Chapter 2
City B, winter.
After three days of heavy snowfall, the sky finally cleared up, and the bright sunshine made people feel refreshed.Located in the eastern suburbs of the city, the gate of the division headquarters of the T division of a group army in the B military region was open, and army trucks rolled in through the snow.
The soldiers in the car had just finished a one-day and one-night field training, and the feeling of rolling in the snow in the weather of several degrees below zero was uncomfortable, and all of them were exhausted.A Cheetah military vehicle drove unhurriedly in the camp area. When all the military cards were driving towards the cafeteria, the vehicle turned a corner and stopped in front of the building of the Divisional Reconnaissance Battalion.After a while, a muddy captain and officer got out of the car, straightened his military cap, and strode up the steps.
The sentry standing guard at the door immediately stood at attention and saluted him.The captain saluted curtly, and was stopped by the sentinel before he had gone far: "Commander Cheng, Deputy Battalion Commander Zhou asked you to come back to his office."
Cheng Lianchang Cheng Mian, who was about to go upstairs to take a shower and go to bed, paused and went to Deputy Battalion Commander Zhou's office.
"Report."
"Please come in."
Cheng Mian pushed the door open, patted the ashes off his hat and said, "Deputy Battalion Commander, are you looking for me?"
Deputy Battalion Commander Zhou looked up from the file, seeing his dirty appearance, couldn't help laughing: "It seems that I didn't look for it at the right time, why, just came back?"
Cheng Mian nodded, pulled up a chair and sat down opposite him: "If you have anything to do, just tell me, I'm just a brick, and I can move it wherever I need it."
"Young poor, take a look at this first."
Speaking of handing him a portfolio, Cheng Mian opened it and flipped through a few pages, raising his eyebrows: "Isn't this the recruit's file, why are you showing me this?"
"Haven't you heard? This year, the recruits of the whole division were re-examined, and one soldier was found to have Parkinson's syndrome. The above said that he was sent back."
"Just this one in my hand?"
Deputy Battalion Commander Zhou nodded: "This is a soldier that the instructor personally took over. It stands to reason that he or your instructor Xu Yi should go, but these two people are not here these days, so you can take a trip because of trouble."
Only then did Cheng Mian understand, and he looked down at the files again, and unconsciously stroked his short hair with his free hand.When I looked up again, I met the teasing eyes of the deputy battalion commander last week: "You don't want to go, do you? Didn't you just say that you are a brick, where do you need to move?"
Seeing that his thoughts were seen through, Cheng Mian also smiled: "Deputy Battalion Commander, I have no objection if you want me to go up the mountain of swords and down into the sea of fire, but asking me to send the soldiers back is the wrong person. If nothing else, When I came to this soldier’s house, I didn’t even know what to say to his parents.”
"Aren't you very capable? Just go there and continue to perform."
"Forgive me. For such a big matter, if I continue to be poor, I won't be kicked out."
"Just because of your so-called 'representative' face, you can't get it out." Deputy Battalion Commander Zhou obviously didn't want to talk nonsense with him, "Okay, I'll find you Lian Jiang Haiyang, and the two of you will go together."
As soon as he finished speaking, Cheng Mian was kicked out of the deputy battalion commander's office with his files.Touching the bridge of his nose that was almost hit by the door, Cheng Mian laughed and said, "Two people? This is quite a big scene."
Complaints are complaints, but the tasks arranged above must be carried out.
After lunch, Cheng Mian simply took a shower and went back to the dormitory to change into a brand new military uniform.The man in front of the military mirror is finally worthy of the title of "image representative". His facial features are handsome and tough, his figure is slender and straight, his military skills are excellent, and what's more rare is that he has no bad habits.As the chief officer of the company, he is relentless on the training ground, and he can mingle with the soldiers in the company in an approachable and approachable manner in private.Regardless of his family background, just looking at his resume over the past seven years, he is already considered one of the most promising young officers in the group army.This is Cheng Mian in the eyes of everyone.
After buttoning the last button, Cheng Mian straightened the badge on the hat in front of the mirror.Everything was ready, he picked up a bag and went downstairs, Jiang Haiyang was already waiting at the gate of the courtyard.
"Can you drive?" Cheng Mian looked at him facing the light and narrowed his eyes slightly.
Jiang Haiyang patted his chest: "Before I became a soldier, I would."
"Okay then," Cheng Mian tossed the car keys to him, "Send us to the train station and come back."
Jiang Haiyang took the car keys and was stunned: "Company commander, deputy battalion commander told me to go with you."
"Stop talking nonsense." Cheng Mian raised his chin and signaled him to get in the car, "There is no need for two people to do this."
Jiang Haiyang had no choice but to obey the orders of the officials who crushed people to death.After the two picked up the retreating soldiers from the division's guest house, they drove towards the city at a faster speed.
As a big city, the downtown of City B has always been bustling and noisy.It’s the weekend again today, and wherever you go, there are queues of cars and endless crowds.
Cheng Mian, who hadn't closed his eyes all day and night, leaned on the passenger seat and squinted for a while. When he opened his eyes again, the car was still stuck in the longest road in the city center, moving forward inch by inch.The cold was isolated from the car, and the sun shone in, making people a little anxious.Cheng Mian's first reaction was to pull down the visor, but he withdrew his hand as he glanced at the bustling urban area outside.
Cheng Mian's military academy was studied in the capital city of a province around city B. The discipline in the team is strict, and there are not many opportunities to ask for leave to go out, let alone ask for provinces.After graduation, he was directly assigned to the B military region, and the troops were stationed in the suburbs less than two hours away from city B. However, he was busy with work tasks and could not enter the city a few times a year, let alone sit down and watch it calmly like now. Take a look at the city's scenery.Thinking of this, he felt a little envious of Xiao Chen, who was sitting in the back row, at this moment. Without this military uniform, he still had freedom.
Jiang Haiyang beside him suddenly sighed, Cheng Mian turned his head to look at him, and joked, "Can't sit still?"
Jiang Haiyang scratched his head embarrassingly: "Company Commander, I haven't been to the city for two months."
"You thought I was here?" Cheng Mian said angrily, "Okay, stop at the intersection in front of you later, go for a walk and buy us something to eat on the way."
Jiang Haiyang responded happily, and the long queue-like convoy drove forward again, finally reaching the intersection.He stopped the car and got off quickly.Cheng Mian also turned to Xiao Chen, the retreating soldier in the back row, and said, "Get out of the car and wait a while?"
Xiao Chen shook his head without saying a word, and Cheng Mian didn't force him, and came down to get some air by himself.The air after snow is always fresh, Cheng Mian took a deep breath.Not to mention, it was indescribably uncomfortable for someone like him who was used to being on the training ground to sit motionless for hours.It's not easy to do too intense movements on the street to stretch your muscles, so Cheng Mian had no choice but to stretch.
However, at the moment when he raised his arm, someone suddenly ran behind him and hit him hard on the waist. Cheng Mian stood firm, and before he had time to scold his mother, he heard a shrill female voice shouting: " Catch the thief!"
Thief?
Cheng Mian glanced back, and saw two women in overalls and a policeman running towards this side in a hurry.Suddenly he realized it, took off his hat, and chased after the man who had just bumped into him and ran away.
It has just snowed in City B in the past few days, and the snow on the road is still thick, and ordinary people can't run too fast.But Cheng Mian was different, he just came out of the snow for a day and a night, even though the leather shoes on his feet hindered his performance, his speed was still very fast.The guilty thief looked back and found that there was another person chasing him, and immediately shouted: "Stop chasing him!"
Cheng Mian didn't speak, and speeded up in a timely manner.The thief ran away almost vomiting blood, turned around and yelled at him again: "Don't fucking chase after him!"
Cheng Mian pursed his lips and ran forward at a sprint speed of [-] meters. A reverse cut knocked the thief to the ground.
"You fucking let me go!" the thief yelled after being subdued.
"I'll let you run!"
Dou Tou slapped the thief on the head, and Cheng Mian strangled him until the police arrived.
"Be honest!"
The police unceremoniously handcuffed the thief and handed it over to colleagues who rushed over to put him in a police car.One of the women also ran over at this time and thanked Cheng Mian: "Thank you, thank you, thank you so much."
Cheng Mian straightened her clothes: "It's okay, you should check the bag first to see if there is anything missing."
The young woman glanced at it roughly: "I didn't lose it, thank you so much..."
"You're being polite." Cheng Mian said with a smile, "I'm a soldier, and I should be brave when I see justice."
The woman blushed slightly, thinking of something, and beckoned to the person behind her: "Smile, come here quickly."
Following the direction of her waving, Cheng Mian looked up and saw a woman walking towards this side stepping on the snow.Still seeming to be in lingering fear, she walked very slowly.Cheng Mian squinted slightly to look at this cautious woman from inside to outside, and said jokingly: "Your friend may be frightened."
As soon as he finished speaking, the woman walking towards him raised her head.When his eyes fell on her pale face like paper, Cheng Mian suddenly opened his eyes, his whole body stiffened suddenly, and stared at her with an unbelievable, surprised and even pleasantly surprised look.And she obviously saw him clearly, the expression on her face changed almost exactly the same as his.Just when he was about to call out her name, that woman, she turned around and ran away suddenly!
Cheng Mian was taken aback for another moment, and then started to chase after him.It's just that God seemed to be teasing him on purpose, and he fell on his back to the ground as soon as he took a step.The fall was strong enough, Cheng Mian recovered his strength and thumped the ground hard, gritted his teeth and shouted: "He Xiao! Stop! He Xiao—"
She must have heard his shout, but the pace of escape did not slow down or stop.Cheng Mian stood up from the ground and was about to catch up when someone grabbed his arm.Turning around, it was Jiang Haiyang.
"Company commander! Something happened!"
"Come back and tell me something!" Wanting to chase He Xiao, Cheng Mian impatiently responded to Jiang Haiyang.
"It's a big deal!" Jiang Haiyang cried, "Xiao Chen ran away! He's gone!"
"Ran?"
Those who retreated were afraid of encountering such troublesome things, so Cheng Mian raised his head and looked ahead, but He Xiao was no longer there.The whole process was like a dream, it came and went quickly.Cheng Mian stood there blankly for a while, then put on his hat suddenly, turned his head and left. After walking a few steps, he saw Jiang Haiyang still staying where he was, and said to Huo Dao: "Why are you so dazed? Let go!"
Jiang Haiyang was also fooled by Cheng Mian: "Where are you going?"
"Look for Uncle Chen!"
The two split up, and finally Jiang Haiyang found Xiao Chen at an intersection and blocked him there.When Cheng Mian arrived after receiving the call, the two wrestled into a ball. What does it look like?He hurried forward to separate the two.
However, Jiang Haiyang is not a temperless person, he was red-eyed by Xiao Chen, and he refused to let go no matter what.Cheng Mian took a lot of effort to pull him away, and then gave him a kick: "What are you fighting for? Don't forget that you are still wearing a military uniform!"
Slightly regaining his rationality, Jiang Haiyang let go of Xiao Chen even though he was panting heavily.
After a lot of tearing, Xiao Chen lost his strength, but he still wanted to run.Cheng Mian dragged him back, put on airs and reprimanded him: "Why are you running?"
Really unable to break free, Xiao Chen knelt on the ground with some collapse, knocked his head hard, sobbing and shouting indistinctly: "I want to be a soldier! I want to be a soldier!"
Hearing Xiao Chen's words, Cheng Mian and Jiang Haiyang looked at each other and looked at each other.
Seeing clearly that Xiao Chen's escape route was heading back to the T division's camp, Cheng Mian couldn't bear to scold him any longer. He supported Xiao Chen vigorously, and said, "No one will let you serve as a soldier. If you go home and get cured, it will be the same in the next year." You can enlist in the army."
