A strange silence followed her words. For a moment, no one knew how to respond.
Even Gu Zhenhua, who was rarely at a loss for words, found himself momentarily stilled. He studied her quietly for a moment before giving a faint nod. Without pressing further, he returned to his seat, his expression composed once more.
Li Shuying, too, did not expect a reply.
Her brothers exchanged a glance, still puzzled, yet sensing that this was not the time to ask questions. One by one, they settled back into their places.
The compartment gradually fell into stillness.
Li Shuying turned her gaze toward the window. Outside, darkness stretched endlessly across the land. Her reflection faintly overlapped the glass. But her eyes were elsewhere.
Half an hour later, the train began to slow. A long whistle pierced the night. "Baicheng Station... arrival!" The announcement echoed faintly through the carriage and the train came to a halt.
He Jianci appeared promptly, as if he had been waiting just outside, and entered with brisk efficiency. After a crisp salute to Gu Zhenhua, he lifted the his luggage with practiced ease.
Meanwhile, Li Shuying and her brothers gathered their own bundles, securing the cloth wrappings tightly before making their way toward the exit with the flow of passengers.
The moment they stepped down onto the platform they froze. Before them stretched a sight they had never imagined.
The Baicheng railway station was vast far beyond anything they had seen in county.
Multiple platforms extended into the distance, each crowded with passengers, porters, and railway staff moving in ceaseless motion. Overhead, rows of electric lights cast a steady, bright glow, illuminating the entire station as though it were broad daylight.
Steam from locomotives curled into the air, mingling with the murmur of voices, the clang of metal, and the sharp whistles of conductors directing the flow of people.
Though Baicheng was only a prefecture-level city, its station rivaled those of provincial capitals.
It stood as a vital artery of the Northeast, a corridor for development across Jilin Province.
Li Jianmin and Li Jianguo stood rooted to the spot, their eyes wide with astonishment.
Even Li Shuying, who had been lost in her thoughts until now, could not help but be momentarily stunned by the sheer scale before her.
Instinctively, the two brothers moved closer together, drawing her protectively between them as they walked, their steps cautious amid the bustling crowd. Their gazes darted everywhere, unable to settle.
Li Jianguo lowered his voice, awe evident in his tone. "Look at those electric lights… the whole station is illuminated like this. In our county, not even the hospital is this bright."
Li Jianmin nodded vigorously, then suddenly pointed toward a nearby office. "Look over there, is that… a telephone?"
Inside the small room, a railway clerk held a receiver to his ear, speaking into the wired device with practiced familiarity.
Li Shuying followed his gaze and nodded. "Yes. That is a telephone."
Both brothers stared at it as though witnessing something out of a story.
As soon as they stepped out of the railway station, another wave of astonishment struck them.
The world beyond the station gates was even more overwhelming.
The wide road ahead bustled with movement, cars, bicycles, large public buses, and heavy trucks were rolling in stady stream, while a few olive-green military jeeps stood parked in orderly rows.
It was a sight both Li brother's had ever witnessed before.
In their county, seeing even a handful of bicycles was considered something to brag about. As for cars or buses, those belonged to stories, not reality.
Now, standing amidst such grandeur, both Li Jianmin and Li Jianguo were visibly shaken.
Their eyes darted everywhere, unable to settle, as though afraid they might miss something.
Gu Zhenhua, who had been walking ahead, slowed his steps and turned slightly.
"The military compound is on the outskirts," he said in his usual steady tone. "It will take about forty minutes by jeep. One has already been arranged."
He paused briefly, then added, "If you wish to purchase anything, there is a Supply and Marketing Cooperative just down the road. We can stop there."
Li Shuying immediately shook her head. "Thank you, Officer Gu, but there is nothing we need to buy," she replied politely. "It would be better to go directly to see our father."
Gu Zhenhua gave a small nod and said nothing further. Without delay, he resumed walking.
Soon, they reached the parking area.
A young soldier in uniform approached swiftly and stopped before Gu Zhenhua, his posture straight as a drawn bowstring. He raised his hand in a crisp salute. "Deputy Company Commander Gu, welcome back. Your vehicle is ready." He gestured toward a military jeep parked a short distance away.
Li Shuying's gaze lingered on the vehicle. Though she had seen far more advanced machines in her previous life, this jeep with its angular body, exposed metal frame, and utilitarian design held a certain rugged charm. It looked sturdy, reliable… and distinctly of its time.
Gu Zhenhua turned to the three siblings. "Get in," he instructed calmly. "And hold on tightly. The road ahead is uneven."
They nodded obediently. Moments later, the jeep roared to life.
As it drove into the city, Li Jianmin and Li Jianguo sat upright, their eyes wide as they watched everything pass by. They looked like children seeing the world anew.
Bright fluorescent streetlights lined the roads, casting a steady glow over the bustling streets. Shops stood in neat rows, their signboards illuminated. People moved with purpose, bicycles streamed like flowing water, and the occasional honk of a car horn cut through the night air. The prosperity of the city was unmistakable.
Li Shuying, too, observed quietly. But unlike her brothers, her fascination was different. To her, this was not unfamiliar. Compared to the towering cities and dazzling skylines of her previous life, this Baicheng seemed modest… almost quaint.
And yet there was something deeply moving about its simplicity.
Gradually, the lively streets gave way to quieter roads.
The streetlights thinned, then disappeared altogether.
The jeep began to jolt violently as it moved onto uneven terrain. Darkness enveloped everything.
Only the headlights cut through the night, revealing fleeting glimpses of dense forest on either side. The road grew rougher. Each bump sent sharp jolts through their bodies.
After nearly half an hour of this relentless ride, Li Jianmin and Li Jianguo looked as though their bones might fall apart.
"This… is worse than ploughing the fields…" Li Jianmin muttered under his breath, gripping the side tightly. Li Jianguo could only nod in silent agreement.
At last the road leveled. Lights reappeared in the distance. The driver slowed the jeep and announced, "We have arrived." Both brothers exhaled deeply, relief washing over their faces. If given a choice, they would rather walk ten li than endure such a ride again.
But Li Shuying had gone still. Her fingers tightened slightly around her bundle. Her heartbeat quickened. At last she will her Father.
Ahead of them stood the entrance to the military compound. Tall iron gates rose imposingly against the night, flanked by high walls that stretched into the darkness. Guard posts stood on either side, lit by bright lamps that cast sharp beams across the entrance. Armed sentries stood at attention, their silhouettes rigid and unwavering.
The jeep slowed to a halt.
Immediately, one of the guards stepped forward, his rifle held firmly at his side. "Please identify yourself!" His voice rang out, sharp yet respectful.
Before the driver could respond, Gu Zhenhua stepped out of the jeep. The moment the guards saw him, their expressions shifted instantly. They straightened, heels clicking together, and raised their hands in salute. "Deputy Company Commander Gu!"
Gu Zhenhua nodded and said, "Open the gate." and handed over his documents.
The guard examined them and immediately signaled to open the gate.
The military jeep rolled through the compound gates under the unwavering salutes of the guards.
Yet, to the siblings' surprise, Gu Zhenhua did not re-enter the vehicle. Instead, he turned slightly and said in an even tone, "You three, come down."
Li Shuying, Li Jianguo, and Li Jianmin exchanged brief glances, but they did not question him. One by one, they climbed down from the jeep, clutching their bundles.
Gu Zhenhua continued, "Wait in the reception lounge. Until your identities are confirmed, you cannot enter further into the compound."
Li Jianguo stepped forward slightly, his brows drawn together.
"How do we confirm our identity?" he asked.
Gu Zhenhua replied without hesitation, "It is simple. We will contact your father. He will come and identify you." The three siblings nodded in understanding.
Without delegating the task to anyone else, Gu Zhenhua personally led them toward a small annex attached to the main gate.
The "waiting lounge," as it was called, was modest a plain room with whitewashed walls, a row of sturdy wooden chairs lined neatly along one side, and a single desk placed near the corner. On it sat a black rotary telephone. A dim but steady electric bulb illuminated the room.
The guard stationed inside immediately straightened upon seeing Gu Zhenhua. His boots struck the ground sharply as he saluted. "Deputy Company Commander Gu!"
Gu Zhenhua acknowledged the salute with a slight nod before gesturing toward the chairs. "You three, sit."
The siblings obeyed quietly, placing their bundles at their feet before taking their seats.
Gu Zhenhua then turned to He Jianci. "Go to the canteen and arrange three set of meals," he instructed. "Take my identification booklet with you."
"Yes, Deputy Company Commander." He Jianci saluted crisply and departed at once, his steps brisk and efficient.
The guard in the room hesitated for a moment before stepping forward respectfully. "Deputy Company Commander Gu, how may I assist you?"
Gu Zhenhua turned his gaze toward him. "Call the dormitories of the Second Battalion," he said. "Request Comrade Li Guoqiang from Third Company, First Platoon, First Squad's leader to report here. Inform him that someone has come to see him."
"Understood." The guard nodded promptly. Out of habit, he waited a brief moment, expecting Gu Zhenhua to leave after issuing the order.
But Gu Zhenhua did not move. Instead, he remained standing beside the seated children. Even more unexpectedly he began making small talks with them.
The guard could not help but glance at the scene from the corner of his eye.
It was… unusual.
Everyone in the compound knew of this eccentric young Deputy Company Commander Gu. He was not a man of many words and given his rank, there was no need for him to personally accompany, let alone entertain, the visitors of a mere squad leader… especially children.
And yet there he stood.
