Chapter 114

The sentries and guides in Kush were on opposite sides of the camp. The guides' camp was better, but it was very dusty because no guides had come here for a long time.

Fortunately, the four newcomers were not spoiled and worked quickly and efficiently. They wiped and mopped, and in no time, they got everything clean.

While they were working, the sentries who weren't carrying supplies were training nearby, but no one came to help.

Zhu Ning felt they lacked tact and said a few unpleasant things. Arno shook the sheet and laughed, saying, "They have proper training. It's not like we can't do it. Guides aren't that delicate. If you ask me, we're no worse than sentries!"

Zhu Ning blushed and quickly clarified, "I'm not complaining."

Arno laughed and said, "I know that's not what you meant."

The two chatted and laughed, and Zhu Ning felt more and more that Yano was easy to get along with. He was upright and kind, insightful and not pedantic. Jiang Wenxing was really far inferior to him.

Thinking about this, Zhu Ning was also puzzled, feeling both disappointed and exasperated, and said, "I feel comfortable whenever I hear you speak. I really can't understand why Xingzi insists on arguing with you. He's really being unreasonable!"

Arno smiled, hung up the water bottle, straightened the strap, and said in a pleasant voice, "He got first place in the province, so he must be a little arrogant. But he also has his merits, so don't say that about him."

Zhu Ning retorted, "He just doesn't know himself. He's too arrogant and self-righteous. You're never like that. So what if you're number one in the province? You don't even look at how you conduct yourself."

After Zhu Ning finished speaking, he came out with a bucket of water and stood at the door looking for a tap. He saw the young man in the military overcoat following behind the sentry, his hands empty, with all his luggage on the sentry's back. He looked quite relaxed.

Zhu Ning's eyebrows furrowed instantly, and he forced a smile. Just then, Yano peeked out and saw it too, saying with some surprise, "No wonder he hasn't come to tidy up the dorm for so long."

Zhu Ning said irritably, "He'll take care of it later, so don't go and help."

Jiang Wenxing and Zhu Ning lived in a tenement building. Both of them grew up in hardship. Although Jiang Wenxing had a father, it was almost as if his father had died. He had endured all kinds of hardships since he was a child. But it was because he had suffered so much that he fought so hard in his previous life.

But in his previous life, Jiang Wenxing couldn't understand why no one liked him, but everyone liked Yano instead.

The sentries enjoyed chatting with Arno, but they felt nervous talking to him. Zhu Ning had grown up with him since childhood, but one day he suddenly realized that Arno was better than him.

When Jiang Wenxing first arrived in Kush, the desolate scene inevitably made him pessimistic.

In an unfamiliar place, in an unfamiliar environment.

Unable to understand why, Jiang Wenxing was furious at losing his best friend, but also felt incredibly lonely and fearful. He felt it would be extremely difficult for him to make another childhood friend.

But Zhu Ning was not prepared to make peace with him, and Jiang Wenxing was unwilling to back down. He had not told anyone his true feelings. He studied day and night, working so hard that it would frighten others. But human talent has its limits. Even the top student cannot do everything well.

He couldn't get Zhu Ning to admit he was wrong, couldn't make his miserable life better, no one noticed what he had done, and the lighthearted praise of "first place" he received was less powerful than Arno's cheerfulness in Kush.

He was the one who introduced Yano to Zhu Ning in the beginning, so he didn't know why things had turned out this way.

At that time, Arno's Mandarin was not very good, and he was the youngest, so his classmates took good care of him.

At first, Jiang Wenxing had no problem with Yano, but later he found that Zhu Ning treated Yano much better than he treated him. Jiang Wenxing found it hard to tolerate, and these little things accumulated more and more, and the trigger for the argument was just a very small thing.

Jiang Wenxing was sick and wanted Zhu Ning to bring him some medicine. Zhu Ning said he didn't know what was wrong with him and told him to go buy it himself. Jiang Wenxing didn't say anything and went by himself. Later, when Yano got sick, Zhu Ning bought him medicine and food.