He comforted Xiao Chen in this way, while beckoning Jiang Haiyang to come forward to help, and the two worked together to drag Xiao Chen back to the car.
After locking the car door and starting again, Cheng Mian felt a dull pain in the back of his hand. He looked down and saw that a gash had been made at some point.
Really bad luck.
Exhaling a breath, Cheng Mian felt upset.
When Cheng Mian was looking for Xiao Chen, He Xiao ran back home without stopping.Father Lao He and mother Tian Ying had just had lunch when they heard noises coming out of the kitchen and saw He Xiao who was leaning against the door with his legs weak and weak.
Tian Ying looked at her in surprise: "Did you run back?"
Old He was calm: "Have you eaten yet? I still have leftover braised noodles. Try some?"
Tian Ying waved at Old He, drove him back to work in the kitchen, and supported He Xiao to make her stand still: "Didn't your unit not let you go home at noon? Why are you back?"
He Xiao only felt that his throat was dry, and he was panting in shock.
Tian Ying looked even more anxious: "Have you asked for leave?"
He Xiao couldn't speak at all at the moment, she glanced at her mother, then sat down on the sofa near the door weakly, and then buried her head in her open hands.This series of abnormal actions made Tian Ying even more worried, and she wanted to ask something more, but Lao He pulled her away: "Okay, even if there is anything, you can ask her after she has rested, and you will return her girlish air without looking at it." Not smooth? Didn’t you have an appointment this afternoon, if you don’t leave, it will be late.”
Tian Ying remembered now, and hurriedly packed her things.After giving Lao He a few words, he went out.
The whole family finally quieted down.
I don't know how long it took before He Xiao raised his head and stared blankly around for a while, his eyes gradually became brighter.There was the sound of flipping newspapers beside her. He Xiao blinked slightly, then turned her head to look, and found that her father, Old He, was sitting on a chair by the door reading a newspaper. Seeing her movement, she smiled, got up and sat next to her on the sofa.
He held He Xiao's hand and asked, "Why did you come back? Isn't the lunch made in the canteen delicious?"
He Xiao opened his eyes to look at his father, and slowly twitched the corners of his mouth.
She seemed to have finally regained her composure, took Lao He's arm, put her head on his shoulder, and said in a low voice, "No, it's all right, it's just—— I suddenly feel tired."
How could Lao He not be aware of his daughter, knowing that this was an excuse, but he just smiled and said, "Isn't he used to the pace of life in City B? Dad was like this when he first arrived here, and he got used to it after a while."
He Xiao didn't speak, and listening to his father's chatter, the high tension that had arisen from seeing that person gradually disappeared.However, some reactions were out of her control, as long as she thought of that face, there was a torrent surging deep in her heart, which made her tremble uncontrollably.
Asking for leave to stay at home for an afternoon, He Xiao didn't go to work until the next day.
The next day, she went out early.The base tube center where she works is in another district of city B, and it takes two subway trips to get there from home to work.And He Xiao has not been in City B for a long time, and she is not used to the subway cars crowded like shark cans, so she would rather go half an hour earlier to take the bus.
He Xiao's university was studied in another city, and he passed the public examination two months ago and got into the Fundamental Management Center of City B.She came to City B with her mother Tian Ying. Before that, Lao He had lived in City B alone for five years.He does auto parts business here. Although he is not too rich, he is enough to settle down.Taking advantage of He Xiao graduating from university and looking for a job, the whole family moved to City B.
When it came time to work, he still had plenty of time, so He Xiao put away his things and went to change clothes.Chu Tian, who shares a locker with her, has also arrived, and when she saw her come in, he blinked at her hastily.He Xiao suddenly had a bad feeling, she turned around and wanted to leave, but it was too late.
"Don't leave!" Chu Tian blocked the door, looking at her with piercing eyes, "Be honest, why did you run away yesterday?"
He Xiao's eyelids twitched, and he said without changing his face: "Oh, I just suddenly remembered that Lao He made braised noodles at noon, and I wanted to go back and have a taste."
"It's not bad for you to coax a child." Chu Tian didn't believe it, "Tell me, who was that officer yesterday, and why did you run away when you saw him?"
"It's not because of him." He Xiao pretended to be calm, "Okay, don't set up a private trial for me, the director will come to roll call in a while, and I want to change my clothes."
Chu Tian stepped aside reluctantly: "So, you two really don't know each other?"
"I came to City B with you, where can I meet him?"
He Xiao and Chu Tian are college classmates. They passed the public examination together and arrived in City B, and were assigned to the Fundamental Tuberculosis Center together. They have a very good relationship.Yesterday was their first day at work, and they went to the pedestrian street to pass the time when they were bored at noon.
But Chu Tian didn't believe what He Xiao said, he didn't know her, so could he call her by her name in public?However, seeing He Xiao avoiding him like this, she couldn't keep chasing him any longer.
After Chu Tian changed his clothes and went out, He Xiao was the only one left in the dressing room.She breathed a sigh of relief and sat on the sofa.
The soft sunlight in the morning came in through the window screens, and He Xiao stared at the bright sunlight for a long time, feeling an inexplicable feeling of frustration welling up from the bottom of his heart.
Not to mention Chu Tian, even she couldn't figure it out.
It's been seven years since she saw him, but when she saw him, her first reaction was to turn around and run away...
After three days, Cheng Mian and Jiang Haiyang successfully completed the task of sending back soldiers.
On Saturday morning, the two drove back to the army from Sichuan early in the morning.After Cheng Mian got out of the car, he went to the office of Deputy Battalion Commander Zhou to report on his work. Before entering the house, he deliberately arranged his clothes in front of the military mirror in the hall.
"Deputy battalion commander." Cheng Mian saluted.
"Are you back?" Deputy Battalion Commander Zhou was fiddling with his flowerpot, and took the time to cast a sideways glance at him, "Is your trip going well?"
Cheng Mian thought it was funny, he took off his hat, and sat down on the camp bed that Deputy Battalion Commander Zhou hadn't had time to put away: "It's okay."
"Who allowed you to sit on the bed during non-rest time?" Deputy Battalion Commander Zhou said sharply, "Stand up."
It was true, Cheng Mian stood up straight.Deputy Battalion Commander Zhou walked around behind him and trained him while sizing up his military posture: "Isn't it very serious when I assigned you a mission? Why did you do it like this for me now? It's embarrassing to say that everyone has run away." good?"
"Report to the Deputy Battalion Commander, we have found the person, and the task has been completed on time." Cheng Mian stood upright and said loudly.
"Completing the mission and making mistakes are two different things! Why don't you call the company to send someone to help?"
Cheng Mian's tense face finally showed an embarrassed smile: "Aren't you afraid that things will get worse?"
"Big trouble? Thank you for finding someone. If not, it's not a matter that can be solved by punishment. It's possible to let you take off your uniform and leave! I'll see who you talk to when the time comes!"
"Report to the deputy battalion commander, there will never be a next time!" Cheng Mian assured with a solemn expression.
Deputy Battalion Commander Zhou stared at him for several seconds, then kicked him angrily: "Okay, sit down."
Cheng Mian breathed a sigh of relief, pulled a chair and sat down, saw Deputy Battalion Commander Zhou's potted flower, and asked casually, "What did you grow?"
Deputy Battalion Commander Zhou's expression softened: "Jasmine, it was planted when your sister-in-law came."
Since poking the sore spot, Cheng Mian averted his gaze.
Deputy Battalion Commander Zhou glanced at him and asked, "How is it? Did you gain anything from going out this time?"
reward?Cheng Mian looked away and replied, "Of course, and it's not too young."
"As long as you have it," Deputy Battalion Commander Zhou continued without noticing the strangeness in his tone, "You are still young, and if you don't experience it, you will be superior in your eyes and inferior in your abilities. Isn't it time to teach you a lesson?"
"I understand."
"Just understand. That's fine. If there's nothing else, you can go back." Deputy Battalion Commander Zhou patted him on the shoulder, remembered something, and stopped him again, "By the way, I met Mr. Zhao when I was out yesterday. , She said she hasn’t seen you for three months. If you have time this weekend, go home.” As he spoke, he became angry, “You boy, if it wasn’t for your mother, I wouldn’t have known that Deputy Commander Cheng had transferred I have been in City B for two months."
"It's not a big deal."
Although he said so, there was a smile on Cheng Mian's face.His father has always been a person who makes him proud and admired.
After leaving the gate of Lao Zhou's office, Cheng Mian turned and entered the bathroom.Wash off the dust along the way, change into clean clothes, and go to the garage to pick up the car.Ever since his father was transferred to City B, Cheng Mian hadn't been back once.The car had to drive for two hours to reach the gate of the compound.I didn't expect to meet a serious soldier who didn't recognize his car's license plate and wouldn't let him in.
Cheng Mian asked himself that he had lived in many compound since he was a child, and now he is an active-duty officer of the D Division of a certain army group army, and he has never been stopped from entering or leaving any unit.He took a few steps back and looked at the "Guards are sacred and inviolable" sign outside the compound, and resigned himself into the duty room to call home.Not long after, the claimant came.
Cheng Mian opened his eyes and saw that it was Zhao Suyun, his mother whom he had not seen for two months.
Zhao Suyun, Teacher Zhao knocked on his car window with a cold face, Cheng Miansong frowned, and got out of the car with a sad smile: "Mom, I'm back."
Teacher Zhao moved his lips, wanting to say something, but there was a sentry standing beside him, so he led Cheng Mian home without saying a word.When I got home, I ignored him, and just did what I had to do, as if I didn't have him.
The first time Cheng Mian entered his new home, he was able to walk around the room leisurely. After 10 minutes, he couldn't stand it any longer, so he took off his hat and went into the kitchen: "Mom, I've been back for so long, you haven't seen me yet?" Are you going to talk to me?"
"You also know you have a mother?" Mr. Zhao snorted, "You do the math, your father and I have been in City B for a few months, how many times have you been home?"
I knew it was inevitable to calculate the general ledger.
Cheng Mian leaned in front of her mother and flattered her to wash the vegetables: "Isn't this the recent recruit training, is there a lot of things? You have been a military wife for so many years, so you should understand me."
"I understand you, but I can't miss my son?" Mr. Zhao snatched the tomato he was about to put into his mouth. "Tell me, which rule does this violate?"
Zhao Suyun has been a teacher for many years, even if she moved to the base compound, she couldn't stay idle. Within two days, she went to work as a teacher in the elementary school in the courtyard.What Cheng Mian admires most about her is that she seldom gets angry and convinces others with reason, just like now.
Cheng Mian taught her for so many years and learned to be smart, and immediately conceded: "I was wrong. From now on, as long as I have time, I will go home every week."
"Who cares about you." Even though he said so, there was a smile on Teacher Zhao's mouth, "Have you eaten yet?"
"No, how about a reward?"
Teacher Zhao conveniently slapped Cheng Mian on the back of the head and started to boil water for cooking.
Just as a bowl of steaming tomato stewed noodles came out of the pot, Cheng Jianming, the head of the family, also came back.He glanced at his son, who was holding a big bowl and eating enthusiastically, and said, "Oh, who did I see?"
Cheng Mian made a truce gesture, and said vaguely: "Give me 5 minutes, and you can train me after dinner."
Cheng Jianming snorted, and sat down across from him, and he didn't ask until he was overwhelmed: "Did something go wrong when sending the retreating soldiers a few days ago?"
After sweating, Cheng Mian unbuttoned his shirt: "Did you hear what Lao Zhou said?"
"Don't worry about where I heard it from, you just have to answer me yes or no."
