The promise is old, the meeting is just right

Chapter 10 The cruelest thing is time
Zhuo Ran is a bit annoyed recently.She was on duty for three days, and her grandfather's illness fluctuated from good to bad. At this moment, her parents even had time to arrange for her to go on a blind date.Zhuo Ran went crazy immediately, and didn't dare to get angry with Chief of Staff Zhuo and Mrs. Zhuo, so he had to complain to He Xiao.

He Xiao got tired of answering the phone, went on strike for two days in a row, and after repairing it, the call came again.

He Xiao: "Did I treat you too well, or are you just my friend? Can you say something else this time?"

Zhuo Ran lay down on the table and acted shamelessly: "You can't just ignore it, I'm almost annoyed by the old men and women at home now, give me some advice, I don't want to go on a blind date."

Sure enough, a blind date is what parents all over the world are most passionate about.He Xiao secretly sighed in his heart, and said, "If there is any other way, you can only go and see her."

"Huh? Really see you?"

"It's useless for you to argue with your parents about this matter. You might as well spend less time talking. When we meet, if you don't want to, just tell them directly. If you want to—"

"Stop it, it's impossible."

Hearing the decisive refusal at the other end, He Xiao was stunned for a moment, then smiled: "I know, that's what I mean."

Zhuo Ran sighed again: "I don't understand, why are you so anxious, I'm only 24 years old, still young."

I'm afraid the second elder of the Zhuo family is not worried about this, but has already seen through Zhuo Ran's mind and knows who she is waiting for.He didn't say anything on the surface, and he could only express his opposition in this way in private.

He Xiao didn't know what to say.She agrees with Zhuo Ran's pursuit of her feelings, but sometimes, waiting is a very hopeless thing.Not everyone can hold on.

The phone rang again, and this time it was finally not Zhuo Ran, but Cheng Mian.He Xiao felt strange, just as she was thinking about it, he called.He Xiao pressed the call button and raised his voice to ask, "What is Company Commander Cheng doing?"

The other side smiled and asked in a low voice, "Where is it?"

He Xiao put down the book in his hand: "Stroll outside, Xinhua Bookstore."

Cheng Mian confirmed the location of the bookstore and said, "Okay, I'll pick you up."

He Xiao was startled: "You came out?"

Cheng Mian hummed: "I'm still driving, hang up first. Don't walk around, just wait there."

He Xiao twitched her lips, she got such a good treatment?He hadn't seen anyone for more than ten days in a row, and just as soon as he showed up, he begged her so domineeringly.He Xiao found a book casually, flipped through it for nearly half an hour, and someone called again.He Xiao pressed it down, and quickly left the bookstore with the things in hand.A low-key off-road vehicle was parked at the door, and Cheng Mian was standing in front of the car door waiting for him.Wearing a training uniform, the whole person stood in the sun, his eyebrows were bright, and he was handsome.

He Xiao couldn't help speeding up her pace, Cheng Mian reached out to take the things in her hands, and smiled: "Why are you in such a hurry? Miss me?"

He Xiao's face was slightly red, and he gave him a white look: "Who told you to wear such eye-catching clothes?" He was also driving a military vehicle, don't you know that the investigation is strict now?
Cheng Mian looked around at the crowd who were looking at him, and realized instantly: "I forgot to change this time when I came out in a hurry, next time it will definitely not be so eye-catching."

He Xiao glanced at him, only to see that his smile grew wider.

After getting into the car, Cheng Mian steadily drove the car towards the west of the city.It was only now that He Xiao remembered to ask, "Where are you going?"

Cheng Mian turned his head and saw that she was sitting firmly, so he said, "Go to the courtyard."

He Xiao was startled: "Your home?"

Cheng Mian hummed, seeing that she looked a little nervous, and comforted her: "It's okay, it just so happens that my dad is free today and said he wanted to see you."

He Xiao became even more nervous: "Why didn't you tell me earlier? I'm ready too."

"What's there to prepare for? He's also temporarily free." He stretched out his big hand and patted her on the head, "There's nothing to be afraid of."

He Xiao reached out and slapped his hand away, feeling even more confused in his heart.I can't explain how I feel now, I just feel that after going through so many things, she is really afraid of seeing Cheng Mian's parents now.Is that, guilt?

The weather is fine today, and the guard company of the base compound is training in the yard.Under the sunshine, the edges and corners of the young face became more and more resolute.He Xiao followed Cheng Mian into the compound, and walked slowly all the way. When she was about to reach the door, she called Cheng Mian: "It's not good to go in with empty hands like this. How about another day?"

Cheng Mian laughed. He turned around and looked at He Xiao with a pitiful expression: "When will you be the deputy commander of Cheng, will you have time? Besides, what do you mean empty-handed? Am I not going to bring back a daughter-in-law?"

As soon as He Xiao looked at his somewhat smug face, she knew that she was doing it on her own. Whoever made her go to the army and say that she wanted to marry him in front of so many people made some people embarrassed for several days.He Xiao resisted the urge to pinch his face, and muttered in a low voice: "Don't yell, Uncle Cheng is such a serious person, it's hard to hear."

Thinking about what happened in the hospital last time, He Xiao still has lingering fears.

The gangster Cheng Lianchang didn't care about this. He stretched out his hand to embrace He Xiao and said, "Okay, don't worry, just follow me."

When the two entered, Cheng Jianming was reading the newspaper with reading glasses on. When he heard the movement, he turned his head and saw that it was He Xiao and Cheng Mian. He asked in a calm voice, "Come here?"

Cheng Mian hummed, and He Xiao hurriedly called his uncle.Cheng Jianming's usual serious face finally showed some waves. He nodded and motioned He Xiao to sit down.

Facing Cheng Jianming, He Xiao was still a little cautious, Cheng Mian stood behind her, patted her waist, and gave her silent comfort.The two sat together opposite Cheng Jianming.

Zhao Suyun is busy in the kitchen, today is somewhat special for her.Not only because her husband and son are at home, but also because of He Xiao's arrival.She saw the two of them from the kitchen window when they first entered the door. Maybe it was because the sun was so good today. Teacher Zhao felt that the two were a good match.This kind of good match doesn't just refer to looks. She has seen He Xiao since she was a child, and she understands it best. Not to mention Cheng Mian, she also likes that kind of gentle and sensible temperament.

She carried a pot of hot water and went out to pour tea, and He Xiao stood up quickly when she saw her.Teacher Zhao hurriedly said, "Sit down quickly. It's not the first time you've come here. Why are you being so polite?"

He Xiao wanted to help in the kitchen, but was stopped by Cheng Jianming: "Sit down with a smile, Cheng Mian, you go."

Cheng Mian was reluctant.It's not because he doesn't want to help, but because he doesn't want his father to just send him away.But if he insisted on not poking here, He Xiao would definitely feel uncomfortable.Helpless, under his father's stare, Cheng Mian took off his military jacket and went into the kitchen.

Cheng Jianming was looking back at He Xiao.He Xiao smiled at him, and Cheng Jianming poured her a cup of tea with his own hands, and put it in front of her.Through the heat from the teacup, he said to He Xiao, "Don't be restrained when you come home, are you afraid of me?"

He Xiao shook her head quickly, the quick reaction just made Cheng Jianming feel that she was a little nervous, and she must be a little afraid of him.In fact, He Xiao herself couldn't explain it clearly, not only because he was caught picking flowers when she was a child, and not only because Cheng Mian was so tortured before him that she felt guilty in front of him, but because Cheng Jianming himself made her feel a little afraid.

Cheng Jianming smiled: "It seems that Shuai Shuai's mother is right. She always criticizes me, and always speaks in an official tone when she gets home. It's just that I have been a soldier all my life and have been serious all my life. It really relaxes me. I'm a little uncomfortable. I have to smile for your understanding."

Cheng Jianming's eyes rarely showed a gentle expression, He Xiao was a little flattered, and responded with a little stammer: "I, I'm fine, Uncle Cheng."

Cheng Jianming took a sip of tea, lowered his voice deliberately and asked, "Has the injury healed?"

"Okay, everything is fine."

Cheng Jianming nodded slowly, and then said to He Xiao: "You are home, please apologize to Lao He and your mother for me, Cheng Mian's nonsense a while ago has caused them much trouble."

