He sat up and habitually felt around the sides of his pants. No cigarettes. Of course—he’d forgotten he was still in the middle of a mission and couldn’t carry such things.
"Captain Jiang." A young soldier in uniform ca over carrying a boxed al. The area was impoverished, and the soldiers’ food consisted of rice with a few small dishes and several pieces of energy-boosting at.
"Everyone ate earlier. Only you haven’t. Please eat sothing. This is the dinner Major Lu specifically set aside for you."
"Mm." Jiang Jinghuai reached out and took the al. His voice, initially mild, suddenly sank, settling into sothing impenetrable: "Leave the food. You can go now."
The young soldier shivered slightly. No wonder there were rumors that Captain Jiang and Major Lu didn’t get along—apparently they were true. That icy tone could chill a man to the bone. Word had it that this promotion cycle should’ve been Captain Jiang’s turn, but because of so obscure trouble at his ho, though evidence was inconclusive, it still affected the result. As a consequence, the title was handed to then-Captain Lu instead.
Jiang Jinghuai’s stony gaze rested on the boxed al. He picked up his chopsticks, scooped up so rice, and chewed it slowly in his mouth. Bite by deliberate bite, steady and resolute.
"Li Qiong’er, hurry up. They’re catching up to us. Is your foot alright?"
"I... I can’t run anymore."
"Lu Chi, carry her. She can’t keep moving."
"No—no need."
"Quit being so timid, your legs are shaking like crazy. Brother, Lu Chi’s useless... you carry her instead."
"Mm."
"Jiaqi!"
"I got shot in the foot. I can’t go any further. You all go ahead."
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
"Jinghuai, what do we do? They’re catching up! They’ve captured Jiaqi! What do we do? Am I going to die? Why are they chasing us?"
"Lu Chi, stop crying! You and Qiong’er go ahead. I’ll draw them away. Otherwise, all three of us are done for! Use the ti I buy to get moving—my dad, my grandfather, your dad, they’re over that way. Get them to rescue Jiaqi! Rember, hurry! If you delay, Jiaqi will be in even greater danger!"
"Qiong’er, did you see Jinghuai and Jiaqi? Did anyone get captured? If no one did, then we don’t need to hold back anymore."
"Jiaqi... she got shot. Jinghuai ran off to hide sowhere. Uncle Lu, Uncle Jiang, Grandpa Jiang, Lu Chi fainted, please save him!"
"What? Jiaqi... my daughter!"
"We need to retreat—there’s no ti left. Jinghuai’s resourceful. Let’s leave a few soldiers here to search. The enemy ca well-prepared. Without reinforcents, we’re only wasting lives here."
Jiang Jinghuai raised his bloodshot eyes to the night sky, though his dry gaze refused to produce any tears. The vast firmant, scattered with stars, suddenly saw a teor streak down in a precipitous fall...
Suddenly, his hand twitched, and a chopstick darted from his grasp like a sword slicing through the air.
A grunt of pain ca from the intruder, who patted their trouser leg before looking at him with easygoing warmth: "Jinghuai, you’re still so vigilant. It’s ."
Jiang Jinghuai placed the boxed al on the ground and stood, his eyes deep as the sea. He did not glance at Lu Chi beside him but simply said, without much care, "What’s the matter."
"Your mother called. Seems like sothing serious. I answered for you; go take the call."
Jiang Jinghuai slowly walked forward.
"By the way." Lu Chi chuckled behind him. "Qiong’er’s pregnant. I’m going to be a dad. Look at us, sa age group—you should hurry up too."
Jiang Jinghuai halted abruptly, his voice as chilling as ice: "Do you think talking to about her will keep your child from being born?"
Lu Chi froze in place, stunned. "All these years, I thought... you’d let it go."
"As long as so people are still alive, I’ll never forget."
"What happened back then was my fault. I was weak, I was cowardly. It had nothing to do with Qiong’er. Our child is innocent. You can hate , but don’t take it out on the child." Lu Chi’s gaze turned dark.
"You give too much credit. I’m not like you people." Jiang Jinghuai shot him an icy glare, his lips curving faintly: "Do you know how I feel every ti I see you all these years?"
"What—what is it?"
"Disgust." He threw out the word, then strode purposefully toward camp.
Lu Chi clenched his fists tightly, his body stiffened to a crisp stance. Suddenly, he angrily kicked the boxed al, sending it sprawling across the ground.
He lifted his gaze to the night sky, silent tears streaming down his face. "Jiaqi... how long are you going to tornt ? Jiaqi... are you human or ghost? If you’re alive, where are you? I’m married now. If you’re dead, I visit your grave every year to leave flowers. Why won’t you show yourself? If you want to hit or scold , at least co find !"
Jiang Jinghuai walked into camp and picked up the sole phone there. His voice was hoarse as he murmured, "Mom."
The cool breeze stirred within the camp, flickering firelight trembling. The voice from the other end of the call was inaudible; only Jiang Jinghuai’s quiet voice could be heard.
"Mom, I’m not by your side for now—please take good care of yourself. I’m fine... just can’t co ho yet."
"Rember to take your dicine. Grandpa still needs your care."
"Wenxiu... let’s forget her."
"You still have a daughter—Jiaqi. And you still have . Mom, it’ll get better. I hope you get better. Don’t be like Jiaqi... and leave ."
"Today, I heard a song on the radio. Mom, you should listen to it too. It’s a good song. Get Dad to grab your radio. Tune it to... Yes, it’s called ’Daybreak.’"
"I understand. This ti, I’ll listen to whatever you say when I get back."
"Still waiting for you to pick a wife for ... Fine, I’ll definitely have a son. Whichever kind you like, I’ll have one just to keep you company."
"..."
The call wasn’t particularly long nor short.
Two locations, two monts of reflection. Two hearts weighed down by their own thoughts.
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