Jiang Wenxing and Zhu Ning then broke up.

Zhu Ning said he was immature and pretentious, and that Jiang Wenxing's argument with him was inexplicable.

Jiang Wenxing said, "Why won't you buy me medicine? I feel so bad I can't get up."

Zhu Ning was incredulous, barely suppressing her anger as she said, "Don't I know you? You're nowhere near that point. Arno is genuinely uncomfortable; he needs help. How can you be so selfish? Why are you only thinking of yourself?"

Jiang Wenxing was stunned for a long time, unable to utter a single word.

He and Zhu Ning were in a cold war, and they didn't speak to each other until he got the contract and started working. Their relationship deteriorated.

Jiang Wenxing has a very open-minded view of life. Maybe Yano is really better than him, so Zhu Ning and Yano are better. If he doesn't like him, then he just doesn't like him.

The sentry escorted Jiang Wenxing to the dormitory building, looking somewhat embarrassed. What was the big deal about such a small thing? Taking a benefit for nothing without paying a price, are the sentries in Kush really like that?

Jiang Wenxing had no idea what the sentry was thinking, but he was actively preparing to start his new life.

"Comrade Jiang, which room would you like to stay in?"

The guides' quarters are the only two-story building in the entire Kush, with four rooms on each floor. Other guides have opted to share rooms in pairs to take care of each other, so now only the left side of the first floor and the right side of the second floor remain in the entire building.

Jiang Wenxing lived in the room on the left side of the first floor in his previous life. Although it was next to the drainage ditch and he couldn't open the window for ventilation, he was used to it.

"Well, I live here."

"Shall I help you take your things inside?"

Since it was the guide's residence, the sentries were too embarrassed to venture inside.

Jiang Wenxing looked surprised. He thought for a moment and said, "It's too much trouble. I'll do it myself."

The guide was pale and serious, looking unapproachable, which made the sentry uneasy and hesitant to say anything.

However, the big soldier insisted on carrying the luggage into the house, and silently carried two buckets of water for him, and cleaned up the clutter outside the house before leaving.

Jiang Wenxing gave the sentry a real piece of candy to thank him for his help.

Speaking of which, I learned this from Captain Ilya. Jiang Wenxing had seen him train soldiers, and he was particularly harsh. After training them, he would give them a piece of candy every few days.

Kush was short of supplies, and sugar and tea were precious commodities. Although it seemed like coaxing children, those towering giants were actually won over by Ilya's coaxing. Although Ilya was strict, he treated them like younger brothers, so the soldiers were willing to listen to him.

Jiang Wenxing never received the candy from Ilya.

But after he sent him away from Kush, Jiang Wenxing was recuperating in the hospital. He often received gifts from others, including this kind of candy. Eating one would make his head feel less painful.

The sentry, holding the candy, stood there in a daze, but the guide had already turned and gone inside.

Jiang Wenxing sniffed, clearly feeling that his body was not as good as before, weaker and more afraid of the cold. This was related to his somewhat listless mental strength, which was probably the price of his rebirth.

But he couldn't tell anyone, nor could he tell anyone that he had a health problem.

He took off his gloves and military overcoat, put his hands on his hips, and prepared to do some cleaning with great enthusiasm. But the sudden cold air almost made his legs go weak and he curled up into a ball. Jiang Wenxing sneezed and quickly put his overcoat back on.

After squatting in the messy room for a while, Jiang Wenxing rolled up his sleeves and stood up again, patiently taking off his military overcoat and putting it aside. If this one got dirty, there would be no replacement.

Jiang Wenxing adjusted to the temperature, and soon his nose started running.

He quickly shifted his attention, unpacking the bags, sweeping the floor, wiping the table, making the bed, and dusting.

