[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-mercenary-s-war":3,"chapter-mercenary-s-war-mercenary-s-war-chapter-557":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Mercenary’s War",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1613497,2077,"Chapter 557 - 557 552 The Scars in the Heart","mercenary-s-war-chapter-557",557,"\u003Cp>557: Chapter 552: The Scars in the Heart 557: Chapter 552: The Scars in the Heart Gao Yang’s sudden change of attitude took Eileen by surprise, and Cui Bo also seemed relieved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Yang, you finally see the light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although a major general is indeed impressive, we aren’t going to Germany, and Eileen isn’t contacting her family, so what could go wrong?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Bo spoke dismissively, and although Gao Yang knew things were not so simple, he just smiled and said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eileen was very excited; she stood up and looked at Gao Yang, “That’s great, but why?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why did you change your mind?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yang shrugged and said, “Who said I changed my mind?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who said I had to reject you?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was never set in stone, you know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I just had to consider the potential troubles your identity might bring, but I never said it was out of the question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, your words moved me, so let’s just settle it this way, okay?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After finishing, Gao Yang paused before adding, “Actually, the key point is, I don’t like what your father does.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I think, perhaps I could give you a chance to live the life you want, to join the mercenary group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once you’re in, your life or death is no longer in your hands, but whether you live or die, it’s your choice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eileen nodded and said, “That’s right, I’m mentally prepared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Injury, or even death, won’t shake my resolve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ve become a soldier, and I must put what I’ve learned to use.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I don’t care whether the place I use it is just or not!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Commander, thank you for giving me the chance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yang smiled and said, “You know?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You have a remarkable father, but I have a good father.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’s just a small businessman, and with his hard work, he provided a comfortable life for our family, perhaps, even middle-class status.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From a young age, he had many hopes for me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wanted me to become a civil servant—well, that generation tends to think like that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yang began to talk about his father while Eileen and Cui Bo quietly listened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since he spoke in Chinese, Harley, who sat beside them, was utterly confused and couldn’t understand a word they were saying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a smile of nostalgia on his face, Gao Yang continued, “My father, he wanted me to become a civil servant and urged me to study hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, when I was young, I took a liking to shooting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wanted to be a marksman, and after he struggled with himself for a long time, he sent me to a shooting school.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I learned shooting for a few years, but eventually, I grew tired of it and gave up the idea of becoming a marksman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My father was glad I changed my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took me back, and to get me, who had fallen far behind in school, into a good one, he worked very hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He went around asking favors, and then he finally managed to get me into a school.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My grades weren’t good enough for me to attend a good university, and my father was disappointed, though he never showed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, I knew he was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Later, he hoped I would become a good businessman, someone who could make a lot of money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when I graduated from school, I became fascinated with making knives and wanted to become a professional bladesmith.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Actually, my father didn’t want me to become a bladesmith; he thought the profession had no future in Huaxia, but he said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I worked on forging knives, I needed a lot of materials and space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My father helped me find a location and the materials I needed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hadn’t asked him for help, but after I mentioned it, he started looking everywhere for me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then later, I changed my mind again and focused on becoming a foreign trade merchant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My father was relieved to see the change, but then, when I decided to go hunting in Africa, I spent all my savings, ended up in Ethiopia, and was stranded in South Sudan after a plane crash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone thought I was dead, but my father didn’t think so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spent all his savings, sold the house, sold the factory, and went to South Sudan to find me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He bankrupted himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not until I returned home and saw my father, who had just returned from Africa himself, did I realize he had cried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But from beginning to end, he hadn’t said a word to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t blamed me, even though I always made decisions without notifying him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would advise me, but never reprimand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would only silently support my choices, saying, ‘Son, whatever you want to do, I support you, as long as it’s not illegal or hazardous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ll support you in whatever you do.'”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, Gao Yang realized he was close to tears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For some reason, he just felt like talking about his father, though he had never spoken about him to anyone before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wiping away his tears, Gao Yang shrugged and said, “In the end, I once again went against my father’s wishes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I secretly killed the scum who harmed him, and from then on, I could only live outside of Huaxia as a wandering mercenary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My father was deeply saddened, very much so, but even then, he didn’t blame me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You know, I really miss him now, truly miss him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t very authoritative as a father, and some might say he pampered me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But truly, he was a good father.