General Zhao

Lin Qiye frowned. "What do you mean by that?"

Zhao Kongcheng smiled faintly and unhurriedly pulled out a cigarette from his pocket. "Mind?"

"I mind."

Zhao Kongcheng: ...

With a helpless sigh, Zhao Kongcheng put the cigarette away again. Leaning back in his chair, a trace of reminiscence surfaced in his eyes.

"When I was young, I was just like you."

"Honestly, that opening's a little cliché."

"..."

"It's fine, go on."

"When I was six, my father died of illness. My mother worked two jobs by herself just to barely raise me." Zhao Kongcheng rubbed the cigarette pack in his hand, his voice calm.

"Life moved slowly back then. At the time, my mother's hopes for me were simple: finish middle school properly, go back and become a village official, marry a young wife, have a few children, and live happily together as a family.

"You know, young people always go through a rebellious phase.

"When I graduated middle school, my grades were pretty good. Going back to become a village official wouldn't have been difficult, but despite her objections, I insisted on joining the army.

"Actually, she didn't object. She just seemed a little unhappy. The day I left home, she stood in the doorway and silently watched me. When I reached the road behind the house, she was still watching me. When I reached the entrance to the village, she was still watching me...

"Later, when I reached the bus station in the city, I couldn't put my mind at ease, so I secretly went back to take a look... and found that she was still standing there, staring blankly in the direction I'd gone.

"Honestly, I really thought about staying and not leaving back then. But in the end, I hardened my heart and joined the army."

Zhao Kongcheng let out a long sigh and continued, "Later, my rank kept rising. I entered the special forces, and because I was skilled in close-quarters combat, I was transferred into the Night Watchmen.

"After that, I went home during leave to visit my mother, only to discover..."

Zhao Kongcheng suddenly stopped.

Lin Qiye cautiously asked, "Your mother... passed away?"

"No. She remarried."

Lin Qiye: ...

"My mother had worked herself too hard when she was young and ruined her health. She originally wanted me to return to the village and become an official so I could look after her, but I didn't think that far at the time and chose to join the army.

"Later, she really couldn't endure it alone anymore, so she remarried. At least she'd have someone to take care of her in her old age.

"Unfortunately, by then I'd already joined the Night Watchmen and couldn't stay by her side long-term to care for her. To be honest, when I heard she'd remarried, I was truly relieved."

Lin Qiye pondered for a moment. "So what's the point of telling me this?"

Zhao Kongcheng slowly rose to his feet and looked into Lin Qiye's eyes. "We all once had things we cherished. But as we grow, we unconsciously overlook their existence out of habit, letting other things consume all our attention...

"That was how I was back then. But you're different, Lin Qiye.

"You're smarter than I was, more sensible than I was. You have your own ideas. You want to stay by your family's side and keep them company.

"That's a very good thing.

"Since you've chosen this path, then walk it properly.

"Leave things like protecting the world to people like us."

He turned, picked up the kraft paper envelope from the table, and held it out to Lin Qiye.

"I met your aunt just now. In this day and age, there really aren't many people as good as her. I know your family's situation now. Take this money."

Without the slightest hesitation, Lin Qiye said, "I don't want it."

"I'm a Night Watchman. I'm not short on money."

"Then I still don't want it."

"This is for your aunt. You have to take it!"

"My aunt wouldn't take it either."

The corner of Zhao Kongcheng's mouth twitched slightly. He and Lin Qiye stared at each other for a long time, neither willing to back down.

After a while, Zhao Kongcheng spoke again. "Lin Qiye... I'm old. I can't bear to watch the regrets that happened to me happen again before my eyes, even if they happen to someone else."

"Then you can close your eyes and not watch." Lin Qiye's attitude was firm. "My family may be poor, but we have our own principles. I won't take a soldier's money.

"Besides, my eyes are better now. I have abilities. I won't let regrets happen."

Zhao Kongcheng opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he said nothing, only smiling bitterly.

"Wouldn't it be better to take that money back for your wife and children?" Lin Qiye asked again.

"I told you, the Night Watchmen have excellent benefits. Even if I die on the battlefield, my wife and children will never lack food or clothing for the rest of their lives. They'll also be able to attend good universities and have bright futures." Seeing that he truly couldn't persuade Lin Qiye, Zhao Kongcheng could only tuck the envelope away again.

"Then don't you have any dreams of your own?"

"My dream?" Zhao Kongcheng sat back down, his brows lifting. "I do have one. I've had it since I was little."

"What is it?"

"To become a general in the army! Then return to the village in uniform, with my chest covered in medals, glorious and proud, and let all those people who looked down on my mother know that my mother's son... is a general!" A dazzling light appeared in Zhao Kongcheng's eyes.

Lin Qiye froze. For some reason, looking at Zhao Kongcheng before him made him think of Li Yifei again...

They seemed to be the same kind of people.

"Have you made it now?"

"No, not even close." Zhao Kongcheng gave a bitter smile. "And as a Night Watchman, I can't exactly swagger around outside covered in medals. That dream... can only remain a dream in the end."

Lin Qiye fell silent.

"Alright, in that case, I should be going too." Zhao Kongcheng stood and walked over to Lin Qiye, extending his right hand.

"May you have a bright future, Lin Qiye."

Lin Qiye stared blankly at Zhao Kongcheng's face. It somehow no longer seemed so greasy...

He reached out and clasped Zhao Kongcheng's hand tightly. "May the day come when you are covered in honors, General Zhao."

Zhao Kongcheng smiled, then turned and walked toward the door.

"Wait, your insignia." Lin Qiye called after him, picking up the insignia from the table and waving it.

Zhao Kongcheng slapped his forehead. "Look at this memory of mine—I almost forgot! This is my life!"

Zhao Kongcheng took the insignia and looked it over. Seemingly recalling something, he asked, "Oh, right. Did you see the words on the back?"

"I did."

"What did you think? Cool, right?"

"Very cool. Did you write it?"

"No. It's the oath we swore when we joined the Night Watchmen." Zhao Kongcheng tossed the insignia like a coin, caught it steadily, and slipped it into his pocket. "But... I really like it."

"Wait."

"What now?"

"It's raining hard outside. Take the umbrella."

"Thanks. I won't be returning this umbrella."

"Take it. Consider it... payment for protecting Earth."

"Interesting. Alright, I'm really leaving now."

"Goodbye."

Holding the black umbrella, Zhao Kongcheng opened the door and walked out. Lin Qiye stood by the window, silently watching him leave.

In the rain, Zhao Kongcheng rubbed the insignia in his pocket with his fingers and softly recited:

"If the dark night should finally descend, I shall stand before tens of millions, Blade held against the abyss, Blood Stains the Sky..."

The rain fell harder and harder.

Holding his umbrella, Zhao Kongcheng unhurriedly got into the black van. He took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, ready to enjoy a brief moment of peace.

Just then, his earpiece suddenly crackled!

A man's voice came through.

The hand holding the cigarette trembled violently, and his pupils suddenly constricted!