Miller already knew that the powers that be on the mainland did not want to open fire.
Accustomed to peace, they no longer wished for war.
He actually shared the same worries as Qin Jianguo, and with utter grief and indignation, he punched the table several times, cursing, "These scholars are such cowards! Now Huaguo is closing in, and has grown into a powerful nation that can threaten Mitri in all aspects. If we back down this time, will we have to back down every time from now on?"
One step back, and you'll have to retreat with every subsequent step.
This simple and understandable truth was something Miller clearly understood.
The adjutant also said, "Mr. Miller, this is the best opportunity. We cannot miss God's gift."
Miller took a deep breath, a look of resolve appearing in his eyes. "You will convey my orders. Have the New Luo fighter jets shoot down the helicopter carrying Chen Jinzhao."
"Success is mandatory; failure is not an option."
The adjutant's grief-stricken face instantly lit up with excitement.
The advantage of doing this was that it would kill Chen Jinzhao and also shift the blame onto New Luo. By then, even if Huaguo was enraged, the fury would not be directed at them.
"Understood!"
"Mission guaranteed to be accomplished!"
Miller nodded.
The adjutant scurried off to relay the orders.
The waters off Dongying were shrouded in smoke.
Military aircraft and warships from all sides were in a standoff. Huaguo appeared to be at a numerical disadvantage, but reinforcements were continuously en route, showing an intent to directly engage Mitri. Mitri, on the other hand, began to contract its defensive lines, attempting to tie down Huaguo's armed forces.
Chen Jinzhao, as the person involved, also sensed this.
More and more armed forces appeared on the radar screen of the helicopter's console, startling Toscano and Joanna.
"Looks like they're about to start World War Three?" Joanna murmured.
Toscano gave a wry smile. "Huaguo has really spared no expense for you. Perhaps we can really escape with our lives."
This was something none of them had dared to imagine before.
Boom!
The roar of engines passed overhead the helicopter. Immediately after, the three of them saw several fighter jets appear not far ahead. They then scattered chaff and flares towards the helicopter they were in, causing it to shake violently in the air and nearly crash.
Chen Jinzhao's expression shifted slightly, and he said grimly, "It seems Mitri doesn't want us to leave alive. We might have to fight for our lives next."
Toscano chuckled wryly. "Our chances of survival were already slim. Being able to live is fortunate, and if not, it's also within reason."
All three of them had come to terms with it.
As soon as he finished speaking.
Those fighter jets returned. The roar of their engines grew louder, and the sound of gunfire and cannon fire could be heard.
Clang, clang, clang!
The helicopter was pierced. Joanna and Toscano had already been hit, their shoulders blown open.
Their eyes dimmed, knowing they would not survive.
"I never thought we'd die by our own people's gunfire. What a tragic thing," Joanna said, the words exhausting her last bit of strength. After speaking, Joanna's head lolled, and her life was completely extinguished.
Toscano followed suit, dying before Chen Jinzhao's eyes.
Chen Jinzhao witnessed this scene and sighed, "In the face of modern weaponry, everyone is equal, and we are no exception."
"Mengzhi, I might not be able to return."
Thinking of this.
Chen Jinzhao took out his phone from his pocket, turned off airplane mode, and hesitated whether to call Yu Mengzhi.
Ring, ring, ring!
The urgent phone rang.
Speak of the devil, and she appears.
It was Yu Mengzhi calling.
Chen Jinzhao's heart became even more conflicted. Should he answer?
The roar of the fighter jets' engines continued, and they were getting closer and closer to Chen Jinzhao. He knew his time was short.
Never mind.
She has the right to know.
The call was answered.
Yu Mengzhi's crying could be heard through the phone, asking Chen Jinzhao about his situation.
Chen Jinzhao was silent for a long time, only managing to say three words, "I'm sorry."
"I don't want to hear your apology. I just want you to come back alive. Chen Jinzhao, don't abandon me!" Yu Mengzhi's cries were heart-wrenching, making Chen Jinzhao feel immense pain, as if something was stuck in his throat.
"Mengzhi, listen to me." Chen Jinzhao took a deep breath.
"I am now surrounded by enemy forces, and I see no hope of survival. This is my fault to you in this life. If there is a next life, I will marry you again."
Yu Mengzhi cried, "Chen Jinzhao, you big liar. You once said you would propose before the Spring Festival. You can't go back on your word."
Chen Jinzhao took a deep breath. Despite being severely wounded, he forced himself to remain calm and said, "Mengzhi, listen to me say a few words. Before I die, there is one more thing I must tell you. I have done something that wronged you."
"I know, I know everything..." Yu Mengzhi murmured as if in a dream.
Chen Jinzhao trembled.
So she knew everything. This made Chen Jinzhao feel even more guilty.
"Because I love you, I can tolerate any of your shortcomings. Compared to them, I am perhaps not the one who loves you the most. As long as you can live, I am willing to sacrifice everything."
Chen Jinzhao felt increasingly unwell.
He didn't know if it was due to emotional distress or physical injury.
"Yu Mengzhi, I love you," he said.
Yu Mengzhi quickly replied, "I want to hear you say it to me directly, not over the phone."
Chen Jinzhao sighed. "Meeting you in this life is a blessing I have accumulated over ten lifetimes. I don't have much time left. If you meet a good person in the future, forget about me. That Qin Fengwu fellow, though he's a scoundrel, he truly is very good to you."
"Chen Jinzhao, are you a man? Why are you abandoning me and the child?" Yu Mengzhi suddenly said.
Chen Jinzhao was stunned like a clay statue, unable to speak.
When did she get pregnant with their child?
Yu Mengzhi said, "No matter how much time passes, no matter where you are, I will wait for you to return. I will raise the child to adulthood and let them know their father was a hero."
"Chen Jinzhao, I will always wait for you!"
Chen Jinzhao's voice was hoarse, his words lost. Only when he heard the roar of engines in his ears again did he realize he had no time left, so he said solemnly, "If I survive, no matter where I am, no matter how much time has passed, I will come home to you."
After saying this, the phone signal began to weaken due to radar interference, and Chen Jinzhao could no longer hear Yu Mengzhi's words.
Boom!
A missile struck the helicopter.
Before the helicopter exploded, Chen Jinzhao had already jumped out. The moment his feet left the helicopter, it exploded.
The powerful blast wave sent Chen Jinzhao flying, and fierce flames engulfed him.
Chen Jinzhao's consciousness grew fainter, and finally, he weakly closed his eyes, falling like a shooting star from tens of thousands of meters high.
Before losing consciousness, he remembered a sentence Li Qiutao had once said.
"I want to go home, but I can no longer see the way home."