Chapter Twenty-Five: Returning to the Hospital Ahead of Schedule

  "I'm telling you, Qu Mingjun, one should know when to quit, understand?!" After sending Jiang Anjie back to his place, Qu Mingjun ran into Qu Mingli again on the way back. How frustrating, why did he keep running into this annoying guy everywhere?!

  "People are generally sensible, but dogs that block the way are usually not." Qu Mingjun replied calmly.

  "You..." Qu Mingli was almost driven mad with rage, subconsciously clenching his fists.

  Qu Mingjun was already in a bad mood and looked at him with a hint of provocation.

  Jealousy burned red in Qu Mingli's eyes, and he viciously punched a fist at Qu Mingjun's chin.

  Damn it, he actually dared to use force. Qu Mingjun muttered in his heart, but didn't he always have a bad memory? Since childhood, the two of them had been fighting, when did he ever get the worst of it? Now that he's even joined the army, hand-to-hand combat has almost become second nature to him, and yet he still dares to use force?

  Qiu Mingjun's mind was a mess, but his movements were not slow. With his left hand, he grabbed Qiu Mingli's fist, and with his right hand, he heavily slammed into Qiu Mingli's abdomen.

  "Ugh——" Qu Mingli, although he had also practiced martial arts, but as a young master like him, how many times did he have the opportunity to engage in actual combat? This punch was so powerful that it almost made Qu Mingli vomit up last night's dinner. His two legs went weak and he knelt down.

  Qu Mingjun shook his head, feeling somewhat regretful. He was too weak now, and it wasn't fun at all to knock him down with just one punch. It felt like bullying a child. If Qu Mingli knew about this thought, he would definitely be furious. Qu Mingjun had received six months of military training, which hadn't improved his fighting skills but had significantly enhanced his physical fitness. Just thinking about the weight of that punch, it was something that only someone with his physique could withstand.

  "Alright! I was wondering, why are you haunting me like a ghost?" Qu Mingjun squatted down and looked at Qu Mingli who was kneeling in front of him with a puzzled expression.

  "Shut the hell up. I'm telling you, I'll definitely be the next head of the Qu family, and there's no way in hell I'll let you take my place."

  It's this again, Qu Mingjun was really helpless, can't your elder brother come up with a new excuse?

  "I've already served my time, dear cousin. You can do whatever you want with the family business, it's none of my concern." Qu Mingjun had never really thought about taking over as the head of the household. The reason was simple: he liked his freedom. His father, Qu Jiaqing, was the current head of the household and was always busy flying around the world, barely having time to eat a meal at home. Qu Mingjun had disliked this lifestyle since he was young, and he certainly wasn't about to saddle himself with it now.

  "What's gotten into you, still trying to curry favor with those old guys? Humph, you're already on the list of next-generation family head candidates, what are you pretending for?" Qu Mingli glared at Qu Mingjun viciously, but the thought of taking action was gone.

  "What? What list?"

  "Mom's, don't tell me you don't know about the Family Head Cultivation Plan."

  "It's none of my business, I've already gone out to be a soldier."

  "You're still pretending. What's the point of being a soldier? If you take off your clothes, can't you just come back?"

  "Damn it, make yourself clear!" Qu Mingjun got angry.

  "Hmph. I just heard those old guys having a meeting earlier. They all agreed to put you on the list for next-generation family head training, and it's estimated that you'll be back in spring to enter the family business. You, me, we will spend three years going through most of the positions within the family business. Then look at the performance of both of us, determine the next generation family head. Do you dare say you didn't know? The current family head is your dad!" Qu Mingli shouted.

  Nonsense, isn't that the case with those old guys treating the troops as their own? Want to go and they'll let you go, want to come back and they'll let you come back? Hmm? And don't even mention it, if Jiang's family helps out, it would be easy for him to quit the army.

  Qu Mingjun furrowed his brow, a wave of disgust rising in his heart. He didn't want to be arranged back into the family business. No way, this had to be stopped. Qu Mingjun hastily left to find his father, Qu Jiaqiang.

  Qu Mingli's eyes, still kneeling on the ground, flashed a hint of color. This time, he deliberately came to find Qu Mingjun trouble, knowing his personality, after all, they grew up together since childhood. As long as he could successfully provoke Qu Mingjun's resentment, he would definitely think of ways to continue staying in the army. If he was deceived like this, if the old guys really wanted to force him to leave the army, he would definitely come back, and that would be his real trouble.

  Qu Mingli was so pleased that he almost wanted to hum a little tune, just as he was about to stand up, another wave of cramps came from his stomach. Damn it, how did this kid's hand get so heavy all of a sudden? Ugh...

  "Dad, I heard that I was listed on the next-generation family head training list. Is it true?" Qu Mingjun asked his father in a hurry after finding him.

  "Huh? Who told you?" This matter was supposed to be kept from that stinky little kid, how did he find out? Qu Jian's eyes widened in shock.

  "Never mind who told me, is this true?"

  "Hmm. Alright then. This was decided by your several grandfathers." Qu Jian thought for a moment, anyway he would find out sooner or later.