Hearing this, He Xiao hurriedly said, "Uncle Cheng, that matter—"

Cheng Jianming raised his hand and stopped what she was about to say: "I know what you want to say, but since Cheng Mian asked you to go to the army, he should take good care of you. If this happened, no matter what he said, he would be held accountable." responsibility."

He Xiao didn't know what to say for a moment, stuck there in one breath, his eyes were a little damp.Cheng Jianming looked at her with a very kind expression: "I made you wronged."

He Xiao shook his head vigorously: "Uncle Cheng, I understand, I don't blame him."

"I know you are a good boy." Cheng Jianming looked at He Xiao appreciatively, "I used to get along with each other in the compound for so many years, we can see each of you children very clearly. If you choose to be with Cheng Mian, I will be with you." Shuai Shuai Ma is of course very happy. Just smile, the days to come are still very long, so long that you don’t know what will happen, maybe Cheng Mian will make you feel wronged, because even if he has the ability to do something It can't be avoided. You have to think about it."

He Xiao's hands on her knees slowly tightened, and under Cheng Jianming's gaze, she asked him softly: "Uncle Cheng, do you still remember when I was in junior high school, I went to the old compound secretly with Cheng Mian?" ?”

Cheng Jianming was startled, and then laughed loudly: "How can I forget?!" He was so angry that time, he grabbed Cheng Mian back, took off the belt and started beating.The kid didn't say a word, and carried it all down.

He Xiao also smiled: "Actually, I went there once the year before last. There was a lot of snow in Luohe that year. After I got off the train, I stopped a van. When the car was halfway through, it suddenly broke down and broke down halfway. I had no choice but to walk there by myself. There are farmlands on the roadside. I walked one deep and one shallow, and finally sprained my foot. I was very discouraged at the time, but then I suddenly figured it out again. I I think it's God's will, God is destined to make me wait for Cheng Mian, and go with him to make up for that regret. Uncle Cheng—" She was looking back at Cheng Jianming, "Look, I actually wanted to All right."

Cheng Jianming couldn't help but take another look at He Xiao, this time she didn't avoid his gaze.After a long time, he said the same words as Cheng Mian, a sonorous and forceful word: "Good!"

After eating a meal happily and chatting for a while, Cheng Mian sent He Xiao home.

Cheng Mian intentionally lured He Xiao to stay for a while, but she sternly refused: "He wants to make dumplings tonight, I'll go back and help him."

Company Commander Cheng was also very concerned about his mother-in-law's family, so he asked, "Do they know where you are at noon?"

"I know, is there still a need to hide it now? They must know if they don't tell me."

Company Commander Cheng expressed his satisfaction and could send He Xiao home.At the gate of Hejia Community, He Xiao just got out of the car when Cheng Mian stopped him.He took the co-pilot and leaned over with a rascal look.

"Smile, Old Xu from the Political Department is back from visiting relatives. If you don't object, I'll make a marriage report."

He Xiao especially wanted to push his head back: "Do you really want me to be kicked out by my mother and marry you?"

Cheng Mian laughed: "Have you learned how to counter-reconnaissance? Not bad, there is progress."

He Xiao squeezed his face hard, and Cheng Mian grabbed his hand: "I'm not joking, I'm serious, I told you this a few months ago, even the marriage report is ready-made. "

That's right.He did tell her a long time ago, when she was still dating strangers.

The sour feeling surged up again, and He Xiao said to him: "Cheng Mian, when we get married, call Zhuo Ran and Hong Qi over. Okay?"

Ye Hongqi.

Cheng Mian was slightly stunned. In just one minute, all kinds of complicated emotions surged up in his heart. He suppressed it with all his strength, grabbed He Xiao's hand and kissed: "Okay."

Since there was an explanation from above, Cheng Mian naturally had to follow through.

After returning to the dormitory, Cheng Mian finally took out a phone book from the innermost box when Xu Yi thought he was going to tear down the whole house.Looking at this notebook, Cheng Mian wiped his sweat with satisfaction.His mobile phone had a malfunction before, and many phone numbers stored there were lost for no reason. Fortunately, he had the habit of recording them one by one so that he would not lose them.

Seeing the number he was looking for, Cheng Mian hesitated, dialed it, and waited anxiously for a while, when a cold female voice told him that the number he dialed was empty.This is also expected, this number was given to him by Zhuo Ran when he was just in college, it has been seven or eight years now, it is normal for Ye Hongqi to change his number.

Cheng Mian dialed another number, and this time it got connected, but the person on the other end said in a weak tone: "Cheng Mian?"

Cheng Mian hummed: "It's me."

There was a minute of silence, and there was an exaggerated shout immediately: "Cheng Mian, you grandson, you still remember your grandpa Ding! I thought you would be a soldier so that you would never recognize your relatives!"

The voice was so loud that Cheng Mian had to hold the phone one meter away from his ear. He glanced awkwardly at Xu Yi, who was calm and snickering, and put the phone to his ear again: "Ding Wei, I owe it to you, right?"

The tiger was about to get angry, and Ding Wei hurriedly begged for mercy: "It's not that you haven't contacted me for a long time, and I got carried away when I got excited. Why did you remember to call me? You always have new instructions?"

"Stop talking nonsense." Cheng Mian looked out the window. He was very relaxed at the moment. This is the relaxation that can only be brought to him by those who grew up with him. "I want to ask if you have the contact information of Hongqi. My number cannot be dialed."

"Hey, why are you two fighting coldly for so many years, and finally want to get back together?" Ding Wei teased him.

"Ding Wei, I'll say it again, stop giving me fucking nonsense."

Ding Wei immediately fell silent: "Yes, you are my grandfather, just wait, I will always look for you."

After hanging up the phone, Ding Wei called again not long after. He was also very puzzled on the other end of the phone: "I only have this number. I haven't heard him say that I changed the number. Why is it empty now?"

"That is how the matter?"

Ding Wei was also at a loss: "Why don't you ask Zhuoran? This girl must know that she is the closest to Ye Hongqi's grandson."

Cheng Mian and Zhuo Ran were never at odds, but this time they had to find her.However, the strange thing was that Zhuo Ran couldn't get through the phone no matter what, and he didn't reply to the text messages.Whether it was done on purpose, Cheng Mian didn't know, and Zhuo Ran couldn't help him anyway.

Cheng Mian sighed.Why is it so difficult for him to get married?

Ding Wei laughed loudly after hearing this: "Okay, this matter is on me. Who am I, please ask!"

After vowing to say this on the phone, Cheng Mian never answered Ding Wei's call again for a whole week.Just when he wondered if Ding Wei had "run away guilty" because he couldn't complete the task, he appeared.

In mid-November, at three or four in the afternoon, the wind and sand that had lingered for several days finally receded, and the sky revealed its original color, pure and transparent.One after another infantry combat vehicles returning from training were passing through the gate one by one. Cheng Mian drove behind as usual, but was stopped by the sentry on guard.He parked the car aside, got out of the car with a water glass in his hand, and was just about to ask what was going on, when he saw Ding Wei standing outside the gate.

After a pause, he turned and walked towards Ding Wei: "You kid still knows how to appear?"

"Cheng Mian." Ding Wei originally lowered his head, but raised it now, his red eyes startled Cheng Mian.

Cheng Mian laughed, "You won't cry for me if you can't finish the task, you won't."

"Cheng Mian." Ding Wei said to him hoarsely, "The red flag is gone."

As if the wind had blown suddenly, Cheng Mian didn't seem to hear what Ding Wei said, paused, and asked again: "What did you just say? What's missing?"

Ding Wei looked at him, and said to him word by word: "Test-launched a new type of individual missile, and there was a malfunction. The red flag didn't abandon the bomb, and it exploded together with the fucking missile!" At the end, Ding Wei seemed to be Imagining that scene, a big old man suddenly collapsed, squatting on the ground and crying.

Cheng Mian just stood there, staring at Ding Wei in a daze.He didn't really believe it until his crying became louder and more tragic.He wasn't joking, Ye Hongqi, something really happened.

