The promise is old, the meeting is just right

Chapter 12 The Sad Past
After the examination report came out, Song Xiaowei was ordered by the doctor to stay in bed and cancel all strenuous activities.Song Xiaowei nodded, but everyone could tell that he was not feeling well.Cheng Mian didn't say anything, and couldn't say anything, just patted the side of his shoulder that was intact, telling him not to think too much, and to heal his wounds.

After leaving the gate of the hospital, the cold wind blew again, and Cheng Mian felt his brain hurt.He stroked his hair with his hands, and put the hat on his head.

Xu Yi followed slowly and asked him, "Go back?"

Cheng Mian looked at him and shook his head: "He Xiao's unit is not far from here, it's not easy to come out, I'll go and see her."

When He Xiao was mentioned, Xu Yi thought of someone by the way.The hand on the doorknob paused before opening the door.He looked at Cheng Mian with a smile: "Okay, but there is still a meeting tonight, so don't waste time."

The man waved his hand without looking back, and walked away after a while.

After walking for about ten minutes, Cheng Mian came to the downstairs of the Fundamental Tube Center.Just in time for dinner, Cheng Mian just wanted to make a phone call with He Xiao when she saw her in overalls walking towards him hesitantly.Looking at her, Cheng Mian smiled unconsciously.

He Xiao quickly walked up to him, looked him up and down, and asked, "Why did you come here suddenly and why didn't you call me?"

"Come out for a meeting, just in time." He smoothed the hair next to her ear, "It's a sudden attack like this, and there is no surprise when I make a phone call."

He Xiao looked at the person in front of him, and was a little speechless for a moment.No wonder my eyelids have been twitching this morning, it turned out to be waiting here.

After a morning, the snow fell more and more.He Xiao saw a lot of snowflakes falling on his shoulders, and reached out to pat him off.Inadvertently met his two eyes, shining brightly, as if smiling.

"What are you laughing at?" She puffed her mouth and asked in a low voice.

Cheng Mian immediately held her hand: "It's nothing, I just remembered the first time I saw you in City B." At that time, she was also dressed like this, and ran away when she saw him.A year will pass in the blink of an eye, and before that, he never dared to think that he could talk to her face to face like this.

Sure enough, He Xiao looked away uncomfortably after hearing his words.Cheng Mian was even happier, and his mood that had been depressed all morning suddenly eased.

"Everyone is here, so why don't you show off and have a meal with me?"

He Xiao couldn't stand him teasing her like this, it was very serious.Glancing at him, she said, "It's snowing heavily, don't run outside, you can have a meal in our cafeteria."

Cheng Mian: "..."

He Xiao and Cheng Mian walked into the unit cafeteria side by side. As soon as they entered the door, they immediately attracted everyone's attention.He Xiao tried his best to pretend not to see it, and after finishing the meal, he found an unobtrusive place by the window and sat down.

Cheng Mian looked at the plate full of food, and couldn't help laughing: "The food is good."

He Xiao was not in a hurry to move his chopsticks, so he sat across from him, resting his chin and watching him gobble it up. In a few minutes, half of the things on the plate were swept away by him.Although this way of eating is a bit unrefined, it doesn't look ugly for Lianchang Cheng, who has a sharp, clear and tough face, to make it.Standard troop style.

"Is it delicious?" He Xiao asked him.

Today's lunch restaurant serves rice and vegetables, two vegetables and one meat, which is just right for the girls' appetites. Those like Cheng Mian may feel a little bland.But someone took the time to look up at her and said, "My wife beat me, no matter how bad it tastes, I can swallow it."

Hearing that He Xiao wanted to kick him, couldn't he just tease her less?
Near the end of the year, the work schedule of the base tube center is also very tight.He Xiao didn't ask for leave, so he used the one-hour lunch break to take a walk with Cheng Mian along the block outside the Fundamental Tube Center.She put on a bright red down jacket, stepped on a pair of thick boots, and walked slowly beside Cheng Mian.

"I received a call from Zhuo Ran today."

Cheng Mian said, "What did she say?"

"It is said that the leader above approved Hongqi's application, and he will be transferred here soon." This is really great news, and He Xiao is also very happy for Zhuoran.Because long-term persistence gets what it deserves, which is a very happy thing for anyone.

Cheng Mian raised her eyebrows: "Then Zhuoran's parents can't object now."

He Xiao smiled: "I thought so too, but Zhuo Ran said that their old lady's expression was quite complicated when she heard the news. Anyway, this will happen in March and April next year. The launch team A lot of things have to be handed over, and it is the end of the year, and recruits have to be picked up, Hongqi promised the leader to stand on the last shift."

"That's just right," Cheng Mian said, "in case he comes back early and gets married before us."

Seeing his serious expression, He Xiao couldn't help but cut him.

After a while, suddenly remembered something, Cheng Mian asked: "Why didn't I see Chu Tian today, where did she go?"

"I went back to Sichuan, and I called me in the middle of the night last night to say that her mother had a relapse of her old illness, and she had to go back to take care of her." Speaking of which, He Xiao stood still and asked, "Does your instructor, Xu, know about this?"

Cheng Mian thought for a while, then shook his head: "It looks like he doesn't know." Otherwise, he would have already lost his mind.

He Xiao sighed slightly.After all, feelings are a matter between two people. If Chu Tian doesn't say anything, it seems inappropriate for them to intervene.The two walked to the street silently, turned back again, and when they were about to reach the gate of the Fundamental Tube Center, He Xiao suddenly said, "Cheng Mian, do you have something on your mind?"

Cheng Mian couldn't help turning her head to look at her: "What?"

He Xiao stretched out his hand from the down jacket, fastened the loose buttons of his regular clothes, and said softly, "Because when you're in a bad mood, you don't talk much."

Cheng Mian was taken aback for a moment, then smiled again.He lowered his head and looked at her hands buttoning himself: "Why didn't I know that I still have this problem?"

He Xiao glanced at him, knowing that he was deliberately changing the topic, but he didn't expose him.

When she walked downstairs to the Fundamental Tube Center, He Xiao asked Cheng Mian to wait for a while, and she went upstairs to get him something.The one-hour lunch break was almost over, she was in a hurry and accidentally bumped into someone in the stairwell.

She was busy apologizing, but the smell of alcohol rushed over her, making her unable to open her mouth.Looking up, it was Section Chief Liu. It looked like he drank a lot of wine at noon, and his eyes were almost narrowed into a line.He Xiao was too lazy to talk to him, so she stepped aside.On the contrary, Section Chief Liu, after seeing that it was her, did not leave: "Xiao He, where are you going?"

He Xiao covered her mouth and nose: "It's time for work in the afternoon, I'm going back to the front desk in a hurry." Saying that, she was about to leave.

Chief Liu grabbed her: "Don't worry, don't you still have some time? You can talk to me for a while."

Although this person is interested in her, he usually doesn't dare to do anything blatantly.He Xiao knew that he was getting drunk, so he didn't have the same knowledge as him, but he pulled it out hard, but he couldn't break free from his hand no matter what.He Xiao was a little anxious now: "Let me go."

Section Chief Liu chuckled: "Xiao He, why do you keep avoiding me? Who in our center doesn't know that I like you, so why are you always pretending to be stupid." He said, leaning forward, reeking of alcohol, " Don't tell me, you look really good in this red dress."

He Xiao pushed him away with all his strength, but he couldn't dodge it no matter what. He was so angry that he slapped him.Section Chief Liu suffered from the pain, and his hand strength was weakened by half. He Xiao took the opportunity to escape, but was dragged over by the man pulling the hem of the down jacket.

"You fucking dare to hit me!" Section Chief Liu shouted with red eyes, "Don't be so fucking shameless!" He clamped her hands and was about to tear her clothes.

He Xiao had never encountered such a battle before, and was a little flustered for a while. Seeing his hand stretched into his work clothes, he screamed sharply while trying his best to get rid of him.This stairwell was not far from their office hall, and He Xiao couldn't care less about hiding it now, she couldn't break free by herself, so she could only invite someone to come.

And Section Chief Liu was not stupid, when he heard her yell, he quickly covered her mouth with his hand, pressed her whole body against the wall, making her unable to move, and freed one hand to pull her pants.Seeing that he was about to succeed, he suddenly felt a strong force grabbing his back collar. Section Chief Liu turned his head, and before he could see who it was, his hands were cut behind his back.He wanted to fight back, but someone pressed his shoulders and knelt down on the ground with a bang. He subconsciously wanted to stand up, but his legs were firmly stepped on, and he couldn't move at all.