Just as Jiang Wenxing was so cold he could barely feel anything, he suddenly felt a little warmth near his ear.

Jiang Wenxing turned his head and saw a fluffy little mouse curled up in a ball. The little mouse buried its head in its belly, looked up at him, and although it was clearly very scared, it did not disappear.

Jiang Wenxing froze for a moment, pursed his lips, and slowly reached out his hand towards the little mouse.

one.

two.

three.

Four.

When he counted to five in his mind, the little mouse twitched its ears and made a squeaking sound, clearly very scared, but it did not turn transparent. Its black bean eyes blinked and looked at Jiang Wenxing fearfully.

The spirit and its master may have different personalities, but they are connected in spirit. It is a true reflection of the master's inner self and an expression of the subconscious mind.

Jiang Wenxing reflected on this when he lost it.

Does his refusal to accept his own spiritual body mean that he has never liked himself, and has never reconciled with his past, weak, and pessimistic self?

The guide's fingertips, still cold, finally touched his spiritual body, furry...like the feathers of a fledgling bird...

Jiang Wenxing stopped holding his breath, gently exhaled, and patted the little mouse's head twice.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, and Jiang Wenxing turned around.

The tall sentry with his arms crossed watched him silently, while the giant wolf circled leisurely behind him.

Jiang Wenxing sneezed loudly, a little snot running from his red nose. He sniffed hard, rubbed his nose, and stared blankly at Ilya with his clear, bright eyes, calling out, "Captain."

Ilya came over to deliver daily necessities and study materials to the guides and informed them that there would be a meeting that evening.

The four guides chatted in the boiler room. Ilya briefly explained that he hadn't seen Jiang Wenxing, so he asked Alena.

His expression was serious. When he wasn't smiling, he looked like a typical border guard captain: serious, responsible, and unsmiling. He spoke in a low voice, but he was very imposing.

The four guides behaved themselves well in front of him, and even Alena, who already knew him, didn't dare to joke: "Jiang is still tidying up the room."

"He's alone?"

"right."

Ilya nodded, pressed out the lead of the mechanical pen, and registered on the check-in form: "The meeting is at 8:30. Remember to bring your meeting minutes book and the 'Border Guard Guide Study Manual.' The old captain will give you training."

When they arrived at Jiang Wenxing's place, the guide was indeed tidying up the room by himself.

Jiang Wenxing was incredibly embarrassed, not knowing how long Ilya had been watching him. Ilya, however, didn't say anything. He registered the information, delivered the supplies, and didn't say anything unnecessary throughout the whole process.

After delivering the items, Ilya didn't leave. Jiang Wenxing looked at him anxiously, his expression even more serious than Ilya's. Was something wrong? He asked, "Captain?"

Ilya pressed his finger on the mechanical pencil lead without saying a word. Jiang Wenxing followed his gaze and saw that he was looking at a light bulb.

Jiang Wenxing picked it up and deftly eased the awkwardness: "The light bulb is broken, and I was just about to change it."

After saying that, he tried to step onto the stool, but failed. He then heard the sentry's deep question: "Is the power off?"

Jiang Wenxing withdrew his foot: "Ah, no."

He awkwardly put down the light bulb and tugged at the switch; this kind of light still used a wired control circuit.

Ilya pressed the fountain pen, making a rhythmic clicking sound. Jiang Wenxing wasn't sure if it was on or off, and was wondering when the clicking stopped, followed by a loud sneeze.

Ilya took off his coat and threw Jiang Wenxing's coat to him: "Put this on."

Jiang Wenxing slurped, "Captain, let me do it."

Ilya stood there, easily reaching the lamp holder with his outstretched hand. After changing the light bulb, he looked at the bags and packages scattered all over the floor, as well as the uncollected corners and edges, without saying a word.

Jiang Wenxing blushed, bent down, and said seriously, "I'll get ready right away, and I definitely won't be late for the meeting."

Author's Note: