Special forces soldier demobilization: Starting from the county government compound, a meteoric rise

This day is destined to be recorded in the annals of Qingyun County.

This day is neither the Spring Festival nor the Lantern Festival, nor even a regular solar term.

But in the streets and alleys of Qingyun County, the deafening and continuous sound of firecrackers could be heard in the crisscrossing roads and alleys!

"Crackling and popping—!"

Smoke filled the air, and red paper fluttered in the air.

The entire county town was like a pot of water being boiled over a raging fire, completely boiling over.

"Li Bapi is down! Li Bapi has finally fallen!"

"Thank God! That damned corrupt official has finally been caught!"

"Waaaaah... Husband, did you see that? That bastard who killed you is getting his comeuppance!"

Someone was laughing, laughing so hard they were doubled over, tears streaming down their face.

Someone was crying, crying their heart out, as if they wanted to cry out all the grievances they had suffered over the past ten years.

Even more extreme, some people took all the "Da Di Hong" firecrackers they had saved for the Lunar New Year and moved them to the street, lighting dozens of strings of firecrackers at once. The noise was ten times more lively than during the Lunar New Year!

The mountain, the dark cloud, that weighed on the heads of the people of Qingyun County for a full ten years.

They finally dispersed at this moment.

The sky truly brightened.

……

At the entrance of the county party committee compound.

The "government office," which is usually heavily guarded and where ordinary people would avoid it, was now completely surrounded by people.

But this time, they weren't there to cause trouble, nor were they there to petition.

They've come to... **deliver a gift**.

Hundreds of people spontaneously gathered here.

What they were carrying was neither a banner nor a petition.

Instead, it's persimmons growing on our own trees, sweet potatoes freshly dug from the ground, peanuts still fragrant with the scent of soil, and even an old hen still flapping its wings.

They crowded together, making a ruckus, yet they possessed a simple, heartbreaking enthusiasm.

"We want to see Director Liu!"

"Let us in! We've come to thank Judge Liu!"

"Director Liu is a good man! He's our benefactor!"

The security guards at the gate were dumbfounded by the scene. They didn't know whether to raise their rubber batons or put them down, and they were sweating profusely with anxiety.

If they come to cause trouble, they can hold them off.

But what if they come to deliver eggs? How do we stop them?

You can't exactly use a shield to block the sweet potato in the old lady's hand, can you?

"Fellow villagers! Fellow villagers! Please calm down!"

The newly appointed director of the county party committee office (formerly the deputy director), Fan Laogui, was holding a megaphone, sweating profusely, and squeezing through the crowd, his voice hoarse from shouting.

"Director Liu appreciates your kindness! Director Liu is aware of everyone's good intentions!"

"But the county committee has regulations that prohibit accepting even a needle or thread from the people! Everyone, please take your things back! Ah! Don't push! You old lady, your chicken! The chicken flew away!"

The scene was briefly out of control, yet it was also filled with touching warmth.

……

Fifth floor, the office of the director of the Comprehensive Management Office.

The sounds of commotion outside the window drifted in faintly.

Liu Ming stood behind the curtains, looking through the narrow gap at the simple yet excited faces downstairs, and at the red paper scraps scattered all over the ground.

His face, which had remained unfazed even in the face of gunfire, now revealed a deep weariness.

He did not go down to accept the cheers of the crowd.

They did not enjoy the glory of being admired by the masses.

He simply drew the curtains silently, shutting out the noise and glory.

Then, he walked to the sofa and threw himself down on it.

"call……"

He took a cigarette out of his pocket, lit it, and took a deep drag.

The acrid smoke entering his lungs brought a brief moment of dizziness, finally giving his nerves, which had been taut for a whole month, a chance to relax.

tired.

I'm so fucking tired.

This kind of tiredness isn't physical.

Even when he was in the special forces, carrying a 50-kilogram load and running for three days and three nights, he never felt this tired.

This kind of tiredness is mental tiredness.

