Going home was out of the question.
After enduring the jolts and dust of trains, buses, tractors, oxcarts, and her own two feet—yet still failing to return to her modern era—Lin Ting finally arrived at the troop where Huo Xiao had served, on the afternoon of the seventh day.
To be frank, although Lin Ting also came from a rural background, her parents had spoiled her. She had never even set foot in a field her entire life.
The greatest hardship she had ever faced was probably studying.
Now, after crossing into this era, in just one week, she had suffered through all kinds of hardships.
Lin Ting had considered calling the troop to see if she could hitch a ride or something.
But after thinking it over several times, she decided against it.
What if the troop had no vehicles heading her way, and they specially dispatched a car to pick her up because of Huo Xiao’s status as a Martyr? That would be her fault.
Fortunately, though the journey was arduous, she had eventually found her way to the destination.
Still, when she saw the soldier standing guard at the troop’s entrance, holding a rifle with a ramrod-straight posture, it took Lin Ting a long time to calm her emotions and swallow down the sense of grievance over inexplicably enduring all these hardships.
No matter what, she had arrived safely, meaning the revolution was half accomplished.
With that thought, Lin Ting took several deep breaths, mustered some courage, and then staggered toward the guard post, dragging her bundle along.
Meanwhile.
Third Regiment Commander Deng Hongjun was in the Brigade Commander’s office, complaining about the newly appointed deputy regiment commander.
Dressed in a half-worn military uniform, Deng was lean with a gaunt face and deep-set eyes, but his back was straight, exuding vigor. His voice boomed with energy as he spoke: “…When Huo Xiao was around, why would I need to clean up after anyone? I never even had to open my mouth—he’d handle everything in advance himself…”
Brigade Commander Wei Tao, holding a tea mug, stood by the window gazing at the soldiers conducting emergency drills on the distant training ground. Without turning around, he replied, “And he even helped you out with some issues from time to time, right?”
Deng Hongjun choked, his voice lowering slightly: “I’m not expecting the new guy to help me out now, but at the very least, he should handle his own responsibilities properly, shouldn’t he? It’s been two or three months, and he’s still rash and careless. I don’t care whose grandson he is, Brigade Commander, please assign me someone else!”
Hearing Old Deng state his ultimate goal didn’t surprise Wei Tao.
Although the new deputy regiment commander had some connections, his performance wasn’t actually that poor—otherwise, Wei Tao wouldn’t have promoted him.
Old Deng was just accustomed to working with Huo Xiao; with that comparison, he found faults everywhere.
But exceptional talents like Huo Xiao were rare, and the tacit understanding between the two had been built over years.
Moreover, once Huo Xiao returned from his current secret mission, he would be promoted to full regiment commander and might even be transferred to another troop. Splitting up with Old Deng was inevitable sooner or later.
So Wei Tao still didn’t turn around. Instead, he blew on the tea leaves floating in his mug, took a sip, and then said leisurely, “Old Deng, as leaders, we must have the magnanimity to tolerate others. If the newcomer doesn’t know how, teach him more. Everyone goes through this. With a bit more adjustment, things will work out.”
Deng Hongjun slammed the table: “Nonsense! Why didn’t Huo Xiao need any break-in?!”
Wei Tao sighed, turned to face Old Deng, and said with difficulty, “Huo Xiao… truly is an outstanding comrade, but he…” was bound for promotion sooner or later.
However, this matter couldn’t be openly discussed yet. Deng Hongjun, unaware of the inside story, deflated like a punctured balloon, his eyes abruptly reddening without warning.
Not wanting to lose face in front of his former superior, his chapped lips trembled slightly, but he ultimately said nothing. With slumped shoulders, he turned to leave.
Just then, Deng Hongjun’s guard jogged over. Seeing the brigade commander’s office door ajar, he saluted crisply and announced, “Report!”
Deng Hongjun barked, “Speak!”
