Rebirth in the Dragon Kingdom: The Strongest Blade

Chapter 96 The Warmth of Home

At 11 p.m., a black military SUV was driving smoothly on the western suburbs of Beijing.

Lin Zhe leaned back in the passenger seat, his eyes half-closed, his face etched with exhaustion. In the past year and a half, he had barely rested—the construction of the Qianlong Squadron, the research and testing of new equipment, the supervision of the aircraft carrier's construction, and the newly launched "Project Star"... He slept no more than five hours a day.

"General Lin, we've arrived," driver Xiao Li whispered.

Lin Zhe opened his eyes and looked out the window. The familiar Lin family villa was right in front of him, and the warm light was still on in the bedroom on the second floor.

He opened the car door, and a cool autumn night breeze blew in, making him feel more refreshed.

"Will you be picked up at eight o'clock tomorrow morning?" Xiao Li asked.

"No need," Lin Zhe waved his hand. "I'll rest for three days. After three days, I'll go directly to the General Armament Department."

"yes!"

After watching the SUV leave, Lin Zhe turned and walked towards his house. He didn't go straight inside, but stood in the yard, looking at the house he had lived in for several years.

In the past year and a half, he has returned home only a handful of times. Each time, he comes back late at night and leaves before dawn. Sometimes, to avoid disturbing his family's rest, he would just spend the night in the base's dormitory.

The villa door suddenly opened.

Zhang Xueying stood at the doorway, wearing a coat and holding a child wrapped in a small blanket. The dim light from behind her outlined her gentle silhouette.

"I knew it was you coming back," she said softly. "I just heard a car."

Lin Zhe strode over: "It's so late, why aren't you asleep yet?"

"The little guy was fussy, I just got him to sleep." Zhang Xueying handed the child to him, "Hold your son."

Lin Zhe awkwardly took it. The little guy was fast asleep, his face rosy, his eyelashes long, his little mouth slightly pouting, and he was blowing milk bubbles. He held him in his arms; the baby was light and soft, like holding a cloud.

"What...what was his name again?" Lin Zhe suddenly asked.

Zhang Xueying's eyes widened, both annoyed and amused: "Lin Siguo! Your son's name is Lin Siguo! And you're the one who named him!"

"Oh right, right, Siguo..." Lin Zhe remembered.

He was at the aircraft carrier construction site when his child was born. When he received the call, he only said one sentence: "Let's name him Siguo, meaning 'longing for the motherland.' I hope he can serve the country when he grows up." Then he hung up the phone and continued working.

Holding this one-year-old life in his arms, Lin Zhe felt a mix of emotions—guilt, warmth, and a heavy sense of responsibility.

"Come inside, it's chilly outside," Zhang Xueying said, pulling him inside.

The floor lamp was still on in the living room, and there were baby bottles and toys on the coffee table. Lin Zhe sat on the sofa holding his son, not daring to move for fear of waking him.

Zhang Xueying poured him a cup of hot water, sat down beside him, and said softly, "Yesterday, Mom was saying that Siguo has started learning to walk, but you haven't seen him walk yet."

Lin Zhe looked down at the child in his arms: "I'm really not a good father."

"No one blames you." Zhang Xueying leaned on his shoulder. "Dad said that what you are doing now is a great thing for the country and the people. Mom said that a good man should have ambitions beyond his hometown. They are all proud of you."

"And what about you?" Lin Zhe asked.

Zhang Xueying was silent for a few seconds: "I'm proud of you too. But..." She held Lin Zhe's hand, "Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and look at the empty pillow next to me, and I'm still scared. I'm scared that you won't come back, scared that Siguo won't recognize his father when he grows up."

Lin Zhe felt a pang of pain in his heart and hugged his wife tightly: "I'm sorry."

"Don't say sorry." Zhang Xueying shook her head. "I knew when I married you that you were not only my husband, but also a soldier of the country. I just... I just hope that you can spend more time with us in the future."

"I promise you," Lin Zhe said solemnly. "From now on, I will try to come home more often. Unless there is a particularly urgent mission, I will come home every night."

"real?"

"real."

Siguo, nestled in his arms, suddenly stirred, opening his little eyes a crack as he groggily looked at Lin Zhe. After a few seconds, he suddenly burst into tears.

