In the two days since An Moxue returned, she has had a peaceful and uneventful New Year. Those clueless educated youths haven't bothered her, and her best friend Chu Dongmei has come to spend the New Year with her. She feels that the New Year has started very well. In short, it's a very auspicious start to the year.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, An Moxue thought she should finish her meal early and take a stroll around the village to wish the elders a Happy New Year, and also take Chu Dongmei for a walk around the village.

However, before she could finish packing and leave, she heard the special training base's unique communication signal. She put on her coat and ran towards the source of the sound from the back mountain.

Upon arriving at the back of the mountain, they found their contact person, who turned out to be their team leader, Comrade Xu Qingfeng.

"Captain, Happy New Year. What brings you here at this hour?" An Moxue knew that whenever Xu Qingfeng came to see her, it must be for something.

“Happy New Year, Comrade An Moxue. There is a mission that needs your attention. However, this mission is quite dangerous and involves crossing the border. If you are killed, no one will know, and your body may never be recovered. Are you willing to go? Of course, you can refuse, because you are not yet a full member of our organization.” Xu Qingfeng looked at her with an unprecedented seriousness.

"Captain, may I ask, if I accept this mission, what is the latest time I need to depart?"

Xu Qingfeng said, "The sooner the better, preferably today."

An Moxue thought to herself, "The first day of the Lunar New Year is a really good start!"

This mission came at just the right time; I was really worried about how to get out.

Just when you're feeling sleepy, someone brings you a pillow – how can you miss it? Danger and opportunity always go hand in hand.

An Moxue asked these questions and learned that the matter was an emergency.

"Captain, can I know why the organization chose me?" An Moxue always needed to make a basic assessment of the matter to weigh its importance and her role in the incident.

"Of course, because we need a new face, someone who hasn't been trained by our army, and who is also highly skilled in combat to lower the enemy's guard. The requirements are high in all aspects, and the situation over there is a bit complicated. Considering all factors, you are the first choice."

"Captain, if I accept this mission and complete it successfully, what reward will I receive upon my return?"

"You can join the National Security Bureau ahead of schedule and become a full-fledged member." He shouldn't have told her this, but since he had faith in her, he didn't mind telling her some unimportant information in advance. He believed that she would definitely be able to complete the mission and return.

"Captain, I'll take this mission."

"Should we reconsider?"

“No need. Since the captain has come to me, it means he is confident that I will take on this mission, right?” An Moxue looked at Xu Qingfeng confidently.

Xu Qingfeng smiled slightly and said, "Of course, I think this task is perfect for you."

"It seems the captain still thinks highly of me, which greatly boosts my confidence." An Moxue gave Xu Qingfeng her first smile since they met.

"Alright, since you've decided to take on the mission, here you go. This is for the village chief as a cover. It would be best if your actual departure time could be concealed. Travel light, you don't need too much stuff. They'll arrange your identity here. Once you cross the border, you're on your own. This time it's a one-way communication. Go back and make the arrangements first, and then we'll leave together. I'll explain the mission in detail on the way."

"Okay, Captain, I'll bring you some food when I come."

After finishing her sentence, An Moxue quickly returned home.

"Mo Xue, you're going into the mountains on the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year? What, do you think you can catch pheasants and rabbits in the back mountains?" Chu Dongmei asked, puzzled.

"Dongmei, come on, let's have dinner. After we finish, come with me to visit the villagers for the New Year. I have something to tell you when we get back." An Moxue felt a little guilty. Her best friend had come to spend the New Year with her, and she hadn't even left yet, but she was already leaving.

"Sure! Let's see how this place differs from the one I went to when I was sent to the countryside."

After the two finished breakfast, An Moxue led Chu Dongmei to Old Ma's house first.

This year, due to the tense border situation, only Old Ma's second son and his family came back for the Spring Festival.

When the two arrived at Old Ma's house, only Old Ma and Aunt Ma were home.

Once inside, An Moxue introduced Aunt Ma and Chu Dongmei, then pulled Old Ma into the kitchen to talk.

An Moxue whispered to Old Ma, "Uncle Ma, I'm leaving today. There's a small wild boar's skin, head, and internal organs that haven't been cleaned yet. Could you go and get them tonight and clean them up? There's also some meat. I'll let Chu Dongmei stay until the sixth day of the new year. After I leave, please cover my tracks. After she leaves, bring all the food back from the house. I don't know when I'll be able to come back."

"Is this a mission? Aren't we in training? Why are we going on a mission now?" Old Ma was a little worried.

"It's an emergency mission, but the danger is minimal, don't worry! I'll bring you some local specialties when I get back." An Moxue spoke with a relaxed tone.

Old Ma glared at her and said, "Who cares about your local specialties? Come back here all intact, you hear me?"

"Yes, sir!" An Moxue gave a playful military salute.

This completely dispelled Old Ma's worries. He said, "You can only have anything if you're alive, you know? Otherwise, you won't get what your grandfather left you."

"Don't worry! I promised to take you and your aunt to see the beautiful landscapes of our country in a few years, and I will definitely keep my word," An Moxue patted her chest and assured her.

After finishing her conversation with Old Ma, An Moxue went inside, took Aunt Ma's hand, and quietly checked her pulse. She then said to Aunt Ma, "Auntie, I still need to take Dongmei to the village chief's house, so I'll be going now."

All of this came to Old Ma's attention.

When An Moxue led Chu Dongmei to Village Chief Guo's house, the house was full of people. Aunt Guo was greeting the younger generation who were paying New Year's visits, while Village Chief Guo was talking to several elderly people in the village about the New Year's planting.

For an old farmer, who toils from the soil all year round, this is the only thing he cares about most.

An Moxue waited for a while, and when she saw a group of people leave, she hurried over and whispered to Village Chief Guo, "Uncle Guo, come out for a moment, I have something to tell you."

The two arrived at the foot of the east wall. An Moxue whispered, "Uncle Guo, I've accepted the mission and will be leaving soon. This is proof, please keep it safe. Also, it would be best if you could help me conceal the exact time of my departure. My friend here will stay until the sixth day of the new year."

They were all veterans who had experienced the ravages of war. As soon as An Moxue said this, Village Chief Guo understood. He didn't ask any more questions and only said, "Don't worry, just one thing: you must come back safely."

“It definitely will,” An Moxue said.

......