CHAPTER 294: 294. BANQUET, THE HIGHEST PRAISE FROM ELDER WU

After a round of enthusiastic applause, Wu Liguo looked approvingly at Chenchen: "Smart and insightful, a fine young man! With this sharp mind and perceptiveness, not to mention business, you could achieve something even if you went to the frontier in the future!"

A military man by origin, dedicating his entire life to guarding the borders.

In Wu Liguo’s eyes, there is no greater and more promising career than defending the country.

So for him, saying someone is a fine prospect who could achieve something on the frontier is the highest praise.

Lianshan, familiar with his way of complimenting, almost grinned ear to ear with delight, feeling immensely proud.

Yet, he modestly said: "Uncle Wu, you’re really exaggerating. How could a small child be so amazing? Clearly, it’s Uncle Yang who advises and teaches well at all times."

"Hey, you can’t say that. Even the best teacher needs to meet talented students. With a stubborn one, even a saint would struggle to enlighten him, right?

They say you can see what a person will be like at three years old when they are eighty. This kid, from a young age, has been showing cleverness! Wu Liguo waved his hand, full of interest, tempting Chenchen: "So, young man, are you interested in joining Grandpa Wu in the military? Wearing a uniform, practicing martial arts, and becoming a big hero defending the country in the future."

In these times, becoming a soldier is glorious; both adults and children particularly admire those in green uniforms.

When asked among a bunch of teenagers, at least nine out of ten are sure to want to head to the frontier when they grow up.

So when Wu Liguo proposed this, Old Yang sharply glared at him, straightforwardly calling him cunning.

That sense of restraint and suppression because of changes in status was all forgotten, with eyes fixed on Chenchen, not wanting to miss a moment.

Afraid that in a moment of inattention, the prized disciple might change allegiance.

Not just him, in fact, the whole room’s gaze was focused on Chenchen, wanting to see what the young man’s attitude would be.

If it were any other twelve-year-old being watched by the whole audience like this, they might get scared.

But Chenchen started getting inventory, selling goods, and running a small stall by himself from the start of this year.

From saving pocket money through his own efforts to buying two boxes of popsicles to sell at retail from an ice cream factory, to now being able to hire two helpers and making a pure profit of over a thousand yuan in five days.

He’s a capable small vendor who can shout out to customers while being surrounded by dozens of people, accounting, collecting money, and watching over things at the same level of expertise!

He smiled and thanked Wu Liguo: "Thank you, Grandpa Wu, for the praise and invitation, but I’d rather be a successful entrepreneur in the future than go to the frontier. Our country’s border defense needs guarding, but its economy also needs building and taking off, right? I am willing to dedicate my lifetime efforts to contribute to the grand undertaking of our country’s economic construction."

The words were strong, and his youthful eyes were determined and fervent!

The bold declaration made Wu Liguo vigorously bang on the table, shouting, "If the children of our country all had aspirations and enthusiasm like you, Chenchen, why worry about our nation’s progress, catching up with, and surpassing the Western powers? Old Yang, you really weren’t boasting this time, the old guy truly found a treasure! But it’s a pity, such a fine prospect doesn’t want to go to the frontier..."

"Don’t regret it, Grandpa Wu. Chenchen’s aspirations aren’t there, so we won’t force him. You can turn your expectation to me, right? I’ve admired you since I was young and want to follow in your footsteps, dedicating my life to national defense!" Jiandang smiled heartily, standing up as if self-promoting.

"Yes, yes, and me too, Grandpa Wu. I’m also willing to be your forward troop and sacrifice everything to defend the country!" Jianguo followed closely, expressing that this underachiever is working hard to evolve into an overachiever, striving for military academy in the future!

"Big brother is an officer, second brother a soldier, then I’ll be the big commander! Tomorrow, no matter whether they’re a small officer or a small soldier, they’ll have to listen to the big commander’s orders." Little Wu Liu propped his chin, saying this with particular zeal.

It delighted the old man so much that he hugged him tightly and rubbed him, calling him good grandson non-stop.

Oh gosh, it really wasn’t for nothing all these years of subtle guidance!

The eldest grandson himself set his sights on the brilliant path to the frontier, and he ambitiously declared that he wanted to be a big commander, more capable and more promising than grandpa and his cousins.

Ha-ha, there’s hope for successors!

Seeing that the guy who had been consistently providing delicious food, hugs, and high lifts over the past few days self-titled grandpa actually put aside the cute baby to hug the smelly second brother.

The little baby girl was not happy, frowning and coughing lightly a couple of times.

Finding that the person was still glued to the second brother without any intention of quickly coming over to comfort her.

The plump little body twisted like a candy and broke free from daddy’s arms, and ran to the still glued grandparent-grandchild pair.

A crisp "Grandpa" was called out clearly, which filled Wu Liguo with surprise and delight. He quickly let go of little Wu Liu, looking expectantly at the little pink dumpling in front of him: "Did Baby call Grandpa? Haha, can you say it again?"

A "Grandpa" made the man let go of the smelly second brother’s hand, and he looked at her without blinking.

The baby was so proud inside, calling out a crisp string of "Grandpa" all at once.

"Good, good, Grandpa’s good little granddaughter!" Wu Liguo was immensely delighted, immediately picking up his cute and lovely little descendant, calling her his darling for a while.

After several days of effort, finally seeing some results made his old heart particularly joyful!

Although his daughter wasn’t with him, having married to Beijing, causing him inevitable emotional void.

But seeing grandchildren who were each calmer, more generous, and smarter, truly likeable, made him feel an overflowing sense of successor assurance.

His mouth never lost its smile, seeing his daughter, now thirty-three, still doted on like a young girl by her silly husband, obviously happy beyond measure.

Wu Liguo was filled with satisfaction in his heart: ultimately, career wealth and such are fleeting, the happiness of his daughter is the most crucial thing.

Besides, the output value of the Number One Scholar Village series keeps increasing year by year, the income level of the members is flipping and rising.

As the pioneer who laid all this out, even if his silly son-in-law only ever became the small production brigade leader of the Liu family village, he’s an undeniably significant figure.

Hugging the rosy-cheeked little granddaughter, looking at the hall full of laughter with immense satisfaction.

Wu Liguo’s gaze lingered long on Jiandang, Jianguo, Wu Liu, and also Ning An, who also said they wanted to contribute to the country’s border defense.

Idealistic, ambitious youngsters!

Carefully nurturing them, they will be natural allies for Wu Liu in the future, won’t they?