Lu Qiming stood on the perimeter, his gaze scanning the faces on the training ground. His expression was cold and calm. He idly toyed with a standard whistle, betraying no hint of emotion.
Soon, the steady rhythm of boots on stone paths sounded nearby.
It was Regimental Political Commissar Sun Su from the Bureau of Logistics.
He came up and stood beside Lu Qiming, greeting politely, “Captain Lu.”
Lu Qiming didn’t shift his gaze, looking toward the training field. His voice was calm: “What’s the matter?”
Sun Su looked slightly nervous but low-toned said, “Just received an urgent report from Bianfang Third Company.”
Lu Qiming’s fingers froze mid-motion.
Sun Su continued, “The Commander wants you to go immediately.”
Minutes later, at the Command Post.
The metal doorframe was knocked on: “Reporting.”
“Come in.” Commander Xiao’s voice sounded heavier than usual, like an old brass paperweight pressing down the shifting light and shadows in the room.
After the rain, Nan City had good weather again today. Morning sunlight streamed through the blinds, casting contrasting shadows on the solid wood desk.
Lu Qiming stepped in, eyes scanning deliberately, catching sight of a leather file folder on the Commander’s desk.
The top right corner was stamped with the military “Confidential” mark. The dark red Red Seal lay quietly under the sunlight, moving shadows of leaves dancing on it.
After a moment, the veteran officer stood from the sand table. Lu Qiming noted the old stains of ink on the Commander’s uniform sleeve.
“We just received a report from Bianfang Third Company.” Commander Xiao said, tapping the file with his pen before pushing it across the desk. The rustling of the leather against wood was audible. “You may need to go.”
Lu Qiming didn’t reply but reached out to take the file, breaking the seal and reading.
“The confidentiality level is red,” the Commander added casually, turning to gaze at the heavily marked map of the Southwest Border on the wall. “The weather forecast says a snowstorm will seal off the mountains by afternoon. A helicopter is already standing by at the rear mountain helipad. You have twenty minutes to prepare.”
Lu Qiming’s eyes were ice-cold, his lashes not even trembling. “Rest assured, the entire team will complete the mission.”
Hearing this, Commander Xiao glanced at the young special operations team leader behind him and smiled slightly. “The sooner you go, the sooner you return. This Sunday, the Cooking Squad will prepare a celebratory banquet for you.”
Lu Qiming’s lips curved faintly. “Thank you, Commander.”
The Commander looked at Lu Qiming, suddenly reached out and pinched his shoulder lightly. “The usual: bring everyone back, not one less.”
“Understood.”
–
City People’s Hospital, Inpatient Building, 7th Floor, Orthopedics Ward, Room 9.
The smell of disinfectant permeated every corner.
The doctor’s team had just finished rounds when a deliberately lowered sharp female voice came from behind the slightly open door, full of sarcasm.
“Why hire a caregiver? You and Haisheng are retired now, with plenty of time and energy. Can’t you just take care of the old man yourselves? Besides, Mom’s still here. Caregivers charge by the day now; several thousand a month, who can afford that?” Yang Ling snorted.
Zhang Xuelan’s face immediately changed, and her angry retort caught in her throat when she glimpsed the frail sleeping figure of the old man. She swallowed hard.
Closing her eyes to take a deep breath and control her anger, she lowered her voice: “Sister-in-law, Dad is sleeping now. Let’s discuss the caregiver matter outside.”
Hearing this, Yang Ling glanced at the sickbed, pouted her brightly painted red lips almost imperceptibly, and stopped talking. She grabbed her purse and clicked away on her high heels.
Zhang Xuelan followed quietly, gently closing the hospital room door behind her.
The two sisters-in-law met in an empty stairwell.
After a few seconds of silence, Zhang Xuelan took a deep breath and tried to speak calmly: “Sister-in-law, the doctor was very clear last time— Dad has vertigo and needs 24-hour care. Although Haisheng and I are retired, we still have our own social circles and lives. And Mom… she’s in her seventies or eighties and quite frail. She wants to take care of Dad, but her energy and physical condition can’t keep up.”
