Flame War Anthem: Beyond the Galactic River (GL) - Chapter 20

Two months later, in the eastern suburbs of Dongling, the beautiful and vibrant autumn quietly arrived.

The oppressive heat of summer had faded, replaced by a refreshing and pleasant coolness.

Wu Chen stood outside, the gentle breeze brushing against her cheeks, bringing a sense of contentment.

Looking up, the sky was as blue as a gemstone, with white clouds floating like cotton candy.

The leaves in the mountains and forests had taken on a riot of colors—fiery reds and golden yellows.

They swayed lightly in the wind before drifting down, like dancing butterflies.

She had always had a special fondness for the warm and tender autumn, often feeling like a leaf herself—no matter how long it drifted in the wind, it would eventually return to its roots.

During this time, Wu Chen had fully taken over NAS’s operations in China, thanks to her exceptional leadership and decisive decision-making.

Though her approach wasn’t as aggressive and swift as it had been in the U.S., her methods remained ruthless and uncompromising—once she struck, she left no room for counterattacks.

China, as the world’s largest developing country, had seen rapid economic growth, but its society also presented complex and diverse layers.

Many people still harbored a deep-seated tendency to bully the weak and fear the strong, especially those who operated on the fringes of darkness, making money through illicit means.

They claimed to fear nothing, yet in truth, they feared death more than anyone.

But faced with the lure of immense profits, they had no choice but to gamble with their lives, risking everything for a chance to strike it rich.

In that lawless world where the strong preyed on the weak, a single misstep could mean being mercilessly devoured—an early appointment with the King of Hell.

At first, those who ran seemingly legitimate businesses while engaging in illegal activities behind the scenes were openly dissatisfied with Wu Chen, a newcomer, becoming their leader.

Their resentment wasn’t just about fearing reduced profits—it stemmed from a deeper prejudice and underestimation of her.

Though they had heard of her formidable influence in the U.S., their ingrained biases led them to openly display their contempt when they first met her.

But they had sorely underestimated Wu Chen’s true capabilities and the ruthlessness she had honed.

She was never one to be easily shaken by others’ disdain. Faced with their arrogance and disrespect, she remained unfazed, her usual smile never leaving her face.

During this period, she returned alone to Dongling to meet Qi Yun, a childhood friend.

She startled him quite a bit—had it not been for a pressing matter requiring his connections, she wouldn’t have revealed herself. Fortunately, the issue was resolved smoothly.

Before parting, she sternly forbade him from exposing her identity or any information about her. Only after he repeatedly swore secrecy did she relent…

With her recent workload finally easing up, the leave she had requested earlier was approved, giving her the rare chance to enjoy a long weekend.

That morning, she moved swiftly through headquarters, efficiently handling her tasks.

By the time she returned to the city, it was already noon.

After a simple lunch with her parents, she set out a little past two for an upscale hotel in the new district—her high school’s ten-year reunion.

Ten years ago, the three years of high school were neither long nor short, yet they carried the most vibrant and youthful days of their lives.

Back then, they sat together in that classroom, sharing the same goal—their dream universities—and weathered three years of ups and downs side by side.

Every little moment from their high school days left deep, indelible memories in each other’s hearts.

In the past, gatherings were often marked by comparisons, rivalry, even mockery and estrangement.

Now, nearing their thirties, most had stepped into marriage, raising children, and building their own small families.

Life had brought more worries, and they had gradually learned to conceal their true feelings.

Facing their classmates from those youthful years, there was both relaxation and anxiety, but mostly mutual understanding and shared confessions—though sarcasm and jabs were inevitable, they were rarely voiced aloud.

The marks of time had quietly etched themselves onto everyone.

Whether the dreams buried deep in their hearts had been realized or not, most had now chosen to accept their present circumstances.

And their class monitor had left this group forever, no longer able to gather them together as before.

In recent years, deputy monitor He Rong had taken on this responsibility, organizing reunions every two years and sending the location and room details to the group chat.

Yan Yu’s military duties kept her busy, but she made every effort to attend each gathering.

Back in their first year of high school, she hadn’t been particularly active in class, but perhaps because Xiao Xi always dragged her along for everything, asking for her input.

Her calm and quiet demeanor gradually won everyone over, and she became close with several good friends.

Driving her family’s SUV, she navigated through heavy traffic—despite the short distance, it took over an hour to reach the Junhao Hotel.

By then, a light drizzle had begun to fall, the cool mist refreshing against her skin.

After parking in the hotel’s underground garage, she sat silently in the car for a long while before finally stepping out to head upstairs.

Her outfit for the reunion was a far cry from her usual military uniform—a casual khaki shirt paired with black skinny pants and brown ankle boots.

Her short hair was neat, her features delicate, her gaze deep and composed, exuding a mature yet magnetic presence.

Upstairs, a server guided her to the private room.

Pushing the door open, she saw four large round tables already filled with people.

“Well, look who finally made it—our esteemed officer!”

He Rong spotted her immediately and warmly ushered her to the reserved seat.

Yan Yu had arrived with a slightly heavy heart, but immersed in the lively atmosphere, she quietly exhaled, her face finally breaking into a smile unseen for days.

This reunion had drawn more classmates than ever—after all, it was their ten-year anniversary, and even the busiest had made time to attend.

Those who truly didn’t want to come weren’t pressured.

By six, everyone who had confirmed their attendance had arrived, and He Rong, as usual, delivered a speech on behalf of the group.

Now a department manager at a listed company, he excelled in every way, but in such settings, he didn’t need to be overly formal or restrained.