Chapter 271 – War Wolf Needs You
“That will have to wait until I step down from the War Wolf. These past two years, I really felt like I couldn’t keep up with the pace of the team. Perhaps I should make way for the younger generation”, Luo Zongsheng said once again, and a trace of bitterness appeared on his face.
Luo Zongsheng was five or six years older than Yang Yi. Now, Gramps Luo was no longer as powerful as he used to be. Of course, he would still be considered a strong man in an ordinary unit, but the War Wolf was a special forces unit, and the strongest one at that. With so many strong individuals around, it was natural for him to feel powerless.
A few years ago, he wanted to step down to the second line, but two years ago, there was a first-line opportunity for Yang Yi’s situation. Luo Zongsheng, who had always been concerned about Yang Yi, dismissed the idea and stayed.
“Gramps Luo, why are you stepping down? Didn’t we agree that we live as War Wolf and die as War Wolf spirits? What does it matter if you can’t fight? If you can’t fight, you can just do the commanding work. With us, there’s no need to worry about charging into battle!” Shen Xinyu said dissatisfiedly, “Besides, if someone else becomes the captain, I won’t be convinced.”
Shen Xinyu couldn’t become a captain either, given his temperament. With his qualifications and strength, it was already enough for him to become a team leader who didn’t need to take care of too many things. He didn’t have any particularly high pursuits.
“Nonsense! The War Wolf are a frontline combat unit, and it is impossible to support idle personnel. Even if I step down, there will be new commanders trained to take my place, and I believe they will do better than me!” Luo Zongsheng laughed and scolded, “Besides, leaving the War Wolf doesn’t mean I won’t care about War Wolf. I’ll just support you in other ways.”
Guo Dabao finally came back to his senses. He had been pondering how Yang Yi used his own martial art skills to defeat Shen Xinyu. Although Guo Dabao didn’t have a sudden enlightenment, he also felt that Yang Yi’s fighting style gave him some inspiration and he needed to practice it when he returned.
Listening to the conversation between Shen Xinyu and the others, Guo Dabao looked at them with envy. It wasn’t because his Viper Squad lacked strong camaraderie, but because Guo Dabao yearned for a unit like the War Wolf, where powerful and skilled individuals gathered. He also wanted to partic.i.p.ate in frontline combat and hone his own skills.
At noon, Yang Yi invited them to his home for a meal. It was the first time that several brothers had come to his house, so naturally, Yang Yi personally cooked. However, Yang Yi’s cooking skills didn’t receive much praise. Eating in the military camp was like going to war. They were used to wolfing down their food. The brothers couldn’t really taste the difference between good and bad food. At most, they felt that Yang Yi’s dishes were as delicious as those served in the guesthouse.
So, while Yang Yi was still serving food to his daughter and Xin’er, they, including the seemingly quiet Yu Xiaotian, had already finished eating like a whirlwind.
“Er…” Guo Dabao let out a satisfied burp. He had the largest appet.i.te. Yang Yi cooked two rice cookers full of rice, and he ate half a rice cooker by himself…
Xixi was amused by this uncle’s long burp. The little girl held her small spoon, and her beautiful eyes turned into crescent moons from laughter. Next to her, Lan Xin raised one eye and then lowered her head again, continuing to eat non-stop. The little chubby girl had a lot of appet.i.te. No matter how much food Yang Yi served her, she accepted it all.
On the other hand, Guo Dabao was a little embarra.s.sed by the little girl’s laughter. He scratched his big bald head, with a big “囧” written on his face.
“You shouldn’t laugh while eating, it can be uncomfortable if you choke,” Yang Yi gently patted his daughter’s back and said.
“Yang Yi, I’ve always had a question. With your exceptional skills, why did you leave the War Wolf?” Guo Dabao didn’t know the story that happened to Yang Yi before. He had been holding onto this question for a long time.
“This question…” Yang Yi glanced at Luo Zongsheng, smiled slightly, and said, “I can only say it was for non-ordinary reasons. Forget it, it’s all in the past. Why bring up those things?”
Guo Dabao was still a bit confused, but he still closed his mouth. The military discipline was strict, and he knew not to ask what he shouldn’t.
“Yang Yi, you can come back to the War Wolf now!” After being defeated by Yang Yi without being able to fight back, Shen Xinyu felt a bit depressed. He spoke much less during the meal, but now he couldn’t hold back anymore and said, “Gramps Luo has already restored your War Wolf’s military status, although in a retired state. But with your current skills, you can definitely come back. The leaders above will not disapprove. They also know your situation!”
