The journey was grueling, the snow crunching beneath their boots as they pressed on. Mei and Kirk stayed silent, the weight of their circumstances heavy on their shoulders. Eventually, they could no longer hold back their curiosity.

“So, Vance, who’s this guy with us?” Kirk finally asked, glancing back at Sima Yijin.

Vance turned to face them. “This is Sima Yijin, General Sima Shan’s identical twin brother. I found him locked up in the mine and decided to release him. He was a hostage of the Red Army, just in case his brother ever rebelled.”

“I see. He must have valuable information for us,” Kirk said, nodding thoughtfully.

“Exactly. Sima Yijin might know something about the Red Army and their operations. We’ll talk more once we’ve had a chance to rest,” Vance replied.

As the group continued their trek, they spotted a forest area in the distance.

“Let’s rest there,” Vance suggested, pointing. The trees promised some protection from the relentless cold.

They made their way to the forest, finally able to take a break from the bitter wind. Huddled against a tree, they caught their breath, grateful for the shelter.

“It’s about 32 kilometers to Yagil,” Vance announced. “We’d better set up camp for the night and continue tomorrow.”

The proposal met with tired nods.

Inside their cramped tent, Kirk voiced a concern that had been nagging at him. “Why didn’t the people in the mine know about General Sima’s death? And why was his twin locked up in the same place?”

Vance’s brow furrowed as he glanced at Sima Yijin, who had been silent throughout the evening, sitting across from them.

“Ehem… I think it’s time you spoke up,” Vance finally said, looking at Sima.

Sima Yijin took a moment, his expression unreadable as he considered his words.

“Why was your brother holding you captive?” Vance pressed gently.

Sima Yijin sighed, the weight of his situation heavy on him. “It’s a long story,” he began,

Sima Yijin finally broke his silence, his voice steady but tinged with a hint of sadness. “My twin decided to lock me up after the war between the Blood Khaganate and the Red Army. He feared I would lead a rebellion against the Red Army.”

“Spicy,” Vance replied, eyebrow raised. “So there’s potential for rebellion. But what’s up with that sophisticated machine they’re trying to build in the mine?”

Sima Yijin continued, his expression serious. “My brother is developing a highly sophisticated machine to counter the advanced technology wielded by the Red Army. This machine could be a game-changer when the two sides clash again.”

Vance’s brow furrowed. “What does your brother’s true loyalty belong to?”

Sima looked away, contemplating the question. It was a loaded inquiry, one that could land him in the crossfire between the Red Army and his own twin.

“I think our superiors would love to hear that,” Vance said, pressing.

Realizing he had no way out, Sima finally spoke. “We’re both from the Red Army, but my brother is far more ruthless. He’ll do whatever it takes for victory, even if it means sacrificing lives. Me? I’m loyal to both the Red Army and the Blood Khaganate.”

“Alright, so the reason he’s hiding in the mine is for tactical purposes and secrecy?” Vance summarized.

Sima nodded in agreement. “Exactly. As the general, he’s very strategic. Hiding in the mine provides a significant advantage for planning.”

Vance exchanged glances with Kirk and Mei, a plan forming in his mind. But exhaustion weighed heavily on him. “Let’s rest. It’s too much for one day.”

The night passed, and as dawn broke, the team prepared for their journey back to the extraction point. After a quick breakfast, they resumed their trek, but soon found themselves resting on a hill.

While sitting around, Kirk suddenly spotted something unusual on the horizon. “Guys, look!” he exclaimed, squinting through his binoculars. “It’s an enemy light tank patrol, and they’re moving fast!”

“not a santa claust? Do they see us?” Vance asked, tension creeping into his voice.

Kirk focused intently. “Yeah, they’ve spotted us. They’re closing in!”

“What do we do now?” Vance asked, urgency in his tone.

With time running out, Kirk and Mei exchanged worried looks. They needed to act quickly.

“What if we bluff? Pretend we’re retreating with General Sima?” Vance proposed, a glint of mischief in his eyes.

Kirk raised an eyebrow. “That might actually work.”

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“Good. Sima’s face is identical to his brother’s. We can say we’re retreating after the base was attacked,” Vance explained. “Just follow my lead.”

As the enemy light tank approached, Vance called out, “Identify yourselves! We know you’re back there!”

Vance took a deep breath, trying to maintain his composure. “My name is Vance. We’re the Red Army, stranded here after our base was attacked. We’re retreating with General Sima.”

“Come closer!” a soldier from the tank commanded, the cannon still aimed at them.

“General Sima is with me. We’re unarmed and mean no harm,” Vance continued, raising his hands. He took slow, deliberate steps toward the tank.