When He Xiao heard the news of Hongqi's accident, he was stunned for 10 minutes.Then he covered his chest with his hands, feeling out of breath.Like Cheng Mian, she didn't believe it.How could such a person die?
He Xiao pressed Cheng Mian's number with trembling fingers, and his hoarse voice came quickly: "Xiaowei has already booked a ticket, I'm going to ask for leave, and I will go to the Northwest tomorrow."

He Xiao felt that he couldn't speak anymore: "I'll go too. Cheng Mian, take me with you."

Cheng Mian didn't say a word, which was a tacit consent.Before hanging up the phone, He Xiao suddenly thought of Zhuo Ran, and she asked Cheng Mian, "Do you want to tell Ranran?"

Suddenly realizing that there was such a person, Cheng Mian was at a loss.Such a person who had been proudly waiting for a man for more than four years, he could hardly imagine Zhuo Ran's reaction when he heard the news.But if you don't say it, it seems that you shouldn't.After thinking about it for a long time, Cheng Mian decided: "Let's inform her, no matter what, this is also an explanation."

He Xiao suddenly felt sorry for Zhuo Ran.

All afternoon, He Xiao was thinking about how to speak, and when the evening approached, he finally dialed Zhuo Ran's cell phone. The voice prompts to turn off the phone, so He Xiao had to call Zhuo Ran's home again.Zhuo Ran's mother answered the call, saying that Zhuo Ran went back to his hometown with his grandfather who had just finished the operation, and the old man wanted her to stay with her for a few more days, so it would take some time before he could come back.In a hurry, I left my phone at home.

When He Xiao heard this, he felt a little relieved. He didn't have to face Zhuoran's collapse directly, and it seemed that he suffered less torture.She told Zhuo Ran's mother the news of Hongqi's accident, but it was not a bad news, only that he was injured.Zhuo Ran's mother asked if the injury was serious, but He Xiao hesitated and said it was very serious.There was silence on the other end of the phone, sighed, and hung up.

After tossing and turning all night, at around four in the morning, He Xiao took a taxi and went straight to the airport in City B.Cheng Mian and Ding Wei were waiting for her in front of the terminal building. Looking from a distance, her olive green body became heavier in the faint sunlight.She and Ding Wei hadn't seen each other for seven or eight years. It was a happy moment to reunite after a long absence. The three of them looked at each other, but remained silent.

Cheng Mian took He Xiao's luggage and said in a low voice, "Let's go."

The voice was extremely hoarse, and when there was light, He Xiao looked sideways, only to find that Cheng Mian's face was extremely pale, and his eyes were bloodshot.

The X Air Force Base where Ye Hongqi's launch team is located is located on the southern edge of a certain desert in the northwest. There is no direct flight from City B, so they can only take Yinchuan.As soon as Ding Wei got into the car, he covered his eyes with an eyepatch, saying that he couldn't hold on and squinted for a while, but from his breathing, he could tell that he couldn't fall asleep.He Xiao sat by the window and kept looking out of the window.After an unknown amount of time, her hand was held by Cheng Mian.Looking sideways, he found that his eyes were closed, his brows were tightly frowned, and his expression was exhausted.

Due to weather problems, the plane was delayed for nearly an hour before arriving in Yinchuan.Outside the terminal building, there was already a man in military uniform waiting.That person is Cheng Mian's alumnus in Luzhi, two years younger than him, and now works in the Yinchuan Military Division, with the rank of lieutenant.

Seeing the three of them coming out, the man hurriedly hung up the phone.Seeing his serious expression, Cheng Mian didn't have time to talk about the past, so he asked directly, "What's going on?"

The lieutenant said: "I just received a notice from the airport that it has been snowing since yesterday, so today's flight may be delayed or may not fly. You see?"

There are only two roads from Yinchuan to X Air Force Base, either by driving on a military road or taking a military flight.Cheng Mian looked up at the sky, it was gloomy and depressing, with the potential of rain and snow coming soon.He knew that if he couldn't leave today, he didn't know how long he would have to wait.Anyway, let's go today.After glancing at Ding Wei and He Xiao and realizing that they had the same idea as him, Cheng Mian said to the lieutenant, "Please take us to the airport first, and we'll talk when we get there."

The so-called airport is just a place the size of a palm, just to facilitate the take-off and landing of military aircraft.When the group arrived, there were already sporadic snowflakes in the sky. When He Xiao got out of the car, he felt a chill coming over her, and unconsciously posted a sticker on Cheng Mian's side.

Cheng Mian noticed it, held her hand tightly and asked her, "It will be cold going north, have you brought enough clothes?"

How could he be so thoughtful, He Xiao leaned into Cheng Mian's arms and shook his head slightly.Cheng Mian hugged her tightly and borrowed a winter coat from the lieutenant. When he turned around, his eyes collided with Ding Wei, and he looked at the two of them strangely.Only then did Cheng Mian remember that he hadn't talked to Ding Wei about the relationship between them, but now it wasn't a good occasion, so he had no choice but to let it go.

After waiting at the airport for more than an hour, Cheng Mian's brows gradually frowned, and it could be seen that he was a little disturbed.He Xiao was also very anxious, but she knew that she was Cheng Mian's reassurance at this moment, so she tried her best to calm herself down.

"Cheng Mian, be more patient, things are beyond our control."

Cheng Mian sat on the chair with his back straight, and looked into the distance through the door curtain. It was almost white outside, and occasionally he saw a few people in sky blue passing by, which was the dispatcher of this small airport.Cheng Mian watched, almost engrossed, and it took a long time before he opened his mouth in a low voice: "Smile, all these years, the thing I'm not afraid of the most is waiting. I'm only afraid that what I wait for will not be the result I want..."

He Xiao listened, feeling extremely sad.

There are three air force officers on the same level as them, and the highest rank is a captain, who is on the same level as Cheng Mian.Perhaps it was because there were too many trips between the base and the airport. Compared to them, these three officers were obviously much calmer.The air force captain was sitting closest to Cheng Mian. He put away the newspaper in his hand and greeted him: "Are you going to our base? I heard that it's snowing, but you have to wait."

Cheng Mian looked at him: "Are you from Air Force Base X?"

"That's not true." The captain showed off his epaulettes, "A member of the political department of the base, he is away on business for a week."

An agency officer must have nothing to do with the launch team.But Cheng Mian still asked him: "Then have you heard of Ye Hongqi, the captain of the launch team?"

The captain rolled his eyelids, and smiled: "You're in my department, you can't help but know him if you don't know anyone." As soon as the words came out, the other two air force officers also laughed.

He Xiao couldn't help asking: "What do you mean?"

The captain squinted his eyes: "Basically, I came to the base in the same group as this kid, a famous thorn in the head, the higher up originally wanted to assign him to the agency or a team directly under the agency, but this kid didn't do it, offending a group of people Was assigned to the launch team. Dude, the launch team, where people are used as weapons for test shooting, which one of them didn’t have a brush with death? Anyone with a little brain would not want to go. But Ye Hongqi was stunned. It has taken root there, and I am still living quite contentedly. I admire it, I really admire it.”

Cheng Mian and He Xiao fell silent, and Ding Wei sneered after hearing this: "Yes, I have brushed shoulders with death countless times. Finally, I got a look back at the other party, and it's so damn good to watch." Cross-eyed, yes, the god of death took him away. The grandson left behind a martyr's name and a bunch of medals to live forever, and we are left—we are left with a bunch of heartless human beings He's sad."

The captain was surprised: "What died?"

Cheng Mian glanced at Ding Wei, but didn't explain anything to the captain.

There was a sudden gust of wind in the waiting hall, and a third-rank non-commissioned officer walked in and said to them: "Just after receiving the news from above, a plane will come, it is a helicopter, because there is a batch of equipment and supplies that are urgently transported there. The conditions are poor." It’s a bit late, but today may be the only flight, how about it, can you leave?”

"Let's go!" Cheng Mian hurriedly stood up and said to the sergeant in a slightly unsteady tone.

The third-rank non-commissioned officer smiled: "Don't worry, the plane will arrive later."