"Oh, don't cry, don't cry..." Lin Zhe hurriedly tried to comfort him.

Zhang Xueying laughed: "He's shy around strangers. You haven't held him enough times, so he doesn't recognize you."

These words pierced Lin Zhe's heart like a needle. He awkwardly and gently shook the little boy, humming an off-key nursery rhyme. Perhaps it was because of blood ties, but the little guy gradually stopped crying and stared at this unfamiliar "uncle" with wide, curious eyes.

"Come here, let Daddy hug you, let Daddy hug you..." Lin Zhe's voice was so gentle that he didn't even recognize himself.

Siguo reached out her little hand and grabbed the button on Lin Zhe's military uniform, babbling in baby talk.

At that moment, Lin Zhe felt that no matter what national affairs or military technology were, nothing was more important than the little life in his arms.

The next morning, Lin Zhe was awakened by the children's laughter.

He opened his eyes and found Siguo lying on his chest, poking his face with her little finger. Zhang Xueying was already up, and the aroma of fried eggs wafted from the kitchen.

"Dad... Dad..." Siguo called out incoherently.

Lin Zhe paused for two seconds, then scooped up his son and kissed him on the cheek: "Say it again!"

"dad……"

"Hahaha!" Lin Zhe laughed loudly, holding his son and spinning around in the room.

Zhang Xueying pushed open the door and saw this scene; her eyes reddened: "This is the first time he's called me 'Dad'."

Lin Zhe stopped and looked at his wife: "From now on, I will be home more often so that he can call me 'Dad' every day."

Lin Guodong and Su Wan also came over for breakfast. The two elderly people were both surprised and delighted to see Lin Zhe at home.

"Not busy today?" Lin Guodong asked.

"Rest for three days." Lin Zhe fed Si Guo rice cereal. "Dad, Mom, thank you for your hard work these past few days."

"What's so tiring? I'm happy taking care of my grandson," Su Wan said with a smile. "But you look thinner. Xueying, cook him some good food these next few days to help him recover."

"The soup is already simmering," Zhang Xueying said.

Siguo sat in the baby chair, holding a spoon in one hand and Lin Zhe's finger in the other, babbling incessantly. Lin Zhe patiently wiped his mouth, fed him, and smiled like a child.

After dinner, the family sat in the yard basking in the sun. The autumn sun was warm, and Siguo was toddling in his walker, with Lin Zhe and Zhang Xueying supporting him on either side.

"By the way, where are your parents-in-law?" Lin Zhe asked.

"Dad went to a meeting at the military region and said he'd come over tonight," Zhang Xueying said. "Mom went to buy groceries; she said she'd make your favorite braised pork."

Just then, the courtyard gate opened. Zhang Dajiang and Wang Hui came in carrying large and small bags.

"Dad, Mom." Lin Zhe stood up.

Zhang Dajiang looked him up and down and nodded: "Hmm, you seem to be in good spirits, just a bit thin. How many days of rest are you able to take this time?"

"Three days."

"Only three days?" Wang Hui frowned. "How long has it been since you had a proper rest?"

"Mom, I have a lot of responsibilities right now, so it's already a blessing to have three days off." Lin Zhe took the things from their hands. "I'll cook tonight and show off my skills."

"You can cook?" Zhang Dajiang asked in surprise.

"I learned it in the army," Lin Zhe laughed. "I can handle wilderness survival, so cooking home-style dishes is a piece of cake for me."

In the afternoon, Lin Zhe really put on an apron and went into the kitchen. Zhang Xueying assisted him, and the two busied themselves in the kitchen like an ordinary young couple.

Siguo was held in turns by his grandparents and maternal grandparents, giggling non-stop.

Dinner was plentiful, and the whole family sat around the table, enjoying each other's company.

"Siguo, serve your father some food." Su Wan taught her grandson.

Siguo picked up a piece of meat with his little hands and handed it to Lin Zhe with trembling hands. The meat fell on the table, but his earnest expression made everyone laugh.

Lin Zhe picked up a piece of meat and put it in his mouth: "Mmm, the food my son picks up is so delicious!"

Zhang Dajiang took a sip of his drink and said with emotion, "Seeing you all like this reminds me of the old days. When I was young, I was also in the army all the time, and your mother was raising Xueying all by herself. Conditions were tough back then, but now when I think about it, they are all beautiful memories."