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When we’re young, we tend to take our parents’ love for granted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The times I could see him, I just found him annoying, but now, I really wish I could see him again and say I’m sorry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Talking about it brought tears to Gao Yang’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He himself was surprised, but after hearing Eileen talk about her father, he just wanted to talk about his own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For some reason, it just seemed right, and it was unstoppable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Eileen’s words touched the softest, deepest, and most painful part of Gao Yang’s heart, he couldn’t control his emotions and let them pour out uncontrollably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reflecting on the past, Gao Yang shook his head helplessly and spread his hands to Eileen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You mentioned your father, and it made me think of mine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I feel like I must help you fulfill your wish, even if it’s out of sympathy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eileen, let your father see, let the people of Angel Mercenary Corps see, let them know how amazing you are.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eileen and Cui Bo both fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long while, Eileen spoke in a grave voice, “Commander, you have a great father.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Really, he may be ordinary, but he’s truly great.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I envy you more than you can imagine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Commander, I will make them see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Bo too patted Gao Yang’s shoulder, his voice solemn, “Brother Yang, don’t get too excited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You’ll definitely see your uncle again, there will come a day.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yang wiped away his tears, embarrassed, and let out a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sorry, I got a little too emotional.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Okay, let’s talk business now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If there are no other issues, can we leave?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I feel very uncomfortable being here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You know, what I did just now was, um, quite embarrassing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eileen nonchalantly said, “There’s nothing to be embarrassed about, Commander.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What you said will only make people envious.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yang waved his hand, “Hurry up and take care of your business.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We need to get to the shooting range; others are waiting for us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eileen nodded, walked up to Harley, and after hugging her, said in English, “I’m leaving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You shouldn’t stay here by yourself; it’s too dangerous for a single woman.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harley seemed somewhat at a loss, “But where could I move to?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The nicer communities are too expensive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, don’t worry about me, Eileen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ll take good care of myself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eileen waved her hand dismissively, then looked towards Gao Yang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Commander, you seem to be quite wealthy?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harley has been a big help to me, and I don’t want to leave her behind, so…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yang gestured with his hand, “Cut to the chase, how much?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eileen was loyal and knew how to return favors, which Gao Yang greatly appreciated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eileen shrugged, “How much could I possibly earn?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe I could get an advance on a month’s salary?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or consider it a loan from you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now with a bank account, Gao Yang pulled out a checkbook and quickly tore off ten checks of one thousand dollars each.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tell me the name to write.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In America, cash is rarely used for purchases; it’s all done with credit cards or checks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After encountering many issues for not having a bank account, Gao Yang quickly obtained a set of traveler’s checks instead of the personal ones that could be made out for any amount.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There’s a risk of writing bad checks with personal ones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They are often denied once he left his place of residence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, traveler’s checks purchased with cash can be used as cash, so Gao Yang directly bought several tens of thousands of dollars in traveler’s checks to carry with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These checks can be cashed at a bank anytime or used like cash; the only inconvenience is that the amounts are fixed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eileen looked at Harley and, after stating Harley’s full name, said, “Write her name as the payee on all of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I don’t need the money for now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yang finished writing the payee’s name on the checks, signed his own name, and casually handed them to Eileen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taking them, she slapped them against her hand and chuckled, “Thanks, Commander.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You’re not only devilishly handsome, but your generosity is truly charming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I owe you this money; just deduct it from my salary when it’s time to pay up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harley didn’t know how much the traveler’s checks were worth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she got the money, she immediately exclaimed, “Oh my God, ten thousand dollars!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is too much, Eileen, way too much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two thousand dollars would have been more than enough, and this is just excessive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten thousand dollars was a substantial sum for most people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holding the checks, she seemed a bit frightened, while Eileen grandly declared, “Keep it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s enough to last you until the end of your internship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I plan to make big money in the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is nothing to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Take the money and move to a better community as fast as you can, preferably today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m leaving now, goodbye.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After they left Eileen’s place, Gao Yang pulled Cui Bo aside and whispered, “Today’s been strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why didn’t you flirt with that Harley?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Bo replied with disdain, “Forget it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I hadn’t seen what she looked like before makeup, maybe I’d have been interested.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after seeing that, well, I’d better save myself the trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, I think Harley doesn’t need to worry that much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as she doesn’t wear makeup when she goes out, she should be pretty safe, I guess.” (To be continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it on Qidian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Your support is my greatest motivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)\u003C\u002Fp>",1872,"2026-06-06T10:19:57.855Z",1,"novelbin.me","12471758600474cf4165196b772edf5ec3997e2bde3dfd75f65b466f2224d777","mercenary-s-war-chapter-558","mercenary-s-war-chapter-556",2343,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fmercenary-s-war-cover.jpg"]