Hearing that Qi Taiguo had a task to carry out, Cheng Su choked on her soup.
Swallowing the soup in her throat, she picked up a piece of paper from the table to wipe her mouth and asked, "A task at such a critical time? How long will it be, with the New Year coming in just a couple of months?"
It was already deep into November, and the weather was so cold. To have to undertake a task at this time of year was simply suffering!
Qi Taiguo, caught between laughter and tears, said, "Can we choose the time for a task? It’s only when the mission comes that we go!"
Cheng Su, a bit sheepish, puckered her lips and said somewhat discontentedly, "But it’s only been two or three months since your last mission! I don’t see the others going as often as you do, so why does it seem like it’s always you?"
This was also something that puzzled Cheng Su. She had been here for over half a year, yet Qi Taiguo had already been sent out on three tasks, two of which had resulted in injuries.
And now another task was being assigned, as if he were the only one in the unit.
Qi Taiguo said, "It’s not every time, some other tasks are carried out by other people too, I just haven’t mentioned them to you. As a soldier, you always have to face real combat to climb higher. Missions are for everyone, not just me. And this time, I was handpicked by the higher-ups; there’s simply no choice."
"What’s the mission? To be handpicked!" Cheng Su grew curious.
"State secret, I can’t say too much," Qi Taiguo said with a nonchalant air. "This time it’s to E County. There’s a gang of car bandits and road tyrants, extremely rampant and brutal, murdering and robbing without restraint. With the end of the year approaching, they’re even more brazen. If we don’t eradicate them completely, who knows how many families they’ll destroy, leaving them in shambles!"
He thought back to the horrifying pictures he saw during the day and felt a suffocating discomfort in his heart.
Those who drive large vehicles for long journeys are usually men, often the pillars of their families. If they were to be killed, wouldn’t their families collapse as their main support fell away?
Not to mention the young men who travel with the large vehicles, some of them as young as Jianguo, who were also murdered. How pitiful!
Cheng Su’s brow furrowed as she said, "Car bandits and road tyrants!"
She was not unfamiliar with such highway robbers; from the 1980s to the 1990s, that was the prime time for the growth of the underworld, causing widespread fear and terror.
But, wasn’t this a matter for the Public Security Bureau?
With such thoughts in mind, she voiced her question.
"Since ancient times, soldiers are just like one family. Many colleagues in the Public Security Bureau come from the military. It’s no surprise when fighting crime that the Public Security Bureau asks for reinforcements from the higher-ups if they face a tough challenge," Qi Taiguo explained.
Cheng Su uttered an acknowledgment: "So when can you return? I heard those people are ruthless. Could there be a serious danger? Don’t bring back another injury, okay?"
"I know, can’t I, a dignified soldier, handle some bandits?" Qi Taiguo said, feigning relaxation.
Cheng Su gave him a look, her worries still lingering. Soldiers are human, but what about bandits, people who regard life so cheaply they can kill without blinking an eye; do they even know fear?
"Who else is going?" Cheng Su asked further.
"...Right, Chen Shouwang is also going this time," Qi Taiguo said.
"Him?"
"Yes, he fought hard to be part of it," Qi Taiguo nodded and after a moment added, "He’s been a platoon leader for quite some time, so having such aspirations isn’t surprising."
"It’s indeed the age to seek achievements. Hualing should feel at ease now," Cheng Su sighed.