Tian Tian nodded and followed Zhou Biao to a secluded spot.

Zhou Biao, looking somewhat embarrassed, first expressed concern for Tian Tian before steering the conversation toward Yang Shaofeng:

“Comrade Xu, I value talented individuals very much. Shaofeng is young and lacks a bit of tact, but his abilities are undeniable. There was a misunderstanding between us over the last incident. He’s quite stubborn, and no matter what I say, he won’t listen. I was hoping you could mediate and persuade him to have a meal with me. If we can just sit down together, I’m confident I can work things out with him.”

Tian Tian felt a little awkward. “Commander, I’m not sure I can persuade him, but I’ll do my best.” She didn’t dare openly offend Zhou Biao; after all, he was the commander. If she antagonized him, life for her and Yang Shaofeng would undoubtedly become more difficult.

Zhou Biao nodded. “Please talk to him. We’re all in the same regiment; avoiding each other like this isn’t a solution. I value his talent very much—otherwise, I wouldn’t be lowering myself like this.”

Tian Tian kept nodding to show her understanding. Internally, she saw through everything. The Flying Tiger Regiment’s high regard from superiors wasn’t because of Zhou Biao but because of Yang Shaofeng. As a sharpshooter, a top graduate of Huanghai Military Academy, and someone with international training, his military and combat abilities were unparalleled. He had contributed immensely to the regiment’s success and was its backbone.

Zhou Biao’s willingness to lower himself had two motivations: first, to ensure Yang Shaofeng would continue helping him build his achievements, giving him a shot at promotion; and second, to avoid trouble from their superiors, who closely monitored Yang Shaofeng as a key figure in the National Army. Zhou Biao wanted Yang Shaofeng to wholeheartedly support him so he could feel secure.

When Tian Tian relayed Zhou Biao’s intentions to Yang Shaofeng, his face showed disdain. He had no respect for this commander.

“I’m only here to fight the enemy. I don’t care about anything else.”

Tian Tian coaxed gently, “Brother Feng, I think it’s better if you go. It’s just a meal—nothing too difficult. We’re all in the Flying Tiger Regiment, so it’s inevitable that you’ll run into each other. The commander has already humbled himself; it’s a gesture for you to accept. If you truly want to avenge your fallen comrades, you’ll need the commander’s full cooperation. For that, you must mend this relationship. A true man knows when to bend and stretch. Why not take the long view?”

Yang Shaofeng, being no fool, understood. He had avoided Zhou Biao thus far because he felt his late comrades were treated unjustly, and he couldn’t swallow his anger. But Cuicui’s reasoning was sound—if he wanted vengeance for his brothers, he needed Zhou Biao to cooperate unconditionally.

“I’ll go.”

Tian Tian smiled, knowing he would agree.

After that day, Yang Shaofeng and Zhou Biao’s relationship eased, and they resumed working together as before.

Within the regiment, the officers held frequent meetings, formulating a meticulous plan to launch a counterattack on Dazhai Valley and take it at all costs.

This time, Yang Shaofeng took the lead, with Zhou Biao offering unconditional support. The two sides engaged in a fierce standoff for four days before successfully capturing Dazhai Valley. Zhou Biao then reinstated Yang Shaofeng to his position as company commander.

Half a year passed in the blink of an eye. During this time, the Flying Tiger Regiment received orders for five or six operations, all of which resulted in major victories, earning the regiment widespread acclaim.

However, the enemy, reeling from these severe blows, began to mobilize reinforcements from all directions to launch an aggressive counterattack.

The Flying Tiger Regiment received orders to continue eastward and join forces with other units.

One day, while passing through Liu Shu Zhuang, the regiment fell into an enemy ambush. This time, the enemy came prepared with 5,000 elite soldiers and countless machine guns and artillery.

The Flying Tiger Regiment had just over 2,000 men, with far fewer machine guns and artillery to match the enemy’s firepower.

This was a battle of unimaginable difficulty.

Zhou Biao immediately requested reinforcements from his superiors. Meanwhile, he stayed in the rear camp, leaving Yang Shaofeng to command the front line as the vanguard.

Tian Tian observed this and felt a deep anxiety in her heart.

Sheng Wenbo warned her, “This is your first time on the battlefield. Be extremely careful. You’re responsible for this section. If any soldiers are injured, treat them as quickly as possible.”

Given the dire circumstances, soldiers had to return to the fight even after being bandaged. Otherwise, the entire regiment risked annihilation.

Tian Tian saluted solemnly. “Understood.”

The battle began. The deafening rat-tat-tat of machine guns and the thunderous explosions of artillery filled the air. The stench of gunpowder mingled with the metallic tang of blood. Dirt and dust clouded her vision, and her face and body were caked with grime.

Only now did Tian Tian fully realize the preciousness of the bulletproof vest Yang Shaofeng had given her. As she darted through the battlefield to rescue soldiers, it protected her from all but direct headshots, ensuring she sustained only minor injuries. It gave her a profound sense of safety.

