Doctor, I'm really strong!

But one person changed her: the political commissar of the Red Guards, a girl named Yena.

The two are close in age, but Yena has already passed the literacy exam and was admitted to the Red Guards' military academy. When she graduated, she was already an instructor and is currently working in the prisoner-of-war camp.

Because of Liu Jiuli's "Liberation of Women" policy, women could compete equally for any position within the Red Guards at the time. However, considering the special social responsibilities that women had to bear, Liu Jiuli forcibly stipulated the admission ratio of women in various departments and even schools, ranging from a maximum of 50% to a minimum of 30%. Once gender equality is truly achieved in the future, these provisions can be abolished. In the short term, mandatory requirements are still necessary.

Otherwise, a single pregnancy could ruin a woman's career, and how can we achieve gender equality then?

There's nothing that can be done about private enterprises, since there's always hidden discrimination, but state-owned enterprises must strictly abide by the rules. This is politically correct, belonging to the ideology of communism, and anyone who dares to challenge it is crossing the red line of the dictatorship of the proletariat.

Of course, such feminist ideology must be resolutely cracked down on. There are corresponding crimes in the Civil Code waiting for them. Once they violate it, it will be registered on their record, unless they plan to completely cut themselves off from the civil service system for the rest of their lives and not have children.

It was precisely because of Liu Jiuli's insistence on the idea that women can hold up half the sky that there were a large number of female comrades in the Red Guard organization. By the time of the Community era, this idea was completely fixed in legal form and became one of the highest laws.

Originally, Lappland and this girl had no connection, but during Lappland's final imprisonment, Yena was rotated to the POW camp where she was stationed to be in charge of the prisoners' ideological work. Coincidentally, Yena was also from Syracuse, also from the same family, also infected, and her past experiences were almost a carbon copy of Lappland's.

Even her weapons were dual swords, albeit short ones. There's a saying, "another you in the world," and for Yena and Lappland, they were each other's other selves in the world.

Both are strong-willed, but Yena values ​​order and discipline, while Lappland yearns for freedom and unrestrained living. However, due to their different upbringings, Lappland exhibits a strong tendency towards being a "Zhang San" (a character from a popular Chinese novel who is known for his strong personalities and often clashes with others), making them fundamentally incompatible. But the most amazing thing in the world is that Yena understands Lappland's behavior.

“Living in such an environment, one has to do everything in their power to survive, and it’s not surprising that they become whatever they are. As Chairman Liu Jiuli said, we cannot expect people who live for today to have lofty morals. In a deplorable environment, all human behavior is permitted because it is the necessary rule for survival. To change the lives of people living in such an environment, we need to first create a better environment, then tell them how to choose a better life, and finally use a strong order to maintain this hope.”

When Yena said those words, her eyes were shining, and that's exactly what she did.

She treated everyone in the POW camp equally, helping them overcome difficulties and teaching them how to be better people. Most importantly, she understood the importance of fairness. The greatest advantage of the community was fairness—treating everyone equally, without special privileges, and treating officers and soldiers equally. This atmosphere was very unfamiliar to most people on Terra, yet it was a world they longed for.

It's just that their past knowledge and experience are insufficient to explain this deep-seated longing, but that doesn't mean they won't actively gravitate towards these beautiful things.

One by one, the awakened prisoners of war stepped forward. They chose to stay, either to join the army or to become workers, while others left. But no matter what choice they made, a seed was planted in their hearts.

A seed that will be angry and fight back when faced with injustice.

"She's a very talkative person. She talks a lot about many things and emphasizes them repeatedly, saying it's to help me remember them better. But I still found it annoying at the time. You know I don't like being nagged."

Texas looked at Lappland with what sounded like a complaint, but was actually a nostalgic tone.

She knows her former partner all too well. If Lappland truly dislikes someone, she won't even mention them in everyday life, simply erasing that person from her existence. But if she cares about someone, that person will appear in her conversations many times, without her even realizing it. It seems she's made a very good friend.

Texas felt both gratified for her former friend and somewhat bittersweet.

Then Lappland suddenly changed the subject: "You're confused, Texas."

