"Enough of this. Listen up! Leaders and soldiers, I have an announcement to make. First, let's welcome Colonel Daisy to the stage with our warm applause." At that time there was an excited crowd around Daisy, and their voices suddenly filled the air, followed by loud cheers. Daisy grew confused, and struggled to maintain her composure, as her normal bashfulness was brought to the surface by the recognition and applause.
"Go up there girl! What are you thinking?" The commander said with a smile on his face, looking at her with a tenderness dawning in his eyes.
Daisy took a deep breath, then patted her hair and straightened out her uniform. When she was sure her appearance was fine, then she gained the confidence to take the stage. She still felt a bit nervous not knowing what was coming.
Colonel Daisy, congratulations! Due to your contribution leading to the capture of the drug dealers last time and all the good deeds you've already become well-known for, now you are promoted to Senior Colonel." The host said, then took the Colonel insignia from Daisy's shoulder, replacing it with the Senior Colonel insignia -- four stars bounded by two bars on either side -- on her shoulder. He also applied the companion insignia on her collar. Daisy stood there quietly, partly out of her soldier training, and partly out of confusion and let the emcee do everything.
Kevin was extremely excited about this news. He almost didn't believe it. They'd been waiting for this day for so long. Hearing that the dream had finally been achieved was almost too much. Daisy had worked hard for this honor, and had survived rigors that almost beyond imagination. So she deserved this honor.
The tears began to well up in Mark's eyes. He thought all the efforts Daisy had made hadn't gone to waste and he knew this day would finally come. When this day came, he had a violent desire to cry. If you wanted to ask who was his idol, the answer would be his colonel. No, he was supposed to address her as Senior Colonel from that day on.
Senior Colonel, do you have something to say to our soldiers?" The host gave Daisy the microphone. He assumed she would have a lot to say.
"Leaders and soldiers, first, I need to say thank you to you all. Thanks for all your great kindness and recognition. And I can show you that I stand as an example of what you can achieve, because each drop of sweat you shed will be paid back." This was Daisy. She was always so cool. Not the long speech, but she could spell out an effective string of words to resonate with everyone. So the minute when she finished, the crowd broke into thunderous applause which lasted for a very long time.
Girl, congratulations! It has finally become sunny today." The commander's remarks were intriguing. After all, Daisy should have been promoted long time ago from her contributions, but she missed the opportunity every time. As for the reasons, they still weren't clear.
Thank you, Commander. I will work harder." Daisy said and gave him a formal salute. She had never thought she would have a surprise like today. Excitement and disbelief took root in her, and brought butterflies in her stomach.
Daisy, congratulations! You truly deserve it!" Kevin congratulated Daisy not as a colleague but a brother.
Thank you!" Daisy gave Kevin a slight hug with excited tears in her eyes. It was a tremendous shock for her today, so she had a desire to cry too.
This feeling was so strong that it even didn't stop after the parade ended. It was like a dream for her. She didn't come back to reality until she awoke from that dream.
Colonel, are you excited? I knew this day would come." Mark couldn't get used to the new form of address that Daisy's rank demanded, but the excitement in his heart was no less than Daisy's. In the heat of the moment, everyone let that slip by.
Um! Thanks, Mark. I couldn't have done it without your support." Daisy always treated Mark like her younger brother, so she could bear his impetuosity and didn't judge him.
No. It's all about your efforts. I can't take credit for it." Mark touched his head woodenly. He felt a little shy when hearing Daisy praised him.
No matter what, I should thank you. All right, let's head back now!" Daisy said and pursed her lips. She wanted to go home early since it was National Day.
When she was in her Hummer along the way, the wind blew on her face through the open window, which calmed her nerves a bit.
When she touched the insignia on her shoulder, her fingers trembled slightly. As a woman, it was a great honor for her and she felt no regrets in her whole life. At the time when she chose JC Military Academy, she never thought she would attain this rank after so few years. She felt satisfied with her life at that moment.
Daisy's mind was spinning just like the hummer's wheels. She thought the honor she got was all thanks to Edward. She wouldn't have chosen the army life if Edward hadn't said those words to Daisy a long time ago. She wouldn't have kept challenging herself and winning if she hadn't wanted to catch up with Edward, either. She wasn't in direct competition, but what would it be like if she slowed down and became complacent?
Most people might think she was aggrieved and wretched, but she never looked at herself in that way. On the contrary, she appreciated how fate gave her a different life. Otherwise, she would have never had the chance to experience the colorful and hot-blood life in the army.
"Colonel, Mr. Mu must be very happy to know you got promoted," Mark said when he glanced at Daisy in the rearview mirror. She was still buzzing from the surprise, and lost in thought.
"Don't tell him about this. I think he'll discover it by himself if he cares about me. Just wait for him to figure it out." Daisy said and frowned. She didn't know if Edward would discover it by himself. Honestly, she was half happy and half worried. On one hand, she wondered if he cared about her too much; on the other hand, she was afraid that his concern for her wasn't as deep as she expected.
Okay, got it." Mark said with a knowing smile. He knew what Daisy was thinking. After all he had been with her for a long time.
At that moment, Edward's house was full of joy. It wasn't for celebrating Daisy's promotion, but for the reunion with Rain and some other people. All of them were taking the holiday to gather to eat dinner.
Uncle Rain, how can you be like this? Apparently, you're the loser." Justin glared at Rain and complained with his lips pouted. His face flushed crimson with anger.
"Kid, haven't you heard? 'All warfare is based on deception.' If you lose, you lose. So, just admit defeat for once!" Rain said and raised his eyebrow. He was in a better mood when he saw Justin's angry red face.
"Daddy, see? Uncle Rain cheated." Little Justin asked for the help from his dad with his eyes filled with grief when he found he couldn't argue with Rain.
It's his personality, so you must be shameless enough if you want to play chess with him." That was Edward. His tone was always calm and emotionless, but his remarks could always hit the nail on the head.
Edward, what's wrong with my personality. Speaking of shameless, I'm not your match there." Rain disagreed with Edward and became furious on hearing him pronounce judgement on him.
Uncle Rain, My daddy is a little bit impudent, but he has a good personality." Justin said in a boyish voice, his young face looking much more serious, which made Rain burst into laughter suddenly. But Edward's face blackened when he heard what Justin said. He stared at his son in doubt, the son whom he always thought smart and talented. That little imp just put Edward in his place.