From Broken Family to Life Winner: A Reborn Mother's Journey

This county was close to Wucheng, making it easy to leave.

After an hour’s rest, with no supply transport or patrol duties, Wu Sheng took a team and left the temporary base to conduct a search.

Their main goal was to search for any unrescued people. Besides the county seat, there were many villages in the vicinity. They were well-experienced in this kind of work.

They searched until nightfall before returning.

They returned with two rescued individuals who were running fevers. Fortunately, there was medicine at the temporary base, and Bai Xinyue’s group had also brought medical supplies.

When Wu Sheng got back, he saw Bai Xinyue again and frowned.

Bai Xinyue was no longer in the clothes she had worn at noon. Instead, she had changed into a set of local clothes she had borrowed from someone.

Her eyes lit up when she saw Wu Sheng, and she greeted him, seemingly oblivious to his frown.

”Wu Sheng, you’re back! I helped watch the kids all day. They all know who you are. They’re all calling you a great hero.”

Because Bai Xinyue had done a good deed and brought supplies, the people who had been rescued but not yet transferred were very grateful to her. They treated her as kindly as they could.

Bai Xinyue had spent the afternoon earning quite a bit of goodwill in the small base.

Wu Sheng gave a noncommittal ”Mm,” his pace remaining quick, not slowing in the slightest.

Bai Xinyue trotted to keep up with Wu Sheng. ”Wu Sheng, could you go say a few words to them? Two of the boys said they want to be like you and save people when they grow up.”

Wu Sheng’s steps finally faltered. ”...Where are they?”

A light flashed in Bai Xinyue’s eyes. ’I knew he wouldn’t be indifferent.’

”This way.”

Bai Xinyue led the way, with Wu Sheng following quickly behind.

He didn’t agree to this request because he wanted to be called a hero.

’It just struck a nerve.’

Wu Sheng had had many similar experiences, but the first one left the deepest impression.

It was during a hailstorm disaster. He had been on a rescue mission as usual and had saved many people. A boy of about ten, after being rescued, had seriously told Wu Sheng that he wanted to be just like him someday.

Later, that little boy grew up and actually joined the service. He even remembered Wu Sheng, the man who had saved him. He worked hard to get onto his team and became his subordinate.

He was a good kid. A shame that later... later he died fighting some thugs on his way home, trying to save someone.

Wu Sheng later attended the kid’s funeral. When he returned, he got blackout drunk for a day and a night.

Wu Sheng didn’t know if the boy would have lived a long, peaceful life if he hadn’t followed in his footsteps. But no matter what he thought, there were no ’what ifs’ in this world.

The kid was just... gone.

Hearing that same wish again today, Wu Sheng couldn’t remain indifferent.

He didn’t know what he would say to them, but he couldn’t bring himself to refuse.

Wu Sheng’s gaze was somber as he entered the makeshift shelter and saw several children standing ramrod straight, their faces full of excitement.

Three boys and two girls were standing in a line, imitating the adults they had seen. They made whooshing sounds with their mouths and gestures with their hands, mimicking the sound of a helicopter. When they saw Wu Sheng enter, they all cried out in delight.

”Big Brother.”

”Chief!”

”Our savior!”

Wu Sheng didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

Bai Xinyue clapped her hands. ”Alright, I’ve brought you the big brother you all wanted to see most. You can talk to him, shake his hand, and even take a picture.”

”I brought a camera, and I’ll get the pictures developed and mail them to you later.”

Bai Xinyue pulled a camera from her bag on the side and smiled at Wu Sheng.

”Thank you, Sister Bai.”

The children were overjoyed, and their opinion of Bai Xinyue was especially high because their parents had told them she was a kind person who had helped them.

After their initial excitement, they all started chattering as they looked at Wu Sheng.

”Big Brother, shake my hand! I want to be as amazing as you when I grow up.”

Wu Sheng looked into their sparkling eyes and couldn’t refuse, shaking each child’s hand.

”Big Brother, I want to fly helicopters just like you when I grow up!”

A little boy, who looked about seven or eight with his head shaved except for a small tuft on top, made his bold declaration.

Unlike all those years ago, Wu Sheng didn’t encourage the child. Instead, he asked, ”How old are you? What’s your name?”

”My name is Little Hei, and I’m nine.”

Wu Sheng was a little surprised. The boy was the same height as Little Tang Mo, but he was nine years old.

He patted his head. ”You need to eat more and grow taller.”

Little Hei immediately nodded vigorously. ”Okay, I’ll listen to you, Big Brother.”

Little Hei had been malnourished in his mother’s womb. After he was born, his mother didn’t produce enough milk. He had a weak immune system growing up, a delicate constitution, a poor appetite, and was thus smaller and thinner than other kids his age.

Hearing Wu Sheng’s words, he immediately agreed.

Wu Sheng spoke a few more words with them, but he had to leave as he had things to arrange.

Bai Xinyue persuaded Wu Sheng to take a photo with the children, and looking into their eyes, he couldn’t refuse.

Bai Xinyue took the photo for them.

”Wu Sheng, once I’m back and have it developed, I’ll bring it to you,”

Bai Xinyue said, following Wu Sheng out.

Wu Sheng didn’t answer, but Bai Xinyue didn’t seem to mind. ”I borrowed these clothes from one of the local women. Do they look a little ugly...?”

Just as Bai Xinyue was speaking, she heard Wu Sheng suddenly shout, ”Zhang Ming, get over here.”

Wa Wa Lian’s real name was Zhang Ming.

Hearing his boss’s summons, he immediately ran over. ”Boss.”

Seeing Bai Xinyue to the side, Wa Wa Lian gave a polite nod but showed no intention of being friendly.

’No matter what kind of rich young lady she is, she can’t compare to Sister-in-law Su Li. I’m firmly on Su Li’s side!’

”Is the night patrol schedule set?”

Wu Sheng spoke with Zhang Ming, leaving Bai Xinyue behind as he walked away.

Bai Xinyue stood where she was, pursed her lips, let out a breath, and turned to go back.

Early the next morning, while everyone was still asleep and the sky was just beginning to lighten, Wu Sheng boarded a helicopter for one last aerial patrol.

He had surveyed all of Wucheng; the situation was mostly stable.

However, the area near their base where the landslide had occurred still posed some risks.

After the helicopter landed, Wu Sheng took Wa Wa Lian to check on the situation.

Not long after the two of them left, Bai Xinyue came looking for Wu Sheng to bring him some noodles. When she heard where he had gone, she thought for a moment and asked Little Hei to take her there.

Since Bai Xinyue had helped them, how could Little Hei refuse her request? He was familiar with the area, so he led her there.

Their ascent was slow but smooth, and by a stroke of good luck, they ran right into Wu Sheng.

”Wu Sheng.”

”Big Brother!” Bai Xinyue and Little Hei called out as soon as they saw Wu Sheng.

Wu Sheng was standing on an old tree, observing the slow-moving landslide below. He had his head cocked as if listening for something. When he heard their voices, he turned around, his expression changing drastically.

”Who let you come up here? Didn’t I say no one was allowed up here?”

Seeing Wu Sheng’s dark expression, Little Hei jumped in fright. His face paled, and he didn’t dare to speak.

He had told Bai Xinyue the same thing, but she had insisted there was no danger, so he had led her up.

He hung his head, too scared to say a word.