“Hand over your ID card now!” the soldier ordered.

Vance quickly handed over a fake ID card, his heart racing as the soldier scrutinized it.

“I see... Sergeant Vance. You said General Sima is still alive? Where is he?” the soldier asked.

Vance seized the moment. “Of course he’s alive! He’s right here with me…” He gestured to Sima Yijin behind him and whistled for Kirk and Mei to join them, who hesitantly revealed themselves.

The red soldier’s demeanor shifted as he dismounted the tank, saluting Sima Yijin. “We’re here to escort you, sir. Faking your death was a brilliant strategy.”

Sima looked bewildered, glancing at Vance, who gave him a quick nudge. Understanding the charade, Sima returned the salute and climbed into the tank, still processing the bizarre situation.

“Sir, can we ride in the tank too? It’s freezing out here,” Vance requested, trying to keep the atmosphere light despite the tension.

Sima hesitated but nodded, allowing Vance, Kirk, and Mei to climb aboard. Inside, the space was cramped and bumpy, making it difficult to find a comfortable position as they jostled with every movement of the vehicle.

“I need to take a piss!” Vance suddenly declared, voice loud enough to catch everyone’s attention. “Just stop the tank for a second. I swear it’ll be less than a minute!”

The soldiers stared at him in disbelief as the tank came to a halt. The absurdity of the request caught them off guard, and Vance made his move. He crawled toward the hatch, shoving the commander out as he yelled, “Now!”

Kirk and Mei sprang into action, leaping from the tank to attack the stunned soldiers inside. Vance took advantage of the chaos, tackling the commander as he fell.

“Sleep tight,” Vance muttered, tazing the tank driver while Kirk and Mei subdued the other two soldiers.

Within moments, the crew lay incapacitated, and the adrenaline surged through Kirk and Mei. “Can you believe it? We actually pulled that off!” Kirk exclaimed, disbelief mingling with triumph.

They quickly tossed the unconscious crew out of the tank, leaving them with some food and water. Vance turned to his companions. “Alright, who can drive this thing?”

Kirk and Mei raised their hands, eager to take the wheel. Each had experience with armored vehicles, their confidence shining through.

“Alright, let’s move!” Vance urged, grinning as they set off in the captured tank.

With the powerful vehicle rolling beneath them, they felt a renewed sense of safety. The tank’s armor offered protection against any potential threats, and they could finally traverse the terrain with speed.

“Now we can reach the city in no time,” Vance said, excitement bubbling in his voice.

As they navigated the narrow streets, Vance grabbed his radio. “CAD team to command. We’ve reached the city for extraction. Just a heads up, we’re riding in an enemy tank. Don’t shoot!”

“Copy that,” the command responded, clearly surprised but relieved.

Despite the awkward maneuvering required to navigate the tank through tight spaces, Kirk and Mei managed to drive it away from the danger, their spirits lifting with each passing kilometer.

After what felt like an eternity, they finally arrived at the extraction point. Dismounting from the tank, they were greeted by a True Horde commander who raised an eyebrow at their unexpected ride.

“So, you found General Sima’s twin and confirmed they’re building a new weapon inside the mine? Well done, CAD team ! And you even delivered a new type of tank for us to study!” the commander praised.

Kirk, Mei, and Vance exchanged glances, a wave of satisfaction washing over them. Their mission had been a success. They had gathered crucial intelligence and even secured a valuable asset for their forces.

Later, at the year-end party in a bustling bar, the atmosphere was electric with celebration. Kirk, Mei, and Vance sat together, relishing the moment after their hard-earned victory.

“So, Mei,” Vance began, a mischievous glint in his eyes, “I heard you’ve been working with Alam for two years. What’s he like?”

Mei took a deep breath, mulling over her answer. “Alam is a very open and cheerful person. He’s quite tall, with a thick beard—definitely interesting to be around.”

Vance raised an eyebrow, smirking. “Does he have a wife? I hear he’s a bit of a womanizer!”

Mei chuckled but shook her head. “He does have a wife, and he’s loyal to her. No cheating, I promise.”

“Really?” Vance feigned surprise. “I guess he’s good at keeping his personal life under wraps. And what about you, Mei? Any boyfriends or husbands hidden away?”

Mei flashed a playful smile. “Are you asking if I’m a playgirl?”

Vance glanced at Kirk, who quickly interjected, “I have no wife or girlfriend either!”

“Ha! And you, Mei? Are you a playgirl?” Vance teased, winking.

Mei laughed, a light sound that cut through the bar’s chatter. “I’m not a playgirl. I’m quite reserved and shy, so it’s hard for anyone to win my heart.”

