Uncle Dong's Story, The World Focuses on You!

The four-story abandoned theater in the suburbs had been requisitioned as a temporary venue for a study session. The refugees who had originally lived there had all been driven elsewhere.

When the Station Announcer chimed, "Grand Theater Station," Uncle Dong let out a long sigh of relief. He stepped off the bus and stood by the platform, momentarily lost in thought.

He hadn't closed his eyes for 18 consecutive hours since receiving the invitation to be a lecturer for the study session yesterday.

He couldn't tell if it was excitement or fear.

But now that he was actually here, all his thoughts suddenly cleared, leaving only wisps of confusion churning in his mind.

After a moment of daze, Uncle Dong snapped back to reality and walked towards the theater along the path trodden through the weeds.

About two to three hundred steps forward, a sign stood in the middle of the road:

Listeners, go left through the Main Gate to enter the stage. Lecturers, go right through the back door to the backstage area.

He changed direction and walked towards the back door, soon spotting four Guards standing guard and lecturers queuing to enter.

When it was Uncle Dong's turn, he took out an iron badge from his pocket.

The Guard took it and lightly swiped it on his Defense Communicator. An electronic voice immediately sounded:

[Verification Passed]

[Blood Dragon Legion Level 02 Green Dragon Team, Winter Squad, Captain Xia Dong.]

Upon hearing the broadcast, the four Guards' expressions changed slightly, and they immediately adopted respectful demeanors.

Since its establishment, the Blood Dragon Legion had leveled up once every year, and it had now developed to Level 29.

The man's Level 02 indicated he was a veteran from the second year of the legion's founding.

And the Green Dragon Team was ranked third tier within the legion (divided into Hatchling Dragon, Thorn Dragon, Green Dragon, Winged Dragon, Stone Dragon, Blood Dragon). Even now, there were only a little over a hundred Green Dragon Teams in the entire legion.

To have retired and survived until today, there was no question, this man was definitely one of the living fossils of the Buffer Zone!

"Captain Xia, please come in!"

"Thank you."

Taking back his badge and putting it in his pocket, Uncle Dong stepped forward with a slight nervousness, entering through the back door.

Whoosh.

The transition from light to shadow, a gentle breeze blew down from above.

Although it was only a temporary venue, the interior of the theater had undergone a major renovation last night.

In Halin's words, with the Infected being so active since the beginning of the year, these kinds of study sessions had to be held frequently and on a large scale to maintain the combat effectiveness of the Inspector teams.

As a result, hundreds of workers labored overnight.

By today, the trash and grime on the first and second floors had been thoroughly cleaned. Cracked light tubes and old facilities were replaced with brand-new ones, creating a stark contrast with the dilapidated exterior.

Following the corridor step by step, Uncle Dong's long-silent heart pounded, and the pain in his arm seemed to vanish.

He stopped abruptly after turning two corners.

An indescribable expression flashed across his face, finally settling on the few people in a distant corner.

Four men, two women.

Everyone was injured, everyone was somewhat disabled.

But Uncle Dong's gaze remained fixed on the middle-aged woman with a scar on her face, unable to move away.

If Cheng Ye were here, he could have guessed from Uncle Dong's gaze that there was a melodramatic story behind this that could fill dozens of TV drama episodes.

And indeed, that was the case. Uncle Dong did have a long story with the woman.

However, such melodramatic stories were best left untold.

What's past is past. People shouldn't always live in their own fabricated happy memories.

"After all these years, I've actually come to terms with it. I just didn't want to face it."

"Now that the goods are ruined by the water, and who knows how many Infected have entered the Buffer Zone, what is there to fear anymore?"

The apprehension he felt outside the door transformed into a sense of openness here.

A jumble of memories flashed through Uncle Dong's mind, but he finally cleared them to the corners of his consciousness.

He paused, then put on a kind smile that Cheng Ye was very familiar with, and walked along the wall.

"Everyone, you're in good spirits!"

In the messy rear area, Uncle Dong's voice wasn't loud, but it made the six people sitting around jolt.

As they turned their heads and saw who it was, surprise erupted on everyone's faces.

"Old Xia is here!"

"Haha, the Captain is finally here!"

"The Captain still looks so young. Clearly, he's living a more comfortable life than us!"

