When Han Qingyu and the others returned home, Wen Jifei and Yang Qingbai were not back yet.
After asking around and learning that the two had borrowed a vehicle to head into the county town, Han Qingyu understood. In the end, Wen Jifei hadn't been able to hold back; he had wanted to see his parents one last time, or at least take one final look before leaving at the two old rooms where he had once lived, and tell his grandparents and maternal grandparents about how he was doing now.
These were things he had lost long ago. Though he was stubborn and never spoke of them, in his heart he had always longed for them and yearned to make amends.
And so, Wen Jifei's parents would probably never know.
In truth, before deciding to go home to visit and say goodbye today, their son had secretly fantasized that the three of them could sit together and have a proper chat, just like many years ago.
Not talking about grand affairs concerning the fate of humanity, just talking about his recent life—a bunch of trivial, everyday matters would be best.
At the same time, he had wanted to formally introduce Yao Yue to his parents... At one fleeting moment, Wen Jifei had even thought about hugging them one last time.
Unfortunately, all those fragile fantasies and expectations had ultimately been scattered without a trace by the crowded gathering of relatives at the entrance of the old village that morning and the overwhelming pride and boastfulness of the two households.
As for Lao Jian's family of four, Han Qingyu had used an excuse early that morning to bring them to the Azure base, and then pretended to forget and left them behind there.
By now, the base should have arranged their travel itinerary for the return trip. It was just about time to urge them to board the plane.
Captain Lao's current situation was that he already knew they would be leaving soon to take part in the next dangerous operation, but he didn't know any specific details. Because of that, he had been holding back since last night, desperately wanting to ask for a clear explanation.
Han Qingyu didn't want him to know too much. For one, he wanted to spare him pointless worry and fear; for another, he feared that if Azure mobilized forces again later, Captain Lao wouldn't be able to resist signing up to take part in the Moon operation.
"A man has to accept getting old. With your strength, there's nowhere you can be of much use anymore. From now on, retire in peace and take good care of your wife and kids. In the future, when the kids grow up, if their talent is good enough and they're willing, we can easily arrange things whether they choose Azure or our Stream Vanguard."
That was the last serious thing Han Qingyu had said to Lao Jian on the way to the base.
And then, there was the parting wave Wen Jifei and Yang Qingbai had given at the entrance of the Han family home that morning, calling out first, "Goodbye, Captain Lao. Thank you, Captain Lao."
Later, Han Qingyu, Wu Xu, and Rusty Sister had said the exact same words when parting at the gates of the small Azure base.
Among the five of them, not one had looked sorrowful or reluctant when saying those words. In fact, neither their tones nor their expressions revealed much emotional fluctuation.
It was as if this weren't a farewell where they might never see each other again.
And in that final "thank you," there was their ultimate sentiment toward being forced down this lifelong path of mortal battle: no regrets, and no resentment.
...
Father Han was not at home; presumably he had gone out to the fields again.
As a mountain peasant descended from generations of mountain folk, Han Youshan was someone who could never sit idle. Whether humanity faced doomsday or not, he always had to plant his grains and vegetables according to the season.
This was also what put Han Qingyu most at ease about his family.
Shen Fengting and Jiang Longchi had also gone to the base that morning for medical examinations. Judging by the timing, they would probably return a bit later than Han Qingyu and the others.
Mother Han was the only one at home.
Seeing them return, she talked with them while constantly bustling in and out, attending to this and that, as though she had an endless stream of chores.
By rights, it was time to start packing their luggage.
However... worried that Mother Han would be upset if she noticed, Rusty Sister and Wu Xu stood quietly, glancing at Han Qingyu one after the other with questioning eyes.
Han Qingyu hesitated for a moment.
"Go pack your things," he finally said directly. After Rusty Sister and Wu Xu left, he returned to his own room as well.
Knowing full well that his mother had been watching him all along, Han Qingyu chose not to close the door. Leaving it wide open, he began simply packing the things he needed to take.
About three minutes later, footsteps approached. Zhang Jiexia walked in without a sound, glanced around, and silently began helping her son pack his luggage.
"Is this all?" Only when the packing was finished and they were preparing to close the suitcase did his mother stand up and ask.
"Yeah. We're going to outer space; bringing too much won't be of any use anyway," Han Qingyu said.
"Oh. Going into space like that, would cured bacon and ham spoil if you took them along? What about pickled vegetables? Xiao Fei loves pickled vegetables. How about packing them in those compressed iron tins from your army? Surely that would work?" Zhang Jiexia asked again.
Han Qingyu really didn't know about that, but having those things packaged as space rations would definitely be too late now.
Besides, they couldn't actually bring cured bacon, ham, and pickled radish to wage war on the Moon against Puta'er and its Great Spike army, could they? The thought felt strange no matter how he looked at it.
For a moment, Han Qingyu didn't know how to answer, so he could only look up and smile at his mother.
Zhang Jiexia understood. Resigned, she said, "Alright, then we won't pack those things. I'll save them for you and make some more later, so you can eat them when you come back."
Why were they leaving again? Once they left, who knew how great the danger would be, or when he would return? Zhang Jiexia felt tears welling up, but held them back and said, "Check the things in the suitcase yourself one more time before you close it. I'm going back to cooking. You'll at least have lunch, right?"
"Yes, of course," Han Qingyu said hurriedly.
"How about having dinner too?" Zhang Jiexia added.
Han Qingyu nodded. "Alright."
"When are you leaving? Still taking that airship?"
"Yes. Probably early tomorrow morning, leaving under cover of night," Han Qingyu said.
"So that counts as five days, doesn't it? Heh, alright then. Remember to tell Qingbai not to forget to fill up on source energy fuel, and it's best to bring some extra just in case." Zhang Jiexia turned to leave.
Han Qingyu said, "Alright, I won't forget."
As Zhang Jiexia walked out, she urged him, "Once the fighting is over, remember to come home early. It'd be best if you did it like this time—have Qingbai fly the airship straight home and park it by the threshing ground. Your dad and I go there almost every evening anyway."
"Okay."
Han Qingyu agreed.
Given the emotion of the moment, he couldn't refuse, nor could he try to lay any groundwork or offer preemptive comfort.
Even though he knew that from this day forward, his mother would keep waiting, going to the threshing ground day after day to wait for a source energy airship to descend from the night sky like a star.
Waiting for him to come home.
Until he returned,
or until they grew old and died,
or until humanity finally met its doom.
Chapter 968