Chapter 49 Are You Still Learning to Bark

Chapter 49: Still Trying to Learn How to Bark?

If you want to cry, just let it out. Jiang Huaiyan wanted to say.

Why have you been living so... rough all these years?

Besides Gu Zhen, who else has bullied you?

I knew absolutely nothing about any of this.

Why are you uncovering the truth from so many years ago now? Did Tao Juan trick you into joining the resistance? You're so naive, falling right into their trap.

The resistance? What's so great about it? What's the point of fighting? Of making a name for yourself? It's all suffering, exhaustion, and danger.

I'm sorry. It's all my fault.

What kind of person were you in the past? In those earlier days, before everything fell apart?

If none of this had happened, what kind of person would you be now?

Do you have any dreams? Anything you like? Anything you hate? Anywhere you absolutely have to go?

You're only twenty-two. Do you enjoy the same things others your age do? Do you like watches and cars?

Do you have close friends? Do you like watching sports? Do you like playing games? Do you like listening to music?

Do you want to fight back to the capital? Do you want to kill Gu Liancheng? I'll take you there, how about that?

Zhu Shinian looked down again at the black box, neatly packed, then gently wiped his eyes.

His eyes were a little red, like a rabbit's eyes.

Even though he'd only been crouching a short time, Zhu Shinian still felt weak. When he stood up, his legs buckled, and Jiang Huaiyan reached out to steady him.

Zhu Shinian was about to shake off his hand, but after guiding him back to the bed, Jiang Huaiyan quickly let go.

Zhu Shinian was even lighter than he looked. Leaning against him, he felt almost weightless, and the blue-and-white hospital gown seemed even more loose.

He was so tough in battle, but how could he take such poor care of himself?

Three soft knocks on the door broke the stalemate in the room.

It must be Tao Juan and the others.

Zhu Shinian wanted to get up and open the door, but Jiang Huaiyan had already gone ahead.

Zhu Shinian's injuries weren't so bad that he couldn't walk a few steps; he'd just been crouching for too long, and his legs had gone numb.

"Mr. Jiang, you're here quite early," Tao Juan said with a smile. "I'm a bit embarrassed."

"These two brats insisted on visiting you," Tao Juan continued as he entered the ward, followed by two men who looked a bit sheepish. "They begged me all the way, so I had to bring them."

Fu Cheng felt guilty because he had promised Zhu Shinian that he would train well instead of visiting. Zhu Shinian knew Fu Cheng was worried about him, but his injuries weren't serious—there was no need for concern. Having so many people visit made Zhu Shinian feel like he was putting on airs, like those noble officials he despised.

As for Han Zhandong, no one knew what he was thinking.

"What are you being so hesitant about?" Tao Juan snapped at him. "Hurry up and take out the pork rib soup your wife made for you."

"It's not mealtime yet. If Major General Zhu doesn't want any, we can save it for lunch," Han Zhandong said, placing the thermos on the table and keeping his head down.

He was nothing like his usual arrogant self; it was as if his voice belonged to a different person. Fu Cheng stood close to Zhu Shinian, watching him with clear hostility.

"Thank you to Senior Han's wife. The doctor just told me I need more nutrition. Please, everyone, take a seat. There's hot water in the water cooler and tea leaves on the table," Zhu Shinian said with a smile, welcoming them. "Fu Cheng, go brew some tea."

Fu Cheng really did listen to Zhu Shinian. The moment Zhu Shinian called out to him, he immediately got up, grabbed cups and tea leaves, and brewed the tea before placing it in front of each person.

Zhu Shinian gave him a few extra glances. Good—he hadn't done something like giving Han Zhandong half the tea leaves in his cup.

"Xiao Zhu, you really made huge contributions this time," Tao Juan said without hiding his excitement. "Our experts are still assessing the oil field's reserves. Once the supporting facilities are built, we won't have to worry about gasoline for at least a year."

A surprise attack with almost zero casualties had secured a large oil field—it was almost a miracle.

He had always known Zhu Shinian was amazing, but he hadn't realized just how amazing. Even Tao Juan himself was far behind at that age.

"...At least three years," Jiang Huaiyan corrected quickly. "That's the Empire's North Cang oil field, the fourth largest."

"I just got lucky," Zhu Shinian said habitually, being modest. "There happened to be this secret oil field the Empire thought was hidden, and the guards had been pulled away."

Tao Juan frowned slightly. Zhu Shinian's personality wasn't perfect—he was too used to hiding his edge. He rarely argued; even when they disagreed on non-essential matters, he'd just go along.

