Chapter 373 A Battle of Water
When the two returned to Courtyard No. 1, it was almost dark.
Su Wantang handed the bags to Wang Ma and turned to go to the kitchen to cook a calming soup for Lu Jingyan.
Soon he opened the study door with a bowl of calming soup in his hand, the room filled with smoke.
Lu Jingyan sat at the table with a map of Northwest China spread out in front of him and several files placed beside him.
"Why are you smoking again?" Su Wantang put the soup bowl on the table. "Dr. Chen said you can't smoke now."
Lu Jingyan stubbed out his cigarette and looked up at her.
His eyes were bloodshot.
“Something’s happened.” He said in a low voice, “Gao Jianjun’s death was not an accident.”
Su Wantang walked behind him and saw the files on the table.
Gao Jianjun's name was circled in red, and next to it were densely written down the time, location, and personnel configuration.
"Intelligence leaked?" she asked.
“Hmm.” Lu Jingyan nodded. “Only five people knew the route for that operation. Besides Gao Jianjun and me, there were three others.”
He picked up a file. "Of these three people, one is a traitor."
Su Wantang placed her hand on his shoulder and could feel that his shoulder was very tense.
What did the wolf discover?
"He found a clue in the Northwest: someone had contacted the enemy using coded language three days before Gao Jianjun's sacrifice."
Lu Jingyan raised his hand and grasped hers. "The code word is the route of that operation."
Su Wantang didn't speak, but gently smoothed his furrowed brows.
She gently stroked his brow with her fingertips.
Lu Jingyan closed his eyes, leaned back in his chair, and held her hand even tighter.
"Gao Jianjun has been with me for five years..."
Before she could finish speaking, Su Wantang bent down and wrapped her arms around his neck from behind.
Her face was pressed against the top of his head.
“You will find that person,” she said with certainty.
Lu Jingyan opened his eyes and turned to look at her.
The two faces were very close.
“Wantang, I must go to the Northwest,” he said. “I will go in person.”
Su Wantang nodded. "I know."
There was a knock on the door.
"Brigade Commander Lu, Staff Officer Shen is here," the guard's voice came through.
Lu Jingyan frowned and looked at Su Wantang.
Su Wantang let go of his hand and kissed him on the forehead. "Let's meet. Business is more important."
She walked to the sofa next to her, sat down, and picked up the soup bowl she had just eaten.
Shen Qing pushed open the door and came in, still wearing her training clothes, with sweat on her forehead.
When she saw Su Wantang, she paused for a moment, then saluted.
"Brigade Commander Lu."
"Sit down." Lu Jingyan pointed to the chair opposite him.
After Shen Qing sat down, her gaze fell on the map and files on the table.
His brows furrowed immediately.
"Is it about the Northwest?" she asked directly.
Lu Jingyan nodded and handed her Gao Jianjun's file. "Take a look."
Shen Qing took the file and quickly flipped through it.
Su Wantang sat on the sofa, holding a bowl of soup, quietly watching them.
After reviewing the file, Shen Qing looked up at Lu Jingyan. "Intelligence leaked?"
"Hmm." Lu Jingyan picked up the cigarette case on the table, glanced at Su Wantang, and then put it down again. "Wild Wolf has discovered that someone leaked the operation route using code words."
Shen Qing's face darkened.
She stood up, walked to the map, and pointed to several locations on it.
“If it was an intelligence leak, then the other side must know our supply routes.” She spoke very quickly.
"I suggest immediately reassigning all relevant personnel to their positions and cutting off any possible channels of communication."
Lu Jingyan nodded, "That's what I think too."
Shen Qing then pointed to another point on the map, "This was the ambush location back then. The fact that the enemy chose this location shows that they were very familiar with the terrain."
She turned to look at Lu Jingyan, "We also traveled this road when we were on a mission in the Northwest."
Lu Jingyan's brows furrowed even more.
“I remember,” he said. “We were almost surrounded that time.”
“Yes.” Shen Qing nodded. “It was you who led us to break through the ravine on the side.”
As she said this, a smile appeared on her face. "That time you even carried the injured Old Li on your back for more than ten miles along the mountain road."
Su Wantang sat on the sofa, listening to their conversation.
Both of them were talking about things she didn't know.
What Old Li, what mountain gully, what breakout.
She picked up the soup bowl and took a sip.
The soup has gone cold.
Shen Qing continued, "After that mission, a few of us drank all night in the camp."
She looked at Lu Jingyan and said, "Do you remember? Old Li said you were the best fighter he had ever met."
Lu Jingyan did not respond.
He turned to look at Su Wantang.
Su Wantang happened to be looking at him as well.
Their eyes met.
Su Wantang smiled at him.
Lu Jingyan stood up and walked to her side. "The soup is cold. I'll go get you a new bowl."
He picked up the soup bowl, turned around, and went out.
Shen Qing stood in front of the map, watching Lu Jingyan's back.
Then he looked at Su Wantang.
“Comrade Su, Brigade Commander Lu is so good to you,” she said.
Su Wantang leaned back on the sofa. "It's alright."
“I’ve known Commander Lu for five years.” Shen Qing walked over and sat down in the chair opposite her. “I’ve never seen him care about anyone like this before.”
Su Wantang didn't speak, she just looked at her.
Shen Qing continued, "When we were in the army, he was always the coldest one. He wouldn't even say an extra word, let alone take care of anyone."
She smiled and said, "Back then, we all thought that the only thing that could make him speak up in this lifetime was national affairs."
Su Wantang understood the meaning behind her words.
But she didn't answer.
Lu Jingyan brought in a new bowl of soup and walked to Su Wantang's side.
"Drink it while it's hot." He handed her the bowl.
Su Wantang took the bowl and took a sip.
Lu Jingyan sat down next to her, his hand naturally resting on her shoulder.
As Shen Qing watched this scene, her grip on the teacup tightened.
She stood up. "Brigade Commander Lu, I think this matter must be dealt with as soon as possible."
“I know,” Lu Jingyan said. “I plan to go to the Northwest myself.”
“I’ll go with you,” Shen Qing said immediately. “I’m familiar with the terrain there and can be of help.”
Before Lu Jingyan could speak, Su Wantang spoke first.
"Lu Jingyan." She put down her soup bowl. "Are you thirsty?"
Lu Jingyan paused for a moment, then nodded.
Su Wantang stood up, walked to the coffee table, picked up the kettle, and poured herself a glass of water.
She walked back with the water glass in her hand and brought it to Lu Jingyan's lips.
Lu Jingyan opened his mouth and took a sip.
Su Wantang's hand was steady, and the rim of the water glass touched his lips.
After he finished drinking, she used a handkerchief to wipe the corner of his mouth.
The movements were very natural, as if they had done them countless times.
Shen Qing stood to the side, watching this scene unfold.
His complexion looked rather unpleasant.
Su Wantang put down her water glass, turned to look at her, and said, "Counselor Shen, please continue."
Shen Qing took a deep breath. "As I just said, this matter must be dealt with as soon as possible."
“Yes.” Lu Jingyan nodded. “I’ve already had Wild Wolf continue the investigation.”
“But simply investigating isn’t enough,” Shen Qing said. “We must take the initiative and find that traitor.”
She walked up to the map and said, “I suggest we set a trap and use false information to lure the enemy out.”
Lu Jingyan stood up and walked to the map.
The two stood side by side, discussing tactical plans.
Shen Qing spoke quickly, occasionally pointing to a point on the map.
Lu Jingyan listened, nodding occasionally.
Both of them were using military terminology, such as firepower configuration and flanking maneuver.
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