Chapter Five
Chapter Five
Young lady, you truly are remarkable, bringing a refreshing breeze to everyone.
I lack that unique boldness; sticking to the same routine every day is simply dull. The railway world is just like that—so closed off.
I want to learn from her, learn her persistence and stubbornness. What must that feel like? Surely it’s exhilarating and free.
In my memory, I only faced the control panel of the three-track line, following a series of standard, rigorous procedures. It wasn’t very difficult, but doing it well was hard.
In truth, I just want to say this: I want to learn from her.
Railway, I despise you!
The woman I know, Wei Liyan, is very ambitious. She’s the deputy general manager of Yang Corporation, overseeing business operations, and few know the properties better than she does. After all, such goods tied to national economy and people’s livelihood always sell well, especially good houses. Yet, she is also Yang Bin’s secret mistress, and jealousy towards the young lady seems almost natural.
Indeed, the finance directors, Xie Chuanying and Ding Lanqing, share the same envy. It goes without saying.
Most troublesome is Feng Yuqin, who quarrels with the young lady daily—over financial regulations, which Feng is very familiar with. The young lady, less skilled in this area, seeks her advice, only to be deceived, leaving herself in a very passive position.
Director Feng, please, don’t fight with the young lady; she’s not easy to handle.
Yet these three financial titans are so united that all accounts have become a hotbed of corruption. This is where the young lady’s difficulties begin.
The situation is clear: greed is the root of all chaos.
At the meeting, Dong Bing spoke up.
“Currently, Yang Corporation is not what it once was; it’s in decline. Our situation is very special now—every cadre is implicated. For example, Jiang Feng, Sun Shuangquan, Wang Yong, and even Zeng Xianzhang, who is on unpaid leave running a big business, are all involved in corruption. Can we handle this? If not, we’re finished.”
The young lady grew anxious.
Yang Bin unexpectedly remained indifferent.
“So what do you want from everyone? I’m at a disadvantage because of my age. Maybe someone is bullying me—I don’t know. But that’s not my point. You may be powerful, but what good is that? The company belongs to all of us, not just me. I don’t want it to be like this. Think about how hard it all is. I’m not complaining; I’m just crying out.”
“No, no, this’s become a catchphrase. We all understand, Director Leng, you’re smart and capable.”
“Am I smart and capable? I know myself. But are you clean? Don’t put on airs. I warn you, if you keep acting recklessly, just try me.”
General Manager Yang said, “Corruption? I don’t care. Why? Because I’m like that too.”
“How dare you say that?”
“Of course.”
“Hey! What’s wrong with you all? Cheer up! I have no choice.”
“Well, then I’ll have to draw my sword and fight. You’re forcing me.”
Yang grew furious. “How dare you! Try it, see what happens.”
“I’ve done it a hundred times. This one’s no different. Alright, since you’re all here, I’ll call the anti-corruption bureau.”
“That can’t be. They are all acquaintances. You’ll just turn a blind eye.”
“If I can’t, damn it!”
Everyone fell silent.
“I must do it, and I won’t show mercy. I think I’m right. One day, the truth will come out. That is the day of justice.”
Everyone smiled wryly, casting her a sidelong glance. “You’re too confident.”
“Confidence comes from responsibility. I haven’t been here long; you don’t know me well yet. But let me be clear: who cares who you are? You don’t believe me? Fine. I’ll have the whole company investigated. I don’t believe I’m the only clean one. This is who I am. I’ve never been this angry before.”
“Well, what’s the point?”
“What point? I have no point.”
Then the anti-corruption bureau arrived. She solemnly handed over a list.
At the trial, the prosecution and defense clashed fiercely. The lawyer found it extremely challenging, as nothing like this had ever happened before.
The young lady wanted to save Yang Corporation, which from a legal standpoint was easy to gain the judge’s support for. But she couldn’t entirely condemn the company. The judge asked curiously, “Who exactly are you trying to save?”
The young lady looked down, unsure how to answer.
She quickly said, “I think you worry too much. It’s unnecessary.”
“No,” the prosecutor said, “we must handle this case realistically. This is very special. History will have a clear judgment on who was wrong. But if we cannot forgive others’ mistakes, then no one in this world can live, right?”
“Yes!”
“So do you still want to do this? Still call out for help?”
“Yes, because I’m stubborn.”
“Well! I, Yang Bin, like someone with guts like you.”
The courtroom nodded collectively.
Above the three-foot bench, there is divine presence. Justice is everything!
Thunderous applause erupted.
The young lady finally succeeded. Her victory stemmed from her effort and stubbornness. Yet, events still unfolded.
