Waiting for You in a City

After Xu Qin beckoned, the group of people quickly dispersed back to their respective positions.

Jiang Yi was curious: “How did Captain Song successfully pursue sister-in-law?”

Song Yan smiled: “We were high school classmates.”

“Ah??” The group of people exclaimed.

“This plan was made so early!”

Yang Chi yelled: “Didn’t I say, that time we went to the hospital, about the tooth pain, there was something wrong with Captain Song! What did I say then! You all didn’t believe me.”

Jiang Yi: “Thinking back, Captain Song really did feel off that day. It turned out that he was reunited with sister-in-law, and he had something on his mind.”

Xu Qin was a little embarrassed when she thought of that experience, but looking at Song Yan, he didn’t take it seriously, and was joking and chatting with everyone.

The young men had been in the military camp for a long time, and the training was difficult. It was rare to have the opportunity to interact with the outside world on weekdays, let alone women. Everyone was young and energetic, who didn’t want to fall in love? Last time they found out that Tong Ming had a girlfriend, the whole team was so lively, as if it was themselves who had found a girlfriend, and questioned Tong Ming for a long time.

This time it was Captain Song’s turn, Captain Song who in everyone’s eyes always had women show their affections towards him but never bloomed, so naturally they were all curious again.

Various questions came up in turn, and Song Yan answered them one by one.

Xu Qin smiled and hid behind his back.

He was playing around with everyone, but he stretched his hand out behind him and handed it to her.

With peace of mind, she lowered her head and played with his fingers.

The atmosphere gradually became more cheerful. Song Yan looked at the time, it was getting late, and the discharge ceremony would be soon.

He smiled slightly, and said: “Everyone go get ready first, and we will gather on the field later. Everyone is so happy and cheerful today.”

Now, the dormitory was a little quieter.

Everyone knew that there would be those leaving the team today, and Song Yan especially came here to make the atmosphere less sad.

But the more they forced themselves to smile, the harder it was to let go of their heartache after laughing.

“Jiang Yi and the others are retiring today, and Captain will go to the detachment after Chinese New Year.” Yang Chi’s tone was low, and his head was lowered, “Although we have the saying that in this whole world there is a feast that never ends, but this one is to……”

Xiao Ge: “Captain is transferred to the detachment, so we can still see each other often. But once Jiang Yi and the others leave, I don’t know what year or month we can meet again.”

Everyone was silent, and their expressions were very uncomfortable.

Including Jiang Yi, the four being discharged turned their heads away to sniffle, tears welling in their eyes. People who had been tossed into fires, burned, and bled without shedding a single tear, at this moment, a few words from their comrades-in-arms pierced their hearts.

Song Yan took a deep breath and said: “It’s a good thing that our team members can retire safely. I also hope that everyone who is staying in the team will also have the day when they retire wearing red flowers.”

It was better to wave goodbye in the barracks than to see them off in the mourning hall.

“Let’s all go down.” Song Yan said.

Everyone got up and left the dormitory, and went to the field to gather in line.

Xu Qin followed Song Yan at the end, seeing that his expression was frozen, she didn’t say much, and stroked the back of his hand.

At 7:25 in the morning, the soldiers lined up under the national flag. The four veterans stood at the front of the line, and three police dogs also gathered aside.

At 7:30, the discharge ceremony started on time, the military flag was greeted, the military song of the People’s Liberation Army was played on the speakers, and the passionate tune echoed over the field.

With the singing, Jiang Yi and the others’ eyes turned red, respecting the military salute, and staring at the raising of the military flag with tears in their eyes.

As the music fell, the sky above the playground returned to silence, and the military flag fluttered in the wind under the blue sky.

Instructor Suo Jun took the document and began to announce the discharge order:

“According to the relevant provisions of the ‘Military Service Law of the People’s Republic of China’ and the ‘Regulations on the Service of Active Soldiers of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army’, after discussion and decision at the Nan Cheng District Fire Brigade meeting, it is hereby announced that Jiang Yi, Tong Ming, Chen Guangming, and Xiao Ke will be retiring from active service at 2400 on January 29, 2017.”

