As the villagers watched Tang Shengkai approach step by step, their voices grew softer and softer. Tang Shengkai stopped and his gaze swept across the faces of the crowd.

"That's right, I do want to join the army, and no matter what everyone else thinks, my decision remains unchanged."

Before anyone could raise their voices again, Tang Shengkai continued.

"Everyone heard the gunshots on the mountain a few days ago. Although nothing was found on the mountain, I'm sure that half of those gunshots were from spies."

Although those spies didn't target people in other villages, who can completely guarantee that they won't target people in Qiligou?

To be honest, I don't want to die, and I don't want to see my wife and children die, so I have to get out.

There's nowhere safer than the military, so I want to join. To protect my wife and children, I don't think I've done anything wrong.

"What if you leave, and the spies just kill everyone in Qiligou?"

Li Yuanzi's loud voice suddenly woke everyone up. The villagers seemed to have been enlightened. Yes, what if the spies couldn't find them and killed everyone in Qiligou in a fit of rage?

Seeing the terrified expressions on the villagers' faces, Tang Shengkai smiled mockingly, "Li Yuanzi, so you're saying I should just stay at home and let the secret agents shoot us to get rid of this?"

You're practically driving us to our deaths!

The villagers all looked a little embarrassed. Yes, nothing had happened yet, and they were already overthinking things; it wasn't fair to Tang Laosan's family.

"Now it is a time of peace. It is unlikely that the spies will start a war between the two countries if they kill one or two people out of spite. However, if those spies dare to massacre an entire village, China will definitely not agree to it."

So don't worry, folks, we won't let you lose your lives after we leave. But if we don't leave, my family's life will never be peaceful, and you might all suffer the same fate someday.

The villagers thought it made sense, and the brigade leader stepped forward and said, "Shengkai is right. He's very thoughtful and is thinking of everyone's best interests."

The world is better now, everyone wants to live a good life, so let's not have these random thoughts all the time.

If Shengkai can join the army, that's his own ability.

If he can't go, he can still continue working in the production team. Don't say he doesn't want to work; Shengkai is well-known throughout the commune for earning work points in the production team. Who doesn't know that?

Alright, it's time to go home and cook. Everyone, go home and cook.

After saying that, the captain took the lead and headed towards Tang Shengkai's house.

Old Li was also very angry just now, and he almost lashed out with his whip at Li Yuanzi. Now, seeing the brigade leader heading towards Lao San's house, he drove his donkey cart and followed.

Tang Shengkai followed closely behind, and some villagers were suspicious of his nimble movements.

Wasn't Tang Shengkai lame? When did he get better?

The hospital in this county is pretty good. They cured my leg right away. It seems that if I have any problems in the future, I'll have to go to the hospital for treatment. It's safer that way.

"Third brother, what are you thinking right now?"

Tang Shengkai didn't understand what the brigade leader meant. Lin Cuicui poured two bowls of water from the thermos, handed one to Old Li, and then handed the other to the brigade leader.

The brigade leader sat on the kang (a heated brick bed) and placed the bowl on the cabinet to the side.

"I heard it from Li Yuanzi. You went to apply for military service today but didn't get the job. Now the secret agents are keeping an eye on your family. It's good that you've managed to evade them once or twice, but what if you're unlucky one time?"

Since the job application didn't go through, have you thought of any other options?

It's not necessarily safer outside than in the village now; we need to think carefully about where to go.

Tang Shengkai and Lin Cuicui exchanged a glance, and they both understood what the captain meant.

Tang Shengkai smiled and said, "Uncle Xu, I got the job."

The captain was still pondering to himself, "If this doesn't work, I'll go to the county town and find some work. It's close to the police station there..."

"What? What did you say? You got the job? Didn't Li Yuanzi say you didn't get it?"

The captain was a little confused. Who was telling the truth? He looked at Tang Shengkai, eager to get the answer from him.

Tang Shengkai didn't let him worry. "Yes, I didn't get a spot while I was queuing outside. The person in charge of registration thought I was too old, and also too thin after being sick, and they were worried I wouldn't be able to withstand the training in the army."

The battalion commander nodded in agreement. Tang Shengkai's current situation was indeed such that he would probably be a hindrance to the training in the army.

"But you know how strong I am, Uncle Xu. Although I am a bit older than those young men in the army, I have gained more life experience over the years."

I figured if I joined the army, I probably wouldn't be any worse than those young men. I'll just have to work harder.

After explaining the situation to them, they considered it and agreed to let me join the army.

The captain's mouth was slightly agape; this was a bit...

Anyway, his heart is pounding. How can he be breathing so heavily while talking? This Li Yuanzi is really unreliable when he tries to get information.

He originally thought that Tang Shengkai had really failed to get the job, but he didn't expect that he would succeed in the end.

Looking at Tang Shengkai, the captain sighed, "Now that he's gone, I don't know when he'll be back."

When are you planning to leave?

Upon hearing the captain's exclamation, Tang Shengkai suddenly felt a warmth in his eyes. He had initially been very eager to leave, because he had nothing to hold him back from his current position.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!