Chapter 25: The Unending 'War'

"Hahaha... The old hero is so funny!"

"Love it! This is the kind of star young people should look up to today! Who cares about those celebrities from the peninsula?"

"To be honest, I'm quite curious about that Japanese soldier the old hero mentioned. I want to know who he was."

"Don't worry about that. The military will surely find a way to unearth that medal, though I feel for the soldiers tasked with the job."

The chat room was ablaze with activity; everyone was doubled over with laughter at Ye Yuan's blunt and sincere demeanor.

Sun Ting could finally hold back no longer, laughing until she was shaking. Yet, this very moment of levity made her seem much less reserved and far more authentic.

She wanted to continue asking about what happened during the War of Resistance, but she noticed the director off-stage pointing at his watch.

Sun Ting immediately realized that the show's time was almost up.

She turned to the camera and said, "Dear viewers, our program comes to an end here."

"If you are still interested in Grandpa Ye's stories, we will see you again next Thursday at 7:40 PM."

After saying these words, she stared into the camera with a smile.

Only when the cameraman gave her a thumbs-up did she feel all her strength drain away, and she collapsed onto the sofa.

It was then she realized her clothes were nearly drenched in sweat.

Fortunately, the first episode of "Retracing the Red Path" had gone off without any major hitches.

As the audience stood up to leave, Xiao Bo, Liu Ping, and Cong Gui walked over with smiles on their faces.

"Not bad at all!"

Xiao Bo looked at Sun Ting with a grin. "I thought you were going to cry from fright."

Sun Ting wrinkled her nose triumphantly and replied, "It's all thanks to Grandpa Ye. If it weren't for him giving me courage, I don't think I could have made it through."

"You were excellent in your own right," Ye Yuan said modestly, giving her high praise.

"Grandpa, you were so cool just now!" Ye Yan'an looked at Ye Yuan with adoration. "Why have you never told me about these things before?"

"You were too young." Ye Yuan raised his hand to pat Ye Yan'an's head. "Many things, once they pass, stay in the past. There is no need for you to carry that burden."

"Each generation has its own mission. My task is done, and now, it is time for your generation."

"Then what is my mission?" Ye Yan'an tilted his head, asking with great curiosity.

"In time, you will naturally know what your mission is," Ye Yuan said with a gentle smile.

Just then, a young man ran over, his face filled with pleasant surprise. "Sister Sun, the statistical report from the various chat rooms is out. The phenomenon of attacking Grandpa Ye has almost disappeared."

"Although there are a few scattered individuals trying to incite the public to criticize him, they are immediately shouted down by other netizens. As for the posts on the forums, anyone trying to manipulate public opinion is being swarmed by fair-minded users, with hundreds of angry comments left in their wake!"

This man was sent by the provincial television station to help Sun Ting monitor internet discourse.

"That's great!" Sun Ting's face lit up. "With this, I believe those paid trolls will soon have nowhere to hide and won't be able to smear Grandpa Ye's name anymore."

However, the young man shook his head. "Not yet."

"What do you mean?" Cong Gui asked with a frown. "Young comrade, given how well things are going on the internet, why are you being so pessimistic?"

The young man explained, "Although Grandpa Ye used evidence to prove he wasn't a deserter, the issue of him enlisting under a false name remains a key point that the trolls are clinging to."

"If this isn't explained clearly, Grandpa Ye can never truly clear his name."

Everyone fell silent.

Sun Ting looked up at Ye Yuan expectantly. "Grandpa Ye, perhaps..."

"Wait until next Thursday," Ye Yuan said calmly. "That will be the perfect time to put this farce to rest once and for all. There's no need to waste so much time on such a trivial matter regarding me."

Though Sun Ting was desperate to know the truth immediately, she nodded upon hearing his words, forcing down her curiosity to wait until next Thursday to hear the truth alongside the rest of the nation.

...

Southern Military Region.

A figure, slightly stooped but still broad-shouldered, took off his reading glasses and slowly stood up.

He was over seventy, but his physique remained robust, and he still had the strength to wrestle with young men.

"Xiao Li."

He spoke slowly.

The guard at the door, Xiao Li, heard him and entered the office, saluting. "Chief."

"Arrange a car to take me back," the old man said wearily.

"Yes, sir!"

Xiao Li turned to leave, then paused. "Chief, it's said that a new program aired today, an interview with a veteran of the War of Resistance. Would you be interested?"

"A veteran of the War of Resistance?" The old man paused, then shook his head. "I lived through that era myself; why would I need to listen to what others have to say?"

"Oh." Xiao Li replied and was about to leave when the old man called him back. "You might as well prepare it for me. What if that veteran happens to be a comrade from my old trench?"

Despite his words, a wry smile appeared on the old man's face.

None of the people from his generation would have the leisure to participate in such a program. He was more inclined to believe this veteran was a fraud using the name to engage in illicit activities.

Therefore, he wanted to see what kind of person this "veteran" really was. If it were truly a fraud, he would be doing the country a service by exposing him.

"Yes, sir!" Xiao Li nodded respectfully. "I will go to the television station tomorrow to get a recording of the program!"

The old man didn't call out Xiao Li's real intentions. It was obvious this young lad wanted to watch it himself and was using him as an excuse.

"Go ready the car," the old man ordered.

Xiao Li departed.

The old man rubbed his sore, swollen eyes and let out a bitter laugh. "Is my time finally coming? Why have I been dreaming of my old regimental commander so much lately? Is he coming to pick me up himself? ... Well, that would be fine, too."