Chapter 111: Letters
. Time in the barracks was like a passionate yet steady war song, each day filled with fulfilling trials and tribulations.
Liu Feng's daily routine revolved around intense exercise, deep meditation, and intense combat.
In stark contrast, as a military physician, he had rarely had the opportunity to practice his medical skills since joining the barracks.
On weekdays, soldiers mostly suffered minor ailments like scrapes, mild colds, and gastrointestinal upsets, requiring no intervention from his physicians, who could easily get them back to duty.
One day, at dawn, a sharp north wind, like a wild beast unleashed, tore through the barracks with a piercing, shrill roar.
Looking out, the entire barracks was shrouded in a thick blanket of snow, like a sleeping ice castle.
Liu Feng's tent seemed dwarfed in this silvery world, its roof piled high with snow, as if poised to collapse under its weight.
Liu Feng stood in front of the tent and began his daily compulsory exercise.
His upper body was bare, and the lines of his strong muscles were faintly visible in the snow and ice. Each muscle seemed to contain a source of endless strength.
At this moment, he was concentrating on practicing Xinyi Liuhequan, his eyes were firm and deep, as if the whole world had been isolated from him.
When he started, his posture was like a pine tree rooted in a rock, steady and firm, as if no force could shake him.
His punches were delivered with a fierce force, each one carrying an unstoppable momentum that seemed to pierce the thick ice and snow. His
retractions were like the gurgling of a mountain stream, flowing naturally and effortlessly.
His breathing was even and deep, and with each exhale, a puff of white mist lingered in the icy air, like a lingering aura of immortality, a direct manifestation of his inner strength.
As his boxing technique progressed, Liu Feng's body gradually warmed, his Qi and blood surging through him like a surging river.
His muscles tensed and relaxed, each one like a small, vibrant animal, moving swiftly and rhythmically under his control.
His bones crackled softly, as if applauding his every movement.
His movements were perfectly coordinated with his breathing, each breath driving the rise and fall of his body, each movement imbued with the power of his breath, the two complementing each other in a perfect harmony.
His punches grew in speed and power.
The surrounding snow, as if sensing the fiery energy emanating from him, began to slowly melt.
A circle of wet water stains appeared on the previously smooth snow, spreading outward.
Snowflakes fluttered down his body, instantly transforming into crystalline droplets, sliding down his bronze skin and dripping onto the snow with a subtle sound.
Liu Feng was completely immersed in his own boxing world, his mind clear, filled only with the boxing moves and the rhythm of his breathing.
His body seemed pulled by a mysterious force, each movement seamless and seamless, without the slightest hesitation.
His eyes gleamed with a fiery glint, the product of his unwavering pursuit of martial arts and a fierce desire for self-improvement.
In this icy, snowy military camp, he was like a burning fire, radiating boundless energy, a stark contrast to the bitter cold surrounding him.
Just as Liu Feng was enjoying his training, Zhang Feng hurried over.
Zhang Feng, the camp's messenger, was usually impulsive, but now, a smile graced his face, a letter in hand.
"Liu Feng!" Zhang Feng called from afar, his voice carrying far and wide through the chill air, a hint of urgency.
Hearing the call, Liu Feng slowly retracted his punches and turned to look at Zhang Feng.
His body was drenched in sweat, steam rising in the cold air like an erupting volcano.
"Brother Zhang, what's wrong?" Liu Feng asked, wiping the sweat off his body with a towel.
"Here, your letter!" Zhang Feng stepped forward and handed it to Liu Feng. "Sister Liu asked me to give it to you."
Liu Feng took the letter, a hint of surprise in his eyes. He quickly said, "Thank you very much, Brother Zhang."
"Don't be polite, it's a small matter!" Zhang Feng smiled and waved his hand. "I have other things to do. I'll be leaving first."
Liu Feng watched Zhang Feng leave, then clutched the letter tightly as he entered the tent.
A chill hung heavy in the tent, so he went to the stove and lit a fire.
The flames gradually grew, and a warm atmosphere began to slowly permeate the tent.
Liu Feng dressed, sat on the edge of the bed, took a deep breath, and slowly opened the letter.
