43: Chapter 43: Holy crap... Company Commander Zhou really knelt down?

According to the Su Family's customs, the 'betrothal gift ceremony' (betrothal gift presentation) ceremony before the wedding was extremely important. It had to be presided over by a clan elder who would confirm that the betrothal gifts were correct before the wedding date could be officially set.

As the highest-ranking elder currently in the Su Family, Su Han naturally had to preside over this ceremony.

However—

"Third Uncle, it's time to inspect the betrothal gifts," Su Bowen reminded him in a low voice.

Su Han was stunned for a moment before snapping back to reality, quickly walking to the table where the betrothal gifts were displayed.

The table was covered with various gifts, including gold and silver jewelry, cash gifts, tea, cigarettes, and alcohol. According to traditional customs, every item had to be personally inspected by the elder.

Su Han steeled himself, picked up a box of tea, gave it a performative look, and then nodded, saying, "Mm, not bad."

Su Bowen's mouth twitched as he whispered, "Third Uncle, you have to open it and look..."

Su Han: "..."

Awkwardly, he opened the tea box and found that it was indeed high-quality Longjing tea, which allowed him to breathe a sigh of relief.

Next was the cash gift. After Su Han counted it and confirmed it was correct, he looked toward the jewelry box.

However, when he opened the jewelry box, he found it was completely empty.

"Eh?" Su Han was taken aback and looked up at Zhou Zhenguo.

Zhou Zhenguo was also stunned and quickly looked at Zhou Haitao. "What's going on?"

Zhou Haitao's expression changed as he whispered, "Dad, the jewelry... the jewelry was left in the car!"

The ancestral hall instantly fell silent.

The expressions of several Su Family clan elders immediately darkened.

According to custom, incomplete betrothal gifts were a sign of great disrespect!

Zhou Zhenguo's face also turned ugly, and he hurriedly said, "I'll send someone to get it right now!"

However, Su Bowen frowned and said, "Once the betrothal gift ceremony ceremony has begun, it cannot be interrupted, otherwise it is considered bad luck."

Sweat broke out on Zhou Zhenguo's forehead; this was trouble. He could only glare at Zhou Haitao with a stern expression.

Meanwhile, Zhou Haitao looked like a child who had done something wrong, his face full of shame and nervousness.

Just as the atmosphere reached a stalemate, Su Han suddenly spoke up: "It's fine. The jewelry can be added later; let's continue first."

Su Bowen was startled. "Third Uncle, this isn't according to the rules..."

Su Han waved his hand and smiled. "Rules are dead, but people are alive. Our Su Family isn't unreasonable."

After saying that, he gave Zhou Zhenguo a meaningful look.

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

Although the Su Family elders were somewhat displeased, Su Han was an elder after all, so they couldn't easily contradict him and could only tacitly agree.

...

The daily routine of Zhou Mo and the others trying not to laugh.

Outside the ancestral hall, Monkey, Big Bear, Zhou Mo, and the others were hiding around the corner, having witnessed Su Han's distress and Zhou Zhenguo's embarrassment the entire time.

"Hahaha... this is killing me!" Monkey clutched his stomach, laughing wildly in a low voice. "Brother Han's life as an elder... is too miserable!"

Zhou Mo's face was also flushed from holding back laughter. "The key is Chief of Staff Zhou. A dignified Division Chief of Staff actually has to call Brother Han 'Third Uncle'..."

Big Bear shook his head and sighed. "I finally understand why Brother Han is so calm in the army—compared to a scene like this, what does training even matter?"

As the group was snickering, a crisp voice suddenly came from behind them:

"What are you guys doing?"

Everyone turned around to find Su Nuan tilting her head, looking at them curiously.

Monkey quickly pulled back his smile and gave a dry cough. "No... nothing, we're just admiring the scenery!"

Su Nuan looked at them suspiciously, then said with a giggle, "Come on, I'll take you to the feast!"

"A feast?" Monkey's eyes lit up. "There's food already?"

