Though Yueyue couldn’t understand Hongying’s words, Gu Jianing, who could, was there to translate for them.
After listening, Yueyue stroked the fur on Hongying’s head and said, “Yueyue will. Hongying must take care of herself too. Hongying will definitely become the most amazing military dog.”
Finally, it was Xingxing and Leiting’s turn.
The child and the dog were both introverted by nature.
Usually, Xingxing played the most with Leiting, and their bond was the strongest.
After that night when they faced life and death together, their connection seemed to deepen even further.
Before Leiting could speak, Xingxing hugged him tightly.
His voice was childish but firm. “Leiting, you have to wait for me.”
“I’ll grow up to be a soldier like Dad, and then we’ll fight side by side!”
“Fight side by side”—it was a phrase Xingxing had recently picked up from the war stories he’d been reading.
Leiting tilted his head, thinking that he probably wouldn’t still be in service by the time Xingxing grew up and became a soldier.
But he didn’t want to disappoint Xingxing.
So he agreed. “Okay, I’ll wait for you!”
“Mm! When that time comes, we’ll definitely be the strongest!” Xingxing clenched his little fist.
“Mm, the strongest.”
Though Xingxing couldn’t understand Leiting’s words, he could grasp his meaning from the dog’s body language.
The thought of fighting alongside Leiting someday lifted Xingxing’s spirits considerably.
…
When Chen Han learned that all four of Amber’s pups were willing to become military dogs, he was overjoyed.
Originally, he had thought even one or two would be a good outcome.
“Alright.”
“They’ll need to be sent to the military dog training base for standardized training.”
“After that, they’ll be assigned to the military regions where they’re needed.”
“Coincidentally, in three days, our military region will be sending a batch of prospective military dogs to the training base. They can go together then.”
Sheng Zexi relayed the news to everyone upon his return.
No one had expected the farewell to come so soon.
Only three days.
After that, Hongying and the others would leave for the military dog training base.
And then, they would each go their separate ways.
No one knew when they might meet again.
“Let’s not be sad. Hongying, Leiting, Shandian, and Lijian—their becoming military dogs is a testament to their abilities, and it’s something to be proud of. We should be happy for them.”
“These three days, let’s make the most of them,” Gu Jianing said.
As if aware of the impending separation, Hongying and Leiting spent every moment of those three days clinging to Xingxing and Yueyue.
Of course, they were also reluctant to part with Amber, their mother, as well as Gu Jianing and Sheng Zexi.
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
Soon, it was time to say goodbye.
That morning, Xingxing and Yueyue woke up early and followed Sheng Zexi, Gu Jianing, and Amber to send Hongying, Leiting, Shandian, and Lijian off to the transport vehicle.
The truck was filled with prospective military dogs being sent to the training base.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, once they completed their training, they would officially become military dogs and begin their service.
Yueyue clung to Hongying, unwilling to let go.
But in the end, amid the urging voices, she had no choice but to release her.
Xingxing’s eyes reddened as he watched Leiting in the truck.
And Amber…
Amber had never imagined that her four children would follow the same path she once had as a military dog.
No one understood the life of a military dog better than she did.
Now, Amber could only hope that her four pups would stay safe and sound, smoothly making it through until their retirement.
A child traveling a thousand miles weighs heavy on a mother’s heart—how could Amber, as their mother, not worry?
But she knew that worrying was useless. All she could do was pray.
The moment the truck door closed and the engine started, Yueyue finally couldn’t hold back any longer and burst into loud sobs.
Gu Jianing pulled her daughter into her arms, gently patting her back.
Sheng Zexi also embraced Xingxing, whose eyes were red as he fought hard not to cry.
But the moment Xingxing leaned into his father’s arms, the tears he had been holding back finally fell.
As for Amber, she kept her gaze fixed on the departing truck, unable to look away…
In life, we always have to face many goodbyes.
May all farewells lead to reunions—that is the best hope one can have.
…
The departure of Hongying, Leiting, and the other pups cast a shadow over the entire household.
Even Gu Jianing and Sheng Zexi felt the emptiness every time they returned home.
Before, they would always see Xingxing and Yueyue playing joyfully with the pups, filling the house with warmth and liveliness.
The ones who struggled the most were Xingxing and Yueyue.
Every time they went to daycare, it had always been Hongying, Leiting, and the others taking turns escorting them.
And in the afternoon, it was the same—their furry friends would pick them up.
Now, without their little companions on the way, Xingxing and Yueyue found it hard to adjust.
The two little ones even cried in secret a few times.
Amber, as their mother, handled it better.
Perhaps she had long realized that children were like kites in one’s hands—sooner or later, you had to let go and allow them to soar high on their own.
The somber mood in the household only lifted a little when the day of the awards ceremony arrived.
Worth mentioning was the map Sheng Zexi brought home that day.
Sheng Zexi, Xingxing, and Yueyue each had the choice of selecting either property or land.
Sheng Zexi’s share, naturally, was left for Gu Jianing to decide.
Gu Jianing chose a plot of land in Pudong, Shanghai.
She could have picked Puxi as well, but the size difference between the two plots was significant.
The Puxi plot was small, while the Pudong one was surprisingly large—a full acre.
The reason? Probably because Pudong was still largely undeveloped at the time.
But only Gu Jianing knew just how much Pudong would flourish in the future.
So without hesitation, she chose the Pudong land.
Sheng Zexi wasn’t surprised when he saw her decision.
Though he didn’t fully understand, he trusted that Ningning’s choice was the best.
As for Xingxing and Yueyue’s selections, Gu Jianing didn’t interfere.
The two little ones huddled together with the map, discussed for a while, and then each picked a property—one in Beijing and one in Shanghai.
Gu Jianing checked their choices and found them quite good.
Most importantly, these properties now belonged to the two kids.
Once the transfers were processed, these two toddlers—just over two years old—would officially own real estate.
How amazing was that?
Tonight wasn’t just the awards ceremony—it was also Gu Jianing’s birthday.
Early in the morning, she received birthday wishes over the phone from her family back in Huaihua Village.
Then came the gifts from Sheng Zexi and the children.
Truthfully, Gu Jianing had almost forgotten her own birthday.
Even if she had nearly overlooked it, her loving family remembered.
How touching was that?
After all, only those who truly care about you and love you will hold every little thing about you close to their hearts—isn’t that right?
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