Chapter 188: On the first day of the Lunar New Year, he passed away just like that

"If it was really a small task, would they call you away on New Year's Day?"

Ji Lianqi chose to remain silent.

After a moment, Ji Xingguo suddenly spoke up: "Those monkeys are getting restless again."

After hesitating for a while, Ji Lianqi nodded silently.

With a long sigh, Ji Xingguo waved his hand: "Hey! Go ahead. Be careful."

Ji Lianqi's eyes were deep: "Dad, take care of yourself. Tell my mom, Ye Ying and me about this."

"Just say it's a small temporary task."

Upon learning that Ji Lianqi had not informed Ye Ying about his mission, Ji Xingguo frowned and said, "Go and tell your own wife!"

Ji Lianqi's facial features looked a little cold and hard, and his lips were pursed into a straight line.

"Forget it, I'll explain it later. I...left her a message."

After saying this, he walked towards the door again.

In the living room, Ji Xingguo, sitting in a wheelchair, looked at Ji Lian, who had changed into camouflage uniform, his brows full of worry.

The moment I stepped out of the door, I heard Ji Xingguo's worried instructions: "Remember, be careful!"

Ji Lianqi turned around and looked deeply at his old father, nodded silently, and left.

He closed the door and got on the military vehicle that had been parked outside.

He had received an emergency call-up notice on the morning of New Year's Eve, but he didn't say a word because he was afraid of ruining the atmosphere of the New Year.

Ji Lianqi originally wanted to leave quietly, but he couldn't hide anything from his father.

He could see the reluctance and worry in his father's eyes.

But, no.

Just because he shoulders a heavy responsibility.

Some things have to be done by someone.

Ye Ying slept too late last night, and when she woke up, it was already past eight o'clock.

She habitually patted the other side of the bed; it was still empty.

Thinking of what Ji Lianqi said before going to bed last night, that she would be able to see the New Year's money he gave her as soon as she opened her eyes today, she quickly turned over and got up.

Sure enough, there was a red envelope next to her pillow.

Ye Ying smiled slightly, picked up the red envelope and opened it.

Inside was some money and... a folded-up piece of paper.

Hmm? Did you leave her a message? We see each other every day, why did you do this?

She did not count the amount of New Year's money at the first moment, but quickly opened the note.

After seeing the contents clearly, Ye Ying's hand holding the note trembled slightly.

Ji Lianqi, he...he's gone? He just left like that!

The note read:

Leaf Warbler

This is a temporary emergency mission. I will leave first. You can leave at any time after your foot injury is healed.

——Ji Lianqi

After reading the note, Ye Ying didn't know what her mood was, and a sense of panic suddenly flashed through her heart.

What kind of urgent task could it be that would call people away on New Year's Day!

She stood up in a hurry and wanted to ask Ji Xingguo for confirmation.

In the living room, the lively scene of yesterday was no longer there. Only Ji Xingguo and Wang Qiuhong were sitting there.

Wang Qiuhong lowered her head, looking worried and sighing from time to time.

"Hey! Old man, tell me, is it a good thing or a bad thing to let our son join the army?"

"It's glorious to be a soldier, but I can't go home all year round. I finally went home for the New Year, but he passed away on the first day of the New Year! As his mother, I didn't even see him before he left!"

"Look at this...does this make sense?"

"He's a soldier, yes, but he's also my son! He can't even have a good New Year. This is too much!"

"I'd rather he not be that..."

"Qiuhong! Stop talking." Wang Qiuhong wanted to complain, but was stopped by Ji Xingguo's cold face.

"Ignorant woman, without their guarding day and night, would you be able to live the life you have today?"

Wang Qiuhong lowered her head silently and sighed: "Yes, old man, you are right."

"But what have I done wrong? I just want my son to have a good reunion with us during the New Year."

"After all these years, how many times has he come home? Don't you want to see your son more often?"

"I'm sure you know the condition of your body. Otherwise, why would you want to see Ye Ying?"

Hearing these words, Ye Ying, who was standing behind the door, suddenly felt uneasy, and her knuckles turning slightly white as she gripped the door handle.

Hearing this, Ji Xingguo fell silent.

Wang Qiuhong sniffed and continued:

"I don't expect him to achieve anything, unlike you, who insists on him making a name for himself in there."

"When you leave one day, and Lian Qi is in the army all year round, I will be the only one left at home. I'm afraid no one will know if I die!"

"Ah..." Ji Xingguo sighed deeply, patted the back of Wang Qiuhong's hand, gently hugged her shoulders, and comforted her:

"It's Chinese New Year, don't think about these unlucky things, think more about good things."

Wang Qiuhong nodded and wiped her tears: "It's getting late, I'll go make breakfast! Wang Yong and the others should be getting up soon!"

Only after Wang Qiuhong went into the kitchen did Ye Ying step out of the room.

Seeing Ye Ying, Ji Xingguo smiled slightly: "Awake, did you sleep well last night?"

Ye Ying approached Ji Xingguo, and after feeling conflicted for a long time, she finally called out "Dad".

"When did he leave?"

Ji Xingguo glanced at the clock on the wall: "Around six o'clock."

That is, we have been walking for more than two hours.

"Then do you know where he went and what mission he went on?"

The note left by Ji Lianqi did not say it, but she guessed that Ji Xingguo should know it.

Ji Xingguo was stunned for a moment, but soon recovered and said, "Push me to the study."

Ye Ying did as she was told and, following Ji Xingguo's instructions, took him to a small storage room.

This is not a so-called study room, but a storage room converted from one.

Looking around, there are many old black and white photos on the wall.

"So where did Lian Qi go? Why would there be an emergency mission during the Chinese New Year?"

Ji Xingguo did not answer Ye Ying's question, but took her to see the old black-and-white photos on the wall.

“I joined the Army when I was 15.”

"Look, this is the battle in Hunan Province in 1940, where 110,000 Japanese soldiers died. This was my second year in the army."

"This is the 41st year, the Shanggao Battle, a battle in which we won a large-scale victory."

"This is..."

......

Ji Xingguo pointed out the photos one by one to Ye Ying, and explained each one he pointed out.

Looking at the old, faded black-and-white photos on the wall, Ye Ying felt as if something was stuck in her throat and couldn't utter a word.

These are all histories that Ji Xingguo witnessed.

In addition to a photo of the founding of New China at Tiananmen Square, there are also some group photos from major battles, and even a magnificent scene of a five-star red flag standing amidst corpses lying all over the field.