His entire face was squeezed against the wall, and he could only catch a glimpse of an army green figure behind him from the corner of his eye. Before he could say "fuck", he was pulled by his hair and slammed into the wall violently. .

He Xiao was so frightened by the scene before her that she could not speak. She leaned against the wall and gasped for a long time before recovering.She was sore and weak, seeing Cheng Mian who suddenly appeared in front of her eyes, she couldn't care less about asking, she rushed forward and grabbed his arm.

"Cheng Mian, stop! Stop hitting!"

Cheng Mian didn't seem to hear, turned the man around, and slapped him on the head, causing his nose to bleed out.He Xiaotian was a little dizzy, and felt sick right away, but now was not the time to retreat, so she tried her best to stop Cheng Mian: "Stop it! You're still wearing a military uniform!"

Soldiers beat people with their hands, and they beat ordinary people.This problem can be big or small.

Hearing this, Cheng Mian let go of Section Chief Liu, and seeing him slumped on the ground, seemed puzzled, so he raised his leg and kicked him twice.

Chief Liu's face was horribly beaten, but he still refused to admit defeat: "Don't let me know who you are! Be careful, I will destroy you!"

Cheng Mian said coldly, "I'll be waiting for you at Building 2 of the Huqiao Road Base Compound."

After finishing speaking, he ignored him, grabbed the down jacket that fell aside, wrapped He Xiao up and picked it up, and walked out quickly.

After leaving the gate of the Fundamental Tube Center, Cheng Mian stopped a car and went straight back to the community where He Xiao lived alone.

Along the way, He Xiao didn't speak, until at home, when Cheng Mian put her on the bed, she suddenly grabbed his arm, and tears fell down.He didn't cry loudly, but wept so subduedly, which made Cheng Mian feel very uncomfortable seeing it.

He wiped her tears with his fingers clumsily, and coaxed her in a low voice: "Stop crying, isn't it all right?"

He Xiao didn't say a word, still shedding tears with her head down.

Cheng Mian patted her on the back lightly, comforted her a few times, went to the bathroom to get a towel, and after going through the hot water, squatted down in front of He Xiao to wipe her face, her movements were extremely gentle.After everything was done, he wrapped her face with his hands, made her look up slightly, looked into her red eyes, and said, "I'm the worst at coaxing people, so let's stop crying, okay? "

Feeling the temperature of his palm, He Xiaocai felt as if he came alive.She grabbed his hand and pressed it tightly against her face. After a while, she muttered in a hoarse voice: "I will never go back to work there again."

Cheng Mian laughed softly, he pinched her face, followed her words, and said solemnly: "Then I won't go to school, just stay at home, I can't afford it."

He Xiao's face looked much better after hearing what he said.But when I think about the scene just now, I still feel scared, and I have no strength at all.Cheng Mian helped He Xiao lie down on the bed, threw aside all the down jacket and overalls that Section Chief Liu had touched just now, and wrapped her tightly with a quilt.

"Sleep for a while."

He Xiao blinked and looked at him: "Aren't you going?"

"Don't go," he said.

He Xiao was relieved now.She is not a clingy person, but if he is with her at this moment, she will feel much better.

Although I was extremely tired, I closed my eyes, but couldn't fall asleep.He Xiao opened his eyes, and saw Cheng Mian sitting aside, looking down at her.She thought for a while and said, "I was not joking with you just now, no matter what happened today, I don't want to go to work there anymore. It's good to have a stable job, but I always find it boring. Doing the same job once Yue can do it, if you want me to work for the rest of my life, I can't imagine what it will be like..."

"Then you think I'm joking with you?" Cheng Mian lay down on a recline, stroking her soft hair at the temples with her fingers.

He Xiao turned his head to look at him. The 1.6-meter-eight figure was tightly wrapped in a quilt, with only one face exposed, looking much smaller than usual.Cheng Mian couldn't hold back, lifted her chin, and kissed her lightly on the lips.Like a superficial touch, she was frightened today, and he didn't dare to mess around too much.

Unexpectedly, He Xiao didn't hide, but moved closer to his arms.Joy fell from the sky, and Cheng Mian quickly surrounded him.After ten minutes of silence, when Cheng Mian thought she was about to fall asleep, He Xiao suddenly asked him in a muffled voice, "How did you know I was in danger, and then arrived in time?"

Company Commander Cheng thought to himself, is that called timely?If it's really timely, that bastard won't even try to touch a hair of her.

"I don't know." He said, "Maybe it's the vigilance you've learned from being a soldier for too long?" After thinking about it, he said, "Maybe it's because you and I are connected with each other?"

After he finished speaking, he looked back at her.Seeing his smug expression, He Xiao couldn't hold back, curled her lips: "Since you are alert, why did you tell him the address of your home? What if he doesn't give up and comes to the door?"

Cheng Mian fiddled with her hair, and smiled indifferently when she heard the words: "If he wants to find her, he must have this ability."

He didn't believe that a small section chief could still pass through the sky, and that the army compound could be entered by anyone casually?He did this just to tell those who want to trouble He Xiao that his people are not something they can easily move.

After his reminder, He Xiao also understood a little.Completely relieved, she leaned into his arms and slowly fell asleep.

Cheng Mian just stayed with her and watched her sleep for nearly two hours.He raised his hand and looked at his watch, realizing that if he didn't leave, he would miss the evening meeting, so he lightly put down He Xiao in his arms.I don't know how long it will take to see her after this walk.Cheng Mian found that now he was eager to marry He Xiao back home as soon as possible. Only in this way could he really feel relieved.What can make a professional soldier feel insecure is probably love and marriage.

Cheng Mian lowered his head and kissed He Xiao's forehead lightly, and quickly made up his face and left.

When we returned to the army, it was already past meal time. Lao Zhu, the chief of the cooking squad, knew that the company commander was not particular, so he ordered a bowl of noodles and two eggs and served him out.Cheng Mian picked a seat and sat down. Before he could eat, he saw Xu Yi coming in from the outside with the curtain behind him. Just like when he came back, his body was covered in snow.

"The weather forecast says that it will be snowy for the next few days. We are in the suburbs, and it is not convenient to go out to buy. I wonder if the veteran's last meal before leaving the team can be done well." Xu Yi patted the snow on his body and looked outside. God said.

"Let's do what we can. Old Wu said that the chief of staff has issued a military order with him, and the bartender must take care of it."

Having said that, both of them laughed.They have all stayed in this place for too long, so they all understand that the best way to say goodbye is to get drunk.Both for those who are leaving, and for those who are still staying.

Xu Yi sat down opposite him: "You are eating, I am talking. In these two days, I have to submit the list of remaining teams to the division, so I thought that before the expenditure committee, we should have a small meeting to discuss Discuss, let's see how the list is made and how it is arranged in order." He couldn't help sighing, "At the critical moment, the team is becoming more and more difficult to lead. In the past few days, many soldiers have come to me to ask What does the company think about the candidates to stay in the team, and how to arrange—"

Cheng Mian looked up at him: "It's not easy, it can make instructor Xu, who has always been gentle, thrifty and respectful, lose his temper."

"Don't make fun of me." Xu Yi said seriously, "You are the company commander, so make up your mind first."

"Let me say that there is nothing negotiable about this matter. I have done everything that needs to be done, and it is not unreasonable to want to make a list. You must be decisive when you do this. If you hesitate, you will be emotional, and you will think about it later. It’s not easy to level this bowl of water.”

Putting it lightly.Xu Yi smiled wryly, and handed a piece of paper in front of him: "Let's take a look, this is the result of today's professional skills assessment."

Cheng Mian finished eating the noodles, took a look at the report card, and was stunned: "What's the situation? Why is Song Xiaowei ranked last in the professional assessment?"

"It stands to reason that according to today's situation, he should not even get a passing grade."

"This kind of situation? The relapse of the old illness, and falling off the high wall, is Song Xiaowei willing? This can only be regarded as a special situation, and the teacher should take this into consideration."

"I understand what you mean." Xu Yi said, "Who in the division doesn't know the honor Song Xiaowei got back in the military competition? This score was given. It’s just Cheng Mian, now is not the time to emphasize subjective emotional factors, we should pay more attention to objective reality.”

I have to admit that in the face of reality, Xu Yi is always more rational than him.Cheng Mian rubbed his swollen brows: "Then make the list according to this first, and see what other people have to say when you are in the expense committee."

According to the results of the previous evaluation and assessment, there is actually no suspense in the list they made, and the list submitted to the division by the branch committee after the final meeting was almost the same as what they originally imagined.Fortunately, Song Xiaowei was competitive and a good soldier. He ranked among the best in the democratic assessment, which more or less made up for his mistakes in the professional skills assessment. , brush down three, it should be no problem to keep him.

