Jin Hua: “What are YOU doing here?!”
The outside commotion grew louder. Si Nan pondered for a moment, switching the submachine gun from automatic to single-shot mode, and pressed it against Jin Hua’s head:
“Take off immediately, don’t make me turn your head into a candied hawthorn stick.”
Jin Hua: “Is there a difference?!”
Helpless, Jin Hua was forced by the gun to press a series of buttons, slowly lowering the control lever. The small plane began to slide on the runway, throwing soldiers behind it.
“It wasn’t my business originally, but I wanted to do something for them, so I volunteered as a flight instructor,” Jin Hua said, focusing on adjusting the electronic map. “I haven’t flown for several years. This time I’m co-pilot, with another main pilot whom you threw down below. So later… if…”
The plane accelerated and suddenly roared into the sky, the sudden turbulence causing Si Nan to stagger and crash into the dashboard.
If we encounter strong air currents!
” Jin Hua shouted over the roar of the propellers: “You’d better pray! Pray to God or Buddha, it doesn’t matter!”
Boom— The plane shot up diagonally into the high sky, the runway and airport growing smaller, with swirling clouds rushing towards them.
Si Nan steadied himself, ejecting a bullet with a click: “I stopped believing in gods and Buddhas long ago.”
Jin Hua smiled bitterly, wagging her finger: “I advise you to believe temporarily. Unless a celestial immortal descends, you’re unlikely to return alive from this journey. Clutching at straws might not help, but it’s better than doing nothing at all.”
Si Nan shook his head without responding, turning to the rear cabin to inventory weapons and ammunition, beginning to organize his tactical backpack.
“I’m serious!” Jin Hua called back loudly: “The reconnaissance battalion from the Inner Mongolia base lost many people! The Hebei 8th Rescue Squad that went to the canyon suffered heavy casualties! You cannot complete this mission alone.”
The plane flew steadily through the sea of clouds, wing tips flickering with red lights. The rear cabin lights went out, leaving only halos of orange-yellow light.
Si Nan knelt on one knee beside the bullet box, propping his assault rifle on the ground.
He looked much younger than his actual age, so handsome, with a hint of scholarly gentleness.
