Time passed quickly, and it had already been a month since Rowan and the others arrived in the capital. Felix's eldest brother had recovered a week after his surgery, and Grandpa Tang bought a lot of things for Rowan and his wife.
"Sienna, Sienna!"
Hearing someone calling her, Sienna quickly went outside and saw a young soldier from the army standing at the door.
"I'm Sienna. What's the matter?"
The young soldier immediately took out a letter and handed it to her. "Here's your letter and a package. Let your man pick it up later."
"Oh, okay. Thank you."
Sienna took the letter, thanked him, and went back inside. She saw it was from her hometown. After opening it, she began to read. The beginning was just some everyday talk, but the rest was all about Cuilan being worried about her.
That evening, when Rowan came home, Sienna gave the letter to him. After reading it, Rowan said, "Sienna, I feel like I'm the son-in-law who married into your family. Look at this letter—does it say anything about me?"
"It does. The first sentence asks how we're doing and if we've gotten used to living here."
Sienna pointed at the line, and Rowan had nothing more to say.
Rowan suddenly hugged Sienna and let her sit on his lap. He told her, "Honey, I have to go on a mission. I'm leaving tomorrow."
"I want to go with you."
"Not this time. Our mission is confidential. You can't come."
"But I'm allowed to join your missions. It doesn't say I can't go if it's secret."
"You're not a soldier. You can only join if you're invited and given a reward. Even if you were a soldier, it doesn't mean they'd choose you."
Sienna felt sad. "You're just fooling me like I'm a robot. You're all so sneaky. How can I protect you if I can't go?"
"Just stay home and take care of yourself. You don't have to protect me. I'm strong too."
"How long will you be gone?"
"I'm not sure yet, but I'll come back as soon as I can. Just wait for me."
"Okay."
The next morning, Rowan kissed Sienna before leaving. He lied to her. The mission wasn't secret, but it was very dangerous. He didn't want her to take the risk.
They were going to rescue hostages. A drug trafficking group had been surrounded and became desperate. They took many people as hostages.
The people for this mission were specially selected from the army. Each one had strong skills, and the team was quickly formed.
The drug dealers were former soldiers with lots of combat experience and excellent fighting skills.
The group soon arrived at their destination, a temple in the mountains where the drug gang was hiding.
After they arrived, Rowan contacted Comrade Ma, who was in charge, to gather the information they had.
Looking at the map they drew, Rowan said, "We'll rescue the hostages. Captain Ma, your team will clear the drug gang and cover us. After we're out, don't hold back."
"Yes."
As night fell, Rowan led his team quietly to the temple. They carefully avoided the drug gang's patrols.
Rowan's rescue team silently entered the area where the hostages were being held.
They quickly found the hostages. They were innocent people forced into the situation by the drug gang.
They were tied with chains, full of injuries and exhaustion. When they saw Rowan and his team, their whole bodies trembled, still filled with fear.
A team member spoke quickly, "Don't be afraid. We're here to save you. Stay quiet."
After hearing that, everyone looked at them with hope.
Rowan carefully watched the surroundings and gave hand signals. The others quickly began to free the hostages.
"Don't make any noise. Later, follow us quietly. We'll take you out of here."
On the other side, the clearing team was fighting fiercely. They used smoke bombs to cover their movements and quickly took down the drug gang's sentries.
With gunshots and explosions constantly ringing out, the entire temple was thrown into chaos.
All the criminals gathered. The leader of the drug gang realized they were under attack. He gathered the remaining forces, ready to fight to the end.
Rowan and his team successfully rescued all the hostages. Rowan led the way at the front. Just as they were about to leave, they suddenly heard a scream.
A woman, scared by the gunfire and explosions, screamed loudly and was discovered.
Rowan spoke quickly, "Protect them. We must leave here right away."
"Yes."
Bang! Bang! Bang!
A fierce gunfight broke out. Bullets flew everywhere. Explosions echoed in the air.
"Captain Rowan, we can't keep going like this. There are too many of them."
"Hold on."
The girl who had screamed earlier kept crying, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to."
Someone complained, "You must be a spy. Always dragging us down. Crying all the time. What's the use of crying?"
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to." As she spoke, tears kept falling.
No one had time to comfort her. The situation was too urgent. Rowan looked around and realized that if they didn't do something soon, they would be surrounded.
He observed the area and said, "Felix, take two people and get out from the back. Take the hostages with you."
"Yes."
Only one person was left. Rowan went to help, then climbed out himself. The group then headed into the mountains.
The enemy didn't chase them into the mountains. They probably went back to help their comrades.
The group stopped to rest. Felix looked at Rowan. "Rowan, what do we do next?"
"Send up a signal flare. Then we lead them down the mountain."
"Got it."
Felix found an open spot and launched the flare.
After that, Felix returned to tell everyone to move out. When he walked up to Rowan, he smelled blood.
"Rowan, are you hurt?" He reached out to check, but Rowan stopped him. "I'm fine. We need to get out of here fast."
The girl who screamed earlier started crying again. "I'm sorry. It's my fault. If he hadn't helped me, he wouldn't be hurt. I'm useless."
No one responded. She just kept saying sorry and crying. Everyone was tired of it.
"I'll stop the bleeding first." After taking care of the wound, they started walking again.
By the time they came down the mountain, it was already morning. Rowan fainted as soon as they were out of the forest.
"Rowan! Rowan, don't scare me!"
Felix quickly arranged for the rescued hostages to be sent back. He took Rowan to the hospital himself.
"Protect them and take them to a safe place. I'll take him to the hospital."
"Yes."