Chapter 2535: 2536: A Step Away

Chapter 2535: Chapter 2536: A Step Away

“Of course.”

Lin Yi replied with a smile, his expression calm and proud.

“When we were hiding in the small second-floor building, I already thought I was going to die, but luckily, my father showed up.”

“But if you had died, they would have been left as a widow and orphan.”

Lin Yi fell silent, quietly turning the cup in his hand.

“There’s no choice. Once you put on this uniform, even if it’s death, you have to charge forward.”

After a pause, Lin Yi continued:

“Maybe Uncle Liang and Elder Lu think my life is valuable, but in the eyes of others, I’m nothing special. Whether I die or someone else does, it won’t cause too many ripples. Taking the perspective of Zhang Long’s and Sambalo’s families, my life is far less valuable than theirs.”

“So, even if it means leaving them as a widow and orphan, you’re willing to sacrifice?”

Lin Yi fell silent again. It was a question he found difficult to answer.

“This is how it is. Since ancient times, loyalty and filial piety have been hard to reconcile, and love is no different.” Lin Yi sighed. “If no one protects this country, more lives and property would be threatened. If my death has meaning, then it’s also a form of compensation for them.”

“Well said!”

Liang Cunxiao remarked emotionally, “Now that’s a real man!”

“Uncle Liang thinks so too?”

“Of course, just as you said, once you wear this uniform, you must honor it.” Liang Cunxiao said:

“To be honest, I wrote my will more than ten years ago. Even your Aunt Shen doesn’t know about it—I’m afraid that one day something will happen, and I’ll be gone.”

Lin Yi laughed, “Then the two of us better have a drink.”

“Come on, cheers.”

The two men drank their glasses of liquor dry, grimacing at the intense burn.

Liang Cunxiao stood up, fetched another bottle, and skillfully twisted it open.

He lit a cigarette for himself and mused:

“Your Aunt Shen is smart. She already knew I wouldn’t approve of this beforehand. Otherwise, no matter how many major projects you sent to CITIC Group before, she wouldn’t have stood on your side. But after this incident, I’ve come to understand many things.”

Lin Yi smiled and poured Liang Cunxiao another drink, “Uncle Liang, let’s have another one.”

Fueled by alcohol, Liang Cunxiao gulped it down without hesitation.

“When two people get married, what matters most is comfort. As long as she feels you’re good, that’s enough.” Liang Cunxiao said:

“And after this incident, seeing how you can take responsibility for the country, I believe you can be responsible for Mi Li too. In the future, you’ll treat her well. That’s the essence of marriage—two people being happy together. All the formalities are just red tape.”

At this point, Liang Cunxiao chuckled and said:

“Back then, I was a nobody. My family’s situation was worse than your Aunt Shen’s. By those standards, people said her marrying me was foolish. But look at us now—we’re doing just fine. So, I won’t meddle in this matter. Your Aunt Shen and I have one request: live your lives well and support each other emotionally. That’s enough.”

Lin Yi froze for a moment. He had countless things he wanted to say, but in the end, he felt none of them were quite appropriate.

“Thank you, Uncle Liang.”

“We’re family now. No need for thanks.”

Liang Cunxiao waved his hand, “Go check on the two of them—they’ve been out for a while. Go bring them back.”

“Alright.”

Lin Yi understood that Liang Cunxiao wanted a moment of quiet space to let out his emotions.

No matter the formalities, after their conversation, Liang Ruoxu was now officially married off.

As a father, a doting daughter-loving one, his heart surely felt uncomfortable about it.

If Lin Yi had a daughter of his own one day, perhaps he’d feel the same way.

It was only natural, and Lin Yi gradually began to understand this sentiment.

Lin Yi stood up and quietly walked away.

But downstairs, he could no longer see Liang Ruoxu’s figure, so he wandered around the neighborhood instead.

Taking a moment while walking, Lin Yi sent Ji Qingyan a message on his phone to let her know he was still safe, so she wouldn’t worry.

However, Lin Yi didn’t tell her he was back, planning to finish all the affairs in Yanjing before returning to see her.

Not long after, while strolling around the neighborhood, Lin Yi spotted the mother-daughter duo.

“Why did you come out by yourself?”

Seeing Lin Yi, Liang Ruoxu approached him, holding a few bottles of yogurt in her hands—likely just bought.

“Uncle Liang asked me to come get you.”

“He’s probably had a bit too much to drink and felt embarrassed saying it in front of you, so he sent you out.” Shen Shuyi said with a smile.

Liang Ruoxu didn’t say anything, but judging from Lin Yi’s expression, she felt their conversation must have gone well.

She could finally be at ease.

The three of them strolled leisurely back home.

When they returned, they found Liang Cunxiao had already gone back to his room.

“You all should wash up and rest early.”

“Alright.”

Lin Yi and Liang Ruoxu were sent off to the bathroom to wash up, while Shen Shuyi began tidying up the mess on the table.

After washing up, the two returned to their room to rest early.

Within a few minutes, Lin Yi fell fast asleep.

After months spent out on duty, this sleep was more restful than any he’d had before.

The next morning at five, Lin Yi was already dressed and ready.

He happened to bump into Shen Shuyi, who had just gotten up.

“Up so early?”

“There’s a funeral I have to attend. I need to get there early.”

“There’s a small breakfast shop downstairs. Buy some buns; don’t go on an empty stomach.”

“Got it, Aunt Shen.”

Lin Yi, fully dressed, saw Shen Shuyi off before heading out.

Lin Yi drove the Central Guards Brigade vehicle to the funeral home.

Not many had come to the funeral, but everyone of significance was present.

Liang Xianghe, Liang Xianghe, Liu Hong, and other leaders of the Central Guards Brigade had all shown up.

In addition, some of Zhang Long’s relatives were there as well.

Zhang Long’s father remained stoic, constantly sighing and smoking.

The ground littered with cigarette butts mirrored his shattered heart, one fragment at a time.

Zhang Long’s mother couldn’t stop crying, nearly fainting several times.

“Sir, Ma’am, I failed to protect him. I know your hearts ache. You can vent all you want on me—I’ll take it.” Lin Yi knelt before them and spoke.

Zhang Long’s parents looked up, recognizing him as their son’s comrade who had once visited their home.

“We may not be educated, but we understand reason.” Zhang Long’s father said:

“He gave his life for the country. We feel proud; how could we take it out on you?”

“If you could hit me a few times or kick me, maybe I’d feel more at ease.”

“I know you’re a good kid, but he was a soldier. In such situations, sacrifices are inevitable. The fact that you all came to send him off—our hearts are deeply grateful.”

Lin Yi’s heart felt heavy.

Even now, he felt dazed.

Between reality and illusion, the boundary seemed to be just one step.

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