Seeing that other people expressed their opinions in the same way, the third-rank non-commissioned officer turned around and went out to arrange related matters.The waiting hall became quiet again, but the atmosphere was completely different from before. Almost everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

The "for a while" that the non-commissioned officer said extended to a full seven hours. The three of them had lunch at the airport with the officers of the Political Department of X Air Force Base. At three or four o'clock in the afternoon, a helicopter slowly landed on the Airport.All the people didn't stop, even Cheng Mian and Ding Wei got on board and helped carry the supplies in the snow.It took half an hour, including people and supplies, to take off on time.

After flying for about an hour, the base in the middle of the desert was getting closer and closer. The noise of the huge and powerful engine of the helicopter pierced the tranquility above the desert. He Xiao sat on the seat, tightly holding Cheng Mian's arm , all internal organs are tumbling.She didn't feel the excitement and honor of flying a military plane at all. This huge rotorcraft brought her only endless torture.

After hovering in the air for nearly 10 minutes, the helicopter landed slowly.This period of seconds like years finally passed, but just as He Xiao got off the plane, the wind and snowflakes rushed towards her.Cheng Mian quickly stretched out his military overcoat and wrapped her inside.

Someone had been waiting outside the airport for a long time, and when they saw the plane landed, they simply entered directly.One of the ten-thousand-year-old captains came forward and raised his hand to salute, but when he saw Cheng Mian's rank, he lowered his hand again.

"Mr. Ding and Company Commander Cheng? The car is waiting outside. Please come with me."

I had contacted here before coming here, so Cheng Mian also recognized this officer: "Are you Deputy Captain Chen of the launch team?"

"That's right." The captain officer lifted up their luggage, "Our launch team is the unit farthest from the base, so hurry up and leave before the snow is too heavy. This lady doesn't look very well. There is a hospital at the base. Do you want to go there? have a look?"

He Xiao hid in his military coat with a pale face, and shook his head when he heard Vice Captain Chen's words.Cheng Mian glanced at her, confirmed that she was fine, and said to Vice Captain Chen, "Let's go directly to the launch team."

It was another rather difficult journey, and He Xiao almost had no energy to speak after being in the car all day, leaning against Cheng Mian's arms, motionless.Fortunately, Vice Captain Chen's driving skills are good, so she doesn't suffer.

After He Xiao was settled, Cheng Mian asked Vice Captain Chen, "Have you informed Hongqi's parents about this?"

"No." Deputy Captain Chen glanced at Cheng Mian from the rearview mirror, "In the words of our captain, when he dies, no one needs to tell anyone, especially his parents, just send a five-star red flag to express their feelings. .”

Cheng Mian's forehead twitched. Ye Hongqi had told them before that because his parents divorced against his wishes, he was acting out of anger, but at this juncture, how could he still do whatever he wanted?

"It's better to notify his parents in the name of the base, it's time like this."

Vice Captain Chen didn't say anything and concentrated on driving.It took almost half an hour before we finally arrived at the launch team.Deputy Captain Chen turned several turns in the camp, and finally stopped in front of a small building.Cheng Mian, He Xiao, and Ding Wei got out of the car and saw that it was a cafeteria.

Vice-captain Chen explained calmly: "Time is short, and we can't prepare a big meal for everyone. However, our launch team has been specially approved by the above to enjoy the treatment of the air crew. You may as well try it."

It's somewhat inappropriate to say such things to an army.Cheng Mian didn't think he did it on purpose, but thought it might be because of the red flag that everyone's mood was affected.However, as a woman, He Xiao was sensitively aware of Vice Captain Chen's intention to keep a distance from them.So after hearing this, he raised his head and retorted: "We didn't come here to eat, Hongqi's - where, I want to see him."

After all, He Xiao couldn't say the word "body".

"Don't worry." Vice Captain Chen said, "You'll see each other."

He Xiao wanted to say something, but was stopped by Cheng Mian.He looked at Vice Captain Chen expressionlessly: "Then please ask the leaders of the base and the launch team to make arrangements as soon as possible."

Vice Captain Chen raised his eyebrows and raised his hand to invite them into the cafeteria.

Everyone was absent-minded during the meal, and He Xiao drank a bowl of hot porridge and ate some hot dishes.Looking at the table full of food, I couldn't help laughing at myself: "I'm really ashamed of my kindness, the standard of the empty stove? How much does it cost for a day's food?"

Ding Wei, who was sitting opposite He Xiao, also put down his chopsticks, looked around, and sighed: "This place, this group of people, Ye Hongqi's grandson stayed for four years? It's really not worth it for him."

Cheng Mian frowned slightly, and before he could speak, the door of the cafeteria was suddenly opened again.A man in a sky-blue military uniform walked in quickly in the cold wind. When he saw Cheng Mian and the three of them, the first thing he showed was a smile: "It seems that you have finished eating?"

Cheng Mian wiped the corners of his mouth, stood up and said to the visitor, "It's a good meal, thank you for the hospitality."

The person who came was a major officer, and he introduced himself with a smile: "My surname is Xiong, and I am the instructor of the launch team. I welcome you on behalf of the launch team."

On other occasions, after hearing this sentence, Ding Wei would definitely laugh.But now he can only suppress his impatience and say, "Teacher Xiong, I've eaten this, can we talk about business?"

Instructor Xiong smiled warmly: "Yes, of course. But we can't talk in the cafeteria, or go to my office?"

The three of them looked at each other, and Cheng Mian replied, "Okay, let Teacher Xiong lead the way."

Although the military uniforms are different, instructor Xiong is a [-]-year-old. He, the captain, can't say whatever he wants like Ding Wei. This is out of respect for a veteran.However, it didn't take long for Cheng Mian to find that his patience was getting worn out.

The bear trainer led them to walk slowly in the camp area, and introduced them to the three of them enthusiastically every time they encountered a place, and even visited their vegetable shed. The bear trainer kindly talked to the two soldiers inside. After saying hello, he took them out again, and said as he walked: "There is an air-raid shelter not far from our launch team. The things in the 60s were all confidential at the time, and they are no longer used now. How about it?" Do you want to go over and have a look?" Seeing that Cheng Mian's expression was not right, he laughed again and then looked up at the sky: "It seems that the timing is not right, let's try another day."

When they were about to walk to the office, a group of people suddenly heard a few dogs barking.The bear trainer's eyes lit up: "Hey, isn't this our military dog?" He turned his head and wanted to ask if anyone would be interested in taking a look. Half way.

He grabbed Instructor Xiong by his collar and took advantage of his height to force him to look up at him, seeing the coldness in his eyes: "I respect you, but I really don't want to leave my brother Ye Hongqi who died here just now to be here with you." Nonsense, hope to understand."

The bear trainer's tongue was tied: "Don't, don't worry. You, let go first!"

Cheng Mian really couldn't get too serious with him, so he let go and looked at him sternly.Instructor Xiong grinned and touched the back of his neck, looked at Cheng Mian, and couldn't help laughing: "Young man, you are too impatient."

Cheng Mian stood still without saying a word.Ding Wei and He Xiao's complexions were also not very good-looking.

"I didn't want you to be so depressed at first, but now it seems impossible." Instructor Xiong sighed, and his expression returned to seriousness, "That's right, Captain Ye's—it's still in the base hospital, and it's snowing so much tonight Big, it’s at this point again, it’s impossible in the past, let’s wait for tomorrow. Anyway, it’s already like this, so this night is not bad.”

Ding Wei lost his temper as soon as he heard what instructor Xiong said. He wanted to imitate Cheng Mian, picked up instructor Xiong and beat him up. Hearing what he said, do the leaders of this army still treat people as human beings?

But before he could make a move, he was stopped by Cheng Mian.He frowned, pondered for a moment, but gradually relaxed: "Then I will trouble you, the instructor, tomorrow."

After that, the bear trainer took them directly to the guest house.After entering the room, Ding Wei couldn't help venting when he was alone with himself: "Is there such a thing for fun? What do you mean this night? Cheng Mian, why are you stopping me? My lord, I'm just him now." Mom wants to beat that Xiong, what the hell!"

Cheng Mian closed the door silently, walked over, looked at Ding Wei and He Xiao thoughtfully.He Xiao looked at him in a daze and was somewhat worried: "What's wrong? Why don't you talk?" She held Cheng Mian's hand and felt a slight tremor. She was shocked and looked at him with wide eyes , "Why are your hands shaking?"