"It's nothing serious." Cheng Mian said with a relaxed face, "The passer-by ran away, and I found your son again."
Hearing his nonchalant tone, Cheng Jianming became angry, with a serious expression on his face, "Don't take everything seriously, you will suffer a lot if you go on like this casually."
"Dad." Cheng Mian stopped Deputy Commander Cheng, amused and helpless, "Your son is not as bad as you think, so you can't expect me to be better?"
Mr. Zhao, who sent it to the table, couldn't help but said to Cheng Jianming: "You are not allowed to talk about military matters at the dinner table, can't you leave me some places that are not under your military jurisdiction?"
Mother and son went into battle together, Cheng Jianming could only bury his head in eating noodles.
After dinner, Cheng Mian took the initiative to help Teacher Zhao clean up the dishes, and chatted with her for a while.In the end, Mr. Zhao went back to sleep because he couldn't bear it. Cheng Mian strolled on the first floor for a while, and then went straight to Cheng Jianming's study.
Since childhood, this study room has been the place Cheng Mian is most familiar with.Although Cheng Jianming Military Academy majored in communications command, he himself is a military history research enthusiast. In his own words: Know history and learn from history.
Cheng Mian was not particularly interested in military history, but under the influence of his father, he also read a lot of books. Over time, he became very yearning for war, or to be precise, the soldiers in war.Coupled with the fact that the previous two generations were soldiers, Cheng Mian naturally chose this profession.
This was the first time he entered the study room after moving to a new home. After walking around the bookcase, Cheng Mian sighed, "I haven't been here for two months, and you have a lot more good things in this bookcase."
Cheng Jianming glanced at him, then turned the book while lowering his head and said, "Cheng Mian, is there something on your mind when you come back this time?"
Cheng Mian was a little surprised: "I haven't said anything yet, so you know now?"
Cheng Jianming snorted: "You are my son, what can you hide from me?"
"Actually, it's nothing." Cheng Mian sat on the other side of the desk, and continued after a while, "I want to ask you personally."
"Who?"
"He Xudong." Cheng Mian paused, then added word by word, "He Xiao's father."
"Old He?" Cheng Jianming took off his glasses in surprise.
"Do you know where Uncle He went after he changed his job?"
Cheng Jianming thought for a while: "I remember that Lao He chose his own career. When he changed jobs and moved, Lao He returned to his hometown. I haven't contacted him for a few years. It's hard to say where he is now."
"So even you don't know?" Cheng Mian narrowed his eyes.
"Why are you asking this?" He couldn't be blamed for being so curious, since He Xudong and his family moved out of the missile brigade compound six years ago, Cheng Mian never mentioned anything about the He family again.Even though he knew he couldn't forget.
"Dad." Cheng Mian unconsciously groped for the KV tank model placed on the table with his fingers, with a rare hesitation and a little dazed expression, "You may not believe it, but I saw He Xiao on the day I went to Sichuan .”
"He Xiao?" Cheng Jianming was even more surprised, "You mean the daughter of the old He family? Have you seen her?"
Cheng Mian nodded.
"What about her? Where is she now?"
"I didn't have time to ask—" After a pause, he lowered his head, "She ran away as soon as she saw me."
"Run away? This He Xiao!" Cheng Jianming laughed, "What's going on?"
Cheng Mian looked at the first button on his father's coat, smiled wryly, and did not speak.
That night, Cheng Mian didn't sleep well.
People who always fall asleep when they touch the pillow are dreaming.The dream was dark and cramped, and suddenly a thunderstorm sounded from the sky, and heavy rain poured down.He gradually saw where he was. In midsummer seven years ago, on the playground of the missile brigade compound, there was a girl with red and swollen eyes looking at him brightly, as if she had accumulated a lot of grievances, pouring them out at this moment. out.Those eyes seemed to say: "Cheng Mian, I'm such a fool!"
The picture turned again, under the sky full of stars, the night gently shrouded the two young faces, Fa Xiao who grew up together said to him: "Dude, I think I fell in love with Xiaoxiao!"
Looking at the bright smile of Fa Xiao who grew up with him since he was a child, he actually felt extremely depressed in his heart.
This feeling was very real, like a heavy stone was pressed on his chest, Cheng Mian woke up suddenly, sat up from the bed, looked at the faint morning light outside the window, and stroked his hair fiercely.
It's been a long time since he had such a tangled dream. Cheng Mian stretched his arms and lay on the bed with his eyes open for more than ten minutes. After making sure that he was completely sleepless, he got up and got out of bed to wash.
After preparing breakfast for Mr. Zhao and Deputy Commander Cheng, Cheng Mian ate some by himself before driving out.
It was still early, and Cheng Mian was not in a hurry to go back to the army. A military green Dongfeng jeep was sandwiched in the morning traffic, looking extraordinarily leisurely.On the contrary, Cheng Mian's condition is not very good.
In the past month, he hardly had any rest. He had just sent off the veterans, and the new recruits arrived before he could catch his breath. He happened to be the company commander of the first recruit company. He usually not only supervised the training in his own company, but also had to keep an eye on the new recruit company all the time. Just in case something goes wrong.When the recruit training gradually got on the right track, something like Xiao Chen happened again.
Thinking of that day, Cheng Mian couldn't help but think of He Xiao again.He remembered the way she looked at him when he met him on the street that day, together with her appearance in the dream last night, it was deeply imprinted in his mind, and he couldn't forget it.That's why he came out so early today, since he knew she was in this city, he wanted to find her!
Holding the steering wheel tightly, Cheng Mian frowned slightly.
Regarding He Xiao, he only has two clues now.One is that she is only here, and the other is—the name tag worn by the woman who was with He Xiao that I accidentally caught a glimpse of that day, with the words "genetic tube center" engraved on it.
After staying in the army for a long time, he didn't know too much about the local unit, but he guessed from the name that it should be a public institution.Silently reading these four words again in his heart, Cheng Mian decided to look for them according to this.Since the two were wearing the same clothes that day, there is no doubt that He Xiao should also work in this foundation tube center!
It's just that it's easy to think, but Cheng Mian didn't realize how difficult it was until it was actually implemented.Not to mention how big city B is, there are ten districts alone.He first went to the block where he met He Xiao that day, but he couldn't find it after searching around. In desperation, he had to search one by one, but found that there were many units that could be called the basic tube center. He asked them one by one. However, I didn't even find anyone with the same name and surname as He Xiao.
Kankan searched four districts, and the whole morning had already passed. Cheng Mian glanced at his watch, it was already a little bit closer, and there were four hours left before returning to the team.Looking at the rising sunlight outside the window, he felt a little anxious.
However, he didn't want to give up at this point. After drooling, Cheng Mian started the car again and drove towards the next urban area that was completely opposite to the army.This road was quite unsatisfactory, almost every intersection was a red light, Cheng Mian, who was so angry that he thought he didn't have enough time, slammed the steering wheel hard.
After venting, Cheng Mian looked out the window, and suddenly stopped when his eyes swept over the direction of two o'clock.There stands a tall building with four large characters hanging on the top floor: Base Tube Center.
Seeing these four words, Cheng Mian's eyelids twitched.Not daring to delay for a moment, he drove over immediately after the red light passed.
Parked the car in front of the tall building, and after getting out of the car, Cheng Mian found that he had a little impression of this building.Because the wife of a leader of Teacher T works here, he once followed that leader and came here once.
After staring at the four words for a minute, Cheng Mian withdrew his gaze and walked inside.As soon as he reached the gate, he was stopped by the security guard: "What business are you doing? Go over there and get the number and line up."
Cheng Mian thought for a while, and said, "I'm here to find someone. Is there a girl named He Xiao here?"
"He Xiao?"
The security guard frowned, and before he could come out, a cleaning lady came over and said, "Is that the new He Xiao from the collection department upstairs?"
The security guard looked puzzled: "Is there a new employee in the collection department?"
"Hey, it's that He Xiao who only hits two or two meters every time he eats. Young man, am I right?"
Cheng Mian wasn't sure if it was He Xiao, but he finally met someone with the same name and surname, and he didn't want to give up.Suppressing his excitement, Cheng Mian smiled slightly: "That's right."
The aunt raised her eyebrows proudly: "Okay, then you can come with me."
As he spoke, he put away the mop and took Cheng Mian up to the second floor.
There are many more people here than on the first floor. Through so many people, Cheng Mian, relying on his excellent eyesight, saw He Xiao sitting at the counter at the end of the hall at a glance.Although she was surrounded by people, he recognized her.
At this moment, Cheng Mian felt that he couldn't hear anything. There seemed to be fireworks in his brain, and his ears were buzzing.He didn't expect that it was really her.The surprise came so suddenly, his hands trembled uncontrollably, as if he couldn't even speak.
"Is it her?"
Auntie's eager voice brought Cheng Mian back to his senses, he lowered his head and smiled at her, his voice was so stiff that it was dry and hoarse, "It's her."
Standing still for a moment, Cheng Mian walked slowly towards the end of the hall.Dressed in olive green, she passed through the crowd and attracted the attention of many people. Cheng Mian didn't realize it, and all her attention was on He Xiao, who was printing things with her head down.She was wearing a dark blue overalls, her long black hair was neatly coiled up, revealing half of her peaceful side face.There was no impatience in the slightest, even though there were more and more people around her.She was very different from the little girl in his impression, Cheng Mian looked at her, and was afraid to go forward.
It was at this moment of hesitation that a tall middle-aged man broke through the encirclement and rushed to the front of the counter.There was a small commotion in the crowd. The middle-aged man slammed a stack of receipts on the counter, and then began to point at He Xiao and curse, "How do you do things? That's all." You can give me the wrong number for a simple bill of payment? It caused me to go to so many places without getting anything done! Do you have any fucking brains? It's for plain rice!"
He Xiao raised his head in astonishment, and when he was about to say something, he saw Cheng Mian standing not far away.The blood all over her body seemed to freeze at this moment, she watched him walking towards her with a pale face, her first thought was not to run away, but to hide.
Before she had time to react, the middle-aged man in front of her was irritated by her seemingly deliberately ignoring attitude. He grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the counter: "Go, talk to your leaders!"
"You let me go."
He Xiao panicked for a moment, and colleagues who were nearby also came to help, but they were all women, so they couldn't do much.The middle-aged man has been relentlessly cursing and dragging her out until his hand was grabbed by a strong force, and he couldn't break free no matter what.
The middle-aged man looked angrily at the man in military uniform in front of him: "What the hell is going on with you, let me go!"
Cheng Mian looked at him expressionlessly, his eyes were as cold as a thin layer of ice: "You let go first."
"Hey, what does it matter to you to teach these pigs their brains?"
"Try to curse again."
"I don't believe in evil anymore." The middle-aged man sneered, "No matter how fucking troublesome, I can still beat me even if I'm wearing a military uniform—"
As soon as the voice fell, a fist swung over.
Cheng Mian didn't even blink his eyes, just turned slightly sideways, and cut his hands behind his back.The pain caused the man to yell, "The soldier has beaten someone! The soldier has beaten someone!"
At this time, the security guard on the first floor also came up, and hurriedly came over to stop him: "Everyone! Everyone! If you have something to say, please say it."
Cheng Mian glanced at the security guard, secretly exerted his hands, and when he heard the middle-aged man ouch, he asked in a deep voice, "Should you still scold me?"
"Stop scolding, stop scolding! My arm is broken!"
"I?"
The arm was twisted in again, and the middle-aged man immediately changed his words: "You are my father!"
