“The 118th Battalion made indelible contributions at the beginning of the virus outbreak… and will be forever recorded in the republic’s military history alongside its brother units.
Before Zhou Rong could say anything else, the old man perceptively saw his thoughts: “The casualty rate at the front is too high, Lieutenant Colonel. A man who doesn’t care for his family, how can he talk about the country?”
Zhou Rong was instantly speechless, standing there stiffly.
At this moment, an officer hurried in and whispered something in the old man’s ear. The old man raised his hand to indicate he understood, then patted the table towards Zhou Rong: “Alright, you need to go now!”
Zhou Rong was puzzled, and the old man sighed softly.
“You don’t know yet? Lao Guo is gone, from the time of transferring out of B Military District. Go see his grandson. His belongings were just delivered.”
When B Military District was destroyed, the Military Commission organized a large-scale evacuation. Deputy Minister Guo voluntarily stayed behind to command, but missed the last helicopter.
Zhou Rong nodded and thanked the escorting soldier. At the end of the corridor was a small canteen, not yet dinner time, now empty with only Chun Cao and Ding Shi standing nervously at the door, peering inside.
Zhou Rong put his finger to his lips, signaling them to be quiet, then walked in.
Guo Weixiang was slumped at the dining table, facing the wall corner, the entire canteen with only him sitting alone. From behind, he seemed to be burying his face in his hands.
Zhou Rong walked directly past him to the vending machine on the other wall, buying armfuls of beer and cigarettes, then turned and noisily piled them on the table, pulling out the folding chair in front of Guo Weixiang.
“Come on,” he opened a beer can, pulled down Guo Weixiang’s left hand without explanation, and stuffed the beer can into his hand: “This is all the cash I have. I’m treating you today at the risk of my life.”
Guo Weixiang’s eyes were bloodshot, his right hand about to cover his eyes, but Zhou Rong forcefully stuffed a soft Zhonghua cigarette.
“Rong Ge…”
“How did the old man go?”
Guo Weixiang’s tears immediately welled up again, and after a while, he choked and shook his head.
