Chapter 20

  Captain, Shao Hui slowly opened his mouth. The reason why the Chinese special forces can dominate the world military stage and show their brilliance is not because our weapons are so sophisticated, nor is it because our equipment is so advanced, nor is it because our tactics are so peculiar. It's because we're fearless, loyal, and dedicated to fighting for justice. We're not afraid of death and dare to die. From the pistol squad during the Anti-Japanese War to our generation now, no one has ever retreated in the face of war.

  Su Yue listened quietly as Shao Hui finished speaking, without saying a word, but instead turned his head to look at the director. The director's expression was extremely complex, and after a long time, he opened his mouth:

  Since this base was built, Salome and his brother have been working for us, diligent and capable. Because his family is very poor, he always wants to do more and get more bonuses to support his family. Now that his only remaining brother has just died in battle for us, I can understand the bitterness in his heart. The old director choked back tears as he spoke, stood up and came to the table, lit a cigarette and took a few puffs before continuing: He is very filial, this time Snow Mountain Tiger kidnapped his parents, he must not be able to accept it, at first he went to the town to seek help, but the town did not respond, in desperation he came to us for help. To be honest, I really want to help him, but if you go to Snow Mountain Tiger's lair to rescue them, I'm afraid something will happen to you...

  Another brief period of suffocating calmness indoors.

  Children, tomorrow is New Year's Eve. I'm waiting for you to come back and we'll have a peaceful new year. Finally, the old principal managed to say these words with difficulty.

  A different kind of stillness had fallen inside the house.

  Elder brother, we understand what you mean. You go and take care of your business. We'll have a meeting next year. We'll still live together in the same place without anyone missing. Su Yue Song stood up to support the old director, who looked at everyone with a heavy heart and slowly left.

  A map was spread out on the ground, with winding curves on it, and at a glance, it was known to be a mountainous area. Su Yue Song drew a circle in a certain place and began to deploy, and the team members listened carefully, shoulder to shoulder. Finally, Su Yue Song stood up, looked at Zhao Zhenghao and Shao Hui seriously, and said: This rescue operation will mainly take place in the deep mountains, departing at 22:00 tomorrow night, and is expected to arrive at the destination around dawn. I appoint you two as the captain and deputy captain of this battle plan, you must bring back the hostages and all our team members, if one person is missing, I'll kill you both!

  This was the first time Su Yue Song scolded in front of his teammates, but everyone felt warm inside. Zhao Zheng Hao and Shao Hui slowly raised their right hands to salute, and firmly spat out a word from between their teeth: Yes!

  After returning to the dormitory, that bowl of noodles had already become a mushy mess. This saved Liu Junhao some trouble, as he directly picked up the bowl and poured it into his mouth. Shao Hui felt a bit sorry for him and quickly snatched the bowl away: "Can you still eat this? Bear with it for a while, we'll be eating soon." After swallowing a mouthful of noodles, Liu Junhao wiped his lips: "It's fine, I can eat it. If I don't eat it, it would be a waste. Who knows if we'll have the chance to eat such noodles again after tomorrow?" Shao Hui had already walked out the door with the bowl, ready to throw it away, but upon hearing this, he suddenly threw the bowl aside and rushed back in like a madman, grabbing Liu Junhao's collar and pinning him down on the bed. Liu Junhao looked at Shao Hui in shock as Shao Hui panted heavily, his face inches from Liu Junhao's: "Xiao Hei, I'm telling you, if you don't come back after tomorrow, I'll curse your ancestors for eight generations! Don't even think about dying, our brotherly bond is far from over!"

  Hui Ge, Liu Junhao pressed Shao Hui on the bed, I just casually said, you...

  It's not just a matter of talking casually! Shaohui loudly and rudely interrupted his words, have you forgotten what Qin Ke joked about when we set out on mission number three two years ago? He said "see you later"! Shaohui's eyes bulged at this point, the last three words were squeezed out from between his teeth, and in the end he really did die! He died right in front of us, didn't you see?!

  Don't say goodbye so easily on the battlefield, because once you say it, there's a good chance you'll never see each other again in this lifetime.

  "Counting you all! Xiaohui stood up, pointing at everyone and shouting loudly. Baili Huangquan has no station to stop at, if we're going, my brothers will go together, on the road there's also someone to help us out. If not, then all of you get back here, our parents are still at home waiting for us to return and show filial piety!"

  For the first time, Shao Hui, who had always been calm and composed, lost his composure. All team members were stunned and didn't know what to say. Wang Jianbin suddenly stood up and said loudly: "Well said! Let's also learn from the heroes of Liangshan and make a life-and-death oath. The day after tomorrow at this time, everyone must gather here on time. Whoever doesn't keep their promise is a turtle grandson!" After finishing speaking, he heavily patted the bed beside him, creaking... The bed couldn't withstand the force and started shaking.

  Great! Zhao Zhenghao leads the applause, and tomorrow whoever is not here will be scolded by us collectively!

  If anyone of you cowards doesn't come back, I'll drag him back even if I die!

  Roar... roar... roar... The sound is endless, passing through this room and traveling far, adding a touch of masculinity to this cold and desolate winter night.

  Sleep! Set out tomorrow night!

  The arrival of the year's end also marks the coldest moment here. A strong wind started tonight, and the already low temperature suddenly dropped even further. Shao Hui felt a chill as he lay in bed, so he shifted his body to wrap himself tighter in the blankets. A sense of safety from the raging wind instantly arose, and Shao Hui quietly savored this warmth, not willing to waste a single second.

  For ordinary people living in a peaceful environment, this brief moment may be just an insignificant grain of sand in the vast ocean of life's journey, and before they can cherish it, it has already slipped away quietly. But for soldiers deeply embroiled in battlefields, this fleeting instant is enough to encompass a lifetime, and a single tiny mistake or oversight could freeze their brain's thinking consciousness forever at the moment just before life slips away, never to see the sunrise of another day.

  Tomorrow is New Year's Day... Eve of the Spring Festival... Liu Junhao murmured in his sleep.

  Alas... Shao Hui let out a long sigh and closed his eyes.

  December 31, 2005, evening, base dormitory.

  The 30th of the lunar year was neither long nor short, with morning, noon and afternoon like any other day. However, today was a stormy day without sunshine. The team members were busy with pre-battle excitement and tension. As soon as they heard that there would be a battle, two of them became excited like they had taken stimulants - one was an arms dealer and the other was a bloodthirsty special forces soldier. After finishing packing their equipment and having dinner, the team members sat quietly in the house waiting for departure time. In fact, everyone's nature is afraid of death, which cannot be changed. It just depends on whether there are other strong beliefs that can cover up this nature. When the team members slung their guns over their shoulders and walked out of the door, Zhang Weize turned his head to take a glance at the twelve beds lined up in the room. Shao Hui understood the meaning behind his glance and stopped in his tracks, patted him on the shoulder:

  It's all right, brother, every bed will still be fully occupied tomorrow night.

  Zhang Weize nodded and slammed the door shut, following the team without looking back.