CH92 - War

"My sister always told me that when facing real engineers, one must maintain a sense of reverence because these individuals strive for a better future for humanity. While materially, those of us providing creative enjoyment of technology may be wealthier, spiritually, you, who lead technological advancements, are even richer and more fulfilled."

"Oh-ha-ha-ha~~~" Spielberg laughed heartily.

Applauding, he said, "Wow, Ethan, your sister and your insights are truly profound!"

"Not to mention—"

"At least higher than your technical skills and inspiration—"

At this point, he turned to his son, "Steven, you should learn more from Ethan!"

"If you could speak like him, then I wouldn't have to worry about you causing trouble outside every day!"

Steven Spielberg rolled his eyes at these words.

Ethan on the other hand, waved his hand, expressing humility.

Yes, he admitted, what he said was just a matter of formality.

But so what?

This was everyone's first meeting, and even if there were connections, it still counted as being strangers.

In this situation, saying something pleasant made both sides comfortable.

After the laughter, Spielberg turned the conversation to the matter he cared about the most.

"Ethan, I heard... your father is a military man?"

This question made Ethan pause because he didn't know why the other person suddenly asked about this.

However, in Ethan view, there was nothing wrong with his family background, so he nodded, "Yes, Arnold, my father is a military man. If I remember correctly, he enlisted after WW2, around 1948, right?"

Here, he suddenly laughed and sighed, "In my memory, his purpose for joining the military was very simple, wanting to secure a stable, well-paying job. So, when he was twenty, he joined the military."

"But unfortunately, his luck was not good because according to his plan, he would choose to retire after twenty years of service, in 1968. But unexpectedly, in 1965, he was sent to Vietnam and stayed there forever."

Honestly, when telling this story, Ethan didn't have much empathy.

He only received the memories of the original body and did not personally experience those facts.

But in the narration, he still felt a bit helpless.

Because in his opinion, the father of the original owner of this body was really unlucky.

Just three more years, and he could have returned home and enjoyed family happiness at the age of forty.

As a result...

A war turned everything into nothing.

This was really...

Sigh!

Just as he shook his head helplessly, Spielberg nodded repeatedly.

His body slightly lifted, moving to Ethan's side, he patted his shoulder.

Then, this prosperous-looking guy spoke with a nostalgic tone, "Kid, your father loves you."

"Because after twenty years of service and retirement, he can enjoy the highest standard of treatment."

"If your father successfully retires, he can not only get a government-assigned job, but also provide you and your mother with a more convenient educational environment, employment benefits, and government-sponsored health insurance."

"And from what I know, as long as the veteran is alive, these family benefits will continue to exist."

"So, your father is not serving for himself but for the entire family."

'?'

Such words made Ethan a bit surprised.

In fact, after crossing over, when he learned that the father of the original body had been in the military until he sacrificed, he was confused because he didn't understand why the original owner's father continued to serve while having a family, instead of choosing to retire.

It wasn't until Thomas told him that the man who stayed in Vietnam just wanted to complete the longest service period to obtain national subsidies for the family that he understood how great the original owner's father was.

But these contents should be special regulations in the military, right?

In an era of undeveloped information, how did Steven Spielberg's old man know about it?

And in his confusion, Spielberg, after patting his shoulder, took the initiative to stand up.

After smiling and nodding farewell to the three present, he pushed the door and left.

More importantly, when Spielberg first arrived, he walked with vigor, but now, he seemed a bit unsteady.

This situation puzzled Ethan but with Spielberg's disappearance, his son, Steven Spielberg, clarified for Ethan Jones, "Ethan, is your father a military man? Why didn't you say so earlier?"

"Ah? What's the problem with that?" Ethan didn't understand.

"Of course, there's a problem." Steven Spielberg took a deep breath and said, "Because my dad can't hear about these things."

"What?" Ethan still didn't understand.

"Because my dad also served in the military." Steven Spielberg said, "That was in 1941."

"He experienced WW2 and bid farewell to many comrades."

"The Professor Baer you're looking for is the same; he enlisted in 1943 and also participated in WW2."

"Perhaps for today's American society, the war in Vietnam is very disgraceful, but for them, war is war. Whether you win or lose, the nature is the same. The so-called battlefield is a huge slaughterhouse, and the soldiers involved have no right to choose their life or death, only to obey orders."

"Good luck, win the war, still alive, then you can enjoy glory."

"Bad luck, lose the war, dead, then your descendants will bear the infamy."

"They hate this kind of thing very much and don't want to hear that another soldier's child has become an orphan because of the war..."

"Because those who came down alive from the battlefield, they sent away many widows."

At this point, Steven Spielberg let out a heavy sigh.

And with the sound of the air escaping, Ethan's eyes were filled with incredulity.

Steven Spielberg's old man and Ralph Baer both served in the military?

Damn!