Dare to shirk responsibility? This adorable little one will tear down your military district!

The commander's office door was wide open.

Gu Changfeng had just carried Meng Yaya to the door when Lei Zhentian's hearty voice boomed from inside: "You're here? Quick, bring my little hero in!"

The smoke in the room had mostly dissipated, and the windows were open for ventilation. Lei Zhentian wasn't sitting behind his large desk; instead, he was pacing back and forth in the middle of the room with his hands behind his back, his excitement still evident on his face.

"Commander." Gu Changfeng entered the room and saluted with one hand.

Nestled in Gu Changfeng's arms, Meng Yaya mimicked his gesture, raising her chubby little hand and calling out in her sweet, childish voice, "Hello, Commander-in-Chief!"

This amused Lei Zhentian.

He took two steps forward, and his large, calloused hands snatched Ya Ya from Gu Changfeng's arms, lifted her high, and spun her around.

"Good! Well done, little rascal!" Lei Zhentian's stubble-covered face brushed against Ya Ya's tender little face, making Ya Ya shrink back. "A box of broken bricks, exchanged for more than ten years of peace in our military region. That's a shrewd deal!"

Meng Yaya felt a little dizzy from being lifted up, but she understood everything perfectly.

The spy has been caught; now it's time to divide the spoils.

Gu Changfeng stood aside, watching his boss, who usually killed anyone in sight, now look like a child trafficker. He cleared his throat helplessly and said, "Commander, the child is timid. Please don't frighten her."

"She's a coward?" Lei Zhentian put Ya Ya down, glared at Gu Changfeng, and said, "She dared to torture the spy in the interrogation room, and dared to devise a plan to make that old fox carry bricks for five kilometers. She's bolder than you!"

After saying that, Lei Zhentian turned around and walked to the table, picked up the red velvet box and the thick envelope next to it.

He crouched down, his line of sight level with Meng Yaya's.

"Ya Ya, you've done a great job this time." Lei Zhentian's playful smile vanished, replaced by a serious and solemn tone. "In principle, this achievement deserves a commendation throughout the entire army, and you should be awarded a big red flower."

Meng Yaya blinked her big eyes, remained silent, and waited for what was to come.

"However," Lei Zhentian changed the subject, his tone softening with affection, "you're too young. The nail that sticks out gets hammered down. Even though those spies have been caught, there's no guarantee there aren't some spies still out there. To praise you so publicly would be pushing you into a fire pit."

Gu Changfeng nodded slightly beside him. This was also what he was worried about.

"Therefore, the military region party committee has decided to award you a 'commendation for maintaining secrecy'."

Lei Zhentian opened the red box.

Inside lay a gleaming gold medal, devoid of elaborate patterns, bearing only a red five-pointed star and a serial number engraved on its back.

"This is your glory, but you can only keep it at home to see, understand?"

Meng Yaya reached out her little hand and touched the cold medal.

She understands.

In the apocalypse, keeping your wealth hidden is the first rule of survival. This old man is a wise man, and he genuinely cares for her.

"Thank you, Grandpa!" Meng Yaya called out sweetly, then quickly closed the box and stuffed it into her little yellow backpack.

The movements were fluid and fast, almost dazzling.

Lei Zhentian was taken aback, then burst into laughter: "Hahahaha! Changfeng, look at this girl, she's an honest person! She doesn't want any empty promises, she just wants to take the money and be done with it!"

Then he handed over the thick envelope.

"This is the bonus, three hundred yuan."

When money was mentioned, Meng Yaya's eyes lit up completely.

What was the concept of 300 yuan in the 1960s?

At that time, a regular worker's salary was only twenty or thirty yuan. Three hundred yuan was enough for an ordinary family to live comfortably for two years, enough to exchange for dozens of kilograms of pork on the black market, or enough to buy a lot of polyester fabric.

In the apocalypse, paper money is worthless, too rough even to wipe your bottom with. But right now, it's hard currency.

Meng Yaya took the envelope without Gu Changfeng's help. With her chubby little hands, she held the envelope and poured it into her hand. With a "whoosh," the brand-new green banknotes scattered in her hand.

She didn't hide it from anyone and started counting money in front of the commander.

One, two, three...

Gu Changfeng's face turned bright red; he wished he could disappear into the ground. He never lacked for the child's food or drink, so why was he acting like a little miser?

"Ahem, Ya Ya..." Gu Changfeng wanted to remind his daughter to be mindful of her image.

"Thirty bills, just right!" Meng Yaya counted them, stuffed the money into the envelope, tucked it into her clothes, and patted it warily. "Dad, this money is for Mom to manage. Don't even think about using it to buy cigarettes."

