The White Olive Tree

Chapter 34

Li Zan returned home and, while changing shoes, noticed the slippers Song Ran had just worn, which belonged to his dad. When she wore them, her small feet made a pitter-patter sound as she walked.

He changed his shoes, tossed the keys into a bowl, and entered the house. The lights were on, the dining table and kitchen were neatly arranged, and the air still carried a hint of the fragrance of rice.

He leaned back on the sofa, looked up at the sky for a moment, and took out his phone to call Chen Feng.

Early the next day, Li Zan went to the military base.

At exactly eight o'clock, he arrived below the military teaching building, where Chen Feng was waiting on the steps.

Seeing that his hair was now cut short, Chen Feng's eyebrows shot up with joy. Though he didn't say much, he took a deep breath, patted his shoulder several times, and said, "It's good to have you back." Chen Feng led him into the building and knocked on a classroom door.

It wasn't class time yet, and inside was only a soldier in his thirties or forties, holding chalk and drawing on the blackboard.

This was Colonel Lin Miaoan, the demolition expert of the Jiangcheng Military Region, with remarkable military achievements. Li Zan had followed him for the first two years at the military academy before he was reassigned to other areas for missions.

Seeing Li Zan, Lin Miaoan examined him from head to toe, smiled, and said, "A Zan has grown up. You've become more handsome."

"Teacher," Li Zan still used the same address as before, somewhat surprised. "I didn't know you were back."

"It's quite a coincidence," Chen Feng said. "Old Lin just returned to Jiangcheng. The military wants to provide basic bomb disposal training for outstanding officers and soldiers, selecting a group for specialized training. Old Lin is the main instructor and needs an assistant. I thought it was a good fit, and you can also attend the classes to learn more."

Lin Miaoan asked, "How are your ears now?"

Li Zan understood his meaning and replied, "The simulations are fine."

Lin Miaoan asked, "You can't touch real explosives?"

Li Zan smiled.

Chen Feng quickly added, "It's much better now. Old Lin, you have no idea how unbearable it was at the beginning. It was so painful that he rolled around in bed at the mere thought of it."

Lin Miaoan kindly advised, "Cooperate well with military treatment, take it slow. I don't have real explosives for you right now."

Li Zan nodded, "Got it."

Just as they were talking, a new soldier walked into the classroom and immediately stood at attention, saluting them.

Chen Feng, seeing that it was almost time for class, said to Lin Miaoan, "Once the paperwork is done, this kid will be handed over to you."

Lin Miaoan nodded and said, "He's my student, I'll take care of him."

Chen Feng led Li Zan out into the corridor. Seeing Li Zan's calm expression without speaking, he asked, "You said you didn't want a civilian job, how about this? Still not satisfied?"

Li Zan, upon hearing this, smiled faintly, "I just want to go back to the military and work on repairing vehicles. You, on the other hand, managed to arrange something so satisfying for me."

Chen Feng burst into laughter, pointed at him twice with his finger, and sighed, "You finally came to your senses. I thought you would resist for a year or more. I contacted Dr. Jackson, and he said that after the last surgery, your recovery was good. Physically, it's possible to recover in about half a year. However, the psychological trauma causing tinnitus, he can't do anything about it. He did everything he could."