C06
“It’s not that the country has abandoned us. As soldiers, sacrificing our lives for the nation is an honor. We’ve always refused the country’s generous support because we didn’t want to add to its burdens.”
He didn’t have to explain himself like that. The old commander shook his head, his eyes filled with guilt as he looked at me. “Your family has always honored this country. But we-” His voice cracked. “We couldn’t even protect a young girl like you. I’m not worthy of being a soldier of the people.”
After that, he raised his hand to slap his face. It startled me so much that I threw my arms around him to stop him. “Sir, please, don’t do this! I’ve never blamed you,” I said urgently.
After much comfort, he finally calmed down a bit. He first looked me up and down with concern. When he noticed the dense scars all over my body, his expression turned sorrowful again. “Little lady, you’ve suffered.”
He stroked my head as if he had made up his mind. “You should rest well tonight. We will definitely give you an explanation.”
The others echoed him. “Yes! Just wait–we’ll make them pay for what they’ve done to you!”
“We can’t let our heroes shed blood and tears!”
The earnestness in their expressions rekindled hope in me for the first time in a long time. Overwhelmed, I saluted them. “Thank you, Commander–in–Chief! Thank you, uncles.”
“Why call me Commander–in–Chief!? Call me Grandpa Miles. From now on, you’re my granddaughter.” His expression was serious, filled with complex emotions.
My eyes suddenly turned red and I choked out, “Thank you, Grandpa Miles.”
They arranged for me to be admitted to the military hospital, where I underwent a comprehensive examination and received a medical report documenting my injuries. That night, the military hospital was bustling with activity.
My family’s former comrades–in–arms came to see me, surrounding me. Some asked if I was hungry, others asked if I was cold. They were afraid that I would suffer even the slightest grievance.
On Grandpa Miles’s orders, someone called the principal of my university. However, the principal scoffed when he heard it was the military, muttered something about fraud and hung up. When they tried calling again, the phone went straight to voicemail.
The officers were furious. One of them trembled with anger, slamming his hand on the table. “How did a useless fool like that become a principal?”
Grandpa Miles didn’t have the patience for that. He directly ordered the guards to drive me to the university. I walked this road again, but I held my head high this time because I was no longer alone.
The car drove to the university and Grandpa Miles didn’t stop frowning along the way as if he was brewing some decisive move. A familiar figure entered my sight when the vehicle stopped at the gate.
Not far off, my counselor was carrying shopping bags, laughing and chatting with Jasmine. Judging by their relaxed demeanor, they’d just returned from a shopping spree. The two looked as close as sisters.
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8:51 AM D
T Be Your Pride
Jasmine even playfully patted Cynthia on the shoulder, saying, “My mom’s really happy with how you handled things. If Yelena Young dares show her face around here, just let me know–I’ll deal with her myself.”
“Don’t worry, she wouldn’t dare come back even if she had ten lives.” Cynthia smiled broadly.
Their carefree conversation stopped when they saw me get out of the car. Jasmine froze for a moment, then let out a mocking laugh. “Well, well, here is the one I am looking for! And you’ve delivered yourself to my doorstep? Are you tired of living?”
“Let me see who dares to say my granddaughter is tired of living.” With a dignified face, Grandpa Miles stood in front of me with the support of plainclothes guards. His hawk–like eyes swept over Jasmine with the sharp and decisive gaze unique to veteran soldiers.
Cynthia and Jasmine exchanged a look, then smiled from ear to ear. “Where did this fake grandpa come from? What? Does he come here to pick a fight?”
Cynthia laughed so hard she had to wipe away
