Chapter 45: The First Day of Camp
The dim single room in the tube-shaped building was filled with smoke.
Chen Guodong paced anxiously in the narrow space with his hands behind his back. Under his feet were the long hair scraps that Chen Manli had cut off and scattered on the ground, making a rustling sound when he stepped on them.
His face was so gloomy that water seemed to drip out of it, and his heart felt like it was stuffed with a ball of rotten cotton soaked in water, heavy and blocked.
He regretted it!
Too hasty!
Xu Kaijun's gang took action at Eagle's Beak, which was too close to the Songtaogou base!
If something happens in that place, the Qinnan Military Region will definitely be involved!
just in case……
What if that useless Xu Kaijun gets caught and the clues lead back to me...
Chen Guodong shuddered suddenly and dared not think any further.
He has worked hard for so many years and is about to gain a foothold in Chang'an. He cannot let this happen because of a woman!
"dad……"
Chen Manli huddled on a small bench in the corner and called out timidly.
She wore a newly bought, shiny black wig with fashionable "cauliflower" curls, which looked much more pleasing to the eye than her previous "yin-yang head".
But for this wig, she ran to all the barbershops in Chang'an City. The old barbers shook their heads at her uneven stubble, and no one had the ability to "reconnect" her hair.
In the end, I had no choice but to grit my teeth and go to the Friendship Store and spend all the money in my passbook - a full 157 yuan!
It is said that it is the work of a master craftsman in Shanghai, but the price is simply cutting her flesh!
It also completely drained the already limited financial resources of the father and daughter.
Chen Guodong suddenly stopped, his bloodshot eyes glaring fiercely at the overly fake wig on his daughter's head, a surge of anger rising to his head:
"What's wrong?! You still have the nerve to ask what's wrong?!"
His voice was extremely low, but it was like the growl of a wild animal, full of suppressed rage: "Look at what you have done! Hair! Hair!
For a few cents, I squandered my entire fortune! One hundred and fifty-seven dollars! That was money I was saving for emergencies and emergencies! And now…” He grabbed a handful of his hair in frustration, swallowing the rest of his words back.
You can scold your daughter about the money, but you must not let her know anything about the failed assassination and the risk to Xu Kaijun!
The more you know about these things, the faster you die!
Chen Manli was frightened by her father's ferocious look and subconsciously protected the wig on her head. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she didn't dare to let them fall.
She didn't understand why her father was so angry and just felt wronged.
Is it her fault that her hair is like that?
Does she want this?
But looking at her father's bloodshot, murderous eyes, she didn't dare to argue a word.
Chen Guodong breathed heavily and forced himself to calm down.
Scolding your daughter won't solve the problem.
The two most important things right now are: First, make sure Xu Kaijun keeps his mouth shut, or... keeps his mouth shut forever!
Second, money! We must get it as soon as possible!
Third, it is not only for living, but also for managing connections, filling deficits and maintaining stability.
Fourth, the hole in the account of that batch of “scrapped” equipment is like a knife hanging over one’s head, which may fall at any time!
His sinister eyes swept across the expensive wig on his daughter's head, then across the simple room, and finally fell on the inconspicuous canvas bag in the corner - which contained several key "materials".
A more dangerous idea, but one that would make money faster, was growing wildly in his mind.
We can’t wait any longer!
Chen Guodong turned around abruptly, no longer looking at his crying daughter. He quickly walked to the table, opened the drawer, and found a crumpled piece of paper with an address and a code name written on it.
His eyes flickered, revealing a desperate ruthlessness. He grabbed an old military cap from the table, put it on his head, lowered the brim, and gave Chen Manli, who was huddled in the corner, a cold command: "Stay home! Don't go anywhere! If anyone asks, just say I'm out on business!"
After saying that, he opened the door and quickly disappeared into the dim corridor like a ghost blending into the night.
He was going to meet an "old friend", an "old friend" who could help him get money quickly, but also put him in dire straits.
As night falls, the Songtaogou base, nestled on the hillside of the Qinling Mountains, rustles in the wind.
Shen Lingning sent Aunt Sun, who had helped, to the door and thanked her with a smile: "Thank you, auntie, for today. If it weren't for your help, Fubao and I wouldn't have a hot meal now."
Aunt Sun walked away, waving her hands cheerfully: "No matter what, it's all about helping out. Go back, and if you have anything to say, tell me. Don't be shy."
This familiar enthusiasm and sincerity reminded Shen Lingning of Aunt Wang from Majiaji. She grinned widely and nodded in response, "Okay!"
Watching Aunt Sun turn into the yard next to her, Shen Lingning looked up and took in the surrounding environment. The entire Songtaogou camp was located halfway up a mountain in the Qinnan Mountains.
Behind a few rows of gray brick and tile bungalows are endless green mountains that roll as far as the eye can see.
The mountain wind was strong and carried a damp and cold air.
Shen Lingning felt relieved when he heard that Comrade Xiao Li, the political commissar who brought him up, had been arranged to stay at his home.
The first thing he did after settling down was to write a letter to his godfather Zhao Changhe to report that he was safe.
She sat on the edge of the clean earthen kang, and with the sunlight coming through the window lattice, she spread out the letter paper and wrote with the tip of her pen making rustling sounds.
There was no complaint in the letter.
The words reveal tenacity, gratitude, and positive plans for a new life, and the language is sincere and simple.
After writing the letter, she took out a small oil-paper bag that she had prepared earlier.
Inside was a few coins of roasted tea leaves, the leaves dark green with a strange silvery tint, and the scent was as crisp as that of a forest after rain, unobtrusive but calming.
This was the first batch of tea seedlings that she watered with the spring water in the space, and she picked them carefully and roasted them.
She added at the end of the letter: "I happened to find a few old tea plants in the mountains. I picked some young buds and roasted them myself. I want you to taste the wildness of the mountains. The taste is rough, but don't be disgusted. This tea can relieve fatigue and is good for your health."
Turning around, he saw little Fubao already sleeping with his arms and legs spread out, his two little fists raised above his head, his little face puffed up, his expression peaceful and sweet. Shen Lingning couldn't help but kiss his pink little face twice.
The next day, just as the sky was getting light, the sound of horns could be faintly heard.
Just as Shen Lingning finished cleaning up Fubao, he heard someone knocking on the door. When he opened it, he saw that it was Xiao Li who came to say goodbye.
"Sister Chen, I'm going to drive back to Chang'an now. If you have anything to bring or a message to send, just tell me directly."
Shen Lingning asked him to take the letter and the packet of tea to Mr. Zhao: "This is a little something and a letter I brought for my godfather. Please give it to him. Please help me report my safety to my godfather and godmother and say hello."
A few people came over from outside the door, all carrying bamboo baskets. When they saw Shen Lingning from a distance, they called out, "Guo Wei, are you up? Come on, let's go get some supplies."
Shen Lingning responded, and Xiao Li took the things and went to the jeep in the compound, his posture as steady as a pine tree.
Seeing this, several aunts passing by were jealous and started asking about Xiao Li's situation: "Where is this soldier from? He's good-looking and can drive. Comrade Xiao Shen, I have a niece from my mother's family..."
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