Chapter 51

In the dead of night, Shi Yi sat alone under the big tree in the courtyard, unable to help but think of that day two weeks ago.

That day was the happiest day of her life. Doctor Chen cut the cake for her himself, Wang Yang held a guitar and played quietly, Yu Tongjie danced gracefully, Sister Xiaoman hummed off-key songs, and Lao Jiu prepared a table full of sumptuous dishes...

They gathered under this big tree, singing together, "The moon quietly climbs over the little hill, one by one..."

Everything was so quiet, so beautiful.

Yet, in just a short two weeks, of the five of them, two were already sleeping forever beneath this desolate land, separated by life and death.

One was lying in a hospital bed, unconscious, and another had been taken away, fate unknown. The vast camp now only had herself and Wang Yang left, struggling to hold the line.

Shi Yi sometimes wondered, was all the beauty she encountered in this life meant to be destroyed?

And was all of this, was it all her own fault?

Because she made a wish on her birthday, hoping time would stop at that moment, hoping the five of them would be together forever. And so, her wish was heard by the Heavens, which is why the Heavens had to take back, destroy, and ravage all this beauty—because that damn Heaven always liked to go against her!

If dying meant she could see the Heavens, she would be willing to die right now, to go and ask that Heaven in person why it had to treat her this way.

But Shi Yi knew she still had an important task—to rescue Yu Tongjie. But what on earth could she do to save Yu Tongjie...

Just then, with a "boom," the camp's large iron gate was suddenly opened, and a military off-road vehicle bearing the peacekeeping force's emblem drove in.

Peacekeeping force?

Shi Yi felt a surge of joy, wondering if it was Qin Hao Bei and the others who had come. Just as she was about to run forward, she saw several blue-eyed, blonde soldiers in US military uniforms step out of the vehicle. Walking in the middle, surrounded by others, was a man in his 40s with an imposing aura, who looked like a high-ranking officer.

Shi Yi slowed her pace, lowered her head to think for a moment, then bypassed the big tree and followed them from a distance.

The Sozali government army was stationed in the tent area behind the camp. She saw those people walk through the camp to the tent area, then lift a tent flap and walk inside.

Shi Yi followed as well, but was stopped outside the tent area by a sentry: "What are you doing?!"

Shi Yi answered calmly in English: "There are soldiers inside who are sick, suspected of being infected with the Ebola virus; I'm here to see the patients."

The soldier looked at Shi Yi's face and the white coat she was wearing, and let her in without hesitation.

Shi Yi walked to the outside of the tent the officers had just entered, hid behind it, and heard English conversation coming from inside:

"I am Lieutenant Colonel Daniel, the person in charge of the US military peacekeeping force. According to precise intelligence obtained by the US, the rebel leader Kabango is now in Kuba's camp and is infected with the Ebola virus, in critical condition. Now is the best time to annihilate Kabango in one fell swoop! The US military has already mobilized two AEG long-range missile vehicles, which are on their way here. When they arrive, you will launch the missiles directly and blow up the entire military camp."

The man's voice was low and authoritative, his tone allowing for no questioning; it was clearly the US officer who had just walked in.

Then, the Sozali government army officer immediately retorted:

"I disagree, there are still 19 Sozali children in Kuba's camp! If we launch missiles, what will happen to these 19 Sozali children?"

Lieutenant Colonel Daniel sneered disdainfully:

"What about the children? Minister Asante, I didn't expect you to still care about this now? Don't forget how much sacrifice your people have already made to defeat the rebel forces? Hesitating at this time will only cause your Sozali people to sacrifice more lives!"

Shi Yi's heart skipped a beat; she suddenly thought of the secret Qin Hao Bei had told her—that the Sozali government and the US military might have secretly colluded to deliberately release the Ebola virus.

"Of course I haven't forgotten..." Minister Asante said through gritted teeth, "That is the shame of our Sozali government! But what choice do we have? All of this was forced upon us by you Americans!"

Lieutenant Colonel Daniel snorted coldly, "Hmph, don't forget, we have also provided you with planes, tanks, and tens of billions of US dollars in military funding... Besides, we have provided your government army with enough vaccines..."

"No matter what, I cannot abandon the lives of these 19 innocent Sozali children like this!" Minister Asante said with burning eyes, "Don't forget, inside the Kuba military camp, there is also a Chinese hostage..."

Hearing the words "Chinese," Daniel's expression suddenly sank; he knew China was not to be trifled with.

"Then tell me, what do you want to do?" Daniel said, gritting his teeth.

Minister Asante thought for a while and said: "First, follow Kuba's demands, prepare the antiviral serum and vaccines, exchange for the 19 Sozali children, and that Chinese woman. After the hostages are safely evacuated, then launch the missiles to destroy the entire Kuba military camp."

Daniel mocked: "Naive Minister, do you think that if you give them the medicine, they will obediently hand over the hostages? Don't you understand? They are a group of bloodthirsty demons!"

"They are indeed a group of bloodthirsty demons, but now most of their soldiers are infected with the Ebola virus and are suffering from the torment of the disease, and even Kabango himself is in critical condition. Honorable Lieutenant Colonel Daniel, do you think they have any other choice?" Asante questioned.

"What Kuba chooses is his problem, but as for our choice, I have already clearly notified you just now." Lieutenant Colonel Daniel said coldly: "Two AEG long-range missile vehicles have already departed from the US and will be airlifted to the Sozali capital airport tomorrow night. By then, if your government army doesn't act, the peacekeeping force will do it for you!"

Having said that, he walked away from the government army's military tent with arrogant steps, without looking back.

After Daniel left, Asante hesitated and worried alone in the military tent... Only one day was left for him. But currently, he didn't have 1,000 doses of serum and vaccines on hand at all! Of course, he could ask the Chinese government for help, but the Sozali government army and the US were already grasshoppers tied to the same rope; at this moment, China's intervention would only make things worse. And without what Kuba wanted, how could Kuba obediently hand over the 19 children and the 1 Chinese hostage?!

Asante was burning with anxiety, pacing back and forth in the military tent. Just then, the tent curtain was suddenly lifted, and a guard on duty at the entrance trotted in.

"Minister, someone wants to see you."

Asante frowned, "Who is it?"

"A Chinese woman."