RMM – Chapter 81 Departure Approaches

Xi Yuechen casually packed a few necessary belongings, discarded what he didn’t need, and left everything else untouched.

Yesterday, he had already asked Su Ruo where she was staying, so today, he directly asked Wang Zé to drive him to Zhengjiayuan.

He left without informing anyone, planning to just slip away quietly without letting the regiment hold a farewell party for him.

Everyone in the elite battalion was reluctant to see the commander go. Though he’d always been distant, he had genuinely cared for them and taught them many skills. All the honors the battalion held today had been won under his leadership.

As the saying goes, “Ironclad camps, soldiers come and go.” The commander had a better future ahead of him and couldn’t possibly remain their leader forever. Besides, the orders had already come — what could they do?

A heavy atmosphere hung over the battalion, a collective silence.

Since the commander was leaving today, all officers and soldiers in the elite battalion voluntarily gathered at the camp’s main gate to send him off. The higher-ups turned a blind eye and tacitly allowed it.

They hadn’t told Xi Yuechen about this. Given his personality, he would have rejected the gesture outright. But after fighting side by side for so long, how could they possibly remain unmoved now that the man they most respected and admired was leaving?

Sitting in the car, Xi Yuechen instantly understood the situation when he saw the formation. He didn’t ask Wang Zé to stop or roll down the window.

Wang Zé, familiar with the commander’s reserved demeanor, knew he wouldn’t get out to say goodbye to so many comrades, so he continued driving — though much slower than usual.

As the car approached the assembled troops, the commander of the first company shouted, “Salute!”

Swish!

Every soldier raised their right hand in a powerful, unified salute.

The car didn’t stop but continued forward slowly. The soldiers on both sides of the road held their salutes unwaveringly, their eyes following the car as it gradually receded into the distance. Many had reddened eyes and clenched jaws.

Under the sunlight, in the gentle breeze — silent, yet grand.

Farewell, Commander. We wish you the best.

Watching the scene through the window, Xi Yuechen felt his heart stir. A deep melancholy welled up inside him. Once parted, who knew when they would meet again?

Wang Zé felt a wave of emotion as he glanced at the comrades outside. The solemnity of the moment pressed on his chest. From the corner of his eye, he caught the silent commander beside him. Holding back his grief, he clenched the steering wheel tightly, knuckles turning white.

Only when the car had completely left and disappeared from view did the soldiers finally lower their salutes and turn back toward the base. The cement road stretched under the sun, a stark white ribbon leading endlessly into the distance.

So many men, so many trained and excellent soldiers, now walked back in scattered groups. The white of the cement against their olive-green uniforms gave rise to a lonely and desolate feeling.

He’s gone. It’s time for all of us to move on.

Xi Yuechen wasn’t feeling great either. No one is made of stone — who could be truly emotionless? Even someone as reserved as him wasn’t immune. Those comrades he’d lived and fought beside day and night — how could he remain unaffected? That moment had etched itself deep in his heart.

Ah, life… people come and go. Joy at first meeting, and indifference at parting — in this fleeting existence, who truly remembers whom?

Xi Yuechen suddenly felt a dryness in his eyes and a weight in his chest.

The rest of the ride was silent.

Soon, they arrived at Zhengjiayuan. Su Ruo, having heard last night that Xi Yuechen was coming back today, had been waiting in the garden since early morning, watching the road expectantly.

Now, spotting the car approaching, her eyes lit up. She quickly stood and ran over.

“Commander!” she called out just as Xi Yuechen was getting out of the car.

Seeing her radiant smile, a warmth bloomed in Xi Yuechen’s heart. The heavy emotions eased a little.

“Hmm. Why are you outside instead of indoors?” He could tell she’d been waiting for him, and his expression softened.

“Hello, sister-in-law!” Wang Zé stepped forward and greeted Su Ruo loudly, finally catching her attention.

“Uh, hello,” she replied a bit shyly.

“Bro, you’re back! Mom, my brother’s here!” came Xǐ Yuèhuī’s excited voice from behind.

Everyone now knew that Xi Yuechen was being transferred to Province D. Naturally, this visit home was a big deal.

Since he didn’t have much luggage, Xǐ Yuèhuī and Wang Zé brought it in. At that moment, Shen Liáng came out as well.

“Little Wang, you’ve worked hard all these years, always driving Yuèchén home,” Shen Liáng said kindly.

“Ma’am, don’t say that. It’s been my honor. Though… now I may not get another chance.”

With those words, the newly cheerful atmosphere froze again.

Shen Liáng glanced at the others, then said to Xǐ Yuèhuī, “Come with me. Let’s help your brother unpack.”

After they left, Wang Zé looked uneasy. “It’s my fault… I shouldn’t have said that…”

“Come on, it’s nothing. Let’s go inside for a while,” Su Ruo said with a smile, cutting off his self-blame.

“No, I need to get back — there’s a meeting I need to attend.” Wang Zé offered an apologetic smile. This would probably be the last time he’d see the commander.

“Be careful on the road,” Xi Yuechen finally said. It was a farewell, and Su Ruo didn’t press him to stay.

“Yes, sir… Commander…” Wang Zé wanted to say more but couldn’t find the words. He saluted — everything he wanted to say was in that one gesture.

“Do your best.” Xi Yuechen returned the salute, his voice calm — but each word weighed heavy on Wang Zé’s heart.

“Yes, sir! And you too, sir — stay safe. I’m off!” Wang Zé’s voice trembled with emotion. He turned and got into the car, speeding off.

Xi Yuechen’s gaze lingered on the receding vehicle, his eyes deep with thought.

“Commander, let’s go inside,” Su Ruo said softly. Seeing him like this hurt her. His sadness was palpable.

“Alright. Let’s go.” He turned and headed toward the house.

Inside, the atmosphere was still heavy. Shen Liáng and Xǐ Yuèhuī sat silently, each lost in thought.

“Mom, didn’t you say you wanted to make something special today? It’s almost mealtime — let’s cook together, okay?”

Su Ruo tried to lift the mood with a smile.

“Oh,” Shen Liáng blinked, as if just coming to. “Yes, I’ve already planned the dishes. I even picked fresh ingredients myself this morning. Let’s take a look.”

“Today’s meal is bound to be delicious. Just thinking about it is making me hungry,” Su Ruo joked as they headed to the kitchen.

Xi Yuechen glanced at the two departing figures, adjusted his emotions, and sat down on the sofa.

“Bro, you’re leaving for Province D tomorrow?” Xǐ Yuèhuī asked.

“Yeah,” Xi Yuechen replied evenly. “Leaving in the morning.”

“How long will you be gone? Will you be able to come home often?”

Although the brothers hadn’t spent much time together growing up, Xǐ Yuèhuī respected and admired him deeply. Knowing his brother was headed to a remote, unstable region made him uneasy.

“Probably not. I’ll be busy — it’ll take time to get used to things over there.” Seeing how worried his family was, Xi Yuechen was briefly moved.

Only Su Fēng and Xǐ Jiàn’ān knew the true reason for his transfer. The others assumed it was a routine reassignment, unaware of the lurking dangers.

They ate quickly. For once, the meal was lively. Even Xǐ Jiàn’ān didn’t say much, quietly preparing to talk to his eldest son alone afterward.

Shen Liáng really wanted to suggest sending a housekeeper with Yuèchén — someone to take care of him in that unfamiliar place. But she swallowed the words every time. She knew both her husband and son would reject the idea.

Her son was capable, independent, and never needed their help. But that only made her heart ache more. He had to face everything alone.

After dinner, Xǐ Jiàn’ān called Xi Yuechen into the study, leaving the others in the living room.

“I wonder if families are allowed to see off the soldiers,” Shen Liáng sighed. “I’d like to visit where Yuèchén will be stationed — it’d give me peace of mind.”

“Mom, even if it were allowed, you know my brother wouldn’t let you go. That’s just how he is,” Xǐ Yuèhuī said. “Besides, if anyone should see him off, it’s sister-in-law.”

“Did I ask you? Don’t need your obvious reminders,” Shen Liáng snapped, still upset.

“I—Mom, don’t be so unreasonable,” Xǐ Yuèhuī muttered helplessly.

Su Ruo quietly listened. When exactly will he leave tomorrow? she wondered, sighing inwardly.

Xi Yuechen stayed in the study for a long time. After the talk, Xǐ Jiàn’ān remained behind while his son came out.

Since they didn’t have time to visit the military compound tomorrow, Xi Yuechen took Su Ruo with him that evening.

Naturally, he spent most of the time speaking privately with Su Fēng. By the time they emerged, it was almost dark.

Zhāng Huáqīng gave Su Fēng a reproachful look, then said they should stay for dinner.

“Mom, don’t bother. Let’s head home. I’ll come back in a few days and stay over, okay?”

She understood and nodded, gently reminding Xi Yuechen to take care of himself once he was over there.

Since morning, Su Ruo hadn’t had much chance to talk with Xi Yuechen. They’d been running around nonstop.

After dinner, Shen Liáng told them to go back to their room — the couple surely had things to say before parting.

But once inside, Su Ruo couldn’t say much. She only managed, “Take care of your health,” before falling silent, a weight in her chest.

Lying in bed, arms wrapped around her, Xi Yuechen knew she was still awake. He sighed and said softly, “Don’t worry — I’ve always lived this way.”

Su Ruo knew how hard he’d fought to get here, yet she still couldn’t stop worrying or feeling reluctant to let go.

She turned, wrapping her arms around his waist and resting her head on his chest. Her voice came out muffled — whether by emotion or his chest, even she didn’t know.

“Make sure you eat and rest well. I’ll come visit you.”

“It’s remote over there. The conditions are poor. Better you don’t. I’ll come home when I’m on leave.” He refused.

“I will come! Try and stop me!” she suddenly raised her voice. If he told her not to come, she would — she wasn’t so delicate!

“Sleep. We’ll talk later.” Xi Yuechen ended the conversation firmly. In the end, she wouldn’t be going.

“I don’t want to sleep.”

Just as she said that, Xi Yuechen felt her hand slipping toward his abdomen, exploring further down.

Perhaps because tomorrow he’d be gone — for who knew how long — he didn’t stop her. Instead, he flipped over and pinned her beneath him, lowering his head to kiss her lips.

The night stretched long. Passion overflowed.