Chapter 209 Heroes of the Nation
The auditorium was filled with the aroma of wine and food at the victory banquet. The military commander stood on the stage holding a gleaming medal, and the soldiers' faces were flushed red from the big red flowers on their chests. The applause was so thunderous that it almost lifted the roof off.
The host, holding the gold-embossed list, cleared his throat: "Lu Zheng—"
The sound from the microphone rolled across the hall, but no one responded. He paused, then raised his voice and called out again, "Lu Zheng!"
A murmur began to ripple through the crowd below. Peng Fei's heart leaped into his throat, and he pushed through the throng to look around.
When he entered, he didn't see Lu Zheng. He thought it was because there were too many people and they had separated. He was thinking of chatting with him about the plans for the elite battalion after the medal ceremony. But now, after scanning the entire auditorium, he couldn't even find Xia Qianqian.
When "Lu Zheng" was called out for the third time, the commotion in the audience became even more pronounced. Peng Fei stood on tiptoe and peered towards the door, his palms sweating.
The host hesitated for a moment, then called out the next name: "Xia Qianqian—" The voice cut through the noise, and after three times, only the silence in the air responded.
A chill suddenly ran down Peng Fei's spine. Lu Zheng's unusual behavior when he heard the news from the Sharp Knife Battalion, and Xia Qianqian's hesitant gaze, instantly pierced his heart like a thorn.
The clamor of the victory celebration suddenly seemed to be muted. Commander Wang squeezed next to Peng Fei and asked anxiously, "Peng Fei! Do you know where Lu Zheng and Xia Qianqian went? I just asked the camp registration office—their names aren't on the register at all!"
Peng Fei jumped up, his mind flashing back like a movie: on the ship, he was excitedly talking to Lu Zheng about how to build the elite battalion in the future, and what Lu Zheng's response was? He seemed to have told him to think about it carefully.
At the time, he thought it was Brother Lu testing him, but now it suddenly dawned on him—it wasn't a test at all; it was a farewell!
The image of Xia Qianqian making shells disappear with a flick of her finger on the battlefield, Lu Zheng's unconcealed worry when he looked at her...
All the fragments instantly pieced together the complete answer: they had already made up their minds to leave.
Peng Fei, however, seemed to have lost all his strength.
These past few days, the troops have deliberately avoided disturbing the heroes' rest. But as soon as the medal awarding ceremony began, someone approached him and asked, "Why did the shells suddenly fly over here? If that weapon of mass destruction had been used on the front lines, wouldn't it have wiped out the Japanese army's stronghold?"
It was the right thing for Brother Lu and his wife to leave. Those "abnormalities" on the battlefield, those secrets that couldn't be hidden, meant they couldn't stay in the light of day—leaving was to protect themselves, and also to protect everyone else.
Although he knew that Brother Lu had no choice but to do this, the thought of being abandoned by Brother Lu made Peng Fei feel like an unwanted wife, and his shoulders slumped down.
"Commander, Brother Lu and his wife... have left."
Regiment Commander Wang's eyes widened in surprise, and he clenched his fist and slammed it against his thigh: "What? They're gone? The commander said he wanted to see them!"
Peng Fei shook his head and sighed, "Commander, think about it... if word gets out about that, will they still be able to stay?"
Commander Wang sighed heavily, staring at the empty medal-awarding seats on the stage. His Adam's apple bobbed as he said, "It's better that they're gone... Their gold medals should have been theirs, but they can't go up on stage to enjoy the glory. I feel so choked up."
“They are heroes of the nation…” He let out a long sigh and patted Peng Fei on the shoulder. “They will definitely contact you later. Tell them—no matter where they go, they are my soldiers, Wang’s men! Whenever needed, I, Old Wang, will risk my life!”
Peng Fei watched as the stage began calling out other people's names. The figures receiving medals stood tall, their faces shining with the big red flowers on their chests, but he felt empty inside.
He gazed at the cold rain falling outside the window and silently prayed: Brother Lu, Sister-in-law, wherever you go, please stay safe...
At this time, the mainland was still shrouded in a biting cold wind, making people shiver and rub their hands, but the streets of Hong Kong were filled with a moist warmth.