“Haisheng and I discussed it a long time and think hiring a caregiver is the best option for now.” Zhang Xuelan patiently explained. “First, the caregiver can help with household chores and errands so we’re not too exhausted. Second, if anything happens to Dad, a professional can handle it immediately.”
Yang Ling let out a sharp, sarcastic laugh. “You make it sound so easy. You two really are big online celebrities with money to burn. A few thousand a month is nothing to you.”
Zhang Xuelan replied, “I already asked. For Dad’s condition, it’s easy care. The professional caregiver does companionship and light household chores. We found someone we know, and after a discount, the monthly fee is about seven thousand yuan.” She paused briefly and made a concession. “I know Yongyong just opened a restaurant and you’re tight on money. How about this: we cover part of the caregiver fee—our family pays four thousand, and you pay three thousand.”
But as soon as she said this, Yang Ling suddenly became agitated, her red-painted fingernail nearly poking Zhang Xuelan’s nose. “You two casually take ads that earn you half a year’s salary. You have fame and followers and all the glory, and now you want us to pay? You’re shameless!”
Zhang Xuelan’s face turned red with anger, her voice trembling. “Sister-in-law, that’s not right. You two often give money to Grandpa and Grandma. When Dad had surgery, most of the big expenses came from you two. We can’t always let the kids bear the burden. Does money just grow on trees?”
“Before, it was you who paid. Why not now?” Yang Ling argued boldly. “Seven thousand a month is tight for us but nothing to your daughter.”
Zhang Xuelan said coldly, “When our parents are ill, it’s our responsibility as children to care for them. Haisheng and I can’t shirk it, nor can you and brother. You can’t rely on us for everything, nor on Yiyi.”
Bang! Yang Ling slammed her hand on the fire door.
“What do you mean, Zhang Xuelan? Are you saying our family hasn’t helped with Mom and Dad’s illness? We have! Last time when Dad had surgery, I even bought a few hundred yuan worth of protein powder. Have you forgotten that? And Grandpa loves his granddaughter the most. Your Yiyi is successful and can earn money. If you don’t pay the caregiver fee, who will?”
“Sister-in-law, if I remember correctly, Yongyong borrowed money from Dad to open the hotpot restaurant. Now that we have to pay for a caregiver for Grandpa, and you’re trying to dodge responsibility…”
“Don’t drag my son into this! We borrowed money from our parents. So what? Yongyong’s business is legitimate hard-earned money!” Yang Ling’s voice grew louder and angrier, her diamond earrings swinging wildly. “Unlike your daughter who sells her smile and makes thousands or tens of thousands!”
That harsh, unpleasant phrase ignited Zhang Xuelan’s long-suppressed anger.
She clenched her fists and said firmly, “What did you say? Selling her smile? Who sells her smile? You’d better explain every word clearly today!”
“Isn’t it true? You two are so-called online celebrities. To put it bluntly, you’re just entertaining rich people…”
At that moment, a loud banging on the door interrupted them.
Both turned abruptly.
It was Qian Grandmother, frowning as she spoke sharply, “This is a hospital. Why are you two shouting here as if your parents don’t exist?”
Yang Ling smoothed her hair and turned away sulkily.
Zhang Xuelan, still full of anger but unable to show it before Qian Grandmother, wiped her face and quietly returned to the ward.
A moment later, a phone in Yang Ling’s pocket rang. She answered, immediately adopting a kind motherly tone: “Hello, Yongyong. Yes, I’m at the hospital. Nothing much.” Her voice grew cold and sarcastic. “Your second uncle’s wife wants to hire a caregiver for Grandpa. Fine, let her. But she even wants us to chip in. Your sister really isn’t a good girl— the more money she has, the more stingy she gets, trying to squeeze us…”
At the other end of the city, in a private room at the Zero Degree Bar downtown.
After hanging up the phone, Qian Yongyong slowly put down his phone, glancing cautiously to the side with eyes full of fear and hesitation.
On the backlit sofa, a man looked like he was just sober, stretching his neck and loosening up. He flicked his fingers, and a subordinate immediately bent down to light a cigarette for him.
