Chapter 353 - 353 320 Father and Son

Words : 1767 Updated : Oct 9th, 2025

353: Chapter 320: Father and Son 353: Chapter 320: Father and Son “First-class merit! You’ve really left everyone else in the dust,” Ma Jiyang was the gold standard for achievements within the Changyang City Criminal Police Detachment, his three second-class merits standing out so prominently that he had no equals among his peers, yet he had never been awarded first-class merit. Jiang Yuan modestly said, “I didn’t expect to get first-class merit.” “How could you not expect it? With the cases you’ve solved, if they didn’t give you first-class merit, what would we do with our second-class and ones like mine, third-class? You deserve the first-class merit,” Ma Jiyang was jesting with Jiang Yuan as he only received third-class merit this time. Jiang Yuan chuckled, “You flatter me, Captain Ma. Looking forward to collaborating in the future.” The remark was just a bit grander than before, but upon hearing it, Ma Jiyang’s eyes closed and then opened, as if he blinked, saying, “That’s definitely possible. Our team’s strength has always been top-notch, just look at my service medals and you’ll know, right?” Ma Jiyang slapped his chest with a rat-tat-tat, like a 59 tank decked out in armor plates. And his only achieving third-class merit this time fully demonstrated that his capabilities had unavoidably fallen off since he became a bachelor. Since ancient times, the soldiers who can afford houses thanks to their wives are the strongest. “Jiang Yuan!” A reporter passed by, picked up their camera to take a photo of Jiang Yuan, and then asked for an interview. Ma Jiyang and others left with an envious and jealously amused smile. This wasn’t just the special treatment that came with first-class merit; it was also the special treatment for Jiang Yuan, who was young, tall, and a hot topic. Jiang Yuan dealt with the reporter with a few vague phrases before he walked out and got stopped again. This time, Yu Wenshu had invited a ton of reporters, which looked great and impressive during the conference, but it was quite annoying for Jiang Yuan and others during the free interview segment. Jiang Yuan pretended to make a phone call, acting as if he had an urgent case, before he was able to slip out. Once in the car, Jiang Yuan finally relaxed a bit. He took out his cell phone and saw there were over a hundred messages and missed calls, as well as numerous text messages. On WeChat, aside from private messages, there were numerous notifications about group red envelopes. Upon hearing the news, Jiang Fuzhen sent red envelopes all over, especially in the “One Family in Love and Support” group where Jiang Fuzhen’s red envelopes dominated, occupying half the territory. An ordinary member of the Jiang Family, if they didn’t get much from property redistribution, and rent wasn’t enough, could seriously snag a windfall from the red envelopes and have a prosperous year. Besides these, there were also pages of notifications for private message red envelopes. Jiang Yuan had to take out his notebook to record them all. Changyang City End-of-Year Commendation Conference— Income: First-class merit prize money 20,000 yuan. Father’s red envelope 1,000 yuan (My son, you’ve grown up, choose a gift you like, anything below a house, I’ll reimburse you). Great-uncle’s red envelope 6,666 yuan (Jiang Yuan, you’re impressive). Third uncle’s red envelope 66,666 (I heard you can’t give too much money, later let the village committee give you the design fee for the surveillance equipment, consider the extra as your uncle’s consultancy fee). Great great-uncle’s red envelope 10,000 yuan (The Jiang family will always be your solid backing). Mrs. Hua’s red envelope 10,000 yuan (Don’t tire yourself out, heard you became a leader, so don’t just think about charging forward, lead your team well and come home safe). Fifth uncle’s red envelope 5,000 yuan (You kid are too commendable), Sixth uncle’s red envelope 3,000 yuan (Commendation fee), Seventh uncle’s red envelope 3,000 yuan (Commendation fee), Eighth aunt’s red envelope 2,000 yuan (Commendation fee), Ninth uncle’s red envelope 2,000 yuan (Commendation fee)... Jiang Yuan’s hand was sore from recording in the notebook, after two pages he found there seemed to be an endless stream of private messages. Some people even sent twice, for instance: Sixth aunt’s red envelope 10,000 yuan (Auntie didn’t study much, didn’t know first-class merit was so impressive, amazing!), Seventh aunt’s red envelope 10,000 (Your uncle has been talking about it all day, told me to top up your red envelope, for some good luck). Twenty-first uncle’s red envelope 3,000 + 6,000 (Originally wanted to buy you a pair of combat boots, then thought, better to send a red envelope. You buy some equipment too, for emergencies). This time it was different from before; it was as if the whole village had sent Jiang Yuan a red envelope. Of course, not everyone sent a personal red envelope, but many families or households sent them as a unit. Calculating it all... Jiang Yuan thought for a moment, then