Chapter 39

Chapter 39

The early spring wind of March still carried a chill.

At the field army base clinic, it was quiet and busy. In the ward on the third floor, bored out of her mind, Feng Xia picked off the last scab on her face. After all, she was young, with a top-notch physique. Such severe injuries, after recuperating for over a hundred days, left not even a trace.

She had deliberately controlled her superpower, and only in the past few days had the scabs on her back gradually fallen off, revealing pink new flesh that grew well. The doctors thought the recovery was incredibly fast—if they knew this little monster could get out of bed on the third day, their eyes would probably pop out of their sockets.

It was still that round-faced young nurse, carrying a basket of green fruits into the room. Seeing Feng Xia already changed into her own clothes, with her injuries fully healed, she couldn't help but smile.

"Our little hero is fully recovered and can be discharged. I wish Feng Xia never has to come to the hospital again and stays healthy, okay!" The young nurse was not old, with curved eyebrows and eyes when she smiled, looking festive and cute. Feng Xia nodded, her dimples showing.

Lin Feihu had already packed her things and now stood nearby with a large bundle. Wan Fulin and Old Lady Wu had both come. Even the taciturn Old Mrs. Wu couldn't help but take the girl's hand, looking her over from head to toe, her eyes reddening. Her rough hands kept stroking the soft hair on top of Feng Xia's head, and she kept saying, "It's good that you're better, it's good that you're better!"

Moved by the old lady's concern, Feng Xia took the initiative to lead her out of the clinic. On the third-floor corridor, the young nurse rested her chin in her hands, watching the departing group. Suddenly, Feng Xia turned back, lifted her eyes, and curled her lips slightly. Many years later, the young nurse would still remember that smile—like a gorgeous epiphyllum blooming in a quiet deep pool, inexplicably captivating.

At first sight, she was a vision of timeless beauty.

Feng Xia returned to Old Lady Wu's home, where the table was laden with a lavish feast—chicken, duck, fish, and meat, mostly steamed or made into clear soups. The old lady, mindful that the girl had just recovered, didn't dare to make any red-braised or stir-fried dishes. But Feng Xia still ate heartily, finishing off the entire table of food.

Every day after that was much the same. She went to the spearhead squad for training, but she was stopped by Yuan Biao, who said she hadn't fully recovered and should rest a while longer. She went to the research institute, but Wan Fulin and several old gentlemen stopped her again, saying she had just recovered from a serious illness and shouldn't exert her mind too much. Feng Xia was so idle she felt she was growing moss.

The Cherry Blossom Country military base had been thoroughly ransacked by the soldiers. Inside were plenty of firearms and ammunition, plus five large tanks that had been damaged by Feng Xia but were now repaired. Qian Jun's 1st Regiment had moved there to guard it, and Wan Fulin and the other researchers had also been transferred. The dwarfs' base had a more complete and advanced research institute, making scientific research more convenient.

Now, Feng Xia was also at this renamed Red Sun Base.

Lin Feihu was test-driving a tank when suddenly a shadow dropped in front, startling him and nearly making him swerve in a Z-shape. He couldn't help but roar, "Feng Xia!"

Feng Xia hung from the top of the tank, drawling a reply, looking listless. She had grown a lot taller in the past half year. The base was five kilometers from the military dependents' area where Old Lady Wu lived, but she walked back and forth every day without complaint, her legs getting faster and faster, as nimble as a monkey.

Summer had now arrived. The warm sunlight was already scorching hot, and staying inside the tank for a while made one sweat profusely. On top of that, this girl was causing trouble. Lin Feihu was really annoyed. He yanked her down and dragged her off to Regiment Commander Qian's office.

Feng Xia let him drag her along. When she was first discharged, everyone treated her like a porcelain doll, not daring to let her do anything and giving her whatever she wanted. But after half a month, Feng Xia couldn't stand it anymore. Every day, she either went up the mountain to hunt wild game, or went to the research institute to pester the old professors, or shamelessly went to the military office to drink tea. In short, she was a nuisance to everyone, even the dogs. Even Little Black felt that its owner was too moody and would run off for a day without a trace.

