For Lu Mingyu, this night was destined to be a sleepless one.
He lay on his bed, tossing and turning.
In his mind, Gu Lina Zha's words, “Alright, Captain Lu,” replayed over and over again.
He began to uncontrollably fantasize about their future.
He needed to find a way to buy the biggest and brightest diamond ring.
He wanted to give her the grandest wedding in the world.
How their future home would be decorated, what kind of sofa and curtains they would buy.
What she liked to eat, and what she didn't.
He even started to ponder whether their future child would resemble him more or her more.
This man, using the brain that was accustomed to thinking about tactics and missions,
Clumsily yet earnestly planned the most trivial yet happiest future for the two of them.
It wasn't until the sky outside the window began to lighten with the pale glow of dawn that the excitement in his eyes slowly faded.
It was replaced by fatigue, but even so, the curve of his lips never disappeared.
The next morning, Lu Mingyu walked downstairs with faint dark circles under his eyes, yet full of energy.
As soon as he reached the stairwell, he saw his mother, Zheng Qing, sitting on the sofa in the living room, seemingly waiting specifically for him.
“Mom, you’re up so early.”
Lu Mingyu walked over, his voice hoarse from a sleepless night.
Zheng Qing looked up and saw the dark circles under her son’s eyes.
Instead of scolding him, her eyes held a knowing smile.
“Come here, Mingyu, sit.”
She patted the spot next to her.
Lu Mingyu sat down as she instructed.
Zheng Qing picked up a bank card from the coffee table beside her and handed it to Lu Mingyu.
“Take this.”
Lu Mingyu looked at the bank card, a little puzzled.
“Mom, what is this for? My allowance is enough.”
Zheng Qing ignored his words.
She just pushed the card forward again, her tone gentle but unyielding.
“The money in here is what your father and I have been saving for you since you were born.”
“Originally, it was for your wedding and for raising children later.”
“Although you’ve become successful now and can earn your own money, this is a small token of our affection as parents.”
Zheng Qing’s voice was soft, but every word heavily struck Lu Mingyu’s heart.
He looked at the fine lines around his mother’s eyes and the few silver hairs that had subtly appeared at her temples.
A warm current instantly surged through his entire body, and his eyes couldn't help but feel a little warm.
He was a soldier; he shed blood, not tears.
But at this moment, he almost couldn't control his emotions.
He took the card, feeling its weight in his palm.
It wasn't the weight of a card, but the heavy love of his parents over more than twenty years.
“Mom, thank you.”
His voice became a little choked.
Lu Mingyu took a deep breath, composed himself, and then looked at Zheng Qing with extreme seriousness.
“I promise you, no matter how busy I am, I will come home to see you at least once a month.”
For a special operations captain who was constantly on missions and whose whereabouts were uncertain, this was a very weighty promise.
Zheng Qing, upon hearing this, gave him a chiding glance.
“Don’t try to coax me with such words.”
“If you have this intention, then hurry up and bring my good daughter-in-law home so your father and I can see her.”
“That would be much more useful than you coming back once a month.”
Hearing his mother mention Gu Lina Zha, a genuine smile immediately appeared on Lu Mingyu’s face.
“Soon, Mom.”
He gripped the bank card in his hand, his tone filled with unprecedented determination and confidence.
“Soon, you’ll be able to see her.”
Zheng Qing looked at the happiness on her son’s face that he couldn’t hide.
Knowing that he wasn't just humoring her, her heart finally settled.
“Alright, hurry to the military, don’t be late.”
She urged.
“Okay.”
Lu Mingyu stood up. He walked in front of Zheng Qing, suddenly bent down, and gave her a loud kiss on her cheek.
This sudden affectionate gesture made Zheng Qing freeze for a moment.
By the time she reacted, Lu Mingyu had already picked up his jacket from the entrance and strode out of the house.
Zheng Qing raised her hand to touch the spot where her son had kissed her, a satisfied and happy smile appearing on her face.
She looked at the back of her son, who had grown much taller than her.
With broad shoulders capable of supporting a sky, she let out a contented sigh.
Her son had truly grown up and finally found his own happiness.
Lu Mingyu returned to the Megakaryocyte Special Operations Group’s training base.
The air immediately filled with the scent of steel and sweat.
This familiar smell quickly pulled him away from the warmth of his family, switching him back to his identity as a special operations captain.
His steps were steady, and his face was stern.
It was as if the son who had just acted spoiled and kissed his mother was merely an illusion.
“Captain, you’re finally back!”
A figure rushed over from the equipment room, his face filled with irrepressible excitement.
The person was Wu Tianlong.
“What’s so exciting?” Lu Mingyu looked at him, his steps not faltering.
Wu Tianlong chuckled, revealing a mouthful of white teeth, and mysteriously pulled him towards the equipment research and development room nearby.
“Captain, that new gadget I made doesn’t have a name yet.”
Wu Tianlong scratched his head, saying a little awkwardly:
“Captain, as you know, my brain is only good for research and development; naming things is still up to you.”
Lu Mingyu nodded. This thing would indeed be very useful in future operations.
Lu Mingyu pondered for a moment.
“It’s buried in the ground, and it’s a remote-controlled bomb, so let’s call it ‘Ground Bomb.’ It’s simple and easy to remember.”
“Ground Bomb? Good! That’s a good name, very down-to-earth!”
Wu Tianlong slapped his thigh, extremely satisfied with the name.
He added, “I’ve already contacted the arsenal.”
“They can send a batch of samples for testing within a week at the earliest.”
“If the test results are smooth and all data meets standards,”
“They can immediately increase production and prioritize distribution to us.”
Lu Mingyu handed the “Ground Bomb” back to him, a rare look of approval on his face.
“Well done, Tianlong.”
Receiving his captain’s affirmation, Wu Tianlong smiled even more happily.
But then he remembered another matter, and his expression became a little troubled.
“Oh, Captain, the higher-ups approved a reward fund for this research and development.”
“I told the brothers that we’d split the money equally.”
“After all, during training and testing, everyone gave me a lot of inspiration.”
“But they all refused, saying they just talked and didn’t do much work, so the money should be mine alone.”
“This matter… what do you think we should do?”
Lu Mingyu glanced at him, his tone undeniable.
“They’re right.”
“This is something you stayed up countless nights to create; the credit is yours.”
“Take this money with peace of mind; it’s an order.”
Wu Tianlong knew his captain’s temper, and seeing him say this, he no longer refused.
“Yes, Captain!”
He scratched his head, his heart still warm.
Just as Lu Mingyu finished dealing with the “Ground Bomb” matter, the Commander’s communicator came looking for him.
“Captain Lu, the Commander wants you to go to the meeting room; there’s something to discuss.”
“Understood.”
Lu Mingyu arrived at the Commander’s meeting room and pushed open the door.
He found that besides the Commander, there were several people dressed in civilian clothes inside.
The leader was a middle-aged man wearing glasses, who looked refined and scholarly.