STG 35

Chapter 35: We Are the Regular Army

Under the warm glow of the light, the tip of the spear glinted coldly.

Seriously?! She actually keeps a spear in her room?!

Lin Qiye swallowed hard and quickly explained, “No, no, Hong-jie… I just wanted to ask… do you have paper and a pen?”

Hong Ying blinked. “What do you need paper and a pen for at this hour?”

“To write a letter.”

“Hmm… I think I have some. Wait here!” She set the spear aside and began rummaging through her room.

From the doorway, Lin Qiye could clearly see inside.

Surprisingly, Hong Ying’s room was incredibly simple—almost austere.

The space contained only a hard bed, a desk lamp, a study table, and a plush toy beside the pillow.

No decorations, no expensive mattress, no sofa, no air conditioning… It was hard to believe that in such a luxurious villa, Hong Ying’s room could be this bare.

It resembled a monk’s cell more than a master bedroom.

The only thing that matched her age was that cute plush toy.

“Paper… paper, paper… Found it!” Hong Ying’s eyes lit up as she handed Lin Qiye a pen and a few sheets of paper.

“Hong-jie… you usually sleep here?”

She glanced back and nodded. “As a Night Watch agent, I can’t indulge in material comforts. I have to temper my will constantly… If this villa weren’t my parents’ legacy and needed upkeep, I might’ve sold it long ago and moved back to the dorms.”

Lin Qiye fell silent for a moment. “I see. Thanks… Goodnight.”

“Goodnight. Get some rest.” Hong Ying waved with a smile and gently closed the door.

Lin Qiye went downstairs and sat at the dining table, turning on the overhead light.

Before him lay a blank sheet of paper and a pen.

The faint chirping of cicadas drifted through the window. The summer night’s heat had dissipated after the rain, and the shadows of leaves cast moonlight onto the table…

Pen in hand, Lin Qiye sat motionless.

After what felt like an eternity, he finally lowered the pen.

The first line appeared on the paper:

“To Auntie and Yang Jin…”

.

.

.

“Mom! Mom!”

Yang Jin gently shook Auntie, who had fallen asleep at the dining table.

She opened her bleary eyes, rubbing her sore neck as she lifted her head. “What is it? Did your brother come back?”

Yang Jin shook his head. “No… but there’s a letter under the door.”

“A letter?”

“Yeah. It looks like it’s from Ge.”

“Xiao Qi? Quick, open it!” Auntie urged anxiously, watching as Yang Jin unfolded the letter. “This child… gone all night without a word, comes to the doorstep but doesn’t come in…

“What’s the meaning of leaving a letter?!”

Yang Jin handed her the opened letter, and the two huddled together to read it carefully.

After a long silence, Auntie’s trembling hands lowered the paper. She sat there, stunned.

“Mom, Ge says he’s enlisted,” Yang Jin said, turning to her.

“Enlisted? Enlisted?! How… how could this be so sudden?” Auntie muttered. “He never mentioned it…”

“No, he did.” Yang Jin nodded earnestly.

“He did?”

“He used to tell me in private that his biggest dream was to join the military. But because his eyes weren’t healed, he put it aside for now.” Yang Jin paused, then pointed to a line in the letter.

“See? He wrote it here too—after his eyes recovered, he secretly signed up. He didn’t tell you because he was afraid you’d stop him. Last night, he boarded a train to Qiqihar alone…”

“Wait, that doesn’t make sense.”

“What doesn’t?”

“You only found this letter this morning. According to it, he should already be on the train!” For once, Auntie’s mind was sharp.

“Uh…” Yang Jin scratched his head. “Actually, the letter might’ve been there last night. I just didn’t notice it until now.”

“But this is too sudden!” Auntie couldn’t accept it. “And his eyes just healed! What if they relapse during training?

“No… no! I can’t rest easy!

“I’m going to the government—I want my nephew back!”

She stood up in a fluster, not even bothering to change out of her slippers, and rushed for the door.

Then she froze.

Outside stood two men in military uniforms, looking awkward as if they’d been about to knock.

Had Lin Qiye been there, he’d have recognized them immediately: Chen Muye and Wen Qimo.

“Who are you?” Auntie frowned.

Chen Muye and Wen Qimo exchanged a glance. The latter broke into a warm smile and gave a slightly sloppy salute.

“Hello, are you Ms. Wang Fang, Lin Qiye’s guardian?”

“Yes, that’s me.”

“We’re from the Cangnan Military Affairs Office. We’re here to deliver some enlistment paperwork and subsidies for Lin Qiye.”

“Military Affairs Office?” Auntie eyed them suspiciously. “What’s that?”

“It’s… the department that handles new recruits.”

“Oh… Well, come in and sit.” She stepped aside to let them in, then turned to make tea. “I was just about to go looking for you people! Something’s not right here!”

The moment they sat down, Wen Qimo broke into a cold sweat.

Leaning toward Chen Muye, he whispered, “Captain… are we really going to pull this off?”

“Relax. These documents are straight from the actual military—all genuine!”

“But you only submitted Lin Qiye’s application yesterday. There’s no way the paperwork could’ve come this fast. Are you sure… these are real?”

“…” Chen Muye’s lip twitched. “They’ll become real soon enough.”

“But I don’t get it. Why not wait for the official documents instead of rushing like this?”

“It’s not us rushing—it’s that kid Lin Qiye.” Chen Muye glanced at Auntie bustling in the kitchen and lowered his voice. “He’s afraid his aunt won’t believe the letter and will go straight to the government for answers. But the lower-level officials don’t know we exist… You see the problem?”

“Got it.”

Wen Qimo straightened up, putting on his most professional smile.

“Ms. Wang, rest assured. We’re from the official military. Lin Qiye’s enlistment in Urumqi has been fully approved. There’s nothing to worry about!”

Beside him, Yang Jin facepalmed.

Auntie, who had been pouring tea, jolted. The cup tipped over, spilling across the table. She turned stiffly, eyes wide.

“Wait… wasn’t he going to Qiqihar?!“