Gunfire is the background noise, death is the norm, and tomorrow is a luxury.
They had just torn a path to survival from the sharp teeth of the Zerg, yet now they lay on a creaking, narrow bed, listening to the lively conversations of strangers next door and feeling the warmth of each other's fingertips.
This in itself is like a stolen miracle.
Li Yuheng didn't continue.
Some things are unspeakable, and need not be spoken.
This is the essence of the interstellar age of the Sentinel Guides: while they rest, fighting is taking place elsewhere; while they are fighting, others are resting.
War is a perpetually moving behemoth, gnawing at time and life in endless cycles.
All that can be grasped is this definite warmth in the palm of your hand.
This is such a lousy place…
Shu Bai's eyes looked at Li Yuheng in the darkness. He didn't ask any more questions, nor did he withdraw his hand.
The warmth transmitted through fingertips is more powerful than any words.
After a moment, Shu Bai moved his finger very slightly and hooked it back onto Li Yuheng.
A silent response.
Li Yuheng raised the corners of his mouth very slightly, and then said nothing more.
He leaned against the bare edge of the bed, holding that hand, and closed his eyes.
The distant sounds of artillery fire continued, like a heartbeat that never stops.
In this small and simple dormitory, a strange tranquility quietly descended, shutting out all the noise.
the next day.
A piercing assembly alarm shattered the brief tranquility of the early morning.
Li Yuheng opened his eyes almost instantly, and Shu Bai also jumped out of bed at the same time.
The two exchanged a glance, and the subtle tranquility of the previous night was instantly replaced by the sharpness of the impending battle.
"The breach on the east side of the Seventh Defense Zone has triggered a second Zerg assault! All mobile personnel, assemble immediately at Exit 3! Repeat, all mobile personnel, assemble immediately at Exit 3!"
…
The three months seemed to be compressed and stretched out amidst the gunfire and smoke.
The battle line of the Seventh Defense Zone was finally re-welded and temporarily stabilized thanks to the blood and flesh of countless soldiers.
Shu Bai and Li Yuheng, this newly promoted yet already renowned S-class duo, have become almost legendary figures in the hearts of the soldiers of the Seventh District because they have repeatedly torn apart the Zerg's offensive.
The transfer order arrived on a relatively calm evening.
The central tower ordered them to immediately proceed to the area where the fighting was more intense to provide support.
On the night before departure, the base was filled with the relaxation of a short rest and the hustle and bustle of parting.
Li Yuheng was pulled aside to check the follow-up supply list, while Shu Bai was alone, getting some fresh air on the lookout platform outside the base.
The cold metal railings were imbued with the chill of the universe, distant stars twinkled indifferently, and further away, the silent halos of light occasionally burst forth from war-torn star systems.
Shu Bai watched all this with his usual cold expression, only his slightly pursed lips revealing a hint of imperceptible fatigue and solemnity.
In the month since returning to the battlefield, he has regained his fighting rhythm and proven that he is not a cripple, but he has also gained a deeper understanding of the cruelty and weight of war.
Footsteps came from behind, steady, yet tinged with hesitation.
Shu Bai did not turn back, but his extraordinary senses had already revealed the identity of the newcomer.
It's Ling Xuan.
Ling Xuan walked a few steps away from him and stopped, also gazing at the boundless starry sky.
A moment of silence followed, broken only by the low hum of the base's ventilation system.
“Shallow White Sentinel.” Ling Xuan finally spoke, his voice hoarser than usual, as if he had been considering it for a long time.
Shu Bai turned her head and glanced at him, her eyes purely questioning, devoid of any other emotion: "Guide Ling. Is something the matter?"
Ling Xuan took a deep breath, as if he had made up his mind, and turned his gaze to Shu Bai, landing precisely on his left forearm.
Even through his combat uniform, he could almost see that old scar.
Ling Xuan's voice was tense: "A month ago, at the eastern barrier, I saw the wound on your arm... Was that old wound, the one you got six years ago in the ordinary human settlement of Zone 3, when you were trying to save a child, and you were scratched by the insectoid mouthparts? Serrated, triangular?"
Upon hearing this, Shu Bai's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.
He glanced down at his arm, then looked up at Ling Xuan, his eyes showing a hint of understanding.
No wonder Li Yuheng has been dragging Ling Xuan around whenever he sees him for the past three months...
"yes."
Shu Bai answered crisply and directly, without any beating around the bush or denial.
He never deliberately forgot about this matter, nor did he need to hide it.
Despite having suspected it beforehand, Ling Xuan's body still swayed almost imperceptibly when he heard it confirmed with his own ears.
He clenched his fist tightly, his knuckles turning white, and his eyes welled up with extremely complex emotions: shock, guilt, gratitude, and an indescribable sense of realization.
“It really was you…” Ling Xuan’s voice trembled with suppressed emotion, “That child… was me.”
His gaze towards Shu Bai was heavy with weight: "Thank you. If it weren't for you, I would have died long ago. This kindness, I..."
"Need not."
Shu Bai interrupted him, "That was my duty. Any sentry present would have done the same. I saved you not because of who you are, but simply because you are a human being who needs protection."
Ling Xuan's Adam's apple bobbed, his voice tinged with suppressed bitterness: "...I'm very sorry. You became a 'problem sentinel' because of me. Back then... after I was rescued, I woke up in the hospital and wanted to find you to express my gratitude. I asked many people, but the doctor in charge told me that the sentinel who saved me was not seriously injured and had already been urgently returned to the First War Zone battlefield."
"I told the doctor to say that."
Ling Xuan was startled, as if he hadn't expected this answer, and subconsciously asked, "...Why?"
“For no reason.” Shu Bai glanced at him, her gaze seemingly able to pierce through his heart. “If it’s just because you know I’m the one who saved you six years ago, making you feel guilty, or changing your mind because of it—for example, back in the Third War Zone, you thought I was an unstable and troublesome person, but now you see me differently because of the debt of gratitude…”
Shu Bai shook his head: "That's really unnecessary."
Ling Xuan froze on the spot, his throat felt like it was blocked by something, and after a long while, he managed to utter a difficult sound: "You... how did you know..."
Do you know what I thought of you back in the Third War Zone?
Do you know how guilty I feel right now?
Shu Bai pointed to his eyes: "An S-rank sentinel's observation skills shouldn't be so bad that they can't see this. When you looked at me in the Third War Zone, the rejection and the word 'trouble' were written all over your eyes."
He paused, then continued, "Now that you know I'm your savior, you feel guilty and want to make amends... There's really no need. Saving you was a sentry's duty. How you see me is your business. The two are unrelated."
After saying that, Shu Bai stopped looking at Ling Xuan, who was frozen in place, and turned to leave.
Shu Bai had only taken a few steps when a figure suddenly darted out from the dark area where the equipment was stored and jumped in front of him.
"Wow!" Li Yuheng spread his arms wide in an exaggerated manner, his face showing undisguised smugness and mischief, his eyes sparkling as he looked at Shu Bai, completely ignoring Ling Xuan who was standing stiffly behind him.
He first winked at Shu Bai, then turned to face Ling Xuan, who seemed frozen in place, spread his hands, and swayed his head and buttocks from side to side in a smug way, speaking in a lewd tone:
"Oh dear~ Did you hear that? Did you hear that? 'It's my duty'~ 'It's unrelated to either of us'~"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com