Chapter 187: Chapter 186: Return Journey and Origins

Ling Chengyan watched as a team corrected their route; their mental state and stamina seemed good, and their pace even picked up a bit, nodding quietly to herself.

Though there were still many shortcomings, overall, it was not bad.

She didn’t follow them but reached the front ahead of them, stopping at a hidden supply point to wait for the team.

This hidden supply point was more secluded, marked not just by suspicious ink blots, but by a place name—a very inconspicuous small waterfall marked with a name, unusual on the simplified map.

The location was chosen after examination; it had a clean mountain spring water source, and a large protruding rock on the cliff that could provide shelter from wind and rain, plus many wild fruit trees growing by the stream—walnuts, autumn pears, and even several crab apple trees. In early October, the fruits had all ripened, greatly solving the food supply problem.

Of course, designated as a supply point, it also contained some materials, including compressed biscuits and some emergency medicine.

Ling Chengyan wasn’t disappointed; the team arrived here by nightfall. From afar, they could smell the aroma of meat and fish, and still kept vigilant, only to find there was one person whom they didn’t expect—Commander Ling.

“Commander.”

As a group approached Ling Chengyan, her gaze swept over them, recognizing a few had minor injuries, none affecting their movement.

“Not bad.” Ling Chengyan affirmed with a smile, beckoning everyone to come over to eat.

New recruits in the team were somewhat reserved, while a few veteran soldiers from the Automobile Company were familiar and warm, instantly relaxing upon hearing Ling Chengyan’s call, jovially moving in and pulling along new comrades to approach.

Soon, everyone was feasting on delicious grilled fish, wild rabbit, wild chicken, and soup stewed from wild chicken and pine mushrooms. Although the resources were limited and Ling Chengyan’s culinary skills were ordinary, after trekking in the wild for days, a hot meal was incredibly touching, especially one with meat and fish.

Ling Chengyan noticed Wu Qingyun seemed slightly distracted, smiled, handed over half a grilled fish, and asked, “What’s on your mind?”

Wu Qingyun looked up, pressed his lips, and finally asked: “Commander, is it alright for us to make a fire? Will it expose our position?”

Ling Chengyan gestured for him to look at the fire stove on the ground, “Did you see smoke or flames when you arrived?”

Wu Qingyun froze for a moment, shook his head, saying, “No.”

“This is a smokeless stove,” Ling Chengyan pointed at the rock overhead, “Even if there’s a bit of smoke, the rock will shield it; it can’t be seen from a distance.”

After Wu Qingyun spoke up, everyone quieted and listened, and hearing this, they began focusing on the stove on the ground; someone even ran some distance away to observe, indeed finding no flame or smoke.

“Commander, your smokeless stove seems different from what we’ve learned…” a voice said.

Ling Chengyan slightly smirked, “It is indeed different. Want to learn?”

“Yes!” Nearly everyone responded in unison.

Ling Chengyan: “Wait until the confrontation ends.”

Everyone sighed.

Which meant, in the coming days, they would have to continue drinking cold water and eating cold meals.

Ling Chengyan didn’t say more, observing them eating, drinking, and resting, yet didn’t forget to assign groups for vigilance, feeling satisfied internally.

After everyone was full, they swapped for a new group of sentries, then quickly slumbered under the cliff, Ling Chengyan packed her own backpack and quietly left.

Not until sentry rotation did they notice the commander was gone.

The group was speechless with shock.

Someone muttered softly: “What if it’s the enemy…”

The words left incomplete yet sent chills down everyone’s spines.

If it were the enemy catching them off guard at the base, wouldn’t they be at their mercy?

Once again, recognizing the terrifying prowess of the commander!

Ling Chengyan met with the two deputy commanders, seeing the word ’satisfied’ across faces; after a month of training, the new Special Service Company had shown significant progress in combat strength.

Of course, there were still deficiencies, and much room for improvement, which would be their upcoming tasks.

Finally, as the special training for the Special Service Company concluded, when they boarded the military trucks, their previous liveliness was gone, replaced by silence, and a newfound steadiness.

Sitting in the jeep’s back seat, Ling Chengyan told the two deputy commanders and Xu Dong: “The training was intense; consider improving food conditions when back, eating well is crucial for maintaining physical strength.”

The two deputy commanders laughed heartily and looked at Xu Dong, clearly he was in charge of logistics.

Driving, Xu Dong kept one hand on the steering wheel, waving the other, saying: “Rest assured, leaders, the task will be completed.”

Back at the compound, fighters dragged their weary bodies to shower, wash clothes, and rest.

The four including Ling Chengyan headed to the construction site.

After a month, materials had long been prepared, and the foundations of both the administrative and barracks buildings were dug, with steel reinforcement and concrete being laid.

Ling Chengyan glanced around, quickly spotting Wang Lianqi leading people sifting sand.

Wang Lianqi also saw them but wisely didn’t approach, only watched as the county construction company’s official greeted them.

Returning home from the site, it was past work hours but Wang Liansheng wasn’t home; all the children were there, and Zheng Xiaotian had brought little Qi Bai, busy in the kitchen.

Seeing Ling Chengyan return, Zheng Xiaotian quickly served her a bowl of soup and took out a large kettle of hot water: “Old Four said there’s an important reception task at work, a big boss from Hong Kong is visiting, he’ll be busy these days, unable to come home to take care of the kids on time, so I came to keep an eye on things.”

Seeing Ling Chengyan taking hot water inside, she followed, standing at the doorway: “Actually, Hongling and Xiaoyu are quite capable, even if I’m here, it’s mainly them bustling about, I just keep an eye on things.”

Ling Chengyan quickly washed her face and casually washed her short hair; while wiping the water, she said: “Having you look after them is reassuring for us.”

Saying this, she called the children over, took out chestnuts, walnuts, etc., brought back from the mountains, and let them distribute among themselves.

Seeing these, Xiaoyu was delighted: “These are delicious once roasted, I know how to roast them.”

Perfectly a Saturday, no need to get up early the next day, after dinner, a few kids took chestnuts and walnuts to roast.

Ling Chengyan didn’t mind these small activities, leaving them to play, after a while, some roasted chestnuts were indeed served.

Before dinner, little Qi Bai took a nap, and now energetic, stretched his small pudgy hands to grasp a chestnut and stuffed it into his mouth.

With the shell, it was not dangerous, Zheng Xiaotian let little Qi Bai chew messily, wiping his drool without stopping him nibbling the shell.

She peeled a chestnut for Ling Chengyan, quietly saying: “Seems like Xiaoyu’s family is from the mountain area too.”

In plain regions, fruit trees are scarce, mostly date trees; occasionally a peach or apricot tree is planted near homes, chestnut and walnut trees, however, are more common in mountainous areas.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep