manynovel Chapter 59 Returning Home
Chapter 59 Returning Home
A month after the war ended, the "Hidden Dragon" base welcomed several special guests.
The military helicopter landed on the landing pad outside the base. The dust kicked up by the rotor blades had not yet settled when the cabin door opened. Deputy Chief of the General Staff General Li was the first to step out, followed by Lieutenant General Long Wang and two accompanying officers.
At the base, all the reserve team members in training were required to stay in their dormitories, while the active team members lined up neatly on the training ground. Lin Zhe, Long Ya, Long Zhao, and Long Ying stood at the front of the line, their bodies still bearing scars that had not fully healed, but their posture was as straight as pine trees.
General Li walked to the front of the column, his gaze sweeping over the young faces. Some were in their early twenties, others not yet thirty, but their eyes held a maturity and sharpness far beyond their years. They were the nation's sharpest blades, and his proudest soldiers.
"At ease," General Li said in a loud voice.
With a "whoosh," everyone moved in perfect unison.
"You fought very well in this self-defense counterattack operation on the southwestern border." General Li's gaze fell on Lin Zhe and his three companions. "Especially the team that went deep behind enemy lines to carry out special operations missions. With just four people—no, later eight people—you disrupted the war rhythm of an entire nation, demonstrating the might of the Chinese soldiers and earning the prestigious name of 'Hidden Dragon'!"
The training ground was completely silent, save for the sound of the wind rustling through the flagpole.
"On behalf of the Central Military Commission and the nation, I express my gratitude to you." General Li paused, "Your achievements will not be forgotten by the nation and its people."
He turned and took a red velvet box from the accompanying officer, opening it. Inside lay four medals—golden bases with a shield and sword crossed in the center, surrounded by olive branches. The medals gleamed with a restrained yet dignified light in the sunlight.
"After deliberation by the Military Commission of the Dragon Kingdom," General Li solemnly declared, "it has been decided to award Lin Zhe, Long Ya, Long Zhao, and Long Ying the 'Dragon Kingdom Guardian Medal.' Furthermore, in recognition of their outstanding contributions in this operation, they are hereby granted a special promotion in rank."
He walked up to Lin Zhe and personally pinned the heavy medal to Lin Zhe's chest, then replaced the original colonel's shoulder insignia with a brand-new senior colonel's shoulder insignia.
"Comrade Lin Zhe, a 25-year-old senior colonel." General Li looked at him, his eyes filled with a mixture of pride and emotion. "This is unprecedented in the history of our army. But you deserve it."
Lin Zhe stood at attention and saluted: "Thank you, Chief!"
Then came Dragon Fang, Dragon Claw, and Dragon Shadow. All three were promoted to colonel, and each received a Guardian Medal on their chest.
"As for the four team members who joined later," General Li looked at the back of the team, "you are awarded a first-class merit. You are heroes too."
After the simple medal-awarding ceremony, General Li and the Dragon King arrived at the base's conference room.
"This war has shown us a lot." General Li sat in the main seat, his expression serious. "The enemy's equipment is being upgraded, and their tactics are changing, but many of our troops are still stuck in the old mindset. It's not wrong to rely on numbers and courage, but it's not enough."
The Dragon King nodded: "Yes. Modern warfare, especially local conflicts and special operations, is a contest of individual soldier quality, high-tech equipment, and rapid response capabilities. The performance of the 'Hidden Dragon' squad this time is the best proof of that."
"Therefore, the Central Military Commission has decided," General Li looked at the core members present, "to select five key personnel from 'Hidden Dragon' to assist in the establishment of new-era special forces in various military regions. The requirements are—high education, high quality, and high technology. We need not only soldiers who can fight, but soldiers who understand warfare, know how to fight, and are capable of fighting modern warfare."
The meeting room was silent for a few seconds.
"Which five military regions?" Lin Zhe asked.
"Five theater commands: Beijing, Southwest, Northwest, Northeast, and East," General Li said. "The five of you will each be responsible for one theater command for a period of one year. Your mission is to help the military region build a brand-new special operations force that meets the requirements of modern warfare and to complete its initial training."
The Dragon King added, "Regarding the selections, we've considered them. Lin Zhe will go to the Jinghua Military Region, Dragon Fang to the Southwest, Dragon Claw to the Northwest, Dragon Shadow to the Northeast, and Dragon Thorn to the East. Any questions?"
The five people looked at each other and shook their heads.
"This is a long vacation," Longya grinned. "Being an instructor at the military region is much easier than carrying out missions overseas."
