202: I think Lu Jing looks exceptionally radiant and handsome at this moment.

Captain Yu led his men inside.

Seeing Xiao Niannian and Lu Jing, he greeted them happily.

"Captain Lu, Comrade Xiao..."

"Captain Yu."

Captain Yu spoke to Xiao Niannian and Lu Jing about the children.

"We have already contacted the parents of two of the children, and they are currently on their way..."

Zhang Hao and Lele were the most seriously injured. Zhang Hao's parents were found, but Lele's parents have not been located yet.

There are still eight children whose parents haven't been found. Xiao Niannian heard the public security comrades say that if their parents are not found after the children recover slightly, they will be sent to the Children's Welfare Institute to be raised.

Xiao Niannian looked at the children, knowing this was the best solution for now.

"Sister, when we go to the welfare institute, you must come and see us."

Lele said.

"Okay, when Sister is on vacation, I will definitely come to see you."

Xiao Niannian agreed.

"That's great."

"Sister, you are so kind."

Lu Jing watched Xiao Niannian interacting affectionately with the children, and the smile on his face grew wider.

When Niannian was on a mission, she was like a battle-hardened soldier—extremely smart and capable—but when she was with the children, she was like a child herself... After leaving the hospital, Xiao Niannian took the car back to the Family Courtyard.

Grandma Xiao was overjoyed to see Xiao Niannian.

"Niannian, why have you lost so much weight again? Grandma will cook you something delicious." Grandma Xiao looked at her Granddaughter with heartache.

"Okay."

After eating, Xiao Niannian took a bath, but she washed her clothes herself. She didn't dare let Grandma see her injuries, or Grandma would definitely worry.

After bathing and hanging her clothes to dry, Xiao Niannian returned to her room.

She slept until after six in the morning.

Xiao Niannian heard the sound of Grandma bustling about.

Xiao Niannian walked into the living room. Seeing her Granddaughter, Grandma Xiao said with a smile.

"Niannian, hurry and brush your teeth and wash your face. Grandma has already made breakfast."

Xiao Niannian quickly washed her face and brushed her teeth. Eating the breakfast Grandma made, Xiao Niannian felt incredibly happy.

"Grandma knows your missions require secrecy, and Grandma won't ask about them, but you must always be safe..." After eating, Grandma Xiao looked at Xiao Niannian and instructed her.

"Grandma, please don't worry. I will definitely be safe."

Xiao Niannian looked around the kitchen and living room and saw that there wasn't much rice or meat left at home. Xiao Niannian took a trip to the Supply and Marketing Cooperative and bought back a lot of supplies.

When she returned home, Xiao Niannian heard Lu Jing's voice from outside the courtyard.

"Little Lu, you must eat lunch and dinner here at home..."

Xiao Niannian saw the table piled high with items: marinated wild boar meat, some pastries, and other supplies.

"Brother Lu."

"Niannian."

Lu Jing heard footsteps and knew that Xiao Niannian was back.

"This wild boar meat was left over from before. I put some in the mess hall, and this portion is for Grandma to eat."

"Mhm."

Seeing Grandma Xiao enter the kitchen to busy herself, Lu Jing immediately followed to help.

"Little Lu, you rest in the living room. You all worked hard..."

Lu Jing was chased out by Grandma Xiao, so he took some small vegetables and started preparing them nearby.

Xiao Niannian squatted down next to him, preparing vegetables.

Lu Jing spoke.

"This mission was completed excellently. the Captain and the Political Commissar said they would recommend you for merit, and the commendation will come down in a few days..."

Hearing Lu Jing's words, Xiao Niannian hummed in affirmation.

Successfully rescuing four Experts and dismantling so many bombs, she probably wouldn't just receive a third-class merit this time; it would likely be a second-class merit.

"The incident on the train has also resulted in a reward, which is a third-class merit. Combined with the merit from this time, the Division Headquarters will recommend you for advanced studies at the Military Academy..."

Hearing this, Xiao Niannian smiled.

"The time will probably be next spring. You will have to participate in the Division Headquarters and All-Army competitions in the second half of the year..."

Hearing him say this, Xiao Niannian said happily.

"Next spring is excellent."

Although it wasn't this autumn, next spring was also extremely good.

The current academic system is three years long. Enrollment targets departments such as the Seventh Ministry of Machine Building, the Commission for Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, and the Second Artillery Corps... In later years, enrollment was sourced from units like the Production and Construction Corps, the Second Artillery Corps, the research and production institutes of the Seventh Ministry of Machine Building, and the Navy... Xiao Niannian remembered the history of her alma mater perfectly clearly.

Over those five years, more than 1,500 people were enrolled in total. After graduating, these predecessors rushed to the deserts, Gobi, and grasslands, dedicating themselves to various difficult national defense fronts.

Xiao Niannian and Lu Jing quickly finished preparing and washing the vegetables. When Grandma Xiao came out, she saw that all the vegetables had been cleaned and arranged very neatly.

She couldn't help but laugh.

Since Niannian joined the military, everything in her room has been placed very neatly. Every time she returns home on leave, the house is impeccably clean, and the objects are arranged tidily, which brings joy to the heart.

Grandma Xiao now looked at Lu Jing as if he were her own Grandson, wishing he would come over to eat whenever he had free time.

"Niannian, after we eat, call Grandpa Gu and Grandma Gu. They called a couple of days ago and mentioned you. Oh, and they also mailed some things over..."

Hearing Grandma's words, Xiao Niannian immediately agreed.

After eating, Xiao Niannian went to make the call.

After the phone connected, Grandma Gu's voice came through on the other end.

"Hello."

"Grandma, it's me."

Hearing Niannian's voice, Grandma Gu was extremely happy, and her voice grew louder.

"Old man, our Granddaughter called back."

Hearing this, Grandpa Gu also became excited.

"They returned safely? Quickly ask about the situation."

"Niannian, are you alright?"

"Grandma, I'm fine..."

Grandma Gu was about to speak, but Grandpa Gu's voice came through.

"Niannian, you weren't hurt, were you..."

On the other end of the line, Grandpa Gu and Grandma Gu were competing to show concern for Xiao Niannian.

"Old man, you wait a moment and let me speak first."

"I want to say a few words to my Granddaughter."

Xiao Niannian laughed upon hearing her Grandparents talk like this.

"Grandparents, I'm doing well. I apologize for making you worry..."

"Good child, why are you apologizing? Your Grandparents just missed you..."

Xiao Niannian didn't know that her Grandparents and Father Gu had called Division Commander Yu because of her.

After hanging up, Xiao Niannian paid the fee and looked at Lu Jing, who was not far away.

He was leaning against the red brick wall, the sunlight falling perfectly on his face. For some reason, Xiao Niannian felt that Lu Jing was exceptionally dazzling and handsome at this moment. Although she didn't usually watch much TV or movies, she recognized quite a few celebrities. He was better looking than all the celebrities she knew, not just in appearance, but also in his temperament.

*Cough.*

Xiao Niannian coughed and averted her gaze.

"I'll take you back to the Reconnaissance Battalion after dinner."

"Okay."