"This isn’t good for your body," Gao Lian said, his words tinged with a bit of mockery. "Mr. Shi, don’t take your body lightly just because you’re young. I had a colleague who kept working just three or four days after getting shot because he thought he was in good shape."
"And then?" Tang Jingming asked.
"Then, the grass over his grave is already as tall as you."
Shi Mei’s eyelids twitched, and Tang Jingming was also startled. "No way."
"Hahaha, just kidding!" Gao Lian glanced at Shi Lingyan. "But you really should rest properly. You were nearly vegetative, and your body functions were neglected for over a month. You need to recover properly."
"Thank you, Officer Gao," Shi Lingyan said, his voice faint and indifferent. "But I’m recovering well, so no need to worry."
Gao Lian looked at his complexion, which seemed indeed acceptable. "These things can be major or minor. The elders advise you to rest for your own good. But why did you come to Imperial City from Yan City, which has a more nourishing climate?"
"So leisurely and elegant, coming out to play before you’ve fully recovered?" Gao Lian raised an eyebrow. "I remember when we wanted you for the investigation, you said you were unwell and couldn’t meet anyone. It seems you just didn’t want to meet with the police."
"Is it illegal not to meet with the police?"
"Although it’s not illegal..."
"You’re the one breaking the law, why do you care so much?"
Shi Mei frowned and couldn’t help but speak up: "Mr. Shi, it would be better to cooperate with the police investigation."
Shi Lingyan gave her a faint glance and said no more, turning his gaze toward the window.
At this moment, Ye Tiao had already fallen asleep in her seat, causing the atmosphere to turn somewhat eerie.
They continued in silence until they reached Tian’an Gate.
At a breakfast diner, they ate something casually, then queued up for the security check.
At six o’clock, the flag-raising ceremony began.
The familiar, stirring and inspiring melody started to play.
Soldiers, neatly dressed and perfectly synchronized, escorted the national flag to the flagpole.
The well-trained soldiers spread out in two rows, each one with a stern and serious face, gazing straight ahead, their military presence unmistakable.
As the national anthem played and the flag-raiser fluttered the Five-Starred Red Flag at that very moment, a soul-deep shock and reverence instinctively made everyone stand even straighter.
The Five-Starred Red Flag fluttered in the wind, bright red under the still-darkening blue sky.
The last time she stood in this spot for the flag-raising ceremony was over a decade ago.
Her father had brought her here and told her that when he got old and retired, he would bring her grandchildren here too, to tell them they live in a strong and peaceful country.
And that their grandfather was a member of those who guarded this country, a general who had made many contributions!
He would be proud and honored by his grandfather’s excellence and strength.
Perhaps in many years to come, the dreams Shi Mei had failed to fulfill for her father, her grandchildren might achieve.
They would become outstanding soldiers, just like their grandfather.
But alas, her father’s dreams had become impossible to fulfill three years ago. ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by NovelHub(.)net
His only daughter, the disobedient one, had left them forever three years ago.
Unconsciously, Shi Mei’s eyes brimmed with hot tears, her expression growing more solemn as she looked up at the national flag and saluted it earnestly with a straight military salute.