On the day after handing in the list, Cheng Mian breathed a sigh of relief.He basically achieved a clear conscience, and the burden on his shoulders was lightened by half.

After taking a quick shower, as soon as he returned to the company, he ran into Zhao Xiaoguo head-on.Cheng Mian frowned, stretched out his hand and grabbed him: "What are you doing in a hurry?" He was caught by the pickets and thrown away in his company.

Zhao Xiaoguo felt wronged: "Mengang called and said that there is someone who needs us to connect."

Cheng Mian snorted, "Did you say who it was?"

"They said they came from Shandong. They were looking for Squad Leader Song. The accent was a young woman. Company Commander, I was wondering if..."

Cheng Mian thought for a while, handed the washbasin to Zhao Xiaoguo, and said, "I'll pick it up."

Cheng Mian ran to the gate quickly, without even bothering to wipe his hair, the wet hair was blown by the wind, and it was as hard as ice in a short while.

After fumbling casually, Cheng Mian came to the young woman who was plainly dressed and carrying a sack of things. Under the suspicious eyes of the other party, he asked, "Are you Song Xiaowei's family member Zhao Huifang?"

The young woman nodded hurriedly, and her fair face was a little red: "Yes, I am Zhao Huifang. I heard that Song Xiaowei will not be able to go home this year, so I will come to see him."

Cheng Mian sighed in his heart, met Zhao Huifang's expectant eyes, and said, "You came at the wrong time, Song Xiaowei, he was injured and hospitalized..."

When Cheng Mian rushed to the hospital with Zhao Huifang, Song Xiaowei just came back from a walk outside.When the two people who have always communicated by letters met each other, they were stunned.

Zhao Huifang was thin-skinned, she glanced at the man opposite, then lowered her head and wringed her fingers.Song Xiaowei is also a stunned young man who has never been in a relationship. He is at a loss when he sees a woman, not to mention that the person in front of him may be his future wife.

Cheng Mian looked aside and couldn't help laughing: "Okay, don't be dazed anymore, Miss Ren has come running all the way, why don't you hurry up and let people into the house?"

After the company commander mentioned this, Song Xiaowei quickly made way for Zhao Huifang.

Seeing the two of them entering the ward, Cheng Mian closed the door for them outside.The two people in the room were embarrassed by the company commander's thoughtful behavior, they looked at each other, and their cheeks turned red one by one.After poking face to face for a while, Song Xiaowei coughed a few times uncomfortably, and held her waist with his hands to hold the stool for her.Zhao Huifang also stretched out her hand quickly, as if she had been awakened suddenly.

The two hands bumped into each other, and they both retracted quickly.Song Xiaowei didn't pay attention, pulled somewhere, and hissed in pain.

Zhao Huifang hurriedly looked at him with wide eyes, wanting to express concern, but didn't know what to say.Seeing her tangled and embarrassed expression, Song Xiaowei suddenly smiled, childishly.

"Sit down." He handed her the stool, "Who told you to come here?"

Zhao Huifang pondered for a long time, and said in a stuttering voice: "I, I heard from people in your company that you were injured. A soldier named Zhang said that you brought it..."

Zhang Lijun knew it was this kid.Song Xiaowei snorted softly, seeing Zhao Huifang looking up at him from time to time, he eased his expression, took out an apple from the fruit basket on the side, and handed it to her: "Are you tired from coming from home? Are you thirsty? Let's eat an apple first..."

Zhao Huifang said that she was neither tired nor thirsty, but her cheeks were redder than the skin of the apple in her hand.

The two sat opposite each other reservedly for more than an hour. When it was time to eat dinner, Cheng Mian came to pick Zhao Huifang up.When Song Xiaowei saw him, it was as if he heard a password. Regardless of the injury on the old man's waist, he immediately stood up from the chair and walked in front of him.

"Company commander, look at this..."

"Okay." Cheng Mian interrupted him, "Don't worry if you leave it to me, I'll make arrangements for you."

In a word, Song Xiaowei's heart fell into his stomach.

After leaving the hospital, Cheng Mian drove Zhao Huifang to the city center.He couldn't arrange for her to return to the army, because he had already found out that there were no vacant rooms in the guest house in the division just now, and Song Xiaowei's rank was not high enough, and the two were not married. According to the requirements, the woman could not stay in the barracks.Cheng Mian didn't want Song Xiaowei to be in trouble, and he didn't want someone to gossip about him at this critical moment, so he had to find another place to arrange Zhao Huifang.

It can be seen that Zhao Huifang is an honest girl, and she doesn't want to cause trouble for Song Xiaowei's chief, Cheng Mian, so she said: "Cheng Lianchang, please let me go back to the hospital. I will just make a bed in Xiaowei's ward." Well, originally I came here to take care of him..."

"You just sit in peace, it's not too much trouble." Cheng Mian said, "You came all the way from your hometown, how can you make a bed in the ward? Xiao Song has someone to take care of him, and he's not the only one in that ward." It’s inconvenient for you to sleep there after all.”

While talking, the place is here.Cheng Mian stopped the car, got out of the car and looked at the house number of the community, with a faint smile on his face.

"Get out of the car."

He opened the car door for Zhao Huifang, took her all the way in, entered a certain apartment building, and rang the doorbell of one of them.After waiting for only a few seconds, the door opened from the inside, revealing He Xiao's surprised face: "Come here so soon? I'm not ready yet!"

"I have to go back to the army later, so I have to come early." He glanced at her and patted her forehead, "What are you busy with, your forehead is sweating."

"Didn't you say that a family member is coming to live here? I have to clean it up so that they can live comfortably." He Xiao poked his head outside as he spoke, "Where is the person? Did you bring it here?"

Zhao Huifang embarrassedly showed half of her face from behind Cheng Mian, and nodded to He Xiao with a bit of simplicity from the mountain people, because she was a little unclear about the situation and dared not speak up.

Cheng Mian let Zhao Huifang in, and said to her, "You'll be living here during this time, and it's close to the General Hospital of the Military Region, so it's convenient for you to see Xiao Song. This is—" He glanced at He Xiao , pondered for a while, and introduced, "This is my family member. If you need anything, just tell her."

Knowing that he had to take advantage of her words, He Xiao was used to it, so let him do it.But Zhao Huifang was dumbfounded. Even if she was beaten to death, she would never have imagined that the leaders of the army could do this. The family members of the army had no place to live, so they gave up their home.

"Company Commander Cheng—" She blushed, "This won't work, it's too troublesome—"

"It doesn't matter." Cheng Mian said, "It will only take about two days, and Xiao Song will be discharged from the hospital by then."

"But—" Zhao Huifang was still hesitant. Before she came, the family members had repeatedly told her not to offend the army leaders.But when she saw Cheng Mian's appearance, she felt that he was not what his family said he was.

"Don't worry about it." He Xiao pulled her into the room and said to her with a smile, "You will live with me these two days. Anyway, I'm bored at home by myself. Someone just happened to keep me company." The elder family's words finally dispelled Zhao Huifang's doubts.

After Zhao Huifang was settled, Cheng Mian was in a hurry to return to the company.He Xiao followed Cheng Mian down the stairs one after the other. When they reached the stairs, Cheng Mian stood still and turned around to show He Xiao a smile.

He Xiao knew what he was laughing at, but he still couldn't help asking: "What are you doing stupidly? Hurry up and leave."

Following the strength of her pushing him, Cheng Mian immediately hugged her into his arms: "Thank you, family."

Although when he called He Xiao to contact Zhao Huifang's residence before, Cheng Mian knew that she would agree [-]%.But when I came here and saw that she had arranged everything so well, my mood was still a little turbulent.It can be seen that she has gradually taken his affairs as her own, so she doesn't know how happy he is.

He Xiao let out a low laugh, pushed him, and when he found that he couldn't push it away, he pulled his ears instead: "Go, if you don't go, it will be too late to catch the last bus."

"Don't worry, I came here by car, let me give you a kiss before leaving." After speaking, he raised He Xiao's chin, took a bite on her lips, and looked at her for a while with satisfaction before letting go.

Seeing his rogue face, He Xiao really didn't know whether to cry or laugh.

After Zhao Huifang's arrival, there was light snowfall in city B for two days intermittently, and the snow became heavier on the third day, and this day happened to be the time when the order to retire veterans was announced.

