A nation's industrial development begins with junior engineers.

Chapter 1056 Bah! I'm going to get ashore too, I don't care who's under your feet!

"Damn it, finally... I've been hunting geese all day, and today I've been pecked in the eye by a goose... Fine, fine, I, the pangolin, have roamed the world for over a decade..."

Just then, Xiao Li, who was leading the way, turned around and urged them on, and the group moved again. Xiao Cheng also stood up, dusted off his pants, and naturally followed the group, even helping Squad Leader Ru, who was carrying equipment, to steady his backpack as it almost slipped.

After taking a few steps, Xiao Cheng seemed to remember something, turned around, winked at Liu Yuncang, who was still frozen in place and had only staggered forward after being pushed by Company Commander Tang, and teased him in a casual tone:

"Hey, right, Brother Pangolin, didn't you hear clearly when Uncle Li introduced me? It was 'Comrade Xiao Cheng'!"

After Xiao Cheng finished speaking, he grinned, revealing a set of white teeth. His smile was a little embarrassed, yet it also revealed the simple joy unique to young people who had received recognition. He repeated the sentence in a low voice, as if talking to himself:

"Hehe, he called me comrade..."

"Bullshit! 'Comrade'? That sounds nice! They're just keeping you around because you're still somewhat useful, like a fool. They're just dangling a carrot in front of you. Once they've squeezed you dry, or you're no longer of any use, let's see if they'll still recognize you as 'comrade'! In that case, your fate might not be much better than mine!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Cheng's smile faded, and his expression turned serious.

He stopped, turned around to face Liu Yuncang, waved his hand, and said in a tone of complete disapproval: "Brother Pangolin, you're wrong, that's not how it is!"

"The embassy leadership helped me apply for a place to study at a university back in China half a month ago and notified me that I could prepare to leave. They also talked to me specifically, saying that I am young and should go to study, broaden my horizons, and use my knowledge to build the country in the future."

Xiao Cheng paused, the "clear" light on his face dimmed for a moment, and his voice lowered, "I knew that Zhang Peizhi seemed to be making some moves that might be detrimental to the embassy, ​​so I volunteered to stay. I thought... I should at least help out before leaving."

Secretary Chen initially disagreed, saying it was too dangerous for me to stay and that I should stick to the plan. But I insisted on going myself.

Xiao Cheng paused, his eyes clear, his tone frank, and he even scratched his head a little embarrassedly: "I was thinking, the country has been so good to me, giving me opportunities and even helping me plan my future. If I knew about this and just pretended not to see it and walked away, I would feel... guilty. I'll do what I can to help, as a way of repaying this trust."

Upon hearing Xiao Cheng's simple, even somewhat "naive" words, Liu Yuncang fell silent.

He stared at Xiao Cheng, trying to find a trace of hypocrisy or acting on the other's face, but all he saw was an almost transparent openness.

Willing to give up a stable future that was within reach and stay to do such a dangerous thing, just because he "felt bad"?

Upon hearing these words, Liu Yuncang's remaining words stuck in his throat.

He stared blankly at Xiao Cheng's face, which still held a hint of boyishness but was serious in expression.

Why is the person on the other end of the line so "kind"?

Plan ahead for a solution; don't offer help only because someone is "useful," and even respect their own willingness to help...

Recalling the cold, ruthless orders from his superiors—"severe punishment without mercy" and "abandon the pawn if you make a mistake"—and the terrifying shadow that loomed over everyone, Liu Yuncang felt a surge of indescribable emotion.

A bittersweet feeling, a sense of bewilderment, and a touch of something I don't even want to admit...

envious?

But the next second, the mental inertia formed by long-term training immediately activated the defense mechanism.

wrong!

He shook his head violently, as if trying to dispel the momentary wavering.

Xiao Cheng was Zhang Peizhi's own recruited subordinate!

They were never on the same page as me from beginning to end!

This crushing defeat of mine, from the detonator explosion that alarmed everyone, to the embassy's well-prepared trap, to my current imprisonment, can all be traced back to the fact that Zhang Peizhi developed an "innocent and foolish" but unlucky informant who was also targeted and successfully turned by the other side early on!

"That damned Zhang Peizhi!"

A surge of intense resentment welled up in Liu Yuncang's heart, along with a twisted sense of relief at finding a scapegoat. His teeth clenched so tightly they ached, and he almost cursed aloud on the spot.

"All you ever do is write those lousy, self-serving reports that deceive your superiors! You misjudged people, were clumsy in your work, and caused the operation to fail—you're the culprit! Yes, it's all your fault!"

Thinking about it this way, Liu Yuncang suddenly felt that the suffocating feeling in his chest had dissipated quite a bit.

The logic makes sense!

The responsibility has been clarified!

I, "Pangolin," have roamed the world for so many years, lurking in the shadows, transporting goods, digging tunnels and cracks—when have I ever truly failed? This time, it was purely bad luck. I ran into the most incompetent teammate in history, whose stupid actions ruined everything from start to finish. It wasn't my fault in battle!

He subconsciously straightened his bound chest, as if he had regained some of the confidence of an "old hand" and the composure of "it's not my fault." Even the look in his eyes when he looked at Xiao Cheng changed from initial shock and fear to a complex feeling of "you're lucky, kid, you benefited from your incompetent teammate. I'm just unlucky to be dragged down with you."

As he walked, Liu Yuncang suddenly remembered the detonator that had blown up both him and Xiao Cheng. He stopped in his tracks, glared at Xiao Cheng, his eyes filled with suspicion and anger, and demanded sharply, "Hey, did you throw that detonator on purpose? You betrayed me a long time ago, and you really wanted to blow me up, didn't you!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Cheng immediately put on a wronged expression, waving his hands vigorously, his clear eyes filled with confusion, revealing his "clear yet foolish" demeanor: "I'm innocent! I really didn't know what that was! It was too heavy in my pocket at the time, it kept pulling my pants down, I had to pull them up with every step, it was so uncomfortable, so I just threw it away, who knew that thing would explode!"

As he spoke, he subconsciously tugged at his waistband, looking terrified: "I was completely stunned when it exploded. Wasn't it supposed to be some kind of electronic component?"

"Who, who knew it would cause such a big commotion!"

Liu Yuncang: "..."

Looking at Xiao Cheng's honest expression that said, "I really didn't mean to, I just thought it was too heavy," he felt a lump in his throat, unable to swallow it.

All speculations about conspiracies, schemes, and self-inflicted wounds seem superfluous and laughable in the face of this overly simple, even somewhat ridiculous, reason.

He remained silent for a long time, finally squeezing out two words through gritted teeth, filled with endless exhaustion and resignation:

"……never mind."

"Hey, can you guys get here quickly to the intersection of Thurwood Street and Kentina Street? The tunnel's right there. There are quite a few lookouts, and Zhang Peizhi has thirty kilograms of TNT..."

"Oh, not going to negotiate? You're so honest, you're confessing so readily?"

"Damn it, he screwed me over, he won't get away with it either!"

After speaking, Liu Yuncang glanced at Xiao Cheng.

"Now it seems... being a terrible teammate can actually be pretty good?"