Chapter 299: Chapter 305: Dangerous Mission
As it involved Living Yama, even many top leaders paid special attention. Moreover, Living Yama had several gunshot wounds on his body from the rescue operations, and with the rain and snow, there would definitely be lingering aftereffects.
But this man, he simply did not take his own health seriously. He had long passed the time he was supposed to get a check-up, he looked for him several times, but never once encountered him.
So, he seriously suspected that Living Yama was deliberately avoiding him, and that’s why he had to come out personally to catch him today.
“Today is a rest day; drinking with Kong Erleizi,” said Li Duoxi with envy.
“What?” Guo Siming got furious, “How could you let him drink?”
“It would be odd if we didn’t drink, right?” It was already dark, dinner time was approaching, and having a drink was perfectly normal!
“You guys… You’re way out of line. The doctor strictly forbids Living Yama from drinking. Who gave you the permission to let him drink? Are you looking for trouble? He’s your superior, and this is how you act as subordinates?” Guo Siming scolded them, pointing his finger, and only after venting did he head towards the canteen.
There was a small private room in the canteen, reserved for hosting guests.
At this moment, Xu Qigang and Kong Jie were sitting around a small rectangular table, which had a dish of peanuts, a dish of pheasant stewed with mushrooms, and a bottle of Erguotou liquor.
This wild pheasant was brought by Kong Jie, whose family was a lineage of hunters, and during winter, he would hunt in the mountains when it snowed.
“Ah… You know, Living Yama, every time you take advantage of me, don’t you ever feel embarrassed?” Kong Jie teased as he sipped on his drink. “Every time you ask me to drink, you have me bring the dishes. How can you be so shameless?”
“I can’t hunt!” Xu Qigang took a taste of the succulent wild pheasant meat, then clinked glasses with Kong Jie, downing half a glass of white liquor in one gulp.
“You said…,” Kong Jie said with a pained expression, “you actually can’t hunt, who would believe that?”
After he finished speaking, he noticed Xu Qigang kept his head down and ate without paying any attention to him, feeling slighted, Kong Jie also began to eat voraciously.
But he was a talkative one! It was normal for Living Yama not to talk, but Kong Jie would suffocate if he kept quiet.
“What did you do back in your hometown?”
“I studied,” Xu Qigang answered very seriously.
“I used to farm and hunt before, so why were you studying?”
“Because I am younger than you!”
“…” Kong Jie was left speechless, almost spitting out the drink he just sipped. “Are you trying to murder me with your nonsense?”
“Fine! Even if it’s because of that, you don’t have any life skills, I can forgive you. I’m really curious, what does your family do? How did they raise someone like you without any ordinary people’s life skills?”
Over the years they knew each other, he realized Living Yama could fight and rescue, but he really couldn’t do anything in everyday life.
Both from the countryside, one an ordinary person, how did they produce someone as unusual as Living Yama?
A hint of discomfort flashed across Xu Qigang’s composed face. Perhaps because of the alcohol, his handsome features were tinged with a flush.
Kong Jie was a bit stunned. Living Yama wasn’t supposed to blush when drinking, was he?
“Cough cough… just ordinary people,” Xu Qigang glossed over the subject. He couldn’t very well say his dad was a hooligan, could he?
That certainly didn’t fit his image as the son of a farmer.
“I called you here today because I have a serious matter to discuss,” Xu Qigang steered the conversation elsewhere.
“I knew it! You wouldn’t call me out to drink for no reason, spit it out!”
Xu Qigang put down his chopsticks, pushed the glass in front of him to the center of the table, and said seriously, “We are going on a special mission to Country S!”
“What?” Kong Jie slammed his fist on the table, rattling the glasses and plates. “Are you insane? You have a bright future ahead of you, and you’d risk it on such a dangerous mission!” As he spoke, he was already anxiously standing up, pacing around the room.
“Have you already decided?”
“Mm!” Xu Qigang nodded determinedly, “I plan to submit an application to the Rescue Association tomorrow, and I’ll leave as soon as it’s approved.”
“That’s impossible, the President will never agree,” Kong Jie said severely. “You are the ace of our Rescue Association, the President won’t let you go on such a mission.” After a pause, he added, “And with your current rank, you don’t need to personally undertake such dangerous tasks anymore.”
When he had just returned from a rescue operation, he and Living Yama used to carry out missions side by side. Later, the frequency had gradually decreased, and since last year, he had completely stopped going on missions.
“This mission in Country S is extraordinary; several teams sent before haven’t returned.”
“Just because of that, you can’t go either.”
“What, is my life, Xu Qigang, more precious than others?” He tugged at the corner of his mouth, thinking of the little lady in his heart, his smile turning bitter.
To think that the fearless Living Yama, too, couldn’t bear to leave her. No matter how dangerous, he would survive to return.
“Your life is more precious than others.” The two men had always fought hotly, but Kong Jie had to concede this point.
Living Yama had become an idol in the rescue world, and if he ever fell, the impact would be severe. Considering all factors, both the President and the head of the Association would not agree to him going.
“Don’t talk nonsense!” Xu Qigang sternly stopped him.
Guo Siming, who was about to barge in, stood frozen outside the door, listening, his hand poised to push the door open. It was only after a moment that he came to his senses, then he quietly backed away.
The mission in Country S was known to very few people, and he happened to be one of the informed.
The level of danger of that mission, perhaps only Living Yama could complete. There had been calls for Living Yama to personally undertake it earlier, but the President had quashed them.
If Living Yama really went?
Guo Siming shook his head; on the way back, he encountered many familiar faces, blissfully unaware, and he felt a bit of pity.
If the War Wolf Rescue Team no longer had Living Yama, would it still be the War Wolf Rescue Team?
Inside the small private room, their conversation continued.
“Alright. Tell me the reason you want to go!”
“Do you remember Li Bin?”
“Of course,” Kong Jie replied fervently, his face reddening and neck thickening, “I will never forget Li Bin in my lifetime.”
“If the mission is successful, we can get an opportunity to go to Country M for treatment, and Li Bin might be able to stand on his legs!” Xu Qigang’s eyes were deep, his expression solemn, yet also distinctly persuasive.
Kong Jie immediately believed him.
“Alright, I got it, I’ll help you.”
Living Yama’s purpose for inviting him to drink today was actually very simple, to get his help in convincing the President.
Because Xu Qigang knew very well that without someone speaking for him, his reports would be rejected time and again.