Cheng Mian snorted coldly and let go of his hand.Once the middle-aged man was rescued, he was about to pounce on him again, but luckily the security guard stopped him in time: "Calm down! Let's talk to the negotiating room if you have anything to do, don't fight!" He gave Cheng Mian a hard look, and followed the security guards away.Cheng Mian just stood there and moved his wrists, his expression seemed careless, but the sternness and coldness in his eyes were still there, and the middle-aged man was so frightened that he didn't dare to look back.Cheng Mian smiled sarcastically, turned his gaze, and when he saw He Xiao standing aside with a pale face, he suddenly woke up.
The second their eyes met, He Xiao suddenly woke up, turned around, and walked towards the stairs behind him.
Cheng Mian reacted quickly this time, and chased after him: "He Xiao!"
He Xiao ignored him, but went downstairs faster.The high-heeled shoes were flickering, looking at Cheng Mian, she was worried for her, and she didn't care about anything else, so she stepped forward and grabbed her arm: "Smile, I'm Cheng Mian. Cheng Shuaishuai!"
When he suddenly called out their nicknames, He Xiao stopped in her tracks. She turned around and looked at Cheng Mian's anxious expression, her red eyes widened slightly, and said, "Let go."
"Don't let it go."
The two were in a stalemate like this, and there were vague footsteps upstairs, He Xiao couldn't afford to lose face, so he had to grit his teeth and say, "I'll just go to the toilet!"
Cheng Mian was stunned for a moment, then quickly withdrew his hand, took off his big-brimmed hat and stroked his short hair, and said rather embarrassedly: "Then you go, I'll wait for you here."
He Xiao bit her lip, turned and went into the bathroom next to her.
After closing the bathroom door, He Xiao felt a sense of powerlessness all over her body, and this feeling was even more obvious when she saw herself in the mirror.Disheveled, disheveled hair, pale face.She didn't expect that when she saw him for the second time, she was so bad.
Thinking of his neat military uniform, He Xiao was so sad that he felt ashamed.
However, He Xiao finally suppressed all emotions, tidied up briefly, took a deep breath in front of the mirror, opened the door and walked out.
The scene outside the door was somewhat beyond her expectation.I saw Chu Tian was talking to Cheng Mian, his face was flushed, and he embraced his arm enthusiastically and refused to let go.Cheng Mian had never experienced such a battle before, although he was a little uncomfortable, he still kept smiling, and when he saw He Xiao coming out, he quickly winked at her.
Before He Xiao could react, Chu Tian saw her and waved to her: "He Xiao? Come here quickly."
Not knowing how to face Cheng Mian, He Xiao tried to focus on Chu Tian: "Is the service desk okay? Why do you come here when you have time?"
Chu Tian had a pretty face and an excellent voice. As soon as he arrived, he was assigned to the reception desk on the first floor, the busiest place in the center.
"I heard Uncle Security said that there are people making troubles at your place upstairs. When I was about to go upstairs to see you, I ran into a brother soldier here." Speaking of this, Chu Tian blinked his phoenix eyes slyly. Xiao whispered in his ear, "It's the one who helped me get my wallet back last week, so handsome!"
He Xiao couldn't help looking up at Cheng Mian, only to see that he stroked his hair again in embarrassment, cleared his throat, and said, "This——"
"My name is Chu Tian!" A certain nympho stated his name very simply, and said with a smile, "What business do you come to our center for? Do you have time after finishing? Let's have a cup of coffee together, I happen to Thank you."
Cheng Mian pulled his arm out of Chu Tian's hand politely but irresistibly: "Thank you for your kindness, I'm not here for business, I'm here to find someone."
Hearing this, He Xiao uncontrollably tried to turn his feet backwards and walked in unison.Seeing this, Cheng Mian immediately stopped her: "He Xiao!"
He Xiao's eyelids twitched, and she turned around again.She lowered her head and pressed the hem of her skirt, and turned her head away from Cheng Mian.
Cheng Mian looked at her, smiled from the bottom of his heart, and then said to Chu Tian who had already been stupefied: "Let's go, I'll buy you a cup of coffee."
Originally, this sudden meeting had brought a great shock to He Xiao. She didn't want to go, but she couldn't stand Chu Tian pestering her, so the three of them had to go to the coffee shop at the pedestrian street not too far from the center.
Cheng Mian, He Xiao and Chu Tian ordered a cup of coffee alone, while he brought a cup of warm water for himself.Habitually shaking the cup in his hand, Cheng Mian looked at He Xiao from the corner of his eye while listening to Chu Tian's chatter.I saw that she was stirring the coffee with a small spoon, occasionally echoing Chu Tian, and basically ignoring him.For some reason, Cheng Mian suddenly smiled.
Chu Tian, who was sitting opposite him, had a feeling of being hit. Although he knew that his target was He Xiao, he still couldn't help talking to him: "Officer Cheng, did you know each other before you smiled with us?"
"Call me Cheng Mian." He said, "We used to live in a compound."
Chu Tian immediately glared at He Xiao: "Then why don't you know him? The reason is so good that a smart person like me was almost deceived by you!"
He Xiao's hand holding the cup shook involuntarily, and some coffee spilled out.She glanced at Cheng Mian, looked down for the paper, wiped it and said, "I didn't recognize it that day."
"Hmph, don't lie to me."
He Xiao stared at Chu Tian awkwardly, but heard Cheng Mian say, "I believe it."
She looked at him almost in surprise, only to see that he smiled faintly, looking at her with soft and deep eyes, as if carrying some kind of attraction, which made it difficult for her to look away.She heard him say word for word: "Before that, we hadn't seen each other for seven years. She didn't recognize me, it's normal."
In my memory, Cheng Mian is rarely so serious, and rarely follows someone like this.He Xiao knew that she had eleven thousand ways to continue the conversation, but at this moment she heard herself say, "Seven years? Is it that long?"
Cheng Mian's smile instantly froze on his face, he slowly put down the water glass in his hand, seemed to think for a while, and then said: "To be exact, seven years and two months."
Looking at his expression, He Xiao realized how bad his response was.
Seeing the suffocating silence between the two, Chu Tian smiled and said, "It's really long enough."
Cheng Mian twitched the corners of his mouth, and when he was about to say something more, the phone rang suddenly.He pressed the answer button, hung up the phone after 1 minute, and said to Chu Tian and He Xiao with a little apology: "I have to go back, something suddenly happened in the company."
He Xiao didn't say a word. He couldn't avoid the coming, and now he didn't know what to say.
"So fast?" Chu Tian looked at him with some regret.
Cheng Mian nodded, turned his head to look at He Xiao, hesitated for a while, and asked, "He Xiao, can you tell me your contact information?"
He Xiao moved her lips, but before she could refuse, Chu Tian preempted her and poured out her phone number.Company Commander Cheng saved it as quickly as possible, and He Xiao's cell phone rang after a while. She took it out and saw that it was a string of unfamiliar numbers.
"It's my number." Cheng Mian looked at her and said, "I will contact you often in the future."
After hanging her finger on the screen for a long time, He Xiao put away her phone and gave a barely audible hum.
After leaving the door of the coffee shop and bathed in the sunshine, Cheng Mian suddenly felt full of strength.He turned his head, waved to He Xiao and Chu Tian who were still sitting there, and then got into the car and left.
He Xiao just kept watching the Dongfeng Jeep go further and further away, his eyes gradually blurred.It seemed that she couldn't remember anything, only the bright smile he left for her before he left was left in her mind.
"Hey, smile, what a man."
Chu Tian sighed and patted her on the shoulder, but He Xiao just stared out of the window until the Dongfeng Jeep completely disappeared from her sight, then turned her head and whispered to Chu Tian, "Go back."
Cheng Mian was the team that drove back all the way.
After entering the camp, the Dongfeng small jeep went straight to the new company.As soon as the front foot stepped into the office, the secretary called for a new row leader.The new row of Changjiang Haiyang arrived very quickly, and there were two soldiers with him. The three of them stood side by side with very serious expressions.
Cheng Mian looked at them, and when he was about to speak, he suddenly felt his throat dry up.He swallowed warm water in his mouth, pulled the buttons of his military shirt, looked at the three people in front of him, and raised his brows: "I can't tell what's going on even though I'm in such a hurry to call?"
Seemingly finding it difficult to speak, Jiang Haiyang said with some difficulty: "Two recruits were fighting in Squad Five."
Cheng Mian frowned slightly: "It is stipulated that the head and deputy squad leaders of each class must be optimistic about the recruits in their own class, how can they still fight?"
The fifth squad leader answered in Mandarin with Shandong dialect, with a hint of helplessness on his dark face: "If it's okay for other soldiers, these two came from the same military compound, and it's fine if they don't perform well in daily training. I still love bullying, but if I push it, I will fight, and I won’t even listen to the discipline of me and the class assistant."
Having said that, Cheng Mian knew the reason.The two soldiers in Squad [-] were from the army, and they were the kings of children from the beginning in the courtyard. They fought non-stop with two groups of people all day long.Now that I have joined the army, I have brought this "fine tradition" to the army.
Cheng Mian had some understanding of these situations when he took over the new company.It was a joy to see these two couldn't stop.What is this called? This is called not being friends and not gathering.However, Cheng Mian was just saying this in his heart. The army encourages competition with each other, but the purpose is to make progress together. Vicious fights like this are absolutely not allowed.
After thinking for a while, he said, "I'll make a decision on this matter after discussing it with the instructor. What's the situation with those two soldiers now?"
Jiang Haiyang replied: "There are some small scratches, and the health team stayed in the confinement room after the treatment. Company commander, why don't you go and have a look?"
"No. It's not because you were injured on duty, where should I ask for comfort?" Cheng Mian flatly refused, "Let's just wait, tomorrow's training will continue as usual."
"Yes!"
The three saluted side by side, and the two monitors of Class [-] went out first.Jiang Haiyang stayed at the end, closed the door, and turned back.
Cheng Mian looked at him: "Is there anything else?"
Jiang Haiyang chuckled: "Company Commander, I have to ask you that."
Cheng Mian glanced at him: "What's wrong with me?"
Jiang Haiyang leaned on the desk: "I found out that you have never given a good face to your brothers since you came back from Sichuan. May I dare to ask you?"
"Say."
Jiang Haiyang had a playful smile: "That day, who was that girl who ran away when she saw you?"
Cheng Mian took a sip of water and looked at him with a half-smile: "Did you use all your scout skills on me?"
Seeing Cheng Mian's expression, Platoon Leader Jiang realized that this question touched Shangfeng's minefield, and raised his hand in surrender with a smirk: "Well, pretend I didn't ask, pretend I didn't ask."
"Hurry up and get out." Cheng Mian kicked him, and the kid immediately fell over.
Jiang Haiyang came and escaped quickly.
After staring at the opened and closed door for a minute, Cheng Mian suddenly smiled and turned his head away.
The flowers outside the window have withered long ago, and even the withered branches were covered by the heavy snowfall some time ago.Cheng Mian stretched out his hand and opened the window, and the biting cold wind took advantage of the momentum to sneak in.
Looking at the thick layer of snow on the ground, Cheng Mian felt inexplicably agitated.It happened that a soldier from the company was passing by the flowers, he opened his mouth to stop him, and said: "Call some people, bring tools, and shovel the snow out of the flowers for me."
The young soldier froze for a moment, then immediately answered "yes" and took the order to leave.
Cheng Mian, the commander of the reconnaissance company, hates snowy days the most, and the whole battalion knows this.However, only Cheng Mian knew the reason.
Even if he never deliberately thought about it, he would never forget how he watched the train carrying He Xiao step by step towards the distance on a snowy night.
The only thing he could do was to lie on his back after being exhausted and look at the night sky shining brightly against the snow.Black but bright, very similar to He Xiao's eyes.
