A bullet passed straight through He Feng’s right abdomen, and combined with his old wounds, half his body was numb. He Feng wasn’t too familiar with intact Nanjing, but he was extremely familiar with these streets and alleys full of ruins.

To guard against the current situation, he had surveyed the terrain of nearby areas beforehand – which ruined buildings were suitable for ambushes, which places were good for hiding, and he even knew clearly which houses had cellars.

He carried Li Changsheng and jumped into a cellar. Before he could steady himself, five or six men, women, elderly and children stared at him face to face. He Feng turned and ran out immediately – he couldn’t implicate this group of defenseless civilians.

It was too difficult to run while carrying someone.

Li Changsheng was completely unconscious, swaying back and forth. He Feng had to bounce him up from time to time to prevent him from falling off.

The sky was extremely overcast today. Although there usually weren’t many sunny days anyway, the city was always faintly shrouded in yellow sand and smoke, but looking at these dark clouds, it would most likely rain.

There were sounds of vehicles on the left side – probably alarming the main force.

He Feng was chased out of his familiar area. Just as he was about to be forced onto the wide main road, he suddenly saw Xie Chi’s qipao shop. He remembered there was a hidden basement inside, so he hid in there carrying Li Changsheng.

The Japanese soldiers saw him hide this way. When a person disappeared into thin air, they would naturally conduct a carpet search. He Feng couldn’t just hide like this. He took all his weapons and equipment and left the qipao shop, leading them in the opposite direction.

…

Xie Chi composed her emotions and prepared to return to the hospital. A’Ru cried and hugged her, reluctant to let her go.

Xie Chi stroked her back and stayed with her in the safety zone for a while, then suddenly suggested letting her come to the hospital to help. A’Ru naturally agreed.

Just as they finished packing, there was suddenly the sound of bombing outside, along with frequent gunfire.

People discussed among themselves:

“Are they fighting again?”

“Should be. Listen to how dense the gunfire is – they must be running and shooting.”

“I thought there were no more troops.”

“Even if there are, there aren’t many left. They were all taken away and massacred together. Now the city is full of Japanese soldiers. Even a hundred thousand couldn’t defeat them, let alone just a few.”

“Heaven protect us, protect us, don’t let more people die.”

“Damn soldiers, why don’t they run far away? What are they doing wandering around here? They’ll drag us all down with them.” The fat woman who spoke had just woken up, grimacing as she complained. “Japanese come in and cause trouble every day, isn’t it all because of them hiding in the safety zone? Those two kids over there are soldiers too.”

Xie Chi slapped her across the face. The fat woman was stunned by the blow, staring wide-eyed as she cursed at her: “What did you hit me for?”

“If you keep talking nonsense, I’ll tear your mouth apart.”

The woman had been holding back anger anyway. This incident made all her pent-up rage explode. She shrieked and was about to grab Xie Chi’s hair. Before her hands could reach her, Xie Chi swung another slap. The woman grimaced and cried as she tried to scratch her. “You little hussy! Talking about your man, huh! That’s your man outside, isn’t it!”

The woman jumped up and down but was held back by others.

“Say a few less words, you’re being too noisy.”

“If you want to argue, go argue outside.”

“Why are you holding me back? She hit me! If you’re so capable, be this arrogant when you see Japanese devils too! Go fight the devils!”

The surroundings were chaotic and noisy. Xie Chi had a headache from listening and turned to leave.

“Don’t go, come back here!”

A’Ru followed Xie Chi. “Sister, where are you going?”

“You go back first.”

A’Ru saw her walking outside. “What are you going to do?”

Xie Chi stopped, turned her around and pushed her away forcefully, saying sternly: “Go back!”

A’Ru had cried all her tears dry and was sobbing without tears. “Sister—”

“Don’t follow me, go back quickly.” Xie Chi ran away rapidly. She had guns, ammunition and knives buried by the wall. She dug them out and took them all, then climbed over the perimeter wall.

She really couldn’t bear it anymore.

He Feng was cornered by devils in a building. His ammunition was exhausted, the bullet wound at his waist was bleeding profusely, he was dizzy and his ears were ringing.

He sat on the ground, back against the broken wall. He took out the photo from his chest – it was stained red with blood at the corner. He Feng panted heavily, looking at the woman in the photo, sighing weakly: “This time I can’t escape.”

The Japanese soldiers pressed forward.

He put away the photo and drew his knife.

