CHAPTER 312: CHAPTER 298: JOURNEY TO THE MIDDLE EAST

A silent rain washed over the entire city, and the first ray of sunlight in the morning refracted on the wet ground, casting golden glimmers everywhere. The air was filled with the fresh scent after the rain, yet it couldn’t cover the damp cold.

The hospital never changes in response to external changes, possessing its unique aura. The scent of disinfectant seems to have become the perfume here, emitting its distinctive fragrance. Xiao Lin liked this scent very much; he always found a sense of calm in it.

He opened the door, and Xia Yusheng stood up. Xiao Lin walked quietly; the person on the hospital bed was pale, and the steady sound of her breathing indicated she was deeply asleep.

His fingers brushed through her hair, and his eyes filled with pain and guilt. The self-reproach made him unable to call out her name. He had thoroughly reviewed the hospital report multiple times and, understanding that there was no danger, he came to her ward. Xia Yusheng gently closed the door, leaving time for Xiao Lin.

He sat by her bed, feeling the breath Xia Xue emitted. He wanted to kiss her, but he refrained; he couldn’t bring himself to tell her that in an hour, he would depart for the Middle East, afraid she might get upset and hurt herself. He wanted to hold her in his arms, confess how guilty and heartbroken he felt, tell her how afraid he was of losing her like this. However, Xiao Lin didn’t do any of that; he simply gazed silently at Xia Xue’s beautiful yet pale face, and no one knew what he was thinking.

Heavy curtains blocked the sunlight from outside, making the ward very dark. The humidifier emitted a gurgling sound, resonating with other medical equipment. In comparison to time, there was instead a reversed persistence and adherence to its own rules, moving forward without showing mercy at such separation.

Xia Xue stirred, her fluttering eyelashes uttering a faint whisper, and Xiao Lin couldn’t hear it. His thoughts were disrupted at that moment, vanishing into the darkness before Xia Xue opened her eyes.

The beautiful eyes stared into the distance, surrounded by familiar scents. She knew he had been there; a tear slid down her cheek. Understanding leads to misunderstanding, and such misunderstanding arises from deep love.

The roar of the engine already enveloped the hospital’s sky. Xiao Lin’s hands were in his pockets, his eyes watching the helicopter hovering in the air. After the aircraft stabilized, Xiao Lin strode towards it, but he never said anything to Xia Yusheng, who stood beside him. Watching the disappearing figure, Xia Yusheng sighed, perhaps he truly felt old.

"General! Everything you need is prepared; should we return to headquarters?" The maintenance personnel asked Xiao Lin through communication.

"No need, head directly to the destination."

Looking down from here, the hospital roof appeared to shrink, and a petite figure ran out from the top-floor door, nearly causing him to lose his voice. Xiao Lin covered his mouth; he was never one to act impulsively. Involuntarily, he asked, "What’s the situation in the Middle East now?"

"The military advisor lost contact after the second month of entry."

Xiao Lin closed his eyes, recalling the gentleman’s expression at that time. That murderous look left him feeling somewhat daunted about the military advisor’s fate, which might be the reason for Night Eagle being missing. He believed Night Eagle had found the military advisor, but the lack of information was possibly due to the special and secretive nature of that place. Who could make the gentleman keep his mouth shut? Was it an organization or an individual? He did not know, but that did not affect his determination. The military advisor was indispensable to Dragon Soul, and held a special meaning to Xiao Lin; despite Lao Long’s opposition, he must go to the Middle East.

The roaring of the aircraft passed across the sky, heading towards that unknown territory.

The Middle East, a land of two oceans, three continents, and five seas, serves as a hub linking Asia, Europe, and Africa, connecting the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, a critical passage between the West and East, and the throat of Europe stretching from North Africa to West Asia. The Middle East’s significant political, economic, and military position has made it a place where historical powers vie and military strategists must contend.

It is currently the world’s largest source of oil reserves, the largest region for oil production and export, mainly distributed in the Persian Gulf and its surrounding regions. Most of the oil produced is shipped from ports along the Persian Gulf to developed countries and regions such as Western Europe, the United States, and Japan by tanker.

Its energy resources make it a piece of fat coveted by many, plagued by internal and external troubles leading to frequent warfare and civilian suffering. Dissatisfaction with the local government and protests against foreign military presence have rapidly fostered underground organizations. Weapons and drug trade have become the biggest illicit interest exchange in the Middle East region. Where there is demand, there is trade; where there is trade, there will be slaughter.

Xiao Lin flipped through the documents in his hand, his fingertips touched a two-inch ID photo. The person appeared elegant and young, but, of course, this was mere appearance. The military advisor, the only woman among them.

He vividly recalled the first day he reported to Dragon Soul, watching the military advisor on stage proclaiming beliefs, leaving a striking impression on him. In subsequent missions, the military advisor’s intellect made him see women differently; she was like a prophet, predicting every step and possibility concerning people.

Every meticulous step in actions was conceived by her mind. Despite this, the military advisor’s skill in guns and weaponry was also top-notch. His admiration for her had long been rooted in his heart. They were partners, perhaps even playmates in Dragon Soul, akin to pair of elves bestowing new life for Dragon Soul, one using wisdom to protect lives while the other saving lives with his hands.

"What was the last message from the military advisor?" Xiao Lin closed the document and tore it into pieces.

"A string of code!" The helicopter landed on a farmland field: "General, we must change aircraft here; military planes cannot enter the Middle East directly."

Xiao Lin stepped out of the cabin; cows and sheep scattered over the grassland leisurely chewed food, entirely unperturbed by the arrival of this giant object. To Xiao Lin’s surprise, two people were already waiting at the farm.

"Bro!"

"General!"

"Hua Qingyi?" Xiao Lin glanced at the other person and, if his memory served him right, this was the expert named Miao Shaoqing from Elder Miao’s side. He couldn’t help but curiously ask, "Why are you here?"

"How could there be something fun without calling me?" Hua Qingyi smirked cheekily, keeping a certain distance from Xiao Lin, then earnestly said, "In fact, someone is worried, so he wants me and him to accompany and guard you throughout." (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, welcome to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)