Chapter 219: External Influence

Children in the military compound have lived in a military atmosphere since childhood, and have been accustomed to the military lifestyle. After school every day, Li Xiangqian and his friends would gather in the yard to play, study, help each other, and establish deep friendships with each other.

Li Xiangqian was smart and clever since he was young. Although he was naughty, his grades were always among the best. His biggest dream was to become a glorious soldier like his father. Every time he saw his father wearing a neat military uniform, Li Xiangqian's eyes were always full of yearning. In order to realize his dream, Li Xiangqian trained hard since he was a child, running and practicing shooting with his father. His willpower and perseverance were also tempered in training again and again.

His good friend Xiaohong is the daughter of another senior officer in the compound. Xiaohong is lively and cheerful, always bringing joy to everyone. Her dream is to become a doctor, like Li Xiangqian's mother, to cure diseases and save lives. Influenced by her, Li Xiangqian also developed a strong interest in medicine, and often went to the hospital with Xiaohong to help and learn some basic medical knowledge.

As they grew older, Li Xiangqian and Xiaohong gradually realized that life was not just about studying and playing. In the 1960s, China was in an era of change, and the military compound was inevitably influenced by the outside world. Once, an old military doctor came to the compound and told stories from the battlefield, which deeply touched Li Xiangqian and Xiaohong. They began to realize that the duties of soldiers and doctors are not only to train and treat, but more importantly to defend the country and save the dying and the wounded.

During this time, Li Xiangqian also met many new friends, among whom was a young man named Zhang Qiang, who came from the countryside and whose father died on the battlefield. Zhang Qiang's tenacity and bravery deeply touched Li Xiangqian, and the two soon became good friends. Zhang Qiang always told Li Xiangqian about rural life, his family and his expectations for the future. This made Li Xiangqian cherish his current life more and strengthened his determination to defend his country.

Li Xiangqian, Xiaohong and Zhang Qiang became good friends who could talk about anything. They studied together, trained together, and worked hard for their future dreams together. Although life in the military compound was simple, it was full of warmth and hope. In this special land, they not only learned to be strong and brave, but also learned how to support and help each other in difficult situations.

On a summer afternoon, the sun shone through the gaps between the leaves and onto the ground. The military compound was peaceful. Li Xiangqian, Xiaohong, and Zhang Qiang were lying on the grass, looking at the occasional white clouds floating across the sky.

"Xiang Qian, do you really want to be a soldier in the future?" Xiaohong looked at Li Xiang Qian sideways with curiosity in her eyes.

Li nodded with a firm look in his eyes. "Yes, I want to be like my dad, wear a military uniform and protect everyone."

Xiaohong smiled and said, "Then I must become a doctor in the future, so that we can work together and save more people."

Zhang Qiang sat up and patted Li Xiangqian on the shoulder. "What about me? Can I still join you?"

Li Xiangqian looked at Zhang Qiang seriously, "Of course, Qiangzi, the three of us will always be best friends. No matter what you do in the future, we will support you."

Zhang Qiang smiled gratefully, knowing that in this small yard, he had found true friendship. This friendship filled him with hope and courage for the future.

A few years passed, Li Xiangqian, Xiaohong and Zhang Qiang gradually grew up, and their dreams became clearer and clearer. One day, a new soldier named Wang Gang came to the yard. Wang Gang's arrival brought new changes to their lives.

"Hey, my name is Wang Gang, please take care of me in the future!" Wang Gang had a bright smile and he quickly became friends with everyone.

One day after school, Li Xiangqian and Wang Gang were running on the playground. Wang Gang was running very fast, but Li Xiangqian was always following closely behind him. The two of them chased each other and finally both fell down on the grass.

"Xiang Qian, you are really awesome!" Wang Gang exclaimed, panting.

Li Xiangqian smiled and said, "It's the same with you. You are also very strong. We can train together and learn from each other in the future."

Wang Gang nodded, full of admiration for Li Xiangqian. He knew that this young man had an extremely firm belief and unshakable will.

In the evening, everyone sat in the yard and talked about their dreams. Xiaohong took out a medical book and enthusiastically explained the contents to everyone. Zhang Qiang shared some practical skills he learned in the countryside, and Wang Gang told about the interesting things he encountered during training.

"Do you know?" Wang Gang said mysteriously, "During training today, I saw a little deer running onto the playground!"

"Really?" Xiaohong opened her eyes wide, "What happened to the little deer?"

"It was driven away later, but it was really cute," Wang Gang said with a smile.

Li Xiangqian was also amused by this heartwarming scene, and his heart was filled with warmth and touching. In these days, he and his friends have experienced a lot together, they encouraged each other, supported each other, and grew together. This deep friendship made him feel extremely lucky and happy.

One autumn morning, Li Xiangqian and Zhang Qiang were practicing basketball in the yard. The two of them were working more and more closely together, constantly improving their skills. Every successful shot was accompanied by cheers and laughter.

"Xiang Qian, do you think we can still be together like this every day in the future?" Zhang Qiang suddenly asked, with a trace of worry in his eyes.

Li Xiangqian stopped and thought for a moment, then smiled and said, "Qiangzi, no matter what the future holds, our friendship will not change. We will always remember every moment of today."

Zhang Qiang nodded, feeling warm and relieved. He knew that what Li Xiangqian said was true, and their friendship would transcend time and distance and be engraved in their hearts forever.

Winter is coming, and the military compound is covered with thick white snow. Children are playing in the snow, making snowmen and having snowball fights, and their laughter echoes in the cold air.

"Look forward, look at the snowman I made!" Xiaohong excitedly showed off her masterpiece with a happy smile on her face.

"It's so beautiful!" Li Xiangqian praised sincerely, "You are really creative."

Zhang Qiang also ran over, bringing his little snowman with him, "I'm not bad either, am I?"

Li Xiangqian and Xiaohong both laughed, and they gathered around the snowman, clapping their hands and singing joyful songs. This was their common childhood, a wonderful time they would never forget.

Spring is here, flowers are blooming in the military compound, and trees are beginning to sprout new buds. However, with the change of seasons, Li Xiangqian and his companions are about to face an important turning point in their lives.