Chapter 111 – “You still have me.”
Novel Title: 龙血 (Dragon Blood)
Author：水千丞 (Shui Qian Cheng)
Translator: K (@kin0monogatari)
Protagonists: 单鸣 (Shan Ming -MC), 沈长泽 (Shen Changze -ML)
*Please read at Novels Space.space, the original site of translation. TQ*
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After Shen Changze changed his clothes, they went out to look at the injured comrades. Except for a few people who were seriously injured and still lying in bed, everyone else had already started to get out of bed. It was rare that there was no battle these days. Several generals of the Angolan Armed Forces invited them to dinner. Despite the shortage of supplies, they still provided them with cheese and butter, which are very expensive in the local area.
Although they are not good things, after staying in this base for a long time, they know how difficult it is to have these things. This time, it should be regarded as a celebration banquet for the ‘Peregrine Falcon’. In the past, every time the mission was over, they would eat and drink to celebrate the successful completion of the mission and relax. But this time, the ‘celebration banquet’ did not have the slightest warm atmosphere. The dead bodies of their comrades in arms are still fresh. None of them has successfully escaped from the shadow of that war. This is especially because they were attacked by white phosphorus grenades and a large number of Dragon Blood men. They still have lingering fears over the war.
Fortunately, Tang Jingzhi’s death dispelled most of their anger. But Shen Yao, who disappeared with a large amount of experimental materials and data, was still a thorn in Tang Tingzhi’s heart. For ‘Peregrine Falcon’, now they only need to take the money and leave. It is no longer their problem.But for the special forces, their mission is far from over.
After eating, the two sides gathered in the meeting room provided by the Angolan Armed Forces. Looking at the few vacant seats around them, everyone felt very uncomfortable.
Tang Tingzhi straightened the front of his white doctor’s uniform. He said in a low voice: “First of all, on behalf of the government and people of our country, I would like to express my gratitude to ‘Peregrine Falcon’ for their help and dedication this time. Secondly,… I express my regret for your lost comrades, brothers, and friends.”
Ayer pulled his hair a little irritably, “Stop being bureaucratic. It doesn’t suit you at all.”
Tang Tingzhi lowered his eyes and said helplessly, “Then let me tell you what you want to hear. I have already transferred the balance to you.”
Ayer curled his lips and murmured: “This task is not completed happily at all. It doesn’t matter how much money you give us.”
Yang Guan raised his head. His eyes were looking extremely sharp. He gritted his teeth and said: “If you want to have a happily completed mission, continue to cooperate with us and help us catch Shen Yao.”
Tang Tingzhi raised his voice and shouted: “Captain Yang Guan, are you going to be responsible for what you said out of spite?!”
Yang Guan immediately stood up and gave a military salute, “Colonel, I was wrong.” After speaking, he sat back heavily on the stool. He folded his hands on his chest and said nothing.
Tang Tingzhi sighed. He then said to the ‘Peregrine Falcon’, “There is no further instruction from above. I don’t know what to do next.”
Tiger Shark waved his hand, “No matter what your plan is, we will no longer meddle in your affairs. Whether it’s Shen Yao or the Dragon Blood people, it has nothing to do with us anymore. It’s not something we ordinary humans can compete with. The task related to the Dragon Blood Man is too difficult. ‘Peregrine Falcon’ does not plan to take another mission from you again.”
Tiger Shark’s position basically represents the position of the ‘Peregrine Falcon’. As the oldest member of the ‘Peregrine Falcon’, no one would refute his point of view.
Kali nodded, “That’s right. I don’t want to have anything to do with the Dragon Blood Man anymore. Whoever wants money can be hired by you. We have a lot of other orders. Going to battle is our profession. Not hunting and killing monsters who are several times stronger than us.”
Although they are all desperadoes who live with their heads pinned to their waistbands, they are not so reckless when they know they can’t do it. Half of the regiment members still have families. When they return to their families, they are law-abiding citizens, the husband of a woman, or the father of a child. They want to live a few more years to support their family.
Most people agreed that they would no longer accept tasks related to the Dragon Blood people. Despite this, there were a few who were born to be reckless and said that it would be exciting to fight the Dragon Blood people. But they would ultimately still obey the majority’s opinion.
Tang Tingzhi nodded, “I understand. It’s just that your experience of going against the Dragon Blood Man this time is very crucial for our research, especially in regards to the use of our equipment and weapons. You are the first batch of humans to use them in actual combat. We need a lot of practical experience as data support to improve our R&D. I hope you all can go back to China with me and help us improve the database for a month. As a reward, first of all, we can continue to pay you. And secondly, we will provide the best care for your wounded comrades.”
Everyone looked at each other. They then all looked at Tiger Shark.
