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

"I will definitely come back with good news!"

Su Nianci's firm voice echoed in the small shed, making everyone present hold their breath.

Looking at this five-year-old child who was about to venture into the imposing and solemn military compound, Aunt Wang felt both admiration and heartache. She didn't sleep well all night, tossing and turning, thinking about what else she could do for this child.

The next day, just as dawn was breaking, Aunt Wang got up. Instead of preparing the ingredients for making candied hawthorns as usual, she took out the most precious white flour and the last bit of minced meat in the house, and exchanged two eggs with her neighbor. Carefully, she began to make dumplings.

In these times, dumplings were only eaten during the Lunar New Year or when the most distinguished guests visited. In Aunt Wang's heart, today was such an important day. She wanted Su Nianci and Xiao Shitou to eat their fill before embarking on that final, and most crucial, journey.

When Su Nianci was awakened by a rich aroma of meat, a bowl of steaming, plump pork and egg dumplings was placed in front of her.

"Nianci, hurry! Eat it while it's hot!" Aunt Wang said with a kind smile. "You need to eat well to have the strength to walk!"

Looking at the thin-skinned, generously filled dumplings in the bowl, Su Nianci felt a warmth in her heart. She knew that this bowl of dumplings represented almost everything this impoverished family had given.

"Aunt Wang, this..."

"Stop nagging! Eat up!" Aunt Wang shoved chopsticks into her hand without giving her a chance to speak. "You and Little Stone are going on an important mission! You need to eat well to have the energy!"

Su Nianci did not refuse again. She silently kept this profound kindness in her heart.

She, Xiao Shitou, and Zhou Wenqian finished the large plate of dumplings completely. The warm food dispelled the morning chill and infused their journey ahead with primal strength.

After breakfast, Su Nianci began making final preparations before setting off.

Aunt Wang used the cotton from her old cotton-padded coat and the best fabric in the house, which she and Ya Ya had worked on overnight, to sew a thick, brand-new cotton-padded jacket for Su Nianci and Xiao Shitou each. Although the stitches were rough, they were incredibly thick and full of warmth.

"Put these on! It's windy outside, don't catch a cold!" Aunt Wang personally dressed the two children in new clothes.

Ya Ya also took out her most treasured pair of gloves and a scarf, and without a word, put them on Su Ci. "Nian Ci, these are for you! Wearing them will keep you warm!"

Zhou Wenqian then took off his expensive watch and stuffed it into Su Nianci's pocket. "Nianci, take this. In case... in case you need money, pawn it. Remember, nothing is more important than your safety."

Looking at the three people in front of her and everything they had prepared for her, Su Nianci's eyes welled up with tears again.

When she came into this world, for the first time, she felt warmth and kindness from others, other than her brother, without expecting anything in return.

"Aunt Wang, Ya Ya, Uncle Zhou... thank you." A thousand words, in the end, all boiled down to this simplest expression of gratitude.

"Silly child, why are you saying all this!" Aunt Wang patted her head. "We're all at home, waiting for your good news! If... if things don't go well, don't try to tough it out outside! You must come back before dark! Understand? This will always be your home!"

"Yes!" Su Nianci nodded heavily.

Everything is ready.

Su Nianci, holding the hand of Xiao Shitou, who was also dressed like a little rice dumpling, stood at the entrance of the shed.

The morning sunlight streamed through the alley, illuminating their small bodies and casting long shadows on the snow.

"We're leaving." Su Nianci turned around and waved vigorously to the three people who had come to see her off.

Then, she resolutely turned around, took her younger brother's hand, and embarked on that final road that led to hope, and also to the unknown...

Aunt Wang, Ya Ya, and Zhou Wenqian stood at the door, watching the two small, cuddly figures walk further and further away in the snow, their steps uneven, until they completely disappeared around the corner of the alley.

"Take care..." Aunt Wang murmured, tears welling up in her eyes.

……

Leaving the shantytown, Su Nianci strictly followed the route that Aunt Wang had inquired about the day before, heading east.

Today was indeed a rare beautiful day, with no wind and bright sunshine. But the temperature was still frighteningly low. Your breath instantly condensed into frost on your scarf.

On the street, sanitation workers had cleared a path through the snow. But the snow piled up on the roadside was still as high as a small mountain.

Su Nianci led Xiao Shitou by the hand, walking slowly and steadily.

As she walked, she mentally reviewed her plan one last time.

She placed her father's "last letter" and the dragon-shaped jade pendant that symbolized Xiaoshi's identity in her innermost pocket. These were her two most important "weapons."

She even made sure that Little Stone put on the expensive-looking dog-skin hat that Lei Ming had given her. She had a feeling that this hat might play an unexpected role at a crucial moment.

"Sister...where are we...going?" Little Stone asked curiously, looking up at his face. After this period of recuperation and a stable life, his language skills had improved significantly, and he could now speak some simple sentences.

"Let's find a place that can protect us," Su Nianci said gently, looking at him. "Let's find a great hero as powerful as Daddy. Once we get there, we'll never be afraid again, and we'll never go hungry or cold again."

"A great hero?" Little Stone's eyes lit up. In his mind, only his father, who flew fighter jets, was a great hero.

"Yes, great hero."

The siblings walked and talked. The long and tedious journey became less unbearable because of this.

They crossed the first intersection, then the second, the third...

The surrounding scenery began to change. The low shantytowns and ordinary residential buildings gradually disappeared, replaced by rows of neat, uniform, Soviet-style red brick buildings. There were far fewer pedestrians on the road, and those you could occasionally see were mostly soldiers in military green uniforms or their families.

The air seemed to be filled with a solemn and dignified atmosphere.

Su Nianci knew that they were getting closer and closer to their goal.

After walking for about half an hour, as they rounded a huge playground, a magnificent and imposing complex of buildings finally came into view!

The tall, army-green wall, like a giant dragon, coiled itself across the vast white land. At the top of the wall, rings of barbed wire gleamed coldly.

In the very center of the wall stands an extremely imposing, antique-style gatehouse with flying eaves and brackets! Above the gatehouse, a huge and bright red five-pointed star shines brightly in the winter sun, exuding an awe-inspiring majesty that makes people dare not look directly at it!

Below the gate tower were two tightly closed, heavy iron gates. On either side of the gates stood a straight and upright guard post.

Two young sentries, dressed in heavy military overcoats and peaked caps, with postures as upright as pine trees, were holding semi-automatic rifles with bayonets fixed, their eyes sharp as lightning, vigilantly watching every corner outside the door!

This is their final destination.

The location of the Independent Air Division of the First Group Army of the Northern Military Region!

That legendary military compound, a place where hidden talents abound!

Su Nianci, holding Xiao Shitou's hand, stood a hundred meters away, looking at the gate that exuded endless pressure. Her heart began to pound uncontrollably!