Special Forces: At the beginning, An Ran pulled him to get his certificate.

Chapter 1383 Preparing for Another Long Journey

"Commander, forget about everything else, when are we leaving? I'm going back to pack my bags right now!" Old Fan's eyes were wide open, and his voice was so excited that it was almost hoarse. He looked like he was about to rush out the door at any moment.

At this moment, his face was filled with undisguised elation, and he was making wishful thinking: so many people are going to the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences for further studies, and he, an older veteran, can actually be promoted to major general ahead of schedule. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

In his heart, he had already decided to cling tightly to Chen Jun, firmly believing that following Chen Jun would lead him to the pinnacle of life.

"What's the rush? We need Zhan Ge's approval to release them first. Don't forget, you're the logistics manager of the hacker base, and you even have the title of deputy division commander. If you just pack up and leave, who's going to take over your job?"

Chen Jun looked at Lao Fan with a helpless expression. This old guy gets carried away as soon as he hears some good news and doesn't consider the actual situation at all.

"..." Old Fan's excitement was instantly extinguished. He slapped his forehead and suddenly realized what was happening.

He did indeed hold many important responsibilities at the hacker base. Those pigs were all taken care of by him; they were used to his care. If he suddenly disappeared, wouldn't they go on a hunger strike?

The more Lao Fan thought about it, the more he realized he was a key figure at the hacker base; without him, logistics would likely fall into chaos. (Bi)

Even while pursuing his studies at the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, he hadn't relinquished his role as procurement manager, continuously directing various affairs remotely. If he were to simply leave like this, would Zhan Ge easily agree? He knew all too well that Zhan Ge had strict work requirements, and the base's operation couldn't tolerate the slightest carelessness.

Old Fan's face instantly stiffened, his lips drooping, full of helplessness.

He looked at Chen Jun pitifully, a hint of pleading in his eyes: "Commander, this is really a tricky matter. I'm in charge of quite a few things at the hacker base, all key positions. I really don't have the courage to call back and talk about this... Why don't you personally explain it to Division Commander Zhan? You two have a close relationship, he'll definitely give you face..."

"Alright, I'll make this call." Chen Jun sighed helplessly and took the phone from Lao Fan. That Lao Fan, always so loud and boisterous, always making decisions on his own—he's a real headache.

However, the new department does need someone like Lao Fan, so we can only go along with him for now.

"Alright, thank you, sir! Thank you so much!" Old Fan rubbed his hands together excitedly, his face beaming with a fawning smile. He looked exactly like an overblown, slightly withered old chrysanthemum, his wrinkles all bunched up. Chen Jun looked at him and thought to himself: This old guy, all he knows is how to talk. I wonder if he'll ever be of any use.

Shortly after the call connected, Zhan Ge's surprised voice came through the receiver: "General Chen? What brings you to call me today? Is something wrong?" In Zhan Ge's memory, Chen Jun was like a mysterious, elusive figure, appearing and disappearing without a trace. He had tried all sorts of methods to find Chen Jun, but always to no avail, unless Chen Jun contacted him first.

Even his wife, Ya Jie'er, often complained that she couldn't figure out Chen Jun's whereabouts at all, as if he could disappear into thin air at any moment.

"Look at what you're saying. Can't I chat with you and show you some concern? By the way, I let Ya Jie go back to her room to roam freely. Is she pregnant yet?" Chen Jun joked with a smile, starting by chatting with Zhan Ge to create a relaxed atmosphere.

"Sigh, let's not talk about this. I don't know if it's just me or if Ya Jie'er has some health problem, but there's been no sign of pregnancy. She's mentioned it several times already, so it seems I need to find some time to go to the hospital for a proper checkup." Zhan Ge sighed helplessly on the other end of the phone, his voice revealing a hint of anxiety and exhaustion.

The two chatted for a while about their daily lives, and the atmosphere gradually became more relaxed. After all, they were old friends of many years. Even though they rarely saw each other, once they started talking, their old friendship instantly welled up in their hearts, and they quickly regained their old tacit understanding.