The veterans listened to the reading and stood upright.

Song Yan: “All veterans, salute the military flag!”

The four looked up at the military flag and saluted solemnly.

“Turn to the back!”

“Salute to comrades-in-arms!”

The four raised their right hands to their former comrades-in-arms. This time, with tears in their eyes, they saluted for a full minute.

“Turn to the left!”

“Salute to the barracks and chariots!”

Several fire engines had pulled out of the garage and parked next to the team.

After the salute, Jiang Yi walked over, walked around the fire truck, returned to the driver’s side, and suddenly leaned on the door, covered his face, his shoulders shaking.

The soldiers in the team looked at them together, their eyes wet.

Several people wiped away their tears and walked back.

Song Yan’s jaw tensed for a few seconds, and finally said: “Remove the badge.”

The first four of the soldiers who were staying in the team took off the cap badges, collar badges, epaulets, lapel badges……all the badges that marked the military status of Jiang Yi and the others’ army uniforms one by one.

Jiang Yi finally couldn’t help it, covered his eyes and cried: “I have been a soldier for 8 years, and until today, I have successfully completed my mission. I am worthy of the country and myself.”

Song Yan took a deep breath and looked up at the sky.

Xu Qin on the side was also choked up.

With all their badges removed, the four of them were no longer soldiers.

With tears all over his face, Jiang Yi issued an order: “All veterans.”

The four stood at attention.

“Salute to the Captain!”

The four straightened their backs and saluted Song Yan.

Song Yan raised his right hand slowly but forcefully, saluting in return.

Iron-clad battalions and flowing soldiers.

They went through life and death together, but now they would go their separate ways and make their own livelihoods.

The discharge ceremony was simple and orderly, and ended quickly.

The four put their bags on their backs, and Jiang Yi walked up to Xiao Jiang, the police dog he brought up, knelt down and hugged its head, weeping continuously. The police dog seemed to sense that this was a farewell, and kept wagging its tail and licking his face.

Jiang Yi burst into tears, and finally stood up resolutely and headed out.

Xiao Jiang rushed up and bit his trouser leg to prevent him from leaving. There was a gurgling sound in its throat, and big tears rolled down its eyes.

Suo Jun stepped forward and hugged Xiao Jiang with tears in his eyes. Jiang Yi was able to escape and strode away.

As soon as he left the camp, Xiao Jiang barked wildly, broke free from Suo Jun’s control, and rushed to the gate. The iron gate blocked it, it got stuck in the gap and barked at Jiang Yi.

Jiang Yi knelt on the other side of the gate, hugged it and wept bitterly, but in the end, they had to part.

Only the police dog was left watching at the gate.

Xu Qin sniffed, looked up at the sky, took a deep breath and looked at Song Yan again.

With a calm expression, he left an order to the sentimental crowd: “Gather for training in half an hour!” and walked towards the dormitory.

Xu Qin knew that he was also in a bad mood, so he demanded strict training in order to divert the attention of the rest of the remaining soldiers from wallowing in sadness.

She quickly chased after him and followed him back to the dormitory.

He lived in a separate room, which was small and tidy, including a bed, wardrobe, desk, and chair. The closet was filled with all kinds of military uniforms, formal, camouflage, training clothes.

Today the sunlight was very good, coming in from the window, shining brightly inside the room.

Song Yan’s complexion was not very good, he hadn’t pulled out from the discharge ceremony just now, standing alone by the table flipping through the training record form.

Xu Qin sat on his bed, touched the smooth sheet, the sun shone on it, and it was warm.

The atmosphere in the room was silent.

She broke the silence and asked softly: “Where will they go after they retire?”

“Return to their hometown.” Song Yan said briefly, flipping through the report card in his hand.

