"Deyang." The old man looked Li Deyang over carefully. "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine. What could happen to me?" Li Deyang grinned. "Actually, now that you mention it, there is some good news."
"What is it?"
"I got promoted." Li Deyang said cheerfully, "A transfer order came down from above. I won't be working here as a forest ranger anymore. I'm going to be a squad leader at a military camp."
"A squad leader? That's great! This place is cold and rundown. It'll be good to switch somewhere else." The old man clapped his hands. "By the way, where are you going?"
"Wulumuqi."
"..."
The old man's eyes widened. "Wulumuqi? Isn't that out west?"
"That's right." Li Deyang nodded. "It's a little farther from here, but the environment is better, and life in the military camp is secure. Plus, I'll be a junior officer. It's better than suffering here."
"Th-that's too far..." The old man frowned deeply, then seemed to think of something. "Wait, no. Aren't you just a forest ranger? Strictly speaking, you're not even military personnel. Why would they suddenly transfer you to Wulumuqi to be a squad leader?"
"I pulled a few strings. Dad, don't ask." Li Deyang answered vaguely.
"Then... when are you leaving?"
"I'll clean things up here and leave in the next couple of days."
"So soon?" The old man hurriedly said, "Then Tingting and I will stay a couple more days and see you off."
"We're a confidential unit. We aren't allowed to have anyone see us off," Li Deyang said seriously.
The old man froze, then asked suspiciously, "Deyang, your old man hasn't read much, so don't fool me... Since when are children not allowed to be seen off when they join the army?"
"See? It's precisely because you haven't read