181: Chapter 180: A Warm Welcome from the Base, Captain Wang's "Surprise"

The train moved smoothly along the tracks, the scenery outside transitioning from continuous fields to rows of towering buildings.

The two-hour journey slipped away in casual conversation. When the announcement signaled their arrival at the station for the Yuedong Military Region, Su Han was looking down at a photo sent by Xiao Nuan on his phone—

In the photo, Xiao Budian was lying under the grape trellis of the old house, brushing Heibao's fur. Beside her was a "Great-grandfather's Return Countdown" calendar she had drawn, with a crude sketch of a tank next to the crooked numbers.

"Third Grandpa, look at this girl; all her thoughts are on waiting for you to come back." Zhou Haitao leaned over to take a look and joked with a smile, "By the time you return to the village next, she'll surely perform the Su Family Boxing's introductory forms better than last time."

Su Han put away his phone, his fingertips tracing the Bronze Heart-Protecting Mirror in his uniform pocket, a smile playing on his lips. "Of course, just look at whose great-granddaughter she is."

As they spoke, the train slowly pulled into the platform.

The moment the doors opened, a gust of wind carrying a mix of exhaust fumes and the fresh scent of camphor trees rushed in. The broadcast on the platform, the footsteps of passengers, and the distant honking of horns intertwined, filled with the hustle and bustle of the city.

"Third Grandpa, let me help you with the bag." Zhou Haitao was the first to pick up the canvas bag filled with medicine and pastries, then tried to grab the camouflage backpack on Su Han's back, but his hand was held back.

"No need, this little weight won't crush me." Su Han patted his shoulder.

Zhou Haitao was about to say something more when he suddenly caught sight of a military off-road vehicle parked at the end of the platform, with two familiar figures standing beside it—

One of them was standing on his tiptoes waving this way, his buckteeth visible under the brim of his military cap, looking particularly prominent in the sunlight.

"It's Monkey!" Zhou Haitao's eyes widened, and then he realized, "And Captain Zhou Mo too! Third Grandpa, your treatment is way better than mine!"

Su Han followed his gaze and indeed saw the War Eagle Squad Captain, Zhou Mo, and team member Monkey standing by the vehicle.

Zhou Mo was wearing his service uniform, standing tall and straight like a pine tree, with no expression on his face.

Monkey, on the other hand, was not so settled; he was jumping around excitedly, holding a sign that read "Welcome back to the team, Chief Instructor." On the sign was a crookedly drawn little person carrying a sniper rifle taller than themselves.

"It seems Captain Wang is afraid I'll run away." Su Han chuckled, picked up his backpack, and walked toward them.

"Chief Instructor! Over here!" Monkey's loud voice cut through the crowd, causing surrounding passengers to look over.

Some who recognized Su Han immediately took out their phones to take pictures, muttering, "It really is Major Su."

Monkey approached with a grin. "Old Su, you're finally back! Training in the squad has been boring these past few days. Big Bear was taken down three times by Lynx during combat practice, and he was so angry he punched a hole in the sandbag!"

As he spoke, he suddenly noticed Zhou Haitao behind Su Han and immediately dropped his joking expression, standing at attention and saluting. "Hello, Company Commander Zhou!"

Zhou Haitao returned the salute. Looking at the two special operations elites before him, and then at the Captain's rank on his own shoulders, he suddenly felt a bit awkward—

He and Zhou Mo had joined the army in the same year. Now, the other was the Captain of an ace squad in the Falcon Special Forces Brigade, while he was still a company commander in a conventional unit—not to mention he had to call this major, who was younger than him, "Third Grandpa."

"Is Company Commander Zhou going back to the 356th Regiment? Let us drive you back." Zhou Mo's gaze swept over the distant bus stop sign. "It's not close to here; a taxi would take at least forty minutes."

"It's fine, I've already called a car." Zhou Haitao smiled and turned to Su Han, his tone carrying a hint of subtle reluctance. "Third Grandpa, I'll be going then. If you have time after returning to the unit, remember... remember to come visit the 7th Company."

