Chapter 79 Concern
In the logistics compound of the Western Theater Command, at a certain residential building, the house of Han Guowei, the deputy commander of the Western Inspection Zone, welcomed a rare guest on Saturday: Meng Huai, the current captain of the Xuanjia Battalion.
When Meng Huai appeared at the door holding a bag of fruit, Han Xiao couldn’t believe her eyes.
“Xiao Meng is here! Come in, sit down, and what’s with the fruit?”
Han Ma approached, looking very pleased as she gazed at the tall and handsome young man, while she nudged her daughter’s arm. “Go, call your dad. It’s the weekend, why is he working overtime? He should come back quickly; we’re about to eat lunch.”
“Oh… okay…”
Han Xiao skeptically looked at Meng Huai, who was dressed in a neatly tailored suit, not quite understanding why he suddenly showed up at her home looking like this today.
In her memory, the few times Meng Huai had come to visit had all been in military uniform.
Under her mother’s urging, Han Xiao, with a few strange thoughts, walked toward her bedroom while glancing back three times.
She fished her phone out from the bedside, quickly connecting with her father’s office. On the other end, Han Guowei was also a little surprised but, knowing that Meng Huai’s visit surely had a reason, he laughed and agreed with his daughter’s request.
Just as she was about to leave the bedroom, Han Xiao suddenly noticed her reflection in the wardrobe mirror. Dressed in a simple home outfit, she felt a little self-conscious.
After hesitating, she closed the door tightly, then opened the wardrobe and began to sift through her clothes, indecisively weighing her options.
…
What should have been a simple lunch became more elaborate because of Meng Huai’s arrival. As Han Guowei had not yet returned home, Han Ma hurriedly prepared a couple more dishes.
With their son having sacrificed himself months ago, Han Ma gradually accepted the reality and shifted her focus back to her only daughter.
She understood the family’s ancestral teachings well, having come from a lineage of military service herself, and she certainly knew how much her husband valued Meng Huai.
Setting aside Meng Huai’s family background, Han Ma had a very good impression of him, both in terms of appearance and character.
Hearing that Meng Huai was recuperating from his second-stage illness and was facing the possibility of withdrawing from frontline duties or even transferring to another occupation, Han Ma felt more at ease; after all, the second stage wouldn’t affect his entire life, and it meant leaving the high-risk frontline positions.
The meal proceeded in an orderly fashion, and Meng Huai’s peculiar manner of fixating on one dish at a time left Han Ma both amused and exasperated. As for her daughter, Han Xiao had been blushing since the beginning, occasionally rolling her eyes at Meng Huai.
Earlier, in her bedroom, Han Xiao had changed into a beige, sheer long-sleeve mid-length dress, but unfortunately, her hairstyle hadn’t matched; otherwise, she would have exuded a hint of the professional urban woman.
Regrettably, Meng Huai maintained his eternally serious expression, his gaze rarely lingering on Han Xiao for more than two seconds.
Han Guowei’s demeanor was more stable; apart from occasionally discussing the other’s combat situation, he refrained from mentioning anything else.
The physical examination situation in the capital.
Just to understand the current training conditions in the Xuanjia Battalion, there was not a word about family matters outside of work.
“……Is your condition stable now? It seems the headquarters’ treatment plan is indeed stronger than my theater-level medical support center. I’ve also heard that Old Tang plans to bring a group of students to the headquarters’ medical support department for a few more months, to cultivate more medical support talents for our Western Inspection Zone.”
Han Guowei sipped his rice wine, reflecting the last line of defense of his inability to quit drinking. He had mentally prepared for Meng Huai’s visit and was aware of many classified pieces of information.
“Xiao Meng has visited our home only a handful of times over the years, and you’re discussing this at the dinner table.”
Han Ma playfully smacked her husband’s arm while serving food to Meng Huai, “Xiao Meng, you really need to change your eating habits. Who eats only one type of dish at a time? You must be used to dining at the unit. In our house, it’s all casual.”
Not saying a word, Meng Huai nodded, gently set down his chopsticks, and resumed a straight-backed posture, silently indicating he had finished eating.
…
In the study, Han Guowei drew the curtains and, when he turned back, his expression had become unusually serious.
“Go ahead, what’s the matter? With your character, even I, as a deputy commander, can’t suppress you. If you weren’t facing special circumstances, I wouldn’t have you over.”
“Commander, can I return to normal duties in the Xuanjia Battalion?” After a moment of hesitation, Meng Huai finally voiced one of the reasons for his visit today.