Cheng Mian held her hand instead, and squeezed to indicate that he was fine.He said: "I'm too tired today, everyone should rest first. Instructor Xiong is right, it's not bad, this day."

The launch team arranged two rooms, one for Ding Wei and the other for Cheng Mian and He Xiao.Sharing the same bed, He Xiao no longer felt uncomfortable in the old compound.In the unfamiliar place of the launch team, He Xiao felt that he was relying on Cheng Mian from the bottom of his heart.

There is floor heating in the room, but lying on the bed, He Xiao still felt a little cold.Cheng Mian felt that she was curling up constantly, so he simply hugged her into his arms and put on another layer of military coat.He Xiao lay down for a while with her eyes closed, and slowly felt the warmth, and the muscles all over her body relaxed.She hugged Cheng Mian's waist and asked in a low voice, "Are you asleep?"

"No." Cheng Mian said, and tucked the corner of the quilt behind her, "What's the matter, can't sleep?"

He Xiao hummed, leaned on his chest, and felt a little calm: "I always feel a little strange, why are the people here like this?"

After she finished speaking, she hadn't heard Cheng Mian's movement for a long time. She looked up and saw him staring at the heavy snow falling outside the window with bright eyes, and unconsciously stroking her soft long hair with one hand.He Xiao had no choice but to call him, and Cheng Mian came back to his senses, looked down at her, and said in a low voice, "Xiaoxiao, I have a premonition."

"What?" He Xiao looked at him without blinking.

"When I was young, the children in the yard played war games together, and they were divided into two groups. Whenever Hongqi's group was about to die, he would always lie on the ground and pretend to be shot. After deceiving our people, Get back up and fight back. So, I think—”

"Fake death?" He Xiao sat up from the bed all of a sudden, saying these two words in disbelief.However, Cheng Mian's expression was not surprising at all, even a bit convincing.

"I think maybe we were deceived by him again." Cheng Mian smiled, feeling a little helpless.

He Xiao wanted to believe it too, but she still didn't dare: "But what if it's true?"

"Then go collect the grandson's body tomorrow."

He Xiao deliberately raised his head to look at his expression when he said this, he was very serious, not like he was joking.

This night, he couldn't sleep well anymore, He Xiao was lying in Cheng Mian's arms, and when he was drowsy, he had a dream.

In the dream, she had just moved to the new compound with the old Ms. He Hetian. She didn't have any friends, and she was very lonely.Later, when the school started, she followed the children in the courtyard to study in the elementary school connected with the military division.

When she was in the old compound before, she went to the children's elementary school in the courtyard, so she never took the student bus.After arriving at the new compound, it was the first time I took the shuttle bus. I didn't understand the "rules", and I sat on an empty seat when I saw it.She sat there alone, and the children who got into the car passed by her, but none of them said hello to her.When it was almost time to drive, the two boys came in a hurry with their schoolbags on their backs.One is Cheng Mian, and the other is Ye Hongqi.

Finally, a person she knew came. She held back her excitement and wanted to say hello to him, but she didn't want Ye Hongqi to come forward and stand in front of her.The smile froze on her face, and she looked at him puzzled.

Ye Hongqi shook the schoolbag that was about to fall to the ground, and said loudly to her, "You're taking my seat."

She looked at him and said boldly, "But I came earlier than you."

Ye Hongqi didn't care about it: "Anyway, this is my seat, you get up." He pushed her, but she was caught off guard and fell to the ground.

Cheng Mian also caught up at this time, and when she saw Ye Hongqi pushing her to the ground, she became angry. The two started fighting, and the bus driver couldn't hold her back.She watched anxiously from the side, so she cried, crying to tell them not to fight, crying and crying, she woke up...

The surrounding area was empty, with the occasional sound of snowflakes hitting the windows.He Xiao opened his eyes blankly, and it took him a long time to realize that it was just a dream.Of course, it can't be regarded as a dream, because it was something that really happened to her when she was a child, and it was because of this incident that she and Cheng Mian formed a relationship with Ye Hongqi.

"Cheng Mian, Cheng Mian—"

He Xiao hurriedly pushed Cheng Mian, trying to wake him up and tell him about it.Cheng Mian couldn't sleep well, and woke up suddenly. He Xiao was about to speak, but he suddenly covered his mouth: "Don't talk."

He Xiao didn't know what happened, and looked at him with wide eyes.Seeing Cheng Mian's eyes looking out of the window quickly changed from dazed to clear and sharp, he exchanged a glance with her, and he rolled over and got out of bed.He walked lightly to the window, turned sideways and hid behind the curtain.He Xiao watched his series of movements, and his heart was beating so fast that he almost jumped out.

"What's going on?" He Xiao didn't dare to make a sound, so he could only ask him with mouth shape, only to find that he couldn't see the black light after asking.I saw him standing still for more than a minute, then suddenly stretched out his hand and opened the window, leaned out, and pulled a person in through the window.The whole process was swift and neat. Before He Xiao could see it clearly, Cheng Mian cut the hands of the person who had been pulled in behind him, and said loudly to her, "He Xiao, turn on the light."

He Xiao was stunned for a moment, then hurriedly put on her coat and went to the door to turn on the light. She was stunned by the light and closed her eyes. When she opened her eyes again, she was stunned by the person she saw.She stood there, motionless.

"What's the matter? Cheng Mian? He Xiao?" Ding Wei in the next room also heard their movement, and ran over bluffing. When he saw the person who was being cut by Cheng Mian, he immediately petrified.After a long time, he finally said lightly: "This is fucking hell..."

A certain ghost was controlled by Cheng Mian, and he couldn't get rid of him after struggling for a long time, so he let go of his voice and shouted: "Quickly let me go, I'm still hurt here!"

Cheng Mian smiled coldly, and raised his chin to Ding Wei: "Ding Wei, this grandson has played with us all night, what do you think we should do?"

Ding Wei came back to his senses and rushed over immediately. After seeing that the ghost was Ye Hongqi, he beat and kicked him like crazy: "Ye Hongqi, how dare you fucking lie to me, I'm so fucking crying He's a grandson, do you know? Ah? Do you fucking know?"

Instructor Xiong also rushed over after getting the news, and what he saw was that two outsiders were besieging and beating their captain, so he quickly called in two soldiers to fight them off.

"Everyone, if you have something to say, don't fight! Especially you, you are wearing a military uniform and you can't fight!"

Ding Wei was held up by two people and couldn't break free, so he could only yell at the instructor Xiong: "You are also an accomplice, let me go, I will beat you too!"

Teacher Xiong subconsciously touched the back of his neck after hearing this, and Ye Hongqi was also helped up. Hearing this, he was very happy.Looking away from Ding Wei, he looked at Cheng Mian.He was standing a meter away from him, his eyes were red, and he was looking at him with clenched fists.

Ye Hongqi said to him: "Come on, Cheng Mian, give me—"

Before he could say the word "one click", Cheng Mian's fist punched him back into his stomach.Ye Hongqi was beaten so hard that he bent over and coughed a few times.

"Ye Hongqi, you are a fucking grandson!"

"Isn't it—" Ye Hongqi laughed, "Don't say, my grandson really misses you little bastards."

In a word, the barriers of the past few years have been completely eliminated.At the end of the siege, Ye Hongqi, Cheng Mian and Ding Wei hugged each other head to head.He Xiao stood behind and watched, tears already wet his face silently.

Tonight, the launch team’s sanitation center is bustling. A big brother from the army and a local person are both sitting on a bench with black faces, and they both have colored hands on their hands. Yes, one person beats another.The little military doctor looked at the two of them, feeling rather uneasy.There was an air force, but that man was their captain, with bandages on his arms and a beating on the corner of his mouth, and he was sitting opposite the other two.

The little military doctor looked from one side to the other, hesitating who to give the medicine to.At this time, a woman came from outside the door. She took the alcohol and purple potion in his hand, and said to him in a gentle voice: "Go and see your captain first, and I will take care of the injuries of the remaining two for you."

Ye Hongqi looked at her, and immediately smiled: "Xiaoxiao has become so virtuous now, oh, am I at a disadvantage?"

