Chapter 10

  Shao Hui was sitting upright in his chair, seemingly listening intently to the middle school teacher and director. However, his eyes had already scanned the table several times, ultimately confirming that there wasn't any good food. There was a plate of braised pork belly, though. He glanced at Wu Yan opposite him and saw that he was constantly swallowing saliva, which made Shao Hui feel a sense of admiration in his heart: Special forces are all one family! In fact, special forces soldiers are also human beings, but their desire and conviction are much stronger than ordinary people's. That's why they transform from ordinary youths to soldiers, and then rise to become special forces soldiers, supported by their desire for honor, desire to establish military merit, desire to survive in battle, and desire to complete tasks. In between, it is their faith and perseverance that serve as a backing, ultimately becoming people with abilities beyond the ordinary. However, when placed in everyday life, especially at the dinner table, their desire for braised pork belly is not something ordinary people can compare to.

  This meal is mainly to entertain our bodyguards, thank you for coming. The old director was a bit excited, his silver hair trembling under the light, it's not as prosperous here as in China, many things can't be bought, the dishes are simple but they're really the best we can offer, especially this braised pork is something we've been saving for a long time, there's no pork available here at all, these vegetables were also grown and stored by ourselves, please forgive us if the hospitality is not good enough.

  Su Yue-song felt very embarrassed: "Old brother, the kids don't know but I do, our factory hasn't had such a sumptuous meal in a long time. Today we brought out all the good stuff that was saved for special occasions. The kids will understand later."

  The team members didn't think it was shabby at all; compared to their previous lives, this was already heaven.

  The wind and snow mixed with the black night, changing the world outside the window. The blackness brought an immeasurable depth, while the violent storm brought people a sense of crisis far from civilization, making it easy for people to feel homesick in such an environment. Shao Hui thought back to the romantic scene of building a snowman with his girlfriend in the snow years ago, and the nostalgic thoughts of missing home rushed to his mind together. Looking at the full table of food, he suddenly lost his appetite.

  Unconsciously it was already late at night, the dinner party had come to an end. Su Yue Song glanced at his watch, put down his chopsticks and lightly coughed, instantly the room fell silent.

  There are some things I wanted to say before dinner, but I was afraid of affecting your appetite. He glanced at the team members, it's late, you're all tired today, so I'll make a long story short. Today is your first day in Basra, where the political situation is unstable and there are many armed organizations, some for power, some for money, some for survival, and some purely for looting. Each armed group has its own purpose. I'm not sure which type we'll encounter next, but I can guarantee three things: First, this meal will be the best you'll have from now on; Second, you'll become a different person in a very short time; Third, there will be enough battles to fight, and they'll come very soon, maybe in ten minutes, or maybe tonight. Does everyone understand?

  Wang Jianbin patted the rifle beside him and said: Captain, we are all combat experts. I guarantee that as long as we are here, there will be a base here.

  Su Yue Song gently shook his head, slowly picked up the lighter: The masters fighting here are not just you, anyway, everyone be careful, it's late, let's get some rest early.

  Basela, this inland mountain country that has not been polluted by human beings, the starry sky at night is very beautiful and charming, but under the cover of snowy nights, the team members did not see this quietness that would make people feel relaxed.

  Inside the base, the heating was on, and when the team members returned to their dormitory after trudging through the heavy snow, they felt a warm current. Everyone quickly put down their guns to wipe them clean. Zhang Weize took out a pack of cigarettes and began distributing them one by one. Zuo Ming received one and asked in surprise: "Where did these cigarettes come from?" Zhang Weize didn't stop his actions: "I reckon everyone's been craving them, I snatched them from the table during dinner." He tossed a cigarette to Shao Hui: "Just make do with it for now." Shao Hui caught the cigarette but didn't light it immediately. Instead, he brought it under his nose and sniffed slowly. Liu Junhao shouted loudly: "Thanks! This is really like charcoal in snow!" Shao Hui chuckled lightly: "This guy!"

  "Hey, brothers, don't you think the captain is trying to scare us? It's impossible that we'll be fighting on the first day, right?" Zhao Zhenghao asked while puffing on his cigarette.

  It's hard to say, those terrorists haven't read Confucius' books, they won't let us rest for a few days, eat and drink well, prepare ourselves, and then issue a battle book to make an appointment to fight again. Zuo Ming replied, puffing on his cigarette and wiping his gun.

