Part Three Chapter 97 Mutual Understanding

. The only thing I could surpass you in was academics. Every time my dad came to my house, I couldn't wait to show him my report card. He would praise me every time, but I could tell he was just going...On the opposite construction site, it was brightly lit, with bulldozers and rollers working simultaneously. In just a few minutes, they had built a road, and workers were all running towards this side with their luggage.

Chen Ling hurried back to organize the scene with her colleagues, there was no time to ask why they could suddenly leave. Under the warm morning glow of Wei Xi, over 200 people, men, women and children, all excitedly rushed forward, finally able to go home.

Xishi, after a day and night of brutal fighting, was now like a dead city. Ruined buildings with wisps of smoke rose from every corner. Not a single car on the street remained intact. Several bodies lay scattered in the streets, too hastily to be identified as belonging to government forces or rebels.

Song Jingye and Teacher Zhang's expressions were both extremely tense. Chen Ling only learned after returning that Xishi was still under siege, and after fighting day and night, the imperial army had not achieved victory.

If we keep fighting like this, the front line will only get longer. Right now, early in the morning, is when the enemy is at their weakest and most vulnerable. This is the best time to retreat.

Otherwise, once reinforcements arrive from surrounding cities after daybreak, it will be even more difficult for them to withdraw.

Song Jingye drove ahead to lead the way. This route was one they had inspected yesterday and was considered relatively safe. Chen Huihui and Teacher Zhang were in the same car with him.

Behind their vehicle were vehicles carrying their compatriots, and at the very end were the Chinese military vehicles.

The vehicle sped along, an unusual silence filling the cabin. The sun had begun to rise in the east, casting a pale, gray light over the land. This dead city seemed to be slowly being infused with a sliver of life. Occasionally, refugees would appear along the roadside, their eyes fixed on the departing convoy.

I'm leaving Xishi soon.

Just a few more kilometers ahead, and we'll be in the safe zone. The closer we get, the more tense it feels.

Chen Ning held her breath, waiting for the inspection checkpoint ahead. It was almost there.

With a deafening boom, an explosion erupted behind their car, sending it jolting upwards before crashing back down to the ground.

It was the familiar sound of an explosion. She and Teacher Zhang both turned to look back. Behind them, thick smoke billowed, and one of the vehicles carrying their compatriots seemed to have its tires shattered by shrapnel from the blast. The vehicle screeched to a halt, the jarring screech of brakes accompanied by a 180-degree spin before it came to a stop at an angle on the side of the road. Screams could be heard from inside the car.

At the rear, Chinese soldiers escorting them immediately turned back to defend against enemy troops throwing bombs from a distance.

Song Jing acted calmly, ordering them to stop the car immediately. He turned to face them and said, "You drive forward, just keep going straight ahead. Some..." After issuing this command, he jumped out of the driver's seat and sprinted towards the vehicle whose tires had exploded.

Chen Ning saw his back running towards a dangerous place, almost instinctively reacting, she also jumped out of the car and ran towards that fellow's car.

Mr. Jing quickly arranged for another colleague to drive, and he jumped out of the car himself, standing on the roadside, directing all the cars carrying their countrymen to follow the lead vehicle and continue forward.

The aftermath was a battlefield, the newly risen sun obscured by a thick veil of smoke, leaving only a faint glimmer.

The flat-tired truck lay on its side by the road, and because of the violent jolts it experienced just moments ago, many people onboard were injured. Adding to the pain was the fear brought by the ongoing war, with cries of anguish and screams echoing ceaselessly.

After Song Jingye ran over, he immediately

After working together, they got a spare tire. The two of them lay on the ground and quickly changed the tire. His movements were swift, but his eyes were calm and focused, not at all affected by the constant barrage of gunfire. On the contrary, the driver's hand that handed him tools trembled from time to time. Chen Ling ran back after a while and immediately got into the car to comfort his countrymen, "Everyone stay calm, don't panic, the car will be fixed soon." But everyone was too scared. Several women were emotionally agitated and couldn't calm down at all. Especially when they saw that all the vehicles in front had left, and only their car was left on the entire road, they fell into even greater panic. "Don't you guys run away yourselves, and leave us here"

"Will we die here"

Several people shouted and walked forward, wanting to get off the car and chase after the car ahead.

Chen Ning had already been standing by the car door, slamming it shut and blocking the way. She shouted loudly: "Who dares to get out of the car" The car fell silent for a few seconds before erupting again: "Why are you abandoning us here " They all left.

She pointed to the sparks flying behind her: "Fine, you're not afraid of getting shot. Now get down."

Her emotions also got agitated, her voice rising: "You guys turn around and look behind you. Our comrades are holding back those bullets and shells for us. And under your feet, Captain Song is risking his life to fix your tires; Ahead of you, Teacher Zhang is standing alone by the roadside, clearing the way for other compatriots. None of us have run away, and none of us will run away." After she finished speaking, tears welled up in her eyes, not only because of the comrades holding back the enemy behind them, but also because she was deeply worried about Song Jingye who was lying on the ground. The people in the car...

After she yelled at them a few times, everyone quieted down. Even though they were still afraid, they all sat silently in their own places and didn't speak anymore.

Chen Ning only then got out of the car and checked if Song Jingye's tire was fixed.

He was dressed in camouflage, kneeling on one leg by the roadside, tightening the last screw. Afterward, he gave them a thumbs-up, signaling that it was fixed.

Because the car was leaning against the ditch by the roadside, Song Jingye asked the driver to get in and try starting the engine first to see if it could drive away directly. If it couldn't, they would have to call someone for help to retrieve the vehicle.

The driver obeyed the order, jumped into the car, and slammed on the gas. The wheels spun several times in the yellow soil before finally coming to a stop and climbing onto the road. The six wheels landed heavily on the asphalt, and the vehicle straightened out, able to drive normally.

Everyone breathed a collective sigh of relief. Chen Ning looked up to meet Song Jingye's gaze, and Song Jingye also looked at her. Without a word between them, they found understanding in that brief exchange.

Chen Ning knew Song Jingye couldn't leave with them in this car, because his comrades were still fighting behind them, creating a safety barrier for them. He would definitely go back.

Chapter teacher has gotten on the car, Chen Ning boarded last, standing on the steps of the car, watching him pass by her side, just in her heart silently said a word be careful, between lightning and flint, she saw a bomb pass from her face, heading towards Song Jingye, in an instant, she was terrified, but instinctively threw herself forward from the steps to him, shielding him from the bomb.

Song Jingye only heard a deafening boom. A blaze of fire erupted before him, billowing dust filling his mouth, nose, eyes, and ears. His brain buzzed from the shock. If he had taken just a few more steps forward, he would have been utterly obliterated.

A very faint voice sounded on his back: "Uncle, you...are you alright"t to punch him."Zhuo Yu'an, we stop here. If you dare to lay a finger on the children, I'll die before you." She firmly stated her position, making it clear that if he dared to harm the children, she...