Flame War Anthem: Beyond the Galactic River (GL) - Chapter 9

Dongling City, Headquarters of the 73rd Group Army.

Before the imposing gate stood two sentries, their postures as straight and unwavering as ancient pines rooted deep in the earth. Their resolute eyes gazed forward, not a single movement betraying their discipline even as the morning breeze brushed past them.

It was just past six o’clock, the sky still dims with dawn’s haze. A convoy of military vehicles moved in perfect formation through the gates, their tires humming a steady rhythm against the pavement.

By seven, thick clouds had blanketed the sky, muting the sunlight to a faint glow. Yet the air hung heavy with a stifling humidity that clung to the skin like an invisible shroud.

Behind the fluttering red flag rose the towering headquarters building. On the fifth floor, the tiered conference hall—spacious and brightly lit—could easily accommodate several hundred. Officers filed in with purposeful strides and focused expressions, quickly finding their assigned seats in orderly silence.

Before the meeting commenced, familiar colleagues exchanged quiet conversations that echoed softly through the chamber. Since the nationwide military reorganization into thirteen group armies, comprehensive reforms had reshaped every aspect—troop deployment, specialization optimization, and weapons modernization reaching unprecedented levels. The current group armies now integrated infantry, armor, artillery, air defense, engineers, communications, chemical defense, electronic warfare, and army aviation into a formidable combined-arms force.

This assembly gathered officers at company level and above. Recent years had seen increasing emphasis on integrating outstanding female personnel, breaking the traditional male-dominated structure. Among the attendees now stood the striking figures of women officers.

In the third row’s center sat four such officers: Army Lieutenant Colonel Qing Lin, Aviation Major Li Lingyu, Army Majors Luo Dan and Yan Yu. Their summer service uniforms—pale green short-sleeved shirts paired with pine-green skirts—projected dignified harmony. Gold insignia and epaulets gleamed under the lights, accentuating their authority. Neatly angled garrison caps framed their faces, while low-heeled black leather shoes marked each step with confident precision.

Apart from Qing Lin’s additional star and differing service ribbons, their uniforms were identical. Years of joint exercises and conferences had forged their camaraderie, and their animated conversation flowed effortlessly.

Nearby, male officers occasionally glanced their way. In this bastion of masculinity accustomed to rugged comrades, these “military roses” stood out like a vibrant new landscape, catching every eye in the room.

As the conversation deepened, the topic inadvertently turned to matters of the heart.

Qing Lin curled her lips into a bright smile and gently nudged Yan Yu, who was sitting to her left, teasing, “Speaking of which, Xiao Yu is the only one among us who isn’t married yet. How about… I introduce you to a few outstanding men? I guarantee you’ll be satisfied.”

Li Lingyu, usually known for her stern demeanor in the army, softened unexpectedly and chimed in with genuine concern in her eyes. “I also know quite a few exceptional candidates. Xiao Yu, if you’re interested, I’d be happy to play matchmaker for you.”

Yan Yu removed her military cap and placed it on the table, revealing her short, ear-length hair, which made her look even more sharp and refreshing.

Hearing their teasing remarks, she couldn’t help but smile faintly, her expression as lovely as a flower blooming in spring.

She turned her head slightly, her gaze sweeping gently over Qing Lin and Li Lingyu’s faces, and said softly, “It’s rare to see you two playing matchmaker.”

Li Lingyu blinked earnestly. “Actually, I’ve never set anyone up before, but I really do know a few outstanding men. If you don’t mind, I wouldn’t mind being a matchmaker for once.”

Qing Lin laughed cheerfully. “Exactly! We’d only introduce the best to you. The unsuitable ones wouldn’t even cross our minds.”

Yan Yu, well aware of their good intentions, kept her smile and replied calmly, “Let me think about it… After all, we barely have any free time for dating, let alone marriage. If both partners are in the military, the chances of meeting would be few and far between. You know how demanding my unit’s workload is—finding a suitable partner isn’t easy.”

Her straightforward friend Luo Dan interjected bluntly, “That sounds like an excuse. Who in the military isn’t busy? By your logic, no one in your unit should ever get married.”

Qing Lin nodded repeatedly in agreement.

Li Lingyu seemed to recall something, her expression darkening slightly as she furrowed her brows and fell silent.

Qing Lin continued, “Xiao Yu, you can’t keep thinking like this, or you’ll never find someone who truly fits you.”

Yan Yu lowered her gaze slightly, her expression serene but tinged with undeniable resignation. “I understand what you’re saying, but matters of the heart depend on fate.”