She thought about it, got up and went to hold his hand: “Didn’t you say just now? It’s a good thing to retire safely.”

Song Yan bent his lips helplessly.

She touched the back of his hand and shook it again: “Don’t be sad.”

Song Yan moved his eyes over and looked at her quietly.

She coaxed softly: “I’m here with you, and I will never retire from the army.”

There was a gleam in his eyes, he pulled her over and embraced her.

Gradually, with more strength, he hugged her thin body tightly, very tightly, as if he wanted to knead her into his body.

She was a little out of breath, but let him be.

He could draw reassurance and comfort from her, and she was more than willing.

She hugged him, and slowly stroked his spine with her small hands, one at a time.

He gradually calmed down, and his embrace became loose and soft.

She was in his arms, and her voice was still coaxing: “Okay, you still have to train later. Take it easy.”

His haze was swept away, and laughed: “Got it.”

She acted coquettishly again and said: “Take me to play with the fire truck later, okay?”

She had a fondness for fire trucks.

“Okay. I’ll take you there after training,” he said.

Looking at his watch, it was fifteen minutes until 8:30.

He went next to the closet and began to take off his military uniform.

Xu Qin was slightly taken aback and stared at him.

Song Yan accidentally bumped into her straight gaze, and became a little interested: “What are you looking at?”

He took off his jacket, shook it twice, took a hanger to prop it up and hung it in the closet.

“You need to change clothes?”

“En, I’m training later, I need to wear a camouflage uniform.” He said, unbuttoning the military uniform shirt one by one, his abdominal muscles looming, and quickly took off the shirt, revealing his lean upper body.

He knew she was watching, it was as if a pool of water had been smoothed in his heart.

He put the shirt in the closet, took out an army green tank and put it on, just as he was about to pull it down, her hand reached out and touched his abdominal muscles.

He paused for a second, felt itchy in his heart by her touch, and whispered: “What are you doing?”

“It’s all mine. I can do whatever I like.” She snapped back, with a hint of greed in her eyes.

He couldn’t help but raise the corners of his lips.

She spread her fingers, still touching his abdominal muscles, and raised her eyes: “The last time was half a month ago.”

She was talking about making love.

He looked at her for a few seconds, his eyes dimmed, and he suddenly grabbed her wrist and pushed her down on the bed.

Unexpectedly, she let out a small exclamation and quickly covered her mouth.

He enveloped her with his whole body, and smiled wildly: “Then come on, anyways……” He glanced up and down at her restrainedly, and pulled her clothes off, “On this bed, I’ve thought about it countless times. Didn’t you ask me before, how did I take care of things during those years without you?”

He stroked her with a rough voice:

“Xu Qin, on this bed, in my fantasies, you have been taken thousands of times by me up and down, front and back, in all kinds of positions.”

His words made her blush, her heart was beating up and down, and the hot feeling rushed through her body like a tide. She softened into water in an instant, she was only able to groan under his hands.

He still understood propriety.

Time was too short, he was afraid that he would not be able to hold back later, so he endured it, until sweat broke out on his forehead, but he pushed her to the top, watching her tighten and fully bloom on his fingers little by little.

He stared at her cheek without blinking for a moment, watching her flushed and bewitched appearance, it was really going to be the end of him.

……

……

When the two left the room, the flush on Xu Qin’s face hadn’t faded, as she looked back at the wet stains left on the dark green sheets, her face turned even redder.

Song Yan seemed indifferent and closed the door.

As she went downstairs, Xu Qin carefully took care of her appearance.

Song Yan was a little amused, and asked: “Are you comfortable?”

They were out of the dormitory by then, she gave him a glare.

He clicked his tongue: “After using me, falling out and becoming hostile.”

Taking advantage of people not paying attention, Xu Qin kicked him lightly and changed the subject: “I won’t affect your training will I?”

“It’s okay to have fun once in a while.”

The soldiers had changed into camouflage uniforms and stood in line on the field.