Su Han nodded. "Got it. Stay safe on the road."

"Chief Instructor, please get in." After Zhou Haitao left, Zhou Mo opened the back door, his gaze falling on Su Han's back. "Captain Wang specifically instructed for you to lie down as soon as you get in. The unit's Military Doctor is already waiting at the base to re-examine your wounds."

Monkey eagerly took the canvas bag from Su Han's hand, weighed it, and clicked his tongue. "Whoa! What's in here? It's heavy! It couldn't be specialties from Su Family Village, could it? Is there a share for me?"

"What are you thinking?" Su Han slapped the back of his head. "It's all medicine and Osmanthus Cakes I brought for you guys. If you keep acting up, I'll give it all to Big Bear."

"No, no, no!" Monkey immediately begged for mercy. "My mistake, Chief Instructor! Just save two pieces of Osmanthus Cake for me. I even brought some jerky that Heibao likes!"

The off-road vehicle drove out of the city area, speeding toward the Falcon Special Forces Brigade base in the suburbs.

The tall buildings outside the window were gradually replaced by dense forests. The air was filled with the scent of earth and grass, and occasionally, the figures of soldiers running on dirt paths in the distant woods could be seen, their tense vitality palpable even from afar.

"Old Su, you have no idea. During the half-month you were back in the village, the whole unit almost exploded!"

Monkey sat in the passenger seat, turned around, and said excitedly, "The internet is full of news about you—things like 'Hard Qigong bends steel plates' and 'A thousand people bowing shocks the ages.' There are even cute photos of Xiao Budian and Heibao; they're all trending! Big Bear scrolls through his phone every day, saying that when you get back, he absolutely has to ask you for tips on Hard Qigong."

Zhou Mo held the steering wheel, a trace of a smile on his lips as well. "It's not just the War Eagle Squad; the entire Falcon Detachment is talking about you. The clerk from the Logistics Department even printed out reports of your deeds and posted them on the bulletin board at the canteen entrance, saying everyone should learn from you."

Su Han said helplessly, "You guys are Special Forces after all. Can't you be a bit more low-key?"

"Isn't performing meritorious service what you're best at?"

Zhou Mo curled his lip. "We aren't as abnormal as you. Within one year, two first-class merits, one second-class merit, and two Third-Class Merits. If we actually had that, the detachment would definitely promote it just as loudly."

Su Han: "..."

Monkey leaned toward the back seat mysteriously. "By the way, Old Su, here's a scoop: when you get to the detachment, Captain Wang is going to give you a huge surprise!"

Su Han raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What surprise?"

Monkey deliberately kept him in suspense, grinning. "Hehe, it wouldn't be a surprise if I told you! Anyway, I guarantee you won't guess it. It's definitely significant!"

Zhou Mo added from the side, "Captain Wang has been preparing for the past few days. He even handed over the daily training plans to the Deputy Captain, saying he must give you a welcoming ceremony 'worthy of your military merits.'"

Su Han chuckled. "What is that old man up to now? I'm just returning to the unit; there's no need for such a big fuss."

"That won't do!" Monkey immediately countered. "You're the 'living billboard' of our Yuezhou Military Region now. You became a legend with nine championships in the All-Army Grand Competition and earned two first-class merits. This treatment is well-deserved!!"

While they were talking, the off-road vehicle had already entered the territory of the Falcon Special Forces Brigade.

Looking from a distance, the sides of the main road in front of the base gates were actually lined with rows of soldiers!

Su Han was slightly stunned.

He saw the soldiers on both sides of the road wearing uniform training fatigues, standing tall and straight like pines, their gazes all shifting in unison toward the approaching off-road vehicle.

What was even more surprising was that there were figures playing gongs and drums interspersed within the ranks. Bright red silks fluttered in the wind, and the earth-shaking sound of drums and chants drifted from afar, creating a festive atmosphere like the Lunar New Year.

"This..." Su Han was somewhat taken aback. "Did Wang Yuanchao call out the entire detachment?"