But the war was merciless. Countless soldiers fell before her eyes. Some died instantly, while others, though alive when she bandaged them, succumbed moments later to bullets piercing their chests.

Hand grenades exploded relentlessly, carving craters in the ground and hurling soldiers several meters into the air. Some had limbs blown off, others were reduced to fragments, and even the intact bodies were lifeless.

The carnage was unbearable. Though Tian Tian had lived many lifetimes, she couldn’t stop her tears from streaming down as she worked.

These soldiers—they were someone’s sons, husbands, fathers. So young, their lives were tragically cut short.

The battle raged on for two days, with the regiment losing 60% of its men.

In the rear camp, Zhou Biao sheltered in a tent, issuing commands.

At the front, Yang Shaofeng directed operations while sniping enemy officers. His efforts were the only thing keeping the regiment afloat.

“Hold on a little longer. Reinforcements will arrive soon.”

By the third day, the regiment had lost nearly 80% of its men.

The remaining soldiers fought with desperate resolve, prepared to die.

Tian Tian was no exception. In such dire circumstances, without reinforcements, death was certain.

Three grueling days of non-stop treatment had left her too exhausted to speak. She continued bandaging soldiers with mechanical precision, numb to the horrors of life and death.

Suddenly, Zhou Biao’s voice rang out, jubilant. “Reinforcements are here! They’ll be here any moment!”

But as soon as the words left his mouth, the enemy launched a frenzied counterattack, determined to wipe them out before reinforcements arrived. Hand grenades and artillery barrages intensified, creating hell on earth.

Amid the chaos, Tian Tian heard a shout: “Get down!” A heavy weight slammed into her, pinning her to the ground. Before she could react, a deafening explosion temporarily robbed her of her hearing.

Pain wracked her body as she struggled to sit up. When she managed to push the weight off her, she realized it was Yang Shaofeng.

He lay motionless, his back and legs bloodied and mangled.

Tian Tian broke into uncontrollable sobs. She pressed a trembling hand to his nose and felt a faint breath.

“Brother Feng, wake up! Please wake up! Can you hear me?” she cried, her voice choked with anguish.

Yang Shaofeng had shielded her from the blast, saving her life at great cost to himself.

As reinforcements arrived and clashed fiercely with the enemy, Sheng Wenbo rushed over with a stretcher to carry Yang Shaofeng to the rear command post for treatment.

The enemy, realizing their losses—over 3,000 soldiers—retreated once reinforcements turned the tide.

Yang Shaofeng was transported to a field hospital at a National Army base.

The battered Flying Tiger Regiment followed, now reduced to a shadow of its former self with only 10% of its soldiers surviving.

On the journey, the mood was somber, weighed down by their devastating losses.

Yang Shaofeng remained unconscious for eight days. When he finally woke, Tian Tian, who had been by his side the entire time, smiled through her tears and clutched his hand tightly.

“Brother Feng, you’re finally awake.”

Yang Shaofeng managed a weak smile. “Don’t cry.” He glanced around. “Where am I?”

“This is the base hospital. You’ve been unconscious for eight days. Thankfully, you’ve pulled through. Wait here—I’ll go get Dr. Sheng.”

Tian Tian rushed out to find Sheng Wenbo.

After examining Yang Shaofeng, Sheng Wenbo concluded, “He’s out of danger. He just needs proper rest to recover fully.”

Yang Shaofeng immediately inquired about the regiment’s

losses.

Sheng Wenbo’s face grew heavy. “We lost 90%.”

The room fell into a long, heavy silence.

A week later, Yang Shaofeng was able to walk. Tian Tian accompanied him outside for some air.

As they strolled, they saw Zhou Biao walking with a group of senior officers. The men were laughing heartily, Zhou Biao showing no trace of mourning for the regiment’s catastrophic losses.

Zhou Biao also saw Yang Shaofeng and walked toward him with the others.

“Young people really do recover quickly! You’re already up and walking!”

“This time, Shaofeng has truly made outstanding contributions. As expected of a top graduate from Huanghai Academy. The leaders will surely reward you handsomely!”

The group showered him with praise, commending his accomplishments. To hold the line with only 2,000 men against 5,000 elite enemy soldiers was an incredible feat.

Yang Shaofeng couldn’t bear to listen any longer. So many brothers had died, yet no one spoke a word of remembrance. Instead, they stood here discussing rewards, their flattery echoing loudly.

Tian Tian, too, felt deeply disappointed. The National Army was indeed corrupt, leaving one’s heart cold.

“Brother Feng, Dr. Sheng said you shouldn’t stay outside too long. Let’s head back.” Tian Tian could sense Yang Shaofeng’s sorrow and quickly found an excuse to leave.

