On a certain New Year's day in a certain bar, the two of them had once held a glass of hard liquor while looking at the back of a man wearing a windbreaker walking down the gangway of an old-fashioned transport plane. Amidst the cheering crowd, they had softly said, "To … our president."
Today, on the sofa in Wangdu Condominium, Xu Le and Shi Qinghai looked at each other, picked up the glass of water on the table, and drank it in one gulp. They fell into a short silence and did not speak. They knew what each other was thinking. Could they trust the president that they had joked about?
"Calm down." Shi Qinghai put the glass of water on the table and broke the silence.
Xu Le nodded. Although they were not raised by political tactics, they had seen too much life and death on the battlefield. Naturally, they were not hot-blooded youths who would bet all their money on a seemingly honest person in a casino.
"But after all, this is not the Medellin incident." He frowned as he stared at the materials on the table and said, "As I said just now, this is a big problem within the Federation. We need help."
"Mr. President should be trustworthy. And don't forget, he has always admired you." He raised his head and looked at Shi Qinghai with a smile. "There are not many people who dare to admire you."
"But we will never be grateful just because someone appreciates us," Shi Qinghai replied with a smile. "Or rather, we don't need anyone's appreciation."
Xu Le stood up and walked into the bedroom to check the workbench in the black box. His voice came from behind the door, and there was some echo. He was very serious. "Don't forget what I said just now."
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There was a light beeping sound, and there was a light blue light. Xu Le stretched out his hands and accepted the strict security check, waiting for the authorization to monitor the network. He had been to this building that represented the highest authority in the Federation many times. He had long lost his initial excitement and frustration. He was so calm that he even felt a little numb. He had extra energy to look through the glass and look at the snowflakes outside the official residence.
After completing the security check, he was taken to the Oval Office by the Special Task Force's security personnel. However, as soon as he stepped onto the expensive carpet in the side corridor of the office, the antique door in front of him was pushed open. More than a dozen high-ranking federal government officials surrounded the dark-skinned Mr. President and quickly walked to the end of the corridor. As they walked, the officials kept reporting. Mr. President's footsteps did not stop, and he nodded gently from time to time to show his agreement.
Xu Le looked in that direction, puzzled. If the president had something to deal with, when would he see him? Did he have to wait in the president's official residence for a day?
At that moment, President Pabre suddenly stopped and asked Director Breen something in a deep voice. He then turned around and stared at Xu Le at the end of the corridor and said loudly, "Follow me."
Following the president's gaze and his order, the bustling interior of the official residence suddenly quieted down. All the officials in the official residence looked at the corner where Xu Le was. When they saw that the officer was Xu Le, they showed a look of understanding.
Xu Le was a little surprised. He carried the black workbench and quickly walked over. The staff surrounding President Pabre quickly made a path for him.
When he got close, the president did not give him any instructions. He did not even exchange pleasantries. He walked straight out of the official residence with everyone, leaving only a simple word.
"Let's go!"
"Where are we going?" Xu Le looked at the president's shoulder and murmured subconsciously.
"Parliament Hill," Director Breen said expressionlessly beside him.
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After a lively custody case in the morning, Xu Le reunited with Mr. Shi. He drank a few bottles of liquor and gritted his teeth like a tabloid reporter who swore to uncover the secrets of the big shots of the Federation from a pile of shit. Then, he was summoned to the president's official residence by a phone call. He began to carry the heavy black leather suitcase and followed the president to many places and met many people. Because his brain was still affected by the alcohol, he did not know how to react for a while. Many years later, he still remembered the busy silence and frustration in the deep winter of the 71st year of the constitutional calendar.
For a full seven hours, Xu Le accompanied President Pabre to participate in a heated debate in the military budget committee on Parliament Hill. He attended two afternoon tea parties that he could not refuse. He had a fruitful conversation with the corporate members of the Four States Huanshan Foundation but did not get a specific amount of money. He also attended a dinner party organized by the Veterans Association. At the party, the president gave a passionate speech, expressing his full appreciation and strong confidence for the performance of the Federal forces on the frontlines of the Empire. At night, the president entered the building of the Ministry of National Defense and began to listen to the military's latest battle report.
During the whole process, Xu Le stood less than two meters away from the president, replacing the position of the security staff of the Special Task Force. He narrowed his eyes uncomfortably and vigilantly looked around at the charming smiles, the enthusiastic people, the shrewd members of parliament, and the enthusiastic veterans who stood up and cheered enthusiastically.
