Chapter 60 Meeting Liu Shishi Again

"Regardless of how things stand, at least Bozhou City has not fallen yet. Therefore, as members of the Zheng faction, we naturally must fight to hold it. For a soldier, returning home with one's corpse wrapped in horsehide is the only true definition of success."

The Ma Yuan of today was no longer the Ma Yuan of Gaochheng. Back then, he was just a young man who followed behind his father, observing the carpenter's trade, completely devoid of his own thoughts and ambitions.

Now, after being tempered by years at Quhe Academy and Huali Military Academy, he had long since realized that in this turbulent era, trying to survive on mere craftsmanship alone was entirely unrealistic.

A craft could feed at most a mouth or two, but a rifle—or a position of power—could sustain generations.

Such were Ma Yuan's thoughts nowadays. He wanted to rise higher within the ranks of the Zheng faction and grasp even greater power.

Hearing Ma Yuan's words, Cheng Qian and Hou Lili, standing nearby, nodded in agreement. Having placed themselves under Ma Yuan's leadership, they naturally followed his every word implicitly.

While coordinating with the staff officers of the 339th Division on defense preparations, Ma Yuan unexpectedly encountered two old acquaintances he had not seen in a long time.

One of them was a former classmate from Huali Military Academy named Chang Huailiang, who hailed from a prominent and wealthy family in Yuanzhou City.

Speaking of Chang Huailiang, Ma Yuan had once crossed paths with him back then. When they had just entered the Huali Military Academy together, Ma Yuan and Wang Xian's group had been bullied by Cheng Yuntai, and it was Chang Huailiang who had stepped in to rescue them. Seeing him again now stirred up a wave of emotion in Ma Yuan's heart. In this day and age, simply meeting someone you knew and finding them still alive was truly no small feat.

Chang Huailiang also recognized Ma Yuan and was beside himself with joy. "Brother Ma! It has been so long. I never imagined I would run into you here as well. What a remarkable coincidence!"

Ma Yuan could not help emitting a bitter laugh. Back in the day, coming from such a prestigious background, how proud and arrogant Chang Huailiang had been—not even upperclassmen like Cheng Yuntai were worthy of his regard. Yet now, it seemed the sharp edges of his youth had been worn flat by the war, stripping away much of his former vigor.

"Indeed, Brother Chang. It has been so many years. How is it that you ended up in the Zheng faction?"

"Ah, it's a long story. After the world was thrown into chaos, our family estate was raided by local bandits. My father was so consumed with rage and grief over those outlaws that he vomited blood and passed away, and our family fell into ruin from then on. Later, I enlisted in the military and have been campaigning everywhere with the Zheng forces ever since."

At this, Chang Huailiang instinctively touched the medal pinned to his chest. "Sigh, it's rather shameful to admit. After accumulating military merits all these years, I've merely managed to scrape together the rank of a company commander."

Ma Yuan glanced at the medal, which signified the rank of a company commander. Yet, reflecting on it, he realized Chang Huailiang had not been fortunate enough to meet a discerning mentor like Li Chenghai. To reach the position of company commander by now, he must have endured countless hardships unimaginable to ordinary people.

However, Ma Yuan had no desire to linger in conversation with Chang Huailiang, for he had just learned that someone else—someone he had missed deeply for years and whose news had been entirely cut off, someone he had feared he would never hear of again—was also serving within the 339th Division.

And that person was none other than Liu Shishi, who dwelt constantly in Ma Yuan's heart.

Ever since their graduation from Huali Military Academy, Liu Shishi, who had gone on to the Yuanzhou City Medical College, had lost all contact. Over the years, Ma Yuan had no idea whether she was dead or alive.

He had tried through numerous channels to inquire about her whereabouts, but not a single piece of news had ever reached him.

It was only two days ago, while reviewing the complete roster of the 339th Division submitted by Cheng Qian, that Ma Yuan spotted the painfully familiar name of Liu Shishi. His heart had leapt with excitement, yet filled him with a deep and paralyzing fear.

On one hand, he desperately hoped that this Liu Shishi was indeed the girl he had yearned for day and night; on the other, he dreaded that she might not be the one he prayed for.

Thus, parting ways with Chang Huailiang, Ma Yuan made his way directly to the medical department of the 339th Division. Having graduated from the Yuanzhou City Medical College, Liu Shishi had continued to pursue her profession.

Upon arriving at the medical department and making a few inquiries, Ma Yuan was guided straight to where Liu Shishi was stationed.

Before his eyes, numerous people were busy sorting medical supplies, bustling back and forth. Yet amidst the crowd, Ma Yuan picked out the girl of his thoughts at a single glance.

Liu Shishi appeared much thinner than she had a few years ago, and her expression bore an added layer of resolute determination.

"Liu Shishi!"

Ma Yuan's voice was slightly hoarse, whether from a choked throat or some other emotion. Though spoken softly, it carried an intense, piercing clarity.

Liu Shishi, who was busy packing supplies, froze abruptly at the sound. When she turned around and saw Ma Yuan, she stood rooted to the spot, the items in her hands slipping and crashing to the floor.

She stared blankly at Ma Yuan standing opposite her. Inside her chest, a tempest of surging emotions crashed like towering waves, battering her soul, while her entire body trembled uncontrollably.

Gazing at the girl before him, tears welled up in Ma Yuan's eyes. A faint smile touched the corners of his lips as he slowly, step by step, walked toward her.

Those few steps had taken Ma Yuan years to walk.

When he finally stood right before her and looked upon her so tangible presence, his eyes overflowed with deep tenderness as he meticulously surveyed her features.

"Liu Shishi, do you have any idea how long I've spent searching for you..."

At that moment, Ma Yuan could no longer hold back. Tears broke like a snapped string, spilling down drop by drop, and his whole body shook violently.

Liu Shishi, too, could bear it no longer. She stepped forward suddenly, throwing her arms around Ma Yuan in a desperate, vice-like embrace, while her own tears burst forth like a breached dam.

"I know, I know, I know."

Ma Yuan reached out and pulled her tightly into his arms. Right then and there, he swore he would never let go of the person in his embrace again—never, ever again.

"Promise me, we will never be separated again. Never again," Ma Yuan repeated endlessly, holding her as tightly as he could, refusing ever to part from her.

Liu Shishi returned the embrace with equal fervor. The warmth radiating from his body convinced her beyond a doubt that this was no dream—everything before her was real.

After calming down somewhat, Ma Yuan took Liu Shishi by the hand and led her to a quiet spot near the west gate of Bozhou City.

Night had already fallen. Though the air still carried the acrid, smoky scent of artillery fire from outside the city, it did not dampen their spirits in the least. Gazing into each other's eyes, they both broke into gentle smiles, neither speaking a word.

"How have you managed to get through all these years?" Liu Shishi finally broke the silence, her fingers tightly interlaced with Ma Yuan's.