Cao Daqiang paused.

"I... I need to go back and think this over carefully."

This single decision could determine his fate for the next ten years.

This wasn’t an ordinary promotion. It was a gamble with his life.

Win, and he’d soar to new heights. Lose, and it would cost him his head.

He knew that if he refused, he would probably never break through this career ceiling.

But if he accepted, it meant tying himself completely to Gu Jiajun’s war chariot, with no turning back.

Gu Jiajun waved his hand dismissively.

"Fine, I won’t rush you. You have three days. Think it over. When you’ve made up your mind, come find me."

He knew Cao Daqiang had no way out.

As Cao Daqiang walked out of the office, a gust of night wind made him realize his back was drenched in cold sweat.

But before he could even recover, he ran straight into Ling Anxun.

Cao Daqiang’s heart clenched.

"Mr. Cao, still not heading home this late?"

"Hello, Mr. Ling!"

Cao Daqiang forced his trembling hands still.

Ling Anxun didn’t notice anything unusual.

"I was just reporting something to Leader Gu. I’m heading out now."

"Oh? Are you sleeping in the guardhouse these days?"

Ling Anxun asked casually.

That was the post Cao Daqiang had been temporarily transferred to—a promotion in name but a demotion in practice, effectively marginalizing him.

"Yes, sir."

Ling Anxun casually tossed him an errand, telling him to inspect the barracks’ sentry post records the next day.

Cao Daqiang was furious inside, but he still lowered his head and accepted.

"Yes, sir. I guarantee the mission will be completed."

As Ling Anxun’s back disappeared down the end of the corridor, Cao Daqiang stared after his fading silhouette, rage burning in his heart.

’He was right.’

’Want to turn things around?’

’You have to take a shortcut.’

’Relying on seniority, hard work, and following the rules?’

’That path was blocked long ago.’

He saw it all too clearly.

The ones who really got ahead quickly were never the hardest workers, but those who dared to gamble and knew how to latch on to power.

Wasn’t Ling Anxun a perfect example? Didn’t he become a brigade commander so quickly because of the Ling family’s backing?

He was only in his early thirties, yet he was already in command of a whole brigade at such a young age.

’How much of that could really be attributed to "ability"?’

’It was just a matter of good birth and having powerful support.’

No one understood the torment Cao Daqiang had been going through these past few days.

He couldn’t sleep at night and had no appetite, spending every evening weighing his options over and over.

Siding with Gu Jiajun meant betraying his principles.

But if he didn’t, he might be stuck as a platoon leader for the rest of his life, fading into obscurity until he grew old.

He still hadn’t made up his mind when a group of leaders came to inspect the elementary school.

It was supposed to be a normal, routine inspection, but it just had to happen at the most sensitive of times.

As the representative for the younger students, Shanshan walked at the very front, her hair in two little pigtails.

She never imagined that among the leaders of the inspection team, she would see a member of her own family.

As her gaze swept over the front row of the group, she froze for a moment, and then her eyes went wide.

Ling Antao was staring at her with a grin, dressed in a crisp cadre’s uniform. He secretly gave her a little wink.

Shanshan immediately flashed a huge smile back at him.

They both understood the situation and didn’t say a word to give it away.

They were family, but they couldn’t acknowledge each other in front of everyone.

A little boy behind her was so nervous that his hand trembled, and with a CLINK, a teacup slipped from his grasp.

The tea was about to splash all over the leader who was in the middle of speaking.

In the nick of time, Shanshan’s reflexes kicked in. She reached out and swiftly caught the cup.

"Whoa, this girl’s got quick reactions!"

The leader was startled at first, but then let out a sigh of relief.

"Young lady, study hard. If you get into a military academy in the future, you could become an outstanding soldier! With such great composure, you’re a natural!"

When Shanshan heard she could apply to a military academy, she froze for a second.

"Thank you, Uncle Leader! I’ll definitely work hard! I won’t let you down!"

Laughter immediately erupted from the people around them.