Su Nuan nodded. "Mm! In our weddings here, the banquets are held for two days straight."

Zhou Mo and the others exchanged glances and immediately followed her.

...

Inside the ancestral hall, the betrothal gift ceremony ceremony finally drew to a close.

Following Su Bowen's reminders, Su Han handed the betrothal gift list to Zhou Zhenguo and then solemnly announced, "The ceremony is complete! The wedding date remains as scheduled!"

Zhou Zhenguo and Zhou Haitao both breathed a sigh of relief at the same time.

However, just then, one of the Su Family elders suddenly spoke up: "Wait!"

Everyone was stunned as they saw the elder step forward and look seriously at Zhou Haitao. "According to Su Family rules, the groom must serve tea to the elder to show respect."

Zhou Haitao: "..."

He glanced at Su Han, his mouth twitching.

Su Han was also stunned and hurriedly said, "This... is that really necessary?"

The elder shook his head. "It is mandatory! Otherwise, it doesn't conform to etiquette!"

Zhou Haitao took a deep breath and took off his service uniform jacket.

Then, holding the tea, he walked up to Su Han, dropped to one knee, and held the teacup up with both hands, saying respectfully:

"Thi... Third Grandpa, please have some tea!"

Su Han: "..."

Outside the ancestral hall, Zhou Mo and the others, who had just arrived, happened to see this scene and were instantly petrified.

Monkey's eyes widened as he murmured, "Holy crap... Company Commander Zhou really knelt?"

Big Bear swallowed hard. "Brother Han's seniority... is too terrifying..."

Inside the hall, Su Han steeled himself, took the teacup, took a sip, and then patted Zhou Haitao's shoulder, laughing dryly:

"Go... Good Grandson-in-law, you may rise."

Zhou Haitao: "..."

After the ceremony ended, everyone dispersed.

The clan elders went out to attend to the guests.

Su Han was naturally free as well.

Zhou Jianguo called Su Han aside privately.

"Comrade Su Han," his tone became formal, "I heard you received a First-Class Merit?"

"Reporting to the Chief, yes." Su Han snapped to attention and saluted.

Zhou Jianguo was startled and quickly pulled Su Han's hand down, as if he were terrified of the Su Family elders seeing this. "This isn't the military camp; there's no need to be so formal."

He said meaningfully, "I've heard about your performance in the All-Army Grand Competition—first place in eight individual events and champion of the combat exercise."

"Thank you for the recognition, Chief."

"Are you interested..." Zhou Jianguo lowered his voice, "in coming to our division's reconnaissance battalion? I'll apply to make you the battalion commander!"

Su Han: "???"

Not far away, Zhou Haitao almost fainted when he saw this—his father was actually poaching his 'Third Grandpa' right in front of him?!

...

After eating, the Falcon Squad was arranged to rest in the Su Family's old residence.

"My god..." Monkey sighed as he lay on the bed. "Su Han, your family's setup is just too exaggerated."

Zhou Mo said thoughtfully, "I understand now why you can be so calm on the battlefield—growing up in a big clan like this, what kind of scene haven't you seen?"

Big Bear suddenly sat up. "Wait! Then for the official wedding tomorrow, won't Su Han have to sit in the seat of honor?"

Everyone turned their gaze toward Su Han in unison.

Su Han covered his face in agony. "Don't remind me..."

Su Nuan poked her head in from the door. "Brother! The clan elders told me to come get you to go to the ancestral hall to learn how to bestow blessings on the newcomers tomorrow!"

The Falcon members finally couldn't hold it back and burst into a fit of laughter.

Su Han looked at them with a look of utter despair. "Laugh all you want... just wait until tomorrow when you see me sitting in the high seat wearing a long robe and mandarin jacket, then let's see if you can still laugh."

...

Tomorrow night's update should also be around this time.

This kind of clan seniority and etiquette is also the author's first time writing about it. I hope everyone doesn't take it too seriously and shows some understanding.

In addition, please lend a helping hand and help light up the five-star reviews. Give me a good review!

Thank you all!!!