The guard suppressed his curiosity, before he turned back to his duty. He lifted the receiver of the telephone and began dialing.
After a brief pause, the line connected. "This is the main gate reception," the guard spoke into the receiver, his tone official and clear. "Comrade Li Guoqiang, Squad Leader of First Squad, First Platoon, Third Company, is requested to report immediately to the waiting lounge." He paused briefly, then added with emphasis, "At the request of Deputy Company Commander Gu of First Battalion, Second Company."
On the other end of the line there was a moment of silence. Then a sudden shift, "Yes, Immediately"
Inside one of the double-occupancy dormitories of the Second Battalion, the night had already settled into a quiet routine.
A dim electric bulb cast a soft glow over the small room, where two iron-framed beds stood opposite each other. Neatly folded uniforms hung on wooden pegs, and a faint smell of soap and dust lingered in the air.
A man in his mid-thirties with a sturdy build and unusually excellent features, was finishing arranging his bedding. His movements were methodical, disciplined, as though even rest required order.
Across the room, another soilder was doing the same, though his mouth was far more active than his hands. "…So I'm telling you, there's bound to be an inspection soon, The signs are all there. Are you even listening, Guoqiang?"
Li Guoqiang lay down on his bed with a tired sigh, one arm resting over his forehead. "Zhiyong," he said wearily, "must we talk about work at this hour? It's already late. We can think about it tomorrow."
Ma Zhiyong immediately straightened, his expression exaggeratedly wounded. "Not concerned? You've already passed your squad inspection, so of course you don't care! Li Guoqiang, you can't be this heartless." He placed a hand dramatically over his chest. "You're the only one I can speak my mind to. If you stop listening, then I truly have no one left in this vast world."
Li Guoqiang rolled his eyes at his friend's theatrics and without another word, he closed his eyes, clearly signaling the end of the conversation.
Ma Zhiyong clicked his tongue knowing full well that this man, once he decided to sleep, would not be swayed even if the heavens collapsed, he wisely changed the topic. "I heard you applied for leave during the Mid-Autumn Festival," he said more casually. "Was it approved?"
Li Guoqiang's eyes opened at once. A faint softness appeared in his otherwise stern gaze. "Yes," he replied. "I received approval today." A small, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corner of his lips. At the thought of returning home his heart stirred with a quiet warmth.
Ma Zhiyong noticed the change and sat on his bed, watching him with a knowing look. "You really are a family man," he said. "Your family must treasure you deeply."
Li Guoqiang did not respond. But in his mind he saw them clearly. His wife's tired yet gentle face. His sons' thin frames. And his little daughter…
The warmth in his chest tightened into something heavier and painful.
Almost a year, that was how long it had been since he last saw them. He remembered the hollowness of their cheeks… the exhaustion etched into his wife's body and with that came a familiar ache.
He felt useless, because had failed to protect his wife from his stepmother. Failed to provide his children with enough to eat.
Even now, though he held the position of squad leader, he could not secure housing within the military compound for them. He had applied. But the reality was cruel. There was a severe shortage of housing. Even platoon leaders had yet to be assigned quarters. How could it ever be his turn?
All he had ever wanted was to bring his family here. To let them live in peace and spare them from hardship. But that wish seemed more distant with each passing day.
Just as he was lost in these thoughts a sudden, urgent knock broke the silence.
Both men frowned and exchanged glances. Ma Zhiyong was the first to rise. He strode toward the door while Li Guoqiang pushed himself upright on the bed, alert now.
The door creaked open. Outside stood a young soldier, slightly out of breath, his chest rising and falling rapidly. Upon seeing Ma Zhiyong, he quickly straightened and offered an awkward salute. "Squad Leader Ma."
Ma Zhiyong frowned. "What's the matter?" he asked. "Why are you knocking at this hour?"
The young soldier swallowed and spoke quickly. "Squad Leader Li has been summoned to the waiting lounge at the main gate. The order comes from Deputy Company Commander Gu of First Battalion, Second Company."
Ma Zhiyong blinked, stunned. He turned slowly to look at Li Guoqiang, who had already risen to his feet behind him. "What's going on?" Ma Zhiyong asked, baffled. "Why would he call you? And at this hour?"
Everyone in the compound knew of that young Deputy Company Commander, capable, decisive, and highly respected. But he was not their superior. They were not even in the same battalion. In fact, there had never been any interaction between Li Guoqiang and Gu Zhenhua.
Li Guoqiang's brows furrowed slightly. "Who knows," he said simply. "I'll go and see." He turned to the young soldier. "I will change and come."
Without delay, he stepped back into the room. His movements were swift and practiced. Within two minutes, he had changed into his military uniform. Stepping out again, his expression had already regained its usual calm discipline and without another word, Li Guoqiang set off at a brisk pace toward the waiting lounge.