Song Mingrui flung the bloodied whip behind him, his eyes fierce as he glared at the man being held up. He stepped closer and pressed his fingers hard against the man’s wound.
“Ah—! You… you’ve got guts, then kill me!”
“Dream on. A beast like you doesn’t deserve a quick death. You should enjoy the rest of your life to the fullest. Zheng Li, take him to Old Shi.”
“Got it, Captain Song.”
After two sleepless nights of work, Song Mingrui was utterly exhausted. He returned to his room, washed up briefly, and was just about to close his eyes when a knock sounded at the door.
“Captain Song, a call from the regiment headquarters.”
“Coming.”
Song Mingrui quickly made his way to the office. As soon as he picked up the phone, his expression changed.
“Commissar, what? Another year? You know I’ve been waiting to return to the regiment for two years now. In these two years, I’ve barely been home. My wife has been raising our child alone. When I left last year, she was pregnant. Yes, I know the mission is urgent, but you can’t keep piling everything on me alone. What parents? I just pay them to help take care of my wife and child. At the very least, they rely on me to support them in their old age and see them off—they won’t mistreat my family. That’s my final concession.”
“Song Mingrui, you are a soldier.”
The voice on the other end of the line was stern, but after a long pause with no response, the tone softened.
“Mingrui, it’s not that we don’t understand your situation. It’s just that in this area, you have the experience and the skills. If you want someone else to take over, do you have anyone in mind? If you do, I’ll replace you right now. I know your wife has suffered, but the higher-ups have already arranged for someone to look after your family. You can rest assured. Just one more year. The regiment has already allocated a house for you—a big courtyard with its own toilet. I’m sure you’ll be satisfied. I’ve heard your wife is from Yucheng. When she joins you as a military dependent, it’ll be like returning home, won’t it?”
Song Mingrui gritted his teeth and let out a bitter laugh.
“Commissar, when you agreed to let me enlist back then, I never imagined whether it would turn out to be a good or a bad thing. My wife used to be a strong-willed person—she never complained about hardships or exhaustion. But now, every time I go back, she just yells and argues. Sometimes I think I’m not even human—I can’t take responsibility for her or treat her well, yet I insisted on marrying her. I’ve let her down.”
“That’s a dangerous way of thinking, Song Mingrui. As a soldier and as a military family member, your ideological awareness shouldn’t be so low. Besides, if your wife knew you were an outstanding officer, she would surely be proud of you.”
Song Mingrui: “…”
Given how things have been these past two years, I’d be thanking my lucky stars if she didn’t chew me out!
“Commissar, have you forgotten? When I married her, I was undercover. She doesn’t know a damn thing!”
Commissar: “…”
Ah, right. I forgot about that. How awkward!
"Mingrui, just one year, one year is enough for you to deal with those bastards. The leadership and I from the regiment have arranged a courtyard for you, and we'll also help arrange work for your family to join you in the military. I know you and your family have spent little time together over the years, and your family relationships, marital relationship, and parent-child relationship have all been strained. Can you wait a little longer? This isn't just an order; it's also a request. Think about those who have been driven mad, those innocent people killed by these scum. Their families are now living like neither humans nor ghosts. We are soldiers; we must prioritize the safety of the people. You understand this better than anyone, don't you? Song Mingrui, this isn't a negotiation. You must complete this mission!"
Song Mingrui felt a tightness in his chest, his hand gripping the receiver tighter and tighter.
"Yes, Political Commissar. I guarantee the mission will be completed."
After hanging up, Song Mingrui felt restless, as if a cat were scratching at his heart. After a long moment, he pulled a pack of cigarettes from his coat pocket. His hands were shaking so badly that he could barely manage to take one out when he heard footsteps approaching.
Zheng Li's throat felt dry. He cleared it twice before daring to approach Song Mingrui.
"Captain Song!"
"My son Song Yang will be five after the New Year, old enough to start school. Ah, that kid is so distant from me. Whenever he sees me, he hides in his mother's arms, not a bit of his old man's boldness. Damn it, I'm starting to miss them both."
"Captain, your wife and Yangyang must miss you too."
"Cut the crap. My wife can't stand my parents, and I can't stand those two old folks either. But with me not around, she has to work and take care of the child alone—how can she manage? Rather than finding someone outside, it's better to let those two old folks take care of him. At least for the sake of money, they won't secretly mistreat Yangyang, and she can rest easier. Tsk! These past couple of years, your sister-in-law has been really unhappy with me too. Last time I went back, she scratched my neck and left marks. It hurt like hell. I mean, this woman—I don't even feel pain in the middle of gunfire, but she just lightly scratches me, and it hurts so much!"
Zheng Li didn't dare speak. He wanted to say that maybe his sister-in-law's nails were filed a bit too sharp, but he was afraid the captain would curse him for being a bachelor who didn't understand a thing about women's nails.
"Alright, you wouldn't understand anyway. You're just a bachelor; it's pointless talking to you about this. I'm going to get some sleep; I'm exhausted. When Old Shi finishes up, have him come find me. We need to speed up the plan. I don't have the patience to keep dealing with those people."
Damn it, another year? What about my wife and child!
"Yes, sir!"
Although the work at the cotton textile mill workshop was exhausting, the benefits were good. Not only were there monthly subsidies, but the meals provided by the factory were also top-notch.
The next day, Wei Yao tidied up and rode her bicycle with the two children to the cotton textile mill nursery. For employees, it cost only one yuan per child per month. For a child like Song Hui, who was just a few months old, it was an extra fifty cents—more meticulous care took more time, and Wei Yao understood that.
After paying the fee, she gave Song Yang a few instructions, kissed Song Hui hesitantly several times, and reluctantly left.
Remembering the doctor's advice, she paid another five yuan at the milk-ordering station in the factory. This was also one of the cotton textile mill's benefits: employees who wanted to order milk didn't have to go elsewhere; the factory could arrange it directly.
She actually had some in her space, but the milk these days was especially good. For five yuan, she could get two bottles delivered daily, enough for both her and the children to drink.
In the past, Wei Yao had handed over both her salary and Song Mingrui's money for household expenses, leaving so little for herself that it wasn't even enough to order milk, let alone send the child to nursery.
Thinking of the look the clerk had given her earlier, she felt utterly embarrassed.
Wei Yao was known in the cotton textile mill for being notoriously stingy.
After finishing her business, she went straight to the director's office.
"What? You want to transfer to work in the cafeteria? Xiao Wei, have you discussed this with your family? If you really want to transfer, you need to think it through carefully. Once you transfer, it'll be difficult to switch back later."
"I really want to transfer, Director. I've separated from the family now and need to take care of two children. I don't have as much time. Although cafeteria work is more tiring, it ends earlier. I just want a bit more time to look after the children. Don't worry, I came to you first about this. I know your family is also worried. Just go ahead and arrange it."
The director's eyes flickered slightly as he thought of his niece at home, already calculating in his mind.
"Xiao Wei, I understand what you mean. The cafeteria salary can't be increased—it's twenty-seven yuan and fifty cents. But I'll make arrangements for you to do lighter work. You can also take leftover food home. Since I've given my approval, no one will dare use this as an excuse to trouble you later."
The cafeteria at the cotton textile mill had good benefits and plenty of perks. Even without skimming, just being able to take some food home daily was a huge advantage. The director had even given his word, which was exceptionally kind. Wei Yao thanked him repeatedly.