"Huh?"

What are you doing now?

"I'm still with Penguin Logistics."

"Wasn't Penguin Logistics acquired by Dongfeng Express?"

"We are now a subsidiary of Dongfeng Express."

Lappland stared at Texas for a long time, then sighed and said, "To put it bluntly, it's just delivering packages."

Texas raised an eyebrow: "What? You look down on deliverymen?"

Lappland said seriously, "I respect the workers who deliver packages, but with your abilities, I can only assume you're slacking off."

Texas retorted, displeased, "What do you mean?"

Lappland: "I mean, you've lost sight of your target, Texas."

Texas fell silent. Lappland was right; she had indeed lost her purpose and didn't know what to do.

Although she was busy at Penguin Logistics in the past, Texas knew very well that this was just a temporary illusion of peace. Her past would come back to haunt her sooner or later because of her identity and the influence of her family. Even though her family had disappeared, as long as she was alive, this was bound to happen.

Enjoying a brief respite to prepare for future battles—this is Texas's life goal.

Inheriting everything from the family, whether actively or passively.

But to her utter surprise, the shadow of the past did indeed follow her, but before it could reach her, it was captured by the community's internal affairs department because the assassin had entered the country without a license.

After that guy's identity was discovered, he was treated as a dangerous element and thrown into the Siberian Construction Community. It's likely that something went wrong, since the Siberian farm requires a lot of manpower every month.

The community's net is truly vast and inescapable.

No country has ever been able to protect the safety of its citizens in such a way. Not only has it done so, but it has done it so well. The Community’s authority of “my land must abide by my order” and its absolute deterrent power of keeping its word prevents foreign organizations from acting recklessly in the Community. However, if they follow normal channels, they are essentially walking into a trap.

Internationally, once assassins and killers fall into the hands of the community and their identities are verified, regardless of whether they have a criminal record within the community, they must choose between Siberia and the Sun Prison.

Texas suddenly realized that she was living in a very safe country, and because the community had annexed Lungmen, anyone who was willing to stay had obtained the status of a community citizen after passing a language test and identity verification. Texas was no exception, and now she no longer needed to worry about the past catching up with her present self.

Then Texas was confused, wondering what she should do next?

Chapter 294: A Picture of Happiness

(Second update, (～￣▽￣)～)

“If it were before, I would have invited you over, but now… you have to choose for yourself.”

Lappland's words pulled Texas back to reality from her confusion, and she asked curiously, "Why?"

This guy used to cling to her for no reason, but now the change is so drastic that Texas is curious to see what she will say.

“Because war kills people, a lot of people,” Lappland said earnestly.

Texas was genuinely surprised and remained speechless for a long time.

Lappland smiled and looked at her: "What? That doesn't sound like something I would say?"

Texas nodded; this certainly didn't sound like something Lappland would say.

“I participated in the Battle of Steelgrad,” Lappland said slowly.

Texas's expression changed drastically; this was indeed a reason enough to make one abhor war.

After the war that marked the beginning of the Commonwealth, Texas participated in the reconstruction of Steelgrad as a transport worker.

Before she entered Steelgrad, she never imagined that a city could be so badly attacked yet still be fighting.

At that time, Steel Grid had begun to be rebuilt, but human remains could still be seen in many ruins. The ground beneath each ruin was dark red, and explosions could be heard from time to time as unexploded ordnance was being disposed of. The air was filled with the smell of gunpowder and blood. This city had buried at least half a million enemies.

Half a million people! What a city this is!

Texas felt her mouth was a little dry and forced a question: "And then?"

Lappland looked at the glass, her eyes somewhat glazed, and said, "Here, life is fragile. No matter who you were or what you did, death can happen in an instant."

As she spoke, Lappland extended her right hand to Texas.

"What's wrong?" Texas asked, puzzled.

“Come on, let’s shake hands,” Lappland said with a smile.

Although it was strange, Texas did as she was told, but when she held Lappland's hand, she immediately realized the problem.

At this point, Lappland explained with a smile, "The bones inside have been replaced with titanium alloy. It's a miracle those doctors were able to piece me back together; I'm lucky to be alive."

