Upon learning the news, the regiment commander immediately called a short meeting.
When he heard that Yang Dapeng himself had discovered and helped subdue the criminal, a look of pleasant surprise appeared on his face.
And when he learned that Yang Dapeng's physical recovery was nearly complete, to the point where he could almost resume his duties, the commander felt a deep sense of relief and excitement.
After all, in the hearts of the regiment's older generation, Yang Dapeng was once a renowned hero.
Now, seeing him not only make a miraculous recovery but also play a crucial role at a critical moment, a spark of hope ignited in the commander's heart.
If Yang Dapeng could truly make a full recovery and rejoin the ranks...
...then the unresolved contest for the deputy battalion commander position would likely no longer be so one-sidedly in Cao Daqiang's favor.
After all, in terms of seniority, ability, and prestige among the troops, Yang Dapeng was more qualified for such a heavy responsibility.
That evening, the family courtyard was bustling with excitement.
Many acquaintances and colleagues came to the door to congratulate Yang Dapeng.
The house was filled with constant laughter and cheer, creating a warm and lively atmosphere.
Cao Daqiang came as well.
His face was wreathed in smiles. The moment he walked in, he boomed, "Yang Dapeng, well done! You're truly our pride and joy!"
He spoke words of congratulations while enthusiastically shaking Yang Dapeng's hand, appearing completely sincere.
However, deep within those seemingly gentle eyes, a hint of darkness lurked.
He clenched his jaw tightly, struggling to suppress the rage in his heart.
Before long, he made an excuse about having something to do and hastily got up to leave.
The moment he stepped out of the Yang Family's gate, the smile on Cao Daqiang's face vanished without a trace.
The night wind blew, but it couldn't disperse the dark clouds hanging over his heart.
'Yang Dapeng, don't get too cocky!'
'I'll find a way to take you down. I absolutely can't let you ruin my future!'
As soon as Cao Daqiang entered his own home, he heard his daughter crying her heart out inside.
Cao Jiajia was spoiled rotten by him and his wife. She would throw a tantrum at the slightest inconvenience.
Normally, if he was in a good mood, he might try to coax her a little.
But today, how could he possibly have the patience for this?
Just as he was about to step forward, a frantic pitter-patter of footsteps came from the doorway.
Cao Jiajia had already rushed out, her eyes red and snot running almost to her mouth.
"WAAH! Daddy! Daddy, you're finally back! Someone bullied me! That wild brat got my new dress dirty and ripped it! You have to get revenge for me!"
He glanced at Liu Yingzi, who was following behind, then crouched down and put on a gentle expression as he looked at his daughter.
"Who was so bold? Who dared to touch my little girl? You tell me. Daddy will back you up."
He reached out and wiped the tears from his daughter's face.
"It was that little brat nobody wants! She pushed me and stepped on my dress!"
As she spoke, Cao Jiajia tugged at the red dress she was wearing, which was covered in muddy spots.
Cao Daqiang stared at the torn dress, his expression slowly darkening.
'Her again...'
'The vile spawn that woman left behind. A truly lingering ghost.'
"Daddy, look! It hurts here, too!"
Cao Jiajia held out her small arm, which had several faint red marks on it.
Liu Yingzi had been watching coldly the whole time, her arms crossed over her chest.
Only after her daughter finished her complaint did she speak, slowly and deliberately.
"I've raised my daughter like a precious treasure since she was born; I wouldn't even dare to lay a finger on her. And now? Some wild child from out of nowhere dares to hit her? Cao Daqiang, I'll ask you one more time: is that girl your flesh and blood or not?"
After speaking, she remained perfectly still.
Cao Daqiang's whole body stiffened. He snapped his head up, his eyes filled with shock.
His lips parted slightly, but for a moment, he was speechless.
"Yingzi, how could you ask me that? My feelings for you are completely genuine! I've never married anyone else in my life, so how could I have an illegitimate daughter?"
He stood up, his hands trembling violently. He grabbed her by the shoulders, his voice choked with emotion.
"All these years, I've given you my whole heart, and this is how you see me? Search your conscience and ask yourself, has there been a single day I wasn't fighting for you, for this family? To make sure you could live a comfortable and worry-free life, I've buried my roots from my hometown so deep I don't even dare mention them. But you? You hear a bit of gossip and suddenly I'm the bad guy?"
"Oh, don't get so worked up."
Liu Yingzi's tone softened a little. She took half a step back while gently pushing against his chest with her hand.
"It's not that I don't believe you, but there's so much gossip outside. Who doesn't talk about it over tea? People say blood is thicker than water, and even a vicious tiger won't eat its own cubs. That child... her eyes are like yours, her nose is like yours, and even the curve of her lips when she smiles is identical. Anyone would be suspicious, wouldn't they?"
Hearing this, Cao Daqiang quickly pulled her into his arms, tightening his embrace.
"Other people can doubt me, but you can't! You're the only woman for me. Don't worry, from the day we got together, I have never done a single thing to betray you. If I'm lying to you, may I get hit by a car the next time I go out, miss a step and fall down the stairs, and may weeds not even grow on my grave after I die!"
"Alright, alright, I believe you, okay?"
Liu Yingzi said this, but she turned her head away slightly.
"You swear these oaths like you mean it every time, but this knot in my heart isn't going to untie itself so easily."
But the instant Liu Yingzi turned her back, all the tenderness vanished from Cao Daqiang's face.
'Good thing we just had a banquet in the village back then.'
Seeing her parents just hugging each other and completely ignoring her, Cao Jiajia immediately grew unhappy.
She pouted, her little brow furrowed. She squeezed forcefully between the two of them, using her small body to shove her mother half a step away, and wrapped her little hands tightly around her father's waist.
"Daddy! I want a hug too! I'm not happy anymore!"
Cao Daqiang took the opportunity to release Liu Yingzi, bending down to scoop his daughter up and plant a kiss on her rosy cheeks.
"Oh, is my little princess angry? Daddy was wrong. I'll definitely hug you first next time, okay? There, there, don't pout. If you keep pouting, your little lips are going to fall right off."
"Daqiang," Liu Yingzi said suddenly, "I don't mean to doubt you. But when we got married, I never even met your parents. We don't even have a picture together. You always said they were too old and couldn't travel, but now that our child is this big, shouldn't she get to know her grandparents? Even a phone call to chat for a bit would be nice."
Liu Yingzi's gaze was deep and hidden, her eyes fixed intently on Cao Daqiang's face.
"Yingzi, I'm sorry... I'm so sorry."
Cao Daqiang lowered his eyes, his voice dropping a few notches.
"It's not that I didn't want you to meet them. The truth is... I only just got in touch with people from my hometown today. My parents passed away the winter before last. A cold dragged on and turned into pneumonia, and they were gone within a few days. I truly regret that they never got to meet you."
Liu Yingzi's eyes narrowed slightly, her pupils contracting.
"Oh? What a coincidence. No word for all these years, and you just happen to get in touch with your hometown now, and they just happened to pass away at such a critical time? Tell me, isn't that all a little too convenient?"
"It's true. That girl is the child of a relative from my hometown."
Cao Daqiang explained hastily, his tone sincere.