1024 So You Feel Afraid Too



"After we bring Father home, let's ask him not to go to the frontline anymore. He should retire and enjoy life. In the future, he can help to look after his grandchildren and go square dancing with Mother," Qiao Mei said.

Xia Wen's nervous expression also relaxed. Xia Mao had long reached the age of retirement, but he was still focused on fighting for the country. In addition, Xia Zhe was not still not experienced enough during that time, so he felt that he should continue with his work for a few more years.

With this injury, even if he wanted to go back to the frontline, his superiors would probably not grant approval anymore.

Xia He pointed at Qiao Mei's hands and said with a smile, "You still have the cheek to comfort me! Look at how your hands are trembling."

Qiao Mei quickly hid her hands behind her back. She thought that Xia He would not discover it, but she did not expect to be exposed.

"I'm just feeling nervous too…" Qiao Mei said shyly as she looked out of the window.

In her other life, she was a criminal lawyer and she had seen too much about the dark side of human nature, as well as life and death issues. She thought that she had gotten used to these things, but when such things happened to her own relatives, she still felt afraid and nervous.

Xia Mao was a very nice person. When they first met, Xia Mao had treated her very well and since then, he had been very nice to her until now. Xia Zhe also respected his father very much. No matter what, Qiao Mei must save Xia Mao.

By the time they arrived, it was two days later. After traveling for two days and two nights, they were all already extremely tired. Xia Wen had stubble on his chin and Xia He's dark circles were so big that she almost looked like a panda.

Qiao Mei was the only one who remained in good shape. Although she was very tired, she was still in good spirits. This was all thanks to the bangle. Whenever the color of the bangle started to fade, Qiao Mei would drip one drop of 1,000-year-old ginseng juice on it. After the bangle absorbed it, it would emit a faint glow, as if it had been recharged by a power bank.

"It's another three kilometers to our destination," Xia Wen said as he looked at the road ahead.

"Are we able to drive all the way there?" Qiao Mei asked.

Mountain roads were hard to maneuver and cars could usually only travel until the foot of the mountain. If they wanted to go any further, they would have to get down and walk. The worst thing ahead was not climbing the mountain, but the fact that it was already late afternoon. If they progressed too slowly, they would not be able to move forward once it became dark. There were dangers everywhere in the forest. Even if there were many people following them into the mountain, they could not ensure everyone's safety.

"I'll ask the chauffeur to send you to the camp at the foot of the mountain to stay for the night. I'll go up the mountain first to take a look at Father," Xia Wen said.

He had left the army for many years, but he still retained his physical fitness and actual combat experience. He should be able to reach the camp, which was halfway up the mountain, before dark.

Even though Xia Wen would not be able to help much even if he got there, he would feel better to be able to ascertain that Xia Mao was fine. As long as he could see Xia Mao, he did not care how tough it was for him.

"No, I have to go up. I walked on such mountain paths every day in the village. It's a piece of cake for me and nothing will go wrong," Qiao Mei said.

Xia He also echoed, "That's right, eldest brother. I want to go too!"

"Why are you messing around too!" Xia Wen said earnestly. "Qiao Mei, now is not the time to let your emotions get the better of you. Even though there's so many of us, even if we all get there, we won't be able to help much. I'll go up and take a look at Father's situation first. You're pregnant and it's already been very taxing on you for the past two days. Listen to me and stay at the foot of the mountain with Xia He for one night before going up the next day."

He needed to be responsible for Qiao Mei, as well as Xia Zhe's children. Even if the sky fell down, he must bear the burden for the entire family and not let anything happen to anyone.

"Eldest brother, I'll still make my way up. If you stop me now, I'll only sneak up the mountain path later. I grew up in the mountains and I definitely know more ways of getting up than you. It's not even certain who will arrive first between us," Qiao Mei said to Xia Wen, hiding a threatening attitude behind a smile.

Xia He also backed Qiao Mei up. Xia Wen really could not dissuade this stubborn sister-in-law of his, so he could only compromise. It was definitely not an easy task to be their eldest brother.

"Then we have to promise one another. If you feel any discomfort, we'll stop immediately. No matter how small the issue is, you have to tell me," Xia Wen said sternly.

Qiao Mei and Xia He nodded together with a very sincere attitude, worried that Xia Wen would go back on his word and end up detaining the two of them in the camp below the mountain. The closer they got to the foot of the mountain, the more agitated everyone felt.