Just as he was preparing for hand-to-hand combat, gunfire suddenly came from the diagonal street across.

They immediately turned and ran toward another building.

Xie Chi used the terrain and buildings to circle around while shooting and running. The devils flanked her from two sides, forcing her into an alley. She didn’t expect the road ahead to be blocked by bombing. Just as she was about to climb over, the door beside her opened and an old man waved at her.

Xie Chi followed him into the house and hid by the door.

The old man was covered in blood and signaled her not to make a sound, then continued lying on the bed pretending to be dead. Xie Chi stood behind the door, hearing the sounds of Japanese soldiers’ boots and conversation outside.

Suddenly two gunshots rang out, and it became quiet outside.

Footsteps approached and pushed open the outer courtyard gate.

Xie Chi stood sideways by the door, pulled out a dagger from her clothes, waiting for that person to enter.

The footsteps approached and just stepped over the threshold when Xie Chi stabbed with her knife. The person reacted lightning-fast, gripping her wrist and dodging sideways.

She lifted her leg to kick his stomach. That person seemed to anticipate her move and pressed her knee down with one palm.

“A’Zhi.”

Only then did Xie Chi see who it was. Seeing it was him, she leaned against the wall with great relief.

He Feng put away his bloody knife and closed the door.

The old man saw they were on the same side, sat up from the bed, and waved at them. “Leave quickly.”

Xie Chi couldn’t bear to leave him behind. “Have you been here all along?”

“Leave quickly.”

“Let me take you to the safety zone.”

“Leave quickly.”

“But you—”

The old man didn’t wait for her to finish and pushed them out.

“Be careful.”

The old man closed the door.

He Feng had been covering his abdominal wound the whole time.

Xie Chi grabbed him. “You’re bleeding. Were you shot?”

“Don’t talk.” He Feng led her to hide in a small room. Like he was exhausted, he had no strength even to speak. He slid down the wall and sat. “Help me with this.”

Xie Chi lifted his clothes. There were no bandages or other things to wrap wounds with. She lifted her own clothes, tore off her undergarment to wrap his wound. He Feng spat blood on the ground. “Why did you charge out?”

“I heard fighting outside and thought it must be you.”

“What’s it to you that I’m fighting outside? We agreed you wouldn’t come out.”

Xie Chi tightened the wound. He Feng frowned in pain. “Save some strength and stop talking.”

He Feng was covered in sweat. He suddenly pulled her onto him. “Go back.”

“You think I can still go back with you like this?” Xie Chi closed his clothes. “Wait until later and come with me to the hospital.”

“I’m not going.” He Feng pushed her away, covered his wound and fell to one side. “I can’t go.”

Xie Chi knew his concerns. “You’re afraid of devil searches.”

“It’s better for everyone if I stay outside like this.”

“I’ll stay with you.”

“Get lost.” He Feng weakly shoved her.

Xie Chi hugged his neck. “I won’t get lost. This time I absolutely won’t get lost no matter what.”

“Damn woman.”

“Go ahead and curse.”

He Feng raised his hand and held her head. “That knife of yours almost cut off my lifeline. Good thing I dodged quickly and preserved this treasure for you.”

“What do you mean ‘for me’?” Xie Chi let go of him. “It’s your thing.”

He Feng tilted his face up, head leaning against the cabinet behind him, and couldn’t help laughing. “Isn’t it just for you?”

Outside there was a rumbling sound, and raindrops pattered heavily on the ground with frightening momentum.

The sky became even more overcast, with dark clouds pressing down on the ruins like an embrace, comforting tens of thousands of departed souls.

He Feng’s eyes were unfocused. He shook his head hard and cursed in a daze: “Damn, lost too much blood. I’ll close my eyes for a bit.”

“You’re not allowed to sleep.” Xie Chi patted his face. “Stay alert.”

“I’m tired. Don’t worry, I won’t die yet.”

Xie Chi sat beside him, cradling his head on her shoulder. “I’ll call you in a while.”

Perhaps this rain saved them.

Until it got dark, the streets were empty. All the Japanese soldiers had hidden in houses. On such a cold day, warming by fires and drinking hot soup, no one wanted to come out.

The rain was so heavy you couldn’t see the road clearly. Blood and water on the ground flowed rapidly under their feet.

The stench of decay spread across every inch of land.