"Old Xia, I thought we wouldn't be able to invite such a big shot like you to this meeting!"

The six people immediately swarmed forward, surrounding Uncle Dong like stars around the moon.

As the first generation warriors of the Blood Dragon Legion, the number of Survivors wasn't small, but squads that could remain full after retirement were few and far between in all of Xingfu City.

Uncle Dong nodded in response one by one, his gaze landing on the scarred woman's face as he chuckled, "Yun Wei, long time no see."

The woman paused slightly, then shook her head with a wry smile, "Long time no see."

These four words seemed to contain all their stories, blending the past into them.

Seeing this, the other five people exchanged knowing glances, a tacit understanding passing between them as they subtly made space for the two.

"How have you been lately?"

"Just the usual. I can't sit still, so I go out driving trucks with people. Delivering goods to the provinces and cities next to our convoy. I don't earn much, but at least it's not tiring."

"The Infected have been active this year. It must be very dangerous outside now, and you're still not resting?"

"How can I rest so easily? We signed ten-year contracts, and I still have three years left before they expire." Before she finished speaking, she suddenly glanced at Uncle Dong's arm, "You haven't been idle either, have you? That old injury has been hurting for years, why haven't you gone to get it treated?"

"It can't be cured. I've had several surgeries, but it's a root problem, difficult."

Uncle Dong sighed, and as his sleeve slipped, several hideous old scars flickered under the light.

The conversation seemed to end at this moment, and neither could find a topic to continue.

Fortunately, a burst of applause suddenly came from the front stage, breaking the heavy silence.

"How strange, those sitting below are all Inspectors, and they're clapping for us?"

Yun Wei craned her neck to look towards the stage, a strange expression on her face.

They, these common folk, were supposedly here to impart experience, but how could they dare to lecture Inspectors?

As the highest-ranking group in the Buffer Zone, it was already a miracle if they could finish their talk. Clapping and welcoming them were beyond their wildest dreams.

"That's not for you they're clapping for. The one lecturing now used to be a drill instructor for the Public Security Bureau. His partner is also an Inspector, and a powerful one at that, a fourth-tier Inspector."

A familiar voice came from the side. The two instinctively turned their heads and found members of the Lei Yue Squad.

They were former colleagues, though only one person remained from the Lei Yue Squad.

"Miao Yang, judging by your words, do you really want the Inspectors to applaud you?" someone teased.

"Heh, I'm just saying. Aren't we all here for those 8 Contribution Points?"

Miao Yang rubbed his hands and chuckled, "But I've prepared something special. Something I haven't shared with anyone in the years the Blood Dragon Legion has invited me to lecture. Who knows, maybe the esteemed guests below will be pleased and applaud to show their appreciation."

"Something special? Are you going to talk about how the Lei Yue Squad was almost wiped out back then?"

"Get lost!" Miao Yang laughingly cursed and shoved the other person. "Aren't you the only one left in your Chi Xue Squad too?"

"Is that the same? We still had five people when we retired."

"."

Listening to Miao Yang bicker with others, Uncle Dong and Yun Wei exchanged a helpless smile and quietly moved to a corner.

"How about I lend you some money, and you can go get the surgery?"

"I don't need to borrow from you. If I really wanted to cure this condition, the favors I've accumulated over the years would be more than enough. There's no need."

Uncle Dong shook his head. "After all these years, why haven't you thought about finding a companion?"

"I've been waiting for you."

Yun Wei's eyelashes trembled as she looked up, then suddenly burst into laughter. "You just wanted to hear me say that, didn't you? I heard old era romance dramas were all like this!"

"Xia Dong, you're allowed to be afraid of death, but I'm not?"

"I wasn't afraid of death..."

Uncle Dong's throat bobbed as he wanted to retort, but in the end, it only turned into a sigh.

The two had been dating back then, to the point of setting a wedding date.

Unfortunately, an accident occurred during a mission. Their squad was surrounded by Infected. Although they narrowly escaped death with their lives, and no one was sacrificed, everyone sustained injuries, big or small.

As the captain, Uncle Dong noticed the Infected's unusual activity. Even though the squad was on the verge of being promoted to the "Winged Dragon" rank and entering the Blood Dragon Legion's mid-tier, he resolutely chose to retire, leaving the others in the Winter Squad behind.