“You want to return to duty? Although the internal review in the Xuanjia Battalion is mostly complete and you’re about to resume alert duty, your health is no longer suited for it. The headquarters has granted you special freedom of movement for three months, but I still don’t recommend it.”
A barely noticeable smile appeared at the corner of Han Guowei’s mouth, likely thinking that Meng Huai intended to remain in the Xuanjia Battalion. From his innermost hidden selfish thoughts, he preferred to see Meng Huai make that choice.
“I’d like to ask about participating in the headquarters’ special confidential operations group…”
“Stop! Meng Huai, you should know the importance of confidentiality protocols. Don’t discuss this topic with me. If you have any thoughts to express, follow the headquarters’ procedures; whatever the result, just make the necessary calls!”
Han Guowei’s expression changed; he quickly raised his hand in a gesture of refusal. “I know you have many confusions that need my answers, and I have my own thoughts, but none of these can interfere with your final decision!”
“Then I’ll make the call now.”
Meng Huai took out his phone, the mysterious phone number, which he had long memorized.
“Wait!”
A glimmer of panic flashed in Han Guowei’s eyes, but it was soon overshadowed by a more complex expression as he placed a hand on Meng Huai’s arm.
After hesitating for several seconds, Han Guowei gently spoke, “Meng Huai, if I must offer any advice, I suggest you make the call on the last day according to the headquarters’ written rules, instead of now! Think seriously, and don’t leave yourself with any regrets!”
“Whatever decision you make, I will absolutely support you. Regarding Han Xiao, I have both private and public interests, but I’ve come to realize that I cannot be a burden on your heart. Everything should come from your true intentions. Don’t rush; make your decision on the last day.”
Silently watching the young man in front of him, Han Guowei sighed lightly, a hint of moisture appearing at the corners of his eyes. “For seventy years, how many outstanding youths have silently guarded the country? The sacrifices of the Han family are insignificant compared to yours.”
“Commander, I have no concerns and do not need to wait until the last day.”
Meng Huai sat up straight, his expression unwavering.
“Today, I also want the organization to promise me two things: first, I want my mother’s formal file, with no concealments. Second, the investigation results regarding the leak of the 430 work group action plan.”
Han Guowei seemed to have anticipated his thoughts. He slowly stood up, hands clasped behind his back, and walked around the study, a wry smile on his face.
“Comrade Meng Huai, I know you would say that… It only indicates you still have many attachments—Xuanjia Battalion, your mother—these are all your mental burdens… You still care about so much.”
Meng Huai was taken aback, processing this seemingly tangled rhetoric, a hint of confusion spreading across his face.
“Alright, there’s plenty of time; you can think things over, do anything you want, and then give everyone an answer. I have agreed to your first request. However, regarding the internal leak, it has already been taken over by the headquarters, and I have no authority to inquire—its confidentiality level is above your special freedom of movement.”
Han Guowei smiled, patting Meng Huai’s arm before turning and opening the door to leave.
…
After receiving the necessary responses, Meng Huai did not linger and directly left Han Guowei’s home.
“Hey, Lao Han, what did he say? Is he discussing Xiao Meng’s future plans? You should think more about your daughter; try to arrange Xiao Meng to the logistics department. If he really has to transfer, it must be to the local police or city government departments, understood?”
Under Han Ma’s hint, Han Xiao stood up to see Meng Huai off downstairs, while Han Ma, as soon as the door closed, caught hold of her husband, her face filled with worry.
“Ha, his military achievements are enough for him to choose freely; do I need to worry?”
“As for other arrangements, regarding confidentiality protocols, I can’t say much. Let’s not mention Meng Huai for now… Additionally, about Xiao Yun, you should chat with her after some time. She has been married to Sheng Er for less than a year, and there are no children; we can’t let her waste her whole life. If there’s a suitable person, introduce them for a fresh start.”
Han Guowei bitterly smiled and pried his wife’s hand away, turning his head toward a corner of the living room where a picture of their son Han Sheng Sheng, who had sacrificed himself, hung.
“Wuwu… You Han family members are all heartless! My Sheng Er passed away at just twenty-seven; you deserve to be without heirs, Han Guowei!”
Han Ma thought of her sorrowful memories, and after a few months of healing, she was suddenly overwhelmed by a wave of intense grief. Her body softened against the sofa, and she began to wipe her tears with a handkerchief.
“Han Xiao, you don’t need to see me off. I’ll get a cab by myself.”
At the bottom of the stairs, Meng Huai turned around and smiled at the girl lost in thought behind him.
