About the recent discussion concerning Qi Taiguo, the military quickly made a decision. It was just as he had anticipated: acceptable but not commendable. The merits of this mission were not counted as military merit, but he retained his original position. However, he was required to write a self-criticism report.
Therefore, it could be said that Qi Taiguo’s efforts on this mission were in vain!
While the others, to varying degrees, were all credited with merit, including Gao Linbing, Chen Shouwang, and the rest.
Although Qi Taiguo felt somewhat uncomfortable inside, he himself didn’t find it too regrettable. After all, going on a mission was not only about military merit. As a soldier, the first thing to consider should be serving the country and the people, not just earning merits to roll up one’s sleeves and work. Having military merits was naturally the icing on the cake, but without them, one couldn’t complain about unfairness.
It was Cheng Su who felt somewhat indignant for her man. She believed the military had been somewhat unfair; everyone worked on the mission together, but only one person was punished.
"Everyone was credited for their contributions, but just because you chased after the leader and he died, you were deemed at fault. That’s too unfair!" she pouted.
"I left my team without permission, which is a fact that can’t be disputed. Look, not to mention now, if it were in ancient times, during combat, if a troop left the formation without permission, it might have turned what should have been a great victory into a defeat. Being a soldier means obeying the commands of superiors first!" Qi Taiguo said, "At any time, we can’t overlook a small flaw or detail, which might be the key to success or failure."
So, he should firmly remember the lessons from this experience. Success was excellent, but failure was not shameful. He needed to learn from it since it was gained at the cost of blood and life.
After hearing his words, Cheng Su was somewhat embarrassed. She knew it herself; hadn’t she previously used the nursery rhyme about the nail in Ancient England to confront Chiang Qing?
But when it came to Qi Taiguo, she somehow became a bit unreasonable. Could this be what’s known as not feeling the pain until the needle pierces the flesh?
Seeing the forced smile on Qi Taiguo’s lips, Cheng Su pursed her lips, opened her arms, tiptoed, and hugged Qi Taiguo, gently patting his back, and said, "Don’t worry, you’re still young, there’s plenty of time and days ahead. Don’t be discouraged, I’ll always be here."
Failing was nothing to fear or shy away from; it was a rite of passage in life.
If you fall, just brush off your knees, stop the bleeding from the wound, and get up and walk again. That pain will become the strength to travel further.
Listening to her, Qi Taiguo felt a lump in his throat and rested his chin in the crook of her shoulder, letting the restrained sadness dissipate.
Even the strongest of us have moments of fragility.
And some comfort doesn’t require many grandiose words, just an embrace is enough.
"Hey, why don’t we buy a television set?" Cheng Su suddenly said.
"Huh?" Qi Taiguo was startled.
"Aren’t you feeling down? Buying a television for some entertainment, watching some dramas, might cheer you up," Cheng Su said with a smile.
After thinking about it, Qi Taiguo replied, "I’m usually at the base, and you have to go to work. We spend our evenings reading, buying a TV now isn’t all that necessary. However, I do have an idea."
"Oh?"
"Let’s install a telephone at home!" Qi Taiguo suggested. "If I’m on a mission, when I find time, I can call you. Like this time when you were sick, I had to call the store, which was inconvenient."
Hearing this, Cheng Su’s eyes crinkled with a smile as she took his hand: "Let’s go together!"