1978: A Literary Giant Who Began His Military Service

Chapter 67 The Company Has Arrived

Guangxi News Office.

Another half month passed, and Zhou Xu, who had been limping, was no longer limping. His recovery ability was quite good, even though he had been recuperating for almost two months.

In the past few days, family members have been coming to pay their respects to the martyrs and to present medals to their families. The local government has covered all the travel expenses for these families.

Of course, Zhou Xu was still responsible for being a reporter. When he encountered touching stories worth recording, he would write a report and publish it in the group's newspaper.

in the afternoon.

Just as Zhou Xu reached the door and was about to head to the military region, Zhang Lingxiao called out to him, "Comrade Zhou Xu!"

"Commander!" Zhou Xu hurried over.

“Song Zhipeng just called and said he wants you to go to their company camp. Also, Zhou Youcai’s parents are here…” Zhang Lingxiao paused.

Zhou Xu nodded: "I understand, sir."

Zhou Xu stayed on the front lines for so long for two main reasons. First, he wanted to finish writing his work before leaving. Second, he wanted to stay and pay his respects at Zhou Youcai's grave, and then visit Zhou Youcai's parents.

He borrowed a bicycle from the press office and went to the army camp.

Next, they arrived at the camp of Song Zhipeng's company.

Their company was part of the frontline infiltration and spearhead units, and nearly a third of their soldiers were killed... Of course, this is a heavy topic.

This is also why Song Zhipeng wanted to be discharged from the hospital as soon as possible. As the company commander, he had a responsibility to settle the families of the fallen soldiers.

They waited for Zhou Xu's figure to appear at the company gate on his old bicycle.

Li Jin immediately greeted, "Comrade Zhou Xu! Over here!"

Zhou Xu walked over to Li Jin and asked, "Squad Leader Li, is your injury better?"

"Look at me, I'm still full of energy! But I have to thank you, you protected me from the front!" Li Jin said with a smile.

"By the way, where is the company commander?" Zhou Xu continued to ask.

"He's inside! Youcai's parents are here, so we notified you immediately." Li Jin led Zhou Xu inside, and when he mentioned Zhou Youcai, Squad Leader Li sighed slightly.

Zhou Xu followed Li Jin inside.

Entered the house.

Upon seeing Secretary Zhou's familiar face, I saw him sitting on a bench, holding a cup of tea, while his elderly mother, looking haggard, was still holding Zhou Youcai's little brother in her arms.

Zhou Xu paused for a moment, then walked over: "Secretary! Aunt!"

Secretary Zhou looked up at Zhou Xu, who had a slight limp, and paused for a moment: "Xiao Xu! Hey...! You can sit here first."

Secretary Zhou wasn't as haggard as Cai's mother, but she still looked somewhat emaciated... After all, she had been traveling for several days, changing cars and trains, and coupled with her grief over her child's sacrifice, she naturally looked rather haggard.

Youcai's mother asked, "How did Youcai leave?"

Li Jin immediately stepped forward and said sadly, "Youcai took the initiative to walk in front and stepped on the enemy's landmine to escape in order to protect our company! He is a hero of our company! Auntie."

"I understand!" Youcai's mother nodded, her arms trembling slightly as she held her youngest son.

"Auntie, the company will be distributing the soldiers' first-class merit medals to everyone later! Why don't you go and rest for a while? I see you've been very tired from the journey." Song Zhipeng got up and helped Secretary Zhou and his wife.

"Well... I'll let you know later. Secretary, you should go and rest now." Zhou Xu followed the family out of the house.

He carried a bag of White Rabbit candies with him, and looking at Youcai's younger brother, he took out the whole bag of milk candies: "Youyong must be hungry on the way, give him this bag of milk candies! Otherwise he'll be bored at the camp." Youcai's mother said, "No, no, no."

“There’s no reason not to, Auntie. You know that Youcai and I are usually the closest.”

Zhou Xu's compensation was certainly motivated by grief and guilt over his brother's death, emotions that Cai's mother could understand.

She stuffed the milk candies into her bag, taking out only one for her youngest son, Youyong.

Once we arrived at our destination, we settled the family in.

Zhou Xu stayed inside the house and talked with Secretary Zhou and his family, mostly about their experiences in the recruit training camp.

They all wanted to know about their child's experiences in the military, so Zhou Xu naturally launched into a long explanation.

Finally, he took out a few developed photos from his bag.

He took many photos of the company, including one of Zhou Youcai, and left those photos with Secretary Zhou and his wife.

"...Who are you in these photos?"

Photos were expensive these days, and Youcai's mother was about to pay when Zhou Xu quickly said, "Auntie, I'm a photography officer in the army. I kept a copy of these photos when I got them developed! You don't need to pay for them."

"it is good."

After doing all that, Zhou Xu took out another two hundred yuan from his bag.

"This is Brother Youcai's salary in the company, plus his salary for the next six months! Brother Youcai has received many awards in the company, such as 'Outstanding Training Pace-setter' and 'Single Skill Expert,' and the bonuses for these awards are also included here."

Including some compensation from the company, it totaled two hundred yuan. I've packed it up for Brother Youcai; he insisted I give it to you!

Zhou Xu's share was also included; a soldier's annual bonuses and salary amounted to only a few dozen yuan.

"...So much? Xiao Xu, don't give us your money as a subsidy! You're the only breadwinner in your family!" Secretary Zhou said.

Seeing this, Company Commander Song paused for a moment, then tried to smooth things over: "There is that much, Youcai's father, you don't need to worry, the source of the money is all clear."

This put the couple at ease.

Zhou Xu handed over the money and photos to the couple before he felt a little relieved.

He followed the others out of the bedroom and closed the door. His parents stayed behind to rest.

……

Song Zhipeng saw through Zhou Xu's trick at a glance and immediately asked him, "You subsidized them yourself, didn't you? You subsidized them over a hundred yuan!?"

Zhou Xu nodded. Song Zhipeng had helped sort out the money, so how could he not know? "I see my talented younger brother is still so young, while the Party Secretary is so old..."

"Where did you get this money? Did you give them all your prize money and royalties?" Song Zhipeng asked.

"No, I actually still have a couple hundred yuan in royalties." Zhou Xu shook his head. He had originally planned to give three hundred, but then he thought that three hundred was too much, and even if he lied and said it was a bonus, no one would believe him.

Song Zhipeng paused for a moment: "Well, originally I was thinking that after they left, Li Jin and I prepared 100 yuan for them."

“…Company Commander, you’ve gone to a lot of trouble,” Zhou Xu replied.

"Um……"

The two sat outside and took a couple of puffs of their cigarettes.

(End of this chapter)