(End of this chapter)
City B, winter.
After three days of heavy snowfall, the sky finally cleared up, and the bright sunshine made people feel refreshed.Located in the eastern suburbs of the city, the gate of the division headquarters of the T division of a group army in the B military region was open, and army trucks rolled in through the snow.
The soldiers in the car had just finished a one-day and one-night field training, and the feeling of rolling in the snow in the weather of several degrees below zero was uncomfortable, and all of them were exhausted.A Cheetah military vehicle drove unhurriedly in the camp area. When all the military cards were driving towards the cafeteria, the vehicle turned a corner and stopped in front of the building of the Divisional Reconnaissance Battalion.After a while, a muddy captain and officer got out of the car, straightened his military cap, and strode up the steps.
The sentry standing guard at the door immediately stood at attention and saluted him.The captain saluted curtly, and was stopped by the sentinel before he had gone far: "Commander Cheng, Deputy Battalion Commander Zhou asked you to come back to his office."
Cheng Lianchang Cheng Mian, who was about to go upstairs to take a shower and go to bed, paused and went to Deputy Battalion Commander Zhou's office.
"Report."
"Please come in."
Cheng Mian pushed the door open, patted the ashes off his hat and said, "Deputy Battalion Commander, are you looking for me?"
Deputy Battalion Commander Zhou looked up from the file, seeing his dirty appearance, couldn't help laughing: "It seems that I didn't look for it at the right time, why, just came back?"
Cheng Mian nodded, pulled up a chair and sat down opposite him: "If you have anything to do, just tell me, I'm just a brick, and I can move it wherever I need it."
"Young poor, take a look at this first."
Speaking of handing him a portfolio, Cheng Mian opened it and flipped through a few pages, raising his eyebrows: "Isn't this the recruit's file, why are you showing me this?"
"Haven't you heard? This year, the recruits of the whole division were re-examined, and one soldier was found to have Parkinson's syndrome. The above said that he was sent back."
"Just this one in my hand?"
Deputy Battalion Commander Zhou nodded: "This is a soldier that the instructor personally took over. It stands to reason that he or your instructor Xu Yi should go, but these two people are not here these days, so you can take a trip because of trouble."
Only then did Cheng Mian understand, and he looked down at the files again, and unconsciously stroked his short hair with his free hand.When I looked up again, I met the teasing eyes of the deputy battalion commander last week: "You don't want to go, do you? Didn't you just say that you are a brick, where do you need to move?"
Seeing that his thoughts were seen through, Cheng Mian also smiled: "Deputy Battalion Commander, I have no objection if you want me to go up the mountain of swords and down into the sea of fire, but asking me to send the soldiers back is the wrong person. If nothing else, When I came to this soldier’s house, I didn’t even know what to say to his parents.”
"Aren't you very capable? Just go there and continue to perform."
"Forgive me. For such a big matter, if I continue to be poor, I won't be kicked out."
"Just because of your so-called 'representative' face, you can't get it out." Deputy Battalion Commander Zhou obviously didn't want to talk nonsense with him, "Okay, I'll find you Lian Jiang Haiyang, and the two of you will go together."
As soon as he finished speaking, Cheng Mian was kicked out of the deputy battalion commander's office with his files.Touching the bridge of his nose that was almost hit by the door, Cheng Mian laughed and said, "Two people? This is quite a big scene."
Complaints are complaints, but the tasks arranged above must be carried out.
After lunch, Cheng Mian simply took a shower and went back to the dormitory to change into a brand new military uniform.The man in front of the military mirror is finally worthy of the title of "image representative". His facial features are handsome and tough, his figure is slender and straight, his military skills are excellent, and what's more rare is that he has no bad habits.As the chief officer of the company, he is relentless on the training ground, and he can mingle with the soldiers in the company in an approachable and approachable manner in private.Regardless of his family background, just looking at his resume over the past seven years, he is already considered one of the most promising young officers in the group army.This is Cheng Mian in the eyes of everyone.
After buttoning the last button, Cheng Mian straightened the badge on the hat in front of the mirror.Everything was ready, he picked up a bag and went downstairs, Jiang Haiyang was already waiting at the gate of the courtyard.
"Can you drive?" Cheng Mian looked at him facing the light and narrowed his eyes slightly.
Jiang Haiyang patted his chest: "Before I became a soldier, I would."
"Okay then," Cheng Mian tossed the car keys to him, "Send us to the train station and come back."
Jiang Haiyang took the car keys and was stunned: "Company commander, deputy battalion commander told me to go with you."
"Stop talking nonsense." Cheng Mian raised his chin and signaled him to get in the car, "There is no need for two people to do this."
Jiang Haiyang had no choice but to obey the orders of the officials who crushed people to death.After the two picked up the retreating soldiers from the division's guest house, they drove towards the city at a faster speed.
As a big city, the downtown of City B has always been bustling and noisy.It’s the weekend again today, and wherever you go, there are queues of cars and endless crowds.
Cheng Mian, who hadn't closed his eyes all day and night, leaned on the passenger seat and squinted for a while. When he opened his eyes again, the car was still stuck in the longest road in the city center, moving forward inch by inch.The cold was isolated from the car, and the sun shone in, making people a little anxious.Cheng Mian's first reaction was to pull down the visor, but he withdrew his hand as he glanced at the bustling urban area outside.
Cheng Mian's military academy was studied in the capital city of a province around city B. The discipline in the team is strict, and there are not many opportunities to ask for leave to go out, let alone ask for provinces.After graduation, he was directly assigned to the B military region, and the troops were stationed in the suburbs less than two hours away from city B. However, he was busy with work tasks and could not enter the city a few times a year, let alone sit down and watch it calmly like now. Take a look at the city's scenery.Thinking of this, he felt a little envious of Xiao Chen, who was sitting in the back row, at this moment. Without this military uniform, he still had freedom.
Jiang Haiyang beside him suddenly sighed, Cheng Mian turned his head to look at him, and joked, "Can't sit still?"
Jiang Haiyang scratched his head embarrassingly: "Company Commander, I haven't been to the city for two months."
"You thought I was here?" Cheng Mian said angrily, "Okay, stop at the intersection in front of you later, go for a walk and buy us something to eat on the way."
Jiang Haiyang responded happily, and the long queue-like convoy drove forward again, finally reaching the intersection.He stopped the car and got off quickly.Cheng Mian also turned to Xiao Chen, the retreating soldier in the back row, and said, "Get out of the car and wait a while?"
Xiao Chen shook his head without saying a word, and Cheng Mian didn't force him, and came down to get some air by himself.The air after snow is always fresh, Cheng Mian took a deep breath.Not to mention, it was indescribably uncomfortable for someone like him who was used to being on the training ground to sit motionless for hours.It's not easy to do too intense movements on the street to stretch your muscles, so Cheng Mian had no choice but to stretch.
However, at the moment when he raised his arm, someone suddenly ran behind him and hit him hard on the waist. Cheng Mian stood firm, and before he had time to scold his mother, he heard a shrill female voice shouting: " Catch the thief!"
Thief?
Cheng Mian glanced back, and saw two women in overalls and a policeman running towards this side in a hurry.Suddenly he realized it, took off his hat, and chased after the man who had just bumped into him and ran away.
It has just snowed in City B in the past few days, and the snow on the road is still thick, and ordinary people can't run too fast.But Cheng Mian was different, he just came out of the snow for a day and a night, even though the leather shoes on his feet hindered his performance, his speed was still very fast.The guilty thief looked back and found that there was another person chasing him, and immediately shouted: "Stop chasing him!"
Cheng Mian didn't speak, and speeded up in a timely manner.The thief ran away almost vomiting blood, turned around and yelled at him again: "Don't fucking chase after him!"
Cheng Mian pursed his lips and ran forward at a sprint speed of [-] meters. A reverse cut knocked the thief to the ground.
"You fucking let me go!" the thief yelled after being subdued.
"I'll let you run!"
Dou Tou slapped the thief on the head, and Cheng Mian strangled him until the police arrived.
"Be honest!"
The police unceremoniously handcuffed the thief and handed it over to colleagues who rushed over to put him in a police car.One of the women also ran over at this time and thanked Cheng Mian: "Thank you, thank you, thank you so much."
Cheng Mian straightened her clothes: "It's okay, you should check the bag first to see if there is anything missing."
The young woman glanced at it roughly: "I didn't lose it, thank you so much..."
"You're being polite." Cheng Mian said with a smile, "I'm a soldier, and I should be brave when I see justice."
The woman blushed slightly, thinking of something, and beckoned to the person behind her: "Smile, come here quickly."
Following the direction of her waving, Cheng Mian looked up and saw a woman walking towards this side stepping on the snow.Still seeming to be in lingering fear, she walked very slowly.Cheng Mian squinted slightly to look at this cautious woman from inside to outside, and said jokingly: "Your friend may be frightened."
As soon as he finished speaking, the woman walking towards him raised her head.When his eyes fell on her pale face like paper, Cheng Mian suddenly opened his eyes, his whole body stiffened suddenly, and stared at her with an unbelievable, surprised and even pleasantly surprised look.And she obviously saw him clearly, the expression on her face changed almost exactly the same as his.Just when he was about to call out her name, that woman, she turned around and ran away suddenly!
Cheng Mian was taken aback for another moment, and then started to chase after him.It's just that God seemed to be teasing him on purpose, and he fell on his back to the ground as soon as he took a step.The fall was strong enough, Cheng Mian recovered his strength and thumped the ground hard, gritted his teeth and shouted: "He Xiao! Stop! He Xiao—"
She must have heard his shout, but the pace of escape did not slow down or stop.Cheng Mian stood up from the ground and was about to catch up when someone grabbed his arm.Turning around, it was Jiang Haiyang.
"Company commander! Something happened!"
"Come back and tell me something!" Wanting to chase He Xiao, Cheng Mian impatiently responded to Jiang Haiyang.
"It's a big deal!" Jiang Haiyang cried, "Xiao Chen ran away! He's gone!"
"Ran?"
Those who retreated were afraid of encountering such troublesome things, so Cheng Mian raised his head and looked ahead, but He Xiao was no longer there.The whole process was like a dream, it came and went quickly.Cheng Mian stood there blankly for a while, then put on his hat suddenly, turned his head and left. After walking a few steps, he saw Jiang Haiyang still staying where he was, and said to Huo Dao: "Why are you so dazed? Let go!"
Jiang Haiyang was also fooled by Cheng Mian: "Where are you going?"
"Look for Uncle Chen!"
The two split up, and finally Jiang Haiyang found Xiao Chen at an intersection and blocked him there.When Cheng Mian arrived after receiving the call, the two wrestled into a ball. What does it look like?He hurried forward to separate the two.
However, Jiang Haiyang is not a temperless person, he was red-eyed by Xiao Chen, and he refused to let go no matter what.Cheng Mian took a lot of effort to pull him away, and then gave him a kick: "What are you fighting for? Don't forget that you are still wearing a military uniform!"
Slightly regaining his rationality, Jiang Haiyang let go of Xiao Chen even though he was panting heavily.
After a lot of tearing, Xiao Chen lost his strength, but he still wanted to run.Cheng Mian dragged him back, put on airs and reprimanded him: "Why are you running?"
Really unable to break free, Xiao Chen knelt on the ground with some collapse, knocked his head hard, sobbing and shouting indistinctly: "I want to be a soldier! I want to be a soldier!"
Hearing Xiao Chen's words, Cheng Mian and Jiang Haiyang looked at each other and looked at each other.
Seeing clearly that Xiao Chen's escape route was heading back to the T division's camp, Cheng Mian couldn't bear to scold him any longer. He supported Xiao Chen vigorously, and said, "No one will let you serve as a soldier. If you go home and get cured, it will be the same in the next year." You can enlist in the army."