“Even if fate comes knocking, you still have to take the initiative,” Qing Lin advised earnestly.

Luo Dan gave her a sidelong glance and remarked flatly, “Plenty of people like her and chase after her, but she’s never shown interest in anyone.”

“Xiao Yu, have you really never met someone who made your heart flutter?” Li Lingyu asked solemnly, her gaze deep and probing.

After all, marriage wasn’t a game. While matchmaking could mitigate some risks, genuine affection was essential—otherwise, one might end up trapped in a loveless marriage, just as she had.

Yan Yu’s smile froze abruptly. Her calm eyes flickered with countless complex emotions, her gaze growing distant and profound. “There was one… but she and I can never be together.”

Li Lingyu and Qing Lin instinctively assumed she had suffered emotional wounds, which was why she was so resistant to matters of the heart.

However, Luo Dan beside them widened her eyes, her face revealing astonishment.

How could she not know that Xiaoyu had someone she liked? When did this happen…

Qing Lin pressed on, “You say it’s impossible… is it because of distance, or because your feelings weren’t compatible?”

Xiaoyu lowered her head, her voice heavy. “I’m sorry, I don’t want to talk about this…”

Seeing her mood darken, they stopped and asked no further questions.

Luo Dan seemed to recall something else. Resting her elbow on the conference table, her eyes gradually dimmed, and her voice unconsciously softened. “If Xiao Xi were still here… she probably would have been married by now…”

The moment the words left her lips, the atmosphere around them froze.

A heavy silence enveloped the group. Sadness and nostalgia surfaced on their faces, as if their thoughts had been pulled back to the past.

Qing Lin knew who she was referring to, though the two had never been close—she had only heard bits and pieces.

But for Li Lingyu, the name “Xiao Xi” instantly dragged her back to the past. She knew the full story.

After all, her own younger sister was now in the Lu Hang unit, personally trained by her.

And this comrade, who had sacrificed herself on the battlefield, had once fought side by side with her, shedding bl00d and sweat together.

Memories of An Jingxi flickered through her mind like a revolving lantern—encouraging each other on the training grounds, moving in perfect sync during missions.

Then she thought of Jingxia, the proud and gifted prodigy, and an inexplicable heaviness surged in her chest, spreading through her entire body.

It felt as if a boulder were pressing down on her heart, a dull ache throbbing beneath.

This pain carried both deep mourning and endless regret for Jingxi, as well as heartache for Jingxia, whose life had been irrevocably altered by the loss of her sister.

Yet for Xiaoyu, Luo Dan’s brief remark struck like a hammer, crashing violently onto her already fragile, vulnerable heart.

She hastily lowered her head. In that instant, an icy chill surged from the soles of her feet straight into her chest, as if she had plunged into a frozen abyss.

Every pore in her body contracted, every inch of her skin recoiling from the cold.

Her thoughts tangled into chaos, like a mess of unraveled thread, sinking into a blank void.

Her breathing grew labored and strained, each inhale tugging at the fragile nerves in her chest. Her throat was parched and sour, as if she had swallowed a mouthful of bitter herbs, the taste unbearable.

The wound she had barely managed to seal over time had now been brutally torn open in this moment of vulnerability.

Fresh bl00d gushed forth, unseen by others, leaving her heart a mangled mess.

The piercing pain was like sharp needles, driving deep into her bones again and again, so agonizing she nearly fainted.

Countless nights and days, Xiaoyu had silently wished in her heart—if only Xiao Xi could miraculously be alive.

Even if her love belonged to someone else, even if she married another, had children—Xiaoyu could grit her teeth and swallow all the bitterness, sincerely wishing her happiness.

How desperately she wished all this grief were just a terrible nightmare.

No matter what torment she endured in the dream, as long as she woke up, she would see Xiao Xi standing beside her, alive and smiling as always.

But reality was cold and cruel. The chasm of life and death stretched mercilessly between them.

Endless longing surged like violent tides, completely drowning out all words.

Her heart was utterly hollowed out, leaving only an empty shell of a body—soulless, wandering through the world in lonely, aimless despair.

Luo Dan raised her gaze and, in passing, noticed Xiaoyu’s face had turned deathly pale, drained of all color. Her lips were slightly white, and her body trembled faintly.

A sudden dread clenched Luo Dan’s heart—something was terribly wrong.

She realized her words had been like a sharp blade, piercing straight into Xiaoyu’s deepest wounds.