sbdcsierra Chapter 457 A Family of Three!
Chapter 457 A Family of Three!
Zhong Yuemin squatted on the spot, his arm still frozen in mid-air. The smile on his face froze instantly, then turned into a look of bewilderment, almost making him vomit blood from being "filial" to his own daughter.
Okay, that's really good!
That quirky, unconventional spirit is definitely Zhong Yuemin's offspring!
Hearing the noise inside, Zhong Shanyue came out wearing an apron. Seeing it was his son, he wasn't too surprised; he'd received a phone call earlier and knew what was going on.
The little girl quickly hid behind her grandfather, hugging his leg tightly, only peeking out half her head, her big eyes warily staring at the "bad boy who stole the child" outside.
Zhong Yuemin walked over and was somewhat surprised to see his father still wearing an apron and the aroma of food wafting from the kitchen.
"Dad, you're even cooking yourself?"
"Xiaobai is at work, so it's just the two of us at home. I'll make Ling'er something she likes to eat."
Zhong Shanyue spoke calmly, then turned and walked into the house.
"come in."
Once inside, the father and son exchanged a few words. Zhong Yuemin then took out the demobilization certificate and handed it over, his tone slightly probing:
"Dad, I... I've been discharged from the army. You won't be angry, will you?"
He hadn't told his family about this, fearing they wouldn't agree; he essentially acted first and informed them later.
Zhong Shanyue took it, glanced at it, and casually placed it on the table, his face expressionless.
"It's fine if they withdraw!"
This calm demeanor was somewhat unexpected, so I asked again.
"Aren't you angry? I've been in the army for over ten years, and I was a battalion commander. If I transfer to civilian work, I might end up unemployed."
Zhong Shanyue scoffed, his tone disdainful.
"What's so great about being a battalion commander? When I was your age, I was already a regimental commander."
As for a job, he knew this kid was running a pretty big business, so it didn't really matter whether he had one or not.
After pausing, he said:
"Times have changed. This is not a time for war. Staying in the army is just a waste of time. If it can save the country some expenses, it can be considered a contribution."
You're not young anymore. Xiaobai has to work alone and then come home to take care of the child. You, on the other hand, were having a good time outside. Now that you're back, it's time to shoulder the responsibilities of the family.
He pointed to his little granddaughter, who was still peeking out from behind the door.
"Look at you, even your own daughter doesn't recognize you. Take a rest, the food will be ready soon."
After saying that, he turned around and went back into the kitchen.
Only the father and daughter remained in the room. The little girl hid behind the table, curiously observing him. After a while...
"Are you really my father?" she asked softly, with lingering doubt.
Zhong Yuemin nodded, took out a bag of brightly colored fruit candies from his luggage, shook it, and launched his "sugar-coated bullet":
"Call me Daddy, and I'll give you candy."
The little girl didn't say a word. Instead, she ran to the dresser next to her, stood on tiptoe, pulled out a drawer, grabbed a handful of milk candies, and proudly showed them off to him.
"I have some too, Grandpa gave them to me. I have more than you, hmph!"
Zhong Yuemin chuckled. This girl was really hard to fool. He thought for a moment, then used his "trump card," pulling something from deep inside his bag: a miniature pistol model he had personally crafted and painted from hardwood in his spare time. It was exquisitely made and very realistic. He shook it...
"Then look at this, do you like it?"
The little girl's gaze was instantly drawn to it, her big, dark eyes lit up, and she called out in a clear, crisp voice:
"gun!"
"Like it?"
The little boy nodded vigorously, his face full of longing.
“Then call me ‘Dad,’ and I’ll give it to you.” Zhong Yuemin smiled and held up the wooden gun.
The little girl looked at the tempting "gun," then at the man in front of her who claimed to be her father, her face showing some confusion. Her grandfather had just told her that this wasn't a bad guy, but her father…
Finally, temptation overcame the last trace of unfamiliarity, and a crisp response came:
"father!"
"Eh!"
This shout made Zhong Yuemin overjoyed, even more so than if he had won a battle, and he immediately handed over the wooden gun.
The little girl took her beloved toy and happily ran around the table, constantly making "Biu! Biu!" sounds to imitate gunfire, never stopping for a moment. Such boundless energy is probably common among children.
For lunch, it was just the three of them—grandfather, grandfather, and grandson. Zhong Shanyue packed the food into a thermos and said to his son:
"You're back, that's perfect. I'll take the food to Xiaobai in a bit, I've already packed it."
“Okay,” Zhong Yuemin replied.
After lunch, Zhong Yuemin pushed out his old bicycle, a small child seat fixed to the crossbeam.
The little girl has already gotten along well with her "new dad," calling him "Daddy" nonstop and excitedly climbing into the chair to sit down.
"Daddy, ride faster, Mommy's hungry!" She clapped her little hands on the handlebars and rang the bell, giving commands.
Zhong Yuemin smiled and agreed, then started his bicycle. Not far, about twenty minutes later, they arrived at the military hospital where Xiaobai worked. The young girl knew the way well and ran ahead to lead the way, seemingly a regular.
"Slow down, don't fall!" Zhong Yuemin followed behind, carrying a lunchbox and giving instructions.
Zhou Xiaobai is now the deputy director of her department, holding the rank of senior colonel, and has her own private office. At this moment, a colleague, who was on his way to the cafeteria, casually asked her:
"Director Zhou, shall we go to the cafeteria for lunch together?"
"No, my family should be able to deliver it over in a bit. You can go ahead."
Zhou Xiaobai politely declined with a smile, not out of a desire to save money, as the Zhong family certainly didn't lack that amount.
Firstly, her father-in-law couldn't stay idle after retirement and took the initiative to do the housework and deliver meals, which he enjoyed. Secondly, and more importantly, after having a child, her heart was entirely devoted to her daughter. She would miss her terribly if she didn't see her for half a day, and she could take the opportunity of delivering meals at noon to hug and kiss her little baby.
Her colleague had barely left when she heard that familiar, sweet, childlike voice calling from outside the office door:
"Mommy! Mommy! Little Ling'er has brought you food!"
Zhou Xiaobai's face instantly blossomed into an extremely gentle smile, and she immediately got up to greet her at the door. There she saw her precious daughter running over on her short legs, struggling to carry a thermal lunchbox that was a bit too big for her, and she was running unsteadily.
"Slow down, run slowly, be careful not to fall." She squatted down and caught her daughter who had rushed into her arms, first gently wiping the fine beads of sweat from the child's forehead with a handkerchief.
"Mom, look!"
Little Ling'er couldn't wait to show off her new treasure. She raised the exquisite wooden pistol, squinted one eye, and pretended to aim.
"Daddy gave it to me! Isn't it beautiful? Biu! Biu!"
"Father?" Just as he was wondering,
Zhou Xiaobai looked up and saw Zhong Yuemin standing a few steps away, carrying another bag and smiling. He looked travel-worn but his eyes were bright.
The afternoon sun streamed through the corridor windows, bathing the family of three in warmth and tranquility.