"Dad, aren't you busy right now?" Zhang Xueying said.

"That's different. I'm the commander now, my main job is management. Lin Zhe is different, he's on the front lines, building the future for the country." Zhang Dajiang looked at Lin Zhe, "But Lin Zhe, isn't our country's military technology already...?"

He didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear.

Lin Zhe nodded: "Dad, you could say that. Our technology is now at least ten years ahead of the world. New fighter jets, aircraft carriers, and missile systems have all achieved combat readiness. The 'Star Project' has also been launched, and we will have even greater breakthroughs in the next few years."

"Good!" Zhang Dajiang slammed his hand on the table. "That's exactly how it should be! Our country has been bullied for too long. Now we've finally stood up!"

"But Lin Zhe," Lin Guodong said worriedly, "with our rapid development, what if other countries...?"

"Dad, don't worry." Lin Zhe put food on his plate. "We have enough strength to protect ourselves now. Moreover, we won't provoke anyone, but anyone who dares to provoke us should be prepared to retaliate."

"That's what Qianlong does." Longya's voice suddenly came from the doorway.

Everyone turned their heads and saw seven people standing at the door: Longya, Longzhao, Longying, Longci, Longqing, Longyan, and Longyan, each carrying something in their hands.

"Why are you here?" Lin Zhe asked, both surprised and delighted.

"We came over while Captain Lin was resting," Longya grinned. "And also to see Siguo—our godson!"

Seven people rushed in, and the living room instantly became lively. Siguo was so excited to see so many "uncles and aunts" that he danced with joy.

Long Qing, Long Ying, Long Yan, Long Yan, Long Ya, Long Zhao, and Long Ci carried large and small bags, along with a pile of gifts.

"What are you doing?" Lin Zhe asked, both amused and exasperated.

"It's for my godson, it's none of your business." Longya picked up Siguo. "Come on, call him godfather!"

Siguo looked at the burly man with a big smile on his face, not afraid at all, but instead chuckled.

Zhang Xueying quickly added more dishes and bowls, and the whole family enjoyed a lively second dinner.

At the dinner table, Long Ying reported on the progress of the Qianlong team: "All four squads are now fully capable. After a year of real combat training, the new members are now able to carry out missions independently. Last week, the third squad successfully completed a hostage rescue in Africa with zero casualties. Well done!"

"Training cannot be relaxed either," Lin Zhe said. "Especially in new areas such as space warfare and cyber warfare, we need to strengthen our training."

"It's already being developed," Long Qing said. "I've designed a virtual training system that can simulate combat in various extreme environments."

"By the way, Captain Lin," Dragon Claw said, "has there been any progress from the General Armaments Department regarding that 'individual soldier exoskeleton system' you mentioned before?"

"The prototype is ready, and we can start testing next month," Lin Zhe said. "If all goes well, it can be deployed on a small scale next year."

"Awesome!" Longya gave a thumbs up. "Then our Hidden Dragon will be even more invincible!"

They chatted and laughed until 10 p.m. Only after the seven members of the Dragon Fang gang left did the Lin family finally quiet down again.

Si Guo was already asleep, and Zhang Xueying was tidying up the kitchen. Lin Zhe stood on the balcony, looking at the stars in the night sky.

Footsteps sounded behind him, and Zhang Xueying walked over and leaned on his shoulder.

"What are you thinking about?"

"Thinking about these past ten years," Lin Zhe said, putting his arm around her. "From deputy company commander of a border defense company to lieutenant general in the Qianlong Army. From being technologically blocked to leading the world by ten years. Sometimes it feels like a dream."

"It's not a dream," Zhang Xueying said softly. "It was earned by you and countless others like you with your sweat and wisdom."

Lin Zhe lowered his head and kissed his wife's forehead: "And you too. Without your support, I wouldn't be where I am today."

"That's good to know." Zhang Xueying smiled. "So you should go home more often, spend more time with Siguo, and spend more time with me."

"I promise."

A night breeze blew by, carrying the chill of early autumn. But the two people embracing each other felt warm inside.

Home is the warmest place in the world.

A three-day holiday is short, but enough to recharge.

Three days later, when Lin Zhe set off again, his steps were even more determined.