Chapter 148 Departing for the Armory to Deliver Intelligence
Xie Yunze's gaze swept over everyone, finally landing on Xu Zhili, his tone still calm: "Comrade Xu Zhili, you're the closest, did you see clearly?"
Xu Zhili visited Secretary Liu, and he nodded.
Xu Zhili loosened the hem of her clothes with her fingertips, and met his gaze frankly: "Too fast. I only remember that he was tall and thin, and his movements were very nimble. But Comrade Xie, when you stopped everyone to ask for directions, did you already sense that something was wrong?"
This statement neither revealed his identity nor failed to steer the conversation toward Xie Yunze's vigilance, while subtly echoing his earlier foreshadowing.
Xie Yunze nodded slightly, his gaze lingering on her face for a moment. The ice deep in his eyes seemed to melt almost imperceptibly, but his voice remained steady: "I just feel that the appearance of that dark figure is suspicious, and I'm afraid that the villagers will be misled."
Xu Zhili's heart stirred slightly. Xie Yunze's fleeting change in expression was like a pebble thrown into a lake, creating subtle ripples.
She subtly shifted her gaze to the direction of the still-smoking crash site and said softly, "Company Commander Xie has considered everything carefully. The situation just now could easily have caused panic."
Just then, the two young men who had gone to check the crash site ran back panting, one of them carrying a piece of charred metal: "Secretary Liu! Company Commander Xie! There seems to be a lot of ammunition and some unburned documents in the wreckage!"
The two men stole glances at Xie Yuance's straight, pine-like back, their Adam's apples bobbing, but ultimately they didn't dare to utter the name.
He stood there, the star on his shoulder gleaming coldly in the sunlight, his fierce aura, born of years of battle, was so oppressive it was hard to breathe.
The two exchanged a glance, then hurriedly bowed, their voices trembling slightly, and respectfully greeted, "Company Commander Xie."
Xie Yunze's expression hardened, and he immediately said, "Take us there."
Xu Zhili glanced at Xu Zhian beside her and entrusted him to the village secretary's wife: "Auntie, please look after An'an for a while."
He then quickly followed Xie Yunze's footsteps.
The road to the crash site was difficult to travel, riddled with craters and broken branches.
Xie Yunce walked ahead, occasionally reaching out to clear away thorns blocking his path, his movements swift and decisive.
Xu Zhili followed behind, looking at his tall and straight back, and recalled the spicy rabbit meat in the treehouse earlier—he had clearly relaxed a bit when he ate it then, but now he had returned to this cold and hard appearance, as if he had hidden all that warmth under a layer of ice.
Watch your step.
Xie Yunze suddenly turned around and reminded her, his gaze falling on the hem of her pants that was torn by the gravel. He paused for half a second before turning around and continuing to walk forward.
Xu Zhili paused for a moment, looked down at her wound, but didn't take it seriously and quickly followed.
When they arrived at the crash site, the fire had been extinguished, leaving only a pile of twisted metal and a pungent smell of burning.
Xie Yunze put on his gloves and carefully examined the remaining documents, his brows furrowing deeper and deeper: "It's from an enemy reconnaissance team. The locations of several nearby villages are marked on it, and..."
He picked up a charred map, his voice turning somber: "Their target might be the arsenal behind the mountain."
Xu Zhili's heart sank.
The arsenal behind the mountain is of paramount importance and must not be lost.
Xie Yunze quickly put away the documents and instructed the two young men next to him: "Go back to the village immediately and inform Secretary Liu to organize the villagers to move to the air-raid shelter. Take food and water with you. Be quick and keep quiet."
He then turned to Xu Zhili, his tone calm yet trusting: "Are you familiar with this area? Could you take me to the arsenal to deliver a message?"
"able."
Xu Zhili nodded without hesitation, “There is a small path deep in the woods to the west, which is about half an hour faster than taking the main road.”
Xie Yunze nodded: "Let's not delay, let's go."
Xu Zhili entrusted her younger brother Xu Zhian to the care of Secretary Liu's wife, and the two immediately set off.
The forest was dimly lit, and the only sounds were the rustling of footsteps on fallen leaves and the rustling of the wind through the branches.
Xu Zhili led the way with light and agile steps; Xie Yunce followed closely behind, his eyes scanning the surroundings like a hawk, never letting his guard down.
As they passed a steep slope, Xu Zhili suddenly slipped and fell backward—but was abruptly grabbed by the wrist.
Xie Yunze's hands were large and strong, his palms rough from years of holding guns, and slightly cool to the touch. He steadily pulled her back, then released her, his voice still calm: "Watch your step."
Xu Zhili thanked her and steadied herself. She didn't say anything, but a thought quietly stirred in her heart: beneath this cold exterior, there might be warmth.
She took a few steps forward. Xie Yunze watched her back, his cold and hard features softening unconsciously.
He gave a very faint smile, and the fierce aura he had just exuded faded away.
His Ah Li remained as decisive and open-minded as ever, never hesitating even amidst worldly turmoil.
Xu Zhili seemed to sense something and suddenly turned around. He didn't have time to hide the emotions in his eyes and met her probing gaze.
Xie Yunze's heart stirred slightly, and he finally spoke in a low voice, much gentler than before: "What's wrong?"
Xu Zhili didn't look away, staring straight into his eyes, and suddenly asked, "Xie Yunce, now that you've regained your memories, are you not planning to acknowledge me anymore?"
Xie Yunze paused, his fingers tightening silently.
He took two quick steps forward, his military boots making a soft sound as they rolled over the gravel.
He looked into her clear eyes, his Adam's apple bobbed, and his voice was slightly hoarse: "Ah Li...I..."
The words were on the tip of his tongue, but he stopped himself from speaking.
Those chaotic memories surged in my mind, the familiar palpitations tearing at me with the current restraint, ultimately culminating in a low, hoarse whisper: "I didn't."
Xu Zhili raised an eyebrow, then suddenly leaned closer to him, gently hooking her fingertip to signal him to lower his head.
Xie Yunze's eyelashes fluttered slightly, and he obediently bent down.
Xie Yunce,
She lowered her voice, a smile playing on her lips, yet each word was clear and distinct: "If you dare pretend you don't recognize me—"
She reached out and gently pinched his cheek, then turned and ran nimbly forward.
Xie Yunze stood there, stunned, his ears burning slightly.
Xu Zhili ran a few steps, then turned back and called out, "Comrade Xie, aren't we leaving yet?"
He snapped out of his daze, strode to catch up with her, and walked alongside her. Then he reached out his hand to her and said earnestly, "The road is treacherous, with many branches. I'll hold your hand."
Xu Zhili smiled faintly and gently placed her hand in his palm.
Xie Yun tightened her grip, making sure it was secure.
Since you are still willing to come to me this time, Xie Yunce thought, I will never let go again.
He wanted to walk this revolutionary path with her.
The two walked briskly, weaving through the forest paths.
Xie Yunze held Xu Zhili's hand firmly and steadily, without hurting her.
His strides were long, yet he always managed to match her rhythm perfectly. When they encountered drooping branches or protruding roots, he would always whisper a warning or gently guide her to avoid them.
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