STG 22
Chapter 22: General Zhao
Lin Qiye frowned. “What do you mean by this?”
Zhao Kongcheng smiled faintly, leisurely pulling out a cigarette from his pocket. “Mind if I smoke?”
“I do.”
Zhao Kongcheng: “…”
With a resigned sigh, he put the cigarette away again, leaned back in his chair, and a hint of nostalgia flashed in his eyes.
“When I was young, I was just like you.”
“Honestly, that’s a pretty cliché opening.”
“…”
“Never mind, go on.”
“When I was six, my father passed away from illness. My mother worked two jobs just to barely scrape by and raise me.” Zhao Kongcheng rubbed the cigarette box in his hand, his voice calm.
“Back then, life moved slower. My mother’s biggest hope for me was to finish middle school, return to the village to become a local official, marry a nice girl, have a few kids, and live a simple, happy life.
But you know how teenagers are—always rebellious.
By the time I graduated middle school, my grades were decent. Becoming a village official wouldn’t have been hard, but I ignored her wishes and stubbornly enlisted in the military.
Actually, she didn’t outright oppose it. She just… didn’t seem happy about it. The day I left home, she stood at the door, silently watching me. I walked down the road behind our house—she was still watching. I reached the village entrance—she was still watching…
Later, when I got to the bus station in the city, I couldn’t shake the feeling, so I sneaked back to check… and found her still standing there, staring blankly in the direction I’d left.
Honestly, at that moment, I really thought about staying. But in the end, I hardened my heart and left for the army.”
Zhao Kongcheng let out a long sigh before continuing.
“Later, my rank kept rising. I joined the special forces, and because I excelled in close combat, I was transferred to the Night Watch.
After that, I went home on leave a few times to visit my mother. But then I found out…”
He suddenly trailed off.
Lin Qiye cautiously asked, “Your mother… passed away?”
“No. She remarried.”
Lin Qiye: “…”
“My mother worked herself to the bone when she was young, ruining her health. She wanted me to come back and take care of her as a village official, but I didn’t realize that at the time—I chose the military instead.
Later, she couldn’t endure it alone anymore, so she remarried. At least that way, she’d have someone to look after her in her old age.
By then, though, I’d already joined the Night Watch. I couldn’t stay by her side to care for her. Honestly, when I heard she’d remarried… I was relieved.”
Lin Qiye pondered for a moment. “So, what’s the point of telling me all this?”
Zhao Kongcheng slowly stood up, meeting Lin Qiye’s gaze.
“We’ve all had things we cherished, but as we grow, we sometimes take them for granted—letting other distractions steal our attention.
That’s what happened to me back then. But you’re different, Lin Qiye.
You’re smarter than I was, more mature. You have your own convictions. You want to stay with your family and take care of them.
And that’s a good thing.
Since you’ve chosen this path, walk it well.
Leave protecting the world to people like us.”
He turned and picked up the parchment, handing it to Lin Qiye.
“I met your aunt earlier. People as kind as her are rare these days. I know your family’s situation. Take this money.”
Lin Qiye didn’t hesitate. “No.”
“I’m a Night Watch agent. I don’t need the money.”
“Still no.”
“This is for your aunt. You have to take it!”
“My aunt wouldn’t accept it either.”
Zhao Kongcheng’s lips twitched. The two locked eyes, neither backing down.
After a long silence, Zhao Kongcheng spoke again.
“Lin Qiye… I’m getting old. I can’t stand watching the same regrets I lived through play out again before my eyes—even if it’s someone else’s life.”
“Then close your eyes and don’t look.” Lin Qiye’s tone was firm. “We may be poor, but we have our principles. I won’t take a soldier’s money.
Besides, my eyes are healed now. I have the ability to prevent those regrets from happening.”
Zhao Kongcheng opened his mouth as if to argue, but in the end, he just smiled bitterly.
“Wouldn’t it be better to take this money back for your own wife and kids?” Lin Qiye added.
“I told you—the Night Watch’s benefits are excellent. Even if I die in battle, my wife and children will never want for anything. They’ll get into good universities, have bright futures.” Seeing that persuasion was hopeless, Zhao Kongcheng reluctantly tucked the money back into his coat.
“Don’t you have dreams of your own, then?”
“My dreams?” Zhao Kongcheng sat back down, eyebrows rising. “I do, actually. Ever since I was a kid.”
“What are they?”
“To become a general in the army! Then, with medals clinking on my chest, I’d return to my village in full dress uniform—let everyone who ever looked down on my mother know that her son… became a general.” A brilliant light shone in Zhao Kongcheng’s eyes.
Lin Qiye froze. For some reason, looking at Zhao Kongcheng now, he was reminded of Li Yifei…
They seemed like kindred spirits.
“Did you achieve it?”
“No. Not even close.” Zhao Kongcheng chuckled wryly. “And as a Night Watch agent, I can’t exactly strut around flaunting medals. That dream… will always just be a dream.”
Lin Qiye fell silent.
“Alright, I should get going.” Zhao Kongcheng stood and extended his hand to Lin Qiye.
“Wishing you a bright future, Lin Qiye.”
Lin Qiye stared blankly at Zhao Kongcheng’s face—somehow, it didn’t seem so greasy anymore…
He reached out and grasped the man’s hand firmly.
“And to you, General Zhao—may your chest one day be heavy with honors.”
Zhao Kongcheng smiled, then turned to leave.
“Wait—your badge.” Lin Qiye stopped him, picking up the emblem from the table and waving it.
Zhao Kongcheng smacked his forehead. “Ah, my memory! Almost forgot—this thing’s my life!”
He took the badge, glanced at it, and seemed to recall something. “Oh, did you see the words on the back?”
“I did.”
“Pretty cool, right?”
“Very. Did you write them?”
“No. It’s the oath we take when joining the Night Watch.” Zhao Kongcheng flipped the badge like a coin before catching it and slipping it into his pocket. “But… I do love it.”
“Wait.”
“What now?”
“It’s pouring outside. Take an umbrella.”
“Thanks. Don’t expect me to return it, though.”
“Keep it. Consider it… payment for protecting the planet.”
Zhao Kongcheng laughed. “You’re something else. Alright, I’m really leaving now.”
“Goodbye.”
Umbrella in hand, Zhao Kongcheng stepped out into the rain. Lin Qiye stood by the window, silently watching him go.
Out in the downpour, Zhao Kongcheng’s fingers brushed against the badge in his pocket as he murmured softly:
“If darkness descends,
I shall stand before countless,
Blade raised toward the abyss,
Blood staining the heavens…”
.
.
The rain grew heavier.
Zhao Kongcheng strolled unhurriedly to a black van, umbrella in hand, and pulled out his cigarettes, ready to savor a brief moment of peace.
Just then, his earpiece crackled to life.
A man’s voice came through.
His hand, holding the cigarette, trembled violently.
His pupils contracted in shock..
.
.
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