8mi Chapter 2 Just Kidding
Chapter 2 Just Kidding
Gu Jianing didn't have any bad intentions; she just wanted her brother to eat a pile of shit before he died.
So her outspokenness only earned her a beating from her mother in a fit of anger, after which she was left to lick her wounds alone.
It's understandable that his family reacted so strongly, treating Lu Zhao as if he were dead.
One will be a million bones.
This world did not experience the Tang, Song, Yuan, and Ming dynasties, but some sayings that should have appeared in later generations also appeared. It was not because of some profound theory such as the entanglement of world lines leading to projection, but simply because the logic of this saying was correct.
Since it's correct, it's easy to summarize.
The glory of the Great Expedition belongs to the Empire, but the bones of the soldiers belong only to small mounds.
"Do I want to receive a small mound of earth too?"
It's impossible to say that Lu Zhao was completely unafraid.
However, he did not panic because he was afraid of dying. What is there to panic about for someone who has died once?
He cleared his throat and tentatively said, "Mom and Dad, I think you shouldn't be so pessimistic. As long as I live, I might come back as a nobleman, right?"
The nobles here are not the stereotypical weak old men who need help in bed, but rather a special class in the Qin Dynasty.
Military aristocracy.
It is true that the Qin Dynasty's conscription system was cruel, and it is also true that every war brought a huge number of deaths. However, the emperor's rewards were truly generous.
If you're lucky, you might rise to the rank of corporal or sergeant in the army. If you come back alive, you can be assigned to an imperial enterprise, starting as a middle-level manager. If you die, you'll receive a large pension, extra points for your children's college entrance exams, and additional subsidies for your parents' retirement.
If one were to rise higher, one would be granted titles and honors, enjoying endless wealth and glory.
If Lu Zhao could achieve that level of accomplishment, he would leave a significant mark on this world. Perhaps, a thousand years later, when a second transmigrator arrives, he would discover a distinguished family called the Lu Clan.
However, his promises were not met with a positive response from his family, and were completely ignored.
The Gu family for three generations were honest, simple citizens. No one in them had ever learned martial arts, let alone inherited any skills. They were basically cannon fodder on the battlefield, their only purpose being to gain merit through sheer force.
Gu Yong bravely pulled out a cigarette and, unusually for him, lit it at home: "Wife, go find my liquor. I have an old classmate who works as an engineer at Guzhong Heavy Industry. He's probably going to war with the army. I'll go see him tomorrow and see if he can help me out."
"Okay! Alright!"
For the first time ever, Zhang Shuhua didn't scold him for smoking at home; instead, she hurriedly ran to the master bedroom.
However, Lu Zhao believes that seeking connections at this time is meaningless.
Qin law was harsh. Although it has become much more lenient than in the pre-Qin period with the development of the times, the punishment of killing the entire family is still retained.
The good news is that this punishment has a very narrow scope, and is only applicable to those convicted of treason.
The bad news is that refusing to be drafted is considered treason.
But he didn't say anything, so as not to upset his parents.
However, Gu Jianing said quietly, "Dad, finding connections for something like this would require some really strong connections."
"..."
This little girl really knows how to bring up the most sensitive topics.
Lu Zhao was speechless. He glared at her coldly and activated his older brother's skill: "Have you finished your homework? Go inside and do it!"
"Waaaaah~ Daddy, look at him!"
Gu Yong glared at him angrily: "Hurry up and go!"
The brother and sister usually bicker, and their parents sometimes try to smooth things over. Starting today, they will be enlisting in the army in a few days. Lu Zhao is the eldest.
After all, he's almost there.
However, just as his sister turned to go inside, Lu Zhao saw a line of words flashing blue light above her head.
At the same time, a savior-like voice rang out.
[Emotion collection system loading...]
Current emotion: Concern.
Collect the corresponding emotions and load the target's special abilities.
Lu Zhao never understood why some transmigrators would complain about this and that when they saw the system appear, and even curse at the slightest disagreement.
Right now, he only has one word in his mind.
father!!
He didn't have time to think about anything else; he rushed into the girl's room.
