Chapter 66 Prosperity and Strength
On National Day, the entire base had been completely transformed.
The bulletin boards and auditorium walls of various units have been adorned with brand-new slogans and posters. The "Gobi Desert Charm" series of posters and comic strips depicting Cheng Cheng's deeds are particularly eye-catching.
"Look! Isn't this a drawing of Engineer Li from our technical department? Look at the bloodshot eyes behind his glasses and the pile of calculation papers on his desk. That's what he looked like when we stayed up for three consecutive nights for the last launch mission."
A young technician pointed to the figure in the painting who was doing calculations under the lamp and excitedly said to his colleague.
A number of soldiers had also gathered in front of a picture of a border patrol in the snow.
Amidst the swirling snow, a group of soldiers, rifles in hand, trudged forward with difficulty, undeterred by the wind and snow, their figures almost blending into the sky and earth.
One of the soldiers, with a dark complexion, pointed at the drawing, his eyes lighting up with immense surprise. He couldn't help but scratch the back of his head. "Isn't this exactly what our third squad looked like during our patrol last winter? The snowflakes were falling so hard, and our ears and cheeks were red from the cold. It's so realistic!"
The painting vividly depicts the biting cold and the soldiers' silent perseverance. Everyone who sees the painting feels as if they are transported to the midst of a blizzard, experiencing the scene firsthand and sharing the same feelings.
The soldier muttered to himself, somewhat embarrassed, "We were just chatting casually, thinking it was all just ordinary little things. Isn't that how everyone gets through their shifts? Who knew..."
Comrade Cheng Cheng not only listened to the advice, but also wrote it down, and now she has even drawn it into a propaganda poster.
The soldier recalled that not long ago, on an afternoon when the leader brought Cheng Cheng, a quiet and pretty comrade from the propaganda department, to their squad, saying that he wanted to know about the border patrol situation.
They sat together and chatted casually about everyday things, like the icicles that formed on their leather hats when they patrolled in winter, or how they would wade through snow that was knee-deep, braving the blizzard and carrying their guns across the endless white landscape.
When Comrade Cheng Cheng asked them if they felt it was tough, they all shook their heads. As long as they had their families and country in their hearts, they could forge ahead bravely...
There was no arrogance in his tone, but rather a sense of being flattered and embarrassed, as if he felt that his ordinary efforts were not worthy of such solemn praise, and that there were others who worked even harder than them.
However, despite his dark skin, the other person's cheeks were flushed red, and his spine was involuntarily straightened. Anyone could see the excitement and pride of being recognized welling up from the bottom of his heart.
This situation is not an exception. There are also canteen chefs depicted in propaganda posters, vigorously tossing large ladles, and several women bending over to weed and clear land in the vast Gobi Desert...
The stories in the paintings are not earth-shattering legends, but rather the everyday stories of the base builders.
When people do these things, they just feel that it is their job and an ordinary thing, and they never feel that they have done anything earth-shattering.
But now, these ordinary moments have been brought to life on posters, accompanied by concise and powerful text. They are seen, recorded, praised, and affirmed. Every viewer who recognizes the people in the paintings or is familiar with the events depicted is filled with excitement and pride.
Little Lingxiao held his mother's hand tightly, looked up at the many uncles and aunts in military uniforms gathered in front of his mother's painting, his big eyes curved into crescent moons, and his little face was full of pride.
She shook her mother's hand, looked up at her, and said in a clear, joyful voice, "Mommy, look! So many uncles and aunties like your paintings!"
Standing on the other side of his wife, Zhou Yue listened to his daughter's words and looked at the enthusiastic scene before him, his eyes revealing undisguised approval mixed with a hint of pride.
He was pleased that his wife's abilities and talents had been recognized by everyone. He turned his head slightly and whispered, "Ah Cheng, your pen has expressed everyone's feelings."
Zhou Yue had seen his wife's dedication to the National Day publicity campaign; she had been working tirelessly, revising her drawings repeatedly under the lamp, pouring all her energy and effort into them.
His gaze swept over the people immersed in the story told in the painting again, and a smile appeared on his face. His wife's efforts had not been in vain.
Cheng Cheng patted her daughter's head, feeling no less moved than when she first visited these soldiers and their families. What everyone was looking at was not a painting, but their own reflection, the little things in their daily lives.
It is the countless ordinary people and countless ordinary moments that have jointly propelled the base forward.
At the entrance of the Great Hall, under the "Wish Wall" that reads "Motherland, I Want to Say to You," a lively scene unfolded.
Many soldiers and their families crowded there, with many parents bringing their children. Some fathers even carried their children on their shoulders, leaving their sincerest blessings for the motherland at the highest point.
The excited chatter of children mingled with the joyful voices of adults, creating a bustling atmosphere filled with both festive cheer and solemnity.
"I drew a red heart! A very, very big red heart!"
"I want to draw a five-pointed star!"
"Dad, a little higher, I want to write it on top!"
"Mom, how do you write the character '繁' in '盛繁' (prosperity)?"
"..."
Looking at the wishing wall that she had suggested creating, Cheng Cheng said excitedly, "Let's go write something too!"
