The car was nearing the military zone.
The sandstorm grew fiercer, appearing stark and desolate under the scorching sun.
Even from this distance, before the gate of the military zone was in sight, the thunderous sound of shouting could be heard.
It must be the army in training.
Listening to the deafening shouts and the occasional sounds of explosions and gunshots, Huo Rou's expression softened.
These sounds had accompanied her for so many years.
Even in her dreams at midnight, she could still recall the comrades who shouted alongside her, the birds in the sky, and the targets on the ground.
After a turn, an old man suddenly appeared by the roadside.
The old man's clothes were worn and patched.
He had his back to the road, his head bowed, seemingly occupied with something.
"Old Qin, who is this person here?" Zhao Hengyu asked warily.
No one was allowed near the military zone; they had already passed a checkpoint. This meant they were within the military zone's perimeter, and ordinary people shouldn't be here.
"Stop and take a look," Qin Ningyi said, his gaze fixed on the man.
The car stopped behind the old man.
From here, the military zone's gate was visible. The explosions were closer, masking the sound of Qin Ningyi's car.
The old man, oblivious to the car behind him, paused for a moment and then began walking towards the military zone's gate.
"Halt!" Qin Ningyi called out, seeing him approach the gate.
The old man seemed surprised by the appearance of someone here, his body trembling slightly.
All four of them were filled with questions about this old man appearing on the outskirts of the military zone.
How had he bypassed the checkpoint to get here? What was he doing heading towards the military zone gate?
After all, live-fire drills were taking place inside the military zone, and any ordinary person approaching rashly could easily be caught in the crossfire.
The old man, leaning on a stick, turned around.
Zhao Hengyu, standing at the front, was the first to see the old man's face clearly.
The old man wore a hat and was hunched over. From behind, they had all assumed he was an elderly grandfather, but as he turned, Zhao Hengyu noticed his stern expression and sharp eyes.
He was much younger than he appeared.
"What are you doing here?"
The man tightened his grip on the pocket he was holding.
His lips, cracked and dry from the sun, moved slightly. "I'm going to the troops..."
He stopped mid-sentence, glancing at their attire. "Who are you? What are you doing here?"
He was asking them!
Zhao Hengyu smiled, about to retort sarcastically, when he was pushed aside by a strong force.
Huo Rou moved past him from behind and stepped to the front. Her expression was anything but pleasant.
Her eyes, sharp as swords, fixed on the old man, as if she were bristling with thorns.
"What are you doing here?"
The same question, but from her lips, it carried a different weight, as if she already knew he shouldn't be here.
The old man's mouth opened, his eyes filled with disbelief, bloodshot and slowly spreading.
He clutched his pocket tighter and took two hesitant steps back, his gaze on Huo Rou becoming increasingly complex.
Seeing him clutch the pocket as if it were precious, a flicker of annoyance crossed Huo Rou's mind.
"Speak!!" Huo Rou's voice suddenly turned harsh. She clenched her fists. "Why are you at the military zone entrance?"
She strode forward two steps, her voice growing hoarse. "What do you want to do?!"