Chapter 152: Finale (3)

A week later.

Early in the morning, Lian Qiao pulled Bai Yang up for morning exercises as usual. When they went downstairs, they saw buses parked in a row in the square of the community. A neat queue was preparing to get on the bus. There were probably hundreds of people in it. They were dressed differently, but they all carried their luggage in unison, and were calm and silent.

"Oh..." Bai Yang was a little surprised, "Who are these people?"

Lian Qiao took a look and said, "The Chinese People's Liberation Army's combat detachment has completed its mission and should be withdrawing from the headquarters."

"Headquarters?" Bai Yang said, "My home?"

"Of course your home is the headquarters, but the headquarters is not just your home." Lian Qiao replied, and she pointed around, "These are all headquarters."

"Have they always been here?"

"Always here." Lian Qiao nodded.

"I have never seen them before." Bai Yang was surprised.

"There's a lot you haven't seen yet."

Lian Qiao and Bai Yang passed by the square formation. Bai Yang turned his head and looked at the people who were standing straight with their eyes straight ahead. It was strange to say, strictly speaking, these people had fought alongside him for a long time, but today was the first time they met, and perhaps the only time they would meet in this life. Bai Yang didn't even know where they had been hiding for the past few months. They were like water in a sponge, usually silent and invisible, but when he squeezed hard he realized there were so many of them.

People were gradually dispersing, and the elites drawn from various places and units were returning to where they came from. Even the piles of documents and computers scattered in the living room were being transported away in batches. Room 804, Building 11, Meihua Villa was being restored to its proper appearance as a residential building. The Nanjing Command Center - full name Nanjing City Reverse the Future and Save the World Emergency Communications Command Center - completed its historical mission. Although it actually existed for a very short time, looking back, it seemed like many years had passed.

The two ran around Crescent Lake and then leaned on the railing to rest.

"Was there any news on the radio last night?" Lian Qiao asked.

"No."

Bai Yang shook his head.

"She just disappeared like that?" Lian Qiao asked.

"She just disappeared like that." Bai Yang said.

He looked at the lake. Even though he had been thinking about it for a long time, day and night, Bai Yang still couldn't understand why a person could disappear without leaving a trace.

Just like soap bubbles in the sun, they turn into air with the slightest touch.

"The eldest lady must still be alive." Lian Qiao said.

"Are you trying to say that she's still alive in our memories? There's no need to say such clichés..." Bai Yang said sullenly, "I've already accepted the fact. If a person is gone, they're gone. How can we possibly meet again?"

"No, I heard from Director Zhao that he stopped that... that VVVLBI project, didn't he?"

Speaking of VVVLBI, this unprecedented observation plan in human history was stopped at the last minute before its implementation. The command center even called the boss of the boss three levels higher and issued an urgent order to postpone the plan indefinitely.

At midnight on January 3, 2020, the Earth continued to revolve in its orbit as usual, just as it has done for the past 4.6 billion years. The wheel of fate silently rolled over this unremarkable space coordinate and time node at a speed of 30 kilometers per second, and nothing happened.

"Director Zhao said that the future is no longer certain, and it is unclear what will happen in the future." Lian Qiao continued, "From our perspective, with us as the origin of the coordinate system, what kind of light cone the future world line will draw, only the future will know."

Lian Qiao turned her head to look at him and spoke seriously.

"Do you really believe this, or are you just comforting me?" Bai Yang asked.

"I really believe that." Lian Qiao nodded and added, "The eldest lady also believes that, so she is so brave."

"It was obviously us who forced her to do this." Bai Yang curled her lips. "We stood on the dry shore in a high-sounding manner, so naturally we could say whatever nice things we wanted. It's not like we were going to launch a nuclear bomb, nor were we going to cross a nuclear explosion zone, nor were we going to face the pursuit of the swordsman... What did we do? We just supported and encouraged her spiritually, but who was the one who endured the hardship? Who was the one who made the sacrifice?"

Lian Qiao was silent for a while and then sighed.

"Do you regret it?"

"No." Bai Yang lowered his eyes, "I... I just feel guilty."

"Then feel guilty. I won't advise you not to feel guilty. Everyone in this world owes her, although she may not want this." Lian Qiao took a deep breath, "After all, the eldest lady is so strong and cheerful. She must hope that when you think of her, you can become happy."

Lian Qiao turned her face to the lake and hummed a melodious tune.

“Have you ever heard this song?”

"I've heard of it." Bai Yang said.

"Wow, that's great. Finally there's a song you've heard before." Lian Qiao was a little surprised. "It seems your taste in music isn't that bad after all."

"It's simply because this song isn't that old." Bai Yang rolled his eyes.

Lian Qiao stopped talking and continued humming her tune.

Bai Yang added the lyrics in his mind.

"Because I dreamed of you leaving,

I woke up crying,

Watching the night wind blowing across the windowsill,

Can you feel my love? "

More and more people were doing morning exercises in the park. Many men and women passed by the path by the lake. In the clear and cold air of the winter morning, the sound of puppies barking could be heard faintly.

"How many people have admired you,

Young face,

Who is willing to endure the years?

Ruthless changes,

How many people have been in your life?

Come and return,

Knowing that I have you in my life,

I'll always be with you."

"Oh, by the way, I have something to tell you. Today is the last day I will take you for morning exercises. My mission is completed and I have to evacuate the command center. The transfer order came down last night." Lian Qiao turned to Bai Yang and said, "My relationship has been transferred. I have to return to the team."

"Ah?" Bai Yang was stunned for a moment. The news came suddenly.

"Your special training is over, Comrade Bai Yang. You performed very well. This instructor will give you the title of outstanding student." Lian Qiao smiled and pinched Bai Yang's cheek. "Why? Can't bear to leave your sister?"

Bai Yang tilted his head to the side.

"Well...I can't bear to leave."

Lian Qiao hugged him tightly. "All good things in life must come to an end, Xiao Baiyang. I am very happy to work with you during this time. Parting will always come, but separation is for the next reunion. Just like the eldest lady said, we will meet again."

She felt Bai Yang's shoulders trembling slightly, so she patted him gently on the back.

"Don't cry. I am your sister and I can't bear to see people cry. Wipe your tears."

"Um."

Lian Qiao took a step back, put her hands on his shoulders, lowered her head slightly, and chuckled.

"Do you have a parting gift for me?"

Bai Yang fumbled around in her pocket, took out a warm coin and placed it in her palm.

"What is this?" Lian Qiao carefully examined the pale yellow coin in her hand. The surface of the coin was engraved with numbers and letters. "If I remember correctly, it's a Morse code practice coin, right?"

"Well, it's been with me for a long time." Bai Yang nodded, "I'll give it to you."

"This gift is great!" Lian Qiao smiled happily and put it in her pocket. "I will keep it well!"

Lian Qiao was still energetic and capable. She came in a hurry and left in a clean and neat manner. Bai Yang stood there and watched her walk farther and farther along the path. Lian Qiao walked very far away, then suddenly turned around, stood up straight in the warm morning light and saluted him with a bright smile. The people who once met will go their separate ways again, and may never see each other again in this life. Bai Yang was stunned for a long time, and tears blurred her eyes again.

(End of this chapter)