Chapter 200 200: Return of the Hero
When Ye Fei and Liu Junyi returned to the base, the night had already settled in. Though she had taken a recovery pill, Liu Junyi still felt sore from the recent strain, so she headed straight to her room to rest, avoiding any chance of holding a meeting that night.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
Ye Fei sought out Zhang Qiang and the other senior officers. "Uncle Zhang, how are things here? Nothing went wrong while we were away, right?"
Zhang Qiang chuckled, shaking his head. "You underestimate us, Xiaoman. Everything went smoothly. We're special forces, after all! If we couldn't handle the cleanup here, we'd be better off calling it quits!"
Noticing that the other captains were sharing similar smiles, Ye Fei realized his question might have touched on their pride. Smiling, he quickly replied, "Come on, Uncle Zhang, that's not what I meant. I was just checking in."
Hearing this, the captains relaxed, smiling in response. Although they admired Ye Fei and Liu Junyi, they were elite soldiers and naturally didn't want to be underestimated.
The Northeast captain stepped forward, clearly interested in the mission's outcome. "What about your end? Any trouble back there? And why didn't Captain Liu call a meeting?"
Ye Fei gave him a reassuring smile. "It was straightforward; most of their people had already left the base, leaving only one expert behind. My aunt took care of him but was pretty worn out, so she went to rest." He thought to himself, 'Not really a lie... after all, she did fight, and she is resting now.'
"Good to hear," another captain replied, visibly relieved. "Then we can go ahead and report the outcome to headquarters and let that 'big guy' behind all this sweat it out for a while!"
Ye Fei nodded. "Yes, tell headquarters that we've secured their base. They can send a team to secure it; it's practically ready to station troops. This site would be ideal as a border base, able to accommodate thousands of soldiers."
Ye Fei's idea sparked a flurry of excitement among the captains. They made quick arrangements to report the successful mission, agreeing there was no need to bother Liu Junyi for such a routine update.
After they dispersed, Zhang Qiang moved in close, speaking to Ye Fei in a lowered, excited voice. "Xiaoman, congratulations. I think you're about to become the nephew of a lieutenant general."
Ye Fei was caught off guard. "Really? That's hard to believe." It would be a big leap for Liu Junyi, considering her current rank. While a promotion to major general wasn't unusual, reaching lieutenant general would mean entry into the top ranks, which wasn't easy—especially with that hidden figure constantly pressuring her from above.
Zhang Qiang smiled confidently. "Believe it. Our victory here was huge, the equivalent of winning a major battle. And with support from all the special forces in the Country, even that 'guy' can't say much."
"I hope so," Ye Fei replied nonchalantly. Although he was a bit surprised by the potential promotion, he wasn't overly excited. For him, even if Liu Junyi advanced two ranks, it still wouldn't be enough. He was aiming for a position where he could command unquestioned respect and loyalty—power that could protect his loved ones without interference.
His ambitions were audacious, but Ye Fei had his reasons. With Liu Junyi and Ye Yunqi in his life, he was determined to never let them go. He would not allow his relationships to be hidden in the shadows, constrained by others' opinions forever.
Instead, he was determined to rise to a point where no one could question his actions. For that, he needed to earn ultimate power and authority.
Yet, Ye Fei was practical, knowing he still had a long road ahead. He hadn't shared his ambition with anyone, not even Liu Junyi. Only his most loyal allies, like Baldy, had an inkling of his vision. With their dedication, he trusted there would be no trouble from them.
Noticing Ye Fei's calm reaction, Zhang Qiang felt a bit disappointed. "This guy's nerves are unshakable," he thought. Here he was, excited as a subordinate, while Ye Fei, Liu Junyi's nephew, barely reacted at all. Zhang Qiang couldn't help but respect Ye Fei's restraint.
Bidding farewell to Zhang Qiang, Ye Fei walked through the base, which now had a relaxed atmosphere. Some soldiers were chatting in groups, others playing cards, and the yard felt more like a construction site than a military camp.
Turning down a few enthusiastic invitations to play cards, Ye Fei headed toward Liu Junyi's room, intending to talk with her. Halfway there, however, he noticed a solitary figure in the shadows, looking unusually quiet.
It was Wei Qing. She was sitting alone by the wall, her head down, lost in thought, and a distant sadness marked her expression.
Feeling a pang of regret, Ye Fei realized he'd been so focused on Liu Junyi lately that he hadn't paid much attention to Wei Qing. He walked over to her, sat beside her, and asked softly, "Sister Qing, what's on your mind?"
Seeing him, Wei Qing offered a faint smile and shook her head. "It's nothing."
But Ye Fei could tell there was more to it. He leaned in, gently insisting, "Is it really nothing? Or is there something you just can't tell me?"
Blushing slightly, Wei Qing held his gaze, warmth in her eyes. After a long pause, she asked, "The mission's over now. We'll be going our separate ways soon, won't we?"
