The 70s Novel: The Supporting Character Just Wants to Lie Down-Chapter 138: First Reflections on the Road Ahead
Wang Miaomiao felt she might have made a mistake. Should she not have guided Jia Bao to yearn for a military life...?
At that time, she just thought that after high school, being a soldier for two or three years would help a boy toughen up, and then he could get into a good university. Such a life should be the best for Wang Jia Bao.
But was she being too presumptuous? The life she thought was good, is it really the life he wants?
Also, shouldn’t mom and dad’s concerns and desires also be understood and respected?
They are so opposed, and Wang Jia Bao is so determined. Now a conflict has arisen. What should she do?
Actually, graduating from high school, working for two or three years before taking the college entrance exam would also be completely fine...
Wang Miaomiao couldn’t be more annoyed at herself, feeling like she thought too highly of herself, always meddling in others’ lives, doing things that annoy people under the guise of doing good... She began to feel some self-loathing.
Actually, Wang Miaomiao was overthinking, thinking too much...
Jia Bao wanting to become a soldier was mainly his own will, the result of everything falling into place. Admiring two excellent soldiers around him formulated his aspirations bit by bit, not something that could be achieved by Miaomiao’s deliberate guidance.
Wang Jia Bao is not a child. He’s at an age where he should take responsibility for his actions. His desire to do so is also his most genuine thought.
He has the unique passion of a young man and the courage to take risks. You can see it from how every time he comes back recently, he clings to Yang Zhigang to go hunting in the mountains.
As a child, he would be out playing wildly all day, as if he had endless energy. Now, it’s even more unstoppable.
At the dining table, the food had gone cold. The anxious heart was so difficult to bear.
Wang Baoxing hurriedly returned, "Is Jia Bao back?"
"No... Didn’t you find him?" Liu Yulan was restless, nervously saying, "Where has that brat gone?"
"I’ve searched the village thoroughly, and even visited the families he’s close with." Wang Baoxing stomped his feet anxiously, sighing in frustration, "I’ll go look again. He might have gone down the wrong path."
After saying that, he left again.
"Miaomiao, did mom do something wrong?" Liu Yulan felt a bit aggrieved, a bit on the verge of breakdown, "I only have one son and just hope he stays by my side, is that wrong?"
Wang Miaomiao listened silently, unsure how to respond. She realized this scene was very similar to when she left her hometown back in the 21st century.
Back then, she was already interning in the big city. One year when she returned home, her mother set her up on a blind date and asked her to get married. She wasn’t willing... Her mother also cried about her grievances, having only one daughter, wishing she would stay by their side and live a good life.
But... what is considered a good life? Was that the life she wanted? No... So, she left without hesitation.
If given the chance to go back in time, what would she choose...
"No, but... perhaps that’s not the life he wants." Wang Miaomiao softly replied to her mother in this lifetime, answering herself as well.
Yes, even if she could go back, she wouldn’t have stayed in the countryside, marrying that man and living the so-called good life in her parents’ eyes.
Yes, living again, although annoyed that she prioritized work too much and neglected enjoying life, she wouldn’t give up her control over her destiny. Otherwise, why work so hard in school, getting first place year after year, planning the future?
Living carefreely, wouldn’t that be delightful?
Deep down, she was never someone who could settle...
Hearing Wang Miaomiao’s answer, Liu Yulan fell into a somewhat indescribable silence.
After an indeterminate time, the sound of a bike bell rang outside.
"Gangzi, you... Jia Bao... oh, you kid..." Wang Baoxing, disappointed from searching, returned in low spirits, just in time to see Yang Zhigang riding over, then saw Jia Bao on the back seat, feeling both relieved and pained.
Relieved that the child was safe, finally found, pained by the child’s lack of understanding, worrying the parents.
Inside, Wang Miaomiao and Liu Yulan heard the noise, knowing Jia Bao was safe, both sighed in relief.
Wang Baoxing led Yang Zhigang inside, while Jia Bao reluctantly followed, downhearted, and listless, like a wilting grass losing its moisture.
"Dad, Mom, I brought Jia Bao back." Yang Zhigang was startled when he first saw Wang Jia Bao, fearing something had happened. Upon hearing it was about the military, he also felt a bit tense.
Afraid to worry his in-laws, he quickly took Jia Bao back by bike, talking a lot on the way, unsure if the kid understood.
He needed to apologize to his father-in-law and mother-in-law first, "Dad, Mom, it’s all my fault. Jia Bao wanting to join the military might be because I was a soldier, making him think it’s cool and wanting to try."
"It’s not your fault. It’s his own ambitiousness." Liu Yulan wasn’t one to cause unwarranted trouble and didn’t blame Yang Zhigang.
There are capable people all over the world; a child having ambitions and goals can’t be deemed wrong. If it were someone else’s child, the parents might actually be eager.
"Have you eaten dinner? How is Pandi at home? Is the child behaving?" Liu Yulan moved away from that topic.
"I’ve eaten. She’s doing well, and the child is behaving, not causing trouble for her mother." At this, Yang Zhigang couldn’t help but smile.
Wang Pandi was expecting a child—it’s their child, and he was excited he hadn’t slept well for days.
Though there’s regret about not being able to continue eating meat, that’s the life he eagerly awaited, so he’s willing to endure a few months of vegetarian meals for the sake of that small life.
"That’s good, as long as you are both well." Liu Yulan said, a bit emotional, then smiling, "Pandi might have a bigger temper due to the pregnancy. Be more tolerant with her. If she doesn’t do something right, wait until she gives birth, and I’ll talk to her."
"Mom, I know. Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of her." Yang Zhigang vowed seriously.
Liu Yulan continued to chat about some pregnancy taboos, during which time, Wang Miaomiao reheated the cooled dishes.
"Dad, Mom, dinner is ready. Brother-in-law, would you like to eat some more?" Wang Miaomiao set the table and invited everyone.
"No, thank you." Yang Zhigang stood up and said to Liu Yulan and Wang Baoxing, "Dad, Mom, I’ll head back first; Pandi is waiting at home. As for Jia Bao, rest assured, since you disagree, I definitely won’t assist him. Without your approval, he won’t have the opportunity to join the army. Talk it over with him—he’ll understand your good intentions."