At three o'clock in the afternoon, all the officers and soldiers of the reconnaissance battalion assembled in front of the building, and the battalion commander Lao Ma read out the order.Cheng Mian stood at the head of his company, not squinting.Xu Yi stood beside him, looking straight ahead, with the same serious expression as Company Commander Cheng.Song Xiaowei had already come out of the hospital, and he was standing in the middle of the reconnaissance company, waiting with bated breath for the order to be issued.

Before the document came out, the mood of all relevant personnel could be said to be restless. They were looking forward to a result, but at the same time they were afraid that this result would end their military career.Sometimes Cheng Mian wondered why these young soldiers persisted in staying in this place?Is it for the mission, or——the future?After tangling left and right, Cheng Mian understood that he also needed a result, a termination.

At this time, the old horse is no longer close.He cleared his throat and said in a voice that everyone could hear clearly: "Announcement of retirement order."

Lao Ma read out the list of retired soldiers one by one. When it came to Cheng Mian and his company, Lao Ma did not pause, but looked up at him unexpectedly.Cheng Mian's heart skipped a beat, he felt bad.

The old horse pronounced the first name clearly: "Zhang Lijun."

The second one: "Zhao Qianhui."

The third: "Zhou Bo."

Fourth: "Song Xiaowei."

the fifth:"……"

After that, Cheng Mian couldn't hear clearly, and his mind was surrounded by the words Song Xiaowei.He unconsciously took a step forward, this small movement caused a brief commotion in the exceptionally quiet line, and immediately his arm was grabbed, and he turned his head slightly, it was Xu Yi.

Xu Yi didn't look at him, but lowered his voice to remind him: "An order is being announced."

Cheng Mian was stunned for a moment, and stood still for more than ten seconds before taking his feet back and returning to the original place.

After the order was read, Cheng Mian went directly to Lao Ma's office.Xu Yi didn't stop him, not only because he couldn't stop him, but also because he didn't want to do that.He turned his head and looked at the soldiers in his company. Those soldiers whose names had expired but whose names had not been pronounced all heaved a sigh of relief. Finally, there was a result. They would still belong to this place for three or four years. , or longer.And for those soldiers who have retired from active service, their farewell has just begun——

Xu Yi watched and sighed slightly in his heart.

Cheng Mian went directly outside Lao Ma's office and waited for a few seconds before knocking on the door.

The old horse called someone to come in with a loud voice. When he saw that it was Cheng Mian, he smiled: "What's the matter? It's been a while and I still have time to come and knock my teeth. Why don't you hurry back and get busy?"

Cheng Mian raised his hand and gave a military salute: "I want to see the original text of the document."

The old horse covered his big tea mug with one hand, and looked at him with a puzzled face when he heard the words: "What do you see that for?"

Cheng Mian didn't hide anything from him: "I have a soldier who is second to last on the list, but when you announced the order just now, he didn't stay."

"Who?"

"Song Xiaowei."

The old horse snorted, "I know him. This year he represented our division in the military competition and won several firsts." Then the old horse asked again, "Such a good soldier? Can't he stay?"

Now there is no need for Cheng Mian to ask, he himself felt incredulous to re-read the original text of the document, and in the list of retired personnel of the reconnaissance company, the word Song Xiaowei was impressively listed.The old horse hissed, turned around, glanced at Cheng Mian, hesitated, and said: "It does have his name on it, but Cheng Mian, you also know that this list has been reviewed and approved by the division. , can no longer be changed.”

"I understand." Cheng Mian's answer was also very straightforward, "But I just want to know why, my company's retention index is eleven, no matter how you look at it, Squad Leader Song should be counted among them."

"Not only you, I also want to know why!" The old horse was also a little angry, "But tell me, where should we go to reason?"

"Battalion Commander." Cheng Mian looked at the old horse, somewhat pleading.

Battalion commander Lao Ma looked at the person poking straight in front of him, but suddenly felt a little headache: "You go back. As I said just now, the order has been issued now, and all we have to do is think about how to change it." Execute the order well. You ask me why? This matter is not something that you and I can explain clearly in a few words. "

After these words, even if the old horse didn't say it clearly, Cheng Mian already understood.None of them can be the master in this matter.However, even if they couldn't decide, Cheng Mian still didn't want to give up. He looked directly at the old horse and asked, "Then you can always give me a reason, otherwise how can I explain to my soldiers?"

The old horse knew that he couldn't easily convince the young man in front of him, he couldn't help but sighed, and compromised: "Let me help you ask."

After leaving the door of Lao Ma's office, Cheng Mian didn't know where to go.

Snow particles rustled on the windows, tinkling.The people on the playground hadn't cleared up yet, and some young soldiers were standing there taking off their epaulettes, cap badges and collar flowers.From his point of view, it looks like watching a silent movie. On the outskirts of city B, the weather was more than ten degrees below zero, which made him a little dazed.Cheng Mian stood there for a while, blinking his eyes slightly, and then he came back to his senses.

At this time, he remembered what Xu Yi always said to him before: Don't think too easily.At that time, he didn't care much, and laughed at him for being too mature.Now it seems that he was so stupid and naive that he was caught off guard.However, it doesn't matter if his own face is swept away.Where the soldiers under him should go is the key.

Cheng Mian took a deep breath, rubbed his face vigorously, and recovered his energy as quickly as possible.He put his hat on his head, and when he was about to go back to the reconnaissance company, he turned around and saw Song Xiaowei standing on the side of the corridor.I don't know how long I've been waiting for that posture.

Cheng Mian was startled, and walked over quickly.When he was in front of the person, he saw Song Xiaowei's straight and straight military posture, but he didn't know what to say.

This news was too sudden for them. Subconsciously, he always thought that such an excellent soldier would have no problem staying in the team, so he never thought about the possibility that he might leave.Even though Song Xiaowei's performance in the professional assessment was not satisfactory some time ago, he also believes that it is not difficult for Song Xiaowei to stay in the team with the foundation laid before.In addition, during the democratic evaluation, all the soldiers unanimously said that Squad Leader Song was good, which is really rare in the grassroots company.

He couldn't figure out why he couldn't stay with such a soldier.So at this moment, Cheng Mian didn't know how to face Song Xiaowei.

Song Xiaowei, on the other hand, smiled calmly at Cheng Mian and raised his hand as a military salute: "Company commander."

Seeing his forced smile, Cheng Mian felt sour in his heart.The words he was going to say swirled on the tip of his tongue countless times, but what he finally said was the last thing he wanted to say: "Song Xiaowei, I'm sorry I couldn't keep you."

"Company commander, don't say that!"

Before Song Xiaowei came, he was also full of words, but he choked up as soon as he said this sentence.When the order was announced just now, maybe it was because he had been frozen in the cold wind for too long, his mind was a little dull, or he had already had this consciousness, so his feeling was not strong.But now, Cheng Mian beat him back to his original shape with just one sentence.

He couldn't stay, really couldn't stay.Now, he really has to go.

"Company commander, don't say that. Seriously, I'm prepared for this." Song Xiaowei wiped the corner of his eyes with his hand to wipe away the moisture from that small corner, and said in a hoarse voice, "So please don't do that. Say."

This is his soldier, dull, cautious, not very good at talking, just repeating a few words, just because he is afraid that he, the company commander, will blame himself.Cheng Mian turned sideways, not daring to look into his eyes. He raised his hand and patted Song Xiaowei's shoulder lightly: "But don't worry, I will give you a reason to prevent you from being so vague. Leave. In case, I mean in case, it is a mistake in the division, maybe you can stay."

Song Xiaowei smiled. He knew in his heart that this was unlikely to happen, but he still gave the company commander a face and said, "Okay."

After the retired personnel are confirmed, there are still a bunch of things that need to be arranged by the company head.However, after returning from Lao Ma's office, Cheng Mian locked himself in the dormitory.After soaking a glass of water and putting it on the table, he sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the rising heat, in a daze.Cheng Mian felt that he urgently needed to be quiet, even though it was not the right time.

After an unknown amount of time, Xu Yi pushed the door open and entered.He glanced at Cheng Mian, walked to the table and touched the water glass, seeing that the water was completely cold, he poured a hot glass again and put it in Cheng Mian's hands.

Cheng Mian was scalded by the hot water, but raised his eyebrows slightly, held the cup in his hand for a while, and then put it at his feet.

"Recovered?" Xu Yi sat down at the table, took out a piece of manuscript paper, and said while writing, "Let's discuss it carefully after recovering."

"What are you discussing?" Cheng Mian looked at him.

"This year we walked away several times, all of them were good soldiers, and two of them served as squad leaders. This walk will definitely bring people's hearts up and down, so I thought this year's farewell ceremony might as well be more grand. How about it? ?”

"No comment."