She held her daughter's hand in one hand, looked at Zhou Yue, and the family of three walked towards the wishing wall.
Many messages that people want to say to their motherland have been left on the wall. There are messages from adults and children. Some wish the motherland a happy birthday, and others wish the motherland that they can eat meat buns every day.
Zhou Yue picked up his pen and wrote four large characters with a steady and powerful stroke: "Peace and prosperity for the nation and its people."
Cheng Cheng left the four characters "prosperity and strength" below. Then Zhou Yue picked up his daughter, and with her father's help, Xiao Lingxiao wrote down her heartfelt wish for her motherland—a strong and happy nation—stroke by stroke with utmost seriousness.
After leaving their blessings at the wishing wall, the family of three followed the orderly flow of people into the newly decorated auditorium.
The commendation ceremony was solemn and inspiring, with a dignified atmosphere. One by one, familiar or unfamiliar comrades, dressed in their neatest clothes and wearing a big red flower on their chests, walked onto the stage amidst enthusiastic applause, bringing the atmosphere of the entire venue to a climax.
Little Lingxiao sat on her mother's lap, and the two of them watched with great focus. Zhou Yue on stage met their gaze, his eyes filled with smiles.
Little Lingxiao stared intently at his father on the stage with his bright black eyes, and subconsciously straightened his back. His father and the uncles and aunts on the stage wearing big red flowers seemed to be shining!
An unprecedented and intense emotion sprouted in her heart: when she grew up, she would also like her father to contribute to the construction of the motherland and help the motherland become strong quickly!
After the solemn commendation ceremony, the atmosphere in the auditorium suddenly changed, transforming into a joyful and enthusiastic cultural performance.
The performance lasted for more than an hour, and there was also a movie screening in the afternoon.
As the sun set, its afterglow painted the sky a warm orange-red, and the square in front of the auditorium was already full of people.
As the white screen lit up, all the noise quieted down, and the movie "Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy" began to play on the screen.
Little Lingxiao sat upright in his father's lap, watching with rapt attention. His big, dark eyes shone brightly as he stared intently at the white screen in front of him without blinking.
Cheng Cheng sat next to Zhou Yue, enjoying this rare moment of leisure.
As night fell, everything around them darkened, leaving only the interplay of light and shadow ahead. Under the cover of darkness, Zhou Yue quietly took his wife's hand.
The evening breeze was chilly. The man's hands, calloused from years of work, were warm and strong. Cheng Cheng didn't turn her head or pull her hand away; the corners of her lips unconsciously curved upwards.
Their hands were intertwined in the night, amidst the surrounding noise, they shared a small moment of peace and happiness that belonged only to them.
-
After the National Day holiday, life at the base returned to its usual rhythm.
Cheng Cheng finally returned to the library, the retirement haven she had been longing for, but just two days later, Section Chief Li from the publicity department came knocking on her door.
"Comrade Cheng, you performed this mission exceptionally well! The commander even gave you a special commendation!"
Li Zhenxing cut to the chase, his tone filled with undisguised admiration, "The propaganda department desperately needs a backbone like you. I've already reported your transfer to the leadership..."
Cheng Cheng listened quietly, her face showing just the right amount of difficulty, her attitude sincere and firm: "Section Chief Li, I appreciate your kindness, but you know the nature of my husband's work. When he's busy, he can't take care of anything else. There has to be someone in the family who has to take care of the family."
Cheng Cheng had no interest in the grand plan Li outlined for her to make a name for herself in the Publicity Department. Nothing could sway her desire to retire in the library!
Going to the propaganda department didn't increase my salary much, but the workload and difficulty increased exponentially. The key issue is that it's politically charged, which I can't handle!
In just the past two weeks, she has already felt exhausted and is on the verge of going bald. Every night when she lies in bed, her mind feels like a completely drained mess.
Forget it, she still prefers the comfortable little world of the library.
“Xiaoxiao is still young and needs someone to take care of her. I will stay at the library, where my working hours are stable, and take good care of my family so that Zhou Yue can devote himself to his work without any worries. This arrangement will contribute more to the base than if I go to the publicity department.”
These words were reasonable, and Li Zhenxing opened his mouth but could not refute them. He couldn't very well ask his comrade to neglect his family.
"Sigh, you're right, I didn't think it through."
It's a pity that such a promising talent as Comrade Cheng Cheng can't be fully utilized.
In the end, Section Chief Li could only shake his head with regret and leave.
Watching the other person leave, Cheng Cheng breathed a long sigh of relief, her tense nerves finally relaxing.
This library job, which may seem unambitious to Section Chief Li, is the most comfortable and suitable place for her.
"Mom, does this mean we can come to work at the library every day from now on?"
Cheng Cheng patted the little girl's head, looking at the uncontrollable joy on her face, and smiled slightly. She hadn't had time to take care of the little one for the past two weeks during this emergency mission.
"Yes!" She paused for a moment, "But Mom still has to go to school to teach in her spare time, remember?"
"Uh-huh!"
She remembered that her mother had said she would take her to class!
Xiao Lingxiao nodded emphatically. She was willing to stay with her mother as long as she could!
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Author's note: Goodnight
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