19: Parents (2)

"Superpower? The state... the army?!" Yao Chunhua repeated these words. After the initial shock, an indescribable surge of excitement and pride instantly dispelled her fear. Her wrinkled face lit up with a glow as she tightly gripped her husband's arm. "Good heavens! My son is truly amazing! You've made it! You've really made it!" In the deeply rooted beliefs of ordinary people in Huaxia, being able to work for the government or the military was the most glorious and secure "iron rice bowl." Her son had secured this dream "iron rice bowl" before even starting university; it was like winning the lottery!

"Good! Good boy!" The astonishment on Zhang Yun's face also turned into a gratified smile. He patted his son's shoulder firmly, his eyes slightly moist. He wasn't highly educated and couldn't speak in flowery words or official jargon, but his pride for his son was incredibly simple and sincere. "Work hard! Work hard for the country! Dad... Dad is proud of you!" He rubbed his rough hands together, as if his son's "job" brought him honor as well, causing him to stand a bit taller.

Feeling the pure, unreserved gratification and pride in his parents' eyes, a strong warmth welled up in Zhang Lei's heart, dispelling the cold haze brought by the apocalypse. He reached out and tightly grasped his parents' calloused, slightly trembling hands; the familiar touch made him feel incredibly grounded. He secretly vowed: 'Dad, Mom, don't worry. Your son has power now; I will never let you suffer again!'

The helicopter roared like an angry beast, speeding through the low altitude. The scenery outside the window receded rapidly: abandoned fields, desolate villages, and the occasional wandering horde of zombies... everything was shrouded in a dilapidated gray. Mr. and Mrs. Zhang Yun gradually recovered from their initial shock and began to peer curiously out of the window. This was the first, and likely only, time the two elders would ride in an attack helicopter. In Huaxia, such a piece of national equipment was a mysterious existence that ordinary people could only see from afar on the television news. Being there in person now, the novelty and excitement almost overwhelmed their fear. Yao Chunhua cautiously touched the cold metal cabin wall with her finger, while Zhang Yun craned his neck, trying to identify the blurred landmarks passing quickly below, letting out low exclamations from time to time.

Watching his parents looking around with curiosity like children, Zhang Lei felt that sense of pride well up again, and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly. In this cruel apocalypse, being able to rely on his own strength to get his parents out of danger, and even let them experience such a "novel" journey and feel a moment of peace and pride—who wouldn't be moved by such a sense of achievement and satisfaction?

"Dad, Mom," Zhang Lei raised his voice, with a hint of excitement to share the good news, "I have some good news for you. Jiang Xin is also in the army now, and he's already an officer! He's very impressive!" He tried to use this news to further soothe his parents' emotions.

"Oh? Jiang Xin?!" Zhang Yun was indeed even more surprised. He turned his head abruptly, his eyes wide. "That boy, Jiang Xin... how did he end up in the army too?" As an old neighbor who had watched Jiang Xin grow up, Zhang Yun's impression of him was still that of a gentle and sensible young man.

Zhang Lei's heart skipped a beat, but he maintained a smile on his face, quickly bringing out the explanation he had prepared: "He... he applied for the military academy after the college entrance exam. His grades were exceptionally good, so he was specially recruited! For this operation, these soldiers came specifically to pick him up. Since we were on the way, we joined them." He made "picking up Jiang Xin" the primary reason for the troops' presence here.

Hearing this, a look of realization and even more gratification appeared on Zhang Yun's face, and he nodded repeatedly. "Good! Good! You two boys have been brothers growing up together since you were little. Now that you can wear the military uniform and serve the country together, Dad... Dad is happy from the bottom of my heart!" He slapped his rough hand heavily on Zhang Lei's thigh. "That boy Jiang Xin has been sensible since he was a child! You two must support each other in the army from now on and be brothers for life! Do you hear me?"

"Don't worry, Dad! Mom! I know. Jiang Xin and I will always be brothers!" Zhang Lei nodded vigorously, promising firmly, though a hint of complex emotion flickered through his mind. Looking at his father's trusting and satisfied face, he became even more determined to protect this hard-won peace. 'Dad, Mom, you'll never have to sweat in the workshops like before. Your son has power now!'

...The massive roar grew closer, and the silhouette of the Yongjiang County Government Building appeared on the horizon. However, what greeted them was not silence, but a deafening symphony! The entire area of the county government office compound was currently being transformed into a battlefield. Intense gunfire rang out as thick as popping beans, interspersed with the ground-shaking roar of explosions. Fire and smoke rose and spread among the buildings. Clearly, the Red Alert Soldiers were going all out to clear the zombie hordes entrenched here, and the battle was in full swing.

The hind helicopter nimbly avoided several rising pillars of smoke, like a bird of prey returning to its nest, landing steadily on the relatively safe rooftop helipad of the Government Building. Before the rotors had even fully stopped spinning, the cabin door was flung open. Zhang Lei was the first to jump down, turning back to carefully help his parents onto the ground. The elite Red Alert Squad quickly formed a security formation, guarding the group as they moved swiftly through the rooftop entrance and down the stairs.

When the group arrived at the first-floor lobby of the Government Building, they saw a different scene. Compared to the earth-shattering gunfire outside, this place had temporarily become a relatively safe haven. About a hundred or so shaken survivors from the government offices were gathered in the lobby. Most were disheveled, their faces etched with exhaustion and fear, huddling in corners or leaning against walls. The air was thick with a complex smell of disinfectant, sweat, and a faint hint of blood. At the lobby entrance, a dozen or so Red Alert Soldiers, armed to the teeth and looking grim, stood guard, forming a solid defensive line. And in front of the crowd, a familiar figure was speaking in low tones with a soldier—it was Jiang Xin.

Zhang Lei brought his parents to Jiang Xin. The two families had known each other for over a decade, and they soon began to chat.

(Dear readers, I'll stop the family-related plot here. I know everyone isn't too fond of reading this. Post-apocalyptic Red Alert novels should still focus on development and hegemony. I'll reduce the family plot in the future; there are some things I, Xiao Feng, really don't know how to make up. The protagonist's development will be faster in the early stages and slow down later, mixed with some slice-of-life plots.)