Chapter 34 Welfare Institute
On August 1st, Thursday, Armed Forces Day.
This is a great day, with activities across Huaguo advocating love and support for the military, and a mix of new and old military-themed films being aired on mainstream media.
At the Xuanjia Brigade’s base, Meng Huai was organizing his military uniform, while Tao Qiaoer was carefully checking the items in her briefcase.
“Wow? The sun’s out from the west today; our Commander Meng has activities too?”
A familiar voice came. A major female officer walked elegantly into Meng Huai’s office. If it weren’t for her military uniform, her gait could easily be associated with a strong urban woman from a film.
“Commander Meng, I’ll go prepare the car first.”
Seeing Han Xiao from the Embroidery Brigade drop by, Tao Qiaoer quickly and tactfully exited the room.
The rumors about this major female officer, who came from a prestigious background in the Dark Arrow troop, having an interest in their brigade commander, were already well-known within the Xuanjia Brigade.
“Han Xiao, what do you want this time… I heard the Embroidery Brigade ambushed a vampire baron in L City of Y Province last week and failed?”
Meng Huai didn’t even glance at her, sneering slightly.
“Yeah, it was a joint operation with the Southern Inspection Zone’s rapid response team. We seized a large amount of boiling blood agents on site, along with over fifty thousand milliliters of smuggled foreign blood, all of which are rare blood types. Supposedly, they all came from India… I only sent a support squad there.”
Han Xiao calmly sat down in Meng Huai’s chair, taking off her military cap and smiling at the indifferent man in front of her. “When it comes to a baron of that level, there are many ways to defeat them, but killing them is quite difficult. If any brigade manages to kill a vampire baron, it would at least earn them a collective second-class merit.”
“So you came just to flaunt your battlefield achievements? Are you so idle?”
After straightening his tie and putting on his military cap, Meng Huai stood tall, revealing the unique charisma of a soldier who was not to be trifled with.
“If I wanted to show off, I wouldn’t come to a weak brigade like Xuanjia… Anyway, I won’t tease you anymore. I’m here today to give you a heads-up. My father has some insider information from headquarters; it seems they’ve analyzed something and have made Xia Yan and Gu Yao priority targets, increasing the mission level to Class B. The Central Inspection Zone will also send an independent squad to support the Western Inspection Zone, which is equivalent to slapping us in the face.”
Looking at the tall and handsome figure of the young man before her, Han Xiao felt slightly dazed, but only for a second before she turned her head, recounting the news she received from her elders.
“Yeah, it’s all because of that big meatball.” Meng Huai showed no surprise at the gossip. “No need for headquarters to make any decisions; I will investigate thoroughly myself and personally capture Xia Yan.”
“Hehe, it’s no longer just a matter for your Xuanjia Brigade; it’s a matter of face for the entire Western Inspection Zone! As I said, let’s cooperate and get back that face as soon as possible; it’s also what Chief Zhen intends.”
Chief Zhen, a senior official who took office in the Western Inspection Zone two months ago, was previously the brigade commander of Xuanjia Brigade fifteen years ago. Therefore, in terms of lineage, Meng Huai should be considered an affiliate of this official!
“Commander Meng, I’ve already contacted the families of Xia Yan and Gu Yao, and some leaders from the city government and W District government will also be present. Shall we set off now?”
At this moment, the office door cracked open slightly, and Tao Qiaoer’s voice squeezed in.
“Oh? Are you going to the homes of Xia Yan and Gu Yao? Take me with you, take me with you!”
Han Xiao quickly grabbed her military cap, as spirited as ever.
……
……
W District is also one of the oldest urban areas in C City, rich in cultural tourism resources.
Once supported by financial aid, the social welfare system for orphans has increasingly struggled in the fast-paced iterations of the new century. Many times, the orphanage in W District has had to raise its own funds for various hardware and software upgrades, and even for the children’s daily necessities.
The orphans here, regardless of the reasons they became abandoned by their families, all feel a sense of obligation to give back to the large family that provided them with a new life and growth once they become adults; Xia Yan and Gu Yao are no exception.
Since Xia Yan joined the Dark Arrow troop, her annual donations to the orphanage have exceeded 100,000, making the elderly director, Grandma Jiang, both proud and sad.
Gu Yao, on the other hand, had struggled significantly in society and could only rely on Xia Yan’s support to survive in the big city, but over the past three years, he had donated more than 10,000 in total.
When filling out family contacts and addresses, both Xia Yan and Gu Yao coincidentally wrote down Grandma Jiang’s name and the orphanage’s address; in their hearts, this place was their family.
According to the regulations of the Dark Arrow troop, if any mishaps occurred, the subsequent compensation would follow the information filled out.
