Chapter 395 Goodbye, Sister The jeep bumped and jolted in the night, like a weary, trapped steel beast.
Outside the car window, it was pitch black; only the headlights could illuminate a small patch of washboard-like dirt road ahead.
Su Tang sat in the passenger seat, still carrying the faint scent of tea from the military guesthouse, but her mind kept replaying the excited, flushed faces of Elder Qian and Vice President Li.
Specially appointed engineer, technical lieutenant rank, Fifth Research Institute...
These titles, bestowed upon anyone in this era, represent a meteoric rise to glory.
But Su Tang felt as if her heart was blocked by a wad of wet cotton, making her feel suffocated.
The ominous premonition that had been lingering since the afternoon grew stronger with each bump in the jeep.
The bodyguard driving the car was a young man who was probably trying to get close to "Comrade Su An," whom Vice Minister Zheng had personally escorted to the car, and he kept talking non-stop.
"Comrade Su An, you are truly amazing! I heard from our squad leader that you were a major contributor to this red-blue team competition!"
“Our Vice Minister Zheng is usually a stern-faced judge. I’ve followed him for two years and I’ve never seen him be so kind to anyone!”
Su Tang just absentmindedly hummed twice.
Her thoughts had already drifted back to Camp Three.
My mind drifted back to noon today, to Wang Xiaoya's forced, relaxed smile and those eyes that were trying so hard to hide something.
"Sister Su An, you should go quickly, don't keep the commander waiting."
"I'm fine, I'm perfectly alright! I've saved you a big white steamed bun when you come back!"
Looking back now, every word Xiaoya said and every action she took was filled with a sense of determination.
Like someone about to embark on a long journey, making a final farewell.
Su Tang's heart sank inch by inch.
"Comrade, can you go faster?" Her voice carried a hint of hoarseness and urgency that she herself was unaware of.
"Huh? Oh, okay!" The guard was startled by her serious tone, slammed on the gas pedal, and the jeep roared forward.
...
"Squeak—"
The screeching sound of brakes was particularly jarring in the quiet night of the camp, shattering the stillness of the early morning. Before the car had even come to a complete stop, Su Tang had already impatiently pushed open the door and jumped out, not even waiting for the guard to park the car properly.
"Thank you!" she said without turning her head, her figure quickly disappearing into the thick darkness, leaving the guard with only a silhouette that looked like she was running.
The guard scratched his head, looking puzzled. "What's the rush so late...?"
The camp was completely silent in the early hours of the morning. The intense training had drained everyone's energy; the dormitories were filled with snoring, occasionally punctuated by a few whispers in their sleep. Even the footsteps of the patrolling sentries sounded exceptionally clear and lonely, echoing on the concrete road.
The closer Su Tang got to the dormitory building, the more unease surged in her heart, like an invisible hand tightly gripping her heart, making it almost impossible for her to breathe.
She rushed up the stairs as fast as she could, but as she approached the female soldiers' dormitory number six, she moved with utmost care, like a wary cat.
The door was ajar, leaving a crack.
Su Tang held her breath, gently pushed open the door, and slipped inside.
The dormitory was quiet and peaceful.
Chen Xiaocao was fast asleep, smacking her lips, probably dreaming about something delicious.
Liu Landi's breathing was steady and long.
Zhang Man, who was on the upper bunk, turned over and kicked off a corner of her blanket.
Everything looked exactly the same as when she left.
Su Tang's extremely tense nerves suddenly relaxed at this moment, and she let out a long sigh of relief.
It seems I was just being paranoid and overthinking things.
She walked to her bed, gently placed her backpack on the floor, and prepared to take off her coat.
But in the instant she turned around, her gaze inadvertently swept across the bed diagonally opposite hers—Wang Xiaoya's bed.
All her movements froze instantly.
Time seemed to have been paused at that moment.
Wang Xiaoya's military blanket was folded neatly, like a block of tofu measured with a ruler, with distinct edges and corners.
This is very abnormal!
Military regulations stipulate that once lights out is sounded, tidying up one's quarters is no longer permitted. Wang Xiaoya is usually carefree, and before going to bed, she's used to spreading her blanket out like a pancake and comfortably wrapping herself in it. When has she ever had the habit of folding her blanket neatly before sleeping?
Su Tang's heart felt like it had been suddenly gripped by someone's hand, instantly leaping into her throat.
She rushed to Wang Xiaoya's bedside, taking three steps at a time.
With the help of the cool moonlight streaming through the window, she could see more clearly.
On the military blanket, folded as if cut with a knife, lay a clean set of training uniforms, also folded meticulously.
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