Years turn into wind

Chapter 204: Life and Death Together

Preparation before the war

The atmosphere in the camp grew tense as everyone made final preparations for the impending breakout. Ling Xiaotian's rearguard squad was small, but comprised of battle-hardened elite soldiers. As the team's sole medical officer, Cheng Yuwei felt the burden on her shoulders was particularly heavy.

At first light, she began checking the medicine and gauze in the first aid kit, making sure everything was ready. While she was busy, Ling Xiaotian approached. He was wearing a military uniform, a pistol hanging from his waist, and his expression was as cold as a knife.

"Yuwei," he whispered, "Just to confirm, are you really determined to stay with me?"

Cheng Yuwei raised her head and nodded without hesitation: "I said, no matter life or death, I will not leave."

Ling Xiaotian was silent for a moment, then suddenly reached out and gently brushed her cheek, his tone soft and reluctance intensifying, "This truly makes me both proud and heartbroken."

Cheng Yuwei held his hand and smiled: "It's mutual."

Ambush and Wait

Ling Xiaotian's rearguard squad was stationed in a long, narrow valley. The terrain was steep and densely wooded, making it the perfect location for an ambush. They set explosives and traps on both sides of the valley, and everyone waited with bated breath.

Cheng Yuwei was placed in a secluded cave on the side of the valley, which not only protected her safety but also provided convenient treatment for the wounded during their retreat. Even so, her heart was still pounding, and she couldn't calm down.

"Boom!" Suddenly, a faint explosion sounded in the distance, followed by dense gunfire. She knew that Ling Xiaotian and his men had begun to move.

Time passed minute by minute, and Cheng Yuwei felt that every second was as long as a year. She held the first aid kit tightly in her hand, ears perked up, ready to rush out at any time.

A hail of bullets

Ling Xiaotian and his team took advantage of the terrain and defeated the enemy's vanguard in one fell swoop. However, the enemy's numbers far exceeded their expectations. They poured into the valley like a tide, trying to completely encircle and wipe out the remaining team.

"Explode!" Ling Xiaotian gave the order, and the explosives on both sides of the valley were detonated. The huge roar was deafening, and rocks rolled down, instantly burying a large number of enemy troops. But even so, the subsequent enemies continued to come in an endless stream.

"Retreat to the second position!" Ling Xiaotian led his team to a rapid retreat, but the enemy's firepower intensified. A shell landed nearby, sending up a huge cloud of dust. Ling Xiaotian felt a buzzing in his ears and a sharp pain in his shoulder, but he gritted his teeth and persevered.

Meanwhile, Cheng Yuwei finally found the wounded soldiers who were retreating. She quickly began to treat them, carrying the bleeding soldiers to safety and bandaging their wounds as quickly as possible.

"Where is Xiaotian?" she asked anxiously while busying herself.

"He's still in front! He asked us to retreat first!" a soldier answered breathlessly.

Cheng Yuwei's heart sank suddenly, but she knew that now was not the time to rush out. She had to wait until the last moment of retreat before she could go find Ling Xiaotian.

On the brink of life and death

At the valley entrance, Ling Xiaotian and the few remaining soldiers had nowhere to retreat. They used their last available cover to engage in a fierce exchange of fire with the enemy.

"The ammunition is running out, what should we do?" a soldier asked in a low voice.

Ling Xiaotian wiped the blood off his face, his eyes determined: "Keep delaying, every minute counts."

At that moment, a bullet grazed his side, leaving a trail of blood. Ling Xiaotian groaned, covered the wound, and continued to direct the battle.

The enemy's firepower intensified, and Ling Xiaotian realized he had to give his final order. He glanced at the few remaining soldiers around him and whispered, "You go ahead. I'll provide cover."

"But sir—"

"Follow orders!" Ling Xiaotian's tone left no room for doubt.

Several soldiers nodded reluctantly and quickly withdrew, leaving Ling Xiaotian alone to hold the position. He pulled the last grenade from his backpack, pulled the fuse, his eyes filled with determination.

"Xiaotian!" At this moment, a familiar voice came. He turned around suddenly and saw Cheng Yuwei rushing down from the side of the valley, her face full of anxiety.

"What are you doing here? Go back!" Ling Xiaotian almost roared.

Cheng Yuwei ignored him and rushed to his side: "I said, no matter life or death, I will not leave!"

Ling Xiaotian's heart trembled suddenly. He knew that now was not the time to argue, so he could only quickly protect her behind him: "Then don't run around, listen to my command!"

Breakout

The enemy's encirclement was getting closer and closer, and Ling Xiaotian and Cheng Yuwei were forced behind a large rock. His ammunition was completely exhausted, and Cheng Yuwei only had a small dagger in her hand.

"It seems that we are going to die together today." Ling Xiaotian looked at her with a wry smile.

Cheng Yuwei shook her head stubbornly: "No, we will not die. We have not completed our mission yet."

Her words stirred a complex emotion in Ling Xiaotian's heart. He gripped the dagger tightly in his hand, ready to make the final charge.

At this moment, dense gunfire and charge horns suddenly rang out in the distance, followed by the enemy's shouting and commotion. Ling Xiaotian reacted instantly: "It's our reinforcements!"

Sure enough, friendly reinforcements arrived and engaged in a fierce firefight with the enemy, forcing them to retreat, and the fighting in the valley gradually subsided.

All is well

When everything was settled, Cheng Yuwei finally collapsed to the ground, feeling powerless. Ling Xiaotian walked over and helped her up, his eyes complex and gentle: "You silly woman, do you know how dangerous you were just now?"

Cheng Yuwei raised her head and smiled gently: "As long as I can be with you, I am not afraid of danger."

Ling Xiaotian sighed, reached out and hugged her, his voice low and firm: "No matter what danger comes in the future, I will never let you face it alone again."

The two stood hugging each other, the afterglow of the setting sun shining on them, as if covering their survival with a layer of warm glow.