The little incident passed without any trouble, and it was time for the children to be dismissed.

The teacher called for everyone to line up and prepare to head back to their classrooms.

The little boy who had almost dropped the cup kept his head down, his eyes red.

He quietly walked over to Shanshan’s side.

"Shanshan... thank you... If it weren’t for you, I would’ve been in huge trouble..."

Shanshan smiled and waved her hand dismissively.

"It’s okay! Everyone gets nervous. You didn’t do it on purpose."

She gave his shoulder a gentle pat.

Their classmates immediately gathered around, all talking at once to comfort him.

When school let out in the afternoon, Jiao Qin was there to pick her up.

Jiao Qin, wearing a light blue dress, stood at the school gate and waved to her.

Shanshan, with her small backpack on, ran over and hugged her arm, chattering away as she told her all about seeing her uncle.

"You must have been thrilled, huh?"

Jiao Qin said with a laugh, ruffling her hair.

"Your uncle didn’t tell you ahead of time on purpose. He wanted to give you a surprise and specifically told all of us not to spoil it."

"I was so happy! I even winked at my uncle!"

Shanshan lifted her little face proudly.

"And my uncle smiled back! I never used to dare even fidget in front of him!"

She chattered on endlessly, waving her hands and feet in excitement.

At dinner that night, she recounted the story again as a funny anecdote for the whole family, making everyone roar with laughter.

Ling Anxun made a decision on the spot.

"As of tonight, Shanshan has performed a meritorious service! There must be a reward! This brought honor to our family."

"Dad."

Shanshan immediately scooted closer, looking up with her small face.

"Can I choose my own reward?"

"Of course!"

"Whatever you want, Dad will buy it for you! Whether it’s toys, books, or a new dress, just say the word, and Dad will have someone arrange it tomorrow!"

Shanshan blinked.

"Dad, you’ve been so busy lately, and I haven’t gone out to play with you in so long... Can you take me to the amusement park? Just the two of us. No going to the office, and no taking calls..."

Everyone knew that Ling Anxun was constantly away on business. He had pitifully little time at home, let alone time to take his daughter out to play.

Ling Anxun’s heart tightened.

He looked at his daughter, suddenly feeling a sharp pang of guilt.

’How long has it been since I properly spent time with her?’

The last time he had taken her out was on Children’s Day six months ago, but he had ended up taking a phone call and leaving in a hurry.

"Okay!"

"Tomorrow! Dad will take you first thing in the morning! I promise!"

"That’s great! Thank you, Dad!"

Shanshan cheered and jumped up from her chair in excitement.

She turned her head to look at Zou Hui.

"Auntie Zou Hui."

"Can you help me pick out an outfit for tomorrow? I have to look pretty when I go out with Dad! I can’t embarrass him!"

"Of course. Get up early tomorrow morning. Before I leave for work, I’ll braid your hair and pick out your prettiest little dress. You can be a little princess for a day."

「The next morning, just as the sky was beginning to lighten.」

Shanshan, already dressed in the light pink dress she had picked out the day before, stood obediently at the door to her aunt’s room.

Zou Hui opened the door, yawning, and was nearly startled by the small figure standing there.

"Huh? Shanshan? Why are you up so early? Not sleeping in anymore? You have two days off, and you’re not even staying in bed?"

"Hehe, good morning, Auntie Zou Hui!"

Shanshan beamed and bounced in front of her.

"I’m too excited. As soon as I closed my eyes, I dreamt of the amusement park—riding the carousel and the Ferris wheel. I just couldn’t sleep."

She pulled a barrette and a hair tie she had already prepared from her pocket.

"Auntie Zou Hui, you go wash up. I’ll wait for you here. I’m not in a hurry, you can take your time."

"No need, I’ll do your hair first."

With a few quick strokes of the comb, Shanshan was transformed into a walking candy doll.

Ling Anxun left the house, holding his daughter’s hand.

The moment they stepped into the entrance of the amusement park, all eyes—SWISH—snapped toward them.