Page 218

Chen Zhigang was infuriated, quivering with anger. If he expelled Gu Xiaoxi and Zhao Zilong, it would be like a bolt from the blue; how could he bear to do it.

As soon as Gu Xiaoxi saw Chen Zhigang’s posture, racing over with a shoe in hand, it was clear she was truly annoyed.

She exchanged glances with Zhao Zilong, then turned around and bolted, cradling her head.

It was just a matter of disobeying orders, right? She had won, and no one was hurt. Why did it become so grave?

Chen Zhigang was unable to contain his fury, "If you dare, stand still. You even dare to run!"

Gu Xiaoxi and Zhao Zilong were no fools and they took off like a shot.

...

Xia Zhongguo was also extremely angry about the incident afterward.

Fortunately, the mission was completed, but the loss of a fighter pilot was a significant casualty of war.

Three main station members were injured, hospitalized, and their long-term treatment might affect their future military careers.

Three days later, at Martyrs’ Park, everyone took off their hats and paid their respects to the fallen pilot.

Gu Xiaoxi and Zhao Zilong sneaked out of the confinement room, left the company, and made it in time for the burial of the martyr.

They picked a handful of wildflowers in the mountains and then waited until all the mourners had left.

Only then did both stride towards the tombstone of the martyr they had never met.

Gu Xiaoxi looked at the photo on the tombstone, a young man in military uniform, his smile revealing a row of dazzling white teeth.

The tombstone marked his age, a martyr at twenty-two.

This was the second time she had encountered a sacrifice in the military!

There were always accidents in combat, and when each living life passed away, they protected justice and the nation with their fragile lives, unafraid of death for the sake of peace and belief.

When bullets and gunpowder intertwined behind them, their only thought was victory!

They were soldiers. In life unadorned, in death, peaceful. Their final destination was but a coffin, a photograph, and a tombstone.

What’s left for their families was a handful of ashes, hard-earned honor, and an aching longing.

In the early spring in the south, the sunset was warm, the gentle breeze tumbled the grass in Martyrs’ Park.

Gu Xiaoxi gripped the wildflowers in her hand, then placed them in front of the tombstone.

She crouched there, wanting to smile at the young man in the photo and tell him to rest easy on his journey; that she had avenged his great wrongs; and that she would continue his legacy and beliefs.

But in the end, Gu Xiaoxi’s mouth tensed up, failing to produce a smile.

Her eyes suddenly welled up with tears, reminding her of Number Seventeen.

A path forged in blood, behind the glory, countless unknown sacrifices. Faced with the enemy, it’s either your death or mine.

She had long been accustomed to facing life and death with indifference, yet every time a comrade passed away by her side,

it made her feel the weight of responsibility on her shoulders even more.

This mission, whether it was defying orders or being wrong,

her heart had not changed. At least, this comrade in front of her did not die in vain. She had eliminated the enemy, and the other comrades suffered no casualties and all returned safely.

Zhao Zilong stood beside Gu Xiaoxi, gazing at her face bathed in the sunset, a flicker of moisture swiftly passing beneath her long eyelashes. Her eyes at this moment were as clear as autumn water, and they had a serene beauty.

For the first time, he realized that this girl was not only beautiful. There was also a kind of loveliness about her that he himself could not describe, not something that words could capture.

She was like a fine wine, which, as you got to know and savor it, could intoxicate you so deeply that you’d fall hopelessly in love with her.

He couldn’t understand why he had found her so annoying before.

Gu Xiaoxi put down the bouquet, stood up, and saluted with her head up and chest out. In front of her, numerous tombstones stood, exuding a sense of antiquity and solitude.

In the breast pocket of her uniform, she carried the badge of Number Seventeen.

Never before had she, at this moment, so intensely longed for peace.

Zhao Zilong looked at the tombstones, his gaze becoming exceptionally grave.

In the sunset, a man and a woman in tidy military uniforms stood with imposing silhouettes before a field of tombstones, surrounded by shaded green trees, swaying grass, and petals of wildflowers spiraling down gently.

It was as if a beautifully scenic painting, infused with a heart-wrenching melancholy. It captivated anyone who glanced at it, lingering deeply in the recesses of memory, unforgettable.

*

"Run away! To have the audacity to run away from confinement! It’s infuriating!" Chen Zhigang stood outside the confinement room, hopping with frustration.

At this time, Xia Zhongguo had come in person, intending to let Gu Xiaoxi and Zhao Zilong off with a written self-criticism after their confinement, considering their generally good performance.

