Chapter 464: Chapter 463 Death Notification Chapter 464: Chapter 463 Death Notification As for the seven bandits they brought back, they should be thoroughly investigated.
After the transfer of custody was complete, Zelin nodded his head, showing understanding.
The junior officer was also a bit curious about why the troops from the neighboring province had come here, since by rank he shouldnât have asked, but this ensign was a passionate young man.
Without thinking, he blurted out a question, âCommander, what brings you to Pengcheng?â
Fortunately, Zelinâs visit this time wasnât solely for military purposes, so he replied patiently to the inquiry.
âWeâre here at your welfare institute to pick up a comradeâs child.â
âA child from the welfare institute?â
Zelin heard the surprise in the otherâs tone and couldnât help turning his head, âYes, what about the child from the welfare institute? Is there a problem?â
The ensignâs complexion turned somewhat unsightly, and he seemed unsure how to explain.
It wasnât until Zelin met with the ensignâs superior that he learned from the group captain of the 708th the circumstances regarding Yao Keâs nephew.
âIâm terribly sorry, Group Captain Tang, but youâre too late. The welfare institute youâre referring to caught fire the night before last, and 83 children⊠they were all sleeping at the timeâŠâ
The other man didnât seem to bear to continue.
Zelinâs mind buzzed, and he failed to react for quite some time. When he finally came to his senses, his brows were tightly knit.
His complexion looked awful.
âAll 83 children perished? Is Yao Keâs nephew among them?â
âWe need to check on that; please wait a moment.â
The group captain called to a guard outside the door: âGo to the information room and bring the list of the welfare institute fire casualties.â
âYes, sir!â
Half an hour later.
Zelin was holding the list confirming the death of Yao Keâs nephew as he walked out of the main gate of the 708thâs group headquarters.
Outside, the sunshine was piercing.
He closed his eyes, struggling to suppress the tumultuous emotions within.
He was too late.
If only he had arrived two days earlier, might the outcome have been different? Just before going into battle, his good buddy had entrusted him with the care of his only kin.
But now, was he supposed to merely receive a cold, impersonal death notice for him?
It felt as though a thousand-pound boulder was pressing down on his chest, making it hard to breathe.
Su Shu approached from a distance; after he had gone inside, she had been waiting for him the entire time.
The distress on Zelinâs face caused her heart to clench.
She walked up and grabbed his arm.
âWas the outcome not good?â
Zelin opened his eyes, looking down at his wifeâs worried face, and for some reason, he suddenly felt a twinge in his nose.
Accustomed to strength and toughness, he suddenly felt unable to sustain his composure, feeling weak.
âThe child is gone.â
His voice hoarse, he inhaled deeply, blinking several times, touched his nose, and suddenly his gaze drifted aside.
With a self-deprecatory laugh, he said, âWife, am I not too incompetent if I canât even fulfill a brotherâs last wish?â
Su Shu frowned slightly, stepped forward to embrace Zelin, hoping to make him feel a bit better.
Zelin silently held her, staying quiet for a long time.
The death notice between his fingers was cold and brought sorrow.
That night, staying in the two barracks provided by the 708th.
Su Shu had barely laid down when she heard the door next door open and close. Then, shortly after, she saw ten men running laps on the parade ground in the pitch darkness of the night.
After the dayâs shocking news and the failure of their mission, they probably couldnât sleep, could they?
Su Shu stood at the barracks window, gazing thoughtfully at the ten silently running men on the parade ground far away.
She turned and walked to the door to make sure it was properly shut.
Then, she took out the death notice, pondered for a moment, and turned to enter the space.