Tiger Shark frowned. He looked at Ayer and said, “What do you think about this?”
Ayer narrowed his eyes and looked at Tang Tingzhi, “I hope it’s not a trap. I remember a few years ago you insisted on killing us all to keep your national secret.”
Tang Tingzhi said lightly, “It’s not that I wanted to kill you all. I was just following the instructions of my superiors. Now the attitude of the superiors towards you is to cooperate with you on friendly terms. As long as you consciously keep the national secret a secret. In addition, with the good relationship between Shen Changze and you guys, what are you worried about?”
Ayer thought about it. It really made sense. But for lawbreakers like them, having too close contacts with a certain country’s government makes them feel uncomfortable.
Ayer glanced at Tang Tingzhi’s beautiful eyebrows. He hesitated for a moment. But then he agreed, “Okay. We will go.” He looked at Tang Tingzhi with those clear blue eyes and said softly: “Remember. It was you who invited me.”
Tang Tingzhi frowned slightly, feeling a little worried for no reason. He reminded him: “Mr. Mauri, before that, you need to sign a non-disclosure agreement. And after that, please obey according to our arrangement. Lastly, please do not do anything illegal.”
Ayer propped his chin on his hand and looked at him playfully, “But…I have forgotten the definition of ‘illegal’.”
Tang Tingzhi nodded, “I will teach you while we are on the plane.”
After discussing the evacuation plan, their meeting ended. When everyone was leaving, Tang Tingzhi stopped Shan Ming.
Shan Ming paused and turned around. Shen Changze also stayed behind.
Tang Tingzhi said, “Shan Ming, you are from Suzhou.”
Shan Ming raised his eyebrows, “Maybe?”
“You haven’t been back to your hometown for more than 20 years. Do you want to take this opportunity to go back and take a look? China has changed a lot. But I can find out the original address of your home for you.”
Shan Ming’s tone turned a bit cold, “No need. There’s nothing for me to see.” He pointed at Tang Tingzhi’s nose and threatened him: “Remember. Don’t dig too much into my info.”
Tang Tingzhi said: “Okay. Just pretend I didn’t say it.”
Shan Ming turned around and walked out. Shen Changze caught up with him from behind him. He grabbed his arm and called out, “Baba…”
Shan Ming suddenly turned his head and stared at him fiercely, “Did you investigate about my past?”
Shen Changze spread his hands and said frankly: “I want to know everything about you. Since you didn’t tell me, I can only look it up by myself.”
Shan Ming said coldly: “Is my past interesting to you? I myself find it boring.”
Shen Changze whispered: “I just wish to know you better than everyone else. After all, I knew you too late.”
Shan Ming pushed him angrily. He then turned around and walked towards his place of residence.
Shen Changze followed him unhurriedly. He followed him all the way into the room.
Shan Ming took out his gun and began to clean it carefully. Shen Changze noticed it a long time ago. Shan Ming would do this to calm himself down.
He walked over and sat next to Shan Ming. He said softly: “Don’t be angry. I missed you very much at that time. But I couldn’t go look for you. So I could only collect as much information about you as possible. You know, since we separated, I knew every mission you were sent out to. I knew every change in your account and everything you do on the Internet. Even if you get angry, I can’t help myself. I just want to know everything about you.”
Shan Ming glared at him, “You’re out of your mind.”
Shen Changze nodded indifferently, “Maybe I am. After all, if you didn’t abandon me, I wouldn’t be like this.” When he said this, his tone was somewhat resentful. Shan Ming’s intentions and behaviour were something he could not understand for the rest of his life.
Shan Ming was already in a bad mood. At this time, he was even angrier when he heard this accusation, “You are fucking endlessly complaining. Don’t be like a resentful woman thinking about how I abandoned you all day long. So what if I abandoned you? You think I’m happy.” He threw the gun on the bed, “Get out.”
Shen Changze suppressed his anger that was about to surge up. He put the gun away, “I won’t argue with you. And I won’t go out either.”
Shan Ming looked at this stubborn kid and his heart was on fire.
As soon as he thought about him going back to China again, the memories that were long forgotten in the past all resurfaced. He blamed himself for having such a good memory. He thought he had forgotten it long ago.
Shan Ming lay down on the bed and closed his eyes. He wanted to sleep but it was only past nine o’clock at night.
Shen Changze leaned over and rubbed his temple for him. He coaxed him softly: “If you don’t want to think about your past, no one will mention it in front of you from now on.”
Shan Ming was silent for a long time. But he then said, “It’s no big deal. Anyway, everyone in my family is already dead.”
Shen Changze bent down and kissed his forehead, “Who said that? You still have me.”
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Next update: 2023.–.–(*TBA)
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