50s: Starting with a storage ring

Chapter 240 Returning to the Capital on a Snowy Night

The three improved Y-5 aircraft operate in similar ways. Sun Zhiwei plans to try out the Y-5D first to accumulate experience for flying bombers later.

Of course, the Y-5C will also be tested on seaplane takeoff and landing, since it's different from ground takeoff, and it needs to understand the differences. But it won't spend too much time on it.

He just asked to add a course at the last minute, which was skydiving.

If you don't learn this, your life won't be guaranteed. Luckily, there's a Y-5D parachute here, and the school also offers this course.

He decided to make up for the missed course, and future students will also learn skydiving here.

Sun Zhiwei devoted himself entirely to the airport, eating and sleeping there during the day and returning to his father-in-law's house to sleep at night, flying for seven or eight hours every day.

January arrived quickly.

On the 8th, Sun Zhiwei was restless all day and even made several operational mistakes. When the coach saw his condition, he temporarily ordered the training to be stopped.

Sun Zhiwei knew this was for his own good, so he could only obey and go home to rest.

Before dawn the next day, the base's loudspeaker, which usually only went on at 6 a.m., suddenly started playing funeral music. Only then did Sun Zhiwei understand why he had acted that way the day before.

He had some recollection of this time in his past life, but the memory was vague and he couldn't quite put it together. However, when his body reached this point, he naturally felt sorrow.

Upon hearing the broadcast, everyone in the family got up. Sun Zhiwei and Tong Guodong, dressed neatly, stood side by side on the balcony, gazing northwards.

After a long silence, Sun Zhiwei, his eyes red, suddenly said, "Dad, I'd like to ask for a few days off to see you off on your final journey."

“Go ahead, but there’s no time to buy tickets now. I’ll have Xiang Yi drive you back to Beijing; that will be faster.”

"Yes, thank you, Dad."

"No need. I can't leave without orders, otherwise I would have gone back to the capital with you."

"When you go back this time, wear your naval uniform; consider it my way of seeing you off."

Yes. Thank you, Dad!

Sun Zhiwei understood his father-in-law's meaning: to see him off on his behalf. This would give him the status of a representative, allowing him to attend any occasions that Tong Guodong could go to.

Otherwise, Sun Zhiwei could only watch from afar.

After lunch, Sun Zhiwei and Xiang Yi braved the cold wind and got into a Jeep 212.

The distance from Qingdao to Beijing is over 500 kilometers, and the entire route is a national highway with decent road conditions. However, just as the two set off, it suddenly started snowing heavily.

In such cold weather, and with no heating on the 212 bus, the insulation was very poor. Sun Zhiwei and Xiang Yi both got on the bus wrapped in military overcoats.

There was also a box of Langyatai liquor in the car, for them to keep warm on the road. You say drunk driving? That's not true.

Xiang Yi looks young, but to become Tong Guodong's bodyguard, being able to refuse drinks is a basic job, and he can drink at least 3 jin (1.5 catties) of alcohol.

Sun Zhiwei has improved over the years. Unlike back in Northeast China, when he could be easily drunk, now he can walk without feeling unsteady after just two bottles.

The two took turns driving north, but against the wind and snow, they couldn't go fast.

The car they were in had a modified fuel tank that could hold 70 liters of fuel. The cold weather caused it to run out of fuel quickly, and by the time they reached Pennsylvania, the tank was almost empty.

They quickly found a nearby military base to refuel.

When the soldiers responsible for refueling heard that they were going to Beijing to pay their respects, they not only quickly filled up their tanks but also gave them their own hot steamed buns.

After thanking them, the two enjoyed a hearty afternoon meal at Langya Terrace before setting off again.

They couldn't go without eating; it was too cold. The biting wind blew straight into the car through the gaps, making it impossible to retain body heat. By the time they arrived in Tianjin at nightfall, they were both freezing.

They parked the car at a nearby military camp, rolled up their sleeves, wrapped themselves in military overcoats, and got out of the car, shivering.

Sun Zhiwei was now filled with regret, his nose was constantly running, and he was muttering curses under his breath:
"If I'd known, I would have just driven back in my Lucky 5. It's cold too, but at least I wouldn't have been freezing for hours. Achoo!"

"Brother, hurry up and find something to eat, it's too cold." Even Xiang Yi, this strong young man, couldn't stand it anymore, and he was in the same state as him.

"Let's go to the cafeteria. They should be serving food right now. Let's go and mooch a meal."

The head chef in the canteen almost burst out laughing when he saw the two men dressed in naval uniforms and frozen so badly.

However, the chef was kind enough to serve each of them a bowl of hot soup to warm their stomachs.

The two thanked him repeatedly, then wrapped themselves in their coats and squatted down to drink the soup.

As the head chef served them their food, he asked, "Young men, where are you from?"

"Slurp, Qin Island."

"Wow, that's several hundred miles long."

"Where are you all going? Why don't you take the train in this freezing weather? Look how cold you are."

"Back to Beijing. Too late. I'll see you off."

The chef immediately understood the meaning of the simple combination of words, and the spoon in his hand stopped abruptly.

But the chef quickly recovered and sped up serving the rice, piling the dishes on top of it.

But he choked out, "Alright, alright, it's time to see them off. Young men, eat quickly, and set off immediately without delay."

The two of them didn't say anything more, finished their soup in one gulp, and started eating rice.

Having filled their stomachs and warmed up, the two knew they couldn't stop, or they wouldn't want to walk anymore.

After saying goodbye to the cafeteria staff, they set off again.

With over two hundred miles to go, Sun Zhiwei poured himself a shot of Langyatai liquor, and while it was still hot, he floored the accelerator.

Nearly two hours later, the two entered the capital city. Sun Zhiwei saw that the sky was gloomy with dark clouds overhead, but the snow was not falling.

They were representing Tong Guodong in Beijing, so they had to report to the Navy compound first, and then the compound would report their names.

Once approved, their names will be added to the condolence list. Otherwise, Sun Zhiwei won't even be allowed into the venue.

It's already very late, and they don't know if anyone is still in the compound office, but they have to go and check anyway.

The car quickly arrived at the gate of the compound. After registering, the guards pointed them in the direction of the office.

Although he had never been to the office, Tong Jiajia would sometimes talk about the old days in the compound, and she would mention the location of the office in the meantime.

When the car stopped downstairs at the office building, they were greeted by a brightly lit office building bustling with people, which didn't look like it was nine or ten o'clock at night at all.

Xiang Yi didn't quite understand, but Sun Zhiwei roughly grasped the reason. However, this was just right, and they immediately went into the building to find the person in charge.

Because it was so busy inside, the staff member in charge of receiving them was very impatient. But as soon as the two mentioned Tong Guodong's name, the staff member immediately went from being impatient to taking it seriously.

(End of this chapter)