Vance leaned in, a grin on his face. “Interesting for a spy known for her seduction techniques.”

Mei smirked, shaking her head. “Just because I’m trained in seduction doesn’t mean I’ll use it on everyone. My skills are mission-focused.”

“Am I part of that mission?” Vance quipped, raising his glass.

“Perhaps,” Mei replied, laughter bubbling up again.

As the night wore on, their camaraderie grew, filled with laughter and shared stories of their exploits. The weight of their recent battles faded, replaced by the warmth of friendship and newfound trust in each other.

As the lively atmosphere of the bar pulsed around them, a man in casual attire with black hair settled near Mei and Kirk, a light smile gracing his lips as he took in the joyful crowd celebrating their success.

“It’s a good sight, isn’t it?” he remarked, his grin widening.

Mei glanced at him, impressed by his calm demeanor. “Yes, it is a good sight. Everyone’s so happy to celebrate,” she replied, her friendly expression softening the moment.

The man’s gaze lingered on Mei, surprise flickering in his eyes at her warm smile. “Hmm... you’re smiling. That’s a good sight too,” he said, returning her smile with one of his own.

Feeling the weight of his gaze, Mei shyly lowered her eyes, a hint of blush creeping onto her cheeks. It was unusual for someone to be intrigued by her friendliness, and this unexpected attention sent a flutter through her chest.

“You have a unique smile,” he continued, taking a sip of his drink. “It makes me feel…” His words trailed off as he searched for the right expression.

Mei looked up, her smile widening as she met his gaze. “I’m a bit embarrassed to say this, but it’s a genuine smile. I haven’t smiled like this for a long time. It feels nice,” she admitted, her voice tinged with sincerity.

Light’s eyes widened in surprise. He hadn’t expected such candidness, and a rosy hue crept across his cheeks. “That’s wonderful to hear,” he stammered, taking another sip to mask his flustered state. “Your honesty is truly captivating.”

Mei felt a thrill at his reaction, her own heart racing as she sensed his attraction. With a charming smile, she tilted her head, inviting him to continue.

Light, feeling emboldened, leaned in closer. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure, what’s your question?” she replied, her tone friendly and curious.

Taking a deep breath, he asked, “Is your smile genuine, or is it artificial? You know, like when someone fakes a smile?”

Mei was taken aback by the innocent nature of his question. It had been a long time since anyone had looked at her with such pure curiosity. A shy smile crept onto her face. “I’m embarrassed to say this, but it’s genuine. I haven’t smiled like this for a very long time.”

Light’s surprise deepened, and he felt a flutter in his chest. “That’s refreshing to hear,” he said, his nervousness palpable. “I really like your honesty.”

Mei giggled, her heart racing. “Thank you! You know, I think the same about you. You seem quite charming.”

Light’s cheeks flushed deeper at her compliment, and he took a quick sip of his drink to compose himself. “I do actually like your personality,” he replied, his voice wavering slightly.

Seizing the moment, Mei leaned in closer, feeling the spark of attraction between them. “Really? You can say that again!”

Just then, Vance approached, smirking as he caught the exchange. “Hey buddy, how about we give this new couple some space?”

Kirk chuckled, nodding in agreement. “Yeah, let them have their moment.”

As Vance and Kirk settled at the bar, Vance turned to Kirk. “So, why did you join the army?”

Kirk sighed, swirling his drink. “Honestly, I don’t know. My life was pretty normal before—just a high school student with a girlfriend and good friends. Nothing troublesome at all.”

“Classic,” Vance said, taking a sip. “Same here. I just felt like it was the right thing to do.”

Kirk raised an eyebrow. “Did you ever think your life would lead you here?”

“Not really. I just do the job. I never expected to be in this position. I thought I’d join the army, get married, and live out my old age,” Vance said, shrugging.

“Sometimes, just going with the flow makes life easier,” Kirk suggested, taking another sip of his drink. “Let the wind blow you wherever it wants.”

“Yeah, but I remember a book I read as a kid. It said if you just go with the flow, you’ll end up with a boring life,” Vance replied, pondering the wisdom of the words.

Kirk chuckled. “That’s an interesting perspective. I’ve heard some philosophers say, ‘Flow like water.’ But I think your book makes a good point too.”

“Little surprises keep life interesting,” Vance said, his expression thoughtful.

Kirk nodded, appreciating the insight. “I didn’t expect to agree with you on that.”

Meanwhile, Mei and Light were still locked in their own world, exchanging shy smiles and laughter as they navigated the delicate dance of attraction