Chapter 1278 Remembering the Past

"Okay." Gu Chengyuan nodded slightly, a smile of approval on his face.

"Comrade Haitao, you've worked hard these past few days." As he spoke, he reached out and gently patted Chen Haitao's shoulder insignia.

Upon seeing this, Chen Haitao, who was also nearly 1.8 meters tall and had an imposing presence, immediately and naturally bowed slightly. This was not out of humility, but rather a habitual gesture of respect and cooperation from a subordinate to a superior, making it easier for Gu Chengyuan to take the photos.

With a sincere expression on his face and his voice still firm, he replied, "Reporting to the commander! It's no trouble at all! It is my duty and mission to serve the commander and the war zone!"

"Please, sir," Chen Haitao stepped aside, gesturing for him to proceed, while simultaneously reporting:

"Chairman Cai of the Night Province Management Committee, Chairman Cai of the Chongqing City Management Committee, and representatives from various war zones have all arrived at the reviewing stand and are waiting for you."

Gu Chengyuan nodded and said no more. Under Chen Haitao's guidance and surrounded by several bodyguards and senior officers, he strode towards the tall parade steps.

His steps were unhurried, steady, and powerful; his gleaming general's leather shoes made a clear and rhythmic "tap, tap" sound on the cement steps.

The hem of her dark green dress swayed slightly with her steps, and the medals and badges on her chest occasionally reflected a faint golden light.

The morning breeze ruffled the hair on his forehead, but it couldn't dispel the quiet yet powerful aura that seemed to be innate around him.

The short distance from getting off the bus to stepping onto the stage was watched by countless eyes.

Officials and generals at all levels in the front row of the viewing area, as well as representatives from various regions like Chen Shitou in the back, and even the soldiers maintaining order, all couldn't help but focus their attention on that figure who was walking step by step toward the top.

Chen Shitou was sitting in the 28th row, a great distance away. Even though he tried his best to squint his eyes as much as possible, he still couldn't see the specific face of that supreme being. But that upright posture, that invisible aura, and the absolute respect shown by everyone around him were enough to leave an indelible impression on his mind.

'That is…' Chen Shitou's heart raced involuntarily, and his palms sweated slightly. He recalled his earlier reflections.

The man of destiny!

Without any verbal announcement or elaborate embellishment, simply by appearing and walking, it naturally became the absolute core of this magnificent scene, drawing everyone's attention and expectations. This is the true "destiny" walking among humankind!

Gu Chengyuan climbed the steps one by one, his figure gradually rising higher and higher, until he finally disappeared at the top of that magnificent reviewing stand.

...

As Gu Chengyuan stepped onto the highest platform of the reviewing stand, an invisible aura, seemingly capable of freezing the air, spread rapidly and silently throughout the entire top-level viewing area, like ripples spreading out after a boulder is thrown into a calm lake.

The area, which had been filled with hushed conversations and greetings, fell silent instantly.

The high-ranking military and political leaders of the theater commands who were exchanging greetings and conversations, the specially invited deputy theater command level representatives from the East, West, and South theater commands, and the few model representatives of workers, farmers, and students all fell silent and stopped all their actions at almost the same time.

Everyone's eyes, as if drawn by a magnet, turned in unison towards the stairwell.

The expressions on their faces, whether serious, excited, or curious, were quickly replaced by a deep sense of reverence, excitement, and solemnity.

When Gu Chengyuan, dressed in a crisp general's uniform and bearing the golden star on his shoulder, fully appeared at the platform entrance—

"Hello, Chief!"

"Hello, Chief!"

……

A chorus of suppressed excitement, yet remarkably unified, rose to greet them. Everyone on the platform, regardless of rank or status, stood up spontaneously, their bodies ramrod straight, their gazes fixed intently on the young commander.

Gu Chengyuan was already used to such scenes.

With a peaceful smile on his face, he calmly swept his gaze over the crowd, nodded slightly in acknowledgment, but did not stop walking. Under Chen Haitao's guidance, he walked towards the main seat reserved in the center of the viewing platform.

Along the way, he did not go directly to his seat, but naturally slowed down and shook hands with the representatives standing on both sides of the aisle, in the front row.