Now, Director Jiang has surpassed seventy years of age, long beyond the legal retirement age, but she still shows up to work daily as a volunteer, and all levels of staff at the orphanage continue to regard her as the director.
Currently, Grandma Jiang, with a face full of sorrow, was dazedly standing outside the main gate under the company of several heads of the orphanage, watching the bustling street with tears silently falling.
A few days ago, when staff from the city government and district government appeared before her and confirmed the identities of Xia Yan and Gu Yao, she immediately had a premonition, collapsing to the ground.
The two children who had essentially entered the orphanage at birth were among her most memorable figures.
One had gone through leukemia only to be reborn from the ashes, while the other had undergone several corrective surgeries due to congenital defects; both children had become the ones most emotionally tied to the orphanage and to themselves once they entered society.
A few cars and the television station’s bus arrived at the orphanage’s entrance, where soldiers, reporters, and civil servants stood together in front of Grandma Jiang.
“Director Jiang, comrades Xia Yan and Gu Yao, sacrificed bravely on a joint operation of border military police months ago, to protect the lives and property of the people and uphold social stability… On behalf of the city’s leaders, I express my condolences; you have raised such outstanding youths for the country, which is something all of us should learn from.”
The representative from the city government spoke formal consolation words, followed by the representative from the district government, and it was only then that Meng Huai and Tao Qiaoer stepped forward.
“Elder, I’m sorry…”
Meng Huai stood straight, though his eyes were tightly shut.
Tao Qiaoer knew her brigade commander’s temperament wasn’t suitable for such occasions, quickly stepped forward to support the elderly woman’s arm: “Grandma Jiang, although Xia Yan and Gu Yao have sacrificed, we will never forget them. Please take care of your health; there are many children who need your care!”
Grandma Jiang merely stared blankly at the important figures passing by, not registering a single word of what they said, only silently shedding tears.
The total compensation fund for the martyrs exceeded six million, startling the television crew responsible for filming, while several legitimate leaders from the orphanage standing behind Grandma Jiang showed excited expressions.
Such a large sum of money would all, according to Xia Yan and Gu Yao’s personal registration before their sacrifice, become Grandma Jiang’s personal property!
But who is Grandma Jiang?
Grandma Jiang has never married, had no children, and has dedicated her life to the development of the orphanage and the children, leaving herself almost penniless. This large sum of money will very likely be used by Grandma Jiang for the orphanage!
Regardless of how others perform, Han Xiao doesn’t care at all, instead, she watched with great interest outside the orphanage’s gates, deep in thought. She even took some time to chat with the head of the orphanage, inquiring in detail about some past stories regarding Grandma Jiang and Xia Yan, Gu Yao.
Several dozen meters away from the orphanage, on the opposite side of the street, a girl with long black hair in a dress stared blankly at the crowd gathered at the orphanage’s entrance.
Hehe, I and Xiao Yao have sacrificed, expelled from the world of normal people… But that’s fine; we weren’t treated as deserters.
Meng Huai is cold, but he is generous to the families of comrades. As martyrs, they can receive the country’s substantial compensation, and Grandma Jiang’s ability to receive this money also fulfills a wish.
Wiping her face, Jiang Yan quietly left.
……
On the way back to the base, Han Xiao continuously scribbled in her notebook, wearing a mysterious smile.
Meng Huai restored his usual indifference, staring out of the car window in silence.
“You know this is all false, just a formality at least to be fair to their families. Don’t really think they’re dead.”
Han Xiao nudged Meng Huai’s arm and waved her notebook, “I have a bold search plan; do you want to hear it?”
“Not interested!”
Meng Huai didn’t even move, directly closing his eyes.
“You! Xuanjia Brigade does not deserve a commander like you; everyone must have had terrible luck to have encountered you!”
“Eh, you should get off at the next intersection. Major Han, take care, no need to see you off.”
……
……
Leaning against the headboard, Jiang Yao’s still-unhealed body trembled slightly, her face pale.
“Sis… I guess we’ve been disqualified, right?”
“Yeah, Commander Meng is generous, directly naming us martyrs. This means the compensation will be greater, making things easier for Grandma Jiang.”
Jiang Yan lowered her head, peeling an orange, not daring to look at Jiang Yao’s expression at the moment, or perhaps she didn’t want the other person to see her own expression.
“Being a martyr is great; they say it brings honor to the ancestors… But sadly, I don’t even know who my ancestors are…”
Jiang Yao quietly cried, her tears dripping onto the blanket.
Lifting her head and looking at Jiang Yao, who was a mess of snot and tears, Jiang Yan felt bitter… She reached out her hand, pulling Jiang Yao into her embrace, just like how Grandma Jiang had held her when she was young, a warmth that reached the heart.
This was the first time she made such a gesture, not a man’s comforting embrace.