Qian Yongyong cleared his throat and spoke: “President Chen, I’ve completed all the tasks you assigned.”
“Don’t worry, it benefits you too.” Chen Yu blew out a smoke ring.
Qian Yongyong’s eyes darted nervously, still hesitant, and added, “You said before it was just to have a drink with my sister to make friends, that you wouldn’t do anything to her. You have to keep your word on that.”
“Of course.”
Before long, Chen Yu finished his cigarette and casually stubbed it out in the ashtray. Then he asked his aide, “How was the reaction to the new singer we hired? She debuted last night, right?”
“The response was very good,” the follower answered. “That girl’s tall and handsome, sings songs she writes herself, very talented. Last night some rich women requested songs and supported her big time.”
Someone laughed loudly: “Brother Yu, if it weren’t for that little internet celebrity, you wouldn’t have bothered to invite your best friend’s boyfriend to sing here. Looks like that girl’s lucky for you.”
Chen Yu stroked his chin, smiling satisfied. “Yeah, not bad.”
–
Stonewater District Special Operations Brigade, Camp.
Morning had just broken, and dew spread like melted honey over the walls.
Qian Yiyi had been busy in the canteen for a while and now came alone to the camp supermarket to buy some snacks for the Cooking Squad comrades.
Soon, a can of Yellow Peach Canned caught her eye.
Squad Leader Cui had mentioned before that the canned peaches at the camp supermarket were very tasty, but they were always out of stock whenever Qian Yiyi came.
Her eyes brightened as she reached out. Just as her fingers touched the metallic coldness of the tin lid, the back of her hand suddenly brushed against a faint warmth.
Qian Yiyi was slightly startled, and a deep voice sounded close by her ear: “Sorry.”
She turned instinctively and found Lu Qiming standing in the shadow cast by the shelf. His military uniform was crisp as if cut by a knife; his eyes half-lowered and calm. His knobby right hand had already withdrawn.
“Captain Lu? What a coincidence.” Qian Yiyi smiled brightly. “Do you want this canned peach? I’ll begrudgingly give it to you.”
“I was looking for you in the canteen kitchen, but they said you were here,” Lu Qiming said.
Qian Yiyi’s gaze flickered: “What did you want to see me about?”
“A task just came up, and I have to go out for a while. Qian teacher isn’t inviting me to meals anymore.” Lu Qiming spoke lightly, and as he did, straightened a few bottles tilted on the shelf. “I came to let you know.”
Since going on missions was routine, Qian Yiyi didn’t pay much attention and smiled, asking, “When will you be back?”
“Unless something unexpected happens, this weekend.”
“Could there be unexpected things?” Qian Yiyi teased.
Lu Qiming paused, then glanced at her. The stars on his shoulder epaulets caught the bright lights, scattering tiny flashes over his sharp, cold profile.
“I can’t say.” He replied lightly, calm as usual.
For some reason, those four words made Qian Yiyi’s heart tighten. Her fingertips felt like dipped in icy well water.
Her peripheral vision caught the scar on the man’s wrist. She opened her lips to speak, but her throat felt stuffed with cotton, choking her, and her heart fluttered.
After a long moment, Qian Yiyi composed herself and smiled up at him. “Wishing you a smooth and safe mission.”
“Thank you for your blessing, Qian teacher.”
After saying this, Lu Qiming estimated the time and lightly tugged the corner of his mouth. “The higher-ups are pressing. I have to leave now. Goodbye, Qian teacher.”
He turned to leave.
“Um…” The girl called out suddenly.
Lu Qiming stopped in his tracks and turned back with a heavy gaze.
“There’s a new movie out recently. I plan to watch it on the weekend evening.” Qian Yiyi’s smile was gentle and light like the evening breeze. “If it’s convenient then, I’ll invite Captain Lu along.”
The aroma of the Cooking Squad’s simmering big bone soup wafted through the air, mingling with the faint sweet bitterness of wild mountain tea.
Sunlight filtered through Lu Qiming’s sculpted brow bone, casting deep shadows under his eyes. His Adam’s apple moved slightly as he spoke, voice hoarse as if sandpapered.
His reply was simple: “Alright.”