Gu Changfeng: "..."

Lei Zhentian laughed so hard he slapped his thigh: "That's right! Your mother should be in charge! Men go bad when they have money. If your dad dares to squander it, come find your godfather, and I'll beat him up!"

Gu Changfeng rubbed his nose helplessly. Well, now he had absolutely no standing in this family.

They gave me a medal and a sum of money.

Logically, now that the official business is finished, it's time to see the guests off.

But Lei Zhentian didn't move, and Meng Yaya didn't leave either.

Two foxes, one big and one small, stared at each other.

Meng Yaya knew that when the old man mentioned "good stuff" upstairs, he definitely wasn't referring to these government rewards. The medals and money were necessary, but the old man wanted to adopt her as his goddaughter; he wouldn't agree without spending some money.

"Grandpa," Meng Yaya tilted her head and lifted her little yellow backpack higher, "My mom is still waiting for me at home for dinner. If there's nothing else..."

This is a push.

Lei Zhentian was rendered speechless by the little girl's cleverness.

"You little rascal, you won't act until you see the benefit, huh?" Lei Zhentian shook his head and turned to walk to the locked safe.

He shielded himself and fiddled with the combination lock for a long time, making a "click-clack" sound as he turned it.

Gu Changfeng was somewhat curious.

Commander, this safe contains top-secret documents. Even the chief of staff is not allowed to get close to it normally. What are you going to take out today?

After a while, Lei Zhentian took out a long, narrow sandalwood box from the deepest part of the safe.

The box is quite old; the edges are worn smooth and shiny.

"This thing has been with me for most of my life." Lei Zhentian held the box, his tone unusually tinged with nostalgia and a sense of vicissitude.

"I originally intended to leave it to my grandson, but unfortunately my sons are all unworthy and mischievous, they don't deserve this item."

He walked up to Meng Yaya and handed her the box.

"Open it and take a look."

Meng Yaya took the box.

It feels slightly heavy in the hand and has a pleasant woody scent.

She glanced at Gu Changfeng, and seeing her father nod, she reached out her little hand and gently unfastened the copper clasp on the box.

The lid pops open.

Inside, a layer of red silk cloth was laid out, and in the very center of the red silk lay a "gun" that was only the size of a palm.

It's not the real thing.

It is hand-carved from the finest rosewood, with the gun body polished smooth as jade. Even the sights and trigger are carved lifelike, and you can even smell a faint gun oil scent.

But that's not the most crucial point.

Most importantly, a sparkling ruby ​​is inlaid in the stock; although small, it reflects a dazzling light in the sunlight.

Below the gun barrel are two powerful small characters engraved on it—"Zhentian" (震天).

Gu Changfeng gasped.

He had heard of this wooden gun.

It was carved by an old carpenter three years ago when Lei Zhentian was still fighting as a guerrilla, to express his gratitude for saving his life. Lei Zhentian always carried this gun with him afterward; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it a talisman.

This is not just a toy; it is Lei Zhentian's keepsake!

"Do you like it?" Lei Zhentian observed Ya Ya's expression.

Meng Yaya reached out and picked up the small wooden gun, holding it in her hand. It was the perfect size, heavy, and felt great in her hand.

She raised her hand, squinted one eye, and pointed the gun at a sparrow outside the window.

"Bang." She made a soft sound.

The sparrow seemed to sense the murderous intent and flew away in fright, flapping its wings.

"I love it!" Meng Yaya put the gun away, stroking the ruby ​​on the stock with obvious delight. "Grandpa, can this gun shoot bad guys?"

"able!"

Lei Zhentian waved his hand, his voice so loud that it could be heard throughout the entire corridor.

He took out a small red booklet with an official seal from his pocket and solemnly placed it in Meng Yaya's hand.

"Take this gun and this pass. From now on, you can go wherever you want in this military compound, except for the ammunition depot and the confidential room! If any fool dares to bully you, just hit them on the head with this gun!"

Gu Changfeng stared at the little red book, his eyelids twitching wildly.

That's a special pass for the military region.

There are very few people in the entire military region who have this.

With this, Meng Yaya can go anywhere to play; she's clearly got a royal sword!

"Remember this," Lei Zhentian bent down, tapped Meng Yaya's little nose, and said with a half-smile, "In the future, don't say you're Gu Changfeng's daughter when you're out in public."

"Then what should I say?" Meng Yaya blinked.

"I told you..." Lei Zhentian straightened up, exuding domineering aura, "You're under my protection!"