Without him, their backbone, the rest of the squad gradually lost heart and also chose to retire.

Everyone resented Xia Dong, thinking he was cowardly and afraid of death, ruining everyone's future.

Naturally, their relationship also came to an end.

But fate played a cruel trick. Just that winter when everyone retired, Xingfu City was hit by a terrifying "Plague" level Infected Tide.

The squads from the same period as the Winter Squad were almost completely wiped out, with only a handful of survivors.

This tragic turn of events made the Winter Squad suddenly realize Xia Dong's wisdom back then, and also the madness of ignoring all dangers while on the verge of promotion.

It's just that while others could forgive him and understand him later, Xia Dong himself could never get past that hurdle.

To put it plainly, his Dao heart was shattered.

A brave and aggressive warrior chose to retire and escape at the peak of his momentum.

This decision had tormented him for over twenty years.

"You used to always argue with me. What, have you finally accepted your fate?"

"I've accepted it. What else can I do? I'm just a useless, cowardly, death-fearing piece of trash. You have no idea how scared I was last night when I heard the station chief on duty sacrificed himself and the infected got in. Luckily, I didn't embarrass myself in front of the juniors. I even put on a brave face."

Uncle Dong grinned and patted the badge hanging on his chest.

"I deserve to be where I am today!"

"Well said!" Yun Wei gave him a thumbs-up. "Can I add a couple of insults too?"

"Oh no, you can't. You all said you'd already forgiven me."

Uncle Dong's feigned pride made Yun Wei laugh.

The other five members of the Winter Squad, who had been eavesdropping nearby, immediately relaxed.

They had tried to set these two up many times over the years, but Uncle Dong always dodged the issue.

Could it be that this time, it was actually going to happen?

"Damn it, I spoke on stage for ages, and it's one thing for these inspectors to look down on me, but what are those observers and staff in the back? What right do they have to act like that?"

"Was my speech that bad? Have I killed fewer infected than them?"

Just then, Miao Yang walked back into the backstage area, grumbling.

He didn't know how many people had actually listened to his prepared speech, but he could clearly see how many had been zoning out.

It wasn't just the inspectors; even the ordinary people in the back rows couldn't be bothered to lift their eyelids. This was simply looking down on people!

"Alright, alright. Didn't you say you came here to earn Contribution Points? Don't go shouting around, or you'll be in trouble if someone hears you," someone quickly advised.

The staff member responsible for announcements walked over expressionlessly. He glanced deeply at Miao Yang and then said in Uncle Dong's direction, "Winter Squad, get ready. It's your turn next. Discuss amongst yourselves who will go first."

Who goes first?

"I'll go," Uncle Dong said, patting away imaginary dust. "I was the first to run last time. I can't be the last one up this time."

He didn't think he was any better than Miao Yang, but he had already embarrassed himself enough over the years. One more time wouldn't make much difference.

"Captain, you're awesome!"

"Captain, you still have your old flair, amazing!"

"Haha, Captain, just go up there. If no one else applauds, we will!"

Amidst the jeers, Uncle Dong took a deep breath and looked back at Yun Wei.

She blinked, as if offering encouragement, or perhaps asking if he had truly regained his spirit.

Has it recovered?

Uncle Dong shook his head self-deprecatingly. What ambition could an old good-for-nothing from a general store have? He was just surviving.

"Next, we invite the Level 02 Green Dragon Captain of the Blood Dragon Legion, Xia Dong, to give us a lecture."

The announcer's voice came, and Uncle Dong took a deep breath and walked onto the stage.

The lights were not as dazzling as he had imagined, not at all like what he had read in the Old Era magazines he'd bought from the flea market, which made one feel like the center of attention.

Looking down.

The Inspectors in the front row all had their heads bowed, not paying attention.

The Inspectors in the middle were whispering to each other, seemingly discussing an important topic.

As for the back, Uncle Dong really wanted to find Cheng Ye, but there were too many heads, and he didn't have that much time to look carefully.

"Hello everyone, I am Xia Dong, a warrior who luckily survived the battlefield."

"The topic I will bring to you today is. Dealing with water-attracting Infected with area-of-effect attacks."

"."

Five minutes wasn't enough time to go into too much depth.

