The sign "Temporarily Closed" hung on the liquor stall as Wu Liuyan insisted on sitting on Li Changan's lap. Although it was unclear what made a lap better than a chair, Wu Liuyan, with her slender frame weighing less than 70 kilograms, had her way with Li Changan.
The trouble was convincing Jiang Shuibu and Brother Lin.
"I disagree. There are so many things you could do. Why choose to join the military? You need to differentiate between joining the military and the Special Operations Department!" Jiang Shuibu's attitude was firm, resolute in his disagreement.
Brother Lin didn't immediately express his stance, only furrowing his brow in thought.
Li Changan sighed, "Please don't rush to judgment. Let me finish what I have to say, okay?"
"No matter what you say, I still won't agree." Jiang Shuibu turned his head away, as if nothing Li Changan said would make a difference.
"Alright." Brother Lin finally spoke, "Let's listen to Changan's reasons first."
Glancing at Jiang Shuibu, Li Changan recounted his story from the moment he arrived in Luo City until he woke up in the hospital.
During this time, Jiang Shuibu's gaze gradually changed. No one interrupted Li Changan; his storytelling abilities were average, but what mattered was that it was the first time they heard him share his experiences.
After an unknown amount of time, the story concluded, and Li Changan's gaze became resolute. "I hope you can support me. I never had the chance in this lifetime to say thank you or apologize to him, so I want to go and see..."
Li Changan lifted his head, revealing a smile. "He was someone who held great expectations for me and for this world. I wonder what kind of life he would have had."
"Maybe one day I will understand what compelled him to sacrifice his life for someone he barely knew."
Facing Li Changan's smile, Jiang Shuibu's cheeks reddened, unable to find words of opposition. He could only turn his head, putting on a cold facade. "Do as you wish. Even if I say no, you'll still go."
"No," Li Changan shook his head, "If none of you support me, then I won't go. I can't keep living just for myself."
"Go ahead," Brother Lin patted Li Changan's shoulder, "You can say such things, so I believe you know what you're doing. If you want to do it, then go ahead."
Li Changan grinned, "Brother Lin, there's one condition I need you to agree to."
Brother Lin chuckled, half laughing and half scolding, "You brat, are you trying to say you don't want me to go back first? Do you think I can't see through what you're implying? Alright, alright, I agree."
Both of them looked at Jiang Shuibu, waiting for his response.
"Why are you staring at me?" Jiang Shuibu became annoyed and embarrassed, "If you want to go, then go!"
Wu Liuyan tugged at Li Changan, leaning close to his ear and whispered softly, "Uncle Jiang is being tsundere. His meaning is that he supports you."
"Hahaha." Li Changan couldn't help but burst into laughter, but he quickly stifled it when he noticed Jiang Shuibu's gaze turning cold.
Brother Lin smiled, observing the scene, "Enough with the commotion. Where does Changan want to enlist?"
"Northwest," Li Changan had already made up his mind on the way back and now he confidently gave his answer, "The situation at the northwest border is critical, many people have died, and they are currently recruiting soldiers who can go straight to the battlefield without training."
After a moment of contemplation, Brother Lin nodded, "According to the Imperial Law, during wartime, as long as the conscript passes the examination, they can accumulate enough military achievements to transfer to the Imperial Military Academy. After passing the three assessments, they will graduate with the rank of Second Lieutenant."
"Besides the Special Operations Department, wartime recruitment is also a path to success for many people. I wonder how many are eagerly anticipating the war."
Jiang Shuibu furrowed his brow, hesitated several times, and couldn't help but speak up, "I know it's asking for the impossible, but if you agree, you must promise me to come back alive, regardless of whether you come back intact or not, you must stay alive!"
"Of course," Li Changan readily agreed. He didn't have confidence that he would definitely come back alive, but if he didn't promise Jiang Shuibu, Jiang Shuibu would never feel at ease.
"I've studied the war in the northwest. It won't be over in less than two or three months. This wave of beasts is more fierce than ever before. Many marine monsters have even landed. You must be careful," Brother Lin, being the older one, paid special attention not to pressure Li Changan.
Li Changan nodded, "Don't worry, I'll come back once it's over. I still need to participate in the Ninth Trial."
The three of them raised their glasses, toasting to Li Changan's smooth journey, and Wu Liuyan also joined in the fun with a glass of juice.
Li Changan was not one to procrastinate. Once he made a decision, he would immediately act on it. After drinking a few glasses of wine, he prepared to bid farewell.
"Brother Lin, while I'm away, I'll trouble you to take care of my family," Li Changan forced a bitter smile, "I still don't know how to face them yet. They don't even know that I'm going to enlist."
After knowing each other for many years, this was the first time Li Changan showed concern for his family. Brother Lin was momentarily stunned, and it took him a while to react, asking in confusion, "Have you forgiven them?"
"It's not a matter of forgiveness or not," Li Changan lowered his head, smiling wryly, "Actually, when I think about it, my mother has always tried her best to be good to me, just that her way wasn't quite right."
"When I was a child, I blamed her, and even when I grew up, I blamed her. But after surviving this time and looking back, it doesn't seem so painful anymore."
"She would hit me, but that was the only thing she would do."
"She's just a struggling provider, without much strength or a prestigious background. There isn't even a single man in our family who could step up and help. She just wants me to stay alive."
"Born to raise, repay with my life. She doesn't owe me anything."
Brother Lin remained stunned for a while, then suddenly smiled with relief, gently patting Li Changan's shoulder, "It's really good that you can think this way."
"To be honest with you," Li Changan scratched his head, feeling a bit embarrassed, "Actually, I really want to go back and see them, but I'm afraid that I won't be able to bear leaving when the time comes."
"Go ahead, go ahead," Brother Lin waved his hand with a smile, "I'll take care of your family. But when you come back, you better bring back a few medals at least."
"By personally killing more than five hundred monsters of the same level, you can obtain a second-level medal. At least bring one back for me," Li Changan said, raising two fingers.
"At least two!" he added.
"I want one too!" Wu Liuyan raised her hand high.
Jiang Shuibu wiped a glass and smirked, "If there are extras, I wouldn't mind having one."
"Alright, then one for each of us!" Li Changan took a few steps forward, turned back, and waved his hand. "No need to see us off!"
Brother Lin had never seen Li Changan so cheerful. It could be said that for over a decade, he had been trying to help Li Changan emerge from the darkness in his heart, and now Li Changan was the person he had always hoped for.
"May you have a prosperous journey and good fortune in martial arts!"
"He won't stop in the northwest," Jiang Shuibu shook her head and placed the glass down. "Just wait, when he comes back, he will surely bring a big surprise."
Brother Lin chuckled, "I don't care about surprises, I'm just happy to see him gradually improving from the bottom of my heart."
"I will never forget the first time I met him. There was disappointment in his eyes towards this world, but now he's happy."
"As long as he's happy."
Li Changan boarded the train bound for the northwest, not knowing what awaited him, but he had no fear. He was still the same Li Changan.
There was no change from beginning to end, just the recovery of some lost things.
The green mountains are not just for me, I have come to the green mountains.