Chapter 20: Could Such a Blessing Really Exist?

Chapter 20: Is There Such a Lucky Break?

On the mountain road, the Blue Army’s trucks transporting supplies and soldiers sped forward.

“Squad leader, why are you driving so fast? This is a mountain road,” the young private in the front truck cabin gripped the handles tightly, jolting with the vehicle. “This is our turf; no need to be so tense, right?”

The squad leader glanced sideways at him. “Rookie, just because this is our turf doesn’t mean it’s completely safe.”

“With such complicated terrain, how can you be sure there aren’t any Red Army scouts around?”

“So what if there are scouts? There are only a few of them. Do you think they’d dare rob our convoy?” the rookie argued.

“Of course they wouldn’t dare rob the convoy. But if we slow down and one or two scouts manage to catch up, that means they’d lead the enemy right to our ranks. Can you bear the guilt of betraying us?”

The squad leader sighed and looked at him helplessly. “We may be logistics troops and seem insignificant in these exercises, but we can’t win merits nor can we be a burden, right?”

Only then did the rookie nod instinctively.

Before he could say more, the squad leader slammed on the brakes, bringing the truck to a sudden stop.

The platoon leader’s expression changed instantly. An electronic interference battalion meant that even logistics forces were aware of their presence.

Despite this, he grabbed his rifle, opened the door, and jumped out.

The men exchanged glances, then finally nodded.

Startled, someone raised his rifle and looked up cautiously.

Once seated inside the truck again, a sigh of relief escaped, but the tone remained cautious. “Platoon leader, I’m from the Communications Company of the Electronic Warfare Battalion. We were attacked last night during the exercise…”

“What’s going on with Old Fei?” came a question over the radio.

“She… what’s wrong with her?” The platoon leader opened his mouth to ask more but turned to see Xu Qiao’s food had dropped from her hands, and she leaned there as if faint.

Someone nearby glanced carefully. “Platoon leader, it seems… she’s asleep.”

Remarkably, Xu Qiao had fallen into an unusually deep and peaceful sleep.

In truth, she was exhausted, but being in the heart of Blue Army territory, it wasn’t so easy to just fall asleep.

Xu Qiao didn’t continue explaining; she could have fabricated a reason if she wished.

Within this rough and bumpy truck, she slept more comfortably than on her custom mattress at home.

Suddenly, a series of braking sounds echoed from behind, and the entire convoy came to a halt.

Everyone laughed and waved their hands to show all was well.

Sure enough, after hearing her words, although their faces showed some unease and hesitation, no one pressed her about her mission.

The female soldier relaxed and raised her ID. “Squad leader, I’m Zhou Xiaotong from the Communications Company of the Electronic Warfare Battalion. I have an important matter and need to go to Honglin Town, but I really can’t keep going.”

The female soldier standing there was none other than Xu Qiao, acting alone.

Her state was genuine; she was truly on the verge of collapse.

“No worries, we’re headed to Honglin Town. The convoy is stopping for an inspection,” someone comforted her.

Seeing the water bottle in his hand, she grabbed it without hesitation, gulping down the water.

Hearing the words, Xu Qiao instinctively looked up. Upon seeing the concerned gazes of the Blue Army soldiers, she immediately snapped back to full awareness.

The squad leader gave him a helpless glance but did not stop him.

After a few more sips, she felt somewhat revived and looked up at them. Just as she was about to speak, her legs buckled, and she nearly fell.

Old Fei shook his head. “We can’t be careless, but… we can’t just leave her here either. Take her with us.”

“She said she’s going to Honglin Town, so she must be heading to our place, right?” a rookie mumbled quietly.

Embarrassed, she lowered her rifle. “Sorry, I… just fell asleep.”

“No, no…” The rookie was the first to react, hurriedly handing her the water bottle, eyes wide with disbelief.

Xu Qiao hadn’t expected to get on a Blue Army vehicle so easily but noticed their suspicion.

Though unwell, she kept a close watch on them.

The soldiers exchanged looks, seemingly agreeing that there was no need to be so guarded with a female comrade, and all sat back down comfortably.

Xu Qiao gave them no further reason to doubt.

The platoon leader sighed deeply. “Looks like she spent the entire night in the woods—no wonder she’s exhausted.”

When asked if there was water, Xu Qiao nodded.

Upon hearing this, the guards behind jumped down, rifles ready and forming a perimeter.

That sudden braking instantly snapped her awake.

Previously, the guards had been somewhat dazed seeing a lone female soldier here, but now they came to their senses. “Electronic Warfare Battalion, they’re deep in the mountains? You… came out alone?”

But when everyone gathered around, they saw a soldier covered in grime, her uniform torn and dirty, stumbling in the middle of the road.

Indeed, in these peaceful times, their vigilance wasn’t high, especially since they weren’t facing a true enemy—they weren’t aggressive.

“Hey…” the rookie panicked and hurried forward to steady her.

After walking all night and waiting in the woods so long just for this chance, if she delayed any longer, she might have fainted in the grass before the Blue Army even found her.

She had intended to avoid further questioning this way.

But she wasn’t very savvy about these matters—she had made many mistakes. At this point, saying more would do more harm than good; it was better to remain mysterious.

Old Fei looked out, frowning. “Someone is stopping the convoy. They look like our own, but why only one person, and here of all places?”

Xu Qiao waved her hand. “I’m fine. Where are you headed? Could you take me along?”

“Squad leader, I’m coming with you,” the rookie eagerly jumped down, excitement clear—he had been waiting for this moment a long time.

Thinking this through, Xu Qiao finally relaxed completely. Exhausted beyond endurance, she leaned against the uncomfortable truck bed and truly fell asleep.

“Old Fei, this…” the guard platoon leader stepped forward, looking at Xu Qiao. “Just a female soldier, right? She’s alright?”

Apparently, the more she acted like this, the less they doubted her identity, even forgetting to continue questioning her.

As the convoy was inspected, everyone busied themselves, with no one paying attention to her.

Seizing the opportunity amid the chaos, Xu Qiao quickly jumped down.

Only then did she notice the convoy had indeed brought her to Honglin Town, even entering the military camp. She could hardly believe such good fortune existed.

(End of Chapter)