He comforted Xiao Chen in this way, while beckoning Jiang Haiyang to come forward to help, and the two worked together to drag Xiao Chen back to the car.
After locking the car door and starting again, Cheng Mian felt a dull pain in the back of his hand. He looked down and saw that a gash had been made at some point.
Really bad luck.
Exhaling a breath, Cheng Mian felt upset.
When Cheng Mian was looking for Xiao Chen, He Xiao ran back home without stopping.Father Lao He and mother Tian Ying had just had lunch when they heard noises coming out of the kitchen and saw He Xiao who was leaning against the door with his legs weak and weak.
Tian Ying looked at her in surprise: "Did you run back?"
Old He was calm: "Have you eaten yet? I still have leftover braised noodles. Try some?"
Tian Ying waved at Old He, drove him back to work in the kitchen, and supported He Xiao to make her stand still: "Didn't your unit not let you go home at noon? Why are you back?"
He Xiao only felt that his throat was dry, and he was panting in shock.
Tian Ying looked even more anxious: "Have you asked for leave?"
He Xiao couldn't speak at all at the moment, she glanced at her mother, then sat down on the sofa near the door weakly, and then buried her head in her open hands.This series of abnormal actions made Tian Ying even more worried, and she wanted to ask something more, but Lao He pulled her away: "Okay, even if there is anything, you can ask her after she has rested, and you will return her girlish air without looking at it." Not smooth? Didn’t you have an appointment this afternoon, if you don’t leave, it will be late.”
Tian Ying remembered now, and hurriedly packed her things.After giving Lao He a few words, he went out.
The whole family finally quieted down.
I don't know how long it took before He Xiao raised his head and stared blankly around for a while, his eyes gradually became brighter.There was the sound of flipping newspapers beside her. He Xiao blinked slightly, then turned her head to look, and found that her father, Old He, was sitting on a chair by the door reading a newspaper. Seeing her movement, she smiled, got up and sat next to her on the sofa.
He held He Xiao's hand and asked, "Why did you come back? Isn't the lunch made in the canteen delicious?"
He Xiao opened his eyes to look at his father, and slowly twitched the corners of his mouth.
She seemed to have finally regained her composure, took Lao He's arm, put her head on his shoulder, and said in a low voice, "No, it's all right, it's just—— I suddenly feel tired."
How could Lao He not be aware of his daughter, knowing that this was an excuse, but he just smiled and said, "Isn't he used to the pace of life in City B? Dad was like this when he first arrived here, and he got used to it after a while."
He Xiao didn't speak, and listening to his father's chatter, the high tension that had arisen from seeing that person gradually disappeared.However, some reactions were out of her control, as long as she thought of that face, there was a torrent surging deep in her heart, which made her tremble uncontrollably.
Asking for leave to stay at home for an afternoon, He Xiao didn't go to work until the next day.
The next day, she went out early.The base tube center where she works is in another district of city B, and it takes two subway trips to get there from home to work.And He Xiao has not been in City B for a long time, and she is not used to the subway cars crowded like shark cans, so she would rather go half an hour earlier to take the bus.
He Xiao's university was studied in another city, and he passed the public examination two months ago and got into the Fundamental Management Center of City B.She came to City B with her mother Tian Ying. Before that, Lao He had lived in City B alone for five years.He does auto parts business here. Although he is not too rich, he is enough to settle down.Taking advantage of He Xiao graduating from university and looking for a job, the whole family moved to City B.
When it came time to work, he still had plenty of time, so He Xiao put away his things and went to change clothes.Chu Tian, who shares a locker with her, has also arrived, and when she saw her come in, he blinked at her hastily.He Xiao suddenly had a bad feeling, she turned around and wanted to leave, but it was too late.
"Don't leave!" Chu Tian blocked the door, looking at her with piercing eyes, "Be honest, why did you run away yesterday?"
He Xiao's eyelids twitched, and he said without changing his face: "Oh, I just suddenly remembered that Lao He made braised noodles at noon, and I wanted to go back and have a taste."
"It's not bad for you to coax a child." Chu Tian didn't believe it, "Tell me, who was that officer yesterday, and why did you run away when you saw him?"
"It's not because of him." He Xiao pretended to be calm, "Okay, don't set up a private trial for me, the director will come to roll call in a while, and I want to change my clothes."
Chu Tian stepped aside reluctantly: "So, you two really don't know each other?"
"I came to City B with you, where can I meet him?"
He Xiao and Chu Tian are college classmates. They passed the public examination together and arrived in City B, and were assigned to the Fundamental Tuberculosis Center together. They have a very good relationship.Yesterday was their first day at work, and they went to the pedestrian street to pass the time when they were bored at noon.
But Chu Tian didn't believe what He Xiao said, he didn't know her, so could he call her by her name in public?However, seeing He Xiao avoiding him like this, she couldn't keep chasing him any longer.
After Chu Tian changed his clothes and went out, He Xiao was the only one left in the dressing room.She breathed a sigh of relief and sat on the sofa.
The soft sunlight in the morning came in through the window screens, and He Xiao stared at the bright sunlight for a long time, feeling an inexplicable feeling of frustration welling up from the bottom of his heart.
Not to mention Chu Tian, even she couldn't figure it out.
It's been seven years since she saw him, but when she saw him, her first reaction was to turn around and run away...
After three days, Cheng Mian and Jiang Haiyang successfully completed the task of sending back soldiers.
On Saturday morning, the two drove back to the army from Sichuan early in the morning.After Cheng Mian got out of the car, he went to the office of Deputy Battalion Commander Zhou to report on his work. Before entering the house, he deliberately arranged his clothes in front of the military mirror in the hall.
"Deputy battalion commander." Cheng Mian saluted.
"Are you back?" Deputy Battalion Commander Zhou was fiddling with his flowerpot, and took the time to cast a sideways glance at him, "Is your trip going well?"
Cheng Mian thought it was funny, he took off his hat, and sat down on the camp bed that Deputy Battalion Commander Zhou hadn't had time to put away: "It's okay."
"Who allowed you to sit on the bed during non-rest time?" Deputy Battalion Commander Zhou said sharply, "Stand up."
It was true, Cheng Mian stood up straight.Deputy Battalion Commander Zhou walked around behind him and trained him while sizing up his military posture: "Isn't it very serious when I assigned you a mission? Why did you do it like this for me now? It's embarrassing to say that everyone has run away." good?"
"Report to the Deputy Battalion Commander, we have found the person, and the task has been completed on time." Cheng Mian stood upright and said loudly.
"Completing the mission and making mistakes are two different things! Why don't you call the company to send someone to help?"
Cheng Mian's tense face finally showed an embarrassed smile: "Aren't you afraid that things will get worse?"
"Big trouble? Thank you for finding someone. If not, it's not a matter that can be solved by punishment. It's possible to let you take off your uniform and leave! I'll see who you talk to when the time comes!"
"Report to the deputy battalion commander, there will never be a next time!" Cheng Mian assured with a solemn expression.
Deputy Battalion Commander Zhou stared at him for several seconds, then kicked him angrily: "Okay, sit down."
Cheng Mian breathed a sigh of relief, pulled a chair and sat down, saw Deputy Battalion Commander Zhou's potted flower, and asked casually, "What did you grow?"
Deputy Battalion Commander Zhou's expression softened: "Jasmine, it was planted when your sister-in-law came."
Since poking the sore spot, Cheng Mian averted his gaze.
Deputy Battalion Commander Zhou glanced at him and asked, "How is it? Did you gain anything from going out this time?"
reward?Cheng Mian looked away and replied, "Of course, and it's not too young."
"As long as you have it," Deputy Battalion Commander Zhou continued without noticing the strangeness in his tone, "You are still young, and if you don't experience it, you will be superior in your eyes and inferior in your abilities. Isn't it time to teach you a lesson?"
"I understand."
"Just understand. That's fine. If there's nothing else, you can go back." Deputy Battalion Commander Zhou patted him on the shoulder, remembered something, and stopped him again, "By the way, I met Mr. Zhao when I was out yesterday. , She said she hasn’t seen you for three months. If you have time this weekend, go home.” As he spoke, he became angry, “You boy, if it wasn’t for your mother, I wouldn’t have known that Deputy Commander Cheng had transferred I have been in City B for two months."
"It's not a big deal."
Although he said so, there was a smile on Cheng Mian's face.His father has always been a person who makes him proud and admired.
After leaving the gate of Lao Zhou's office, Cheng Mian turned and entered the bathroom.Wash off the dust along the way, change into clean clothes, and go to the garage to pick up the car.Ever since his father was transferred to City B, Cheng Mian hadn't been back once.The car had to drive for two hours to reach the gate of the compound.I didn't expect to meet a serious soldier who didn't recognize his car's license plate and wouldn't let him in.
Cheng Mian asked himself that he had lived in many compound since he was a child, and now he is an active-duty officer of the D Division of a certain army group army, and he has never been stopped from entering or leaving any unit.He took a few steps back and looked at the "Guards are sacred and inviolable" sign outside the compound, and resigned himself into the duty room to call home.Not long after, the claimant came.
Cheng Mian opened his eyes and saw that it was Zhao Suyun, his mother whom he had not seen for two months.
Zhao Suyun, Teacher Zhao knocked on his car window with a cold face, Cheng Miansong frowned, and got out of the car with a sad smile: "Mom, I'm back."
Teacher Zhao moved his lips, wanting to say something, but there was a sentry standing beside him, so he led Cheng Mian home without saying a word.When I got home, I ignored him, and just did what I had to do, as if I didn't have him.
The first time Cheng Mian entered his new home, he was able to walk around the room leisurely. After 10 minutes, he couldn't stand it any longer, so he took off his hat and went into the kitchen: "Mom, I've been back for so long, you haven't seen me yet?" Are you going to talk to me?"
"You also know you have a mother?" Mr. Zhao snorted, "You do the math, your father and I have been in City B for a few months, how many times have you been home?"
I knew it was inevitable to calculate the general ledger.
Cheng Mian leaned in front of her mother and flattered her to wash the vegetables: "Isn't this the recent recruit training, is there a lot of things? You have been a military wife for so many years, so you should understand me."
"I understand you, but I can't miss my son?" Mr. Zhao snatched the tomato he was about to put into his mouth. "Tell me, which rule does this violate?"
Zhao Suyun has been a teacher for many years, even if she moved to the base compound, she couldn't stay idle. Within two days, she went to work as a teacher in the elementary school in the courtyard.What Cheng Mian admires most about her is that she seldom gets angry and convinces others with reason, just like now.
Cheng Mian taught her for so many years and learned to be smart, and immediately conceded: "I was wrong. From now on, as long as I have time, I will go home every week."
"Who cares about you." Even though he said so, there was a smile on Teacher Zhao's mouth, "Have you eaten yet?"
"No, how about a reward?"
Teacher Zhao conveniently slapped Cheng Mian on the back of the head and started to boil water for cooking.
Just as a bowl of steaming tomato stewed noodles came out of the pot, Cheng Jianming, the head of the family, also came back.He glanced at his son, who was holding a big bowl and eating enthusiastically, and said, "Oh, who did I see?"
Cheng Mian made a truce gesture, and said vaguely: "Give me 5 minutes, and you can train me after dinner."
Cheng Jianming snorted, and sat down across from him, and he didn't ask until he was overwhelmed: "Did something go wrong when sending the retreating soldiers a few days ago?"
After sweating, Cheng Mian unbuttoned his shirt: "Did you hear what Lao Zhou said?"
"Don't worry about where I heard it from, you just have to answer me yes or no."