turned to pull out the notebook from his bag and opened an Excel sheet titled “Jiang Village Family Households.” Jiang Yuan then copied the red envelope amounts into the Excel sheet, reopened WeChat, and continued adding the amounts of each red envelope. Jiang Yuan actually didn’t care about the value of these red envelopes, what mattered more to him was the sentiment, the attention, and care from the people of his village. It’s like back in the day when we joined in the hundred-family feast, a household willing to give one bun wasn’t less caring than one willing to give two. Today, neighbors who have closed their doors might just be bogged down with the task of making babies and haven’t spared much thought for someone else’s child. In a couple of days, when they’re sore from all the exertion, they’ll surely open their doors again and make lots of delicious food. But it has to be said, ever since the Jiang Village People started getting rich, there have been many more rules – like these customary exchange of red packets, which everyone takes seriously. If a family doesn’t follow the rules, people will suspect they’ve been tricked into some failed business venture. At that time, the advising villagers would trample that family’s threshold to shreds. After collecting all the red packets and even a second round of them, just as Jiang Yuan was starting to feel weary, a call from Jiang Fuzhen came through. “Dad,” Jiang Yuan said, putting down the computer and stepping out of the car to stretch his limbs by the vehicle. “Where are you? Are you out celebrating with your colleagues?” The voice from Jiang Fuzhen boomed out, needing to be loud like when speaking in the village or at home, to carry over distance. Jiang Yuan held the phone a bit farther away and said, “I’m still at the grand hall. Everyone was giving gifts today, so I’ve been noting them down on the computer.” “Right, it’s good to make a note. Send me a copy later; we need to reciprocate where it’s due,” Jiang Fuzhen paused before continuing, “If you’re done, come back to the house. I’m under the building where you bought that small apartment.” “Eh, you’re in Changyang City?” Jiang Yuan was somewhat surprised; he had just been home a couple of days ago. Jiang Fuzhen hummed twice, “If you had told me earlier that you received a first-class merit this time, I would have come to see for myself. You didn’t even ask your dad to come watch the ceremony.” Jiang Yuan was taken aback, “It’s just that no one else seemed to have invited their parents...” Jiang Fuzhen: “That’s because other people’s parents are too old, but I’m still young.” “That actually makes quite a bit of sense. I didn’t think it through,” Jiang Yuan wasn’t stubborn and added, “Next time then, next time I get a first-class merit, I’ll invite you over to watch.” “That’s more like it,” Jiang Fuzhen muttered. Suddenly, Uncle Qiang’s voice came through, “You father and son should keep your conversations to yourselves, don’t let others overhear. Those who don’t know might think you’re bragging, and those who do know might be infuriated to death.” Both father and son laughed out loud. Jiang Yuan started the car and in less than fifteen minutes, he arrived at the newly bought small apartment. Downstairs, he saw a van parked at the door, with Uncle Qiang and Jiang Fuzhen looking at advertisements in the real estate agent’s shop on the ground floor. Perhaps it was because the van was there that the agent didn’t come out to welcome them, so Jiang Fuzhen took his time looking around. Only when he saw Jiang Yuan did he say, “I was just thinking your apartment is so small, wondering whether to build you a special vegetable cellar or something. Never mind, we’ll talk about it later. I’ve got you a cow, a sheep, and some chickens, ducks, and geese, so we can invite your colleagues and friends over for a meal...” Listening to his dad, Jiang Yuan knew he wasn’t joking and quickly checked the back of the van – sure enough, there was a skinned cow, a naked sheep, and some bare-bottomed chickens, ducks and geese. “Well... okay,” Jiang Yuan, already familiar with his dad’s ways, thought for a moment before saying, “Let’s do it tomorrow then, I’ll organize a gathering.” “Tomorrow is good, I can help you. You’re not working tomorrow?” “These days, team building has to happen during work hours, otherwise you’ll get scolded.” “Oh, do you have a big pot?” Jiang Fuzhen asked again. Jiang Yuan shook his head, “I don’t really cook.” “Well, if there’s no big pot, it can’t be helped. I’ll make a call,” Jiang Fuzhen said as he took out his phone. Once connected, he said, “Chef Guo, how about you all make a trip tomorrow to do a job? Yes... I’m at my son’s place, in Changyang City. Alright, come when you can, seven or eight people should be enough...” So, Jiang Yuan also made a call to Wang Chuanxing, letting him know, “Tomorrow is a workday, but I’m inviting everyone over for a team-building meal at my place – I’ll send you the address in a bit.”

Chapter 353 - 353 320 Father and Son

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