A few minutes short of two hours, Ji Ting came downstairs carrying his small suitcase.
Everyone sitting in the living room stood up. It was time to leave-and time to reveal the winner.
"Little Ji, have you made your decision?"
Ji Ting nodded. "Thank you all for inviting me, but I'll still be going with Political Commissar Shen this time. I'll visit the other four theater commands when I get the chance."
Though they had expected this outcome, the four of them still felt somewhat disappointed when Ji Ting actually chose Shen Lin.
Deputy Commander Zhang sighed, but still held out his hand. "Little Ji, you must come visit our Northern Theater Command when you have time."
But Ji Ting said, "I'll be going to the Northern Theater Command after the Spring Festival to see the aircraft carriers."
"Huh?"
They had all assumed his promise to visit when he had the chance was just meant to console them. They never imagined he already had plans, right down to the timing.
Political Commissar Lu's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly asked, "What about us?"
"I also want to see the Eastern Theater Command's missile base, the Central Theater Command's nuclear weapons research institute, and the Western Theater Command's satellite launch center. I'll definitely visit them all."
That single remark made all four of them bloom with joy again. Even their "jealousy" of Shen Lin vanished, and they were all beaming when they left.
Warmth filled Shen Lin's heart. He raised a hand and patted Ji Ting's shoulder. "Thank you, Little Ji."
Ji Ting didn't understand. "...For what?"
"Nothing." Shen Lin smiled and reached for his suitcase. "Let's go."
Ji Ting was just about to nod when the butler suddenly came running over. "Second Young Master, wait!"
He approached carrying a box