Texas was speechless for a moment, not knowing what to say.

Lappland withdrew her hand and said, "But I don't regret it, because this place was worth fighting for."

Texas nodded: "Yeah, at least you've made a good friend."

"If you're talking about Yena, then she's no longer here."

"what?"

"Yena...sacrificed, in an instant..."

It was during a break in the battle. The two men, covered in gunpowder smoke, were chatting in the ruins. It was just a normal post-battle relaxation. They didn't set any flags and carefully hid their intentions. But the battlefield is never short of accidents. A shell fired from a high angle from the Yan army's position landed right where the two men were.

When Lappland awoke, seven days had passed, and the Community's counterattack had begun.

"Texas, that's when I realized that the bloodshed of assassins is just child's play. The battlefield is where death favors. With just one shell, you'll have nothing left. A comrade who was chatting one second ago will be blown up to nothing but a hand the next. No last words, no last thoughts, and suddenly it's all over."

"Aren't you scared?"

Death on the battlefield and assassination are two completely different concepts. The former can make you feel that space and time are withering away under the scythe of death, with the cold blade right there at your neck, unable to get away, unable to refuse, and you can only wait.

"I'm afraid, but being afraid is useless. I'm more afraid of losing the right to dream than of war."

That was a bit abstract, and such literary language didn't sound like something Lappland would say, so Texas could only ask, "What do you mean?"

“I love it here.” Lappland said directly, “I love this country, I love this dreamlike country. This country can give birth to one Yena, and in the future, it will give birth to hundreds of Yena. She is so beautiful. She was born in the most cruel era, yet she is willing to reach out to the truly innocent and weak and turn them into strong people. This is an unprecedented country, and it is worth my sacrifice!”

Texas stared blankly at Lappland. She was unfamiliar and distant, yet incredibly real. Even her current safety was a gift from this newly formed nation.

By the way, I am now a citizen of the community, and this place is actually my homeland.

"Sorry, I got a little carried away, but this is my honest opinion."

Lappland picked up her drink and took a sip, then let out a long sigh, and a smile returned to her face.

It was only then that Texas noticed that Lappland's smile was much gentler than before, almost like a completely different person.

The arrogant wolf Lappland is gone, replaced by Major Lappland.

People change, but this positive change should be called growth.

That night, the two talked about many things. Texas realized for the first time how exaggerated a person's changes could be. Lappland's every move still had traces of the past, but it didn't feel arrogant or exaggerated. Instead, it was just the right amount of liveliness and humor. Especially when Texas heard that Lappland had actually adopted a child, her entire worldview was violently shaken.

She found it really hard to reconcile the two things: Lappland and adopting a child. However, with the Lappland of today, it was entirely possible, since she had grown up.

The next day, Texas came to her house at the invitation of Lapland, and she was stunned by what she saw.

Lappland adopted not one child, but three!?

The eldest daughter just started junior high school, the second son is in the third grade of elementary school, and the youngest son is only three years old.

Watching Lappland skillfully take care of her three children and tutor her eldest daughter, Texas felt as if she had been struck by lightning. Her entire worldview was shaken, provided she knew what Lappland was like before.

And these three children, one Sarkaz, one Tripoli, and one Rupert, are they trying to achieve racial integration and unity?

“Na is the child of my comrade-in-arms. After he sacrificed his life, I adopted her. Beirut is also the child of my comrade-in-arms. I found little Ellie in the ruins of the battlefield. She was well protected by her mother. By the way, I named her.”

Texas watched the three children playing and laughing, and suddenly felt that this scene was quite nice, warm and happy.

Having a career, a family, and goals—is this what a fulfilling feeling is?

Texas suddenly realized that she couldn't continue to be so lost. This beautiful country was worth doing something for, and she had to do it.

At this moment, Lappland suddenly said, "What, have you made up your mind?"

Texas was taken aback: "How did you figure that out? You said you hadn't learned mind reading."

Lappland smiled slightly: "Yena said that those who want to pursue hope have light in their eyes."