First was Lieutenant General Zhou Wei, Director of the Joint Political Work Department of the Eastern Theater Command. This bespectacled, refined-looking yet sharp-eyed general immediately extended both hands, firmly grasped Gu Chengyuan's outstretched hands, and shook them vigorously:

"Commander Gu! Congratulations! The Central Plains Theater Command has demonstrated military might and national prestige, which is truly admirable!" The tone was sincere, carrying congratulations, but also containing a hint of complex emotions.

Gu Chengyuan smiled and replied, "Director Zhou, you've come from afar, thank you for your hard work. I hope that the cooperation between our two war zones can continue to deepen, just like this victory."

Next was Major General Li Xuemou, Chief of Staff of the Southern Theater Command, a lean and resolute officer.

He saluted and shook hands with Gu Chengyuan, his voice crisp and clear:

"Commander! All officers and soldiers of the Southern Theater Command salute you and the Central Theater Command! The 'Clean Night' battle is a model!"

Gu Chengyuan nodded: "Chief of Staff Li, you flatter me. Facing challenges together and safeguarding the survival of our compatriots is the duty of us soldiers. I look forward to further cooperation with your theater command in the coastal area."

.......

Handshakes, brief conversations, eye contact... Gu Chengyuan's movements were unhurried, and he could exchange a few appropriate words with each important representative, which was both polite and conveyed goodwill and importance in a just-right way.

Wherever they went, people responded excitedly, creating a lively yet orderly atmosphere.

Soon, he walked up to Cai Anxin, the chairman of the Chongqing Special Municipality Management Committee.

Cai Anxin was also invited back to the night to attend the celebration. At this moment, compared to the others, his posture was more upright and his eyes were more complicated.

As Gu Chengyuan approached, he subconsciously took a deep breath.

The two held hands tightly, without saying much.

Gu Chengyuan looked at Cai Anxin with a gentle yet affirmative gaze. Cai Anxin gripped his hand tightly in return. Her eyes, which had witnessed the hardships of engineering projects and countless life-and-death situations, were now slightly red, but beneath the redness was an unwavering determination and loyalty as solid as a rock.

it is more than words.

Cai Anxin was one of the earliest and most senior members of Gu Chengyuan's team.

He vividly remembers being trapped in a stalled Maybach when the apocalypse broke out, surrounded by frantically attacking zombies and desperate screams...

It was the leader who led the initial team, breaking through the encirclement like divine soldiers descending from the heavens, and saving many people, including him.

He remembered arriving at the cramped and crowded temporary residence at the night school with his superior; he remembered the way his superior stood on the canteen table, inspiring everyone with great enthusiasm; he remembered how he went from being responsible for simple logistical coordination to being entrusted with the important task of leading the construction of a region...

Along the way, he had witnessed firsthand how this young leader had ignited a spark from the brink of despair, how he had gradually consolidated his strength, and how, with extraordinary courage and wisdom, he had single-handedly built such a magnificent foundation on this fallen land!

From the dormitory of the night school to this high platform overlooking the army and the red flags waving... what is traversed is more than just distance and height; it is the overthrow and rebirth of an entire era!

And how fortunate I am to have always been able to follow by the side of this "man of destiny" who is destined to be remembered by history!

A thousand words stuck in his throat, ultimately transformed into the warmth conveyed in his palm and the undisguised, unwavering determination in his eyes.

Gu Chengyuan seemed to completely understand his feelings at that moment. He tightened his grip slightly, then released it, patted his arm, and whispered, "Don't worry, Yucheng is in your hands now."

A simple sentence, yet carrying immense weight. Cai Anxin nodded vigorously, his voice slightly hoarse but resolute: "Please rest assured, Commander! I will build a better Chongqing for you!"

Gu Chengyuan smiled with satisfaction and continued walking forward.

Cai Anxin stood there, watching the leader walk towards the main seat, her chest heaving violently as she forcibly suppressed her surging emotions.

He turned his head and looked at the boundless crowd below the stage, eagerly awaiting his arrival. He looked further into the distance at the faint outline of the city, once ravaged by war but now reborn. A surge of emotion, a mixture of boundless pride, immense responsibility, and unwavering conviction, filled his entire being.

To be able to follow such a person and participate in such a cause, I have no regrets in this life!