"Don't be too happy yet." The Dragon King glared at him. "Building a new unit, from selection to training to achieving combat capability, is much more difficult than carrying out a mission. Moreover... you'll be dealing with troublemakers from various military regions, they won't be easy to manage."
"clear."
"I'll give you a week to prepare." General Li stood up. "We'll depart in a week."
Lin Family Villa, Jinghua City.
Su Wan was busy in the kitchen, stewing Lin Zhe's favorite braised pork in a pot, the aroma filling the entire house. Lin Guodong sat on the sofa, wearing reading glasses and reading the newspaper, but his gaze kept drifting towards the door.
Raymond Lam and Jing Chan were watching TV with their son. Lin Hao kept asking, "When is Uncle coming back?"
"It'll be here soon." Chen Jing patted her son's head, her eyes also full of anticipation.
Zhang Xueying sat on a chair by the window, holding a book in her hand, but she hadn't turned a single page. Every now and then, she would glance at her watch, then at the road outside the window leading to the gate of the villa area.
Several months have passed since Lin Zhe's hasty return and departure. They've only spoken twice by encrypted phone, each time ending after a few words. She knows he's on a mission, knows it's for the country, but the longing is like a vine, coiling around her heart day by day.
"Beep beep—"
Car horns could be heard outside.
Zhang Xueying suddenly stood up, not even bothering to pick up the book that had fallen to the ground, and quickly walked towards the door. The others immediately got up and followed her.
Outside the gate, an ordinary black SUV pulled up. The door opened, and a young man in casual clothes stepped out. He looked up, his eyes sharp and composed.
"Xiao Zhe!" Su Wan called out first, her eyes immediately reddening.
Lin Zhe walked into the courtyard and saw his family coming out to greet him. A long-lost, relaxed smile appeared on his face: "Dad, Mom, brother, sister-in-law, Xueying... I'm back."
He hugged them one by one. When he hugged Zhang Xueying, he could feel her trembling slightly. Lin Zhe gently patted her back: "It's okay, you can stay for a long time this time."
"How long can we stay this time?" Lin Guodong asked the question that everyone was most concerned about.
"At least a year," Lin Zhe said. "My superiors have assigned me to work in the Jinghua Military Region to assist in the formation of a new unit. I don't need to go on missions; I just have regular get off work hours."
These words brought a sigh of relief to everyone. Su Wan wiped her eyes and said, "Good, good, it's good to be home. You have no idea how worried Xueying was after you left last time, she couldn't sleep at all."
Zhang Xueying blushed slightly: "Mom..."
"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore." Lin Guodong waved his hand. "It's good that you're back. Go change your clothes and have some dinner."
Lin Zhe carried his suitcase upstairs to his room. He opened it; inside were several civilian clothes and a military uniform. He took it out and hung it in the closet. When the uniform was fully unfolded, the gold stars on its epaulets gleamed under the light—Senior Colonel.
Lin Zhe stared at the shoulder insignia for a few seconds, then took off his civilian clothes and put on his military uniform.
When he came downstairs again, the laughter and chatter in the living room abruptly stopped.
Everyone looked at the senior colonel rank on his shoulders and the gold medal on his chest that they had never seen before.
A 25-year-old colonel.
Lin Guodong put down his newspaper, his eyes filled with complex emotions. As a ministerial-level officer, he was well aware of the military's promotion system. A 25-year-old senior colonel—this couldn't be described as "exceptional"; it was a miracle. And behind every miracle often lay unimaginable sacrifices and efforts.
Su Wan opened her mouth as if to say something, but in the end she just walked over and straightened her son's collar: "You've lost weight."
Lin Zhe held his mother's hand: "It's okay, Mom."
Zhang Xueying walked up to him, her gaze falling on the medal: "This is..."
Lin Zhe took off the medal and placed it in Zhang Xueying's hand: "This is for you."
"This...can I just give this away?" Zhang Xueying was a little at a loss. The medal was heavy, and the golden light flowed in her palm.
Just then, the doorbell rang.
Chen Jing went to open the door, and Zhang Dajiang was standing outside. The lieutenant general was dressed in civilian clothes and carrying two bottles of liquor, clearly having rushed over at the last minute—Zhang Xueying had just called him.
"Dad, you're here?" Zhang Xueying greeted him.
"I heard Lin Zhe is back, so I came to see him." Zhang Dajiang walked into the living room, his eyes immediately falling on the medal in his daughter's hand.
He stopped in his tracks, his eyes widening.
