Chapter 121: A Foreboding Feeling

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Xia Yan’s eyes darted away nervously. “It’s nothing, I just got covered by the quilt last night while sleeping.”

Lin Hongzhuo wiped his face. “Covered by the quilt? I like hiding under the quilt too, but why isn’t my face turning red…”

Hearing his son behind him, Xia Yan stumbled slightly, finding no reply, and hurriedly ran toward the children’s room.

The family had just sat down to eat when Wang Baoguo arrived.

Lin You carried a large bowl of noodles and ran to open the door. “You came because of the aroma? We were just about to eat.”

“Well, I did come at a good time, but by the smell, I can tell this noodle dish wasn’t made by sister-in-law. I’m not eating it,” Wang Baoguo said, leaning in to sniff and showing a face of disdain.

Lin You lifted his leg and gave the shameless man a kick.

The latter laughed and dodged. “Alright, big brother, I’m here officially. The regiment asked me to take some newcomers up the mountain.”

“Take newcomers up the mountain?”

Lin You paused his movements. Why hadn’t anyone told him about this at the regiment yesterday?

Usually, he was the one who took newcomers up the mountain. “Then let me get ready and go with you.”

“Eh… why would you come with me? I’m just here to inform you. This is my first time leading a team; you should learn to let go. I came to look for sister-in-law. She’s inside, right?”

Wang Baoguo glanced inside and saw Xia Yan holding Lin Nuannuan while eating. Smiling, he ran in. “Sister-in-law!”

Xia Yan had seen him enter the yard earlier.

Seeing him come in, Xia Yan smiled and greeted, “Baoguo, you’re here! Sit down and have some food.”

“No thanks, sister-in-law, I’ve eaten. I’m taking the troops up the mountain soon. I have some news: Dr. Zhu will be coming along.”

Xia Yan made a soft “oh?” sound. But thinking of what Zhu Yan had told her yesterday, she felt a wave of helplessness inside. She knew she couldn’t be of much help; only Wang Baoguo could rely on himself.

Xia Yan looked up at him, wanting to say something, but seeing his excited smile, she swallowed her words and instead smiled. “Then you’d better seize the opportunity.”

“Yeah, sister-in-law, I’ll be off then.”

“Really not going to eat something?”

“No, the soldiers are assembling, and I need to hurry. Looks like I’ll miss your treat again this time.”

“When you come back, your brother and I will treat you alone. Sister-in-law will cook a whole table of dishes for you.”

Looking at the man before her, eight years her senior yet calling her sister-in-law at every turn, Xia Yan found it increasingly amusing. But as she watched his departing figure, a strange feeling suddenly gripped her heart, making her uneasy…

It was a very bad feeling.

At that moment, a voice interrupted her. “What are you thinking about?”

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“Lin You, is there danger going up the mountain?”

Xia Yan murmured.

“Hmm?”

Lin You didn’t understand why Xia Yan suddenly asked that but answered honestly. “The snow mountain is full of dangers; anything could happen.”

Seeing the worry on Xia Yan’s face, Lin You asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing… just a sudden tightness in my chest,” Xia Yan shook her head, trying to shake off the bad feeling.

“Tightness? Are you feeling unwell? Should we go to the infirmary?”

Lin You asked worriedly.

Xia Yan shook her head again. “It’s fine. Let’s go inside and eat. After eating, we have to go down the mountain.”

“Really okay?” Lin You was still uneasy and asked again.

Xia Yan smiled and nodded, linking her arm with his. “I’m fine. Don’t worry.”

Elsewhere, Wang Baoguo ran back to the regiment’s training ground. The new soldiers for the mountain mission had already gathered, while Zhu Yan squatted nearby checking the medical kit.

“Instructor.”

“Instructor Wang! Everyone is here; we’re ready to depart anytime.”

Wang Baoguo arrived at the training ground, and the company commanders approached him one after another.

“All right, have the soldiers double-check their equipment. We depart in ten minutes.”

Wang Baoguo’s usual joking expression disappeared, replaced with a serious demeanor.

“Yes, sir!”

Then Wang Baoguo quickly ran to Zhu Yan. “Dr. Zhu.”

“Instructor Wang.”

When Zhu Yan received the task to accompany the team up the mountain, she initially wanted to refuse. But thinking the mission would take at least half a month, giving her a chance to escape her family’s nagging, she agreed.

Zhu Yan’s tone carried a sense of distance.

Wang Baoguo cleared his throat and said solemnly, “Thank you for your hard work. The mountain is dangerous; stay close to me.”

Zhu Yan wanted to refuse but saw that Wang Baoguo was different from before and nodded. “Okay, then I’ll trouble you, Instructor Wang.”

At that moment, the once clear sky suddenly darkened.

Wang Baoguo frowned. “This weather is really ill-timed.”

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Ten minutes later, thirty soldiers were fully prepared, waiting for Wang Baoguo’s order.

Wang Baoguo slung over his back a bundle of blankets folded like tofu blocks and a backpack, then waved his hand. “Let’s go.”

This mission was to expand the outpost on the snow mountain.

Along the way, the new soldiers were indescribably excited. Two of them came from the seaside and had never seen snow before; when they heard they were going to the snow mountain, they signed up without hesitation.

Wang Baoguo looked at the young faces before him. “Dr. Zhu, look at their ages—so good.”

“How old are you this year? Two years younger than Lin You, right?”

“How does Dr. Zhu know I’m two years younger than big brother? Did you secretly ask?”

Wang Baoguo said seriously, making Zhu Yan speechless.

A cold wind blew, and Zhu Yan tightened her clothes, not wanting to pay attention to the man in front of her.

Soon, a stretch of primeval forest appeared about five hundred meters ahead.

“Dr. Zhu, we’re about to enter the forest. You must follow me closely. There are many fierce beasts inside. Don’t stray too far.”

“I’m a soldier too, you know!”

Zhu Yan patted the gun at her waist, quickened her pace, and overtook Wang Baoguo.

Wang Baoguo smiled, liking Zhu Yan even more.

“We’re entering the forest ahead. Everyone, stay alert! Be ready for combat at any moment!”

Wang Baoguo shouted loudly to the soldiers ahead.

“Yes, sir!”

...

After breakfast, Lin You drove a jeep from the base.

Just as he arrived home, small snowflakes began to fall inexplicably. The children joyfully ran around the yard.

“Mom, it’s snowing! Look!”

Xia Yan raised her hand to catch the snowflakes in her palm. Normally, she would have happily joined the children playing, but now…

She raised her eyes to gaze at the distant snow mountain.

“Hopefully, they will complete this mission safely.”