Names: Uncle Zhao Mengsheng, Father-in-law Pei Yihong

The train rumbled and sped northwest, the sound of its wheels rolling over the rails monotonous and dull.

The scenery outside the window gradually changed from lush green fields to yellowish wasteland. The wind carried sand and dust, which lashed against the car window, leaving blurry streaks.

Qi Tongwei and other new recruits rode a green-skinned train.

Qi Tongwei saw hope.

Zhao Ruilong slumped in the window seat, looking impatient and muttering to himself.

"Why is this damn train so slow!" Zhao Ruilong kicked the suitcase beside him. "It's been swaying for almost two days and we still haven't arrived. If my dad finds out I've suffered like this, he'll skin Li Dakang alive!"

As soon as he said that, several new recruits looked over.

Sitting diagonally across from me, Cheng Du was the first to lose his temper, frowning as he spoke up: "Hey, can you keep your voice down? Everyone else came on this train, are you some kind of delicate angel?"

Zhao Ruilong glanced at Cheng Du with disdain: "So what if I'm delicate?"

Does this have anything to do with you? My dad is Zhao Lichun, do you know who he is?

"If you're so capable, why don't you ask your dad to arrange a more comfortable sleeper berth for you? Stop being sarcastic!"

Zhao Ruilong really wanted to get a sleeper berth, but all the new recruits were assigned hard seats.

I just want to lie down and have a good sleep.

"What's wrong with Zhao Lichun? Once we're on this train, we're all new recruits. There's no such thing as high or low status!" A thin, dark-skinned recruit next to him spoke up.

His name is Zhang Qi. He comes from the countryside and speaks bluntly: "We're all here to join the army, not to enjoy a life of leisure. If you think it's too slow, don't come."

"Exactly!" Another tall, thin recruit, Liu Hailong, chimed in, looking at Zhao Ruilong like he was an idiot. "Look at your delicate skin, you've probably never been out in public before, have you? You complain about being slow? You should be grateful you even have a seat. Do you really think you're some kind of young master?"

Guo Fendou also chimed in, "Brother, a soldier should act like a soldier. What kind of talk is this, dawdling and complaining all the time? No matter how slow this train is, it's still heading to the northern frontier, to toughen us up. If you can't take it, you can still get off now! Go home, marry an aunt, and have kids."

Hahaha!

Everyone laughed.

Zhao Ruilong's face turned red and white as he was being talked about. He pointed at them but couldn't speak for a long time. "You...you dare to talk about me like that? Let me tell you, I have people in the military region."

"When I get to the army, you'll be in for a rough time!"

"Hahaha, someone's there? Trying to make things difficult for us?" Cheng Du scoffed. "Someone like you, you might not even be able to keep up with training in the army, and you think you can make things difficult for us? Don't dream about it!"

Qi Tongwei knew Zhao Ruilong all too well; the two had too many entanglements in their previous life.

However, now, facing Zhao Ruilong, Qi Tongwei can't bring himself to hate him at all, nor does he want to.

I never expected Zhao Ruilong to join the army.

Memories from his previous life flashed through his mind. He knew Zhao Ruilong's personality and was also aware of the passion and purity of these new recruits.

Until Zhao Ruilong still wanted to argue, Qi Tongwei slowly spoke up, "Alright, stop arguing."

When we put on this uniform, we are soldiers.

Once we board this train, we are comrades-in-arms.

The train is slow, which is an objective fact, and complaining will not solve any problems.

Now that you've put on this military uniform, you should act like a soldier, less of a spoiled brat and more of a responsible person.

We join the army not to enjoy a life of luxury, but to temper our will and defend our country.

Otherwise, you'll suffer when you get to the army.

Qi Tongwei's voice wasn't loud, but it instantly silenced the entire audience.

Although he was a new recruit, he possessed a calm and composed aura.

Everyone instinctively shut their mouths. Zhao Ruilong also dared not be arrogant anymore, still muttering to himself, but no longer daring to complain loudly.

Qi Tongwei remembered the names of Zhang Qi, Liu Hailong, Guo Fendou, and others.

The new recruit next to him, who had been silent and sitting upright, caught his attention.

With his hands resting naturally on his lap and his sharp eyes, he exuded an air of integrity even while sitting, unlike a child from an ordinary family.

The train continued northwest, and the wilderness outside the window grew increasingly vast.

Gradually, a golden sand dune appeared in the distance, stretching endlessly as far as the eye could see.

When the wind blows, sand and dust fill the sky, creating a spectacular yet desolate scene.

"Look! It's a desert!" Zhang Qi was the first to point out the window and shout excitedly, "This is the first time in my life I've ever seen a desert, it's so magnificent!"

Liu Hailong also leaned closer to the window, nodding repeatedly: "It really is a desert! Even more spectacular than what you see on TV!"

Cheng Du craned his neck to look, laughing as he said, "I never imagined there was such a beautiful place in the northern border region. Although it's desolate, it's truly magnificent! Brother Tongwei, look, those sand dunes stretch endlessly! Our motherland is vast and expansive."

Qi Tongwei looked out the window and nodded slightly: "It is indeed magnificent, but the environment here is also more difficult than we imagined. I hope we can all persevere and be qualified soldiers."

Only Zhao Ruilong, looking at the desert outside the window, turned deathly pale instantly.

A chill ran through her, a wave of despair washing over her. Tears welled in her eyes, and she sobbed softly, "Waaah... Where am I? It's all sand, not a single tree... I want to go home, I want to go home..."

He recalled what Li Dakang had said when he saw him off: that Northern Xinjiang had grasslands, snow-capped mountains, whole roasted lamb, and unlimited raisins. There were also tents with comfortable beds and free-flowing goat milk.

Damn it!

Li Dakang is indeed a master of empty promises.

But all that could be seen was a vast desert, with not a single person in sight.

Where can I find roasted whole lamb?

Where can I get goat milk?

The more I thought about it, the more wronged and regretful I felt. I wished I could jump off the train and go home immediately, never to come to this godforsaken place again.

Seeing his expression, Zhang Qi curled his lip and said with disdain, "Zhao Ruilong, is it really necessary?"

"It's just a desert. Why are you crying and whining like a woman? Aren't you ashamed?"

"No, it's not shameful. I joined the army because I had no choice but to endure hardship." Zhao Ruilong lowered his head, his heart filled with resentment.

He resented Zhao Lichun for forcing him to join the army.

He hated Li Dakang for deceiving him.

I hate that my second sister didn't stop it.

I hate myself even more for being so obedient back then and actually coming to this godforsaken place.

I really want to go home.

The train bumped and rumbled all the way, crossing barren lands and deserts, and finally stopped at a remote train station after nearly 90 hours.

As soon as I opened the door, a strong wind carrying sand and dust hit me, making it impossible to open my eyes.

The new recruits quickly wrapped themselves tightly in their military uniforms.

It was even more desolate than they had imagined.

"My God, this wind is so strong!" Cheng Du couldn't help but sneeze, rubbing his hands. "This wind feels like knives cutting my face!"

Qi Tongwei said with a wry smile, "No matter what the conditions are, we must persevere."

They come, the security.

Never be a deserter.

The usually taciturn recruit remained upright and calm.

The strong wind had no effect on him whatsoever; he merely glanced around calmly, his eyes showing no surprise, only composure.

Zhao Ruilong cried out, "I want to go home! I don't want to stay here! The wind is too strong here, I can't stand it! Li Dakang, you lied to me! I want to find my dad!"