Chapter 43: Seeking Forgiveness

Lin Zhiguo felt utterly aggrieved, yet he dared not voice his anger.

He deeply regretted listening to Shen Wei’s instigation and returning to cause such a scene.

Meanwhile, Tongtong, held in Gu Yanbin’s arms, still had tear stains on her little face.

But a hint of cunning flickered in her eyes.

Hmph! Trying to bully her and her mother? No way!

Liu Zhenjun, however, was heartbroken by her red-eyed, pitiful appearance.

He took the initiative to say, “Tongtong had a scare today. Why not come to your uncle’s house for dinner? We happened to get some seafood today—I’ll ask Grandma to make braised prawns in oil for you.”

Tongtong immediately brightened up, her eyes sparkling.

“Really?”

More delicious food!

Gu Yanbin chuckled helplessly and tapped her little nose. “You little glutton!”

Tongtong stuck out her tongue and tilted her head. “Then what will Daddy eat today?”

Lin Zhiguo was still reeling from the shock of Tongtong calling Commander Liu “uncle.”

Hearing this, he abruptly looked up.

He watched Tongtong with some expectation.

He had already returned half his salary—surely this girl would recognize his goodwill now?

If he could use this opportunity to get close to Commander Liu, his future success would be within reach!

But when he looked up expectantly, he saw Tongtong gazing at Gu Yanbin with concern.

Commander Liu said with a smile, “Let him come along too! Perfect timing to celebrate his discharge from the hospital!”

Though they were superior and subordinate, they were also brothers who had fought side by side on the battlefield.

Their relationship was quite good.

The group left chatting and laughing. Liu Lan didn’t want to join the commotion and took the children home instead.

Lin Zhiguo, however, stood rooted to the spot as if struck by lightning.

So, this “Daddy” was not him.

The thought that his own daughter had connected with Commander Liu while he couldn’t benefit at all gnawed at him, leaving him restless and miserable.

But this wasn’t over yet!

Lin Zhiguo and Shen Wei’s outrageous behavior at Tongtong’s home—breaking in, stealing, and even attempting to harm a young girl—was no trivial matter behind closed doors.

Present at the scene were not only Gu Yanbin, Liu Zhenjun, and other chiefs but also several military officers and their families who had come out to see the commotion. Witnessed by many, the incident had an extremely negative impact.

The very next day, the joint disciplinary decision from the Military Department and the Political Department was issued.

As a soldier, Lin Zhiguo had allowed his relatives to damage others’ property, acted inappropriately, and failed to maintain proper discipline in his household, seriously violating military regulations and internal codes. He was given a major demerit, had three months of his subsidy withheld, and was required to deliver a profound self-criticism at the whole division cadre conference.

When the notice came down, Lin Zhiguo felt his vision darken and his heart turn cold.

A major demerit… this stain would follow his record.

Any future promotions or commendations were basically out of the question.

This was worse than killing him… he was at a critical juncture for promotion to officer!

Shen Wei was even more shocked, furious, and terrified.

She was summoned by the Political Department staff and sternly reprimanded for a full two hours, leaving her scalp tingling with fear.

She was also required to write a letter of repentance, which would be circulated to the hospital.

After the hospital posted the notice, the head nurse immediately called her in for a talk. Though no direct punishment was given, she was noticeably colder and assigned Shen Wei the most exhausting and thankless tasks.

The gossip among her colleagues was unstoppable. Even those who had been friendly with her distanced themselves, and whispers behind her back were inevitable.

All the image she had painstakingly maintained over the years was completely ruined!

Shen Wei cursed Tongtong and Yu Wanqin a thousand times in her heart, convinced that they were the ones who had ruined her. But for now, what worried her more was the change in Lin Zhiguo’s attitude.

He had grown increasingly impatient with her lately and hardly gave her any money anymore, which left Shen Wei deeply dissatisfied and secretly scheming.

…

Lin Zhiguo spent two days at home, thinking things over.

Now that Yu Wanqin and their daughter were gaining recognition, he finally began to take his wife and daughter seriously, and the scales in his heart started tipping wildly.

Although he enjoyed Shen Wei’s gentle affection, it clearly paled in comparison to tangible benefits and future prospects.

He thought… after all, he and Yu Wanqin were husband and wife.

That incident had happened so many years ago, and it wasn’t as if he couldn’t reluctantly accept it and live a good life with Yu Wanqin.

Most importantly, he needed to ask about Yu Wanqin’s relationship with the Army Commander. Winning Yu Wanqin back would bring more advantages than disadvantages!

Once he made up his mind, Lin Zhiguo acted out of character. The next day, he went to the supply and marketing cooperative and bought two packs of pastries, weighed some fruit drops, wrapped them in oil paper, and mustered the nerve to head to the political commissar’s house.

Tongtong was sitting on a small stool at the entrance of the courtyard, swinging her short legs as she listened to Chen An’an boast about how amazing his new slingshot was.

Then she saw Scumbag Dad walking over, carrying something with a forced smile on his face.

“Uh-oh! Tongtong, your bad dad is here!”

Chen An’an immediately stood up and positioned himself in front of Tongtong, eyeing the newcomer warily. He held a firewood stick he had gotten from who-knows-where, ready to defend.

The smile on Lin Zhiguo’s face froze, looking almost twisted.

He took a deep breath, suppressing the anger in his heart, and tried to make his voice sound gentle and kind: “Tongtong, Daddy came to see you. Look, I brought you some tasty treats.”

Tongtong blinked her big eyes, seeing right through the flattery on her scumbag dad’s face.

But she put on just the right amount of curiosity and a hint of longing: “Daddy? Is it yummy sponge cake?”

“Yes! And candy too!” Lin Zhiguo was delighted that his daughter responded to him and quickly handed over the package.

Tongtong took the oil paper package, opened it to look inside, picked up a piece of sponge cake, and began eating it in small, delicate bites, looking both refined and adorable.

She didn’t forget to share half with Chen An’an: “An’an brother, you have some too.”

Chen An’an scratched his head, puzzled.

Tongtong’s dad was so bad, so why was she still talking to him?

But he was soon distracted by the food.

Lin Zhiguo looked at her, trying to get closer: “Tongtong, are you getting used to staying at the political commissar’s house lately? Do you miss Daddy?”

Tongtong swallowed her cake, tilted her little head, and looked at him curiously: “I’m used to it! Aunt Lan and Pingping brother are so good to Tongtong! Daddy? Daddy didn’t play with Tongtong much back in the countryside either.”

Lin Zhiguo was left speechless for a moment, forcing an awkward smile: “Daddy was busy before… I’ll spend more time with you from now on. Your mom… how is her training at the hospital going? Is it hard?”

So he was here to ask about Mom.

Tongtong sneered inwardly but maintained an innocent expression: “Mom is amazing! She’s learned so much! Grandma He even praised Mom, saying she has a talent for medicine! Godfather also said that once Mom finishes her training, she’ll be a remarkable doctor comrade!”

Mentioning “Grandma He” one moment and “Godfather” the next, each word felt like a small hammer striking Lin Zhiguo’s heart, strengthening his resolve to win her back.

He rubbed his hands together, lowered his voice, and put on a look of remorse.

“Tongtong, Dad knows he was wrong to you and your mother before. Dad made a mistake. Tell me, what should Dad do for your mother to forgive him, so our family can be reunited?”