"It's nothing serious." Cheng Mian said with a relaxed face, "The passer-by ran away, and I found your son again."
Hearing his nonchalant tone, Cheng Jianming became angry, with a serious expression on his face, "Don't take everything seriously, you will suffer a lot if you go on like this casually."
"Dad." Cheng Mian stopped Deputy Commander Cheng, amused and helpless, "Your son is not as bad as you think, so you can't expect me to be better?"
Mr. Zhao, who sent it to the table, couldn't help but said to Cheng Jianming: "You are not allowed to talk about military matters at the dinner table, can't you leave me some places that are not under your military jurisdiction?"
Mother and son went into battle together, Cheng Jianming could only bury his head in eating noodles.
After dinner, Cheng Mian took the initiative to help Teacher Zhao clean up the dishes, and chatted with her for a while.In the end, Mr. Zhao went back to sleep because he couldn't bear it. Cheng Mian strolled on the first floor for a while, and then went straight to Cheng Jianming's study.
Since childhood, this study room has been the place Cheng Mian is most familiar with.Although Cheng Jianming Military Academy majored in communications command, he himself is a military history research enthusiast. In his own words: Know history and learn from history.
Cheng Mian was not particularly interested in military history, but under the influence of his father, he also read a lot of books. Over time, he became very yearning for war, or to be precise, the soldiers in war.Coupled with the fact that the previous two generations were soldiers, Cheng Mian naturally chose this profession.
This was the first time he entered the study room after moving to a new home. After walking around the bookcase, Cheng Mian sighed, "I haven't been here for two months, and you have a lot more good things in this bookcase."
Cheng Jianming glanced at him, then turned the book while lowering his head and said, "Cheng Mian, is there something on your mind when you come back this time?"
Cheng Mian was a little surprised: "I haven't said anything yet, so you know now?"
Cheng Jianming snorted: "You are my son, what can you hide from me?"
"Actually, it's nothing." Cheng Mian sat on the other side of the desk, and continued after a while, "I want to ask you personally."
"Who?"
"He Xudong." Cheng Mian paused, then added word by word, "He Xiao's father."
"Old He?" Cheng Jianming took off his glasses in surprise.
"Do you know where Uncle He went after he changed his job?"
Cheng Jianming thought for a while: "I remember that Lao He chose his own career. When he changed jobs and moved, Lao He returned to his hometown. I haven't contacted him for a few years. It's hard to say where he is now."
"So even you don't know?" Cheng Mian narrowed his eyes.
"Why are you asking this?" He couldn't be blamed for being so curious, since He Xudong and his family moved out of the missile brigade compound six years ago, Cheng Mian never mentioned anything about the He family again.Even though he knew he couldn't forget.
"Dad." Cheng Mian unconsciously groped for the KV tank model placed on the table with his fingers, with a rare hesitation and a little dazed expression, "You may not believe it, but I saw He Xiao on the day I went to Sichuan .”
"He Xiao?" Cheng Jianming was even more surprised, "You mean the daughter of the old He family? Have you seen her?"
Cheng Mian nodded.
"What about her? Where is she now?"
"I didn't have time to ask—" After a pause, he lowered his head, "She ran away as soon as she saw me."
"Run away? This He Xiao!" Cheng Jianming laughed, "What's going on?"
Cheng Mian looked at the first button on his father's coat, smiled wryly, and did not speak.
That night, Cheng Mian didn't sleep well.
People who always fall asleep when they touch the pillow are dreaming.The dream was dark and cramped, and suddenly a thunderstorm sounded from the sky, and heavy rain poured down.He gradually saw where he was. In midsummer seven years ago, on the playground of the missile brigade compound, there was a girl with red and swollen eyes looking at him brightly, as if she had accumulated a lot of grievances, pouring them out at this moment. out.Those eyes seemed to say: "Cheng Mian, I'm such a fool!"
The picture turned again, under the sky full of stars, the night gently shrouded the two young faces, Fa Xiao who grew up together said to him: "Dude, I think I fell in love with Xiaoxiao!"
Looking at the bright smile of Fa Xiao who grew up with him since he was a child, he actually felt extremely depressed in his heart.
This feeling was very real, like a heavy stone was pressed on his chest, Cheng Mian woke up suddenly, sat up from the bed, looked at the faint morning light outside the window, and stroked his hair fiercely.
It's been a long time since he had such a tangled dream. Cheng Mian stretched his arms and lay on the bed with his eyes open for more than ten minutes. After making sure that he was completely sleepless, he got up and got out of bed to wash.
After preparing breakfast for Mr. Zhao and Deputy Commander Cheng, Cheng Mian ate some by himself before driving out.
It was still early, and Cheng Mian was not in a hurry to go back to the army. A military green Dongfeng jeep was sandwiched in the morning traffic, looking extraordinarily leisurely.On the contrary, Cheng Mian's condition is not very good.
In the past month, he hardly had any rest. He had just sent off the veterans, and the new recruits arrived before he could catch his breath. He happened to be the company commander of the first recruit company. He usually not only supervised the training in his own company, but also had to keep an eye on the new recruit company all the time. Just in case something goes wrong.When the recruit training gradually got on the right track, something like Xiao Chen happened again.
Thinking of that day, Cheng Mian couldn't help but think of He Xiao again.He remembered the way she looked at him when he met him on the street that day, together with her appearance in the dream last night, it was deeply imprinted in his mind, and he couldn't forget it.That's why he came out so early today, since he knew she was in this city, he wanted to find her!
Holding the steering wheel tightly, Cheng Mian frowned slightly.
Regarding He Xiao, he only has two clues now.One is that she is only here, and the other is—the name tag worn by the woman who was with He Xiao that I accidentally caught a glimpse of that day, with the words "genetic tube center" engraved on it.
After staying in the army for a long time, he didn't know too much about the local unit, but he guessed from the name that it should be a public institution.Silently reading these four words again in his heart, Cheng Mian decided to look for them according to this.Since the two were wearing the same clothes that day, there is no doubt that He Xiao should also work in this foundation tube center!
It's just that it's easy to think, but Cheng Mian didn't realize how difficult it was until it was actually implemented.Not to mention how big city B is, there are ten districts alone.He first went to the block where he met He Xiao that day, but he couldn't find it after searching around. In desperation, he had to search one by one, but found that there were many units that could be called the basic tube center. He asked them one by one. However, I didn't even find anyone with the same name and surname as He Xiao.
Kankan searched four districts, and the whole morning had already passed. Cheng Mian glanced at his watch, it was already a little bit closer, and there were four hours left before returning to the team.Looking at the rising sunlight outside the window, he felt a little anxious.
However, he didn't want to give up at this point. After drooling, Cheng Mian started the car again and drove towards the next urban area that was completely opposite to the army.This road was quite unsatisfactory, almost every intersection was a red light, Cheng Mian, who was so angry that he thought he didn't have enough time, slammed the steering wheel hard.
After venting, Cheng Mian looked out the window, and suddenly stopped when his eyes swept over the direction of two o'clock.There stands a tall building with four large characters hanging on the top floor: Base Tube Center.
Seeing these four words, Cheng Mian's eyelids twitched.Not daring to delay for a moment, he drove over immediately after the red light passed.
Parked the car in front of the tall building, and after getting out of the car, Cheng Mian found that he had a little impression of this building.Because the wife of a leader of Teacher T works here, he once followed that leader and came here once.
After staring at the four words for a minute, Cheng Mian withdrew his gaze and walked inside.As soon as he reached the gate, he was stopped by the security guard: "What business are you doing? Go over there and get the number and line up."
Cheng Mian thought for a while, and said, "I'm here to find someone. Is there a girl named He Xiao here?"
"He Xiao?"
The security guard frowned, and before he could come out, a cleaning lady came over and said, "Is that the new He Xiao from the collection department upstairs?"
The security guard looked puzzled: "Is there a new employee in the collection department?"
"Hey, it's that He Xiao who only hits two or two meters every time he eats. Young man, am I right?"
Cheng Mian wasn't sure if it was He Xiao, but he finally met someone with the same name and surname, and he didn't want to give up.Suppressing his excitement, Cheng Mian smiled slightly: "That's right."
The aunt raised her eyebrows proudly: "Okay, then you can come with me."
As he spoke, he put away the mop and took Cheng Mian up to the second floor.
There are many more people here than on the first floor. Through so many people, Cheng Mian, relying on his excellent eyesight, saw He Xiao sitting at the counter at the end of the hall at a glance.Although she was surrounded by people, he recognized her.
At this moment, Cheng Mian felt that he couldn't hear anything. There seemed to be fireworks in his brain, and his ears were buzzing.He didn't expect that it was really her.The surprise came so suddenly, his hands trembled uncontrollably, as if he couldn't even speak.
"Is it her?"
Auntie's eager voice brought Cheng Mian back to his senses, he lowered his head and smiled at her, his voice was so stiff that it was dry and hoarse, "It's her."
Standing still for a moment, Cheng Mian walked slowly towards the end of the hall.Dressed in olive green, she passed through the crowd and attracted the attention of many people. Cheng Mian didn't realize it, and all her attention was on He Xiao, who was printing things with her head down.She was wearing a dark blue overalls, her long black hair was neatly coiled up, revealing half of her peaceful side face.There was no impatience in the slightest, even though there were more and more people around her.She was very different from the little girl in his impression, Cheng Mian looked at her, and was afraid to go forward.
It was at this moment of hesitation that a tall middle-aged man broke through the encirclement and rushed to the front of the counter.There was a small commotion in the crowd. The middle-aged man slammed a stack of receipts on the counter, and then began to point at He Xiao and curse, "How do you do things? That's all." You can give me the wrong number for a simple bill of payment? It caused me to go to so many places without getting anything done! Do you have any fucking brains? It's for plain rice!"
He Xiao raised his head in astonishment, and when he was about to say something, he saw Cheng Mian standing not far away.The blood all over her body seemed to freeze at this moment, she watched him walking towards her with a pale face, her first thought was not to run away, but to hide.
Before she had time to react, the middle-aged man in front of her was irritated by her seemingly deliberately ignoring attitude. He grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the counter: "Go, talk to your leaders!"
"You let me go."
He Xiao panicked for a moment, and colleagues who were nearby also came to help, but they were all women, so they couldn't do much.The middle-aged man has been relentlessly cursing and dragging her out until his hand was grabbed by a strong force, and he couldn't break free no matter what.
The middle-aged man looked angrily at the man in military uniform in front of him: "What the hell is going on with you, let me go!"
Cheng Mian looked at him expressionlessly, his eyes were as cold as a thin layer of ice: "You let go first."
"Hey, what does it matter to you to teach these pigs their brains?"
"Try to curse again."
"I don't believe in evil anymore." The middle-aged man sneered, "No matter how fucking troublesome, I can still beat me even if I'm wearing a military uniform—"
As soon as the voice fell, a fist swung over.
Cheng Mian didn't even blink his eyes, just turned slightly sideways, and cut his hands behind his back.The pain caused the man to yell, "The soldier has beaten someone! The soldier has beaten someone!"
At this time, the security guard on the first floor also came up, and hurriedly came over to stop him: "Everyone! Everyone! If you have something to say, please say it."
Cheng Mian glanced at the security guard, secretly exerted his hands, and when he heard the middle-aged man ouch, he asked in a deep voice, "Should you still scold me?"
"Stop scolding, stop scolding! My arm is broken!"
"I?"
The arm was twisted in again, and the middle-aged man immediately changed his words: "You are my father!"