Parliament Hill, Liufeng Slope Clubhouse, Xishan Hotel, and the Ministry of National Defense building. The motorcade hurriedly shuttled back and forth. Wherever President Prabble went, everyone would stand up in silence. Everyone lowered their heads to greet him. Many people also noticed Xu Le behind Mr. President. Unknowingly, countless smiles were offered. Those who noticed this had endless doubts in their hearts. They did not understand why Mr. President would bring Colonel Xu Le to these occasions.
There were too many such occasions and too many journeys, so much so that even Xu Le felt that his ankles were a little sore. His well-ironed colonel's uniform began to get wet, and his expressionless facial muscles began to stiffen …
Looking at the president in front of him, who was still full of energy, who shook hands with every officer of the Federation, and who still spoke in a deep and resonant voice, Xu Le could not help but feel a lot of emotions. He felt extremely tired even when he was expressionless, so how could the president maintain a cheerful smile for an entire day?
Standing behind the president in the most confidential War Hall of the Department of Defense, Xu Le put his hands behind his back and stood in an extremely standard posture. He did not pay attention to the puzzled gazes of the officers behind the glass door. His eyes behind the sunglasses narrowed slightly as he stared at President Pabble's tanned neck and the few strands of white hair that dazzled his eyes.
Time was indeed the most terrifying thing. Back then, the man who had won the support of the entire Federation with his charisma and became the president of the Federation from a small lawyer had entered the president's official residence for many years. In the end, he was still worn down by the busy political affairs and time.
While guessing the real reason the president brought him everywhere, Xu Le noticed that the president had changed. He had become thinner, which made the corners of his eyebrows appear taller and clearer. At the same time, Mr. Pabre was the most incisive orator when he was a lawyer and a member of parliament. Now that he had become the president, he had become a lot gentler and calmer. Although he was often silent, he gave people a feeling of strength.
When they returned to the president's official residence that was covered in grass and snow, it was already close to the end.
On the dining table covered in S3 gold-wrapped floral cloth, there were a few simple sets of food and two bowls of hot pea soup. Compared to the shockingly expensive oil paintings on the wall and the luxurious silver imperial style tableware next to the food, the food looked particularly shabby.
President Pabre and Xu Le sat at the two ends of the table. The two of them ate large mouthfuls of wheat bun without any manners and drank the pea soup that had been heated countless times. It had a strange smell of bacon.
The waiter took away the cutlery. President Pabre said thank you, then patted his chest in satisfaction. He took a hot towel and wiped the corners of his eyes. He suddenly said, "What do you think?"
The contrast between the white, scalding hot towel and Mr. President's tanned face was particularly stark. The sudden question seeped out from under the white, steaming towel, and the tone of the voice sounded a little strange.
"Some thoughts, but I don't know if they are what you want." Xu Le wiped his mouth with the hot towel and answered honestly.
"The current situation is very good, very good." President Pabre put down the hot towel and looked at him from across the table. He said calmly, "But in reality, there is only a fine line between good and bad."
"Right now, the government needs money, higher authority, more, and more extensive support. The troops on the front lines need a stable and unshakable rear."
President Pabl's gaze was very calm, and there was no pressure at all. However, for some reason, Xu Le did not want to be looked at directly by him. He subconsciously lowered his head and looked at the hot towel in his hand, watching the steam slowly disperse.
"The pressure on the government is great, the pressure on the military is great, and so is the pressure on me." President Pabre continued slowly, "I don't know when the temporary military budget bill will be passed. If the front lines can't keep winning, if the resource recovery of the X3 system can't be accelerated, I really wonder if this government will go bankrupt."
"Of course, this is a joke." The president smiled, revealing a mouthful of bright white teeth. However, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes showed that this joke actually made him very tired.
Xu Le held the hot towel tightly and felt the temperature disappear bit by bit. After a long silence, he finally said with difficulty, "I understand, but just like what you said during the election, no choice can be made with the premise of harming the interests of others."
President Pabre nodded and said calmly, "I understand, but I have to remind you that the Federation's judicial process should not be interfered with."
"I have never thought about, nor do I have the ability to interfere with the Federation's judicial process." Xu Le raised his head and explained seriously, "I am a stakeholder, and I believe that Commander Zhong's daughter should have the right to take back what belongs to her."
President Pabre looked at him with a serious expression and said in a deep voice, "But you are not an ordinary person. Your words and actions will affect the views of many people and even the judge's decision! You are not only a hero of the Federation that is deeply loved by the people, but you also represent the will of the Marshal to a certain extent, so you must be careful! "
After a moment of silence, Xu Le lowered his head and replied, "Schiller said that heroes also need to eat, clean their teeth, go to the bathroom, and have sex. This is my right as a citizen, and I will not give it up."
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