But now, the two had escaped from their confinement.

If Xia Zhongguo found out, they’d be in for it and would be driven away immediately.

That couldn’t happen. Zhao Zilong and Gu Xiaoxi were the pride of the reconnaissance soldiers, rare talents that he was not prepared to let go of.

"Chen Zhigang, I sent you to call someone, how come it has taken you so long?" Xia Zhongguo’s voice suddenly called up from downstairs.

Chen Zhigang, sweating profusely from his forehead, nodded quickly: "Here! Here! Commander, just give me another moment."

"No need. I’ve come to see for myself." Saying this, Xia Zhongguo, hands behind his back and expressionless, walked up the stairs and stood in front of Chen Zhigang, peering into the confinement room.

Inside it was empty, not even a ghost in sight.

His face immediately darkened.

"Where are they?" Xia Zhongguo asked with a cold, fierce frown, his expression changing instantly.

"I... I... I ..." Chen Zhigang stammered for the longest time, unable to articulate an explanation.

Xia Zhongguo was no fool and naturally guessed what had happened. His anger was such that stars danced before his eyes, and he pointed at Chen Zhigang, his words tumbling out incoherently: "You... you... Well done. Even confined, they managed to escape. Chen Zhigang, don’t say I’m heartless..."

"Reporting to the commander, we just went to the toilet," Zhao Zilong and Gu Xiaoxi suddenly appeared at the corner, interrupting Xia Zhongguo.

Gu Xiaoxi quietly wiped the sweat from his brow, that was close; if Xia Zhongguo continued, he would probably call for their dismissal next.

Xia Zhongguo looked at Gu Xiaoxi and Zhao Zilong, who had suddenly emerged, his face changing colors.

Gu Xiaoxi, with an innocent look full of curiosity, stood not too far away, smiling: "Commander, were you looking for me? Sorry, I took a bit long in the toilet. I made you wait."

Chen Zhigang, whose heart had been in his throat, finally landed back on solid ground.

He immediately brightened up with a smile, stepped forward, and covered for them, "If you had said you went to the toilet, it would have saved me the trouble of looking for you.

Both of you apologize to the commander at once. "

Gu Xiaoxi and Zhao Zilong stepped forward to Xia Zhongguo and, with great respect and in unison, said, "Commander, we know we were wrong."

Seeing their sincere expressions, Xia Zhongguo’s face softened slightly. He lifted his head, glared at Gu Xiaoxi, and asked, "Have you written your self-criticism?"

Gu Xiaoxi saluted promptly and reported loudly: "Written!"

Xia Zhongguo then looked at Zhao Zilong.

Zhao Zilong saluted and responded: "Report, I’ve written mine as well."

Xia Zhongguo finally expressed satisfaction and said to Gu Xiaoxi and Zhao Zilong: "Let’s go and see your self-criticisms."

Chen Zhigang breathed a long sigh of relief, that was close. They had narrowly avoided dismissal.

But just then, a soldier from the police office ran up, looking completely bewildered, and glared at Gu Xiaoxi and Zhao Zilong, saying angrily, "Where did you two run off to this afternoon? I’ve been looking for you for ages. When did you get back?"

Gawk... gawk... gawk...

Instantly, the silence in the corridor outside the confinement room was so deep you could hear a pin drop.

Chen Zhigang stood there stiffly, his fingers clenched from anger, his muscles spasming rapidly.

Gu Xiaoxi and Zhao Zilong dropped their shoulders and instantly fell silent.

The most spectacular expression belonged to Xia Zhongguo, who went from shock to realization, to exploding with rage, and then to bellowing, "You actually conspired to deceive me! This is outrageous, escaping from confinement. It’s a complete disregard for military discipline.

Get out, we’ll never keep you in the Sixth Regiment.

I’m going to apply to the higher-ups! .. ."

In the end, Xia Zhongguo flung his sleeves, trembling with anger as he strode away.

Chen Zhigang clenched his fists, staring at Gu Xiaoxi and Zhao Zilong, frustrated at their failure to meet expectations. Was he supposed to hit them?

Seeing that the situation was not in their favor, Gu Xiaoxi and Zhao Zilong turned and ran.

They ran back to the confinement room and locked the door from the inside!

Chen Zhigang stood at the window, so angry he almost smashed it. In the end, unable to do anything about the pair, he turned around and ranted at the police officer.

Gu Xiaoxi and Zhao Zilong exchanged glances and sighed.

It looked like they were really going to leave the Sixth Regiment.