The qipao shop had been ransacked, and the roof of the second floor was blown off, but fortunately the basement was intact. Its entrance was different from ordinary cellars – it was a sliding wooden panel located in the changing room, raised two inches above floor level, almost indistinguishable from ordinary flooring to the naked eye.

He Feng was too proud. Even though he was so weak he could barely stand, he wouldn’t let Xie Chi support him at all, still maintaining a protective stance toward her, until they got down to the basement and he relaxed somewhat.

Xie Chi lit a candle and only then saw Li Changsheng lying on the table. “Is this your little brother?”

“Mm.” He Feng bent slightly and checked Li Changsheng’s breathing – he was still alive. “Come here.”

Xie Chi brought over the medical kit by her feet. This was still from over four months ago when He Feng was injured and she treated his wounds. There were still some medicines inside. She carefully searched through it and found alcohol and bandages, then pulled He Feng aside. “I’ll do it, you go sit down.”

“Mm.”

He Feng sat beside Li Changsheng watching him, then got up after a moment and headed toward the exit.

Xie Chi quickly called out to him: “Where are you going?”

“Going upstairs to find something to cushion him, afraid he’ll get cold.”

“Be careful.”

Before long, He Feng came down carrying large bundles of fabric and blankets, spreading them into two areas on the ground. Xie Chi finished bandaging Li Changsheng, and He Feng carried him to the cotton cloth and covered him with a blanket.

“Come over here with me.”

He Feng let her pull him to the other side.

“Take off your clothes.”

He complied and removed his upper garment.

Xie Chi looked at his body and her hands froze. New wounds and old wounds, large injuries and small ones, densely covering his entire body.

She had always luckily believed that He Feng was so capable, nothing would happen to him. But he wasn’t made of iron after all – he was human, would get injured, could die.

She said nothing and helped him clean his wounds.

He Feng drooped his eyes looking at her, then suddenly raised his hand to lightly lift her chin. “What’s that expression?”

Xie Chi wouldn’t look at him.

He Feng pinched her face. “Smile.”

Xie Chi stiffly lifted the corner of her mouth.

He Feng closed his eyes and laughed. “Half-hearted.”

“You can still laugh when your blood is nearly drained.”

He Feng squinted at her. “Should I cry instead?”

Xie Chi was speechless.

“Haven’t cried in over ten years, don’t know how anymore.” He suddenly remembered how Xie Chi had cried for Xiao Wangyun during the day, and couldn’t help thinking of Meng Yuan too. He didn’t know how to tell her.

Fearing what he feared most, as if there was telepathy, Xie Chi asked him: “Where’s Meng Yuan?”

He Feng was silent for a while. “At the safety zone.”

“You’re lying to me.”

He Feng raised his eyes and took a light breath, thinking he couldn’t hide it anymore.

Xie Chi calmly lifted her eyelids and met his gaze. “You don’t need to lie to me. With both of you like this, I can guess.”

“Sorry, I didn’t protect your friend well.”

“You haven’t wronged anyone. You’ve already done very well.” Xie Chi hid her emotions and pretended to be calm as she supported his shoulder. “Turn to the side.”

He Feng turned his back, his gaze falling on Li Changsheng on the other side of the room. Suddenly it felt like a mountain was pressing down on him, so oppressive he could barely breathe.

Such words were unpleasant to hear – it would be more comfortable to be thoroughly scolded instead.

Xie Chi finished treating his new wounds. There was no medicine left for the old wounds. “I’ll go to the hospital later to get some medicine.”

“Don’t go.”

“It’s fine, it’s not far.” She arranged the cloth beneath her. “Lie down.”

Xie Chi looked at the black grease and mud on his face, so grimy she couldn’t see his real skin. Just as she got up, He Feng grabbed her. “Where are you going?”

“To wipe your face.”

It was still raining outside.

Xie Chi found several bottles and plates to collect some water and came back.

In just this short time, He Feng had fallen asleep.

She quietly lay beside him and gently wiped his face. After one cloth turned black, she could see the scrapes and knife scars on his face.

She studied him quietly for a while, then bent down and kissed his cheek.

He Feng moved the corner of his mouth and woke up, reaching his hand into her embrace. “Are you cold?”

“Not cold.” Xie Chi didn’t dare press on him, afraid of touching his wounds. She supported herself with both hands on the ground, letting him freely fondle her.

But He Feng didn’t continue. He pulled his hand back and grabbed her hair. “Everyone else cut their hair short, why didn’t you cut yours?”