Xu Yi nodded: "There are several family members of veterans who are also with the army. If there is a need to move, we can help coordinate personnel and vehicles. When the farewell party is held, we will invite Song Xiaowei's family members together. Get together again, let Squad Leader Song and his soldiers also meet sister-in-law..."

Here Xu Yi said something, and Cheng Mian's response was only three words: "You arrange it."

Xu Yi laughed: "Cheng Mian, I'm not here to listen to you recite the Three Character Classic, can we discuss it?"

Cheng Mian was also a little annoyed. He stood up and stroked his hair: "It's not that I don't want to discuss with you, I'm just not in the mood right now! My soldiers left for no reason, I have to figure out the reason!"

"Then now is not the time for you to get angry!" Xu Yi's temper also came up, and after choking him, he restrained his emotions and said to Cheng Mian, "You are the company commander, you have to be clear, the company wants to Song Xiaowei is not the only soldier who left! You have always emphasized that you should not lose sight of the other, but what about now? What are you doing now?"

Every sentence pierced Cheng Mian's heart, choking him speechless.After standing there for a moment, he sat back on the bed and said to Xu Yi: "Just do as you say, you are the instructor, and you care more about people's hearts than I do."

Xu Yi couldn't help but look at Cheng Mian, and said calmly, "To be honest, I'm more prepared than you for today's outcome. But Cheng Mian, even if you want to say that I'm realistic, I'll tell you—this is In the army, you can keep whoever you want, if you send one away this year, you have to send another one away next year, and in the end, even you yourself don’t know how many people you have to be ashamed of.”

After working together for two years, Cheng Mian couldn't help being surprised that he rarely heard Xu Yi say such "heart-wrenching" words.But it was not easy for Instructor Xu. Company Commander Cheng always said that his heart was as hard as iron, and even he himself almost wondered if there was an iron lump jumping in his chest.

In terms of endurance, he is really no better than Cheng Mian.He was just a little less naive than him, and surrendered to reality earlier than him.Thinking about it now, the only thing that comforts him is that he has prepared such a place in his heart, where everyone who has been forgotten here is remembered.

After hearing Xu Yi's words, Cheng Mian was silent for a long time, and then said softly, "I understand."

Suppressing the irritability in his heart, Cheng Mian first made overall arrangements for the next work, and then talked with a few veterans who were about to be demobilized.He first looked for Zhang Lijun, because in his opinion, this soldier could be regarded as a stabbing head of their reconnaissance company.And he was Song Xiaowei's soldier, and he was afraid that Zhang Lijun would pick quarrels and cause trouble because of his sudden anger.

Unexpectedly, when Cheng Mian found him, this kid was cooking vegetables with a large spoon in the operating room of the cafeteria, with a chef's hat tilted on his head, looking very powerful.Seeing Cheng Mian coming, she grinned at him.

"Company Commander, I will cook today and let you try the authentic Shandong cuisine."

Zhang Lijun was still wearing his training uniform. If his epaulets were not empty, Cheng Mian might not be able to tell that he had been discharged from the army.Leaning into the frying pan, Cheng Mian said to Lao Zhu, the head of the cooking squad, "Why did you get him to cook?"

Lao Zhu spread his hands: "This kid ran over early in the morning and babbled for a long time. My ears were covered with calluses. I thought he would go if he wanted to. Anyway, there is a soldier in our class who has not yet finished his family visit. I am here. Still missing a handle."

"Then you have to take care of it." Cheng Mian joked, "Food is the guarantee of combat effectiveness. Don't let the whole company have any problems after eating his food."

Old Zhu laughed and said that he must.Unconvinced, Zhang Lijun snapped his tongue: "Company commander, don't underestimate people. I'm about to leave now, so I'll tell you the truth. Since I came to the army, I only want to be a cook!"

"Okay, let's realize your dream of being a chef after you return home. It will be soon anyway." Cheng Mian was amused by him, "Come out with me now and tell you something."

Zhang Lijun handed over the ladle to others, straightened the sleeves of his clothes, and followed Cheng Mian out.

Cheng Mian glanced at him: "You are no longer a soldier, but you are paying more attention to military appearance?"

Zhang Lijun smiled naively: "Company commander, don't tell me. I usually don't feel anything in this environment. Once I leave, I pay special attention to it. Besides, I am also a person who has been educated and trained by the army for four or five years. If I don't leave for a day, I have to strictly demand myself for a day with the rules and regulations!"

Cheng Mian smiled. He looked at the young soldier in front of him wearing a military uniform with his epaulettes off. Strictly speaking, he was no longer his company commander. He speaks.They could finally talk, like an old friend.

"Have you packed your things back home?"

"What's there to fix? I just want to know what the army can bring back, and they've all been handed over!" Speaking of this, Zhang Lijun was a little annoyed.

This could be regarded as one of the unkind places in the army, but Cheng Mian couldn't say that in front of Zhang Lijun.

"Didn't you just say that you can be a soldier for a day in the army, why are you complaining now?" Cheng Mian stretched out his hand and straightened his collar, "It's clearly stipulated in the above, so please be more considerate."

"I know."

Zhang Lijun's head drooped.He just complained verbally, he was reluctant to part with the beautiful and heroic 07-style military uniform, but he also understood that this military uniform has real meaning only if it is worn in this place.

"Zhang Lijun, I'm leaving in a few days, can I make a request to you?"

Zhang Lijun subconsciously stood still: "Company commander, tell me."

Cheng Mian looked at him with a smile: "Although you usually cause some troubles in the company, your squad leader Song has always said that you are a good soldier, and I think so too. Now, you will play the role of a good soldier and lead other veterans Veteran, how about keeping the strength of being a soldier until the day you leave?"

Cheng Mian's words were a little reserved, but he believed that Zhang Lijun would understand.When veterans retire from the army, people's hearts are at their worst. This time, we will see each other again, and we will repay virtue for virtue and wrong for injustice. Anyway, we don't have to worry about being punished.So there are one or two fights every year.So at this time, in addition to the heavy follow-up work, there is another task that is pressing on the head of the company, that is, maintaining stability.

Sure enough, Zhang Lijun laughed when he heard it, and at the same time he was a little annoyed: "Company commander, in your mind, I am a big thorn in the whole thing, right?"

Cheng Mian didn't save face for him either: "Otherwise, you have to be quiet, can you leave so early?"

"Okay!" Zhang Lijun raised his hands in surrender, "I'll listen to you."

The two walked back to the reconnaissance company together. Before parting, Zhang Lijun called Cheng Mian to stop, and looked at him hesitantly.After a while, he said: "Company commander, is it true that our squad leader can't stay?"

Cheng Mian asked without answering, "How is Song Xiaowei's mood these two days?"

Zhang Lijun frowned and thought for a while: "The mood is okay, but he is always in a daze from time to time, and when he mentions his sister-in-law, he is not as happy as before."

Cheng Mian probably understands the crux of the matter, Song Xiaowei may be entangled in the matter between himself and Zhao Huifang again.Before he planned to stay in the army with all his heart, he felt that he had great confidence.Now that this happened suddenly, Song Xiaowei probably didn't have time to think about where to go after returning home. Judging from his calm personality, he didn't want the girl to suffer with him, so he probably wanted to reject this marriage.

Sometimes Cheng Mian gets tired of his cautious and honest temperament, but after thinking about it, he is also responsible for the girl, so what else can he say?
Patting Zhang Lijun on the shoulder, Cheng Mian said: "Don't worry about this matter, personality issues, the two of you must grind slowly."

Since the announcement of the retirement order, Cheng Mian never saw Song Xiaowei alone again.First of all, he was the one who gave Song Xiaowei the greatest hope of staying in the team, but he failed to stay. He was afraid that Song Xiaowei would inevitably think of this when he saw him, and it would be difficult to adjust his emotions.The second reason is that he doesn't know what to say to him, he can't explain to him all this now, why he can stay, but why he can't stay in the end.This made Cheng Mian feel bad, struggling like a trapped animal.The day when the veterans left the camp was getting closer and closer, and he felt that he couldn't wait any longer.

Without discussing with anyone, including Xu Yi, he went to Lao Ma again.The old horse also has a sad face. He has been looking for leaders countless times these days, but no one can give him an accurate statement, which has to make people feel strange.

Cheng Mian thought for a while, and decided to go to Zhou Guochang, the chief of staff of the division who was directly in charge of this matter.However, the leaders of the division are not so easy to meet. Cheng Mian went there once, but the chief of staff went out to study and did not return.Cheng Mian went there three times, and even the guards knew him, and seriously advised him: Go back, the chief of staff will not see anyone.

