At ten years old, during the centennial military parade of Country G, the electronic big screen in the courtyard of Ruicheng Military District live broadcasted the grand event.
The families of the military personnel living in the Ruicheng Military District all resided along two major streets nearby, where neighborly relations were harmonious and amicable, with several residential areas featuring very humanized environments and supporting facilities.
Before the parade started, everyone had already brought their stools early to sit and wait, hoping to spot a familiar face in the formidable ranks of the army. If someone's son, another's husband, or a child's father really appeared on the electronic screen, it would be an achievement they could boast about proudly for an entire year.
She was no exception, and Wen Nian sat beside her, accompanying her.
Her eyes stared straight at the screen, hoping to catch even a brief glimpse of her soldier father.
But how could it be that easy?
Like most of the neighbors, she came back disappointed.
However, just as the parade was about to end, she stared at the stern old man standing in the center of the high platform, looking more imposing than anyone else.
At the time, she didn't know that he was Wen Nian's grandfather.
"When I grow up, I also want to be President."
She hummed, with a hint of a joke and a bit of defiance.
Wen Nian, sitting beside her, was momentarily stunned.
"That way, I can give my dad a long vacation, so he can actually come home and spend time with me! No one would dare to disobey an order from the President, hmm!"
Song Lili still remembered that back then, the expression on Wen Nian's face seemed to laugh at her foolishness...
Yet his eyes held an affection as if he wanted to present the whole world to her, something she couldn't resist.
The sixteen-year-old Wen Nian told her, "You can't be President, but you can be the President's wife."
...To hell with being the President's wife!
It was Wei Yuandong who came in, "What's wrong? Why have you and Young Master Nian argued so fiercely?"
Song Lili looked at Wei Yuandong and hurriedly said, "I'm sorry, Uncle Wei, for causing you worry."
"What kind of talk is that? All these years, I've watched you and Young Master Nian grow up together, childhood sweethearts, inseparable. Know this, Uncle Wei is the person in this world who most hopes for the two of you to end up together."
Song Lili's lips curled into a smile, but just looking at Wei Yuandong made her struggle to control her emotions. Tears glistened in her smiling eyes as she took Wei Yuandong's old wrinkled hand and held it,
"...I want to apply to a military academy, but he disagrees."
"Eh? Apply to a military academy?"
"You're a student of liberal arts; why would you apply to a military academy?"
"I like liberal arts, but I also want to be a righteous and brave soldier like my dad."
Mentioning Song Lili's father, Wei Yuandong couldn't help but feel sorry for the girl.
With an early deceased mother and a father who remarried and started another family, Song Lili became the victim of a recombined family, and she was always left to her own devices.
Fortunately, Xiao Li was naturally optimistic and kind-hearted. She never resented her father or railed against the world.
"A boy, full of vigor, wanting to be a soldier is understandable, but you, a delicate girl, why not stay by Young Master Nian's side and contentedly be the President's wife? Why become a soldier? Do you know how much hardship and exhaustion soldiers have to endure? Military commanders surely won't go easy on you just because you're a girl..."
Wei Yuandong said what she already knew, and she also knew that if she told Wei Yuandong, he would probably persuade her to give up, just like Wen Nian...
Wei Yuandong murmured in Song Lili's ear, and as he did so, she began to feel sleepy.
The old housekeeper sighed, fetched a blanket to drape over her shoulders, tidied up the breakfast, and left without disturbing her nap.
At lunchtime, Wei Yuandong asked Pan Qin to call Song Lili downstairs to eat, but it wasn't long before he heard Pan Qin's hurried and flustered shouts!
"Housekeeper Wei! Housekeeper Wei!"
Pan Qin rushed downstairs, only to bump into Wen Nian!
He asked in a deep, husky voice.
Pan Qin bumped into the President, swallowed nervously, and her frame trembled slightly.
"Sir, Miss Song, Miss Song is missing!"