Mercenary’s War
Chapter 1237: One Thousand Two Hundred Twenty: She is My Person

Chapter 1237: Chapter One Thousand Two Hundred Twenty: She is My Person

After a very formal apology and a very formal acceptance of the apology, the two sat back down on the couch.

Once seated again, Fritz still wore an expression of hostility, but at least he no longer held an overbearing attitude of superiority towards Gao Yang in their conversation.

“General Ram, I hope you’re not lying to me. I must make it clear—I hate you! I’ve never hidden that fact. You put my daughter in an extremely dangerous situation, and if I find out you’re deceiving me, I’ll retaliate without hesitation.”

After saying so, Fritz waved a hand and said in a deep voice, “Of course, if you’re willing to leave my daughter, even if you’ve lied to me, I won’t press the issue. I only care about my daughter.”

Gao Yang planned to respond, but Fritz spoke again: “I love my daughter. I love her deeply. More than anything else. It doesn’t matter if she understands or accepts it—I would sacrifice everything for her! General Ram! I hope you understand: If you won’t leave my daughter alone, then I’d rather abandon my career, even give up my life, to ensure you pay a price you can’t possibly bear!”

Gao Yang sighed and said, “General Aleberg, you’re mistaken. As a soldier, you haven’t figured out who your real enemy is. General Aleberg, you need to understand—we are allies. I want the same thing as you: for Eileen to return home and live a peaceful life.”

After speaking, Gao Yang let out a bitter laugh and said, “General Aleberg, as a father, you are obviously not qualified. Let me ask you once more: Do you truly understand your daughter?”

Once Fritz started treating Gao Yang as an equal in negotiations, he regained his composure. As a father, Fritz could let anger overpower reason, but returning to his role as a general, he instinctively resumed the authority and shrewdness befitting a lieutenant general.

After a long silence, Fritz nodded and said, “You’re right. I don’t know Eileen well enough. Otherwise, our relationship wouldn’t have reached this point. If you intend to point out my mistakes, go ahead.”

Gao Yang thought for a long time, but eventually, he said in a defeated tone, “I don’t know where you went wrong. I also don’t know why Eileen is so angry at you. I think maybe you hurt her feelings. She respects you deeply. Did you ever say something like, ‘It’d be better if you were a boy’?”

Fritz stood there, stunned, his mouth slightly agape, and murmured, “I did say that! But—but that was when she was little. And, I really just said it casually. I come from a family of soldiers. I wished for a son who could follow in my footsteps. But I never thought about making Eileen a soldier. I only wanted her to follow the path she liked and wanted to pursue.”

Gao Yang sighed and said, “Eileen admires you. She originally wanted to be a model, but because of your words, she joined the military. To prove herself, she worked hard to be the best at everything—and she succeeded. General Aleberg, Eileen is the best soldier I’ve ever seen. Even when compared with men, she’s still the best.”

Fritz showed deep regret as he said, “She never told me any of this. And I’ve never thought a girl should become a soldier.”

Gao Yang said in a low voice, “General Aleberg, Eileen worked hard to be the best soldier—she wanted your recognition. But instead of receiving what she wanted, she was kicked out of the military. And the reason she was kicked out? Simply because you’re a general.”

Fritz said, lost and despondent, “I just thought she should do what she’s supposed to do, and I didn’t think a girl was suitable to be a soldier. I just wanted her to be happy.”

“To gain your approval, Eileen chose to become a soldier. Then, as she gradually fulfilled her ambitions, you kicked her off the stage where she pursued her dreams. General Aleberg, what you did… forgive me for being blunt, was downright foolish. Even if you’d had a good talk with Eileen—just once—things wouldn’t have turned out like this.”

Fritz remained silent for a long time before speaking in a pained tone: “I’m a professional soldier. I’ve always been very busy. Eileen’s mother—she’s an executive at a company—was also very busy. We’ve always lacked care for Eileen. I rarely had a chance to spend time with her, to the point that I didn’t even know how to be a qualified father. But her mother and I truly love her. We love her very much. I won’t let anything happen to her, absolutely not.”

Murmuring to himself, Fritz waved his hand and said decisively to Gao Yang, “General Ram, Eileen must come home. I insist on this point.”

Gao Yang said in a serious tone, “I became a mercenary for money at first, but not anymore. Do you know why?”

“Why?”

“Because I’ve earned enough money—a lot of money. I’m now at least a multimillionaire, and so is your daughter. But we’re still mercenaries. Do you know why?”

“Why?”

“Because we can’t stop!”

Fritz replied gravely, “Mercenary work is a profession where death is the only way out.”

Gao Yang sighed and said, “I’m Eileen’s boss. I’m responsible for her. Whether you believe it or not, I have to tell you—I’ve urged her to go home many times, but she won’t. We can’t turn back, and neither can she! Unlike me, who became a mercenary for money, Eileen became one just to prove she’s the best soldier. Unable to prove herself in the military, she did so as a mercenary.”

