Chapter 91: Chapter 091
At that moment, a tall figure appeared at the doorway. Sheng Ning instantly recognized it was Xu Qigang; his presence was simply too imposing to ignore, standing out like a crane among chickens.
Xu Qigang, accompanied by Wu Houhai, Chen Baoshan, Li Duoxi, and several others from the Provincial Rescue Center, entered. The atmosphere in the dining hall dramatically changed as every comrade, like a sharp sword, uniformly greeted in a loud voice, “Hello, Captain Xu!”
Those simple three words seemed to overpower mountains and rivers, causing everyone’s chest to subtly tremble, as if they could hear the sound of rushing blood.
Xu Qigang and the others responded to the greeting, “At ease!”
Xu Qigang’s piercing gaze swept past the Song and Dance Troupe, and then he led his group to their exclusive dining area.
“Wu Houhai, if Dai Bin won’t give up his spot, our first team is ready at any time,” said Wu Houhai in a loud voice.
“That’s right, that’s right!” With the squad leader backing them, the first team became even more unrestrained.
Chen Yingjie disdainfully glanced at the female comrades and said impatiently, “Don’t disgrace Squad Four, show what you’re capable of.”
What was originally a simple pre-meal song suddenly became tense with the scent of gunpowder.
Sheng Ning was utterly in awe of Captain Chen at that moment, surely a clear stream in the midst of a mudslide.
Dai Bin immediately became somber, his eyes sweeping over the crowd, he loudly said, “Since everyone has given us this chance to shine, let’s own it and not disgrace our Squad Four. Anyone who does, prepare for a twenty-kilometer weighted cross-country.”
“Don’t worry, Coach.” Singing was the forte of the Song and Dance Troupe, and the assembled crowd, without any fear, cheerfully and loudly replied.
Among them, many veterans of the Song and Dance Troupe cleared their throats and took the lead, “Then today we sing ‘The Blood-stained Splendor’ in tribute to our country and the heroes in our hearts.”
“Good…” The others applauded one after another, standing ramrod straight. As the crisp, melodious voices began to rise, everyone joined in singing, “Perhaps I’ll depart and never return, Do you understand? Do you realize that perhaps I’ll fall and not get up? Do you still expect forever? If so, don’t be sad…”
In the large dining hall of over a thousand people, the men’s voices were robust and solemn. Standing among them, Sheng Ning genuinely felt the pulse of blood throbbing in his chest.
The fearless charge, albeit never witnessed firsthand, could be vividly felt through oral accounts, television, and newspapers.
When the song ended, the hall erupted in fervent applause. Many even had slightly moist eyes, their stirred emotions not easily calmed.
“The Blood-stained Splendor” is a memorial song; its poignant story is unforgettable. It represents the strength and sacred dignity of New China.
All members of the War Wolf Rescue Team, having personally experienced it with Xu Qigang, were reminded of the past days of frontline rescues upon hearing the familiar melody. For a moment, the atmosphere in the dining hall grew somewhat somber.
“Alright! Time to eat, last person to finish eats cleans the tables and washes the dishes,” Dai Bin shouted loudly, breaking the silence. People swarmed to get their food, their speed dizzyingly fast.
Xu Qigang calmly sat at his spot, his head slightly lowered, seemingly indifferent to the song outside, but the clenched fist resting on the table betrayed his emotions.