Flame War Anthem: Beyond the Galactic River (GL) - Chapter 10

Regret and self-reproach surged in Luo Dan’s heart as she hastily reached out to tightly grasp the other woman’s hand.

Her palm was cold, almost devoid of warmth. Her voice was low, thick with apology, nearly choking on the words: “Xiao Yu, I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to bring her up.”

Xiao Yu’s eyes were hollow, her gaze unfocused as she stared blankly ahead, mechanically murmuring, “It’s fine… I’m okay…”

But her trembling voice, like withered leaves drifting in late autumn, betrayed the exhaustion and sorrow within, revealing the deep anguish she struggled to conceal.

Luo Dan knew all too well the bond between Xiao Yu and Xiao Xi. They weren’t just classmates at the military academy—they had grown up together, their friendship as deep as bl00d ties.

After Xiao Xi’s death, Xiao Yu had tried her best to maintain a composed facade, pretending life went on undisturbed. But Luo Dan understood—that pain had already taken root in the depths of her soul, an unhealable wound.

Memories of their academy days surfaced—the three of them sharing a dormitory, waking early for drills, studying late under the moonlight, confiding their dreams and fears.

After graduation, though assigned to different units, they had all remained within the 73rd Group Army, keeping in touch.

Yet none of them could have imagined that the jokes they once made about life and death would become a cruel reality.

An Jingxi—Xiao Xi—had been one of the top graduates of their class, assigned to a newly formed female reconnaissance platoon in the infantry brigade.

With her exceptional courage and determination, she later earned a place in the Long Zhan Special Operations Brigade, the elite unit of the Group Army.

There, she became a standout among her peers yet faced dangers beyond ordinary comprehension.

Five years ago, the devastating news struck like a bolt from the blue.

No one could believe it—Xiao Xi had died heroically on a classified mission, her body never recovered.

They were all engulfed in grief and disbelief. Desperate for any mistake in the report, Xiao Yu and Luo Dan had frantically sought confirmation, only to be met with the same heartbreaking truth.

Life was too unpredictable. Before they could even say a proper goodbye, their dearest friend had vanished, leaving behind only endless sorrow and longing.

Luo Dan’s guilt ran deeper still.

She knew Xiao Yu’s feelings for Xiao Xi had long surpassed mere friendship—perhaps even Xiao Yu herself hadn’t fully grasped the depth of it.

After Xiao Xi’s death, Xiao Yu seemed to lose half her soul, wandering through days in a daze. The prolonged suppression left her distant and empty.

Then, against all expectations, the gentle, bookish woman who had always shunned violence secretly applied for Long Zhan’s selection trials.

When Luo Dan found out, she was frantic. She tried to stop her.

She knew exactly what Long Zhan meant—the most covert, brutal, and perilous unit in the entire military, where every mission was a gamble with death.

She couldn’t bear to lose another dear friend, nor watch her plunge into irreversible danger.

But it was too late…

Xiao Yu’s resolve was unshakable.

Once she set her mind to something, no matter how difficult the path, her unwavering determination drove her forward.

With astonishing resilience and perseverance, she gritted her teeth through the training, enduring countless injuries and hardships, step by step reaching her current position.

Only she truly understood the toil, bitterness, and pain behind it all.

Every drop of sweat shed, every scar left on her body silently spoke of her deep longing and unwavering devotion to Xiao Xi.

Over the years, to help her gradually move past the grief, everyone had tacitly avoided mentioning Xiao Xi.

They all tried hard to forget, burying the pain deep in their hearts.

Because they feared that once touched, that already battered heart would plunge back into the abyss of sorrow and despair, into utter hopelessness…

Seeing that they still hadn’t found closure, Li Lingyu empathized deeply, knowing that hollow words could offer no comfort.

Though Qing Lin had never met An Jingxi, she could keenly sense from the words and Luo Dan’s reactions that she must have been a brave, fearless, and outstanding soldier—a hero worthy of everyone’s respect and remembrance.

The conference room gradually filled with more and more people until all seats were occupied.

Yan Yu remained lost in a daze, her gaze deep and hollow, unfocused.

Trying to forget—how could it be so easy?

After all these years, had there ever been a moment when she truly forgot Xiao Xi?

Now, everything seemed calm on the surface, and life moved forward.

But her world would forever be missing its most vital part—that irreplaceable Xiao Xi.

“Xiao Yu, Xiao Yu, are you okay?”

Qing Lin noticed her distracted, absent-minded state.

Despite the solemn and quiet atmosphere in the conference room, she couldn’t help but lower her voice and ask with concern.

Yan Yu snapped back to reality, as if pulled from the depths of distant memories.

She turned to look at her, her eyes dull and shadowed, as if veiled in gloom: “Mm… I’m fine.”

She forced a faint smile, but it was filled with exhaustion and bitterness.

“Good, I thought Luo Dan’s words earlier might have upset you… Listen carefully, the content is important.”

“Mm, thank you.”

Yan Yu nodded, lifting her head to focus on the leader speaking at the front, trying her best to push those painful memories aside for now.

Though Luo Dan didn’t turn around, her thoughts were also largely distracted by Yan Yu’s state.

Filled with guilt, she silently vowed never to mention Xiao Xi lightly again—she couldn’t hurt her like this anymore.

The meeting lasted until nearly 11:40, finally concluding the morning’s agenda.

After lunch, they would resume at 1:30 p.m.

By then, Yan Yu’s emotions had settled somewhat.

Luo Dan also kept her resolution, avoiding any mention of their past.

They walked out of the headquarters building into the stifling heat, heading toward the cafeteria.

Along the way, they tried to recapture their usual lighthearted atmosphere, chatting and laughing.

Somehow, the topic circled back to setting Yan Yu up with someone.

Luo Dan spoke enthusiastically—she and Yan Yu were the same age, yet her own child was already three, while Yan Yu’s love life remained completely blank, not even a shadow in sight.

Qing Lin also urged her, though Li Lingyu didn’t press further.

Unable to refuse, Yan Yu could only reluctantly agree for the time being.

She knew in her heart that no matter how much she tried to escape, life would always go on.

Perhaps she should really try to free her long-imprisoned heart and bravely take a chance. Who knows—there might be unexpected surprises waiting for her ahead…