Chapter 97: The Longing in My Heart

At dawn the sun just showed its face, the training field was already buzzing with heat. Li Ping'an was leading the Flying Eagle team in morning drills, and the slogans echoed far across the valley.

One-two-one! One-two-one! Make your moves standard! Li Ping'an's voice was loud and strong, his eyes sweeping over each member's movements like a searchlight.

Er Gazi did push-ups while panting, muttering, 'Instructor, your demands are too harsh!'

Li Ping'an walked over and lightly stepped on his back: 'Harsh? On the battlefield will the little devils show you mercy? Do ten more!'

The team burst into laughter, Er Gazi kept a grim face and continued. After morning drill, they scattered in twos and threes to the mess hall. Mess Hall Team Lao Wangtou had specially prepared corn pancakes today, their aroma drifting far.

What a fine day today—corn pancakes? Er Gazi's eyes lit up and he rushed over first.

Lao Wangtou chuckled, 'It's not because yesterday's hunt was good, Instructor Li specially ordered better meals.'

Li Ping'an held his bowl, sitting aside and chewing slowly. The sun on his face suddenly reminded him of over a year ago, in that little village. On her deathbed, his mother gripped his hand tightly, her voice faint as silk: 'Ping'an, no matter what, you must find your sister Ping Le… she was only seven, sold to Li Ji Bu Zhuang…'

Thinking of that, the pancake in Li Ping'an's hand suddenly lost its flavor. He set down his bowl and stared blankly at the distant rolling hills.

'Instructor, why aren't you eating?' Er Gazi came over, his mouth still stuffed full.

Li Ping'an snapped back, forcing a smile: 'Nothing, just remembered something.'

Political Commissar Zhou happened to walk over, saw Li Ping'an's expression, and asked concernedly, 'Ping'an, are you too tired lately? Why not rest today?'

Li Ping'an shook his head: 'Commissioner, I'm thinking about my sister. It's been over a year, and I don't know how she's faring in Beijing.'

Political Commissar Zhou sat beside him and patted his shoulder: 'I've got this in mind. I've already asked the underground party comrades to inquire. Li Ji Bu Zhuang moved from Henan, so it should be easy to find.'

But I promised Mother I would find my sister. Li Ping'an's voice sounded muffled; it's been so long, Ping Le should be eight now, and I don't know how she's doing in the cloth shop…

On the training field, the new recruits' laughter drifted over. Seeing those young faces, Li Ping'an couldn't help recalling his sister's big, watery eyes. The last time he saw her, she tugged at his cuff and asked timidly, 'Brother, is there candy to eat at the cloth shop?'

'Instructor, what's wrong?' a attentive team member noticed Li Ping'an's eye sockets were a bit red.

Li Ping'an hastily wiped his face and stood up: 'Nothing, just sand in my eyes. Have you all finished eating? If so, let's resume training!'

In the afternoon training session, Li Ping'an was stricter than usual. He seemed to want to vent all his worries and anxieties into the drills, and the recruits complained nonstop.

'Did the instructor eat gunpowder today?' a recruit muttered quietly.

Er Gazi panted: 'He's probably missing his sister. I heard the instructor has a sister in Beijing.'

During a training break, Li Ping'an walked alone to the stream beside the camp. The clear water babbled, reminding him of the small river back home. Ping Le loved playing in the water by the river, and each time he had to carry her home on his back.

'Ping Le, how are you doing now?' Li Ping'an murmured softly, 'Brother will surely find you.'

After dinner, Li Ping'an found Political Commissar Zhou: 'Commissioner, could you urge the Beijing comrades again? I really can't put my mind at ease.'

Political Commissar Zhou nodded: 'I've sent a telegram. But Ping'an, we're in the midst of war now, gathering information takes effort. You need to stay calm.'

Just as they were speaking, the signalman came running excitedly: 'Commissioner, Instructor Li, a letter from Beijing has arrived!'

Li Ping'an sprang to his feet, his heart pounding: 'How is it? Did you find my sister?'

The signalman handed over a telegram: 'The underground party comrades say they've found Li Ji Bu Zhuang, indeed moved from Henan. But…'

'But what?' Li Ping'an asked urgently.

'But the shop owner is quite wary and reluctant to divulge the workers' situation. The comrades are trying to figure out how to contact the workers in the shop to inquire about your sister.'

Li Ping'an's heart sank, but he steeled himself: 'At least we have news, at least we have news.'

That night, Li Ping'an couldn't sleep. He lay on the kang, staring at the ceiling, his mind full of his sister's image. Remembering the last time he saw her, she wore a patched floral jacket, her braids neatly done, tears glistening in her eyes but she held them back.

'Brother, I'll be good.' Those were Ping Le's last words to him.

Thinking of that, Li Ping'an's eyes welled up again. He quietly got up, took out paper and pen, and by moonlight wrote a letter. Although he knew it likely wouldn't be sent, he still wanted to put into words the feelings he'd kept bottled up for years.

'Ping Le, I'm now an anti-Japanese soldier. Once we drive out the little devils, I will surely go to Beijing to find you…'

The next day, Li Ping'an poured all his energy into his work. He knew that only by driving out the invaders early could he reunite with his sister sooner.

On the training field, he taught each recruit more diligently than before. During breaks, he also taught them to read and do arithmetic, just as he had taught Ping Le back then.

'Instructor, I can write the character you taught today!' a new recruit held up his writing board, shouting excitedly.

Li Ping'an walked over, looked at the crooked characters, and couldn't help smiling: 'Not bad, you're learning faster than my sister did at first.'

'How old is the instructor's sister?' a recruit asked curiously.

'She should be eight this year.' Li Ping'an's gaze softened, 'She's clever, quick to learn anything.'

At dusk, Li Ping'an alone climbed the rear hill. Standing on the summit, he gazed toward Beijing and silently prayed: 'Ping Le, may you stay safe. When I finish the war, I'll come find you.'

The mountain wind blew, bringing a scent from afar. Li Ping'an seemed to hear his sister calling him, a voice faint yet vivid enough to ache the heart.

Returning to the camp, Li Ping'an had already composed himself. He knew that this separation was for a better reunion later. All he needed to do was fulfill his duty, lead the Flying Eagle team to win more battles, and bring about victory in the resistance sooner.

'Ping Le, wait for brother.' He silently told himself, 'One day we will be reunited.'

Under the moonlight, Li Ping'an's silhouette appeared especially resolute. No matter how hard the road ahead, the thought of finding his sister would always be the warmest light in his heart.