  I don't care if they're terrorists or not, as long as they come looking for trouble, I'll beat them to a pulp! Li Jinping slapped the rifle heavily and stood up, putting it on the headboard of the bed. I'm going to sleep first.

  Everyone looked at each other in confusion, not knowing why he suddenly became so emotionally agitated. Five minutes later, the lights inside the house went out, and only the sharp sound of the cold wind howling between heaven and earth could be heard.

  I know you're just a martial artist! I also know you can't do anything, and you won't take care of anyone, but I'm so cheap! What's wrong with following you? You have the nerve to not want me? Who else would follow someone like you who only knows how to fight? Shaohui, you bastard! I hate you!

  Listen to me! Shao Hui hugged her tightly, you calm down and listen to my explanation!

  You're still explaining? The girl struggled to get away, let me go! I've seen through you! What did you say I followed you for? What do you have? Ah? Wasn't it just because you seemed like a man with feelings and justice that I followed you? Let me go!

  Slap! The girl slapped Shao Hui's ear. Shao Hui was stunned, staring blankly as she cried and ran away. That day was also a snowy day.

  *Sigh*... Shao Hui let out a deep breath, rubbed his eyebrows and eyes, opened them to gaze at the unfamiliar darkness, recalling the dream he just had. He hadn't felt sleepy for a long time. Finally, he slowly got up from bed, walked to the window, and outside was pitch black without a single light on. He fumbled around to find that cigarette, put it in his mouth, and lit it with a click. The cold wind seeped through the gap, making Shao Hui shiver awake. In the dead of night, for those who didn't want to sleep, it was a golden time for daydreaming or thinking about problems. Shao Hui thought for a long time but couldn't figure out why he couldn't have ordinary people's happiness. Was it because of martial arts? Competitions? Underground boxing? Or being a soldier? Which part of his life had gone wrong? Now, he was again on this unfamiliar battlefield facing unknown dangers. Why did the trajectory of his life not go on the right track? Shao Hui thought hard until the cigarette burned out and scorched his fingers, then he came back to himself. He let out another deep sigh, threw away the cigarette butt, walked back to bed, and lay down with his clothes still on.

  The occasional firecracker sounds dotted the sky with auspicious snow, heralding a bumper harvest in the coming year. The peaceful atmosphere of the New Year enveloped this small village...

  Shao Hui sat up abruptly, how did he have another dream? What's wrong with him lately? He lowered his head and stared at the quilt with wide eyes. No! This isn't a dream! Shao Hui suddenly felt something, lifted his head and perked up his ears to listen, damn it! That wasn't the sound of firecrackers in his dream! Get up! Something's happening! He yelled as he jumped out of bed and quickly put on his clothes and bulletproof vest. By this time, the team members had already been startled awake, their professional instincts left them without any hesitation or doubt, almost simultaneously finishing their gear with Shao Hui. It wasn't until then that Wang Jianbin asked: What's going on?

  Gunfire! Shao Hui replied in a low voice.

  Everyone gripped their rifles tightly, holding their breath and listening carefully. Except for the wind, there was no other noise. After a long time, Wang Jianbin asked in a low voice: Are you dreaming or did you hear it wrong?

  Shao Hui shook his head: "Impossible, believe me I won't make this kind of mistake. It's 100% a gunshot!"

  The crowd fell silent again, the air in the room congealing along with the darkness. After a moment, Yin broke the silence, speaking in a low voice: "Why don't I go to the monitoring room and take a look at the situation?"

  It's useless, the visibility is very low in this weather, and there's nothing but snow in the lens. Someone behind him also whispered.

  "Are you sure that was gunfire?" asked Zuo Ming.

  For such a long time, there was no sound, and the comrades had doubts. Xiaohui himself only heard a few sounds, and at this moment, he also began to waver: just now there really was the sound of gunpowder exploding, and it's definitely not firecrackers on a snowy night like this, what do you say?

  With a whoosh, Zuoming's bullet was loaded: Stop guessing, let's go out and take a look! Just then, a hissing sound broke through the air, wait... Before Shao Hui could finish speaking, a loud and clear explosion transmitted to the team members' ears through the wind.