First Battlefield Commander! - Chapter 110
Chapter 110: Invitation
Lian Sheng lay on her bed, legs shaking, casually playing a song while teasing the lovely people in the comments section.
Feeling smug, she began bragging wildly in the post. A group of people played along with her tone, humming and hawing everywhere.
Zhao Zhuoluo and the others set their optical computers aside, listening to Fang Jianchen's cries across time and space.
"Her happiness means my unhappiness!" Fang Jianchen said with heartfelt pain. "Her joy signifies the unfairness of this world!"
Zhao Zhuoluo: "Where's the unfairness?"
"The heart!" Fang Jianchen gritted his teeth in hatred. "This little demon is outrageously skilled! Can you guys tolerate this?"
The three replied in unison: "We can."
Fang Jianchen grabbed a milk carton, took a big gulp, then tossed it into the nearby trash.
"I'm getting drunk. The milk doesn't intoxicate, but I'm drunk on my own sorrow." Fang Jianchen clutched his head. "My heavens! Aren't you guys going to comfort your dear father?"
Zhao Zhuoluo: "My balls don't hurt."
Cheng Ze: "Only the word 'fuck off' suits you."
Ye Buqing: "Need to buy New Year goods tomorrow, so going to bed early tonight. Bye."
Cheng Ze suddenly remembered something and asked, "Hey, Outstanding, is your mom coming back for New Year's?"
"She's not. But my dad got leave." Zhao Zhuoluo paused, then added, "My dad and I will make do with takeout for dinner."
Cheng Ze: "Uh... isn't that a bit too shabby? Aren't you going to prepare something?"
Zhao Zhuoluo pondered for a moment before countering, "What can two men do?"
Snuggle together watching shows? Hold hands to see fireworks? Or stroll around hand in hand?
They were past the age for bonding activities. Holidays had become routine without any special significance. Practically speaking, fiddling with such things was less meaningful than booking a training room at school.
Ye Buqing corrected: "This isn't about being two men—it's about being two roughnecks. You guys just have no standards."
"Listening to this makes me so sad. Even without your mom, you should still celebrate properly." Cheng Ze chimed in. "At least cook your own New Year's Eve dinner."
Ye Buqing made the decision: "Want me to buy ingredients for you? I'll mail you a box of seafood—just boil it and dip in vinegar. I can even include the vinegar."
"Oho!" Cheng Ze said. "Brother Ye, how about mailing me a box too?"
Ye Buqing generously replied: "No problem."
"Forget it, takeout tastes better anyway." Zhao Zhuoluo said. "It's just a meal. We don't talk much while eating either."
Fang Jianchen: "...Actually, you could bring your dad to my place. Why do you guys feel like left-behind children every year?"
Zhao Zhuoluo said: "My dad is. I'm not."
Cheng Ze's mind spun until he finally found the right adjective. Suddenly overflowing with paternal love, he declared: "The way you say it sounds... love-deprived! Come here, into Daddy Cheng's arms. I'll take care of your food, clothes, lodging, and travel. Got new clothes? Got red envelopes?"
"......" Zhao Zhuoluo. "I'll go look for restaurants still open during New Year's first. Bye."
Zhao Zhuoluo ended the call and sank into the sofa, scrolling through nearby stores.
Zhao's father, draped in pajamas, suddenly drifted into view.
Zhao Zhuoluo looked up blankly. His father said nothing and drifted away again. Zhao Zhuoluo lowered his head.
Soon after, Zhao's father reappeared holding a cup. He sighed: "New Year's coming."
Zhao Zhuoluo nodded: "Mhm."
Zhao's father asked: "How are we celebrating this year?"
Zhao Zhuoluo said: "Eating."
Zhao's father: "Eating what?"
"Takeout." Zhao Zhuoluo said. "Order it yourself."
"......" Zhao's father. "How did you spend today?"
Zhao Zhuoluo glanced at him, then looked down again: "Eating."
Zhao's father emphasized: "What did you eat?!"
Zhao Zhuoluo kept staring at his optical computer: "Takeout."
"......" Zhao's father. "Ah, New Year's coming..."
Zhao Zhuoluo lifted his head again and nodded: "Mhm. Eating takeout."
"......" After a silent moment, Zhao's father gave up and waved his hand: "Your mom wants to talk to you. Call her when you're free."
Zhao Zhuoluo checked the time—10:30 PM, already quite late.
Zhao Zhuoluo asked: "Did she say anything? Is it urgent?"
Zhao's father wagged his finger mysteriously and drifted back to his room.
Zhao Zhuoluo felt his dad had been acting strange lately—always vague and cryptic. Shaking his head, he tried calling his mom.
Sun Yan answered quickly, apparently still working in her white lab coat.
The lab lights were blindingly bright, making her features hard to distinguish. Sun Yan turned one off before returning.
"Darling." Sun Yan waved at him. "We can't make it back this year. The research project here is at a critical stage—need constant monitoring. You two celebrate properly at home, understand?"
Zhao Zhuoluo was used to this and nodded: "Got it."
Sun Yan pressed: "How are you planning to celebrate?"
