Brother, just how powerful is our family?

"We haven't been in touch for more than half a year. The soldiers miss home, and their families are worried. If we can let them know they're safe, it will put their minds at ease and calm them down a lot."

Qin Zhanjun was silent for a moment, then nodded:

That makes sense.

The campfires in the distance are still burning.

In the firelight, the soldiers who were gathering could be vaguely seen.

Are they still crying?

he does not know.

But he knew they needed comfort.

They need to know that their family members, fifty light-years away, are alive, well, and waiting for them to return.

"Pass down the order." Qin Zhanjun turned around, his voice steady and powerful, "Immediately establish a large-scale quantum communication system."

"The goal is to connect the solar system, connect the Earth, and connect the Yanhuang continent."

"To ensure that every soldier can video call their family during their rest period."

"Let their families know that they are still alive."

"Let them know that their family is still waiting for them."

Adjutant stands at attention and salutes:

"yes!"

The moment the order was given, the entire planet Zenu came to life.

Engineering teams worked overnight to build a quantum communication base station.

The communications soldiers were busy adjusting the equipment and testing the signal.

The logistics department began scheduling shifts and arranging call times for each unit.

Everything is proceeding smoothly.

The newly assembled soldiers stood in the night, awaiting their next orders.

The battalion commander stood at the front of the column, looking at the soldiers whose faces still bore traces of tears, and remained silent for a moment.

Then he spoke:

"I won't pursue what happened earlier."

"Because I cried too."

A slight commotion arose within the group.

The battalion commander continued, "It's not shameful to miss home. It's not shameful to cry. What's shameful is not being able to get back up after crying."

"You are warriors, warriors of the Chinese people. You may shed tears, but after you have shed them, you must continue to fight."

"Because your homes are right behind you. If you don't fight, who will? If you don't defend them, who will?"

The line was completely silent.

The battalion commander took a deep breath:

"We just received orders from headquarters to set up a quantum communication system so you can have video calls with your families."

"We haven't been in touch for more than half a year. Your families must miss you."

"Go and let them know you're safe and sound, that you're still alive and well, and that you're still fighting for their country."

In the line, those who had been hanging their heads gradually raised them.

Those eyes, which were originally dim, gradually brightened.

Video call?

With family?

Really?

The battalion commander looked at those expressions and a rare smile appeared on his lips:

"What are you all standing there for? Go back to sleep! Starting tomorrow, we'll schedule calls in batches!"

"Disband!"

The group dispersed.

But this time, the sound of footsteps spreading out carried a different rhythm.

That's a kind of—

look forward to.

Wang Jianguo walked back to his residence, his steps much lighter than when he came.

video call.

It's been more than half a year.

I can finally see them again.

Wife Li Xiuying, son Wang Xiaochuan, father Wang Dashan, mother...

Are they all alright?

Has the fine line at the corner of Sooyoung's eye gotten deeper?

Has Xiaochuan grown taller? Do you still remember what your father looks like?

Does Father's leg still hurt?

Has my mother's gray hair increased again?

He wanted to know.

He wanted to see them.

He wanted to tell them in person—I'm alive, I'm fine, I'll be back.

for sure.

Li Weiguo walked beside him, equally silent.

But his steps were equally light and quick.

Chen Jing, Niu Niu.

It's been half a year since I last saw her. Niu Niu should be walking by now, right? Can she talk yet? Can she say "Daddy"?

Is it hard for Chen Jing to raise her child alone? Is she tired? Does she have anyone to help her?

He wanted to know.

He wanted to see them.

He wanted to tell them in person—wait for me, wait for me to finish the war, and I will definitely come back to reunite with them.

for sure.

Wei Zhiqiang walked alone at the back.

How is your family?

Is Grandpa still in good health? Can he still work in the fields?

He wanted to know.

He wanted to see them.

He wanted to tell them in person that he was still alive, that he hadn't disgraced his grandfather, and that he would keep fighting.

for sure.

In the distance, the campfires were still burning.

That blue flag with a golden dragon still flies high on the flagpole.

The golden dragon's body seemed to come alive in the firelight, winding and coiling above the Milky Way.

The sun will rise as usual tomorrow.

Tomorrow, the soldiers will continue to rest, relax, and wait.

But tomorrow will be different.

Because starting tomorrow, they will be able to hear their family members' voices, see their family members' faces, and know news about their family members.

That slight difference might be enough.

Perhaps, this will give them more perseverance, more courage, and more hope of survival in the battles to come.

The night breeze carries the scent of distant lands.

Do those smells carry the scent of home?

Maybe.

Maybe not.

But it's okay.

Because home is in your heart.

Because home is waiting for them to return.

The next day, the sun rose as usual.

The sky above Zenu Star was still that pale orange-red.

In the distance, a K-type orange dwarf star was slowly rising from the horizon, casting its warm light upon this land that had just experienced the ravages of war.

The atmosphere at the campsite was somewhat different.

Those soldiers who were crying their eyes out last night now had an undisguised look of anticipation on their faces.

They gathered in small groups, whispering amongst themselves, their eyes occasionally drifting toward the newly constructed area in the center of the camp.

There, rows of temporary buildings have already sprung up.

Quantum communication base station.

There are a total of one hundred communication cabins, each of which can accommodate ten people to make video calls at the same time.

As planned, the first batch of 5,000 soldiers will reconnect with their families here today after being separated for half a year.

Wang Jianguo stood in the crowd, looking at the communication cabins, his palms slightly sweaty.

Six months.

For a full six months, I neither heard their voices nor saw their faces.

My wife, Li Xiuying, should be thirty-nine years old this year. Has the fine line at the corner of her eye gotten deeper?

My son, Wang Xiaochuan, should be eleven years old this year. When his father left when he was five, he could only cry while clinging to his leg. Now, he should be a grown man by now, right?

My father, Wang Dashan, is seventy-six years old this year. Does the shrapnel in his leg still hurt?

My mother... is seventy-three this year. How is her health?

he does not know.

All he knew was that he would see it in a little while.

"Third Battalion, First Company, First Batch! Advance!"

The messenger's shout interrupted Wang Jianguo's thoughts.

He took a deep breath and followed the group toward the communications cabin.