He Xiao didn't bother to talk to him, and concentrated on giving Cheng Mian the medicine.Cheng Mian, on the other hand, raised his head and glanced at him when he heard this, and his eyes swished towards him like ice-piercing knives. Ye Hongqi raised his hands again and again to express his surrender.

The room was quiet for a while, and Ye Hongqi spoke again: "Why do I feel that the two of you are very disappointed to see that I am still alive?"

Ding Wei sneered three times: "Don't talk nonsense, my brothers came here to collect your body, so die early and be quick."

"I'm really sorry, Lord Yan thinks I'm a disaster and dare not take me in. I have to live to annoy you." Ye Hongqi laughed so hard.

Cheng Mian was too lazy to joke with him, looked at the bandage on his arm, and asked in a low voice, "What's the matter with the injury on the arm?"

Ye Hongqi looked down at his arm, and said after a while: "Some time ago, a batch of individual missiles came. I said that since it is a new model, I will go on it. There was something wrong during the test launch, so I didn't abandon it." When the missile was fired, I accidentally jumped into the bunker and fell like this..." He sighed, "It can be regarded as another perfect brush with death."

"Then I have to congratulate you."

"Yes, thank you."

The two were in trouble again.He Xiao was listening, and suddenly remembered something: "Hongqi, don't make such jokes in the future. Have you thought about Zhuo Ran's reaction when he knew about this? By the way, I have already told her about it I guess she's on her way here right now."

When Ye Hongqi heard this, he stood up from his chair with a swish.Seeing the three of them looking at him strangely, Ye Hongqi couldn't help but frown and said: "It's broken, I'm done, I've been running away for so long, Zhuo Ran should be in a hurry..."

Everyone: "..."

At dawn the next day, the group arrived at the base hospital together, but Cheng Mian and the three of them were in charge of escorting the patient Ye Hongqi.Seeing Zhuo Ran, He Xiao rushed up angrily: "Fortunately, I was still thinking about how to take care of your emotions. I didn't expect you to join forces with Hongqi to deceive us. Zhuo Ran, you, you, you are not enough friends!"

Zhuo Ran immediately complained: "Don't you know about it two days earlier than you? What's the good? If you don't talk about taking care of him here every day, you have to be on guard against him escaping from the hospital all the time. I'm already an old woman, okay?" Ye Hongqi's ears, the latter's ghostly screams could be heard by the entire base hospital.

The others present looked at each other and smiled.Very well, someone has avenged their revenge.

As night falls, the snow that has stopped for a day tends to gradually fall and grow.The temperature difference between day and night in the desert is huge, especially in the night after snow, the cold wind blows, and it is dry and biting.The entire camp is quiet, except for the canteen.

In the huge restaurant, there is a round table in the center, the table is full of plates, and in the center is a big hot pot that is gurgling and steaming.There was a group of people sitting around the round table, and everyone obviously drank a lot, because there were many empty bottles in the corner.

The cooking squad leader was busy with a soldier in the operation room. Zhuo Ran sat with He Xiao in a clean corner of the operation room and drank tea. She was not interested in attending a dinner party where a large group of men sat around the table drinking, but just listened. The sound of clinking glasses and persuading people to drink came from outside, but I still couldn't help curling my lips: "I can't control him anymore, let him be hospitalized, don't listen. Tell him to stop drinking, don't do it."

He Xiao refilled her cup with some hot water: "Leave him alone while everyone is here today, and let him indulge for a while."

Rubbing the teacup with his fingers, Zhuo Ran slightly curled the corner of his mouth: "Yeah, he has been here for four years, and today should be his happiest day. He probably wasn't so happy when the first missile hit the target. Sometimes Thinking about it, time flies so fast, after more than seven years, we can still get together like this."

Looking at the silently falling snowflakes outside the window, He Xiao's thoughts slowly drifted away: "I remember that when my parents and I left the missile brigade compound that year, it was also snowing so heavily. It was so cold that day, so cold. My head was numb, so I watched Lao He and the others load the car, then took a taxi to the train station, got on the train and warmed up, and then I realized that it was uncomfortable, and I hugged my mother and cried non-stop.”

Zhuo Ran was happy: "There are still times when you can't control your emotions?"

Thinking of that time, He Xiao couldn't help laughing.Thinking about it now, she really regretted it. If she had looked out of the window more then, she might have seen Cheng Mian.She may still leave, but in the next seven years, her life may not be so difficult.He once said that she was his hope, so why not for her?Among them, the person who dared not think that there would be today was her.

After recovering, He Xiao asked Zhuoran: "You were also tricked by Hongqi like this?"

Zhuo Ran's expression was a little unnaturally weird: "That's right."

"What is considered?"

"It's not a lie. At that time, I was still in City B, and then I received a call from the launch team, saying that Captain Ye was injured, and the injury was not serious. Of course I didn't want to see him, but I'm soft on you." I know, and then I came here.”

"But your family didn't know about it at all, and your aunt said that you went back to accompany grandpa—" He Xiao suddenly understood, and his eyes narrowed in an instant, "Okay, you Zhuoran, it's fine if you lie to the family." Oh, you are really against Ye Hongqi, tormenting us together?"

Zhuo Ran was extremely guilty, and quickly added a glass of water to He Xiao: "Calm down, calm down."

He Xiao snorted and didn't bother to talk to her.

After drinking for three rounds, Instructor Xiong and Vice Captain Chen withdrew.Before leaving, instructor Xiong said to Cheng Mian in a half-drunk state: "Xiao Cheng, this time you are here, I should treat you well, but look at our captain, you know his virtues well, don't say much, don't say much Say……"

Cheng Mian patted him on the shoulder with a smile, expressing his understanding.Instructor Xiong contentedly supported Vice Captain Chen to leave.

After seeing off these two people, and adding that He Xiao and Zhuo Ran couldn't resist going to rest early, there were only three of them left in the whole restaurant.Ding Wei had already drunk too much, and put his arm around Ye Hongqi's shoulder and muttered: "You mean you are a ghost? Huh? I got on the plane and bumped all the way, never thought I could sit here and drink with you? Just find someone The reason is also good? How dare your grandson lie to us like that..."

Ye Hongqi listened with a smile, stroking the wine glass with his fingers, and when he finished speaking, he filled the wine glasses of the three of them one by one: "Come, drink again!"

Cheng Mian raised his eyebrows: "Ding Wei, save some effort, if this kid can listen to you, he won't be Ye Hongqi—stop it, Ye Hongqi, don't pour me any more wine."

"It's not interesting not to drink." Ye Hongqi gave him a sideways glance, "How can we say that we have been playing together since we were young, fighting and being scolded together, do you know what this is called? Ding Wei, tell him—"

"Comrade-in-arms!"

"Yes, comrade-in-arms! 27 years of comrade-in-arms friendship, almost catching up with your old man's military age, do you think this wine should be drunk?"

"You still dare to mention comrades in arms?" Cheng Mian laughed angrily, "I remind you, when you were young, you never fought with me and Xiaowei when you were young. When you couldn't beat us, you always lied to your death. , it’s just that Ding Wei’s brain is not good enough to be fooled by you all day long.”

"Who's out of his mind?"

"Who cheated all day long?"

The two retorted in unison, but Cheng Mian pretended not to hear.

"Isn't it?" Ding Wei patted his thigh and remembered, "This grandson has never done good things since he was a child. I remember one summer, we made an appointment to go to the woods to catch Cicada at night. This kid Every time it is the first one to come out, calling downstairs one by one. You can call it as you say, learn bird calls, and call out various tricks. This will be heard by my grandpa who played Little Japan. I thought it was the imperial army coming..."

Ye Hongqi laughed: "How can I say that your grandpa looked at me in the wrong way, it seems that you told me the secret..."

Ding Wei complained: "You're flattering me, I can't do this with my IQ, and someone else is the informer." He pointed at Cheng Mian secretly.

Seeing that the two people looked at him wrongly, Cheng Mian quickly poured himself a glass of wine: "Yes, punish yourself with a glass."

"Three cups!"

.........