Cheng Mian can probably guess the reason. At this time, someone must want to be the chief of staff. It is normal for him not to see anyone.But he was different from them, he just came to ask for an explanation.When Cheng Mian was desperately preparing to go to the T division's family courtyard to block the chief of staff, he received a call from Cheng Jianming, asking him to go home in the evening.

Cheng Mian frowned at the phone: "With all my affairs, why do I go home?"

This brat.Cheng Jianming said dissatisfied, "Are you busier than me?"

"That's why I dare not compare with you." Cheng Mian chuckled.

"Stop talking nonsense to me." Cheng Jianming laughed angrily at him, "If you want you to go back, you can go back. There is no need to ask your superiors for instructions. I have already called your camp Lao Zhou."

Cheng Mian snorted, "You always show me the back door, that's enough face."

After hanging up the phone, Cheng Mian said hello to Xu Yi, and then drove Lao Zhou's car back to the base compound.The moment the car stopped, he opened the door and entered, and when he saw the people in the yard, he wondered if he was dazzled.

He Xiaozheng was half squatting at the door watering the flowers and plants raised by Teacher Zhao. He turned his head when he heard the sound, and was also taken aback when he saw Cheng Mian.Cheng Mian came back to his senses a little. It turned out that the old man called him back in such a hurry because of this.Suppressing the joy in his heart, he walked over and helped her up.

"When did you come here?" he asked.

"...It's not long since I came here."

"Did Teacher Zhao call you to come over and say I want to come back?" Company Commander Cheng raised his eyebrows and asked.

Have you ever seen such a narcissistic person?It was Teacher Zhao who asked her to come over, but she didn't say that he was coming back.He Xiao looked up at him, "The veteran hasn't been sent away yet, how come you have time to come back?"

"Well, I'll come back to see their elders." Today He Xiao was wearing the navy blue sweater he wore when he came back from the Northwest last time. Seeing it, Cheng Mian couldn't help feeling a little distracted.He put his arms around her, "Is it cold? Follow me into the house."

He Xiao pushed his hand away: "Don't make trouble, Uncle Cheng is at home today."

"Then what's there to be afraid of?" Cheng Mian laughed, "Sooner or later she will be my wife, he is used to it."

"I'm not used to it, okay?"

He Xiao pouted, seeing that Cheng Mian's eyes were completely hot, she couldn't hold back immediately, and kissed her: "Xiaoxiao, your menstrual holiday should have passed this month, right?"

He Xiao looked at him with a blushing face: "Why do you ask this?" He lowered his head and whispered, "It's over."

"Then stay tonight." Cheng Mian said clearly and solemnly, but then changed his mind, "No, I'd better go back with you."

He Xiao immediately refused: "Hui Fang is still here."

Company Commander Cheng was a little depressed now: "So, we can only go out and open a room?" He thought for a while, then reached into his coat pocket, "Let me see if I have my military ID card..."

He Xiao stretched out his hand and pinched his face, "Return the military officer's card, just lose your face and forget it, don't implicate the 230 million People's Liberation Army."

The two waited at the door for a while before entering. At this time, Teacher Zhao had already prepared dinner. Seeing him coming back, he hurriedly greeted the two of them to come to the table for dinner.After that, he quickly grabbed Cheng Mian who was walking behind, and whispered in his ear: "Don't argue with your dad tonight, he is in a bad mood."

Cheng Mian glanced back at their old lady, then at his father who was wearing glasses and walking down the stairs expressionlessly, and suddenly had a bad feeling.

After dinner, He Xiao went downstairs to help Teacher Zhao look at the cross-stitch she had just bought, while Cheng Mian was called into the study by Cheng Jianming.

After closing the door, Deputy Commander Cheng didn't bother, and asked straight to the point: "Cheng Mian, are you going to block your chief of staff from the general division these days?"

"How do you know?" Cheng Mian asked in surprise.

"It's such a big deal, how can I not know?" Deputy Commander Cheng didn't give him a good face. "This afternoon, I received a call from the chief of staff of your division, Zhou, and he told me personally."

Cheng Mian understood, lowered his head, and said in a muffled voice, "I just want an explanation."

"What explanation do you want? You have to refer to the opinion of your little company commander when making decisions in the division. If you don't like it, do you have to come to the door to explain it to you in person?"

Cheng Mian admitted that he was a little thoughtless, but facing his father Cheng Jianming's questioning, he still wanted to express his thoughts: "According to my company's quota of staying in the team, Song Xiaowei could stay, but now let him go for nothing. You have to give me an explanation, right?"

"What account? At the beginning of the large-scale disarmament, the cuts cost hundreds of thousands. Who gave them an explanation?" Seeing him drooping his head, Deputy Commander Cheng said in a bad tone, "I think I just spoiled you!"

Cheng Mian felt that the old man in front of him was too unreasonable, and when he got angry, he turned his head and hung his neck to avoid looking at him.

Cheng Jianming looked at him, snorted, and finally handed over something: "Take a look."

Cheng Mian looked at the document bag handed to him, without moving: "What?"

Cheng Jianming rolled his eyes and glared at him: "You'll know if you look at it."

Cheng Mian frowned slightly, opened the file bag, took out a thin piece of paper from it, and saw clearly the content of the red-headed file, he was stunned.

Cheng Jianming said in a slow voice: "The equipment of your division has been changed in the past few years. When the equipment is ready, you need fewer soldiers. You need fewer and better soldiers. I heard from Lao Zhou that your division plans to graduate from colleges and universities this year. Direct recruitment of non-commissioned officers. These people have come in, and someone needs to make room for them, right? Yes, the division originally gave your company [-] indicators to stay in the team, but the situation has changed, and everything has to change. Not only your reconnaissance company In this way, your entire division is like this, and the overall team retention quota has been reduced, but this is also to recruit more suitable talents for you. But your Chief of Staff Zhou said that you are the only one who came to the door. It made them feel bad Do it, originally the documents for direct recruitment of non-commissioned officers by this university were issued later, but now that you have made it like this, you have to advance it!"

It took Cheng Mian a long time to come back to his senses, looking at the document in his hand, he didn't know what to say.For this, he was completely unprepared.

Cheng Jianming looked at his son deeply: "Cheng Mian, I know how you feel. Those of us who lead the army, no matter what the reason is, there are always some people who you are reluctant to leave and can't keep. You can’t stop, you’ve got to get used to it. What can you do? All you can do is take their love of the place and make it better.”

After Cheng Jianming finished speaking, there was a moment of silence in the study.After a long time, Cheng Mian whispered, "Dad, am I being stupid again?"

Cheng Jianming smiled: "You are still young."

Cheng Mian laughed at himself, when the elders don't know how to criticize you, being young and ignorant is the best excuse.Returning the document to his father, he said calmly and forcefully, "I see."

The two were talking upstairs, and He Xiao understood the general idea of ​​the matter while talking with Mr. Zhao downstairs.Thinking of something, she smiled softly: "I said why Song Xiaowei insisted on meeting me yesterday, so it was because of this?"

Teacher Zhao pushed the reading glasses on the bridge of his nose: "How do you say?"

He Xiao said eloquently.Yesterday when she returned home after practicing yoga, she saw Song Xiaowei and Zhao Huifang at the gate of the community. Their faces were flushed from the cold, and they seemed to have been waiting for him for a long time.He Xiao asked why they didn't go home. Song Xiaowei said that he wanted to talk to his sister-in-law about something, and insisted on finding a small restaurant nearby.

He Xiao couldn't resist, so he found a noodle shop, ordered a pot of tea, and ordered a bowl of noodles for each of them.While waiting for the meeting, Song Xiaowei stated the purpose of talking to her this time: "Sister-in-law, I want you to persuade the company commander."

He Xiao was startled, and hurriedly asked what was going on, and after understanding, she calmed down.This seems to be something Cheng Mian would do. He has been too upright since he was a child.

After thinking about it, she said to Song Xiaowei: "He is also thinking about you all."

"I understand that the company commander is young because he is young, but he has nothing to say to us, and he rarely has selfishness. But the more he is like this, the less I think he should be like this."

He Xiao didn't understand what he meant.

Song Xiaowei smiled: "I remember that when the company commander was just transferred to our reconnaissance company, he hadn't become a full-time member at that time, he was only a deputy company. There was a physical fitness assessment, and it was said that the deputy company commander could not participate, but the other two in the battalion The deputy company commander of the company voluntarily participated in the assessment because he was promoted by the grassroots soldiers. The company commander heard about it and said that he would also participate.”

He Xiao smiled, it was really Cheng Mian's competitive style.