Often, opportunities and challenges coexist, but sometimes things take a reverse course.
Leng Tiantian overcame all and truly became a city-wide celebrity. The media’s coverage of her seemed never enough, and she couldn’t help but feel proud. She always held herself to a high standard, demanding much from herself. Her success was no accident; it was inevitable. Why? Because it was a battle.
The battle had begun!
Everything at Yang Corporation was under the young lady’s control, but in truth, it was in the hands of Wei Liyan, the ruthless deputy general manager. She skewed all profits from property sales towards herself, exploiting her secret relationship with Yang Bin to play the opportunist. The company seemed like a playground for opportunism.
“No, I can’t agree to this plan. Do you think you’re still being practical?”
“Director Leng, I’m acting on General Yang’s orders. You can ask him if you don’t believe me.”
“I only care about the content.”
“Content? Why do you disagree? Because you’re higher-ranked? Bureaucrat!”
“I absolutely won’t tolerate your nonsense any longer. Tell me, what is your wild idea? I see no benefit. I want to make money, and even though my family is poor, I still keep my past purity intact. That’s my business.”
“Fine! If you don’t care, then today we settle this. Come on, fight.”
“Fight, then.”
“You!”
General Yang entered. “Stop it.”
The young lady visited her brother, carefully checking his study progress and feeling very satisfied. Yes, he studied diligently; this year, she hoped to cure his cancer.
“Sister, I have a secret.”
“What secret? Although you study hard, your handwriting could improve.”
“I’m an alien, a prince. After inheriting the throne, I grew bored and came to play with you.”
“An alien? I don’t quite understand.”
“On the Divine Star Planet, the economy is highly developed and everything is fully supplied. Though I’m a prince, I also serve as prime minister. I care deeply for my subjects, mainly their thoughts and future.”
“Then why did you come to me? Am I special or something else?”
“Yes, something else. You have unique qualities.”
“Qualities? I think I found the right person. For example, you can stand firm and reform Yang Corporation. That’s something I truly admire, and you have a very kind heart.”
“Hmm, don’t you think I’m stubborn?”
“Yes, yes, I like it a lot.”
“But how can I help you?”
“Not help, but save us.”
“Really?”
“We were defeated in the attack by the Dark Serpent Planet.”
“Then you need to start anew, rebuild your nation and government, and defeat the opposition.”
“You can do that? Well, let me keep it simple and brief. Please lead us to defeat them. They are giant snake monsters, covered in armor, armed to the teeth, terrifying, and good at causing trouble.”
“Good at causing trouble? How can I help with that?”
“We discovered you use a high-powered astronomical microscope. We think you can do it.”
“Alright, there’s still time. No time to waste.”
“Okay, I’ll go get the spaceship’s ignition key. Wait for me. That’s my secret. You can do this.”
“Don’t worry. They’re just machine monsters. I thought the sky was falling.”
The spaceship started, and the young lady and King Andy sped forward.
Neither spoke, for there was no need.
Inside, it was eerily quiet. Andy didn’t look at the young lady, steady at the controls.
Yes, she didn’t want to disturb him, instead reflecting silently. When facing difficulties, you must find a way. This was the way.
Maybe she really could do it. The spaceship raced onward.
“We’re almost there. We’ll defeat the enemy.”
“Defeat everything. That’s what living is for.”
“Defeat what? Defeat everything? Did I hear that right?”
“Yes, really. You can do anything.”
The young lady was anxious, worried about her subjects being threatened. That was paramount because safety had to be guaranteed.
“Yes, our call for help should be easy to understand. So, can you really do it?”
“I’m confident. Why? Because you can do anything.”
“I understand now. Freedom is the most precious thing.”
Still, the young lady was formidable. Once on site, she launched operations fully, planning battles. She wasn’t especially talented, just stubborn.
Stubbornness is the secret to overcoming all.
On the Divine Star Planet, everyone was ready to reclaim their homeland. Then the young lady received a video from Yang Bin and his mistress Wei Liyan.
“Beasts! What a bunch of useless people.”
The situation was complex. “I suggest we send all our infantry to the front lines for a one-time surprise attack, even if it costs dearly.”
“Good, we must unite against the enemy and protect our country.”
“I agree with the call to kill the enemy and protect the nation, but we can’t just do that. I must protect the soldiers’ safety because our destiny isn’t just war.”
“As long as we can reclaim our country, we can do anything else without hesitation.”
“No, I can’t agree. As commander, I must consider all factors.”
“All factors? We don’t understand.”
“You don’t need to understand.”
The battle began. Everyone was brave, charging ahead.
