169: A lot more awake

"Mr. Xu, someone is visiting at the door, claiming to be Golovdev," Zhao Zhide's words carried a hint of confusion.

This name instantly made Xu Ning frown, "How could it be him?"

He secretly speculated on the purpose of the other party's visit.

He remembered the last time they met was a hurried glance during a rescue mission at the Hulifuka Tarayev Shipyard.

Now that this person was suddenly visiting, was it at the behest of Makarov or Skorlov?

All sorts of guesses shrouded his heart like a mist.

Noticing the hesitation on Xu Ning's face, Zhao Zhide tentatively suggested, "Perhaps we can tell him you're not here at the moment..."

But Xu Ning quickly interrupted him, "No need, let him in."

Instead of avoiding it, it was better to face the problem head-on, accepting whatever came, rain or shine.

Not long after, a familiar yet hearty voice came from outside the door: "Mr. Xu, long time no see."

As the voice fell, a tall, stern-faced man stepped into the room.

Xu Ning politely got up to greet him, but consciously or unconsciously maintained a certain distance, "Captain, your arrival brightens this humble place."

However, before he could finish more pleasantries, Golovdev directly interrupted him, "Oh, cut the officialese. I came to see you for only one purpose. We agreed last time to have a good drink, and today I've come to fulfill that promise."

The air instantly filled with a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere, as if all previous doubts and tension vanished at this moment.

Xu Ning was silent, his mouth twitching slightly, "This... so that's how it is!"

Suddenly, Golovdev strode forward and pulled Xu Ning into an embrace, as if to take him away from here.

"I just happen to have two days off, and as soon as I got back to Polavts, I was parched. I remembered you were here too, so I dropped by to see you," Golovdev said with a hearty laugh, "Come on, come home with me, let's have a good drink."

"Home?" A hint of surprise flashed across Xu Ning's face.

Golovdev was taken aback for a moment, "Didn't I mention it? I live nearby."

Xu Ning shook his head, "You didn't."

After learning that it was all just a coincidence, the stone in Xu Ning's heart finally settled.

Just as the two were about to leave, something slipped down Xu Ning's pant leg from who knows where and fell, making a "clatter" sound that echoed throughout the room.

Both of them stopped abruptly, their eyes simultaneously looking towards the floor — it was a Browning pistol that had just been tucked into Xu Ning's waist.

The air instantly froze. After a moment, Xu Ning tried to break the deadlock, "As the person in charge of the military industry, carrying a firearm is normal, right!"

Fortunately, Golovdev did not show much concern about this.

They left the factory and got into Golovdev's car, heading towards his residence in town.

Although the house was not large, the table was filled with various vodka bottles and snacks, and a fierce military drama was playing on the television.

Looking at the table full of alcoholic beverages, Xu Ning couldn't help but swallow, still feeling somewhat puzzled.

In the past, when drinking with Makarov, they would at most sample some red wine; after all, few people drank vodka heavily at banquets.

But now it seemed, Golovdev clearly intended to make him not leave until he was drunk.

"Alright, let's go for it," Xu Ning muttered softly, as if cheering himself on.

"Where is your wife?" Xu Ning asked curiously.

Golovdev grinned, "Divorced long ago."

Xu Ning's heart tightened, "Was it because of alcoholism?"

He knew that in this circle, many people fell into domestic violence due to excessive drinking, leading to marital breakdown.

After seeing Golovdev, this impression became even stronger.

"No, it's because she could drink more than me," Golovdev replied.

Xu Ning was speechless for a moment.

He saw Golovdev sit down, pick up a bottle of vodka, take a big gulp with his head tilted back, and then hand it to Xu Ning, his eyes sparkling with invitation.

Seeing this, Xu Ning understood that avoidance was useless, so he braced himself, took the bottle, and imitating Golovdev, took a fierce gulp.

The strong liquor was like a blazing flame, rushing up from his throat, burning his internal organs until they felt like they were boiling.

The spicy sensation was like an invisible fuse, instantly piercing through his entire body.

Seeing this, Golovdev's mouth curved into a satisfied smile, and he immediately took the bottle back and drank heavily again.

After putting down the bottle, he lowered his head, his voice carrying a hint of almost imperceptible loneliness, "There's another reason, I'm away all year round, and she didn't want to live like a widow anymore."

Xu Ning was taken aback upon hearing this, his gaze involuntarily falling upon the scar on Golovdev's cheek.

At that moment, this scar, which had once seemed ferocious, seemed to soften considerably.

As a soldier, especially one in a high position like Golovdev, the times he returned home were few and far between.

No wonder he came looking for him during this holiday; perhaps besides him, he couldn't find anyone else to share this loneliness and bitterness with.

The two talked like this, back and forth, occasionally raising their glasses to drink together.

As the alcohol gradually took effect, Xu Ning felt the whole world spinning, his head too heavy to lift.

Although he was an Army General, Golovdev had quite a bit to say about this, patting Xu Ning's shoulder and talking incessantly.

However, Xu Ning at this time was already half-asleep and half-awake, barely able to hear what the other person was saying.

He didn't know when, but he had already fallen into a deep sleep, collapsed on the table.

When the first ray of sunlight pierced through the window and shone on his face, a new day had just begun.

The strong light was dazzling. Xu Ning shielded his face with his hand and sat up with difficulty.

His head was splitting, and the discomfort of the hangover made it almost impossible for him to think.

Looking around, he realized that he had spent the night at Golovdev's house.

The house was quiet. He called out his friend's name a few times but got no response. He muttered to himself, "Where did this guy run off to?"

He barely managed to support his body and stand up.

He inadvertently turned on the television. On the screen, a man who looked quite unfamiliar yet somewhat familiar was reading a news script in a stiff tone.

Just as Xu Ning was trying to recall who this person was, the man happened to read the last sentence: "Compatriots, I, Gorbachev, hereby announce that today the Soviet Union is officially dissolved."

This sudden announcement sobered Xu Ning up considerably.

With the birth of the Commonwealth of Independent States, I have decided to relinquish the symbolic title of "Dog Bear Leader."

This decision was not a rash one, but based on upholding principles.

I have always advocated for national self-determination and the sovereignty of the republics, while also striving to maintain the unity and integrity of the Union.

However, reality sped off in another direction, with the voices of division and disintegration dominating.

Xu Ning stared intently at the television screen, Gorbachev's words seemed to freeze him in time.