Chapter 70 - The Mannerheim Line Welcomes You (1/2)

Chapter 70: The Mannerheim Line Welcomes You XII

Knowing that she had been busted, she couldn’t pretend to sleep anymore. So, she reluctantly got up and sat on her bed. After getting a good couple of days’ rest, she definitely looked a lot better than before. However, Zhang Heng realized that she did not dare look him in the eye.

“Can you please translate for us again?” Zhang Heng politely asked Maji.

“Just say what you want to say.”

Maji took out another cigarette in antic.i.p.ation as she smiled at Zhang Heng.

“Thank you for much for vouching for me. I came here once to visit you before, but Dr. Maji said that you needed more rest. So, I did not get to see you.”

Simone looked at him and blinked. Despite attempting to put on her best poker face, Zhang Heng could see a pang of deep-seated guilt hidden behind those dreamy blue eyes. Not knowing if it was the wrong thing to say, Zhang Heng omitted the part about getting back his personal belongings and the extra bullets under the tree.

“My home is in a land far away. Due to some reason, I’m stranded here. Once the war is over, I will return to the place I came from,” said Zhang Heng.

Simone seemed disappointed after hearing what Zhang Heng had to say.

Zhang Heng knew that she had grown fond of him after what happened to them in the woods. From what he saw, it seemed like Simone was a high ranking guerilla in this base camp. He could have easily taken advantage of her fondness toward him and have a better life right here. If he did that, however, he would definitely bring great sorrow to Simone when the day to leave finally arrived.

Sometimes, Zhang Heng had doubts if this was really just a game. His entire experience so far had proven too realistic for him to handle. Everything was so real it became hard to consider those around him like a bunch of programmed NPC. Zhang Heng also wondered what would happen to this virtual world once he left. What would happen to the ‘people’ around here?

Would the tale soldier on without him?

Despite it all, he knew that it was hard to lie to the only girl fond of him in the entire camp. Eventually, Zhang Heng decided that he would tell her the plain old truth. It might seem unwise in the current climate, but he was willing to risk it and stick on to his principles.

Simone looked lost after the conversation. She was just sat mum on the bed, unable to utter a single word.

…..

Noticing tension in the atmosphere, Maji closed the door behind her and talked to Zhang Heng.

“I thought you looked smart for a man. You really should never say such cruel words to a girl! However, I think I kinda like you right now. Simone might be a masterful marksman, but she is extremely innocent. She has never been in a relations.h.i.+p in her entire life. Before the war, she lived with her great-grandfather deep in the forest, and all she did growing up was hunting. Ah Ji and I initially thought that you harbored ill intentions towards her. It seems that I have misunderstood you.

Maji then paused, lighting up another cigarette.

I have come across many men in this life. Most of the ones I know have a d.i.c.k in place of their brains. Although they would instantly fall for women who showed fondness towards them, the ending is usually the same. Waking up in the morning, feeling an empty s.p.a.ce beside you, finding out that you have been left all alone in the bedroom. Such is the nature of men, right?”

“So, you guys have finally agreed to send me to the back of the battlefield?” asked Zhang Heng as he ignored her rambling.

“About that… I must apologize. It’s simply not possible. I didn’t exactly lie about everything the last time we talked. Compared to the Soviet military, we severely lack skilled fighters. Since you are all dandy and healthy, you turn up as a perfect add-on to the force!”

“….”