Lin Qiye frowned, "What do you mean by that?"
Zhao Kongcheng smiled faintly and pulled out a cigarette from his pocket, "Mind if I smoke?""Yes, I do."Zhao Kongcheng: ...Helplessly, Zhao Kongcheng put the cigarette back into his pocket, leaned back against the chair, and a hint of reminiscence appeared in his eyes."When I was young, I was just like you.""To be honest, that opening is kind of cliché.""...""Go on, though.""When I was six years old, my father passed away from an illness. My mother worked two jobs just to barely scrape by and raise me." Zhao Kongcheng rubbed the cigarette box in his hand, his voice calm."Life was slow-paced back then. My mom's only hope for me was to finish middle school, come back to the village to work as a local official, marry a girl, have a few kids, and live a simple, happy life as a family.You know, teenagers always go through a rebellious phase.When I graduated from middle school, my grades were decent. Becoming a village official wouldn't have been hard, but I defied her wishes and insisted on joining the army.Actually, she didn't oppose me. She just seemed a little unhappy. On the day I left home, she stood at the doorway, silently watching me. I walked down the path behind our house, and she was still watching. When I reached the village entrance, she was still there, staring in my direction, lost in thought.When I got to the station in the city, I couldn't let it go. I snuck back to take another look… and found that she was still standing there, watching where I had gone.Honestly, at that moment, I thought about staying and not leaving. But in the end, I hardened my heart and left to join the army."Zhao Kongcheng sighed deeply before continuing, "Later, my rank kept rising. I got into the special forces, and because of my skills in close combat, I was assigned to the Nightwatchmen. During holidays, I would go back home to visit my mom. Then I found out..."Zhao Kongcheng abruptly stopped.Lin Qiye cautiously spoke, "Your mother... passed away?""No, she remarried."Lin Qiye: ..."My mother worked herself to the bone when she was young, and her health suffered for it. She wanted me to come back to the village to be an official, so I could take care of her. At the time, I didn't think about that and chose to join the army.Later, she couldn't hold on alone anymore, so she remarried. At least she'd have someone to take care of her in her later years.By the time I heard she'd gotten remarried, I was already in the Nightwatchmen and couldn't stay long to look after her. Honestly, I felt relieved when I heard the news."Lin Qiye pondered for a moment, "So, what's your point in telling me all this?"Zhao Kongcheng slowly stood up and looked directly into Lin Qiye's eyes. "We all have things we cherish deeply. But as we grow, we often overlook them, distracted by other things that capture our attention...I was like that back then. But you're different, Lin Qiye.You're smarter than I was. You're more mature than I was. You know what you want, and you want to stay close to your family and be there for them.That's a good thing.Since you've chosen this path, walk it well.Leave protecting the world to people like us."He turned and picked up a brown envelope from the table, handing it to Lin Qiye."I just met your aunt. People as good as her are rare these days. I understand your family's current situation. Take this money."Lin Qiye refused without hesitation, "I don't want it.""I'm a Nightwatchman. I don't lack money.""Well, I don't want it either.""This is for your aunt. You have to take it!""My aunt wouldn't accept it, either."Zhao Kongcheng's mouth twitched slightly as he stared at Lin Qiye for a long while. Neither side would give in.After a moment, Zhao Kongcheng spoke again, "Lin Qiye... I'm getting old. I can't bear to see the same regrets that I experienced happen again, even if it's to someone else.""Then close your eyes and don't look," Lin Qiye said firmly. "We may be poor, but we have our pride. I won't take a soldier's money. Besides, my eyes are better now. I'm capable. I won't let regrets happen."Zhao Kongcheng opened his mouth as if to say something, but ultimately, he stayed silent and smiled bitterly."Why don't you use this money for your wife and kids instead?" Lin Qiye spoke again."I told you, the Nightwatchmen's welfare system is excellent. Even if I die in battle, my family won't have to worry about food and shelter. My kids will go to good universities and have bright futures," Zhao Kongcheng said, pocketing the envelope again after realizing Lin Qiye wouldn't take it."Don't you have any dreams of your own?""My dreams?" Zhao Kongcheng sat back down, his eyebrows raised. "Of course, I've had dreams. I've had them since I was a kid.""What is it?""To become a general in the army! To wear a uniform adorned with countless medals, go back to my village with my head held high, and let those who looked down on my mom know that her son... is a general!" A bright gleam flashed in Zhao Kongcheng's eyes.Lin Qiye was momentarily stunned. For some reason, looking at Zhao Kongcheng, he thought of Li Yifei again...They seemed to be the same kind of person."Have you achieved that now?""No, not even close," Zhao Kongcheng said with a bitter smile. "And as a Nightwatchman, I can't wear medals and parade around openly. That dream... will forever remain a dream."Lin Qiye fell silent."Well, I should be going now." Zhao Kongcheng stood up, extended his right hand toward Lin Qiye."Wish you a bright future, Lin Qiye."Lin Qiye stared blankly at Zhao Kongcheng. Somehow, his face didn't seem so greasy anymore...He extended his hand and shook it firmly. "And I wish you a chest full of medals, General Zhao."Zhao Kongcheng smiled, turned, and walked toward the door."Wait, your crest," Lin Qiye called out, picking up the crest from the table and waving it.Zhao Kongcheng smacked his forehead. "My bad. I almost forgot! This thing's my life!"He took the crest, glanced at it, and seemed to remember something. "By the way, did you read the lines on the back?""I did.""What do you think? Cool, right?""Very cool. Did you write them?""No, it's the oath we swear when joining the Nightwatchmen," Zhao Kongcheng said as he tossed the crest in the air like a coin, caught it, and slipped it back into his pocket. "But... I like it.""Hold on.""What now?""It's pouring outside. Take this umbrella.""Thanks. I'm keeping it, though.""Take it. Consider it... payment for protecting Earth.""Interesting. Alright, I'm really leaving now.""Goodbye."Zhao Kongcheng took the black umbrella, opened the door, and walked out. Lin Qiye stood by the window, silently watching him leave.In the rain, Zhao Kongcheng's fingers rubbed the crest in his pocket as he softly recited:"If darkness comes to its end, I shall stand before tens of thousands, blade in hand, facing the abyss, blood staining the heavens..."The rain poured harder.Zhao Kongcheng sat in the black van with his umbrella, pulling out his cigarette box to enjoy a brief moment of peace.Just then, his earpiece crackled to life!A man's voice came through.His hand, holding the cigarette, trembled violently. His pupils contracted sharply!