After chatting for a while, Chen Jun felt the time was right and cut straight to the point: "Old Zhan, I have something to tell you. I'm preparing to set up a new department, and we urgently need someone with special skills like Lao Fan. So, I wanted to discuss with you about transferring him to my department. Do you have any objections? Or is Lao Fan too important to you, and you really can't do without him?" Chen Jun's tone was sincere, but also carried an undeniable firmness.

"It has to be important..." Old Fan was so nervous he barely dared to breathe, his eyes glued to the phone in Chen Jun's hand, his ears practically pressed against it. His heart was pounding like a rabbit's, and he silently prayed that Zhan Ge would show mercy and let him off the hook.

He knew all too well how rare this opportunity was. If Zhan Ge didn't agree, Chen Jun's side would likely give up, and his dream of becoming a major general would be completely shattered. Thinking of this, cold sweat broke out on his palms.

Just as Lao Fan was agonizing over his situation, Zhan Ge's astonished voice suddenly came through the phone: "You say Lao Fan is important? My God, Chen Jun, you must be joking. That old guy at the base just spends all his time talking nonsense and doesn't do much real work. The hacker base doesn't keep idle people. He's completely useless here. I have to give him a deputy division commander position to support him. It's a waste of resources to have him occupying a position. There are plenty of people more important than him. If you want him, take him away now. Don't be polite with me!"

"???" Upon hearing this, Old Fan felt as if he had been struck by lightning. He froze on the spot, his face turning ashen. He never imagined that in Zhan Ge's eyes, he was a useless idler, his daily efforts and contributions utterly worthless, merely a way to pass the time and retire. This was undoubtedly a heavy slap in the face for Old Fan, who always thought highly of himself and considered himself indispensable in the base. It left him dizzy and his pride shattered into pieces.

At this moment, Lao Fan's heart was in turmoil. On one hand, he felt a sense of relief that he might finally be able to break free from the constraints of the hacker base and move towards new development opportunities; on the other hand, Zhan Ge's merciless evaluation was like a sharp knife, deeply wounding his self-esteem and making him feel extremely frustrated and angry.

He felt that all his hard work at the hacker base over the years had been completely negated, like a rag doll that had been carelessly discarded, utterly worthless.

On the other end of the phone, Chen Jun couldn't help but chuckle after hearing Zhan Ge's words: "Haha, alright, since you put it that way, then I'll take Lao Fan with me without any hesitation."

"Brother, we've got this covered. Old Fan is just a dispensable nobody to the hacker base. But the others are different; they're all pillars of the base. Don't you dare try anything with them, or I'll get mad at you and won't answer your calls anymore!" Zhan Ge warned half-jokingly and half-seriously over the phone.

"Damn it..." When Lao Fan heard this, he felt a surge of hot blood rush to his head and almost fainted from anger.

Chen Jun hung up the phone and turned to look at Lao Fan. Lao Fan's face was flushed crimson, so red it looked like it could bleed, veins bulging on his forehead, his eyes wide and filled with anger, embarrassment, and helplessness. He wished he could disappear into the ground forever. Chen Jun couldn't help but tease, "Wow, I didn't realize Lao Fan had such a thick skin. You were bragging to me about how important you were at the hacker base, is this what you call important?"

"This..." Old Fan was speechless for a long time after being choked by Chen Jun's words. His face looked like it had been slapped hard, burning with pain. He never expected Chen Jun to so bluntly expose his embarrassment, and he felt both ashamed and angry. But as a seasoned veteran who had been navigating the officialdom for many years, he quickly adjusted his emotions, forced a smile, and tried to skip over this awkward topic: "Sir, you see, let's put other matters aside for now and focus on the important things. This time, you've really gone to a lot of trouble. If it weren't for your intervention, I wouldn't know what to do."

Chen Jun shrugged helplessly, spread his hands, and said, "It's not too troublesome, it was just something I mentioned casually."