"This is..." Zhang Dajiang strode over, took the medal from his daughter's hand, and examined it carefully. His fingers traced the shield and sword patterns on the medal, his expression changing from surprise to solemnity, and finally to deep shock.
"The Guardian Medal." Zhang Dajiang's voice trembled slightly. "The Dragon Kingdom Guardian Medal... hasn't been awarded for decades."
He raised his head and looked at Lin Zhe: "The last time this medal was awarded was more than fifty years ago during the border counterattack, when it was given to three heroes who sacrificed their lives. This medal... represents the highest level of recognition and honor from the nation. Its holders are all loyal guardians who have shed blood for the country and made immortal contributions."
The living room was completely silent.
Zhang Dajiang gently placed the medal back into Zhang Xueying's hand, looking at his daughter: "Keep it safe. It's more precious than any gold or silver jewelry; it's the honor your husband earned with his life."
Zhang Xueying's hands trembled slightly. She finally understood the weight of this medal, and she finally understood what Lin Zhe had been doing all these years—not training in an ordinary military camp, not working in an office, but protecting this country amidst gunfire and on the edge of life and death.
"Dad..." she tried to say something, but her voice choked with emotion.
Zhang Dajiang patted his daughter's shoulder, then looked at Lin Zhe. The 25-year-old colonel stood there, upright and calm, without pride or ostentation, as if he had done something very ordinary.
"A 25-year-old senior colonel." Zhang Dajiang walked up to Lin Zhe and patted him heavily on the shoulder. "Kid, when I was your age, I was just a major. Your promotion speed... is unprecedented."
Lin Zhe stood at attention: "Commander, I..."
"Don't call me 'Chief' at home," Zhang Dajiang waved his hand. "Call me 'Dad.' You're Xueying's husband, so you're my son-in-law."
He paused, looking at the senior colonel's rank on Lin Zhe's shoulder, his tone becoming serious: "This rank, it must have been earned through first-class merits, right? I heard you've earned more than one first-class merit."
Lin Zhe remained silent. Some things cannot be said, but silence is the answer.
Zhang Dajiang sighed, his eyes filled with both pride and heartache: "I know the nature of your unit. Every day is like dancing on a knife's edge; every mission could be a one-way trip. But Lin Zhe, you're married now, you have a family. From now on... think more about your family."
"Dad, I understand." Lin Zhe nodded. "This time I'm going to work at your Jinghua Military Region. For the next year, I'll be working in Jinghua, with regular get off work hours."
"The order has been received," Zhang Dajiang said with a smile. "The Jinghua Military Region is counting on you. I'm in a good mood today, have a couple of drinks with me!"
"Dad, didn't you drive here?"
"Have the driver come pick us up later!" Zhang Dajiang waved his hand dismissively. "We have to drink today!"
The atmosphere became lively again. Su Wan and Zhang Xueying went to the kitchen to continue preparing the meal, Lin Guodong and Zhang Dajiang sat on the sofa and chatted about current affairs, Lin Feng and Chen Jing played with the children, and Lin Zhe sat to the side, watching this scene, feeling an unprecedented sense of peace.
This is what he wants to protect—the warmth of home, the smiles of loved ones, and the ordinary yet precious life.
He was willing to give everything for this.
At dinner, the family sat around the table. As expected, Zhang Dajiang pulled Lin Zhe into having a few drinks. The old man had a high alcohol tolerance and became quite talkative.
"Lin Zhe, you're going to the Jinghua Military Region to form a new unit. What are your thoughts?" Zhang Dajiang asked.
"I have some initial ideas," Lin Zhe said. "In modern warfare, individual soldier skills are becoming increasingly important. I want to build a truly high-tech, highly educated, and highly skilled special operations force. They not only need to be good at fighting, but also understand technology, foreign languages, and psychological warfare..."
As he spoke, he noticed that his whole family was listening quietly.
Lin Zhe laughed: "Let's not talk about this anymore, let's eat."
"Go on, continue," Lin Guodong said. "I also want to hear what our country's future soldiers should be like."
Lin Zhe glanced at his family's expectant gazes and continued. He talked about the application of individual soldier drones, battlefield informatization, psychological warfare and information warfare, cross-service coordination...
He spoke with great enthusiasm, and his family listened attentively.
Outside the window, night falls and the city lights begin to twinkle.
Inside the house, the family sat around a table, their laughter filling the air.
At this moment, Lin Zhe felt that all his efforts and sacrifices in this life had been worthwhile.
Because what he is protecting is not only this country, but also such nights, such warmth, and such a home.