It was written by his father, Liu Qing. The familiar handwriting caught his eye, and Liu Feng seemed to see his father's kind face. He
slowly unfolded the letter in his hands.
The familiar handwriting, carrying a father's unique warmth, instantly bridged the distance between them, bringing his father's voice, smile, and face to life.
Liu Feng:
By the time you read this letter, your grandfather and I will have returned home safely.
Since you joined the military, everything has been back to normal at home, but your laughter and joy have been missing. The whole house feels a little lifeless. We look forward to hearing from you every day.
Now, let me tell you about your grandfather and I've been through these past few months.
At that time, for the safety of our family, your grandfather and I decided to go out and hide for a while.
After careful consideration, we chose Longxing City.
Longxing City is not close to our home. It took several days of driving to get there.
When we first arrived, we were inevitably a little apprehensive about the unfamiliar surroundings.
Fortunately, the city was filled with the vibrant energy of life. The streets and alleys were bustling with people and a dazzling array of stalls. The constant roar of cheers quickly dispelled our initial anxiety.
We rented a small, cozy courtyard. The landlord, a friend of your grandfather from his youth, not only helped us decorate the house neatly but also enthusiastically introduced us to the surrounding amenities, allowing us to quickly find a comfortable living situation.
Life in Longxing City was peaceful and comfortable.
Every morning, before the sun had even fully penetrated the courtyard, your grandfather and I would head to the bustling market.
It offered a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as local snacks.
Your grandfather had a special liking for the local shortbread. The crispy crust and sweet filling always satisfied him, and he couldn't resist buying a few whenever he passed by a stand.
Back home, we worked together to prepare lunch, transforming simple ingredients into delicious dishes.
In the afternoon, we would set up tables and chairs in the yard, bask in the sun, and recall the little moments of your childhood. Those naughty and funny things always made us laugh.
When night fell, accompanied by the gentle evening breeze, we went to bed early and ended a fulfilling day in a peaceful sleep.
At first, we were always vigilant and always cautious when going out. We were especially cautious when answering questions from strangers, for fear of revealing our identities.
We didn't expect to cause unnecessary trouble.
But as time passed, life became peaceful and tranquil, and our worries gradually eased.
Seven or eight months slipped by unnoticed. During this time, not only did we not suffer much, but we even gained a little weight thanks to the leisurely lifestyle and delicious meals.
Your grandfather's spirits improved, and his smile grew brighter.
During our time in Longxing City, we made many caring friends.
Uncle Wang, who lived next door, was a generous and righteous man. He often invited us to his home and shared his fresh vegetables.
Li, the grocer at the market, was cheerful and enthusiastic. Whenever we went shopping, she would enthusiastically recommend all kinds of good things and always give us discounts.
These kind people made us feel a deep sense of warmth even in a foreign land.
Now, so much time has passed, and everything is calm. It seems that our initial worries were just a false alarm.
So we packed our bags and set off for home.
Returning to our familiar home, the tree in the yard has grown taller. It stands there quietly as usual, as if waiting for our return.
There's one more thing I want to tell you right away.
Your Aunt Liu and I are together.
You know her well, she's a gentle, kind, strong, and independent woman. Living alone these years hasn't been easy.
In our daily interactions, we cared for and looked after each other, and slowly grew closer.
Now, with someone who loves you dearly in your family, you can focus on your military service without worrying about your family.
Xiaofeng, take good care of yourself in the barracks.
Give your all during training, learn new skills, and improve yourself, but don't push yourself too hard. Remember to balance work and rest.
Be sincere and friendly with others. Don't try to handle any difficulties alone, and communicate with your family promptly.
Your grandfather is in good health and thinks of you every day, eager for your return home.
Everything is fine at home, don't worry.
When you have time, remember to write home more often. We all look forward to hearing about you.
We hope you are safe and well!
After reading the letter, Father Liu Feng's eyes welled up, but his heart was filled with warmth.
He was genuinely happy for his father and grandfather's safe return and was relieved to have spent their leisure time in Longxing City.
He was overjoyed to hear that his father and Aunt Liu were together, and he couldn't help but imagine the warm and harmonious family reunion.
He held the letter tightly to his chest, silently feeling the warmth from his family.
In this situation, Liu Feng's soul power also broke through to level 28, like melting snow.