It's the kind of feeling where you walk alone in the dark, dance on the edge of a knife, where every step must be meticulously planned, and every word must be carefully considered... It's exhausting.

Fortunately.

Won.

Those 118 wronged souls can finally rest in peace.

The crazy old miner can finally get a good night's sleep.

The people of Qingyun County can finally hold their heads high.

Worth it.

Liu Ming exhaled a smoke ring, watching it slowly dissipate in the air, a faint yet heartfelt smile of satisfaction curving her lips.

He closed his eyes, enjoying this rare moment of tranquility.

Just then.

"Click".

A soft sound.

The office door was gently pushed open.

Liu Ming did not open her eyes or move.

In this county government compound, there is only one person who dares to walk into his office without knocking.

A familiar, faint fragrance of orchids wafted into his nose along with the sound of footsteps.

That's... Xi Wanqing's scent.

The footsteps were very light and slow, as if afraid of disturbing him.

Finally, it stopped behind his sofa.

Liu Ming was about to speak.

A pair of soft, slightly cool arms suddenly wrapped gently around his neck from behind.

Followed by.

A warm, soft body pressed against his back.

Liu Ming's body stiffened slightly.

He opened his eyes, but did not break free.

Because he could feel it; the woman who was hugging him from behind was trembling slightly.

It was excitement, it was lingering fear, and it was also a kind of... indescribable dependence.

"You must be exhausted?"

Xi Wanqing's voice rang in his ears, gentle as a spring breeze, dispelling all the gloom in his heart.

The usually aloof, strong, and decisive female county head was now like a little woman, burying her face in his shoulder and greedily absorbing his scent.

"It's alright." Liu Ming patted the back of her hand and smiled. "I just feel like smoking a cigarette."

"Go ahead and smoke, I don't mind."

Xi Wanqing didn't let go; instead, she hugged him even tighter.

"Liu Ming".

"Um?"

"Thank you."

Her voice was choked with emotion.

"Thank you for saving Qingyun County."

"Thank you too... for saving me."

If it weren't for Liu Ming.

Her position as deputy county head, though nominally in office, has likely been sidelined by Li Yuankui and his cronies long ago. She might even be framed and forced to slink back to the capital to accept the arranged marriage fate she despises most.

It's this man.

With his seemingly ordinary hands, which actually possess the power to manipulate events, he single-handedly held up this sky.

It was him too.

It gave her the first glimpse of hope—the chance to break free from family constraints and truly take control of her own destiny.

Liu Ming remained silent for a moment.

He stubbed out his cigarette and took Xi Wanqing's slightly cold little hands in his own.

"Don't talk nonsense."

His voice was deep, yet full of power.

"We're comrades-in-arms, aren't we?"

"Comrades?"

Xi Wanqing raised her head and looked at his profile, a complex light flashing in her beautiful eyes.

She released one hand and turned Liu Ming's body around so that he was facing her.

The two locked eyes.

The distance is very short.

Liu Ming could clearly see the undried tear tracks in her eyes, and the fiery emotions hidden deep within them.

"Liu Ming, is she merely... a comrade-in-arms?"

She asked, her voice soft but with a hint of stubbornness.

Liu Ming looked at her.

Looking at this woman who had once "crossed the line" with him under the moonlight and fought alongside him in the storm.

He knew what she was asking.

He knew the answer was right there on the tip of his tongue.

But he did not answer immediately.

He simply reached out and gently wiped away the tear stain from the corner of her eye.

Then he smiled.

It was a smile of extreme gentleness that he would only show when he was facing her.

"It is now."

"Who knows what will happen in the future?"

This is an ambiguous answer.

But Xi Wanqing smiled.

She smiled brightly, radiantly, like a rose blooming anew on ruins.

she knows.

The man did not refuse.

This is enough.

She nestled back into his arms, closed her eyes, and listened to his steady, powerful heartbeat, feeling a peace she had never known before.

Outside the window, the sound of firecrackers was still deafening.

That was a celebration for the people.

Inside the house, there was a sense of tranquility and warmth at this moment.

It belongs only to the two of them.