Xia Qianqian and Lu Zheng, dressed in light autumn clothes, stood on a street corner as the neon lights began to illuminate the night.
At the deserted alley entrance, Xia Qianqian emerged from Peach Blossom Spring, curiously surveying the scene before her.
Colorful light boxes on the exterior walls of high-rise buildings flash English and Chinese, pedestrians on the street wear fashionable shirts and skirts, and even the wind carries the sweet aroma of milk tea, completely different from the inland areas.
She turned to look at Lu Zheng, her eyes sparkling: "How did you find this path?"
Just a few days ago, she was worried that Lu Zheng wouldn't be able to find a way to Hong Kong. She never expected that in just a few days, she would actually be standing on this land filled with the sweet aroma of milk tea.
Upon hearing Xia Qianqian's words, Lu Zheng smiled confidently: "I met some old friends when I was a merchant, and they've already arranged a place for us to stay."
He stepped aside to lead her towards the alley entrance, where a taxi was parked. Seeing them approach, the driver immediately helped them put their luggage in the trunk.
Lu Zheng gentlemanly opened the car door for Xia Qianqian. Xia Qianqian pursed her lips, smiled, and bent down to get into the car.
A black taxi stopped in front of an old building, where old-fashioned advertising stickers still remained on the walls.
Lu Zheng pushed open the door, and a scent of mothballs and sunshine wafted out—the room wasn't luxurious, but it was bright and clean, with several pots of bougainvillea in full bloom on the balcony, and even the sofa was covered with clean cotton cushions.
He said to Xia Qianqian, "This building is old, but it's in a secluded location and the rooms are spacious enough. Let's settle in first, and we need to get the first batch of supplies ready as soon as possible. Our old friendship is the foundation, but real benefits are the glue that holds us together. We need to show them real money so that the cooperation can be stable."
Xia Qianqian nodded, and the supplies in Peach Blossom Spring instantly filled the entire room.
"Let's use these." Xia Qianqian bent down and picked up a handful of rice ears. The grains were so plump they reflected light and carried the fresh fragrance of sunshine. "People in Hong Kong love to eat fresh food. Our grains don't use chemical fertilizers, and our eggs are raised in the soil. We're sure we can open up the market."
Lu Zheng took the rice stalk and rubbed it; the grains were as white as pearls. "Hmm, I'll contact my old friend tomorrow and bring the samples over."
He looked into the light in Xia Qianqian's eyes, reached out and ruffled her hair, "You've worked hard, Qianqian."
Xia Qianqian's lips curved into crescent moons, her fingertips gently hooking Lu Zheng's sleeve, her eyes shimmering with warm light: "The children and I are waiting for you to come home."
The afternoon sun streamed into the room through the glass windows. Lu's mother wiped the dust off the windowsill, the textured cloth rustling as it brushed against the old wooden frame, a satisfied smile always on her lips. Daya squatted on the floor folding clothes, her little body ramrod straight, each piece neatly folded. Erya, on the other hand, was like a bouncy little sparrow, her eyes shining as she stared at the soft Simmons mattress. Suddenly, she let out a shriek and pounced on it, rolling around on the mattress twice, her hair all messed up, still giggling incessantly.
"Mommy, Mommy! Are we really going to live here from now on?" Er Ya asked, dangling her little legs as she lay on the edge of the mattress.
Daya stopped folding clothes, clutching the towel she had just folded in her little hand, her brow furrowed slightly, showing a hint of adult worry: "Mom, you said we could go to school here... but who will do the chores in Peach Blossom Spring? Won't you get tired if no one helps you?"
Xia Qianqian walked over, squatted down and patted Daya's head, then pinched Erya's rosy cheeks. Her voice was gentle but firm: "Silly girls, Mom and Grandma can handle it. You two need to study hard, so that you can help your parents do bigger things."
Er Ya immediately sat up, raised her little hand and shouted, "I want to learn! I want to help Mom do the accounts!"
Daya nodded in agreement, her worry turning into bright anticipation.
The sunlight inside the room grew warmer, and even the air was filled with the fresh scent of freshly washed sheets. This unfamiliar little house in Hong Kong was gradually taking on the feel of home.
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