After Retiring from the Military, I Returned to the Village to Be a Stay-at-Home Dad

Chen Feng is a retired special forces operative known globally as the War God, possessing superhuman strength and abilities granted by a mysterious Chaos Bead. After twelve years of dangerous missions abroad, he returns to his rural hometown of Qingquan Village, expecting to reunite with his aging parents. Instead, he discovers a luxurious mansion built with his savings and a one-year-old daughter named Chen Linglong, whom he did not know he had. The child’s mother is Lu Caiwei, a successful CEO of a multinational corporation who secretly arranged for their union years ago during an incident abroad. Chen Feng, initially shocked and confused, accepts his new role as a father, determined to raise Linglong to be independent and self-reliant.

The story shifts from Chen Feng’s military past to his domestic life in the village. He balances his duties as a super-soldier with the mundane tasks of parenting, such as teaching Linglong to walk, catch fish, and learn pinyin. His elite guard unit, previously unseen, is revealed to be stationed nearby to protect him, though the villagers mistakenly believe they are bodyguards hired by Linglong’s wealthy mother. Chen Feng uses his supernatural abilities subtly, such as purifying the village well water to improve his family’s health and creating gentle breezes to cool the summer heat. He also befriends a baby panda named Little Silly, which becomes Linglong’s companion.

Conflict arises when a local poacher, Zhao Lun, attempts to steal the baby panda for a criminal boss named He Qiang. Chen Feng effortlessly neutralizes the threat, handing Zhao Lun over to the police and intimidating He Qiang and his thugs when they come to the village to cause trouble. The incident highlights Chen Feng’s continued influence and the protective network surrounding him, even in his quiet retirement. Despite these minor disturbances, Chen Feng remains focused on his daughter’s upbringing, emphasizing hard work and self-sufficiency from a young age.

As the narrative progresses, Chen Feng engages in village activities, such as catching cicadas with Linglong to earn money for popsicles. This experience serves as an early lesson in labor and value for the toddler. Meanwhile, Lu Caiwei is shown in a parallel storyline, managing her business empire while harboring deep affection and anxiety about her family. She receives photos of Chen Feng and Linglong, which reassure her of their bond. The story explores the contrast between Chen Feng’s legendary status in the military world and his current life as a devoted, albeit lazy, stay-at-home dad.

The core tension lies in Chen Feng’s desire for a peaceful family life versus the inevitable intrusions from his past and the dangers lurking in the world. He is determined to provide Linglong with a normal childhood while secretly ensuring her safety through his extensive resources and powers. The arrival of Lu Caiwei is anticipated, promising further developments in the family dynamic. Chen Feng’s interactions with his parents and the village community reveal a man who, despite his god-like abilities, finds genuine fulfillment in simple, everyday moments with his daughter.

Throughout the early chapters, the tone remains lighthearted and slice-of-life, focusing on the humorous and heartwarming aspects of raising a child. Chen Feng’s “laziness” is portrayed as a strategic choice to enjoy life after years of hardship, though he remains vigilant and capable when necessary. The story sets the stage for future challenges, balancing domestic comedy with the underlying potential for action and drama inherent in Chen Feng’s background.