"But you also know that although the company commander graduated from Lu Zhi, there is still some difference in physical fitness from the veterans promoted from the grassroots. Or it makes sense to say that the most valuable on the battlefield is the veteran. At that time, the company commander's shortcomings It's the 400-meter obstacle, just like me, so I spent a lot of time with him in the training ground. After practicing for more than two months, I finally got second. The company commander is not satisfied, let me tell you Take the first place for the first time."

The three of them all laughed, and Song Xiaowei stroked the teacup in his hand, with a gentle look on his face: "Almost everyone in our company, and even the whole teacher, knows the background of the company commander, but since he was transferred to us, it has been a long time since he was transferred to us. I haven't heard him mention it. In the past two years, he has been speaking with his own ability. I can see that our company commander is a proud person." He looked at He Xiao, "Sister-in-law, you say, such a People, how can I let him compete with the division leaders for my affairs, and let the whole division talk about him. He shouldn't and can't do this, he should be proud, because he is worthy of that uniform."

He Xiao was very moved when he heard it.Her eyes were a little moist: "Then you don't want to stay?"

"I think." He said almost without hesitation, "Since I received the order to retire, wherever I go, I want to take a few more glances, but I will never see you again. We are like this, no If I can stay in the army for a lifetime, I can only expect to have another chance and stay for a few more years every time the term expires. Everyone thinks so, but the army is going to fight, it is not a shelter. I am in I have been here for eight years, I have received education and training, learned discipline and principles to demand myself, then I can’t throw them all away when I finally leave. Counting these, and my comrades in arms, it is the army that can give me I am reluctant to part with the most precious thing, I have to cherish it for a lifetime."

The expression of Song Xiaowei who said this was so serious and firm, which made He Xiao feel admiration and regret.

After hearing this, Teacher Zhao also sighed and said: "His soldiers are very considerate of him, but this kid has been stubborn since he was a child. It doesn't matter what others say if he doesn't want to give up. Sometimes, it's a good thing not to know." Still bad."

With a low sigh.There was a sound of closing the door upstairs, He Xiao and Mr. Zhao looked at each other, got up and walked upstairs, when they came to the corner, they saw Cheng Mian frowned slightly, patted the back of his pants helplessly, and walked slowly down.

This situation made He Xiao couldn't help laughing: "Did you get kicked again?"

Cheng Mian was somewhat uncomfortable: "Schadenfreude? I think this room must be opened tonight."

After speaking, He Xiao glared at him.He stood in front of her, stared at her for a few seconds, and stretched out his hand to pull her into his arms.He Xiao was afraid that Cheng Jianming was still upstairs, so he didn't dare to mess around, but Cheng Mian didn't let go: "Don't move, let me hug you."

"What's the matter?" She wanted to look at him, but he hugged her tightly.

"It's okay." Rubbing her shoulder, Cheng Mian whispered.

It was just a sudden relief.When he was most depressed, she could be by his side, making him feel that there were some things that he could hold on to tightly.That's enough.

The next day, Cheng Mian just returned to the army and was preparing for a farewell dinner for the veterans.

Before the dinner started, Song Xiaowei came to him to his surprise.A young and simple face with a round smile, wearing an old military uniform with the epaulets off, and a brand new dark blue sweater inside.After all, it's just that I haven't talked to him much for two days, but Cheng Mian feels that Song Xiaowei seems to be different from the inside out.

"What's the matter?" Cheng Mian poured him a glass of water and asked him to sit down.

At this time, Song Xiaowei stopped being polite to him, and took out a package after sitting down.

"What is this?" Cheng Mian raised his eyebrows.

Song Xiaowei smiled: "It's the two pairs of insoles and cotton shoes that I gave to myself, and said that I would give them to you, the company commander."

Cheng Mian sneered slightly: "Up to now, they still engage in gift giving."

"It's different." Song Xiaowei took out the things and put them in front of Cheng Mian, "She wanted to invite my sister-in-law and the company commander to have a meal, but you didn't agree, because you were afraid of spending our money. Rural people are fine. There is nothing that can express our gratitude, only these things made by ourselves, although they are not beautiful, but they are real and warm."

Cheng Mian took a pair of shoes, held them up in front of her eyes, looked carefully, touched the inside, and said with a smile: "It's warm enough, but I can't wear these at my age. I'll take them home and give our old man to wear them."

Saying this means accepting it.Song Xiaowei smiled and said yes.

Suddenly remembered something, Cheng Mian looked at Song Xiaowei and asked, "Calling someone a girl, what do you mean, are you ready to accept her?"

Song Xiaowei scratched his head embarrassingly: "I figured it out. Instead of worrying about making her suffer in the future, it's better to start working hard now and let her live a better life."

Have awareness.

Cheng Mian was very satisfied: "So are you at ease now?"

"Be sure." Song Xiaowei raised his head and looked at Cheng Mian seriously, "Company Commander, the instructor is right, you can't always live in the past, you have to look forward, as long as I have a clear conscience, there is nothing I can't be sure about. "

Faced with such an answer, Cheng Mian was sincerely pleased.It seemed that there was no need for him to say words of comfort. He patted Song Xiaowei on the shoulder and said in a low but forceful voice, "Okay."

The farewell party of the reconnaissance company this year can be said to be the most lively in recent years.Not only people from the entire company attended, but also some family members of veterans who accompanied the army, and—the girlfriend of the company chief, all attended.

Before coming, He Xiao also hesitated.Cheng Mian gave her two reasons. One was that Xiao Song's family member, Zhao Huifang, was too shy, and it would be embarrassing if she didn't bring it with her.Second, he hoped that on such an occasion, she could be there.

The farewell party was held in the Scouting Company Club, with more than a dozen tables surrounded by a circle of people, and the tables were full of wine, vegetables and fruits.As usual, it's not expensive, but it's solid and enough.He Xiao and Zhao Huifang sat at the family table, and most of the time, her eyes fell on Cheng Mian and his soldiers.Compared with the farewell party, the scene at this moment is more like a carnival, a carnival for men in the army.

The enamel cup was filled with wine. Amidst the sound of clinking glasses, the instructor Xu Yi stood up. Holding the cup, he stood in front of the big guy.Perhaps after drinking, a little blush appeared on his normally fair face.

He frowned and looked at everyone: "Everyone is drinking, I will stand here and say a few words."

After drinking, Xu Yi seemed to have a little more human touch. He became more drunk, and his speech was not as sharp as before.

"Before the farewell party, our party branch discussed who would speak at the meeting. As for your company commander, he insisted on asking me to speak, saying that I was eloquent and could speak easily. I thought this kid would do something he didn't want to do again. Give me the job, I have talked to you a lot, but it is all political education, I guess you are tired of listening to it. To be honest, are you tired?"

Cheng Mian laughed when he heard it, and the soldiers also replied happily: "Report to the instructor, it's okay!"

"It's weird if you don't bother." Xu Yi also smiled, the smile was very gentle and true, "I know what your company commander means. I usually talk to you, before and after meals, and wake up before going to bed, but I I know that many times, I have not been able to communicate with you. So I have to thank our company commander Cheng for giving me this opportunity. In order to express my gratitude, I drank this cup!"

As he spoke, he picked up the cup in his hand and drank it down amidst cheers.

Filling another glass, Xu Yi continued, "To tell you the truth, I don't drink well, so I'm really a little drunk after drinking this glass. But I can't say some things when I'm not drunk. I know some of you often drink in private. Saying that I, the instructor, is carrying it, whoever said it, you know it in your heart. Actually, what do you know, I’m thin-skinned.” He glanced at everyone in a bad tone, and then laughed again, “In that case, Then I won't hold it today, I will say whatever I want, I will say what I want-what do I want to say?" He tilted his head, as if remembering, smiled lightly, raised his head Looking up at his soldiers, his eyes were clear and bright, "I want to say, I'm sorry."

"A good cadre is to be worthy of his own soldiers. We failed. We have so many soldiers who dedicated their youth to the army with blood and sweat, but in the end we can only let them leave crying, watching them cry, We are not feeling well. I told myself Xu Yi, you don’t have so much time to hurt the love of your children. I dare not get too close to you and have too deep feelings. I set a security cordon for myself. , but what happened?" He looked at the crowd, "I trapped myself outside, but I tried desperately to get in, because when I saw you, I thought, these boys are all my soldiers Ah, how many years can they stay here? How many years can I take them..."

There was a low sobbing sound, Xu Yi's eyes were flushed, he took a deep breath, his voice was a little hoarse: "Don't say anything, many of you are still young, I believe leaving is a new beginning for you .My only hope for you is that when you get home, cheer up and work hard, and don't let others say sorry to you again! For this, I will drink!"