Luo Zongsheng’s expression moved, and he said in a deep voice, “That’s right. If you’re willing to come back, the doors of the War Wolf are always open to you!”
Yu Xiaotian didn’t speak, but his gaze also revealed his desire.
Come back…
As if a voice was calling from within his heart, memories of the time when a group of brothers fought side by side surged through Yang Yi’s mind.
“War Wolf needs you!” Seeing Yang Yi lost in thought, Luo Zongsheng couldn’t help but say another sentence. He knew he shouldn’t put pressure on Yang Yi at this time, but his personal desires made him say it.
Yang Yi took a deep breath but could only shake his head with a bitter smile. “Gramps Luo, A’Xiao, Shen Xinyu, I’m sorry… I can’t go back to that time anymore. You can say that I’ve lost my fighting spirit or scold me for seeking comfort, but all I want now is to live an ordinary life.”
“Can you really live an ordinary life?” Shen Xinyu, who was a few years younger than Yang Yi, was somewhat excited. “If you were an ordinary person, you wouldn’t still maintain high-intensity training every day. I’ve been in the military, going through blood, sweat, and tears, but I haven’t made as much progress as you have in these five years. Ask your heart.”
In fact, when Yang Yi asked his heart, he had a clear conscience. He trained only to protect the people he loved. Even though he had the memories of his predecessor fused with his own, he didn’t have the same pa.s.sion for a life of war and military service.
But Yang Yi just gave a bitter smile.
“Everyone has their own aspirations, Shen Xinyu, don’t say anymore,” Luo Zongsheng, who was quite able to understand Yang Yi’s thoughts, said, “Yang Yi is also doing well now. He has written such wonderful military novels, and it can be considered as continuing in another way…”
But Shen Xinyu was very excited at this moment. He interrupted Luo Zongsheng’s word and shouted, “Gramps Luo, I don’t agree with that. No matter how good Yang Yi’s novels are, are they as powerful as his martial arts? He was born for war, and with such strong martial arts, but he hides in a small room writing. I think he’s just avoiding…”
“Shen Xinyu! What you said is too much!” Luo Zongsheng was angry.
The commotion here frightened the two little girls beside them. Xixi turned around and held her father’s hand, looking timidly at Shen Xinyu, who had already closed his mouth.
“Uncle Shen, please don’t blame my Papa, okay? My Papa, my Papa…” The little girl’s frightened voice sounded weakly, as if a clear spring flowed through this hot and parched land, dispersing the previously tense atmosphere.
Shen Xinyu seemed to understand something and lowered his head with a disheartened expression.
Yang Yi dotingly touched the head of the little girl who spoke up for her father, then turned his head to look at Shen Xinyu and said calmly, “Xinyu, you’ve seen it too. I’m no longer the same person I was five years ago. I have a family, children, and my career. These are all responsibilities that I cannot let go of in reality. I can’t go back, really. I hope you can understand.”
Shen Xinyu had already figured it out. He sighed and said, “Yang Yi, it’s my fault. I shouldn’t have lost my temper at you. I just really wanted you to come back to the War Wolf, especially with your exceptional skills… But what you said is right, you have a child and a wife at home. It would be too irresponsible to ask you to go back.”
“After all, five years have pa.s.sed, and everyone’s lives have changed. We all have to look forward,” Luo Zongsheng patted Shen Xinyu’s shoulder. ” As long as our War Wolf friendship is still there, that’s enough!”
“Papa, are you not arguing anymore?” Xixi looked at the eased atmosphere and asked softly in her father’s arms.
“Well, thanks to Xixi for speaking up for Papa,” Yang Yi pinched the little girl’s nose.
“Hee hee, then I’ll go play with Xin’er. I want to show her my new toy.” The little girl seemed to have completed a big task and smiled happily.
Yang Yi watched his daughter run off with Lan Xin before raising his drinking gla.s.s, saying, “Gramps Luo is right. Although I’m no longer in War Wolf, I will always be a War Wolf! With water instead of wine, I toast to everyone, to the War Wolf!”
“To the War Wolf!” Luo Zongsheng, Shen Xinyu, and Yu Xiaotian all became spirited and raised their gla.s.ses.
Guo Dabao technically wasn’t a War Wolf, but he inexplicably felt his blood boiling and also raised his gla.s.s, “To the War Wolf!”