Zhao Zhuoluo: "...Happily."
"Aiya." Sun Yan tucked her hair behind her ear. "You know, is Lian Sheng also alone at home?"
"......" Before she even finished, Zhao Zhuoluo's entire body tensed. He placed the optical computer on the table and shrank into the sofa: "......"
Seeing his resistance, Sun Yan huffed: "What's that expression? How can you treat your classmate and comrade like this? When Lian Sheng carried you in matches, you didn't refuse then!"
Zhao Zhuoluo: "......"
Lian Sheng carried him in matches?
Sun Yan said: "She's alone for New Year's. A young girl—how dangerous! And hearing all the festivities outside, what's she eating at home? Wearing? Got new clothes? Might she be secretly crying?"
Zhao Zhuoluo: "......"
He thought... although it might be presumptuous to assume this about a girl, the "danger" and "secretly crying" parts probably didn't apply to Lian Sheng... right?
Zhao Zhuoluo ventured: "I used to spend New Year's alone too?"
"Put yourself in her shoes—were you sad spending New Year's alone?" Sun Yan sighed. "Mom couldn't come home to be with you, so when you were little, it broke my heart. As soldiers, we protect others but can't protect you. You're a boy, so Mom could only hold back tears and tell you to be strong. But saying that... it's too heartbreaking. And Lian Sheng is truly alone. You know—such a lovely girl. Leaving her home alone worries me, just like leaving you and your dad alone worries me."
He wasn't sad—he was genuinely used to it. Still, Zhao Zhuoluo nodded: "I was very sad."
Sun Yan smiled: "So..."
Zhao Zhuoluo said: "I understand."
"Your dad already agreed. With guests this year, don't just muddle through. Every year's time is precious—Mom hopes you'll cherish it and create good memories. Look, Mom decorated the lab too." Sun Yan turned the camera to show: "If this project succeeds, we'll get funding for phase two and can take a break. Then Mom will come home. Be good, okay?"
Zhao Zhuoluo: "...Mhm."
Sun Yan waved: "Goodnight, darling."
Zhao Zhuoluo: "Goodnight."
Lin Lie entered the lab holding an optical computer, hesitating beside Sun Yan: "Actually, if he's unwilling, it's fine. They barely know each other. Having a stranger suddenly join during New Year's would feel awkward, right?"
"They know each other!" Sun Yan clapped. "The dad who doesn't know her happily agreed—the son who does know her won't refuse. Besides, those two alone together is the real awkwardness."
Sun Yan said: "Dad's thrilled—he loves kids. But Outstanding is so mature, even when deliberately provoked he just goes 'whatever, have it your way.'"
Lin Lie: "He's very sensible."
"They all had to grow up too soon—Lian Sheng too." Sun Yan sighed. "As a kid, when he saw me exhausted, he stopped making demands and just said 'I can handle it myself.' He's so obedient, rarely refusing my requests. But sometimes his obedience makes me wonder—what can parents give their children? Just endless guilt, having to leave them, then realizing one day it's too late to make up for it."
Sun Yan patted her shoulder: "I get it, don't worry. Leaving Lian Sheng alone at home is too pitiful—consider it hanging out with friends. She and Outstanding will get along great. Look how well they play matches together."
After ending the call with Sun Yan, Zhao Zhuoluo scrolled through his contacts. On impulse, he dialed Lian Sheng—then panicked and tried to cancel, but she'd already answered. His hand froze mid-air before retreating.
"Oh, heard you're lonely and want to invite me for New Year's." Lian Sheng rested her head on one hand. "Sure. I can cook, but I hate washing dishes. Not an issue now though—no dishes to wash."
Zhao Zhuoluo stood up, stomped hard, then wiped his face.
Lian Sheng: "??"
Zhao Zhuoluo calmed down and sat back: "So when are you coming?"
Lian Sheng thought: "Not sure about your current traditions or customs here. Should I come on New Year's Eve?"
New Year's Eve was the lunar calendar term, but they rarely used that now.
"You can come earlier."
Lian Sheng: "...Huh?"
Zhao Zhuoluo raised his hands innocently: "Not my words."
"Mine." Zhao's father emerged from his room. "If you're free at home, why not hang out with young people? Did you go anywhere fun during break?"
Lian Sheng immediately sat up straight, maintaining decorum: "Played a few rounds on Sanyao."
Zhao's father sat by the sofa, revealing his face. His stern features softened slightly. Years of military service had tanned and roughened his skin, but he remained strikingly handsome. He nodded solemnly: "Should go out more."
Lian Sheng: "Like where?"
Zhao's father paused.
This was an earth-shatteringly difficult question!
He looked at Zhao Zhuoluo, who sensed danger and glared back—what's the meaning of this?
Zhao's father gravely asked: "What's your favorite place?"
Zhao Zhuoluo said: "Home."
Zhao's father suddenly remembered and emphatically declared: "Amusement park!"
Zhao Zhuoluo: "......"
He wanted to interrupt this suffocating conversation—that was how many years ago? But then Lian Sheng equally seriously asked: "What's that?"
