One after another, the formations passed by in perfect unison. Because many of the commanders and soldiers who came to participate in the parade had participated in the war in the southwest, the atmosphere was truly filled with a sense of fierce battle.
Several foreign journalists not far from Li Chu and his group kept exclaiming in their own languages.
In the several military parades that followed over the next few decades, there was no such grand spectacle.
Although the ranks were still so orderly and everyone participating in the parade was so spirited, that fierce aura was nowhere to be seen again.
This kind of imposing presence cannot be developed through training or acted out through rehearsals.
Only veterans who have truly experienced life and death on the battlefield and survived charging through a hail of bullets possess this kind of spirit.
Hopefully, their suggestion last time will have some effect, allowing more of these veterans who have experienced blood and fire to stay in the military.
The second formation following the honor guard was Shen Jun's unit.
"Wow, Shen Jun looks pretty energetic."
"Hey, Xiao Chu, which one is Shen Jun? My eyesight isn't very good, I can't see clearly." Ding's father, who was sitting in front, turned around and asked.
"Dad, those three at the head of the infantry formation are the ones closest to us."
"Look closely! It's much darker than when Huihui got engaged."
"I've been tanning for months, how can I not get tanned?"
Li Wenhui glanced at her future father-in-law walking by below, then turned her head to look at her father through her mother: "Dad, did you know Shen Yi's father when you were little?"
“I don’t know him. Our family was with the headquarters back then. His grandfather was a leader in another column. His family was in that column. We were far apart.”
"Then why did you go to save his father that year?"
“Sigh, I just didn’t want your grandfather to lose his last son as well.”
As he watched the formations march past, Li Chu's thoughts seemed to drift back to that war-torn place.
As exclamations rang out, he snapped out of his daze. The infantry formations had finished marching, followed by a continuous stream of mechanized units, filling the entire street with the roar of engines.
Flying in formation at low altitude, airplanes no longer have to make up for the lack of numbers by flying more frequently, as was the case in the past.
As planes continued to fly overhead, on the ground, the mysterious force finally unveiled itself to the world, revealing its true colors and baring its fangs.
This military force revealing its true nature is also a way of telling those Western powers that what you have, I also have, and it's no worse than you.
At this moment, everyone watching the parade, whether on the rostrum, the reviewing stand, the square, or the streets, burst into enthusiastic applause, their faces beaming with joy.
With the appearance of the strategic forces, the parade has come to a close. This year's parade lasted a total of 56 minutes.
Li Chu peeked at the viewing platform next to him, where people from various embassies were sitting. Seeing the disgusted expressions on their faces, his smile widened.
So refreshing! It's like drinking an ice-cold plum juice on a sweltering summer day—cool and refreshing, making you feel soar.
Ding Qiunan, standing beside her husband, also glanced in that direction, and her smile widened even more than before.
Suddenly, from among the crowd preparing to leave the square, someone started singing, and more and more people began to stand up and sing:
"The five-star red flag flutters in the wind, and the song of victory is so resounding."
Singing praises to our beloved motherland, as she marches towards prosperity and strength.
Crossing mountains and plains, traversing the surging Yellow River and Yangtze River,
This vast and beautiful land is our beloved hometown.
The heroic people have stood up; we are united, loving, and as strong as steel.
..."
More and more people joined in, singing over and over again, their voices deafening and filling the air.
The singing lasted for more than ten minutes before gradually subsiding, followed by enthusiastic applause and cheers.
Standing on the viewing platform, Li Chu looked at the dense crowds on both sides of the street, and saw the happy smiles on everyone's faces. He suddenly felt that people born and raised in this era were indeed much happier than they would be decades later.
What should have been a ten- or twenty-minute walk took more than an hour to get home today.
The three beautiful women, who were just excited and thrilled, started yelling and complaining that they were exhausted as soon as they entered the house.
Within two minutes, they were all collapsed on the deck chairs in the yard.
It's really tough. I got up at three in the morning and it's almost one in the afternoon now, nearly ten hours, and I've been standing there for more than half of that time.
"Don't sleep yet. If you want to sleep, eat first. What do you want to eat?"
"Just stir-fry some meat sauce and add some noodles, that's fine, don't bother," Ding Qiunan said lazily, lying on the recliner.
"What about you two? Can't you have some noodles?"
"Sure, sure," Li Wenhui and Wang Yueyue said. They didn't want to lift a finger at all. As long as they didn't have to do anything, they were willing to eat anything.
"Dad, I'll help you."
When Li Wenxuan saw his father washing his hands to prepare to cook, he also ran over to wash his hands.
"Don't worry, I can do it by myself. It's simple. Just keep talking to the three of them, otherwise they'll fall asleep and I won't be able to feed them."
The steaming hot tomato and egg noodles were ready quickly, and the five people sat around the stone table, slurping down a large bowl of noodles in no time.
Ding Qiunan forced herself to finish washing the pots and pans before going into the bedroom and collapsing into bed.
When Li Chu went in to check, he found that the woman was so tired that she was lying on the edge of the bed with one foot still on the ground and her coat and pants still on.
There was no other way but for him to step in and help.
When he came out of the house again, several dogs were sitting in the yard staring at the living room door.
Oh no, I haven't fed them yet.
Li Chu slapped his forehead and hurriedly went into the kitchen to cook noodles. Of course, there was no scrambled eggs with tomatoes; he just boiled the noodles in plain water, take it or leave it.
However, his dogs are not picky eaters. He and Ding Qiunan can feed them whatever they want, as long as they are full. They are very easy to take care of.
After the birds had eaten their fill, it was already past three o'clock, and he was finally able to lie down on the deck chair to rest, with a pot of freshly brewed tea beside him.
Sipping a cup of tea and petting the dog's head—life couldn't be more pleasant.
Suddenly, he had a thought about retiring and quickly shook his head to dispel this unrealistic fantasy.
Sigh, he's really dreaming. I'm afraid I'll never retire as long as I can walk.
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