Ye Fei felt a pang of understanding. Her sad expression was from worry about not seeing him again. Keeping his voice steady, he replied, "If we want to, there will always be chances to meet."
Her cheeks reddened slightly, and she took out a small note from her pocket. "This is the number for my dormitory. If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to call." Without waiting for his reply, she quickly got up and hurried back to her room.
Watching her retreat, Ye Fei smiled. Her sadness wasn't because of anything he'd done wrong; she was just worried about losing touch. Given that their connection had only grown recently, and he'd been busy with the mission, it made sense she'd feel this way.
He glanced at the number. It was for a landline, as mobile phones were restricted in the special forces. The rule was strict, even more so in special departments, where only captains could use military phones.
The next morning, after everyone had packed up, they headed to the airport to catch their flight. Since Liu Junyi needed to report to headquarters in Beijing, she boarded with the Beijing Special Forces, and Ye Fei went to see her off.
When Wei Qing saw Ye Fei at the airport, she knew he was there for Liu Junyi, but she still looked deeply pleased. Smiling, Ye Fei made a phone call gesture with his hand. Blushing, Wei Qing returned the gesture before stepping onto the plane. Meanwhile, Liu Junyi, rather than feeling jealous, sat beside Wei Qing, chatting warmly.
After they left, Ye Fei and Zhang Qiang boarded their plane back to Wanghai. When they finally landed at the military base, Zhang Qiang stretched his arms out wide, grinning. "Ah, back to Wanghai at last! I almost suffocated in that place!"
The other soldiers laughed, sharing his sentiment. For them, every mission was a matter of life and death, and returning safely felt like a rebirth.
Ye Fei waited for the laughter to subside before approaching Zhang Qiang. "Uncle Zhang, take the team back without me. I'm heading home, but we'll catch up with Uncle Li soon."
Zhang Qiang looked surprised. "Aren't you coming back to the barracks?"
Ye Fei shook his head. "No, that's your place. I'll go back to where I belong." His gaze turned toward Wanghai City, his heart filled with thoughts of home. He was ready to see his family again, eager to return to them.
Zhang Qiang nodded in understanding, patting Ye Fei's shoulder. "Remember, once a comrade, always a comrade. Come visit when you have time."
"Of course," Ye Fei replied with a smile, waving goodbye before getting into a car prepared by the special forces. They drove straight toward the Liu family villa on the outskirts of the city.
When he arrived, he thanked the driver and entered the house. No sooner had he stepped into the hall than he was almost knocked over by someone leaping into his arms.
"Our hero is back!" his sister Ye Yunying shouted, laughing as she playfully thumped his back.
Ye Fei couldn't help but smile at her familiar energy. As she hugged him, he felt her softness pressing against him, and he struggled to suppress his natural reaction. "Sister, you're going to break my back!"
Hearing his plea, Ye Yunying finally let him go, but only after a satisfied laugh. "That's what you get for not telling me how amazing you are!"
By now, their eldest sister, Ye Siqi, had come over as well. She gave him a warm hug, saying, "Xiaoman, you make us all so proud."
Ye Fei's heart raced as his eldest sister, Ye Siqi, gently embraced him. Though she was softer and gentler than Ye Yunying, her warm hug and serene presence stirred emotions within him that he had to consciously restrain.
Ye Siqi released him with a smile, and his second sister, Ye Siyao, gave him an approving nod from nearby. She didn't say much, but Ye Fei knew her well enough to recognize the pride in her quiet gaze. Her steady presence spoke volumes, and he felt her support as deeply as anyone else's.
Just when Ye Fei was starting to feel relieved that his emotions were under control, his youngest sister, the playful Ye Yunqi, suddenly sprang at him, wrapping her arms and legs tightly around him. "Brother, you're incredible! I can't believe I missed all the action!"
She hugged him in her usual carefree manner, but there was a mischievous gleam in her eyes. Subtly, she began to shift her weight against him, pressing herself close. The affectionate gesture was seemingly innocent, but her slight movements created a tension that only he would notice.
"Hahahaha.... really!"
Ye Fei tried to contain his reaction, managing a slightly forced laugh as he reached over and gave her a gentle squeeze on the waist, hoping she'd catch his silent message to stop. Grinning, Ye Yunqi finally released him, slipping away with a satisfied smile. But instead of staying back, she dashed over to her mother, Liu Yiru, who had been watching the reunion with a warm smile.
"Mom, your turn!" Ye Yunqi said with a playful push, gently nudging her mother forward.
Caught off guard, Liu Yiru stumbled slightly, then let out a small gasp as she fell into Ye Fei's arms. He caught her easily, and for a moment, they were both still. She looked up, her cheeks slightly flushed as she met his gaze, a soft, familiar warmth in her eyes.
Holding her, Ye Fei felt a rush of affection and gratitude. Here, surrounded by the people he cared about most, he knew that no matter where his ambitions led him or what challenges he'd face, this was where he belonged. The place where he would like to return after each day end.
.
.
.
.
.
.