“Ah… you didn’t drive today? Uh, aren’t you still in recovery? It’s at least a kilometer from here to the gate of the compound, right? Where are you going? I might as well drive you.”
As she spoke, Han Xiao lowered her head and walked toward the parking lot, not daring to meet Meng Huai’s gaze.
“I know you don’t like girls like me. I’ll clarify things with my parents… We can still be good colleagues, good comrades.”
Murmuring her last sentence, Han Xiao quickened her pace.
Watching the girl’s retreating figure, Meng Huai sighed softly.
He took out his phone, opened the messaging app, but unfortunately found no unread new messages.
After that drunken night with Jiang Yan, Meng Huai had sent several messages, but they had all sunk without a trace, receiving no response.
It was unclear who had replaced his thoughts and feelings; when Meng Huai snapped back to reality from his daze, he realized he was sitting in Han Xiao’s car on the way to the Ran Deng Temple Cemetery.
Nestled against the Longquan Mountains, overlooking the Yudai Lake, flanked by Shizi Mountain on the left and Ran Deng Temple on the right, this was the largest public cemetery in City C, affordable and with a decent view.
“Meng Huai, you’ve never actively talked about your family…”
As she gazed at the solemn entrance of the cemetery, Han Xiao hesitated about following him inside.
“To your Han family, my story is all transparent… Thank you for bringing me here.”
Meng Huai took a deep breath, opened the car door, and stepped out into the light autumn rain, making his way up the cemetery steps.
Meng Huai’s figure disappeared deep within the graveyard, while Han Xiao rested her chin on the steering wheel, staring out at the blurred world outside, unsure of her thoughts.
Another military vehicle quietly halted beside Han Xiao’s car, rolling down the passenger window. After a honk, Han Xiao snapped back to attention, turning her head to see the impossibly young face of Han Jiesheng.
“Are you following me or Meng Huai?”
Han Xiao shot a big eye roll at the grinning Han Jiesheng.
Amid the densely packed and neatly aligned grave clusters, Meng Huai found the resting place of his mother, Meng Xiang.
The grave site from over twenty years ago was overgrown with weeds, plain and unadorned, with only the words “Meng Xiang’s Grave” marking it, no further descriptions.
Even with nightmares replaying and constantly reminding him of the last vestige of attachment, Meng Huai rarely visited his mother’s grave in the past twenty years. For him, it was a distorted symbol of reality that conflicted entirely with his dreams, instilling fear in him.
Staring intensely at the tombstone and the deep brown soil beneath it, Meng Huai suddenly recalled his confidential exchanges with two personnel from the headquarters’ intelligence bureau ten days prior.
A more surreal feeling emerged, and Meng Huai began to doubt whether his mother was truly beneath this earth. He even had a strong urge to grab a shovel and dig up the soil to find out.
After about ten minutes, while squatting in front of his mother’s grave, Meng Huai was almost soaked through.
Taking a deep breath to wipe the rain from his face, Meng Huai didn’t get up; instead, he suddenly turned to look in a certain direction and asked, “I’ve noticed you’ve been intentionally or unintentionally following me. Do you also think I’m special? Or did you actually already know…”
Not far behind him, Han Jiesheng stood under a green pine tree, unknowingly soaking as well, holding two unopened umbrellas.
“I’d rather not be a tail… Meng Ge, do you believe in fate?”
Han Jiesheng walked over, bending down to casually pull up several wild grasses near Meng Xiang’s tombstone before placing his right hand on the tombstone, lost in thought.
“Ha, you mean I should return whence I came, right?”
Meng Huai let out a brief cold laugh, swatting Han Jiesheng’s hand away.
“That’s just a statement of helpless pessimism.”
Standing up, Han Jiesheng gazed around at the countless tombstones in the distance, his tone calm. “Some people are born with a heavy responsibility; regardless of how tumultuous their journey is, they ultimately must heed the briefing belonging to their task.”
“See, when I say it this way, doesn’t it seem lofty? Actually, I’m talking about myself, because three years ago, I never thought I would become a soldier, let alone a secret agent.”
Meng Huai slowly rose, a hint of disdain on his lips. “Comparing me to the Han family? I can’t reach that level.”
“Meng Ge, actually you have choices, unlike me, Han Xiao, Sheng Ge, and Third Uncle, who were born with no choices. The fate of the Han family is to oppose the vampires, but it may not be the same for you.”
After Han Jiesheng finished speaking, he smiled and handed Meng Huai one of the umbrellas he held.
Tilting his head to listen to the other person’s self-deprecating words, Meng Huai began to think thoughtfully.
