother Han's comrades-in-arms, so call them 'Brother'."

Su Nuan wrinkled her nose, but still revealed a smile and said sweetly to Zhou Mo and the others, "Hello, brothers!"

"H-hello!" Zhou Mo and the others responded somewhat awkwardly.

At this moment, the crowd at the village entrance came forward to greet them.

"Welcome home, Third Uncle!" the eight people shouted in unison, their voices echoing through the valley.

"Welcome home, Third Grandpa!" Next, the twenty- and thirty-something young people of Su Lingxue's generation also bowed slightly to Su Han and shouted in unison.

"Welcome home, Third Great-grandfather!" The fourth-generation children, ranging from a few years old to teenagers (not direct descendants), also shouted respectfully.

The Falcon team members behind Su Han were dumbfounded.

Any one of these elderly people bowing could easily be Su Han's grandfather!

Yet now, they were calling Su Han 'Uncle' with such immense respect?

And those behind them, people around Su Han's age or even the younger generation, all wore extremely respectful expressions.

They couldn't fathom it; it was one thing for the older generation to have strong clan values.

But how could these young people, who were close in age, had grown up with Su Han, or were just a few years older and had played with him, be so strictly observant of these clan seniority rules!

Didn't they feel awkward? How could they even say it out loud?

At this moment, not only were Zhou Mo and the others shocked, but Su Han was also quite stunned!

With such a huge commotion and so many elders older than him coming here to welcome him personally, it would be a lie to say he wasn't nervous or surprised!

Although in his previous life he had heard that clan values were extremely strong in many places, he had only heard about it. He had never actually seen it!

Su Han looked at the crowd, suddenly not knowing what to say.

However, the eldest elder noticed Su Han's embarrassment. Clearly, to him, this situation with Su Han was nothing new.

After all, Su Han hadn't been this old before, and while everyone had always called him that, it hadn't been with such a grand spectacle and so many people present.

He walked straight up and said to Su Han, "Third Uncle, no need to be nervous. Come, let's just head inside."

Searching his memory, Su Han realized the person before him was Su Lingxue's father, Su Bowen.

The commotion at the village entrance gradually subsided, and Su Han was ushered into the village by Su Bowen and the others.

Zhou Mo, Monkey, Big Bear, and the others followed behind. Watching Su Han being respectfully called "Third Uncle" by a group of sixty- or seventy-year-old men while Su Han looked helpless, they almost laughed out loud.

"Brother Han, your status... tsk tsk tsk!" Monkey suppressed his laughter and teased in a low voice.

Su Han turned back and glared at him, but Su Bowen immediately frowned and asked, "Third Uncle, who are these juniors?"

Su Han hurriedly introduced them: "They are my comrades-in-arms. They're on leave and happened to come to attend the wedding."

"Oh! So they are Third Uncle's comrades!" Su Bowen and the others immediately revealed warm smiles and bowed to Zhou Mo and the others, saying, "Welcome, welcome!"

Zhou Mo and the others hurriedly returned the gesture, but their expressions remained strange—after all, any one of these elders could be their grandfather, yet because of Su Han's seniority, they were treating them with such courtesy.

"Third Uncle, it's getting late. Let's head back to change clothes first, then go to the ancestral hall," Su Bowen said in a low voice. "The people from the Zhou family are already waiting there."

Su Han nodded, then said to Zhou Mo and the others, "You all go with my sister to rest at home first; I'll come find you later."

Zhou Mo and the others naturally had no objections; after all, this was the Su Family's clan ceremony, and although they were Su Han's comrades, it wasn't appropriate for them to participate directly.

However, Su Nuan grabbed Monkey's hand with a grin: "Let's go! I'll take you to eat wedding candy!"

Monkey: "..."

... Ten minutes later. The magnificent Su Family Ancestral Hall.

After changing his clothes, Su Han followed Su Bowen and the others to the Su Family Ancestral Hall.

The ancestral hall was located in the center of the village. It was an antique three-courtyard complex with blue bricks, black tiles, and upturned eaves. Two stone lions stood majestically at the entrance.

Stepping into the gate of the ancestral hall, one was greeted by a huge plaque inscribed with the four gilded characters "Su Clan Ancestral Hall," written with powerful, imposing strokes.

Inside the hall, incense smoke curled in the air. In the center, the ancestral tablets of the Su Clan were enshrined, and on both sides were the genealogy records and family precepts.

At this moment, the hall was already packed with people.

Zhou Haitao, wearing a crisp military uniform, stood beside his father, Zhou Zhenguo, looking slightly nervous.

Opposite them were several elders of the Su Family, who were solemnly examining the betrothal gifts sent by the Zhou family.

The moment Su Han stepped into the ancestral hall, everyone's gaze turned towards him in unison.

"Third Great-uncle is here!" "Third Grandpa!"

The younger generation of the Su Family bowed one after another, while Zhou Zhenguo, Zhou Haitao, and the other relatives from the groom's side looked at Su Han with complex expressions.

Especially Zhou Zhenguo; although he had long heard that Su Han was young but had high seniority, seeing an 18-year-old boy being respectfully addressed as "Third Uncle" by a group of sixty- or seventy-year-old men still made him feel somewhat uncomfortable.

"Ahem..." Zhou Zhenguo coughed lightly and stepped forward, nodding slightly to Su Han: "Comrade... Comrade Su Han, hello."

He had intended to follow the Su Family's rules and call him "Third Uncle," but looking at Su Han's young face, he just couldn't bring himself to say it.

Su Bowen frowned and was about to speak, but Su Han waved his hand and smiled: "Chief of Staff Zhou, no need to be polite. Let's just follow the military rules."

Zhou Zhenguo breathed a sigh of relief and gave Su Han a grateful look.

However, one of the Su Family elders frowned and said: "Propriety cannot be abandoned! Since you have entered the Su Family's gates, you must follow the Su Family's rules!"

The expressions of Zhou Zhenguo and Zhou Haitao instantly froze.

Su Bowen said to Zhou Zhenguo in a low, helpless voice: "In-law, please understand. Our rules here have been passed down for hundreds of years, and we cannot mess with them."

"I know your status; in the military, it doesn't matter how you address each other. But today, on this joyous occasion and within the clan, I hope you can bear with it."

Zhou Zhenguo hurriedly said: "It's fine, it's only right. It's my fault."

Su Han sighed helplessly, smiled apologetically at Zhou Zhenguo, and said in a low voice: "Chief of Staff Zhou, I'm sorry for the trouble."

Zhou Zhenguo took a deep breath, and finally, biting the bullet, bowed slightly and said: "Third... Third Uncle."

"Pfft—" Outside the ancestral hall, Monkey, who was hiding behind the door peeking, burst out laughing.

Big Bear covered his mouth and whispered: "Quiet! Do you want to get Su Han in trouble?!"

Monkey's face turned red from holding it in, his shoulders shaking wildly.