It's been a long time since I saw you, there's always something to say.Usually a person who is not good at words, but now he has become chatty.Cheng Mian still remembers that when he was young, some people would knock on the door of his house at certain times of the year.When Lao Cheng saw them, he didn't have the slightest air of leadership. His son looked envious.Later he found out that they were all Lao Cheng's comrades-in-arms.

comrades.These two words, to a person who has lived in the army all year round, sound like real relatives, because only those who have shed blood, sweat and tears together can be called comrades-in-arms, so Cheng Mian understands why a group of elders When they get together, they can get red-eyed without saying a few words.Some friendships and past events are worth remembering for a lifetime.

He suddenly realized that time flies so fast, and they have reached the age where they can remember.

"Handsome, I forgot to congratulate you."

Ye Hongqi suddenly handed the wine glass in front of him, Cheng Mian looked at him and knew what he was going to say.He lowered his head and smiled, raised his wine glass and touched his, and drank it down in one gulp.

Ye Hongqi looked at him, and suddenly felt emotional: "It's been so many years, and when I saw He Xiao again, I can't remember how I fell in love with her in the first place." , I feel really naive, but I'm really young."

No, really young.It is still an age where you can fight one-on-one with others in order to protect the girl you like.

Rubbing the wine glass, Cheng Mian laughed at him: "Although you are not young anymore, you are still childish."

Ye Hongqi laughed: "Do you know why I hate you? I thought to myself, if you are interested in He Xiao, you should have said it early. Do I still have to be so ashamed? Look at the girl's expression when I confessed to He Xiao." , people who don't know think I offended her."

Cheng Mian didn't speak, poured himself a glass of wine, drank it slowly, and the strong wine entered his throat, he whispered: "I'm not interested in her, I like her, now, I love her."

Hearing this, the other two people present fell silent, and after a while, warm applause broke out.

Ding Wei patted the table and said, "How do you say that sentence? Every comrade-in-arms has a unique memory, and behind every memory there is a moving legend, and in every moving legend, there is a—"

"Girl!" Ye Hongqi slapped the table and shouted, "It must be a beautiful girl!"

Cheng Mian almost wanted to slap them: "You're making fun of me again, aren't you?"

Ye Hongqi was afraid that he would be serious, so he hurriedly blamed Ding Wei and kicked him: "Stop it, do you have a girl? You, you dare to make a fuss here!"

"I don't have it now, it's because I don't look for it. If I really look for it, I can pull out a reinforced row!" Ding Wei said, he laughed twice, feeling bored, and drank a glass of wine as punishment.

All three of them fell silent at the same time, only listening to the whistling wind blowing outside the window, and the sound of snowflakes hitting the window.But the restaurant is still so warm, not only because the heating is sufficient, but because it carries so many and so far past events.

Cheng Mian leaned back in the chair, feeling in a daze as if he was about to fall asleep.Before he was about to fall asleep, he suddenly heard Ye Hongqi say softly: "Handsome, sometimes, when I think of you, I wish I could go back to my childhood. Don't think about anything, bring a few people, How wonderful it was when I was a child and ran wildly all over the courtyard when the flag was pulled..."

At this moment, Cheng Mian's heart was full of sentimentality, the cruelest thing God has done is to make people grow up.

It snowed all night, and when I woke up the next morning, I looked out the window, and saw that the whole place was covered with snow, and the house became brighter against the background.

He Xiao washed up, got dressed, and was about to wake Cheng Mian up.All three of them drank too much last night and didn't come back until midnight.Although he felt a little distressed in his heart, He Xiao still didn't stop him.She knew that alcohol was not a good thing, but she could only say some things when she was drunk.

The guest house was quiet, only the heavy sound of He Xiao's boots on the concrete floor.When he came to Cheng Mian's room, he was already up, wearing only a pure cotton sleeveless vest, and was shaving in front of the mirror.

When He Xiao saw him for the first time, he shivered involuntarily: "You wear so little, aren't you cold?"

"It's okay. Men, those with rough skin and thick flesh are resistant to freezing."

Cheng Mian raised his eyebrows, but his subordinates did not stop.I haven't heard He Xiao speak for a long time, and when I turned around, I found that she was staring at me ecstatically.Cheng Lianchang was amused, and asked, "What are you looking at?"

"It's nothing." He Xiao quickly looked away, but his face was still slightly hot.She didn't want to admit that when she saw his actions just now, she felt a little - sexy.

It was rare for Cheng Mian to see her staring at him in a daze, and wanted to tease him a few more words, when suddenly he heard a rush of footsteps passing by his door, the door of the next room was slammed open and then slammed shut, and then someone rushed past him Passing by the door, I only heard the man knocking on the door next door anxiously: "Zhuoran, don't be angry, just listen to me first!"

"I have nothing to say to you, now you immediately, immediately get out of my door and disappear."

"Okay, I'm fucked, I'm gone. But you misunderstood me, let me explain, right?"

"I don't want to hear it, get out!"

After listening intently, Cheng Mian shrugged his shoulders to He Xiao: "These young couple are at odds again, let's make trouble."

He Xiao heard his tone and couldn't help laughing: "Why don't you go and see?"

"It's hard for an upright official to decide on housework." Cheng Mian snatched her over, "I'm too lazy to take care of it."

Having said that, you can't really pretend that you didn't hear such a commotion.He Xiao hurriedly avoided him, and pushed him away with feigned anger: "Hurry up!"

Cheng Mian, with an expression of being ruined, stroked his hair impatiently, walked over and opened the door.Ye Hongqi happened to take out a cigarette from his pocket with a sad face, and wanted to light it.The two looked up at each other and couldn't help laughing when they saw each other's expressions.

Seeing the two walking out, He Xiao knocked on the door of Zhuo Ran's room.The people inside thought it was Ye Hongqi who was pestering them, and they didn't care about life or death, but He Xiao had no choice but to say softly, "Of course, it's me."

After a while, the door opened from the inside.Zhuo Ran appeared in front of her with messy hair and red eyes.Startled, He Xiao hurried into the room and closed the door behind him.

"what happened?"

Zhuo Ran lowered his head, his voice was hoarse: "Ye Hongqi, that bastard, when he was injured, he remembered my recovery and begged me to come. Now that he is recovered, he wants to send me away. It's not that no one wants me, where is he?" If you invite it, it will come, and if you wave it, it will go away?"

He Xiao laughed: "He is not such a person, there must be some misunderstanding."

"What's the misunderstanding!" Zhuo Ran seemed really angry, "I don't ask him to give me a definite answer right now, but what's the matter with pushing me out like this all the time? I'm not relying on him to stay here!"

He Xiao was confused: "Didn't he beg you to come? Why is he kicking you out now?"

Seeing her confused expression, Zhuo Ran felt even more sad.Yes, she was the one who was rushing to commit crimes.As soon as I received his call and heard the news that he was hospitalized, I rushed here without stopping, completely ignoring my grandfather who had just recovered from a major operation, and urged him to cheat the family with me.But when she thought of his face full of surprise and surprise when she appeared in the base hospital, she felt it was worth it.She was willing to accompany him like this, but she didn't expect him to urge her to go back as soon as he recovered from his illness.

He said that he was afraid that it would be unsafe for her to go back alone, so he happened to go with He Xiao and the others.I was afraid that if we stayed any longer, there would be more snow, and it would be even more difficult to walk by then.His brain is made of wood?Instead of taking the opportunity to keep her for a few more days, instead rushing to drive her away?Zhuo Ran felt too much pain in his heart, but he couldn't tell He Xiao all these words.

He Xiao probably also understood a little bit, knowing that it was useless to say anything, so he let out a long sigh.She knew that Ye Hongqi was not an irresponsible person, and he must have had concerns for refusing to give Zhuo Ran an answer for so many years.

Cheng Mian and Ye Hongqi walked slowly in the camp area along a path swept out by the soldiers early in the morning, and unknowingly reached the shooting range.Listening to the sound of gunshots and target reports, Cheng Mian finally found a little familiar sense of belonging in this place, which is shared by people who were born in the army.He squinted and looked into the distance, looked at the situation in the shooting range, and said, "It was a good shot."

Regarding this kind of gadget, Ye Hongqi was a little careless: "It has just snowed, and the conditions are so good. If you can't get good results, how can you carry missiles? See if I don't train them to death."