Yang Shaofeng bid farewell to the officers, and Tian Tian supported him as they walked back to the medical station.

Yang Shaofeng’s expression was unexpectedly sour.

Tian Tian noticed but didn’t know how to console him. It was a tragedy—not just for the soldiers but for the entire nation.

She believed she had likely found the root of Yang Shaofeng’s eventual betrayal in her past life. At Songnan Bridge, their unit was almost entirely wiped out. In the end, Yang Shaofeng and Zhou Biao led a small group to escape for their lives. Later, they were ambushed at Mangshan, where both were captured. Zhou Biao, unable to endure torture, defected and became a traitor. Not long after, Yang Shaofeng followed suit.

One month later, Yang Shaofeng recovered and was discharged. Tian Tian accompanied him to his new residence.

Given Yang Shaofeng’s pivotal role in the last battle, his new accommodations were much better than before—over 50 square meters, bright and spacious.

Zhou Biao, having gained the leaders’ approval, had now been assigned 5,000 elite troops. Though still a regiment commander, his combat strength was on par with half a division.

Tian Tian didn’t need to guess to know that all the credit for the Liu Shuzhuang battle had gone to Zhou Biao. The Flying Tiger Regiment was seen as a “king’s army” in the eyes of the leaders, so Zhou Biao had been given these additional soldiers to maintain its elite status.

Lately, Tian Tian had been increasingly anxious. The Battle of Songnan Bridge was fast approaching—spring was just around the corner.

If she was going to change Yang Shaofeng’s fate, she had to act before the Songnan Bridge battle and eliminate all possibilities of his betrayal.

That evening, Yang Shaofeng came to find Tian Tian, noticing her unusual demeanor. “Cuicui, what’s been going on with you lately? You don’t seem happy. Is something bothering you?”

Tian Tian didn’t know how to explain and simply smiled. “Now that you’re back in the regiment, how does it feel?”

“It’s fine.” Yang Shaofeng’s tone was indifferent, as if he had resigned himself to the reality. “The times are what they are; there’s little one person can change. By the way, there’s a telegram from headquarters. Zhou Commander is about to be promoted to division commander.”

Tian Tian suddenly understood. No wonder Zhou Biao had been given so many troops—it had been part of the plan all along.

Yang Shaofeng continued, “Zhou Commander also mentioned wanting to promote me to lead the Flying Tiger Regiment.”

“That’s a good thing!”

“I refused.”

“What? Why?”

“It’s meaningless.” Yang Shaofeng stared blankly into the distance. “I feel like the road ahead is endless, with no destination in sight.” He wondered if joining the National Army had been the right decision after all.

“Follow your heart,” Tian Tian said, holding his hand.

Yang Shaofeng smiled. “Alright.”

Another half month passed, and Tian Tian grew increasingly unsettled as the days ticked closer to the battle. Having failed to come up with a way to alter Yang Shaofeng’s fate, she realized only one option remained: faking her death to make him hate the enemy.

If she could pin her “death” on the enemy, no matter how Yang Shaofeng’s future unfolded, he would carry a seed of hatred in his heart. This would make him less likely to defect.

Tian Tian had hesitated to take such a drastic step, but after Yang Shaofeng had risked his life to shield her from the grenade, she was certain of his deep care and love for her.

As long as he loved her, her “death” at the hands of the enemy would ensure his loyalty. Her mission would be complete.

But she couldn’t bear the thought. She didn’t want to leave this man who, in such a cold and cruel era of war, had warmed her heart with his unwavering care.

Yet, she had no choice. The mission was paramount, leaving her with no alternatives.

Having resolved her plan, Tian Tian went to find Yang Shaofeng.

At the time, he was still in the middle of training. Tian Tian sat on the sidelines, watching from afar.

Yang Shaofeng quickly noticed her. After the training ended, he came straight over.

“Cuicui, what brings you here?” Normally, he would go to her. She had never come to him during training before.

Tian Tian took his hand. “Let’s talk in your room.”

Yang Shaofeng, though covered in sweat, didn’t hesitate and led her to his quarters.

Once the door was closed, Tian Tian threw herself into his arms. “Brother Feng, let’s get married.”

Yang Shaofeng froze, his body stiffening. After a moment, he patted her back. “You mean now?”

Tian Tian nodded. “Yes, now.”

After her staged death, she didn’t know if they would ever meet again or if they would have another chance.

In her many lifetimes, she had always completed her missions and lived out her days peacefully. But this time, she wasn’t sure if, by the time her mission was complete, another woman might already occupy Yang Shaofeng’s heart.

Once she faked her death, she couldn’t appear by his side again—not until the enemy had been defeated, which was still at least three years away.

Three years—neither long nor short—was enough for anything to happen.

Yang Shaofeng was a good man. In this fleeting time, she wanted to marry him and spend what little time they had together.

At least in this lifetime, she didn’t want to miss out on him.

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