Years turn into wind

The stream meandered through the forest as Cheng Yuwei, Zhang Qiang, and Li Chao crept southward. The icy water beneath their feet gradually eroded their strength. The night deepened, and the occasional startled bird took flight, its low, hoarse cry a reminder that danger still lurked within this mountain forest.

Cheng Yuwei looked back and saw that Zhang Qiang and Li Chao's faces were full of fatigue, but they still gritted their teeth, said nothing, and followed her silently.

"Everyone, hold on a little longer," Cheng Yuwei encouraged in a low voice, "The rendezvous point is not far ahead."

Zhang Qiang nodded vigorously, but his steps seemed a little unsteady.

In danger

Not far away, several flashlights shone from the depths of the dense forest, clearly indicating the enemy was searching. Their shouts, accompanied by the barking of dogs, reached the ears of the few people clearly.

"They are catching up with us!" Li Chao lowered his voice, obviously a little panicked.

Cheng Yuwei immediately gestured for the two to lie down and hide, while carefully observing the surrounding terrain. The banks on both sides of the stream were steep, with only scattered bushes and weeds, which were not enough to hide their bodies.

She thought for a moment and whispered, "Let's split up. I'll attract their attention while you guys take the opportunity to go around to the woods ahead. We'll reunite and figure out a way to evacuate."

"Sister-in-law, no!" Zhang Qiang immediately objected, "They are so many in number, it's too dangerous for you to go alone!"

"Follow orders!" Cheng Yuwei said in a firm tone, her eyes as sharp as a knife.

The two looked at each other, and finally stopped arguing and could only nod in agreement.

A life-or-death struggle

Cheng Yuwei gripped her gun tightly, took a deep breath, and leaped out of the bushes, deliberately making some noise to attract the enemy's attention. Sure enough, the flashlight beams immediately converged in her direction, and at the same time, a shout rang out: "Over there! Chase!"

The enemy's footsteps were getting closer and closer. Cheng Yuwei quickly shuttled through the forest, using the terrain to constantly engage the enemy. A few sporadic gunshots pierced the night sky, but none of them hit the target.

At the same time, Zhang Qiang and Li Chao took the opportunity to go around to the path on the other side and looked at Cheng Yuwei's back from a distance, their eyes full of worry and anxiety.

"She will be fine." Zhang Qiang gritted his teeth and whispered, as if to comfort himself.

The dawn of light

A hint of dawn appeared on the horizon, and the darkness finally faded. However, this also meant that the enemy had a clearer view. Cheng Yuwei's physical strength was already on the verge of breaking, but she gritted her teeth and persevered, nimbly moving through the trees, never letting the enemy get close.

There was a steep cliff ahead. Cheng Yuwei didn't hesitate at all and quickly climbed up the cliff. The gravel under her feet kept sliding, but her movements were still swift and decisive.

The enemy chased her to the foot of the cliff and watched in amazement as her figure disappeared over the top of the cliff.

"She's running towards the cliff!" someone shouted, but the leading officer frowned and ordered, "Don't chase her, go around and intercept her in front."

Cheng Yuwei stood on the clifftop, looking down at the approaching enemy from a distance, her eyes calm and determined. She took a deep breath, pulled a smoke bomb from her waist, pulled the safety pin, and threw it fiercely into the woods below.

The smoke suddenly spread, obscuring the enemy's vision and buying her precious time to retreat.

Receiving the team

Cheng Yuwei descended the other side of the cliff into the woods and soon reunited with Zhang Qiang and Li Chao. Seeing that she was safe and sound, the two men breathed a sigh of relief.

"Sister-in-law, are you okay?" Zhang Qiang stepped forward to support her, his eyes full of worry.

"It's okay. It just delayed us for a little while. The contact should be here soon." Cheng Yuwei said while panting, her face still keeping calm.

Sure enough, not long after, a jeep sped down the forest path and stopped in front of the three people. Several civilian-dressed support personnel jumped out of the car, quickly checked the injuries of the three people, and beckoned them to get in.

"Finally safe!" Zhang Qiang leaned back in the car seat and breathed a long sigh of relief.

Cheng Yuwei did not relax. She looked through the car window at the mining area that was gradually moving away, with a complicated look on her face.

"Sister-in-law, where are we going next?" Li Chao asked.

"Go back." Cheng Yuwei said slowly, a cold look flashing in her eyes, "This battle is not over yet."