Chapter 461 Joining the army... Are you happy?

"dad!"

Bai Nuo walked briskly into the commander's office, saw the man who had just hung up the phone, and walked over with a smile on her face.

"You're back? Are you alright?" Zhu Kaixuan quickly got up to greet her, pulled his daughter to sit down on the sofa, and then poured her a glass of warm water.

In fact, Zhu Kaixuan had already heard about Bai Nuo's return from the bodyguard. However, due to the special nature of the 917 Unit, he couldn't ask too many questions and could only stay in his office anxiously, fearing that his daughter had returned injured.

"It's alright, look, I'm perfectly fine!" Bai Nuo smiled and shook her head, secretly observing her father's expression. Seeing that he showed no other emotion besides concern for her injury, she felt relieved and said softly, "Dad, you actually guessed it a long time ago, didn't you?"

"I originally thought you were just an unofficial support staff member, and that your main job was in the public security system... I didn't expect you to be a formal team member."

Bai Nuo raised an eyebrow and smiled upon hearing this. So, her father had always assumed she was like An Yun and Sister Ya Nan. However… judging from Old Zhu's reaction, he probably didn't object.

That's good!

Whether you oppose it or not is irrelevant, but less trouble is always a good thing.

"Dad, I've received my transfer order. I'm going to resign from my job in the public security department and officially join the military through a special recruitment program. From now on, I'll be one of your soldiers! How about it... are you happy?" Bai Nuo put down her water glass, rested her elbows on the coffee table, and cupped her face in her hands, smiling as she looked at her father.

Zhu Kaixuan sighed softly, his eyes filled with a mixture of helplessness and relief, worry and pride.

He actually... didn't want his daughter to join the army. He only wished that his daughter could live a happy, healthy, and peaceful life under his protection, find an ordinary and stable job, have plenty of money, and enjoy life peacefully with her loved one.

He, as her father, should shield her from all the storms and hardships outside, ensuring she suffers no harm whatsoever.

This is his promise to his wife, his responsibility as a father, and his profound fatherly love for his daughter.

But his daughter still resolutely embarked on the path he and his wife had walked, determined to overcome all obstacles and go all the way.

"Niu Niu, are you happy being in the army...?"

Bai Nuo nodded without hesitation: "I'm happy, Dad. I'm so happy to wear the uniform and become a soldier."

“Dad, I didn’t understand Mom before. Why could she leave behind her elderly parents and me when I was young, just to protect the country and sacrifice her life for that uniform?”

They clearly have more money than they can spend, and given the status of the Bai and Wei families, they don't need to work so hard at all.

I resented my mother and hated you for abandoning me. I even thought it was because I was a fool who was ridiculed that you didn't want me... But my grandmother said that my mother and father loved me, but they were soldiers.

Can the phrase "they are soldiers" really explain everything?

Just because they say "they are soldiers," does that make everything seem perfectly reasonable?

When I was a child, I even thought that if I ever recovered, I would never join the army. Back then, I really hated being a soldier.

My eldest brother and Brother Fang left home to join the army. Later, even my second brother left to join the army. Because of this, I didn't speak to them for two years. I never read the letters they wrote home, and I just put the gifts they sent aside.

Bai Nuo smiled helplessly as she recalled her past self.

"Later, my grandmother took me to the No. 1 Military Region compound, where I saw many old men and women with injuries on their bodies and heard them tell many stories."

Later, I went to the Qishui Brigade and met the veterans who had been on the battlefield and saw the once brave and fearless warhorses.

Unlike the grandparents in Compound No. 1 who held high positions of power, they were equally honored. They were proud of their past selves and proud to have worn that military uniform.

Because they personally protected their country and people, they never regretted it, even if they were injured or disabled.

Similarly, I also met many ordinary people who survived the war. They lived in poverty, toiling in the fields day and night just to feed their families, but when they talked about soldiers, the pride and honor on their faces were so genuine.

And the sense of security that comes from hearing "People's Liberation Army" is irreplaceable.

I think I suddenly understand what it means to be a soldier in China, and I also understand the beliefs that Mom and you have as soldiers.

So I feel ashamed for having resented you... Actually, I've always wanted to apologize to Mom. The last time she left home, I angrily hid away and didn't say goodbye.

Bai Nuo had never said these words to anyone before; this was the first time she had revealed this deep-seated regret.

She thought she had long forgotten what happened back then, but she hadn't.

That regret had long since transformed into an obsession with avenging her mother. Even if it drove her completely mad, she would find those people one by one and end them with her own hands.

“Niu Niu…”

Zhu Kaixuan squatted down in front of his daughter, gently pulled the little girl with red eyes into his arms, and patted her back tenderly with his broad hands.

"It's okay, Mommy won't blame you, and Daddy certainly won't. Mommy and Daddy both love you. You are our precious baby, and our only baby."

You're right to blame your parents; we failed in our responsibilities as parents by leaving you with your grandparents when you were young. So you should blame us, and no reason should be an excuse.

Our little girl is wonderful; she's thriving in the remote countryside.

It's great that the police have solved so many major cases.

He inherited his grandfather's skills and independently developed equipment to promote the country's scientific and technological development, which is even better.

Now, being an outstanding national soldier is a source of pride for my parents.

Baby, whatever you do, as long as you believe it's right, be brave and do it. Mom and Dad will always support you and will always be proud of you. So don't blame yourself, and don't feel guilty... You did nothing wrong, never."

"dad……"

Bai Nuo raised her arms and gently wrapped them around her father's waist and back, just like when she was a child and saw her neighbor's older sister crying and being comforted by her father. She buried her face deeply in her father's broad shoulders and rubbed against him.

She wiped her eyes, which became even redder, and wiped away the tears that kept falling.

"Dad, thank you."

Zhu Kaixuan gently raised the corners of his mouth and patted the back of his daughter's head softly: "Baby, you never need to say these things to Daddy."

Actually, he should be the one saying thank you—thank you to his daughter for being willing to forgive and accept him as an irresponsible father.

His daughter will never know that it was her existence that gave him, upon returning from his mission, a reason to live again.