First Battlefield Commander! - Chapter 91
Chapter 91: Mother
The applause in the stadium continued unabated. Many stood to clap, and even after Lian Sheng's figure had disappeared behind the curtains, they remained standing.
Under such circumstances, the next performance seemed difficult to begin, and the program schedule was easily disrupted. But the school administration was currently very satisfied.
They too had been immersed in the spectacle, only snapping out of it after it ended. Such a sensational scene exceeded their expectations, but the effect was excellent.
This reaction at least proved that today's gala was a great success.
Ancient martial arts were too unfamiliar to most people, still carrying certain prejudices. Perhaps with Alliance University's influence, this could spark a wave of interest in ancient martial arts and change people's perceptions. This would be significant—for both Alliance University and traditional culture.
The organizer stood backstage, offering praise to Lian Sheng as she passed, patting her shoulder and suggesting she rest well.
Lin Lie sat in her seat, somewhat dazed. Her eyes were fixed on the empty stage, but her thoughts had wandered far away.
The person beside her turned and noticed what seemed like glimmering light in her eyes. Never having seen this strong woman show vulnerability before, they were shocked and asked, "Colonel Lin, are you alright?"
Lin Lie snapped back to reality, lightly wiping her face before joining the applause with a smile. "That's my daughter. She's my daughter."
The man was slightly surprised but then smiled. "Really? What an outstanding child. The Military Academy—she really has her father's bearing. I didn't realize she'd grown up so much."
The man to her left leaned over and asked, "If I may ask, Major Lin, why did you let her study ancient martial arts? Even boys rarely learn it these days. How could you bear to send her into this?"
Lin Lie said with a faint smile. "She learned it herself. Her father was very interested in it."
"Major Lian Heng," the two murmured, nodding with a hint of nostalgia before dropping the subject.
Meanwhile, the students on the field were going wild, standing and shouting.
"Holy—shit—!"
"Don't go! Great One, don't leave—!"
"Who was that again?"
"I want to learn! Lian Sheng, Dad, teach me!"
"Oh my god! Dad, I want to learn too!"
"What's up with the Military Academy this year?! What's going on this year?!"
"That's my wife! My roommate! We lived together for two years!"
"Get lost!"
"Please sign this!"
"The pride of the Materials Engineering Academy!"
"The pride of the Military Academy!"
"The light of my life!!"
Lian Sheng sat backstage, her chest rising and falling slightly. Several comrades from the Command Department crouched beside her, shoulders touching as they chatted contentedly.
"Relax, this'll be one of the achievements on my resume from now on."
"The crowd outside still hasn't stopped—has the next group gone on yet?"
"This is definitely going viral! Thanks to our Command Department's top-tier modeling skills and the legendary Exam God!"
People kept passing by, bending down to catch a glimpse of Lian Sheng's face. But she kept her head lowered, making it hard to see clearly.
A comrade came to pull someone away, but the boy lingered. "Damn it! Let me look one more time!"
His friend said, "Look at what? You're up next!"
The supervising teacher stood at the entrance, exasperated. "Students from this school, hurry up and leave! What are you doing here? You're disrupting backstage operations, you know?"
One stubborn voice called out, "What does Lian Sheng look like? Let me see my goddess!"
Another, being pushed away, insisted, "That's my Lian Sheng, Dad! You can't separate parent and child—let me shake her hand!"
A thousand words condensed into one cry:
"No—!"
The supervising teacher approached and said, "You all should leave too, though there aren't many of you, so it's not a big deal. Lian Sheng can stay here and rest for a bit."
Jeers rose from the side: "Boo—!"
Lian Sheng wiped her face and stood. "It's fine, I've rested enough. Sorry for the trouble."
Her outfit was too conspicuous, so she changed into something else nearby, splashed water on her face, and then walked out.
After drying her hands, she saw a message from Lin Lie on her optical computer, instructing her to gather her things and wait near the third cafeteria. Her car was parked there.
So instead of heading to the field, she stuffed her hands in her pockets and walked straight toward the third cafeteria.
The roadside lights cast a pale glow. She tilted her head slightly, feeling the wind against her face, and heard distant shouts of her name. Lian Sheng smiled.
The gala was only halfway through, so few had left yet. The parking lot held only one car with its lights on.
Lian Sheng walked over, opened the door, and sat down, greeting her: "Hello, Ms. Lin Lie. Happy New Year."
Lin Lie sat in the driver's seat, one hand on the steering wheel. "Who taught you that?"
Lian Sheng blinked. "What?"
"Your performance today," Lin Lie said.
Lian Sheng paused, then reached for the seatbelt. "Self-taught. The academy's background effects were good—it wasn't much, really. Just improvised."
Lin Lie didn't move, sitting quietly. Lian Sheng didn't rush her, just fiddled with the seatbelt while waiting.
After a moment, a low voice reached her ears.
"I've never paid attention to you, and you've never told me anything. You're twenty now—it's like you grew up overnight. My time and memories are all trapped in the lab. I never attended a single parent-teacher meeting for you. I'm worse than a nanny robot." Lin Lie stared out the window. "I realize I don't know you at all."
Lian Sheng lowered her gaze.
"Before you were born, I thought I'd take good care of you. Before you were born, I thought I'd never leave you alone at home. But I failed at all of it. I'm afraid to see you—I don't know what to say."
"I could only hear from your teachers about what kind of person you were, what you did each day, what you said. What you liked to eat, what you studied. I only ever taught you like assigning tasks, watching you grow up from afar."
"But I know. Out of twenty-four hours in a day, I know what you're doing for at least twenty of them. I know. Every scar on your body, every detail—I know."
Lian Sheng turned to look at her.
Lin Lie's voice was hoarse. She steadied herself before continuing. "I know I've failed you, but I've always made excuses. Too busy. For work. For the Alliance. They couldn't do without me. You were distant with me, and I felt disappointed, but also relieved."
"I'm not a good mother. I'm not a smart person. I'm afraid of facing the truth, afraid of facing reality. So, even after your father died nearly twenty years ago, I still don't know how to treat you."
"So now I sit here, trying to remember what kind of person you really are. But I don't know you."
"How am I supposed to explain this to myself?"
Lian Sheng picked at the seat cushion and whispered, "Maybe you don't need to understand the current me. I'm sorry."
"You're my daughter," Lin Lie said, turning to brush Lian Sheng's hair behind her ear. "You're all I have."
Lian Sheng said, "Me too."
Lin Lie covered her face with a hand, shoulders trembling slightly.
Lian Sheng called out, "Ms. Lin Lie."
Lin Lie shook her head, turning slightly away as tears streamed between her fingers. "I'm fine."
Lian Sheng called out, "Mom."
Lin Lie's back shuddered.
Lian Sheng unbuckled her seatbelt, leaning over to hug her. Softly, she said, "Don't ask. I am your daughter. I'm alone too. But from now on, neither of us will be alone."
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