Cheng Mian snorted coldly and let go of his hand.Once the middle-aged man was rescued, he was about to pounce on him again, but luckily the security guard stopped him in time: "Calm down! Let's talk to the negotiating room if you have anything to do, don't fight!" He gave Cheng Mian a hard look, and followed the security guards away.Cheng Mian just stood there and moved his wrists, his expression seemed careless, but the sternness and coldness in his eyes were still there, and the middle-aged man was so frightened that he didn't dare to look back.Cheng Mian smiled sarcastically, turned his gaze, and when he saw He Xiao standing aside with a pale face, he suddenly woke up.
The second their eyes met, He Xiao suddenly woke up, turned around, and walked towards the stairs behind him.
Cheng Mian reacted quickly this time, and chased after him: "He Xiao!"
He Xiao ignored him, but went downstairs faster.The high-heeled shoes were flickering, looking at Cheng Mian, she was worried for her, and she didn't care about anything else, so she stepped forward and grabbed her arm: "Smile, I'm Cheng Mian. Cheng Shuaishuai!"
When he suddenly called out their nicknames, He Xiao stopped in her tracks. She turned around and looked at Cheng Mian's anxious expression, her red eyes widened slightly, and said, "Let go."
"Don't let it go."
The two were in a stalemate like this, and there were vague footsteps upstairs, He Xiao couldn't afford to lose face, so he had to grit his teeth and say, "I'll just go to the toilet!"
Cheng Mian was stunned for a moment, then quickly withdrew his hand, took off his big-brimmed hat and stroked his short hair, and said rather embarrassedly: "Then you go, I'll wait for you here."
He Xiao bit her lip, turned and went into the bathroom next to her.
After closing the bathroom door, He Xiao felt a sense of powerlessness all over her body, and this feeling was even more obvious when she saw herself in the mirror.Disheveled, disheveled hair, pale face.She didn't expect that when she saw him for the second time, she was so bad.
Thinking of his neat military uniform, He Xiao was so sad that he felt ashamed.
However, He Xiao finally suppressed all emotions, tidied up briefly, took a deep breath in front of the mirror, opened the door and walked out.
The scene outside the door was somewhat beyond her expectation.I saw Chu Tian was talking to Cheng Mian, his face was flushed, and he embraced his arm enthusiastically and refused to let go.Cheng Mian had never experienced such a battle before, although he was a little uncomfortable, he still kept smiling, and when he saw He Xiao coming out, he quickly winked at her.
Before He Xiao could react, Chu Tian saw her and waved to her: "He Xiao? Come here quickly."
Not knowing how to face Cheng Mian, He Xiao tried to focus on Chu Tian: "Is the service desk okay? Why do you come here when you have time?"
Chu Tian had a pretty face and an excellent voice. As soon as he arrived, he was assigned to the reception desk on the first floor, the busiest place in the center.
"I heard Uncle Security said that there are people making troubles at your place upstairs. When I was about to go upstairs to see you, I ran into a brother soldier here." Speaking of this, Chu Tian blinked his phoenix eyes slyly. Xiao whispered in his ear, "It's the one who helped me get my wallet back last week, so handsome!"
He Xiao couldn't help looking up at Cheng Mian, only to see that he stroked his hair again in embarrassment, cleared his throat, and said, "This——"
"My name is Chu Tian!" A certain nympho stated his name very simply, and said with a smile, "What business do you come to our center for? Do you have time after finishing? Let's have a cup of coffee together, I happen to Thank you."
Cheng Mian pulled his arm out of Chu Tian's hand politely but irresistibly: "Thank you for your kindness, I'm not here for business, I'm here to find someone."
Hearing this, He Xiao uncontrollably tried to turn his feet backwards and walked in unison.Seeing this, Cheng Mian immediately stopped her: "He Xiao!"
He Xiao's eyelids twitched, and she turned around again.She lowered her head and pressed the hem of her skirt, and turned her head away from Cheng Mian.
Cheng Mian looked at her, smiled from the bottom of his heart, and then said to Chu Tian who had already been stupefied: "Let's go, I'll buy you a cup of coffee."
Originally, this sudden meeting had brought a great shock to He Xiao. She didn't want to go, but she couldn't stand Chu Tian pestering her, so the three of them had to go to the coffee shop at the pedestrian street not too far from the center.
Cheng Mian, He Xiao and Chu Tian ordered a cup of coffee alone, while he brought a cup of warm water for himself.Habitually shaking the cup in his hand, Cheng Mian looked at He Xiao from the corner of his eye while listening to Chu Tian's chatter.I saw that she was stirring the coffee with a small spoon, occasionally echoing Chu Tian, and basically ignoring him.For some reason, Cheng Mian suddenly smiled.
Chu Tian, who was sitting opposite him, had a feeling of being hit. Although he knew that his target was He Xiao, he still couldn't help talking to him: "Officer Cheng, did you know each other before you smiled with us?"
"Call me Cheng Mian." He said, "We used to live in a compound."
Chu Tian immediately glared at He Xiao: "Then why don't you know him? The reason is so good that a smart person like me was almost deceived by you!"
He Xiao's hand holding the cup shook involuntarily, and some coffee spilled out.She glanced at Cheng Mian, looked down for the paper, wiped it and said, "I didn't recognize it that day."
"Hmph, don't lie to me."
He Xiao stared at Chu Tian awkwardly, but heard Cheng Mian say, "I believe it."
She looked at him almost in surprise, only to see that he smiled faintly, looking at her with soft and deep eyes, as if carrying some kind of attraction, which made it difficult for her to look away.She heard him say word for word: "Before that, we hadn't seen each other for seven years. She didn't recognize me, it's normal."
In my memory, Cheng Mian is rarely so serious, and rarely follows someone like this.He Xiao knew that she had eleven thousand ways to continue the conversation, but at this moment she heard herself say, "Seven years? Is it that long?"
Cheng Mian's smile instantly froze on his face, he slowly put down the water glass in his hand, seemed to think for a while, and then said: "To be exact, seven years and two months."
Looking at his expression, He Xiao realized how bad his response was.
Seeing the suffocating silence between the two, Chu Tian smiled and said, "It's really long enough."
Cheng Mian twitched the corners of his mouth, and when he was about to say something more, the phone rang suddenly.He pressed the answer button, hung up the phone after 1 minute, and said to Chu Tian and He Xiao with a little apology: "I have to go back, something suddenly happened in the company."
He Xiao didn't say a word. He couldn't avoid the coming, and now he didn't know what to say.
"So fast?" Chu Tian looked at him with some regret.
Cheng Mian nodded, turned his head to look at He Xiao, hesitated for a while, and asked, "He Xiao, can you tell me your contact information?"
He Xiao moved her lips, but before she could refuse, Chu Tian preempted her and poured out her phone number.Company Commander Cheng saved it as quickly as possible, and He Xiao's cell phone rang after a while. She took it out and saw that it was a string of unfamiliar numbers.
"It's my number." Cheng Mian looked at her and said, "I will contact you often in the future."
After hanging her finger on the screen for a long time, He Xiao put away her phone and gave a barely audible hum.
After leaving the door of the coffee shop and bathed in the sunshine, Cheng Mian suddenly felt full of strength.He turned his head, waved to He Xiao and Chu Tian who were still sitting there, and then got into the car and left.
He Xiao just kept watching the Dongfeng Jeep go further and further away, his eyes gradually blurred.It seemed that she couldn't remember anything, only the bright smile he left for her before he left was left in her mind.
"Hey, smile, what a man."
Chu Tian sighed and patted her on the shoulder, but He Xiao just stared out of the window until the Dongfeng Jeep completely disappeared from her sight, then turned her head and whispered to Chu Tian, "Go back."
Cheng Mian was the team that drove back all the way.
After entering the camp, the Dongfeng small jeep went straight to the new company.As soon as the front foot stepped into the office, the secretary called for a new row leader.The new row of Changjiang Haiyang arrived very quickly, and there were two soldiers with him. The three of them stood side by side with very serious expressions.
Cheng Mian looked at them, and when he was about to speak, he suddenly felt his throat dry up.He swallowed warm water in his mouth, pulled the buttons of his military shirt, looked at the three people in front of him, and raised his brows: "I can't tell what's going on even though I'm in such a hurry to call?"
Seemingly finding it difficult to speak, Jiang Haiyang said with some difficulty: "Two recruits were fighting in Squad Five."
Cheng Mian frowned slightly: "It is stipulated that the head and deputy squad leaders of each class must be optimistic about the recruits in their own class, how can they still fight?"
The fifth squad leader answered in Mandarin with Shandong dialect, with a hint of helplessness on his dark face: "If it's okay for other soldiers, these two came from the same military compound, and it's fine if they don't perform well in daily training. I still love bullying, but if I push it, I will fight, and I won’t even listen to the discipline of me and the class assistant."
Having said that, Cheng Mian knew the reason.The two soldiers in Squad [-] were from the army, and they were the kings of children from the beginning in the courtyard. They fought non-stop with two groups of people all day long.Now that I have joined the army, I have brought this "fine tradition" to the army.
Cheng Mian had some understanding of these situations when he took over the new company.It was a joy to see these two couldn't stop.What is this called? This is called not being friends and not gathering.However, Cheng Mian was just saying this in his heart. The army encourages competition with each other, but the purpose is to make progress together. Vicious fights like this are absolutely not allowed.
After thinking for a while, he said, "I'll make a decision on this matter after discussing it with the instructor. What's the situation with those two soldiers now?"
Jiang Haiyang replied: "There are some small scratches, and the health team stayed in the confinement room after the treatment. Company commander, why don't you go and have a look?"
"No. It's not because you were injured on duty, where should I ask for comfort?" Cheng Mian flatly refused, "Let's just wait, tomorrow's training will continue as usual."
"Yes!"
The three saluted side by side, and the two monitors of Class [-] went out first.Jiang Haiyang stayed at the end, closed the door, and turned back.
Cheng Mian looked at him: "Is there anything else?"
Jiang Haiyang chuckled: "Company Commander, I have to ask you that."
Cheng Mian glanced at him: "What's wrong with me?"
Jiang Haiyang leaned on the desk: "I found out that you have never given a good face to your brothers since you came back from Sichuan. May I dare to ask you?"
"Say."
Jiang Haiyang had a playful smile: "That day, who was that girl who ran away when she saw you?"
Cheng Mian took a sip of water and looked at him with a half-smile: "Did you use all your scout skills on me?"
Seeing Cheng Mian's expression, Platoon Leader Jiang realized that this question touched Shangfeng's minefield, and raised his hand in surrender with a smirk: "Well, pretend I didn't ask, pretend I didn't ask."
"Hurry up and get out." Cheng Mian kicked him, and the kid immediately fell over.
Jiang Haiyang came and escaped quickly.
After staring at the opened and closed door for a minute, Cheng Mian suddenly smiled and turned his head away.
The flowers outside the window have withered long ago, and even the withered branches were covered by the heavy snowfall some time ago.Cheng Mian stretched out his hand and opened the window, and the biting cold wind took advantage of the momentum to sneak in.
Looking at the thick layer of snow on the ground, Cheng Mian felt inexplicably agitated.It happened that a soldier from the company was passing by the flowers, he opened his mouth to stop him, and said: "Call some people, bring tools, and shovel the snow out of the flowers for me."
The young soldier froze for a moment, then immediately answered "yes" and took the order to leave.
Cheng Mian, the commander of the reconnaissance company, hates snowy days the most, and the whole battalion knows this.However, only Cheng Mian knew the reason.
Even if he never deliberately thought about it, he would never forget how he watched the train carrying He Xiao step by step towards the distance on a snowy night.
The only thing he could do was to lie on his back after being exhausted and look at the night sky shining brightly against the snow.Black but bright, very similar to He Xiao's eyes.
(End of this chapter)
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