"It won't do to let wild boars keep ruining the experimental fields like this, especially since many students nowadays haven't dealt with such situations before. Today was pure luck—there were many people around. But if just one or two students encountered a full-grown wild boar, it could be extremely dangerous."
Wang Shuo frowned. The decision to butcher the boar and have a barbecue was meant to calm the students' nerves and prevent them from impulsively venturing into the woods to hunt the animals. It was also a way to divert their attention.
"Then I’ll report it and request a team to clear them out. This is indeed a major hazard. There weren’t so many wild boars before, but ever since this entire area was allocated to our agricultural college, we’ve planted more crops and fruit trees, attracting the boars."
Add to that the recent hailstorm—the boars likely came down from the mountains specifically to scavenge for food.
Wang Shuo nodded.
Yang Yufen hurried home when she saw smoke rising from her kitchen.
"It must be Nian back. I’ll head home now."
"Alright, take care."
In the kitchen, Qin Nian noticed the thermos was empty and decided to boil some water, planning to take a bath afterward.
"Mom, you’re back."
Qin Nian turned her head at the sound.
"Yes, what are you up to? Let me help."
Yang Yufen glanced around—just a pot of water on the stove, no vegetables on the cutting board.
"The thermos was empty, so I thought I’d boil some water. Have you eaten, Mom?"
"I had a barbecue with the students from the agricultural college today, so I’m full. How about you? Should I make you some noodles?"
Yang Yufen lifted the thermos—it was indeed empty. She’d been in a hurry that morning and forgot to refill it after feeding the chickens.
"I’ve eaten too."
"I’ll go to Aunt Wang’s place next door to get you some water. The freshly boiled water is too hot to drink anyway."
Yang Yufen carried the thermos to the neighbor’s house, where Aunt Wang was washing her hands.
"I was too busy this morning and forgot to refill the thermos."
"I’ve got plenty here—both thermoses are full. Let me get one for you."
"I’m taking a day off tomorrow. Nian rarely comes home, so she’ll definitely rest too."
Yang Yufen poured the water into her thermos as she spoke.
"Then I’ll take a break too. I’ll clear the weeds in the backyard tomorrow—they’re growing faster than the vegetables now."
The newly planted seedlings had been damaged by the hailstorm, but the weeds, stubborn as ever, were thriving.
"I’ll head back now. I’ll tidy up a bit tomorrow too."
Yang Yufen hurried home with the thermos and poured Qin Nian a large bowl of water.
"Mom, I got my salary this month. Since I’m off tomorrow, what do you plan to do?"
Qin Nian pulled out her wages—a full 500 yuan.
"Nian, your salary went up again! That’s amazing!"
Yang Yufen was delighted for her.
"Salaries have increased across the board this year. Xianjun’s allowance should go up too."
Qin Nian tried to hand the money to Yang Yufen.
"I don’t need that much. Save it for yourself. Your teacher’s wife mentioned the rent the other day—all our properties have seen rent increases. But since our tenants are mostly teachers or students, and they repaired the houses after the hailstorm, I thought we’d wait until next year to adjust the rates to match the market."
Yang Yufen only took 100 yuan, figuring the rest could be saved for the children.
"You decide, Mom. What are your plans for tomorrow?"
Qin Nian insisted on giving her two more bills, leaving no room for refusal.
"Nothing much. I’ll kill a chicken for you. Silly child, is the money burning a hole in your hand?"
Yang Yufen laughed, scolding her half-heartedly, but pocketed the money anyway.
"Mom, let’s keep the chickens for their eggs. Tomorrow, why don’t I take you to the supply and marketing cooperative? It’s getting hot, and you’re still wearing the clothes I bought you last time. Let’s get you some new outfits, then eat out."
"Sounds perfect. I’m truly blessed. You’re taking me out and still stuffing money into my hands. Here, take this back—we’ll treat ourselves tomorrow."
Yang Yufen returned 100 yuan to Qin Nian, who accepted it with a smile. The water on the stove began to boil.
"You go ahead and wash up. I’ll feed the chickens."
At the campsite—
"Achoo!"
Shen Xianjun rubbed his nose. Seven leftover landmines had been located and detonated. However, the operation also uncovered several sets of skeletal remains buried underground. The bones had decayed, but some personal belongings were found, confirming their identities.
"Ten more days, and this mission wraps up. I’ll lead the team back to the school, and you take the kids back to the compound."
Hu Jun approached, watching as professionals carefully collected the remains and placed them into small caskets. The mood was somber.
Heroes lie buried across these green hills. The peaceful lives they enjoy today were bought with the sacrifices of these predecessors—they must never be forgotten.
"Yeah, this area’s mostly cleared now. How are the kids doing?"
Since the day the landmines were discovered, Shen Xianjun had been living in the woods, and even fresh recruits weren’t allowed near, let alone children.
"They’re doing great. Li Wu has the makings of an excellent lone-wolf soldier. Li Wen—well, Li Wen takes after Nian. His mind’s sharp as a tack. If Li Wu follows your path, we should steer Li Wen toward research, like Nian."
At least one of them should stay safe.
Li Wen had an uncanny knack for machinery—taking things apart and putting them back together. If not for his small size and lack of strength, he’d be just as good as any adult, if not more agile.
"Real men protect their country. That’s what matters."
Shen Xianjun earned a kick from Hu Jun for that remark.
"There are many ways to serve your country. I think Li Wen should be groomed for military engineering research. Stop wasting good talent."
Hu Jun’s tone was dismissive, but his concern was genuine.
"I didn’t say anything wrong."
Shen Xianjun brushed the shoe print off his pants.
"But the kid’s really that sharp? Must take after his old man."
He grinned smugly, earning an eye-roll from Hu Jun.
"Both your sons listen to mine. They’re always calling me ‘Uncle’—music to my ears. A maternal uncle’s word carries weight."
Hu Jun’s comment wiped the smile off Shen Xianjun’s face. After finally getting his sons by his side, this mission had kept him in the woods, barely seeing them.
In the barracks, Hu Zhenghao was mending Li Wu’s pants.
"Can’t you be more careful? How many times is this? How many times! At this rate, there won’t be enough fabric left to sew!"
He scolded Li Wu even as his needle kept moving. While everyone’s clothes had a few tears here and there, no one wore through them as fast as Li Wu.
Li Wen’s clothes had even ended up on Li Wu’s back.
"I’m sorry. I’ll be more careful next time."
Li Wu blinked pleadingly. Hu Zhenghao took a deep breath.
His father was busy, his uncle was nowhere to be seen, and while the drill instructor had handed out needles and thread, demonstrating how to patch things up, Li Wu was all thumbs.
Li Wen was nimble-fingered, but as the saying goes, "slow work yields fine results"—a single tear took him ages to mend, and lights-out would come before he finished.
At this rate, repairing a single pair of pants would take forever. In the end, Hu Zhenghao decided to do it himself.
