Volume One, Chapter 87: The Promise from the New Recruit to the Veteran

In a distant small county town.

After a long day at work, Jiang Anfu dragged his weary body to a fruit stall not far from home and bought two bunches of grapes. The grapes were especially cheap as the stall was about to close. After making his purchase, he returned to the walk-up apartment building.

In the kitchen, a middle-aged woman was cooking dinner. In the living room, a girl of seventeen or eighteen sat doing her homework.

When the door opened, a smile broke across the girl's face. "Dad, you're back?"

Hearing his daughter's voice, Jiang Anfu smiled. "How's your homework coming along?"

"Almost done!" she replied, eyes crinkling with her smile.

Jiang Anfu nodded in satisfaction and handed her the grapes. "Dad bought your favorite grapes today. Go ahead and eat some."

"Thank you, Dad!" Overjoyed, the girl took the grapes and ran to the kitchen. "Mom, Dad bought me grapes!"

"Eat dinner first, then have the fruit," her mother said fondly, touching her daughter's forehead as she carried a dish to the table. She glanced reproachfully at Jiang Anfu. "Spending money on such expensive things again."

Jiang Anfu chuckled. "You and our daughter both love them, so I bought a little. It's nothing."

"Always spoiling her!"

...

The three eating dinner in the living room were Jiang Yu's family. His father, Jiang Anfu, was a factory worker; his mother, Pan Lanzhi, a housekeeper at a hotel; and his little sister, Jiang Ru, a senior in high school. Even from their modest home, it was clear their financial situation wasn't great, but the atmosphere was warm and loving.

After dinner, the three ate grapes and watched TV.

"Mom, try one. These grapes are really sweet," Jiang Ru said, holding one out.

"You eat them. I don’t like fruit," her mother replied.

Jiang Anfu sighed. "It's from your daughter. Just eat it, it's not expensive."

At his urging, Pan Lanzhi took the grape, gazing at the translucent fruit, her eyes dimming. "Xiaoyu also loved grapes. I wonder how he’s doing since graduation."

Hearing this, Jiang Anfu leaned back on the sofa and sighed. "That rascal hasn't called in two months. Told him to come home and look for work, but he insisted on searching elsewhere. Who knows what’s going on?"

"That annoying older brother of mine. He can't even call when he can't come home for the National Day holiday," Jiang Ru pouted, jabbing the remote control unhappily.

Jiang Yu was four years older than her. Their family wasn't well-off, and when their parents struggled to make ends meet, it was always Jiang Yu who took care of her. She was very close to her brother.

Suddenly, Jiang Ru flipped to CCTV and her eyes widened. She shouted, "Mom, Dad, quick! Isn't that my brother?"

At her words, both parents turned to the TV in unison.

On the screen, a handsome young man held a microphone, singing passionately.

"Your brother's on TV?" Pan Lanzhi stared in disbelief at the familiar figure.

"That's him! Dad, look! No wonder he hasn’t called—he’s performing at the National Day Gala!" Jiang Ru exclaimed excitedly.

Jiang Anfu grumbled, "That rascal, not even telling us about something this big."

Despite his words, the feigned annoyance couldn't hide the delight in his eyes.

"Your brother finished his song!" Pan Lanzhi stood up and sat down again in excitement, nudging Jiang Anfu's leg. "Your son’s performance is over. Call him, quick!"

"You call him. Since when does a father have to call his son first?" Jiang Anfu's eyes, which had been glued to the TV, darted away, his tone defiant.

Pan Lanzhi rolled her eyes at his stubbornness. "Fine, if you won’t, I will. Come on, Jiang Ru, let’s call your brother together."

"Mom, he’s still on stage. He might not answer."

"Then we’ll wait a couple of hours."

...

On stage.

Slowly, Jiang Yu’s song drew to a close, and the background music faded away. Whether in the audience, in front of a TV, a computer, or among the social media trendsetters already smelling opportunity, everyone was moved to tears by his song.

Everyone knew that after today, Jiang Yu was destined to soar to new heights.

Yet as the music stopped, the stage lights remained bright, and the giant screen behind him stayed lit. Jiang Yu hadn’t left the stage. Instead, a large group of people came on, quickly taking their places, some holding instruments.

Before the audience could react, the band began to play.