  "I object! Are you going to decide on this without even asking me?"

  "This, Jun Er, becoming a soldier or something, just experience it and that's all. With such a big family business at home, you'll have to come back and help me sooner or later, this time is just a bit earlier, but it's the same."

  "No way. I strongly disagree. I will walk my own path and no one can change my mind until I reach my goal!"

  "You... how can you be so stubborn? I've already told you, this matter has nothing to do with you!"

  "No way! I'll go find Jiang Anjie, I want to make things clear with him." Qu Mingjun wanted to use Jiang Anjie to cut off the possible channel for the Qu family to seek help from the Jiang family.

  "Qu Mingjun, stop right there! Qu Jianying stormed over a few steps, his anger boiling over. 'You're a member of the Qu family, don't forget that the Qu family is your responsibility! Are you a man? Don't you have any sense of duty?'"

  Qu Mingjun stared at his father's eyes, saying word by word: "It's because I'm a man, so I can't give up halfway. Moreover, I'm still a soldier now, and protecting the family and defending the country is also my responsibility! Is this responsibility something I should bear too?"

  "There are plenty of others who can protect their homes and defend their country, no need for you to make any sacrifices."

  "My family has several other sons in this generation, so I don't need to do anything."

  "You..." Qu Jian's face turned red with anger. Qu Mingjun's grandfather was the second in line in the family, but unfortunately, he had passed away due to health reasons. If Qu Mingjun could become the next head of the Qu family, with Qu Jian and Qu Mingjun's abilities, they would definitely be able to make their branch the most prosperous one in the Qu family. Unfortunately, this kid Qu Mingjun was stubborn and refused to listen to advice.

  "Dad, I've made up my mind. Please support me and believe in me. Even if I have to leave the army, I won't be a family head or whatever. I'd rather start my own business, you know."

  "Alas!" Qu Jian sat down weakly, this child, he couldn't control himself anymore.

  "How are you going to explain this to your three uncles? Do you know how long it took for your third, fifth, sixth, seventh and ninth uncles to discuss the issue of your quota? Do you know how long they argued before making a decision?"

  "...I'll go explain it myself!"

  ……

  "......Well, let it be, five uncles. Please forgive my willfulness. I really want to pave my own way instead of guarding the family business and passing the days." Qu Mingjun knelt in the center of the main hall, with the five elderly members of the Qu family seated in front of him.

  "Hmm, Xiao Mingjun still has some ambition after all. I think we should agree to it." Qu Wuji was overjoyed when he heard this and hastily spoke up before San Ye could say anything else. Although Qu Mingli had been added to the list of candidates for the next generation's family head due to his persistence, with Qu Mingjun around, he really didn't have a leg to stand on. This kid voluntarily quitting was the best thing that could happen.

  "Xiao Ming Jun, you are the most outstanding child of your generation. Can't you really bear this responsibility? Do you really want to be a scout?" Qu Jian San Ye glanced at Wu Ye with a joyful face, frowned and was very dissatisfied in his heart.

  "Yes, Third Master. I thank you all for your trust in me. However, the Qu family is not indispensable to me, and the five masters are all in good health, while the uncles are still in their prime, so there's no need for me to do anything now."

  ……

  " You... don't you regret it?" Qu Jiasan asked.

  "No regrets!" Qu Mingjun said resolutely.

  "Whatever!" Qu San Ye sat down tiredly, a forced smile isn't sweet after all. He closed his eyes to rest and didn't look at Qu Ming Jun again.

  "Get out of here, you little stinker! You're always making people angry!" Bald-headed Ninth Master's anger rose up when he saw Third Master's exhausted look.

  ……

  Three days later, Qu Mingjun packed his bags and bid a reluctant farewell to his mother Ren Qing and little Shen Qiao. He followed Jiang Anjie back to Shimmen. This time, the unpleasant parting with his family members was also unknown when it would be alleviated. However, they should have seen his firm attitude and shouldn't bother him again.

  Jiang Anjie was driving in the front, while Jiang Annie sat in the back seat with Qu Mingjun. Looking at his worried brow, Jiang Annie couldn't help but comfort him, "Don't be depressed, Qu Mingjun. My brother has promised you, unless you want to leave yourself, the Jiang family won't take the initiative to help you leave the army."

  "Ah, thank you!" Qu Mingjun forced a smile.

  "I'm telling you, Xiao Di, there are still a few days left in the holiday. Do you want to come with me to our home and play for a few days?" Jiang An Jie said loudly from the front seat.

  "No, I'd better go back to Lu's place."

  "Haha. I'm telling you, Xiao Di, men should not regret their decisions once they've made them. This time, having a disagreement with the family isn't a big deal, it'll pass after some days." Jiang Anjie said casually.

  "Yes, you always run away with a sulk whenever you have a disagreement at home and only come back when your family finds you. Brother, you're too much! Hmph." Jiang Anni was very dissatisfied, "Qu Mingjun, don't learn from him!"

  "Uh, oh."

  "Ah, haha......" Jiang Anjie scratched his head.

  ……

  Shi Men Military Academy, I'm back ahead of schedule!