Chapter 498, Extra Chapter 5: Returning Home

Bai Nuo's eyes instantly welled up with tears as she watched the person slowly walk off the plane.

After leaving home at the age of fourteen, she never had the chance to see her grandmother again. When she first arrived in Shanghai, she was also uneasy, afraid that she would never see her grandmother again and that she would never be able to go home again.

After nearly five years, I finally saw my grandmother again.

Although her grandmother was domineering, strict, and had many rules, she gave all her tenderness and affection to her.

"grandmother!"

The little girl's eyes were red, and tears streamed down her cheeks uncontrollably like broken beads, but the smile on her face was brighter and more radiant than the summer sun.

Her brand-new military uniform was crisp and neat, and the epaulets gleamed softly in the setting sun, transforming her former naivety into resilience and strength.

"grandmother!"

She lowered her voice, her voice choked with sobs, but her steps were firm and powerful as she strode out, almost rushing to her grandmother's side.

This time, however, Bai Nuo did not rush into her grandmother's arms as she did when she was a child. Instead, she subconsciously straightened her back, trying to give a standard military salute, before hugging the person in front of her tightly with both arms.

She buried her face deeply in her grandmother's shoulder, rubbing against it as if she were embracing her whole world.

Wei Qianhong, the current head of the Wei family, was once a dazzling and outstanding talent in the entire capital city. She possessed a bright and beautiful face that had amazed countless young talents. However, after getting to know her, all that people remembered was her ruthless methods, her vicious style, her almost supernatural intelligence, and her powerful family background.

Compared to these things, appearance becomes the least important.

Even though time has passed and she is over sixty, time seems to have been exceptionally kind to this intelligent and beautiful woman, making her look like she is only in her forties.

She wore a light gold fitted top, her long black hair was neatly styled and adorned with an exquisite antique jade hairpin, her simple elegance was more profound than any jewels.

Simply standing there quietly, without saying a word, a silent majesty naturally emanated from him. It wasn't a deliberately created sense of oppression, but rather a warm yet unshakeable presence, like ancient jade.

Time seems to have settled upon her, transforming into a serene and clear gaze deep within her eyes, reflecting the turmoil of the world yet remaining undisturbed by any disturbance.

Wei Xianhong, the pillar of the Wei family, steadfastly holds the helm amidst storms, and is also the fertile soil that nourishes everything, silently maintaining the vast root system and order.

In her presence, one unconsciously becomes composed and feels reverence, for what one senses is not just a person, but a living history, a spirit and weight passed down for thousands of years.

Throughout the upper echelons of the capital, no one dared to defer to the patriarch. Even the most dissolute and arrogant sons of the family would involuntarily suppress their arrogance and debauchery in her presence, daring not to act recklessly in the slightest.

But there was one exception.

Wei Qianhong's lips curved into a loving smile as she gently stroked the small head resting on her shoulder. Her voice was soft and tender, filled with unwavering affection:

"Sweetie, let Grandma take a good look at you."

She firmly placed her hands on her granddaughter's shoulders, gently pulling her away from her embrace. Her gaze fell upon a woman in a crisp military uniform, and a face that resembled her daughter's in her memory, yet was even more delicate and charming.

At this moment, the Wei family head, who had never known what fragility was, couldn't help but have tears welling up in his eyes.

“My Niu Niu has grown up… she’s wearing this military uniform, just like your mother did back then.” Her voice was slightly choked, but every word was clear. “It’s wonderful. Niu Niu has become the pride of your grandmother and your mother, and also the pride of our Wei family.”

She gently held her granddaughter's hand; her fingertips were warm and strong.

"Are you tired? Don't worry, Grandma's back."

Without flowery language or deliberate sentimentality, these simple words fully express Wei Qianhong's deep-seated tenderness and pride.

That is the most solid support that elders who have weathered many storms can provide, silent yet incredibly heavy.

"Not tired!" The girl smiled brightly, her eyes crinkling, and gently shook her head. She snuggled into her grandmother's arms again, took a deep breath, and felt the familiar scent and warmth filling her nostrils.

"Grandma, Niu Niu isn't tired at all, she just misses you. As long as you come back, everything will be alright!"

"Oh, you just miss your grandma!" Bai Zhicheng, who finally found an opportunity to get closer, walked to his wife's side and looked at his beloved granddaughter who was snuggling in his wife's arms with a smile.

A few wrinkles have appeared on his refined and handsome face, but one can still vaguely see the extraordinary good looks he had in his youth.

Bai Zhicheng, the highest-ranking academician of the Institute of Weaponry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, is undoubtedly a national treasure.

The Bai family has produced many talented scholars since ancient times, and Bai Zhicheng was the most valued grandson of the late patriarch of the Bai family. The patriarch once praised him as an outstanding descendant of the Bai family that was rare in a hundred years.

His refined and gentle demeanor was not the effeminate grace of a weak scholar, but rather the wisdom and composure that comes from the experience of life. The faint lines at the corners of his eyes did not conceal the hardships of life, but rather wisdom and serenity.

When he looked up, his gaze was calm and clear, as if he could see into people's hearts at a glance, yet without any oppression, leaving only a deep understanding and awareness.

Bai Zhicheng is like a piece of ancient jade, gentle and smooth on the outside, resilient on the inside. He is never seen speaking harshly or sternly, and his profound knowledge and personal charm naturally win people's hearts.

It is a long-lasting and powerful force rooted in culture and refinement.

But at this moment, Bai Zhicheng looked at his granddaughter with a smile, his eyes still showing a hint of grievance at being ignored by the little darling.

He is no longer the calm, composed, and computationally skilled Professor Bai from the research institute; he is now just an ordinary old man overjoyed to see his granddaughter.

"Grandpa, Niu Niu misses you so much!"

Bai Nuo gently stepped away from her grandmother's arms, turned around, and jumped directly into her grandfather's arms.

Grandpa's arms are still strong and powerful, and he can still catch her when she pounces on him, just like he did when she was a child.

At this moment, she was neither the invincible vice-captain of an independent team, nor the terrifying and insane "Blood Vine" in the enemy's words.

She was just a cute and lively granddaughter in her grandparents' arms, a little girl who relied entirely on her elders.

Bai Zhicheng easily picked up the girl in his arms, just like when she was a child, and let her sit steadily on his arm. He placed his other hand protectively beside him, a cheerful and gentle smile on his face. He even deliberately weighed her in his hand, his warm voice carrying a hint of teasing the "child":

"Hey, whose kid is this? He's been running around outside, but he hasn't gained much weight, and he's still so short."

"Grandpa!!!"

"Hahaha, oh—it's Bai Zhicheng's little bean bun!"