“Waiting for you to cut it.”

He Feng tugged the corner of his mouth. “You’re fooling me.”

Xie Chi pulled out his knife. “I’m serious.”

He Feng raised his eyebrows. “Don’t cry to me if I cut it badly.”

“Since you’re cutting it, even a bald head is fine.”

“You’d be pretty even bald.”

Xie Chi’s fingertips touched the dents on the knife handle. “Where’s the stone?”

“Got knocked off.”

“We’ll embed another one when we get a chance.”

“Mm.” He Feng opened his arms. “Come here.”

Xie Chi lay in his embrace. They looked at each other for a moment, then both finally surrendered. He Feng turned over and lightly pressed on her, gently parting her lips and nibbling softly.

The knife fell to the ground with a clang.

Just as Xie Chi was about to move downward, He Feng suddenly grasped her hand, raised his face to look toward Li Changsheng in the distance, and rolled off her body.

Xie Chi circled his neck. “What’s wrong?”

He Feng smiled faintly. “The kid’s here, it’s not appropriate.”

“Kid? How old is he?”

“Almost seventeen.”

“When you were seventeen, you didn’t consider yourself a kid.”

“I’m different.”

“How are you different?”

“Different in every way.”

“He’s unconscious, won’t wake up for a while.” Xie Chi wouldn’t let him go. “Nights are long and dreams are many. Who knows if we’ll still be alive tomorrow. Keep me company for one wild moment.”

He Feng was stirred by her gaze until his chest churned like stormy seas. He looked up again. “The candle.”

Xie Chi let go of his hand. He got up, blew out the candle, and knocked over the table in the middle to block them.

Xie Chi opened her arms to welcome him back. He Feng pressed down and bit her mouth. “Bear with it.”

“Mm.”

This was a different kind of experience, without much foreplay, like this sudden torrential downpour. Pain and pleasure intertwined, surging forth with each thrust. It lasted a long time before temporarily washing away the buzzing and chaotic thoughts in their minds.

His wound bled again.

Xie Chi pushed him to lie down. “Let me.”

The basement was completely dark. He Feng looked at this dark prison, vaguely feeling his soul floating like a light breeze. Every time he wanted to break free from confinement, he was pulled back by the real pain on his body.

He tilted his face up, and suddenly his eyes grew hot.

For what reason.

He couldn’t understand it clearly for the moment.

…

In the middle of the night, He Feng fell into a deep sleep, perhaps from excessive blood loss, perhaps because his body had reached its limit from exhaustion. Xie Chi still quietly returned to the hospital to get some medicines.

When she returned to the basement, it was still dark.

Li Changsheng had a fever. Xie Chi gave him an injection and looked at the cotton coat on his body – it was almost completely worn out.

She couldn’t sleep, so she simply found some needles, thread, and cotton to make them some warmer clothes.

…

In the morning, He Feng woke up smelling rice fragrance.

Xie Chi came over carrying thin porridge. “There’s only a little rice, just make do with this.”

He Feng took it. “He’s still not awake?”

“Mm, gave him a shot and his fever went down a bit.”

He Feng got up and walked over to help Li Changsheng sit up. His little face was clean, which made He Feng feel unaccustomed to seeing him this way. “You wiped it?”

Xie Chi made a sound of acknowledgment.

He Feng forced the porridge into his mouth. Li Changsheng was unconscious, but when He Feng force-fed him like this, he woke up.

As soon as he opened his eyes, he roared about killing devils. He Feng held him down. “Calm down! Don’t shout randomly.”

Li Changsheng gritted his teeth tightly and cried angrily. “She’s dead.”

He Feng understood what he meant. “Drink the porridge.”

Li Changsheng turned his mouth away. “She said she would marry me.”

He Feng was stunned, finding it both inexplicable and deeply regretful.

Li Changsheng sniffed and cried, constantly muttering: “I want to kill them all, kill them, kill them all.”

“Get well first, then kill.”

Xie Chi said: “Don’t get excited, your wound is bleeding again.”

Li Changsheng looked down and only then discovered his left hand was gone. He wiped away his tears, gritting his teeth weakly and viciously. “I can still kill them with one hand.”

He Feng held the porridge to his mouth. “Drink it.”

Li Changsheng turned his face away.

He Feng pried open his mouth. “Will you drink or not?”

Li Changsheng pushed away his hand and took the bowl, drinking it all in one gulp.

…