Frontline and Home

"Dong... dong... dong..."

The long, muffled tolling of a bell echoed above Longwind City, startling a flock of brilliant crimson vermilion birds into circling flight.

Many residents of the Outer City stopped their work at the sound and looked up toward where it came from.

Today was destined to be no ordinary day.

Massive heavy trucks, brimming with metallic brutality and beauty, stood neatly lined up beneath the Outer City walls.

Zhou Qing and Zhang Rui arrived together with furrowed brows. Behind them followed Garrison Guard soldiers responsible for their safety, along with several staff members.

After they arrived, people began jumping down from the trucks one after another.

They wore special combat uniforms. Their movements were agile, and though their eyes carried traces of exhaustion, their sharp, righteous bearing had not weakened.

The man at the front was Wei Xing. He smiled at Zhou Qing and Zhang Rui. "Sorry for the trouble. Time was tight, so I didn't notify you in advance."

Zhou Qing's expression did not change. His gaze swept over the truck beds, which were wrapped in thick oilcloth and bulged like small mountains. It was impossible to tell what was inside.

"What is the meaning of this, Mr. Wei?" Zhou Qing asked.

"These are gifts in return from our side." Having brought goods back with him this time, Wei Xing was visibly more confident. "After I brought Longwind City's gifts back to the frontline, the higher-ups attached great importance to them."

"At the same time, to express our gratitude to Longwind City, they arranged for me to visit Longwind City again with gifts. We hope to deepen cooperation between our sides."

Cooperation...

Zhou Qing and Zhang Rui exchanged a glance and nodded inwardly.

The things they had previously given Wei Xing to bring to the frontline—some