Zhao's father said: "A place just for fun."
Lian Sheng nodded: "Sounds nice."
Zhao's father: "Never been?"
"No." Lian Sheng asked, "Would anyone go with me?"
Alone, she might struggle figuring out how things worked.
"Oh..." Zhao's father frowned sympathetically: "Then you should go—it's really fun. My son loves it too. Why not go together? Easier for young people to chat."
Zhao Zhuoluo shook his head.
Lian Sheng glanced at him: "He seems reluctant?"
Zhao's father exclaimed: "Why?"
Both stared at him.
"......" Under their scrutiny, Zhao Zhuoluo slumped back. Taking a deep breath, he compromised again: "Not reluctant. I can invite some friends too."
"Thanks for humoring me, Comrade Zhao Outstanding." Lian Sheng said. "Don't worry—I'll cook dinner. I'm pretty good."
Zhao's father: "Thank you. We can cook too—just not well."
After some polite chatting, Zhao Zhuoluo reclaimed his optical computer and urged his dad to bed given the late hour.
He then scheduled with Lian Sheng, gently warning: "The amusement park's fine, but... don't get your hopes up."
"Why?" Lian Sheng understood: "Oh, you don't actually like it? Whatever—I'm easy. Training works too."
Zhao Zhuoluo said: "Not that. I just liked it many years ago."
"Liked it before? That's good, right?" Lian Sheng said. "Somewhere you once liked—you wouldn't hate it now, would you?"
"Don't hate it." Zhao Zhuoluo struggled to explain, unsure if Lian Sheng was secretly excited but playing cool. Finally, he said: "Never mind—see for yourself."
Worried about crowds later, Zhao Zhuoluo picked the day after next—sunny weather—and invited his three roommates.
The trio, unsuspecting, happily agreed. They arrived at Zhao Zhuoluo's place early, then carpooled to the destination.
One hour later.
Standing at the amusement park entrance amidst screaming children chasing robots, the four felt surreal.
"You invited us..." Cheng Ze said incredulously, "not to prepare for New Year's?"
Ye Buqing eyed the entrance: "Didn't you say you'd had an epiphany?"
"So you chose a journey against time?" Fang Jianchen said. "Dad neglected your needs, Outstanding. Turns out you're so... pure."
Zhao Zhuoluo gazed into the distance, silent.
"Don't be like this." Cheng Ze lowered his voice as kids stared. "Their looks are judgmental."
No kids or women—just four dudes? Suspicious!
"We need their judgment?!" Fang Jianchen hissed. "I'm judging myself here!"
Ye Buqing asked: "Why are we here? Volunteering?"
Zhao Zhuoluo finally spoke: "Waiting for someone."
The three were stunned. Someone? Who? Was Zhao Zhuoluo babysitting today?
As they prepared to tease him, Fang Jianchen spotted Lian Sheng strolling over, hands in pockets. He gasped, grabbing Zhao Zhuoluo's sleeve: "Why'd you choose the path of no return?!"
Zhao Zhuoluo yanked his sleeve back: "Is this how you treat your classmate and comrade? When Lian Sheng carried your score, did you refuse?"
Fang Jianchen blinked: "What did I do?!"
"Morning." Lian Sheng waved.
The four nodded.
"So this is a kids' place? 'Many years ago' makes sense now." Lian Sheng surveyed the scene, then admitted: "But I prefer adult company."
General Lian... wasn't great with children.
"Adult games?"
The four shuddered—at least that meant fewer crowds.
Ye Buqing suggested: "Haunted house."
No one under eighteen allowed.
The others nodded.
Zhao Zhuoluo loaded the map at the counter, then navigated toward the haunted house.
Cheng Ze asked: "How'd you end up with Outstanding?"
Lian Sheng: "Didn't he invite me?"
Zhao Zhuoluo closed his eyes, bearing his mother's blame: "...Yes, I did."
Lian Sheng said: "I'm alone anyway—boring. Happy to go wherever needed."
The trio suddenly felt heartbroken, patting her back consolingly.
Lian Sheng: "......"
Soon, they reached the haunted house—a creepy ancient mansion.
Quite a crowd was entering and exiting, though those leaving looked... disturbed. But all adults.
"How do you play here? Never been." Lian Sheng asked. "Catch ghosts?"
Fang Jianchen waved his hands: "No no no. Go in, come out—that's it."
Lian Sheng: "Meaning?"
Cheng Ze clarified: "Enter upright, leave upright."
Ye Buqing corrected: "Enter whole, leave whole."
Zhao Zhuoluo: "Let others enter and leave whole too."
The four nodded solemnly.
Lian Sheng leaned back warily.
She tentatively asked: "I go in alone?"
After a split-second hesitation, they vigorously nodded.
A passing couple overheard and gasped: "Holy shit! They actually agreed?!"
"Four single dogs—my god!" The girlfriend dragged her boyfriend away. "It's contagious—run!"
The four contagions: "......"
They covered their faces. Just kill me now.
Lian Sheng glanced at the entrance, then at them: "So... I'm going?"
The four waved farewell.
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Ty for the update!
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