A piercing, soul-stirring melody filled the hall, making the audience’s skin tingle. Majestic and grand, elegant but brimming with heroic spirit!

The projection behind them switched to footage from that morning’s military parade—countless soldiers with proud chests filled the big screen, as if awaiting the scrutiny of the people once more. Especially after the moving tribute of "Dislocated Time and Space," it was as if they were being reviewed by the forebears themselves.

Jiang Yu now joined the grand finale chorus, even serving as one of the lead singers!

"Forward, we stride with youthful vigor, showing our might, shaking the world!"

"Forward, our steps resound, through wind and rain, I hold my head high!"

"Forward, our blood runs hot, carrying mission and duty on our shoulders."

"Forward, the iron tide rolls on, breaking through waves, unstoppable might!"

From the tears of the previous song to the resolve of this one—

"We shine the dawn of peace, we guard the people’s well-being!"

"Our spirits tower to the sky, galloping across the battlefield!"

"Let us forge new glory once more!"

If the previous song brought silent remembrance, this one ignited everyone’s passion!

Thunderous applause erupted, soaring to the heavens.

Yet even such applause couldn’t drown out the song!

"Majestic, the armored troops line up, awe-inspiring might!"

"Strength, treading in red footsteps, the battle anthem stirs our fighting spirit!"

"The military flag will always fly, always fly, always fly!"

If the last song was a conversation with the ancestors, this song was a vow from the present generation.

Live stream comments flooded the screen:

"My god, I’m trembling all over! No song has ever made me feel so fired up!"

"The sense of power is overwhelming!"

"This makes my blood boil!"

"With this song, forget tearing apart enemies—tearing apart a tank would be no problem!"

On the video, troops marched proudly through the square, saluting the flag, their commanders, and the people.

With the music:

"Forward, our bugles sound, showing our might, shaking the world!"

"Forward, our morale soars, through wind and rain, I hold my head high!"

"Forward, we forge iron resolve, carrying mission and duty on our shoulders!"

"Forward, we stride boldly, breaking through the waves, striving to realize the dream of a strong army!"

"Loyal to the Party, victorious in battle!"

...

The song ended abruptly!

Every member of the audience rose to their feet, unleashing the most enthusiastic applause of the day.

Under this storm of applause, all the performers left the stage.

Jiang Yu’s face was still stiff as he stepped off. No one cared what happened next; once the performance ended, the actors were free to go.

Backstage, all the performers burst into applause. "Brother Yu, we did it!"

Song Shu came over, clapping him on the shoulder. "Brother, you were amazing! Congratulations on a successful Gala. Let’s all go out to eat!"

But Jiang Yu suddenly dropped to his knees with a thud.

"Hey, hey!" Song Shu fumbled for his phone. "Don’t mess around. It’s not New Year’s yet. Should I send you a 200 yuan red packet?"

Jiang Yu forced a smile. "Stop it, man. You don’t know—just now, the official sitting in the front row kept staring at me. I was so nervous my words nearly wouldn’t come out!"

Song Shu laughed, "Come on, every performer was under the officials’ gaze. Let’s go, time to eat!"

"No, I’ll pass. I need some rest. I’m heading back to Jiangxia tomorrow," Jiang Yu declined and left the backstage area.

Soon after, Yang He and Wang Xianjun arrived, looking for Jiang Yu everywhere. They stopped a staff member. "Have you seen Jiang Yu?"

"Mr. Jiang has already gone back to his room. He said he’s a bit tired today."

Yang He couldn’t help but laugh. "That rascal!"

"He’s been exhausted these past few days," Wang Xianjun added. "Anyway, it’s not urgent. Let him rest for a while."

...

At that moment,

Jiang Yu was already in his room, lying in bed, thinking of the message he’d received before going on stage.

He took out his phone and sent a WeChat message.

"The performance was a great success. Did you see?"

"Yes! I did. You were amazing!"

"Sorry for not replying earlier—I was so nervous I ran to the bathroom several times."

On the other side, Su Muyu read his message with a gentle smile. Even the fearless Jiang Yu could get nervous. "By the way, Director Chen called to congratulate me and asked when you’ll come with me to shoot the new film?"

"Let me rest for a couple of days first. You have no idea how much pressure a gala like this brings!"

"Alright, I’ll let him know. Oh, and your friend Guoba hasn’t updated in ages—can you prod him for me?"