“Yuge, you…”
Creaaaak.
The door swung open. Xia Yuge stood there in simple coarse cloth garments—her hair, once dry and brittle like withered straw, had been cut short to ear-length with a pair of scissors.
Whether by some trick of the mind or not, in Gu Nianchen’s eyes, Xia Yuge appeared surprisingly pleasing that morning. She was still tanned and thin, yes—but she looked sharper. Brighter. Full of life. Her eyes gleamed like stars on a summer night, and Gu Nianchen found himself staring, utterly spellbound.
“Hey—what kind of look is that? Never seen a beautiful woman before?” Xia Yuge asked, her tone edged with dry amusement.
“You… Xia Yuge, have you no shame? Do you even understand what the words ‘beautiful woman’ mean? You have no face to speak of, no… figure to boast of. At a glance, you’re nothing but a stick for stoking the fire. How dare you call yourself beautiful!” Gu Nianchen replied, looking thoroughly unimpressed.
“Oh? Is that so? If I’m merely a firewood-stick… why do you keep staring so intently? You wouldn’t be regretting breaking our engagement, would you?”
Free of any obligation, Xia Yuge felt no restraint whatsoever—she would needle him whenever the chance arose.
“You… Xia Yuge, don’t you dare—!” Gu Nianchen flushed red, his voice stumbling and stammering.
“You what? Dare what? Gu Nianchen—weren’t you in a rush? Why are you still standing there rooted to the spot? If you won’t leave, then I shall go without you.
Honestly… I wonder how your army officers ever pass their selection exams. Tell me—could they all be suffering from three-thousand-degree myopia?”
With that, she turned her back on him and walked straight to the dining table.
Barring accident, this would be her last meal in the Gu household. From now on—mountains and rivers apart—she, Xia Yuge, would never look back.
At the Longhua Military District Headquarters, Political Commissar Yang Jianshe stood by his office window, listening to reports while turning over in his mind the mission entrusted to him by his superiors.
Achoo!
Achoo!
Achoo!
Three resounding sneezes in a row left him thoroughly bewildered.
“Commissar—are you coming down with a chill? I’d advise you to drop by the infirmary for medicine. When a man falls ill, he should seek treatment early—never hide it out of pride. Otherwise, when your wife returns and finds you looking worn… she won’t be best pleased, will she?”
“Cheng Dong—you rascal! Watch your tongue! I’m in the prime of health! As for you—don’t you realize how old you’re getting? If you don’t hurry up and settle down, you’ll end up with no wife at all.
Oh—and by the way—your father asked me to pass along a message. He says if you haven’t found a bride before New Year’s, he’ll have one assigned to you. Even if he has to drag you there in chains—you’ll march to the wedding bed and continue your family line!” Yang Jianshe said, grinning broadly and teasing the younger officer.
“What? Commissar—did Grandfather truly say that?” Cheng Dong’s face fell, and he pressed forward anxiously.
“Every word. If you doubt me—telephone the old man yourself and ask.” Yang Jianshe beamed.
Hmph. Brat—dare to mock me? Let’s see if you dare make that call.
And he was right. Whether true or not, Cheng Dong had no intention of placing that call. He knew perfectly well—if the order was genuine, it was settled. If it was a bluff… the moment he called to verify, the bluff would instantly become reality.
Waaah… All I want is a quiet, peaceful life. Why must it be so difficult?
“Lu Tingxiao…” Cheng Dong turned to the silent man standing nearby. “We’re both men. You’re even older than I am. Why is it Grandfather Lu never presses you to marry and settle down?”
Lu Tingxiao shot him a glance colder than winter frost. “Cheng Dong… I suspect your training has grown lax. Starting tomorrow—”
“Ah—! Colonel Lu! I said nothing! Nothing at all! Commissar—about that matter from Old Wang… it appears we may have a lead. I request permission to go verify the details personally.” Cheng Dong snapped instantly to attention, face stern and voice formal.
“What? A lead? Lu Tingxiao—is this confirmed?” Yang Jianshe asked urgently.
“There is progress—but only preliminary. Much remains unknown. I intend to travel there and verify matters in person.” Lu Tingxiao spoke in a low, even tone—sharp, commanding, and unyielding as glacial depths.
“Hold on—Lu Tingxiao—we agreed we would go together! Why has this suddenly become a solo mission?” Cheng Dong objected immediately.
“When did I ever agree to that?” Lu Tingxiao replied, not even glancing his way.
“Lu Tingxiao—how can you say that? You raised no objections when we discussed it beforehand!” Cheng Dong protested, growing heated.
“This mission is unsuitable for you, Cheng Dong. If you are so eager to serve—go find yourself a wife first, and secure an heir for your family.” Yang Jianshe interjected plainly.
“Commissar—that is hardly fair! Regardless—I am going on this mission!”
Cheng Dong knew full well the dangers that lay ahead. But his life was not worth more than any other man’s. Being the sole heir of the Cheng family gave him no right to special treatment.
“Enough. The decision is made. I shall go. And you—beginning tomorrow—double your training regimen. If I return and see no marked improvement… you know the consequences. Commissar—do not interfere in this.”
“Oh no you don’t! You mock me for lacking a wife—but so do you! We are two of a kind—bachelors both! Neither stands above the other!”
“SILENCE!” Lu Tingxiao turned upon him a gaze so chilling it seemed to pierce straight through his soul. Cheng Dong clamped his mouth shut instantly.
“My decisions require no commentary from others,” Lu Tingxiao said—voice flat, cold, absolute.
“Tingxiao… is there truly no room for negotiation?” Yang Jianshe looked at him with deep misgiving. “Cheng Dong is not entirely wrong. Could we not reconsider—?”
“Commissar—I understand your concerns. But weighed against the interests of the nation… what is one man’s life? Besides—we all know full well the dangers awaiting us. No man’s life is worth more than another’s. And tell me—who else in the entire Hualong Military District is better suited than I?”
“This… very well. Then you must take care. Promise me you will return alive. We are the best of partners—are we not?”
“I promise. I shall exercise every caution.” Lu Tingxiao pressed his lips together and nodded solemnly. He was a man of his word—yet this time, he dared not promise that he would return.
Watching Lu Tingxiao depart, Yang Jianshe felt his eyes grow warm. His heart ached deeply. As a soldier, he should place no faith in superstition. Yet in that quiet moment—he bowed his head and prayed. He prayed that Lu Tingxiao would return alive, just as he always had.
What the future held… not a soul could say.