A young boy from the 1970s, separated from his family, fled famine and led his younger brother into

Southwestern border, Kunlun Mountains.

Above 5,000 meters above sea level, the wind felt like sharp knives, scraping painfully against one's face.

The air was so thin that even breathing felt like a luxury.

As far as the eye can see, there is nothing but white snow and rugged dark brown rocks.

This is a forbidden zone for life.

It is also the front line of the national border.

In a makeshift dugout half-buried in the snow, Lu Xingzhou was leaning against a pile of rocks, resting with his eyes closed.

His face was covered in thick greasepaint, and his lips were dry, cracked, and peeling from the cold and lack of oxygen, turning an unnatural bluish-purple color.

In less than a month, he had already lost a lot of weight.

That face, which was already angular, now appeared even more cold and hard, like it had been carved by a knife.

Even when those eyes are closed, you can still feel their sharpness and vigilance.

His "Snow Wolf" special operations team had been lying in wait here for fifteen days.

They are waiting.

Wait until that international spy organization codenamed "Water Ghost" reveals its true colors.

According to intelligence, this group will be conducting a secret deal here with traitors lurking in the country.

The transaction involves the core technologies of the country's latest aero-engine research and development.

The consequences of such a leak would be unimaginable.

Therefore, this mission is SSS-rank.

Success is the only option; failure is not an option!

"Captain! Captain!"

A young soldier, also with a face covered in greasepaint and a lean physique, crouched down and crawled in from outside.

He was holding a military green canvas mailbag in his hands.

"We have...we have a letter!" The young soldier's voice was slightly breathless from excitement and lack of oxygen.

At the summit of this secluded snow-capped mountain.

A letter from home, from family, is more precious than any delicacy!

Hearing this, the other soldiers who were dozing in the dugout all rushed over!

His eyes gleamed with a wolf-like green light!

"Quick! Monkey! Look! Is mine among them?"

My wife said she'd send me photos this month!

"Me too! Me too! My mom's homemade chili sauce! It must have arrived!"

The young soldier nicknamed "Monkey" was surrounded by the crowd and chuckled.

"Don't rush! Don't rush! We have them all! We have them all!"

He took the letters out of the parcel one by one.

"Li Daniu! Your wife's!"

"Zhao Tiezhu! You son of a bitch!"

"..."

Each time a name was called, a soldier would cheer and rush forward as if he had found a treasure, snatching the letter that carried endless longing.

The dugout was instantly enveloped in an atmosphere of "happiness".

Only Lu Xingzhou remained leaning there, motionless.

It was as if none of this concerned him.

He never writes letters, nor does he receive them.

Because he knew he was on a path from which there was no turning back at any moment.

He didn't want to leave anyone with any lingering thoughts.

I also don't want to be tied down by anyone.

"Huh? Captain, there's a letter for you!"

The monkey's surprised shout instantly silenced the entire dugout.

All eyes turned to Lu Xingzhou.

Even the soldiers who were greedily reading their letters home stopped, their faces filled with disbelief.

Captain... has a message?

Are you kidding me!

They followed the captain for three, five, or even longer!

I've never seen him receive a single letter!

This man was like a stone carved out of a millennia-old glacier, cold and hard, devoid of any emotions or desires.

How could he possibly have a letter?

"Hey monkey, are you out of your mind from the cold? You must be seeing things!" an old soldier couldn't help but tease.

"That's right!" The monkey held up the letter, and the neat and beautiful handwriting on the envelope was clearly visible.

"Southwest border, Kunlun Mountains, Unit 73019, Land-based vessel (received)!"

"The handwriting is actually quite nice!"

All eyes were focused on the letter.

Then they all moved to Lu Xingzhou's face.

The iceberg that had never melted for millennia suddenly shuddered upon hearing that name and seeing those familiar characters!

His eyes, which had been tightly closed, but were sharp as an eagle's, suddenly opened!

The coldness and wariness in his eyes were no longer there.

It was a complex emotion mixed with shock, ecstasy, and... disbelief!

He practically sprang up from the rock!

He dashed in front of the monkey in one stride!

It was as fast as a black lightning bolt!

Before anyone could react, he snatched the letter from the monkey's hand!

His movements were somewhat rough.

But when his fingertips touched the thin envelope, they instantly became incredibly gentle.

It was as if it wasn't a letter at all.

It is a rare treasure.

He looked at the familiar, delicate handwriting on the envelope.

Looking at that name etched into his very bones.

His breathing became rapid in an instant!

is her!

It belongs to that little girl!

She actually wrote a letter to herself!

"Ahem." Monkey swallowed hard, looking at his captain's murderous expression and his eyes slightly reddened with excitement, and whispered, "Captain... Captain... shouldn't you... read the letter first?"

Lu Xingzhou then seemed to wake up from a dream.

He took a deep breath, forcing his heart, which was pounding wildly with ecstasy, to calm down.

Then, he took the letter, turned around, and walked to the most inconspicuous corner of the dugout.

He turned his back to everyone, using his tall stature to block all view.

His large hands, calloused from years of holding a gun, were trembling slightly.

He carefully used his military knife to cut open the seal of the envelope.

I was afraid of damaging even the slightest thing.

He pulled out two pieces of paper from inside.

One of the sheets of paper was filled with writing.

Another one...

When he saw the large, gold-embossed characters and the dazzling name on the paper, his pupils suddenly contracted!

—Beijing University, admission letter!

Then, his gaze fell on the letter.

The familiar handwriting, with a touch of domineering yet a touch of coquettishness, came into view.

"elder brother:"

"By the time you read this letter, I should already be on the train to Beijing."

"..."

"Brother, I passed the exam."

"He is the top scorer in the province."

"..."

Lu Xingzhou read it word by word.

He watched it with utmost concentration.

It was as if they wanted to engrave every single word into their brains.

The dugout was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

The other soldiers watched their captain's tall yet somewhat lonely figure from afar, not daring to make a sound to disturb him.

They had never seen a captain like this before.

They were focused, earnest, and even carried a hint of piety that they couldn't understand.

I don't know how much time has passed.

"Oh."

A very soft, faint laugh, as if it were overflowing from the chest, suddenly came from that corner.

Then came the second sound, the third sound...

The laughter grew louder and louder!

They're becoming increasingly brazen!

In the end, it turned into a burst of exhilarating, earth-shattering laughter!

"Ha ha ha ha!"

"Hahahaha!"

Lu Xingzhou tilted his head back, his shoulders trembling uncontrollably from the loud laughter!

That laughter was filled with unparalleled pride and self-satisfaction!

It was as if Su Nianci wasn't the one who became the top scorer in the provincial exam.

It was himself!

Inside the dugout, all the soldiers were completely dumbfounded!

Their mouths were agape, their faces filled with the horror of seeing a ghost!

The team... the captain... smiled?!

That man was colder and harder than the stones of Kunlun Mountain!

He actually laughed?!

And she's laughing so...happily?!

"Clatter".

The monkey dropped a freshly opened can of fried noodles onto the ground without even noticing.

His eyes were fixed on the captain, who seemed like a completely different person.

He murmured in his sleep:

"Am I...am I...haking?"

"The captain... he seems to have smiled..."