At this moment, Gu Jianing had just sat down on the edge of the bed, tears streaming down her face, but when she saw her older brother come in, she immediately wiped away her tears with her pajama sleeve.
"Why didn't you knock!"
Hmph, you seem to have a sharp tongue on the surface, but you're actually quite cunning behind closed doors, aren't you?
Even the Qin Dynasty couldn't escape the "tsundere younger sister" persona.
Lu Zhao looked up at the words above his sister's head, somewhat puzzled as to why a little girl who had just started high school would have a special skill that the system would load.
He fixed his eyes.
[Dog Breathing Lv1.]
[Loading progress 0%]
"..."
Why is the younger sister's special skill "Dog Breathing"?
Is she a dog?
It really is.
Lu Zhao didn't care about anything else and planned to get the ability first.
The system says that gaining attention will allow you to acquire extraordinary abilities.
Lu Zhao tentatively said, "Ningning, to be honest, I was just comforting Mom and Dad. Actually, once I leave, I probably won't be coming back."
Loading progress +10%.
The small pearl that Gu Jianing dropped has turned into a large pearl.
Hehe, it works.
Lu Zhao did not feel sorry for his sister's crying for a moment.
"But they've both been through thick and thin for decades, so they'll adapt quickly. The only thing I'm worried about in this family is you."
The large pearls have formed a line.
Loading progress +10%.
Lu Zhao continued, "If I don't come back, there's 782 yuan of pocket money in the bottom drawer of my desk. Take it; I don't have anything else to give you."
Loading progress +10%
Haha, it's so fun to tease my silly little sister.
"As for me, don't worry too much. Dying on the battlefield is the glory of the Qin people. At worst, I'll just be torn to pieces by the aliens."
Loading progress +10%
"They were deep-fried by alien barbarians."
Loading progress +10%
"Swallowed by the storm of the Void Sea, leaving no trace."
Loading progress +10%
"I was seduced into bed by a wandering Meizu using her beauty to drain my yang energy."
Gu Jianing: "Hmm?"
Loading progress +20%
"In short, Mom and Dad are getting old, and from now on, this family will depend on you. Put away your childishness, be a pillar of support, and live well in my place."
Loading progress +30%
[Special skill already equipped: Dog Breathing Lv1.]
Before she could take a closer look, Gu Jianing pounced on her like a giant octopus.
"elder brother--"
Woo woo woo.
Lu Zhao's body was enveloped by the youthful aura of a young girl, but perhaps due to the inertia of his body, or perhaps due to the lingering memories, he had no romantic thoughts.
Previously, she was nominally my cousin, but in reality, she was my younger sister.
That won't change in the future.
"Brother! Are you really not coming back?" Gu Jianing looked up.
Lu Zhao ruffled her hair: "Just kidding, I'll definitely come back."
Gu Jianing looked up at her tear-streaked face, looking a little bewildered.
No, you've built up the atmosphere to this point, and then you say you're just teasing me?
.....
In the middle of the night, Zhang Shuhua still managed to find two bottles of her treasured Daqin Ancient Cellar liquor, which cost over a thousand yuan a bottle. It was a must-have for giving as gifts through connections, and could even be used as hard currency in the market. Gu Yong usually couldn't bear to drink it.
No matter how much Lu Zhao tried to persuade them, they refused to cancel their plan to visit that "old classmate".
Zhang Shuhua repeatedly instructed, "It's unlikely that you won't be recruited. Don't mention it. If you do, they might not dare to hire you. Just arrange for Xiao Zhao to work in logistics. At least it's safer than working in the front."
"Yes, yes, I know."
Gu Yong had already smoked his eighth cigarette. "If I stay in the machine repair unit, I won't have to go to the front line."
Gu Jianing: "Li Yang's grandfather in our class was killed in the last expedition when he was in the machine repair unit."
She just can't control her mouth.
So he got another beating.
Only after everyone had finally gone to bed did Lu Zhao finally get some free time.
He returned to his room, ready to experience the "special effects" he had installed.
[Dog Breathing Lv1: Upon activation, increases the user's breathing rate to double dog speed, and boosts explosive power to 300% for two seconds.]