The engine is rumbling; under the clear and rippling sun of winter, the giant fighter jet's forceful airstream whips up the accumulated snow on the ground, and mixing with dust, the white snow flutters in the air. Lu Feng walks towards it, and from the walkie-talkie comes the pilot's voice, "Message received from the Northern Base, after winter's come the monsters have invaded for the first time, fairly large in scale, and the base has continuously requested for reinforcements. Let's hurry."
——After "The Sound of the Bell", the military force of the Northern Base was divided into two, one remaining in the original base while the other was stationed at the Highland Research Institute, to assist in the collection of samples of the life forms in the abyss and advance the research of material frequency. Since the base and the research institute have reconciled their differences, then when the Northern Base is under attack, it's perfectly logical for them to ask the Highland troops for reinforcements.
It's just, An Zhe thinks——
If it wasn't for having received such an important and urgent mission, he suspects Lu Feng would never return to the Northern Base for the rest of his life. In other words, he had long thought that Lu Feng crossed off the idea of returning to that place, but after receiving the order for this urgent mission, the colonel still chose to walk towards the tarmac of PL1109.
Just like three years ago, in a day with the sky enveloped in dust just like this one, he walked towards the PL1109, towards that Underground Base separated by vast oceans.
He's mulling, so he strays a few steps behind, perfect for watching the back of Lu Feng who's in front, exactly the same as that year.
Just as An Zhe is thinking this, he notices the colonel has turned around to glance at him. Under the silvery white skies is a frigid and beautiful profile.
An Zhe stands rooted there and watches him.
"What are you thinking about?" The colonel asks.
Only then does An Zhe walk over and catches up.
"Gosh, you're so hot." He whispers.
——And then, he sees the colonel laugh.
Like the wandering aurora, the drifting snowflakes. The colonel very rarely shows such an obvious smile.
And so An Zhe also asks, "What are you thinking about?"
"I remembered the time at the base," The colonel says, "That incident at the Underground Base."
This man is actually remembering the same event. An Zhe doesn't speak, listening as he continues.
"Just as I was leaving, I saw you." He says.
An Zhe 'mn's. He remembers that the two of them discussed the mushroom soup problem, and then, the colonel told him to take care of himself.
He says, "You also said you might not return."
"Seems like it," The colonel says, "It felt like you were worried about me, so I said a few more lines."
An Zhe, "One line."
The colonel laughs again.
The light of the snow illuminates the silver badge on his combat uniform; the combat uniform is black camouflage, black fingerless gloves, with a black tactical vest over top, and there's an easy and clear-cut sense of strength, very different from the regular uniform.
"There actually was something I didn't say," Lu Feng says, "I wanted to ask you——"
But he doesn't say it.
An Zhe asks him, "What?"
Lu Feng's face is expressionless, as if he's considering the wording.
And so An Zhe grows even more curious. But just when he thought the colonel is about to say something mighty important and profound——
The colonel pulls out his gun and gestures it at him, "Am I hot?"