Actually, Feng Xia was just bored. The successful raid on the Cherry Blossom Country base had made her lose her goal temporarily. She didn't know what to do next. She couldn't focus on research, though she kept reading. She still trained regularly, but for Feng Xia, who was already at the third level, those trainings were too easy. People are weird—when tired, life feels meaningless; when too relaxed, life also feels meaningless.

In the military office, Qian Jun was frowning at a telegram. Beside him sat, to his surprise, Wu Xingzhou and another white-haired old gentleman. Lin Feihu knocked and reported. Qian Jun told him to enter. Seeing Feng Xia, his headache worsened.

Deputy Lin recounted Feng Xia's great exploits, while Feng Xia stood lazily to the side, daydreaming. Qian Jun couldn't take it anymore and roared in anger, "Feng Xia, what have you done again? Yesterday, you made the chef at the mess hall roast meat for you all day. The day before, you disrupted the Second Company's training. And the day before that, people come to complain about you every day! What have you been doing all this?!"

Feng Xia said lazily, "Yesterday's roast meat was shared by everyone, right? The Second Company's training intensity was too low. Isn't it good that I helped them? Leader, I haven't done anything bad. Don't wrong me, okay?"

The girl had fair skin, big eyes, and her hair had grown long over the half year, covering her delicate ears. She had rosy lips and pearly teeth, and delicate, lively features, but her words could infuriate people. Qian Jun had a son and a daughter, but it was with this little monster that he first experienced what it was like to be a father—tearing his hair out in frustration.

Wu Xingzhou and Lin Hechen were also watching the girl with amusement. This little girl was really entertaining.

Feng Xia helped herself to a glass of water, sat down beside the two old gentlemen, and said in a rather lazy tone, "Ah, I'm just a bit bored. Don't worry, Leader, I won't do it again."

Qian Jun fumed, "How many times?! How many times has this been?! Do you think I believe you?!"

"Leader, don't be like that. Anger harms the body!" Feng Xia took a sip of water, looking utterly innocent with her clear black-and-white eyes.

It was Old Gentleman Wu Xingzhou who stared at the girl for a good long while and suddenly said, "What about letting this girl go with us? Would that work?"

Hearing this, Qian Jun's anger instantly died down completely. He thought carefully. This matter wasn't originally his to handle, but the request for help had come to him. And indeed, this girl seemed to be the most suitable candidate.

First, she was still technically a non-staff member. Second, her identity as a young girl was the best disguise. No one would imagine that such a girl possessed such skills and strength. Moreover, Feng Xia was steady and smart. Well, thinking about it this way, there really was no one else but her!

Qian Jun said solemnly, "Comrade Feng Xia."

"Here." Feng Xia stood at attention and saluted.

"This time, there's a cross-border smuggling case of cultural relics. You need to protect the safety of these two gentlemen and, when appropriate, cooperate with local authorities. Comrade Feng Xia, do you have confidence in completing the mission?"

"I'll get it done! Rest assured, Leader."

Both old gentlemen were masters of Chinese classical studies and world-renowned experts in artifact appraisal. They had come to the field army corps to avoid the political movement, but they knew they couldn't ignore this matter. The batch of cultural relics involved too many people. Now that the movement was nearing its end and the country was willing to take action, they were glad to do their part for the country with all their hearts.

The two old comrades took the girl away, but Qian Jun was still worried. This trip was extremely dangerous, and he only hoped the girl wouldn't get hurt this time.

They were to set off three days later, accompanied by Lin Feihu. Lin Feihu had a youthful face, looking like a naive kid, making him suitable for this mission.

Feng Xia planned to return to Daba Village first to see Feng Jinlian, her sister. But plans changed. That afternoon, after they had discussed it, something happened that very night. Lin Feihu knocked on Old Lady Wu's door in the middle of the night, waking Feng Xia from her sleep. Feng Xia only had time to give Old Lady Wu a hug before picking up her small leather suitcase and leaving.

The night was deep. The jeep roared wildly out of the base, merging into the darkness.