"Speak loudly enough, practice?" Cheng Mian suggested very "seriously".

Ye Hongqi glanced at him, became a little interested, beckoned to two soldiers, and threw one of them's gun to Cheng Mian.The two changed the magazines again, each chose a target position, and fired a single shot in a kneeling position. After firing all fifteen rounds, there were already crowds of onlookers standing around them.It's the first time I've seen a company commander compete with others, and it's from the army, so it's certainly worth watching.

The target announcer quickly gave the results of the competition: Cheng Mian's fifteen bullets were 140 for the seventh ring, and Ye Hongqi was for the 140 for the third ring.The difference between the four rings, the air force launch team lost.Cheng Mian couldn't help being amused, thinking that he could get rich by himself.

Ye Hongqi tilted his head, and said nonchalantly to the onlookers: "Continue training!"

So everyone dispersed, and after Cheng Mian returned the gun to the little soldier, he walked up to Ye Hongqi and patted him on the shoulder: "It can be seen that compared with the external environment, the impact of psychological factors on shooting performance cannot be ignored. of."

Ye Hongqi glanced at him: "Didn't I say you Cheng Mian, buddy, I have become like this, can you spare me a few words to express some sympathy appropriately?"

Cheng Mian sent them two words with a relaxed expression: "It deserves it."

"Yes!" Ye Hongqi raised his hand, expressing his complete admiration.

A biting cold wind blew from the other side of the camp, making the military uniform rustle.Cheng Mian looked up at the sky. The sky after the snow was extremely clear, transparent and lofty. Such a scene may only be seen in the desert.He stood, staring at the sky for a long time, and said to Ye Hongqi: "On the way here, I met an officer of the Political Department of your base. He said that he came from the same batch as you. so long."

Ye Hongqi took off his hat and pinned it under the epaulettes, looked into the distance, and smiled lightly: "It's not a dragon's pond or a tiger's lair, so there's something to admire."

"I thought so too at first, but after I came here, I also felt that you are a bit capable." In front of Ye Hongqi, Cheng Mian always had the ability to express his admiration as if it were not a compliment, "It's just that sometimes, I I think your brain is still too stupid, just take Zhuoran as an example, I just want to know, are you going to delay other girls for a few years?"

Ye Hongqi seemed to really think about this question again, because his expression was a little dazed.

"To be honest, Cheng Mian, I think I'm a mess. Sometimes I feel that I don't deserve Zhuoran at all, but if I let me go, I can't do it. It's been four years, and everyone should have an explanation. It was on the verge of my mouth, but I swallowed it back. I didn't dare, not even the four words I said to He Xiao at the beginning."

"What are you afraid of?"

"Afraid of what?" Ye Hongqi murmured and repeated this sentence, "I'm not afraid of your jokes if I say it, but I'm afraid of death."

Cheng Mian didn't speak, just sighed slightly.

Ye Hongqi smiled suddenly, and the smile was very beautiful: "It's not that I'm really afraid of death, but living in such an environment, this is a problem that has to be considered. In our team, there is a death quota every year, and there are no medals. No honor, no martyr titles, just an accident report. To be honest, this kind of death is really not worth it, but who made us do this job? Nothing to admire, this job is not It’s hard to do, but it’s a bit thankless. I’m not so much a hero that everyone admires, but a fool, who will let us know.”

The corners of Cheng Mian's lips curled up, as if he was smiling: "Only a fool can do such a thankless job, it's both for you and me." He slowed down and said, "But have you ever thought about it?" , you can’t stay here all the time, there’s always time to leave.”

"I know. I've never been a very noble person. I can't stay in this place until I die. The day I came, I knew that there would be a day when I would leave, but it's not now." Suddenly mentioned leaving, Ye There was a trace of nostalgia in Hongqi's eyes, "Before I came, the launch team couldn't recruit enough people every year, and not everyone is willing to be a fool. After these four years, the situation has finally improved, but only a few. So I can't leave now. .”

"Is it true that you are a panacea that works anywhere?"

"It's not a matter of whether it works or not. I'm just afraid that I will leave this stall and leave. I will worry about it in my heart and ask for peace of mind. The leaders above also gave me face. To put it bluntly, not everyone can control this place. "

Cheng Mian sighed again.

After hearing so much from Ye Hongqi, he finally understood.It was precisely because he understood that he sighed.Ye Hongqi is now facing a dilemma.If he didn't leave here, he wouldn't dare to be with Zhuo Ran, because he wouldn't dare to risk sacrifice to explain to her.But if he leaves, there will still be a hurdle in his heart that he can't get past.Comparing the two, he chose the latter.

"Talk to Zhuo Ran well, she will understand you. But if you dare not speak, then I advise you to let go as soon as possible and don't delay her any longer."

"I have been assigned here for four years, and for more than half of the time, I have been cold-hearted about her, and I dare not contact her. But now—" Ye Hongqi smiled wryly, "27 years old, almost 30 years old, a normal man, who doesn't want a girl ? So I said that I am selfish, so fucking selfish."

Cheng Mian looked at him and suddenly felt a choking feeling.He is too familiar with this kind of hesitation and struggle.Because of familiarity, he can no longer say the words "bystanders know".The two men fell silent at the same time, letting the desert wind blow continuously for a long time.

That night, probably due to their own concerns, the entire camp became much quieter.The next day was a rare sunny day, and the squad leader of the cooking squad prepared meals for the soldiers of the team early in the morning.Breakfast was carried out quickly, orderly and quietly. After replenishing the calories, the soldiers' training for the day began again.At the same time as the horn sounded, an off-road vehicle stopped in front of the guest house.

Cheng Mian, He Xiao, and Ding Wei were waiting there.Ye Hong lowered his car, and looked behind them with his head, but Cheng Mian supported the top of his head with his hand and turned his head back.

"Don't look, it hasn't come out yet."

Ye Hongqi was a little reconciled, took another look, and finally smiled.Everyone followed his gaze and saw that Zhuo Ran was walking towards them slowly pulling his luggage.Looking back, Ye Hongqi had long since disappeared, and hurried forward to help someone with their luggage.

Zhuo Ran looked at this person who suddenly jumped in front of him, and he didn't want to talk to him.But he couldn't dodge it by dodging left and right, and he didn't want the others to see the joke, so he had to stuff the luggage to him.Ye Hongqi opened the car door for them with a bright smile, and took them to the military airport smoothly all the way.

Different from when they came, when they arrived at the airport, there was already a military plane waiting there, and He Xiao felt a little guilty when he saw this huge monster.She glanced at Cheng Mian, and he smiled and rubbed her head.

With a mission in hand, the plane cannot stay for a long time.So it didn't take long for everyone to wait in the waiting hall before someone came to tell them to get on the bus.Zhuo Ran had been sitting quietly on the bench, and when he heard the news of boarding, he stood up and prepared to go out.Ye Hongqi also stood up and picked up the luggage ahead of her.

Zhuo Ran tried his best to look at him calmly: "Give me the luggage, it's time to board the plane."

Ye Hongqi pressed down on the brim of his hat, because he was going out, he deliberately put on his normal clothes: "It's okay, I'll take you up."

Cheng Mian and his group walked in front, and Zhuo Ran was at the end.Ye Hongqi didn't get on the plane, but handed the luggage up from below.Zhuo Ran took the luggage, but Ye Hongqi did not let go.The two raised their heads at the same time, their eyes met, and they looked at each other. For a long time, the soldier standing behind Zhuo Ran couldn't help but look sideways.

"Let go, I should go." Zhuo Ran stopped looking at him and whispered.

Ye Hongqi looked at her, smiled, and let go: "Goodbye."

The rear hatch closed slowly, Zhuo Ran carried the luggage and walked towards He Xiao slowly, feeling a little weak all over.He Xiaozheng didn't know how to comfort her, when suddenly he heard Ye Hongqi's voice coming in through the not-closed door, it was noisy and weak, but he could hear it clearly.

"Zhuoran, wait for me! Wait until I get home to marry you!"

Accompanied by the heavy closing sound of the rear hatch, Zhuo Ran's tears fell down like broken beads.She hugged He Xiao and cried bitterly.

(End of this chapter)