According to front-line reports, our righteous army took initial victories, capturing the enemy’s vanguard. Now it was time for close combat. The young lady was anxious, sensing something wrong. “We must win, we must win.”
General Kelly, the commander, said, “We’re all women. Maybe we really can bear this responsibility. I feel honored but also realize I should do something—surrender.”
“Why? Didn’t you say you wanted final victory? I don’t understand.”
“War is a fight to the death. I don’t want to continue. I believe peace is more important.”
“I don’t care. Your theory of surrender is ridiculous.”
“If things worsen, then...”
“You! Because you can do anything. Anyway, you must choose between light and darkness.”
“I think you’re exaggerating.”
“I am, but I choose light, always.”
“Actually, I mean we should avoid provoking the enemy as much as possible because it’s truly terrifying.”
“Terrifying? If you think so, then you don’t deserve to live.”
“Yes, you’re right. But—”
“But what? I’ll say something and you’ll understand.”
“Remember the poem ‘Sympathy for Farmers’ from childhood? Everyone knows it, though my understanding is shallow. The point is, food and survival are most important. So, what about our future? That matters.”
“Our future will be paved with gold and flowers, filled with cattle, sheep, and camels. Everyone drinks sweet wine and rain dew, enjoying the best treatment.”
“I don’t understand.”
“We must strive for that, that’s all.”
“But I’m still scared.”
“You won’t believe it.”
During the war’s outbreak, the young lady seldom spoke. One group of spirits after another fell in blood. Every soldier was scared and confused; officers were in disarray.
Supplies were tight, but they lost. All retreated to Pi Mountain Valley to regroup, preparing for exile.
“Yes, preserving strength is sometimes vital. Now we must save lives.”
Thirteen thousand people were in the valley, watched closely by snake mechs. Ensuring safety was critical.
King Andy still believed surrender was right, but the young lady remained silent.
“You asked me to come. I don’t want this either. What now, General?”
“Good question. If I knew, I’d tell you.”
“What if we attack?”
“Don’t know. Hopefully.”
The mechs were battle-ready, weapons extreme and merciless.
The general pleaded for mercy.
“I’ll risk my life to save everyone. But after thinking, retreat is better.”
“But the deaths will be horrendous.”
“I don’t believe it. Not believing is not believing.”
“I’ll take command. We all surrender. No more deaths.”
“Even if we die, it will be on the attack. That’s how I see it.”
“Well... I have no choice then.”
Andy hesitated; it was too risky.
The mechs began their assault. One minute—within that time, the great escape had to be completed.
“Yes, we are the bravest warriors. Charge!”
No one showed fear. All attacked towards the breakout point. Time was life. Anyone doubting that was a fool.
Though casualties were heavy, the great escape succeeded. Let us thank the young lady, for she saved the Divine Star Planet. This is choice!
On the snowball, the spirits could only hide here. This was the refuge for the great escape—the only one.
After the spaceship landed, it was immediately scrapped and powered down because the temperature was minus 300 degrees—uninhabitable and unsuitable for lingering. The snakes feared this.
They couldn’t stay inside the ship forever, as high-tech might restart it and take them back. So every spirit was forced onto the snowy ground.
It was bitterly cold and grim—no life, no death, only survival.
They chose their paths, still surrounded by endless snow. There is a famous saying, difficult to answer, but now the answer comes:
Forward. We must move forward. Everyone must not fall behind. Follow the young lady. We must live.
Keep up, no stragglers.
“What’s the end? Simple. It would have been better to surrender at the start.”
“Never blame heaven or others—that’s very harmful.”
“We don’t really want to continue. It’s so hard.”
“I suggest we sing a song: ‘I Am No Longer Afraid and No Longer Weak’—that white dove.”
“You want us to sing that white dove? Hey! Can we?”
“Yes, I think we can. Usually if I say so, it’s possible. I’m only seventeen. You must have chosen me right. Everyone, dress warmly and sing.”
“Let’s sing the Internationale instead. It’s powerful—‘Arise, ye who refuse to be slaves!’”
“Yes, that song has power. I suggest everyone sing it. The more in unison, the more power, the warmer we feel.”
“Really? I already feel warmer. So the Internationale is so useful.”
“The path ahead is dangerous. We could freeze to death.”
“We’re not afraid. You know, though it’s cold.”
“Yes, the time to test us has come.”
Hand in hand, they rushed towards the distant white expanse. This was a battle with no way out, a heroic struggle beyond measure.
Everyone was a warrior, extraordinarily brave. Especially King Andy, who walked at the front without hesitation, steadfastly moving forward.
This was a battle with no way out.
Magnificent.
True greatness means overcoming a dead end—at least for now.
Allow me to salute them!