Uncle Dong broke down a combat scenario encountered by the Winter Squad, fully explaining the response strategy and its practical effects.

The explanation was clear and engaging.

The team members standing in the back couldn't help but applaud, and even Yun Wei's eyes showed a hint of fervor, as if she saw the Xia Dong of yesteryear return.

However, the response from the audience was lukewarm. Miao Yang, watching from the side, pouted and sighed helplessly.

"Alright, that's the complete response method. Does anyone have any questions?"

No one in the audience asked.

Uncle Dong was not surprised. He bowed slightly, "Then, thank you all for listening."

After speaking, he turned to leave the stage.

However, just then, in the silent venue, there was a sudden burst of unexpected applause.

The applause was not loud, but it was exceptionally clear in the silence!

It was.

Cheng Ye lightly applauded. To others, Uncle Dong was just an insignificant, extraneous person.

But to him, he was one of the few people he could talk to and relieve his boredom with after transmigrating to the Wasteland.

"Wonderful!"

He stood up slightly, nodding to the people around him, completely ignoring their surprised gazes, and generously applauded.

Clap clap clap.

Seeing this, Li Maitai also stood up and applauded, paying no mind to the strange looks from others.

To him, moments like these, which carried no risk and allowed him to gain a lot of attention, were most pleasing.

However.

Almost as soon as he stood up to applaud, synchronized applause erupted from behind him!

Huh?

Cheng Ye has this much influence? Who else is applauding?

Li Maitai curiously turned his head, wanting to see who else dared to disregard the conflict between the East and West and come out to gain attention.

Could it be some insignificant character who isn't afraid of death?

His gaze from the back row met Li Maitai's. Dario Haven, while applauding, showed a hint of confusion.

It seemed as if he was asking, "Are you stealing my spotlight?"

"Dario Haven?"

Li Maitai suddenly froze, his expression instantly stiffening, his eyes filled with disbelief, as if he had seen a ghost.

How could this be?

The fifth-term Inspector of the Xiren, Halin's number one supporter.

Dario Haven, who was highly likely to inherit the position of Station Chief.

He, he was actually applauding too?

Was he trying to curry favor and win Cheng Ye over to the Xiren's side?

No, this guy was crazy. Someone so fanatically devoted to his faction, applauding an Dongren warrior?

The Xiren Inspectors, who were clueless, all turned their heads, their faces full of shock.

But it didn't matter who started it, some sycophant took the lead, and others began to applaud along with Dario Haven.

The sparse applause instantly became loud. Seeing this, the Observers and Staff from the Xiren camp quickly followed suit.

It truly was like "the world's gone mad, with mice acting as bridesmaids for cats!"

The Xiren camp was actually applauding the Dongren?

The Dongren Inspectors in the front row hesitated for a moment, thinking they couldn't lose face. If the Xiren could applaud along with Cheng Ye, what were they afraid of? They also started applauding.

The applause came wave after wave, growing louder and louder, and more and more people stood up!

The applause in the entire venue reached an unprecedented level of fervor.

???

What happened?

From the moment the first applause sounded to the roar of the entire crowd, it took only three to four seconds. Uncle Dong's steps froze in place, disbelief and astonishment flashing across his face.

He suddenly turned his head, his memory seeming to go awry at this moment.

In a daze, he felt as if he were truly standing on the stage depicted in that old magazine.

The lights were brilliant, dazzling like scattered diamonds.

The crowd's noise surged like rolling thunder.

Applause like waves of the sea rushed from all directions, enveloping him, drowning him, almost suffocating him.

Although all eyes were not focused on him at this moment, but rather on a young Inspector in the center of the back row!

But that Inspector looked at him, his gentle yet slightly astonished gaze telling him:

Xia Dong, you, are not an insignificant nobody!

ps: 4.8k delivered. Uncle Dong is a character I like very much. Old soldiers never die, they just fade away. Uncle Dong's first half of his life is over, but his second half is just beginning. He won't be offline just yet and will return in an unexpected way.

ps2: Received news that the book should be available for purchase on July 1st. I will strive to accelerate the setup before then, and will not use up word count in the paid chapters.

ps3: Thank you all for your support along the way. An original worldview is not easy to create. I hope to receive some Votes for encouragement~