The guard swallowed nervously, first glancing at the brigade commander sipping tea before responding, “Regiment Commander, Deputy Regiment Commander Huo’s wife is here, waiting at the gatehouse.”
“Pfft… cough cough cough…” Wei Tao choked violently on his tea.
Deng Hongjun stared in shock, “Who did you say? Huo Xiao’s wife?”
Wei Tao, one of only two people in the troop who knew Huo Xiao’s exact whereabouts, suppressed his coughing fit and urgently asked, “Why would she come here?”
The guard pressed his lips together, admiration evident in his eyes, “She said… she came to collect Deputy Regiment Commander Huo’s personal effects.”
At these words, Deng Hongjun’s pupils contracted sharply. Without another word, he strode rapidly toward the exit.
Seeing this, Wei Tao only hesitated a moment before donning his military cap and quickly following.
But just as he reached the doorway, he turned back to instruct the guard who was about to follow, “Notify the Political Commissar.”
Just in case… if the female comrade became emotional or caused a scene, it would be better to have Lao Hong, who was skilled at mediation, handle it.
The gatehouse was some distance from the troop headquarters.
By the time the group hurried over, Lin Ting had been waiting nearly half an hour.
The two middle-aged officers leading the group wore four-pocket military uniforms.
Without shoulder insignia to distinguish their ranks, Lin Ting could only offer a general greeting after presenting her letter of introduction, “My apologies for coming unannounced, leaders.”
No tears, no accusations.
Faced with the disheveled yet unexpectedly calm and polite young woman, the arriving group collectively breathed a sigh of relief.
“No trouble at all, no trouble… it’s good you came to see,” Brigade Commander Wei Tao spoke first, feeling inexplicably guilty. He then signaled his guard with a glance to take the woman’s bundle.
“Yes, yes, it’s good you came, sister-in-law. I packed Huo Xiao’s belongings myself, but being all thumbs, I might have missed something. Your coming is perfect,” Deng Hongjun, who had just been slamming the table angrily with the brigade commander, now forced a smile, his hands rubbing together uneasily.
So he really had sacrificed…
Although official military notifications were rarely mistaken, having the confirmation still dimmed Lin Ting’s expression slightly.
It wasn’t about anything else—she simply wished all heroes who defended the nation on the battlefield could return home in glory.
Wei Tao noticed the subtle change in Lin Ting’s expression and understood she might have been clinging to hope that Huo Xiao was safe.
Although Huo Xiao was indeed fine, he was currently on a secret mission. Besides Wei Tao and his partner Lao Hong, only the superior commander knew the details.
Thinking this, Wei Tao—unable to reveal anything—put on a smile, “Comrade Lin Ting, you must have had a difficult journey. How about we get you settled first? We can discuss other matters after you’ve rested.”
Hearing this, Lin Ting, whose legs felt as if they were filled with lead, secretly breathed a sigh of relief: “Then I’ll trouble you.”
“No trouble at all, it’s what I should do.” With that, he led her toward the direction of the family quarters.
In truth, most visiting family members stayed in the single soldiers’ dormitories, but Huo Xiao’s wife was a special case, so Wei Tao decided to bring her to his wife for assistance.
Unaware of the troop’s regulations, Lin Ting assumed all visiting personnel were arranged this way and followed without objection.
The family quarters were quite close to the guard post.
Without the burden of her luggage, the walk wasn’t too difficult.
Along the way, they briefly introduced themselves and exchanged a few words before spotting the row houses of the family quarters in the distance.
It was only then that Lin Ting learned the amiable, middle-aged, scholarly officer who had been chatting with her was actually the Brigade Commander.
The other lean man was Deng Hongjun, Huo Xiao’s direct superior.
This was unexpected for Lin Ting; she never imagined her arrival would warrant personal reception by both the Brigade Commander and the Regimental Commander.
Feeling both honored and flustered, she quickly realized it was likely because of Huo Xiao.
She thought, that man… must be far more outstanding than she had assumed.
“Comrade Lin Ting, we’re here.”