He was also too modest, disliking admiration or attention.

As a subordinate or an ordinary officer, this wasn't a problem; it made him approachable, steady, and trustworthy.

But as a leader, it made people mistakenly think he wasn't all that capable.

So when Zhu Shinian finally stood up to Han Zhandong, Tao Juan not only didn't stop him but even tried to support him.

"How can this be just luck? There are nearly a hundred thousand people in the rebel army. Everyone wants to solve the gasoline shortage, but no one else except the major general could have done this."

Han Zhandong, standing farthest away, suddenly spoke, startling everyone.

Fu Cheng was about to retort on instinct, but when he heard what Han said, he didn't know how to respond.

Han Zhandong's words were sincere enough. If he had the cunning to lie, he wouldn't have made a public bet to bark like a dog.

Ah, right—barking like a dog.

Was this guy trying to back out of it by acting humble?

The major general was too thin-skinned to bring it up, but Fu Cheng had no such qualms.

"So..." Fu Cheng cleared his throat, ready to speak.

But the moment he opened his mouth, Zhu Shinian shot him a fierce glare, immediately cutting him off.

Well, "fierce" might be overstating it. Zhu Shinian's look was more of a reproachful scold. Still, since he was usually so lenient with his subordinates and rarely stern, Fu Cheng had almost never seen him glare.

Alright, alright. Fu Cheng knew when to stop.

Seeing Han Zhandong embarrassed was enough. At least he now admitted Zhu Shinian was better than him. If Fu Cheng pressed it, Han might not follow through, and it would only make the major general uncomfortable.

Now, no one in the rebel army would dare to question Zhu Shinian again.

"I was indeed disrespectful to Major General Zhu before. I placed too much value on seniority and age—that was my fault. That oil field battle was brilliantly fought, and you led from the front, unlike the imperial officers I've seen who always send their men ahead. I formally apologize. Achievement doesn't depend on age; someone like you will surely go far."

"What's that about age? I'd rather have noodles..." Fu Cheng muttered.

"I think Little Fu wants noodles," Tao Juan said with a laugh. "Zhandong, since you know you were wrong, why don't you treat the major general to a meal? Go to Old Qin's noodle shop. It's not expensive—just four or five silver coins a bowl."

"Sure," Han Zhandong immediately agreed. "Major General, there's a great noodle shop in the city center. They serve handmade pulled noodles in clay pots. Major General Zhu just arrived in the Resistance Zone, so you probably haven't tried it yet. It was opened by a comrade who came over with us back then and his wife—it's practically a specialty of District 29..."

Fu Cheng quietly pursed his lips. Plenty of people wanted to have a meal with the Major General; they usually had to get in line. He was lucky Zhu Shinian would even eat with him.

Back when they were still in the capital, even the Chief Justice's handsome omega son had come to Fu Cheng asking if Zhu Shinian was free and if he could invite him out.

"So this young Brother Fu doesn't want to eat with me? That's fine too—I'll just go early and get a number..."

"Since you're an old war buddy of Senior Han and the Governor, I'll definitely have to stop by your shop sometime," Zhu Shinian said with a smile. "Besides, I really enjoy handmade pulled noodles. I'll take my family along. As for treating me, no need to go to that expense. Senior Han and I don't have any irreconcilable grudges—now that we've talked it out, it's all good."

Zhu Shinian's tone was sincere enough to make one truly believe that he simply felt the matter was resolved and no need for any more small talk.

Tao Juan also breathed a sigh of relief. Expecting Zhu Shinian and Han Zhandong to become as close as brothers overnight was unrealistic. Friendship also needs the right chemistry and compatible personalities. As long as the conflict was resolved, they could trust each other on the battlefield in the future.

For any military force, no foreign enemy or material shortage is as dangerous as internal conflict.

The Resistance's strength was gradually growing. People like Zhu Shinian, who came over from various regions, were only increasing. The composition of the group could never return to what it once was—a simple, homogenous team like the Arctic Wolf Squad, where everyone's background and experiences were almost identical.

If the issue between Zhu Shinian and Han Zhandong hadn't been resolved, factions would inevitably form later on. Without even needing the enemy's army, the Resistance would tear itself apart from within.

Now that the conflict was resolved, it couldn't be better.

"So, about Colonel Han's dog bark—are you still imitating it?" At that moment, Jiang Huaiyan suddenly chimed in from the side.

Fu Cheng happened to be drinking tea, and Jiang Huaiyan's words made him choke, coughing violently.

Author's note:

Happy Lunar New Year's Eve, everyone! I'll be sending out red envelopes today.