Fritz asked numbly, “Did she succeed?”

Gao Yang replied with pride, “Without a doubt—she succeeded! We are the best mercenary corps, and Eileen is my best soldier! Who could deny her? Who dares to deny her?”

Fritz nodded and said, “Yes, I’m aware of you—the Satan Mercenary Corps. That blasphemous name—I’ve heard of it. You’re the best small-scale mercenary group. You’ve accomplished many great things. You’re impressive, though I don’t know exactly what you do.”

After speaking, Fritz spread his hands and said, “The person who told me Eileen became a mercenary was tight-lipped. He knows you, so he only told me where Eileen was without going into specifics. Apart from hearing the names Satan and Ram, I know nothing else.”

Gao Yang chuckled and said, “That’s fortunate. I thought all of Angel’s people were blabbermouths. It seems they know how to keep some secrets.”

Fritz gravely remarked, “But mercenary groups are, in essence, criminal organizations. You’re very successful, but that just means you’re a very successful transnational crime syndicate.”

Gao Yang paused for a long time before finally laughing bitterly and saying, “What you said… is not entirely wrong.”

Fritz let out a sigh and said softly, “No matter what, Eileen cannot continue as a mercenary. General Ram, if you truly hope for Eileen to return home, please help me. If Eileen truly wishes to find her worth through the military, I can try to get her back into the military. No matter what, being in the military is far better than being a mercenary. General Ram, if you’re willing to help me, as a father, I would be extremely grateful!”

Gao Yang shook his head with a bitter smile and said, “General Aleberg, your idea is great—but it’s not…”

Before Gao Yang could finish saying that Fritz’s idea was impractical, Eileen suddenly rushed out of the room. Pointing a trembling finger at Gao Yang with an expression of despair, she exclaimed, “Boss! You—you’ve betrayed me?”

Gao Yang and Fritz stood up. Yelena and Eileen’s mother rushed forward, standing beside Eileen. But Eileen simply waved them off, stepped forward again, and trembled as she said to Gao Yang, “Boss, I trusted you so much—yet you’ve betrayed me? I’m your subordinate. I’m your soldier. But you’ve betrayed me?”

Fritz, full of guilt, said softly, “Eileen, I’m sorry. We really did this all for your own good. General Ram spoke to me because he cares about you. Eileen, I’m sorry…”

“Shut up!”

Eileen shouted loudly, then glared fiercely at Gao Yang, her eyes glistening with tears, as she said with a trembling voice, “You betrayed your subordinate? You—you betrayed me!”

Gao Yang was somewhat at a loss. He had indeed said quite a bit, but he never planned to cooperate with Fritz to keep Eileen at home, because he understood her—if anyone forced Eileen to stay home, she would die.

Gao Yang thought providing just a brief explanation would suffice, but Eileen’s expression clearly showed she wouldn’t listen to anything. Fortunately, knowing Eileen well, Gao Yang knew how to handle the situation.

“Tyrannosaurus! Attention!”

Gao Yang suddenly shouted, and Eileen immediately stood at attention, loudly replying, “Yes, sir!”

After Eileen stood upright, Gao Yang, with an exasperated expression, looked at her and said, “Do you understand the situation?”

“Yes, sir!”

“Are you sure you understand the situation completely? Do you think you’ve fully grasped it?”

Eileen hesitated for a moment, then stood up straight and confidently replied, “No, sir!”

Gao Yang pointed at Eileen and said loudly, “At ease. When the officer speaks, you just need to listen attentively.”

Eileen placed her hands behind her back, stood with her legs slightly apart, and replied loudly, “Yes, sir!”

Turning to Fritz, Gao Yang said in a low voice, “General Aleberg, your idea is great—but unrealistic.”

Afterwards, Gao Yang solemnly said to Fritz, “Eileen—she’s my soldier! I disagree with her leaving Satan. That’s it!”

Fritz’s face instantly darkened. He looked at Gao Yang with disappointment, then looked at Eileen with pain and despair, his lips trembling, but he said nothing.

Gao Yang spoke seriously: “General Aleberg, I need to be responsible for my soldiers. It’s not that I don’t want Eileen to go home, or see her reunite with your family. I’m rejecting your proposal because I understand her deeply. If we follow your plan, she will die. I’m not exaggerating—she really would die. And Eileen doesn’t want to return to your military. If you plan to keep her confined at home, do you think that’s possible? With Eileen’s skills, who could restrain her? Unless you lock her up in prison. But could you accept such an outcome?”

Fritz’s lips trembled as he slumped back onto the couch. His gaze at Eileen was filled with pain and despair. But at this moment, Gao Yang said gravely, “General Aleberg, you don’t need to worry too much. What I’m about to say might make you feel slightly better. Here’s the thing—we’re undergoing a transformation. We’re no longer planning to work as mercenaries. We’re shifting to become businessmen. Legitimate businessmen.” (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)