Chapter 6: Shu Ying Files for Divorce, Will Xie Zhiyan Agree?

That night, Shu Ying calmly recounted her story while simultaneously helping him pack his belongings.

“Go, you are a great hero who protects our country. I shouldn’t let you linger over matters of the heart.”

Her beautiful eyes showed no trace of lingering affection. Xie Zhiyan tried to find a hint of reluctance in her expression, but she was like a delicate flower, simply standing there quietly, without saying anything more.

Even now, when Xie Zhiyan thinks back to that scene, he still feels sad.

So much time has passed, he doesn't know if Shuying has remarried.

“My wife is very beautiful and outstanding. She went to university and speaks English. In fact, she has no shortage of suitors. There are many suitors who are more outstanding than me. If it weren’t for the fact that I benefited from the marriage agreement between our two families, I would never have been able to marry such a good girl.”

He was lucky, really. The Xie and Shu families had some connections, and after a few interactions, they arranged a marriage between their children.

Shu Ying had studied abroad, and she could have easily refused this marriage that she was not satisfied with. However, like generations of the Shu family, she valued integrity, and even if it meant sacrificing her lifelong happiness, she never refused.

However, she had never given him a kind look before, and Xie Zhiyan knew in his heart that Shu Ying's agreement to marry him was only reluctant.

Wang Zhande failed to grasp the meaning behind Xie Zhiyan's words: "Why does the commander sound a bit inferior? Your wife is so capable, so when we get back, you must introduce us to her."

He scratched his head a little embarrassedly and said, "I've never had a girlfriend before. Who knows, maybe my sister-in-law can introduce me to someone if I meet the right person."

Xie Zhiyan glanced at him, his expression hard to tell if he was disgusted.

He looked around, searching for his pocket watch to no avail; he had indeed lost his only photograph.

I just don't know if the bond between the two of them has been broken.

Thinking back to their wedding night, Shu Ying cried bitterly in the latter half of the night. She tried her best to suppress her sobs, but tears streamed down her face. From that night on, Shu Ying's attitude towards him became even colder than before.

Xie Zhiyan clenched his fists. If he went back and met her again, and she had remarried or wanted to file for divorce, he would agree.

After all, someone as radiant as Shu Ying was like a bright, shining moon in the sky, something he had longed for first.

According to Shu Ying's request, she didn't ask for much; all she wanted was for her lover to be by her side. But even with such a simple request, he still couldn't fulfill it.

If you can't give someone happiness, you shouldn't waste their precious youth.

A woman's prime is only a few years, and he shouldn't be so selfish.

However, when he thought of Shu Ying's smiling face, he felt somewhat unwilling.

"Commander, the troops have already informed us to prepare to return. Don't be so sad here. Once we get back, you'll be able to see your wife in person. Isn't that better than just holding a photo and reminiscing alone?"

Wang Zhande knew how to comfort people. His silly face was dark and charred from being exposed to the wind and sun all day, making him look like a lump of coal.

Xie Zhiyan placed one hand on his head and gently shook it: "I'm happy, but I'd be even happier if you could find a wife."

Wang Zhande grinned, revealing a row of white teeth: "Commander, why do you say that exactly like my mother? She always says the same thing to me."

Xie Zhiyan glanced at him. He was still a little disappointed that he hadn't found the pocket watch, but then he thought that he would be able to see Shu Ying soon, and he couldn't hide his joy.

Inside the tent, Lin Dongliang hopped over with one leg still in a sling.

"Sir, the doctor just told me that you need to rest properly, so why did you run out again?"

Wang Zhande took a deep breath and said in a simple and honest tone, "Where's the photo of my sister-in-law? The commander lost his pocket watch, and he's heartbroken about it."

Lin Dongliang's arms and legs were injured, and his left side was wrapped up like a mummy.

Xie Zhiyan glanced at him: "You should worry about yourself first. You're all wrapped up like a dumpling and still jumping around. If people didn't know better, they would kick you into the pot like a dumpling."

The man's voice carried a hint of barely perceptible pleasure.

Lin Dongliang, like a frog missing a leg, didn't take it seriously.

"No, the doctor is still waiting in the tent to change your dressing. You'd better go quickly."

Xie Zhiyan nodded, looking towards the east.

Wang Zhande muttered to himself, "It's finally over. I was afraid my mother would forget what I look like. I don't know if she's recovered. Do you think she'll recognize me when I go back looking like this?"

Lin Dongliang looked at him and joked, "You were this dark when you first came to the company. Even if your mother couldn't recognize your face, she could recognize the color of your clothes."

Wang Zhande raised his injured foot high: "You're a one-legged grasshopper now, how dare you still make personal attacks?"

With only one arm and one leg, Lin Dongliang could only surrender: "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, you are your mother's son, how could she not recognize you? Even if you turned to ashes, she would still recognize you."

As soon as Lin Dongliang finished speaking, he realized he had said the wrong thing and slapped himself on the face.

In this war, they sacrificed many of their compatriots. They came with joy, but could only return to their homeland as ashes.

Xie Zhiyan's gaze darkened slightly as he looked at the ravaged land and clenched his fists.

"A single punch can prevent a hundred more." For seven months and twenty-four days, they held fast to the front line and finally repelled the enemy.

But some people can never go back.

"Let's go back."

Xie Zhiyan's voice was somewhat low: "Take them back with you."

Although the green hills are said to bury loyal bones everywhere, this is not their homeland. Chinese people believe in returning to their roots when they fall in love.

Whether they are dead or alive, he who brought them out must send them back.

Lin Dongliang nodded heavily: "Yes!"

Those who sacrificed their lives in this war are the true heroes; the others were merely a group of lucky ones.

But with the current tense international situation, he can't say for sure how long his luck will last. Perhaps one day he too will be draped in the national flag and become one of these heroes.

Wang Zhande kept his head down and didn't say anything. After the three people left, a man with bandages on his head staggered down the mountain.

"hiss--"

The bandage on the man's head was still stained with blood. He gently touched his head with one hand, feeling as if someone was drilling into his skull.

He opened his clenched hands, revealing a pocket watch covered in dust.