The club suddenly fell silent, and all the soldiers present, whether they were left or retired veterans, were all moved by the glass of wine that Xu Yi drank.At this moment, Xu Yi seemed to be no longer the instructor with a gentle smile but always alienated, but seeing them off in the way of a soldier and a veteran.

After drinking a glass of wine, the crowd burst into a hello, and it was Cheng Mian who took the lead in shouting, and the soldiers responded enthusiastically.The club once again resumed its former excitement. Many people were touched by the instructor's words, hugging and crying while drinking.Cheng Mian and Xu Yi will inevitably be forced to drink.

He Xiao couldn't bear to watch such a scene.She stood up and walked out.

This night, she didn't go back, but stayed in the guest house in the division.When it was almost twelve o'clock, the door of the room was knocked suddenly, she hesitated for a while, walked over and opened the door.

Zhao Xiaoguo waited outside the door with Cheng Mian, who was drunk, and when he saw He Xiao coming out, he hurriedly said: "Sister-in-law, our company commander is drunk. I heard squad leader Song said you were here, so I sent him over."

He Xiao's face was a little ashamed: "Then help me in."

Putting Cheng Mian on the bed, Zhao Xiaoguo left quickly.He Xiao glanced at someone who was so drunk that he was unconscious, went into the bathroom and fetched a basin of water.

Only one wall lamp was turned on in the whole room, and the orange light reflected on He Xiao, making her look extraordinarily soft.She sat on the bed, put his head on her lap, and carefully wiped him with a wet towel.Forehead, brow bone, bridge of nose, lips, chin, neck, and behind the ears.There is no one place to fall, she does it very carefully, as if at this moment, this is the most important thing.

After wiping it clean, she put him on the pillow, unbuttoned his shirt, took off his shoes, and covered him with the quilt.He Xiao stood up straight, stretched her waist, washed the towel, and poured out all the water in the washbasin. When she returned to the bedroom, she found that Cheng Mian, who had been asleep all the time, was staring at her without blinking.

He Xiao was stunned for a moment, then walked over to look at him: "Are you awake? Do you want some water?"

Cheng Mian wanted to say no, but his voice was too hoarse to speak, so he gave He Xiao an innocent look.Comrade Xiaoxiao snorted softly, unscrewed the lid of the thermos cup, and handed him the water cup.

After drinking a whole glass of water, Cheng Mian was able to speak. He hooked He Xiao's hand and motioned her to look out the window: "Smile, it's snowing."

He Xiao looked sideways, and with the help of the street lights outside, he really saw the large snowflakes flying all over the sky outside the window.After realizing this, the sound of snowflakes hitting the windows was especially loud.

He Xiao pursed her lips and smiled: "Don't you like snow days?"

Cheng Mian didn't speak, pulled He Xiao to sit beside him, and then automatically put his head on her lap.He Xiao was amused by his action, and then realized: "Are you awake just now? Are you drunk? Tease me again."

"No." He said in a low voice but very softly, "I fell asleep, and I just felt that the pillow under my head was really comfortable."

He Xiao was dubious and poked him on the forehead.Cheng Mian took advantage of the situation and grabbed her hand, holding it firmly in his palm.He Xiao enjoyed this quiet time very much. She lowered her head and stared at the way he closed his eyes. His slender eyelashes were slightly twitching, which made her look very engrossed.

Suddenly, Cheng Mian opened his eyes, glanced at her, and immediately closed them again: "If I didn't have to get up early tomorrow to send off the veterans, I would have to make up for it here, just because you look at me like this."

What are you thinking about.He Xiao muttered softly, and scratched his ear: "Shall Squad Leader Song and the others be sent away tomorrow?" She asked in a low voice.

Cheng Mian hummed.

"It's so fast."

She sighed softly, looking out of the window, feeling a little lost.

"I remember that one year in the old compound, it was snowing so much, and it was also when the veterans were discharged. I was playing on the parallel bars and saw many soldiers standing in line on the playground not far away. Those were the ones who had to leave back then. The soldiers picked off the epaulettes, hat badges and collar flowers in front of the military flag. No one spoke or cried. I was young at the time, although I was not sensible, but I seemed to be touched by that silent scene and felt a little sad. "

As she spoke, she felt Cheng Mian hold her hand tightly, as if to say that he could understand.

In fact, don’t look at him growing up in the army compound, but the boy is careless. Before entering the military academy, most of his knowledge of the army came from his parents and grandparents, and most of these people have left the grassroots company for many years and are in high positions. .The only time that impressed him deeply was the year when He Xiaogang moved here.

At that time, many people moved to the old compound. In order to strengthen the defense, the brigade sent two squads of soldiers from each battalion to stand guard every month.When it was time to leave the army, because there were veterans leaving the two squads stationed, during that time, every half hour before the reveille was about to be blown, various military songs could be heard on the horn.He was often woken up, turned over and fell asleep again.In the second year, it was no longer released, perhaps because the family members who were disturbed reported it upwards.

He Xiao fiddled with his short body, "I remember that year I was not in good health, and I always woke up with a cough in the middle of the night, and listening to such a sad song, I couldn't fall asleep even more."

Cheng Mian smiled, and then said: "I remember when I just graduated, my grandfather wanted me to stay in Beijing and work under my uncle. I thought about it and chose here."

"why?"

"No reason." He said softly, "I'm just envious, envious of the relationship between these soldiers. I can't help but want to feel the kind of youth and enthusiasm that doesn't want to be restrained, and the tenacity and friendship that share weal and woe. "

He also said this in front of Mr. Cheng, who just smiled and didn't persuade him any more.Thinking about it now, the old man's smile was meaningful and far-sighted.The old man knows that he must be frustrated when he comes here, but he also wants to train him, because only in this way can he truly grow.He has indeed learned a lesson, but this time he reacted so strongly during the transfer work, not just because he thought too simply, but because he really expected too much from this place.Forget it, don't think about it, it's all over.

Cheng Mian regained consciousness, rolled over from her lap, lay on her side and hugged her waist, "Do you know why I don't like snow days?"

He Xiao paused, then stroked his hair gently: "Why?"

He laughed lowly, hugged her tighter, and said, "Because of you."

It was his first year in Luzhi, and he finally looked forward to the winter vacation. On the day when the vacation notice came, he packed up his things and left immediately.Not only because of homesickness, but because of Ye Hongqi's matter, he and He Xiao had been in a cold war for nearly half a year.He called her once or twice, because it was inconvenient, and most of the time he contacted her by letter, but he didn't get a response.

He was so anxious that he scratched his heart and liver, and wanted to go home quickly for the holiday.Seeing that the car stopped at the gate of the family courtyard, he gave the package to Mr. Zhao who had been waiting for him. He didn't even have time to go home, so he ran straight to He Xiao's house regardless of his mother's shouting behind him.Knocked, no response.Knock again, still no response.He kept knocking like this until Teacher Zhao rushed over and told him that Lao He had changed jobs, and his family had all moved back to their hometown. They just left this afternoon, half an hour before he came back.

These words were like pouring a basin of cold water on his head in winter, making him cold from head to toe.After being stunned for a moment, he ran to the train station.In front of the electronic screen in the waiting hall, I found the ticket gate according to the number of the train that He Xiao and the others used to take, and rushed in. When I ran to the platform, the train had already started.

"So I ran and ran, calling your name, and followed the train for an unknown distance. I didn't even chase the station staff who had been following me, but I was still running."

Later, the train ran far away, and he couldn't run anymore. Snowflakes got in through his neckline, and his whole body was soaked.He stood there, staring blankly at the railroad tracks in front of him for a while, and then suddenly fell down.At that moment, there was no consciousness at all.

"I heard from Mr. Zhao that I burned for two days. In fact, I didn't feel too uncomfortable. I just kept dreaming. I dreamed that our captain shouted at me when I was chasing the train and ran, and won the first place in the five kilometers. Dreaming My mother told me repeatedly that you were gone. I still dreamed of you, and dreamed that you said to me: Cheng Mian, stop chasing me."

After finishing speaking, he didn't hear He Xiao's response for a long time.Just as he was about to look up, he was gently held by a hand.Then I heard her say softly, "Then why are you still chasing him?"

Cheng Mian held the soft and delicate hand above the eyes: "If I don't chase after you, will you come back?"

He waited patiently for her answer. After a long time, he heard her hoarse voice: "I will."

If love is a long and difficult journey, he has already come so far, how can she be willing to make him wait so long?
I will.I will be back, Cheng Mian.

(End of this chapter)