Snapping out of her thoughts, Lin Ting followed Brigade Commander Wei into the house.
The Brigade Commander’s home wasn’t the standard two-story building often seen in modern TV dramas, but rather a typical three-room brick house with a gabled roof.
However, the interior was painted with lime powder, and with the tidy furniture, it looked clean and orderly.
After days of travel and intentionally making herself look disheveled and inconspicuous, Lin Ting now felt some regret as her dust-covered cloth shoes stepped onto the bluestone-paved floor.
She regretted not finding a guest house at her last stop to properly clean up.
But this thought vanished as quickly as it came—nothing was more important than her own safety.
Still, when Brigade Commander Wei’s wife invited her to sit on the sofa, she couldn’t help feeling awkward. With burning ears, she declined, “No need, I’m covered in dust. I’ll just sit on a stool.”
Worried the older woman might insist, Lin Ting promptly sat on a wooden stool nearby and added shyly, “Sorry to trouble you, sister-in-law.”
This was sincere; if not absolutely necessary, she truly wouldn’t have made this trip.
Not only had it drained half her life, but it also caused others a lot of trouble.
“What trouble? Our troop is like one big family. You’re Huo Xiao’s wife, so you’re like a real little sister to me. Don’t stand on ceremony; make yourself at home.” Noticing her discomfort, Zhao Fengying didn’t press further. After reassuring her with a smile, she turned to prepare a cup of malt extract.
Inwardly, she admired the disheveled, weary young woman.
She knew all too well how arduous the journey had been; traveling thousands of miles, Lin Ting must have endured many hardships.
She must truly care for Huo Xiao, Zhao Fengying thought.
With this in mind, she handed over the malt extract. Receiving a shy “thank you” in return, Zhao Fengying, who was old enough to be Lin Ting’s mother, felt even more tender toward her.
Wei Tao, seated on a nearby sofa, added gently, “Your sister-in-law is right. Comrade Lin Ting, if you have any difficulties, just speak up. The organization will help however it can.”
Deng Hongjun nodded in agreement.
Frankly, these words stirred a flicker of hope in Lin Ting’s heart.
She didn’t have any major requests, just hoped to use the leader’s name to purchase a sleeper ticket for the return journey.
But it wasn’t the right time to bring it up yet, so she simply held the malt extract with a light smile: “Thank you, leader.”
“Alright, I’ll take care of Xiao Lin here. You all hurry and go about your business. Whatever matters there are can wait until she’s properly rested.” Zhao Fengying, being a female comrade, was more considerate. She noticed Lin Ting’s discomfort and exhaustion beneath her disheveled appearance and knew she must be wanting to wash up and sleep, so she directly started shooing people away.
Wei Tao had originally planned the same, so he left the room accordingly.
However, after walking some distance, he pulled aside Deng Hongjun, who was about to head home to have his wife come over to help care for Lin Ting, and whispered instructions: “Lao Deng, make a call to Huo Xiao’s village. Report that she’s safe, and verify Comrade Lin Ting’s appearance.”
Deng Hongjun frowned: “Brigade Commander, are you saying this girl might be suspicious?”
Now that he mentioned it, she did seem unusually calm.
In the past, when soldiers sacrificed themselves, their families who came looking were either crying heartbroken or angrily demanding more compensation. This Comrade Lin Ting was indeed excessively calm.
But then again, Huo Xiao had sacrificed almost four months ago, so it made sense that she might have come to terms with it.
Wei Tao shook his head: “Don’t overthink it. Just make the call for peace of mind.”
He was just accustomed to being cautious. There couldn’t be any slip-ups regarding Huo Xiao’s affairs.
Hearing this, Deng Hongjun didn’t ask further. He acknowledged the order and turned to head to his office.
As for Wei Tao, watching the other man quickly depart, he exchanged a glance with his partner Lao Hong, who had just arrived.
Better safe than sorry!
Hopefully, they were just being overly suspicious.