"This..." Old Fan choked again, his face turning red and white in turns, wishing he could find a corner to bang his head against and die. He felt he had never been so humiliated in his life. In front of Chen Jun, he was like a clown, completely exposed and utterly devoid of dignity.

Seeing Lao Fan's disheveled appearance, Chen Jun felt he had given him a good talking-to, since he would need Lao Fan's help to set up the new department. So, Chen Jun smiled and said earnestly, "Lao Fan, don't take it too hard. Once you get to my new department, you'll find that the development opportunities and platform here are far superior to what the hacker base can offer. As a major general, your position might not be lower than Zhan Ge's, the division commander. You might even achieve great things. You need to think long-term."

"That's great!" Old Fan's eyes lit up instantly, like a drowning man grasping at a straw, his face regaining its glimmer of hope. He carefully considered Chen Jun's words and realized they made perfect sense. Let bygones be bygones; the unpleasant past was now a nightmare. He was about to enter the National Strategic Security Bureau, an incredibly prestigious place where he'd be a general. Wouldn't those younger guys like He Chenguang respectfully call him "General Fan"? As for that division commander Zhan Ge, hmph, he wouldn't need to take him seriously anymore. With this change in status, it felt like the whole world was opening its arms to him, and the future was full of endless possibilities.

"Haha, thank you for your guidance and encouragement, sir! I'm just wondering when I can start working in the new department? I can't wait to show my skills!" Old Fan was so excited that he was gesturing wildly, his eyes revealing his anticipation and ambition.

“I need to rest at home for a few more days. Here’s what we’ll do: you go back and pack your things. Come over on time in four days, and I’ll take you to take up your post.” Chen Jun arranged things methodically.

"Yes, sir!" Old Fan excitedly snapped to attention, giving Chen Jun a crisp military salute. His movements were swift and decisive, as if he were instantly filled with boundless energy. At that moment, he was like someone who had been injected with super-strong adrenaline, his heart brimming with anticipation and fantasies about the future. He imagined himself wielding great influence in his new department, becoming the center of attention, and a truly influential figure.

Chen Jun chose to stay home, fully enjoying this rare period of peace and quiet, devoting himself to his wife, children, and parents. These four days were exceptionally meaningful for Chen Jun, like a spiritual cleansing. During this time, he temporarily set aside the heavy national mission on his shoulders and the fatigue of battle, wholeheartedly immersing himself in the warm embrace of his family.

He played with the children, and seeing their innocent smiles, it was as if all his worries had been thrown to the winds; he and his wife leaned on each other peacefully, sharing the little things in life and feeling the deep affection between them; he also often had long talks with his parents, listening to their teachings and fulfilling his filial duty as a son.

In this warm haven, Chen Jun's heart, weary from long hours of travel and hardship, gradually found healing. The warmth of home was like a clear spring, gently flowing through his heart, nourishing every corner, and filling him with renewed strength and energy. He knew that this short rest was for a better start, and the upcoming new journey was full of challenges, but he was fully prepared, carrying the love and support of his family, and forging ahead bravely.

On the fourth night, darkness enveloped the city, and countless stars dotted the earth. The children were already fast asleep, and the rooms were filled with a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere. Chen Jun had just finished chatting with his parents in their room, and their warm words seemed to still echo in the air. He gently closed the door to his parents' room and walked lightly towards his own bedroom.

As he gently pushed open the bedroom door, a heartwarming scene unfolded before his eyes. The soft, warm light bathed the room, as if draping everything in a golden veil. An Ran sat by the bed, silently helping him pack. Her movements were gentle and practiced, each action filled with love. She carefully folded each garment, neatly placing them into the suitcase, her gaze focused and tender. The light illuminated her face, outlining her delicate features, her gentle expression carrying a hint of concern and reluctance.

Chen Jun stood quietly at the door, gazing at An Ran, a warm feeling welling up in his heart, especially as he was about to leave and wondered when he would return.

At that moment, time seemed to stand still, and the whole world became incredibly beautiful.