69: Chapter 69: My great-granddaughter is coming to stay at the military base for a few days.

7th Company canteen, dinner time.

Xiao Budian sat beside Su Han, curiously sizing up the uniform green military fatigues around her.

"Great-grandfather, the military food smells so good," the little girl said excitedly as she looked at the delicious dishes on the table.

"If it smells good, eat more." Su Han expressionlessly placed a piece of braised pork into her bowl.

"Report!" Wang Hao suddenly stood up with a mischievous grin. "Squad Leader, I suggest Comrade Su Han tell us about his family history! This seniority is just too amazing!"

"Yeah, yeah!" Zhao Xiaohu immediately chimed in. "We all want to know how the Company Commander managed to call out 'Third Grandpa' at the wedding!"

The canteen immediately erupted in laughter.

Liu Yong glared at them but couldn't hold back a smile. "Enough, enough. Even food can't keep your mouths shut!"

Xiao Budian suddenly raised her small hand. "I know! Daddy said that when Uncle-in-law first met Great-grandfather, his face turned green!"

Pfft—

Hahaha!

The entire canteen was rolling with laughter. Su Han rubbed his forehead and sighed; this little ancestor really loved making a scene.

Just then, the canteen doors were pushed open.

"All rise!" the Duty Officer shouted loudly.

The soldiers stood up in unison as Regiment Commander Wang Tiejun strode in, followed by several staff officers.

"Carry on with your meal." Wang Tiejun waved his hand, but his gaze locked onto Su Han... and Xiao Budian beside him.

"Is this the 'family member' you mentioned on the phone?" Wang Tiejun asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Report, Regiment Commander, yes." Su Han replied, standing at attention. "My great-granddaughter, staying at the base for a few days."

Wang Tiejun's mouth twitched. "You're... eighteen this year, right?"

"Report, it's a matter of seniority."

Wang Tiejun rubbed his temples and suddenly lowered his voice. "You kid... you didn't bring a child here as a shield just to escape training, did you?"

Before Su Han could answer, Xiao Budian suddenly jumped down from her chair and snapped a crooked military salute:

"Hello, Uncle Regiment Commander! Great-grandfather is amazing! He beat up over a dozen bad guys all by himself! He even saved a pretty big sister! He's not afraid of hard work at all! Otherwise, how could he be so strong?"

Wang Tiejun: "???"

7th Company soldiers: "!!!"

Su Han: "..."

It's over. Why does this little ancestor blab about everything!

Wang Tiejun narrowed his eyes. "Oh? Such an exciting story, how come I didn't know about it?"

Just as Xiao Budian was about to reveal more, Su Han covered her small mouth. "Regiment Commander, children's words carry no weight, children's words..."

He had only told the Falcon Captain about this matter.

He hadn't had the chance to report it to the regiment yet.

Wang Tiejun gave Su Han a meaningful look. "Tomorrow morning at eight, bring your 'achievements' to my office for a detailed report. Now... continue eating!"

After the Regiment Commander left, the entire canteen erupted in an uproar.

"Brother Han! What exactly did you do during your leave?"

"A dozen bad guys? For real?"

"Who's the pretty sister? How pretty is she?"

Su Han looked at the innocent-faced Xiao Budian in his arms with a headache, finally understanding what it meant by "taking care of a child is harder than fighting a war."

————

7th Company dormitory, the lights-out bugle had already sounded.

Since Xiao Budian wouldn't be staying at the 356th Regiment for long, Su Han simply brought her to stay in the Company Commander's quarters.

The company naturally dared not object to this.

Firstly, it was because of Su Han's current relationship with the Company Commander.

Secondly, it was Su Han's battle record; based on that, even if he wanted to stay in the Regiment Commander's room, the Regiment Commander would probably laugh and give it up.

Xiao Budian lay on Su Han's bed, hugging the teddy bear she brought from home, but her eyes were wide open.

"Great-grandfather, I can't sleep..." Xiao Budian whispered.

Su Han sat by the bed and patted her gently. "Close your eyes and count sheep."

"How many do I have to count to fall asleep?"

"Count to..." Su Han suddenly heard a rustling sound outside the window, and his eyes sharpened. "Who's there?!"

The window was quietly pushed open a crack, and Wang Hao's face appeared. "Brother Han, it's us..."

Then, Zhao Xiaohu and several other comrades squeezed their heads in, their faces filled with gossip.

"You guys..." Su Han was speechless.

Wang Hao lowered his voice. "Brother Han, just tell us. What's the deal with those dozen bad guys? Why does the Regiment Commander want you to report tomorrow?"

Xiao Budian scrambled up and excitedly raised her hand. "I know! Great-grandfather was so cool! Bang bang bang, and he knocked all the bad guys down!"

Su Han quickly pushed her back under the covers. "Go to sleep!"

Zhao Xiaohu's eyes lit up. "Brother Han, did you go on some secret mission?"

"You're overthinking it." Su Han said helplessly. "I just happened to run into a kidnapping case and helped out."

"Holy crap! A heroic deed!" Wang Hao almost shouted in excitement. "Did they have guns?"

"Yes..."

"You did it empty-handed?"

"I picked up a dagger..."

Footsteps suddenly echoed in the dormitory hallway, and the heads instantly retracted.

Liu Yong, on patrol with a flashlight, walked over and saw Su Han standing by the window. He asked in confusion, "Why aren't you asleep yet?"

"Going to sleep now, Squad Leader." Su Han calmly closed the window.

Liu Yong glanced at Xiao Budian, who was pretending to sleep, and hesitated before sighing. "As for the Regiment Commander tomorrow... good luck."

Once Liu Yong was far away, Xiao Budian suddenly opened her eyes and whispered, "Great-grandfather, did I say something wrong?"

Su Han pinched her small nose. "It's okay, Great-grandfather can handle it. Now, close your eyes and sleep."

Xiao Budian obediently closed her eyes, and soon, the sound of steady breathing could be heard.

Su Han leaned against the headboard, looking at the moonlight outside the window, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth—

The first day back at the base with a child was much livelier than he had imagined.