Xu Qin followed behind Song Yan like a little clerk.

Song Yan organized the team first: “Stand at attention! ……At ease!” Looking back at Xu Qin, his voice softened: “Roll call.”

Xu Qin: “Me?”

“Yes you,” Song Yan said, pointing his chin at the group of soldiers, “You know them.”

The group of young men looked at Xu Qin with sparkling eyes, the original sadness caused by Jiang Yi’s parting was diluted by the curiosity and fun of a serviceman’s wife participating in the training.

Xu Qin looked at the roster in her hand with a blushing face, fixed her hair that had been blown by the wind, and said not too loudly: “Yang Chi—”

“Here!” His voice was loud.

Xu Qin was startled, raised her eyes to look over, and met Yang Chi’s gaze. A smile flashed in the soldier’s eyes. Xu Qin suddenly felt warm and also smiled, remembering his face.

When she called on the next name, she became more confident and raised her voice: “Ge Yi!”

“Here!”

Xu Qin followed the sound and smiled at him.

At this moment, every soldier became excited, stood up straight, and raised their spirits. Impatiently they waited for their sister-in-law to read their name; planned to wait for their sister-in-law to smile at them, and then return with the most vigorous impression.

Her voice became clearer and more open. Song Yan stood aside with his hands behind his back, watching with a faint smile.

“Li Cheng.”

“Here!”

“Zou Xing.”

“Here!”

The roster still had the names of Jiang Yi and the others. Xu Qin remembered those four names clearly from when she participated in the discharge ceremony, she skipped them one by one this time, so as not to make everyone sad.

After the roll call was finished one by one, Xu Qin looked at Song Yan and said seriously: “Reporting to the platoon leader, all the members are here.”

Maybe it was because her appearance looked so funny that some people in the team couldn’t help but laugh; this laughter kept stirring.

Song Yan didn’t blame them, and said: “Stand at attention!”

All stood up.

“Around the field, warm up and run, ten laps.”

Yang Chi: “Turn left! Start running!”

The team started to run, Song Yan passed by Xu Qin, and said in a low voice: “Wait for me.” Before the words finished, he brushed by and went to run with the team.

Xu Qin stood there holding the roster and couldn’t help but smile.

At this time, the sun was just right.

The field had a wide field of vision, and a team of men in camouflage uniforms were running vigorously.

Xu Qin raised her head to look at the sky, it was high and blue, and winter was almost over.

After around ten minutes, the team finished running and returned to their original place.

After warming up, they start training, push-ups, pull-ups, squat jumps, sprints……

Xu Qin continued to work as a small clerk, either timing them with a stopwatch or recording their results with a grade book.

With the participation of a female, even if it was just a touch, the young men were all full of energy, competing to break their usual training records.

The training session was relaxed and cheerful with constant laughter, and high quality and efficiency.

Xu Qin’s eyes were opened, she saw the hormonal yet lively appearance of the soldiers, and saw Song Yan’s life in the military camp over the years.

Unexpectedly, time flew, and soon the sun set.

After the team was dismissed, everyone bid farewell to Xu Qin in a lively manner, and went back to the dormitory to change clothes.

Song Yan still remembered that Xu Qin wanted to play with the fire engine, so he took the key and took her to the garage.

The fire truck was cleaned like brand new, and it was parked in the depot waiting for the next mission.

When Xu Qin saw the truck, she was very excited. She trotted forward and couldn’t help touching the car body. The red truck was spotless, and she could see her own smiling face reflected in it.

She walked around the fire truck, it was huge, with the cockpit substantially taller than her, the rest of the truck behind it was also very grand and complicated.

“It’s like a Transformer.” Xu Qin admired, “Your truck looks really good, but our ambulance looks simpler and doesn’t have so many mechanisms.”

Hearing what she said, Song Yan secretly laughed that she was like a child.

She thought of something: “Last time when someone was going to jump from the building in the hospital, the fire truck you sent was more complicated than this one.”

