"Hello, leaders and comrades. My name is Lin Baoni, and I am the wife of Gu Ye, the commander of the Second Regiment."

Bonnie stood on the stage and glanced at the officers and soldiers sitting below. They might be someone's husband, someone's father, or someone's son. Behind each of them, there was one or a group of people supporting their cause.

"I am grateful to the leaders of the military for their recognition of me. I have some things I would like to say here. I apologize for taking up your time."

"Comrade Lin Baoni, please feel free to speak your mind. We will listen attentively."

The fleet leader who just presented the award to Bonnie and the others spoke up, saying that he felt this comrade was extraordinary.

"From our unexpected meeting in 1964 to our marriage, it has been almost seven years. I have gone from being single to being married, and now I am a mother of two. I have been a military wife for almost seven years."

I don't know if any of you here are married or fathers, or if your wives are by your side. Since you got married, have you ever properly thanked your wives, or cooked them a meal out of love and care?

The military profession is noble, but the identity of a military wife is also extraordinary. They face countless challenges in their marriages, including their husbands' long absences from the family. They are both mothers and fathers to their husbands, which is truly difficult.

Whenever danger arises, you rush out of your home without hesitation; it's your mission. Having chosen soldiers as husbands, you must understand this deeply. While you protect others, they are also protecting your little family.

To say nothing of the distant past, just look at the typhoon a few days ago; several husbands were seen at home. My daughter, five years old, listened to the howling wind outside and asked when her father would come home. I told her he had important things to do. She loves her father very much and says he's a great hero who can protect many people. My son, not yet two, doesn't understand those things, so he asked, "Then why doesn't Daddy protect us?"

I don't mean to complain here, I just want to say that as military wives, while supporting our husbands' careers, we also need their love and care.

When you're not on a mission, could you please spend more time with your wife, help her with the bellows, and talk to her? When your child makes a mistake, could you please not just give them a beating, but talk to them properly? That way, your wife can also get some breathing room.

How many people think that they work hard outside and that it's not tiring for women to do housework at home? How many people yell at or disrespect their wives?

Many of the women in the residential compound envy me, thinking I'm lucky because my husband helps with housework and childcare, and I can do whatever I want. Their envy stems from their desire to have that kind of life too.

Besides the families accompanying military personnel, there are so many military spouses who stay at home for various reasons, and their situation is even more difficult. They have elderly parents to care for and young children to raise, with only their frail shoulders supporting them.

The reason I led my sisters-in-law to clear land and grow seaweed was to let them know that they could be self-reliant, and that even without their roles as wives and mothers, they were still themselves.

Ignoring the officers' reactions, Bonnie finished saying what she wanted to say, took her certificate, straightened her back, and walked off the stage without looking to the side, returning to her seat.

Bonnie could hear faint sobs around her. She didn't know what her words could change, but she just wanted to speak up for military wives and make their sacrifices seen instead of being taken for granted and ignored.

In the family compound, the unemployed women don't have the same confidence as the employed women. They have no source of income and rely on their husbands' wages for all their living expenses, so they lack confidence when they speak.

In other words, Gu Ye handed over all his assets as soon as they got married, which pleased Bao Ni. She also revealed her own assets, although not as much as Gu Ye's, but her sincerity was evident, which was more important.

"Comrade Lin Baoni's words are thought-provoking and deserve our deep reflection. As soldiers, we have our own duties and missions, but we must also take responsibility for our families. Children don't only have their mothers, they also have their fathers. You have a responsibility to make your wives happy, and that's what you should do."

The leader of the headquarters spoke on the stage. Bonnie didn't know who he was, but she agreed with what he said. After getting married, you have an obligation to make each other feel happy. Otherwise, what is the meaning of marriage?

Bonnie and the others were the first to leave the auditorium. The cash reward is with Han Weidong, and the ten sets of diving equipment will be delivered to them later.

In the auditorium, all the soldiers had left, leaving only the leaders from headquarters, Division Commander Yang, Gu Ye, and a few other regimental commanders and political commissars.

"Gu Ye, you're lucky! Comrade Lin Baoni is capable and has a broad vision; she's someone who can accomplish great things!"

"I used up all the good luck in my life by meeting Lam Po-nei!"

Gu Ye's words made the others unconsciously touch their arms. This was too... well, it didn't sound like something Gu Ye would say!

"For someone who always thinks about dying on the battlefield to say such a thing, Comrade Lin Baoni is no ordinary person!"

In the auditorium, the men, seasoned veterans who had faced countless battles and life-or-death situations, and who had wives and children, were all reflecting on whether they had treated their wives well and made them feel happy.

After this incident, the atmosphere in the family compound improved a lot, and many husbands were able to fulfill their roles as husbands, but that's another story.

After dinner, Gu Ye, who was putting the child to sleep, looked at Bao Ni under the lamplight and felt guilty. He was especially remorseful after hearing what Bao Ni had said about their son. He had done right by his country and the army, but he had failed his wife and child.

Bonnie, do you feel happy?

"We are happy for now. Whether we can stay happy depends on Comrade Gu Ye's performance in the future."

"Really? You're not kidding me?"

Bonnie looked at Gu Ye, wondering when he had become so insecure.

"Really, what I'm saying today is on behalf of most military wives; they really have it tough."

I'm much happier than them. You're not a hands-off parent; you cook, do laundry, and take care of the children... Because of your thoughtfulness, I can overcome other difficulties and still feel happy. You see my efforts, and you acknowledge them—that's the key.

Bonnie believes that happiness is not necessarily determined by material things. For a woman, a beautiful dress is not as good as a loving hug or a heartwarming word.

"Bonnie, I will work even harder. You must stay with me forever and be happy."

Bonnie patted Gu Ye's head and nodded vigorously. Gu Ye had done a good enough job, at least better than 95% of people.

So many people in later generations are afraid of marriage, simply because one person cannot shoulder the burden of marriage. Rather than struggling to the death in marriage alone, it's better not to enter into it at all and be more carefree on your own.