Song Yan laughed: “That’s a ladder fire truck, there are water tank fire trucks, foam fire trucks, dry powder fire trucks, and many more.”

“There are so many types of fire trucks?” She looked as if she had gained some insight, “It’s the same as fire extinguishers.”

Song Yan couldn’t help laughing: “This is only for fire fighting, fire trucks for emergency rescue are another big category.”

“Have you got them all in your team?”

“No. Only the most commonly used ones, plus one or two special ones. The ones we don’t have, we can borrow from the squadron next door. Anyway, several teams are usually dispatched together to fight fires.”

Song Yan opened the truck door and said: “Go up and play.”

Xu Qin’s eyes lit up, and she quickly climbed up.

Song Yan supported her leg slightly, and she climbed up smoothly.

The cockpit was spacious, with a complex array of buttons and levers on the operating panel.

She touched them one by one, thinking it was fun: “Do you know how to drive a fire truck?”

“Nonsense.”

She put her face close to the dashboard, thought about the buttons carefully, and said unconsciously: “Actually, for a while, I would think of you whenever I saw a big patch of red. Then I said I would never meet you again. But there are so many red things in this world, traffic lights, fire hydrants……I don’t know why, but I really like fire trucks.”

Song Yan leaned against the truck body, looking at the snow-white garage wall in front of him, the corners of his lips curved slightly.

Didn’t he as well, when he saw a large area of white, or people in white clothes, think of her in that white coat.

The setting sun shone from the other side of the field, sprinkling into the garage, orange and red.

She was lying against the steering wheel of the cab, and he was standing beside the truck with his hand in his pocket.

The world was quiet, like a painting.

After she finished what she just said, she was a little depressed, looked up at the wild grass covered by the setting sun outside, then stared down at the buttons on the console to hide her emotions, and said softly: “Sometimes I regret it, it would have been nice to reconcile with you earlier, it feels like a lot of time has been lost. ……What a pity.”

He put both hands in his pockets, lowered his head slightly, and said with a light smile, “It’s okay. As long as we don’t miss the opportunities in the future.”

Xu Qin heard this, thought about it quietly, and laughed again. She also sat up and continued to play with the fire engine.

She regained her energy and moved around in the cabin, looking at this, playing with that, lying against the window for a while, and looking behind.

Song Yan turned sideways, leaned against the truck and watched her play with a smile in his eyes.

She played for a long time, and he watched her for a long time.

Until the sun set further, the sunlight was even more red.

He suddenly asked: “You like it this much?”

“En?”

“You like fire trucks this much?”

“En, I really like it.” Xu Qin tilted her head and grabbed the steering wheel.

Song Yan stood next to the truck, looked at her quietly for a second, and said, “Let’s come here to take wedding photos, okay?”

Xu Qin was stunned for a second and didn’t move. She looked up at the red sunset, and after an instant, she turned her head immediately.

“Really?” Her eyes sparkled.

He laughed: “When have I ever said something I didn’t mean?”

“Never.” She shook her head like a rattle, and said again, “We can take photos here?”

“You are a family member, you can’t even get these small benefits?” He still said the same thing.

“When the weather gets warmer,” he said, “one set at the fire brigade, one set at the school, one set at the courtyard house, and one set at the hospital.”

“Wow——” Xu Qin couldn’t help but enlarge the smile on her face: “So many?”

“Don’t like it?” Song Yan asked, “Don’t girls place heavy importance on wedding photos?”

“Very important.” She nodded heavily, her smile could no longer be contained, “I also like it very much.”

The setting sun enveloped her big smiling face, he was a little moved, and asked, “Are you happy?”

“Happy.” She nodded, just wanting to throw herself into his arms. Done playing with the truck, she quickly moved to the door,

“Hold me.” She stretched out her arms towards him.

He smiled, caught her, and carried her off the tall fire truck.

She slid down against his body, hugged his neck before landing, and kissed his lips forcefully.