"Do you remember your name?" Dr. Tang asked when she woke up the next day.
"I don't remember," she said calmly—so different from the frightened girl the day before."How long was I in a coma?"
"Two weeks," he replied.
"I see."
ONE YEAR LATER
On the fourth floor of the Strategic Planning Building, General Yan stepped out of his office, walking with firm strides despite his age. At his side was Sergeant Zhang, a man in his thirties and a world-class sniper.
"General, rest assured," Zhang said with confidence. "I will take care of Yan Xiyan."
General Yan, dressed in his crisp military uniform, moved with a soldier's discipline. Even in his old age, his presence commanded respect.
He gave a small nod. "I feel sorry for her. She's been through too much… but she's strong, and more intelligent than most adults I know." He paused, then added, "You'll instruct her Mondays through Fridays. I'll train her myself at home on the weekends. With both of us guiding her, her future will be easier."
At the very least, it would be better than his late son's.
Ever since Xu Xiyan had woken up, she had lived with General Yan. She had claimed to have lost her memory—a lie, but one that gave her the second chance she needed. And so, General Yan had adopted her and given her a new name: Yan Xiyan.
In the year that followed, she trained alongside soldiers, and recently, General Yan made the decision to officially enroll her in military training under Sergeant Zhang's tutelage.
The two men spent hours discussing and designing a rigorous program for her—a plan that spanned six years, tailored to sharpen her mind, body, and spirit.
Now, holding just two sheets of paper in her hands—papers that outlined the Six-Year Plan—Yan Xiyan felt their weight like iron. She stared at the bold characters on the cover for a long moment, before raising her head with a small, bitter smile.
"Sergeant… I really appreciate that you think so highly of me."
Her voice trembled slightly, her eyes misting. "You value me so much. I… I don't even know what to say."
Sergeant Zhang's smile was warm. "Girl, you don't need to thank me. Like your Grandpa Yan, I have no children. If you grow up well, you'll be our legacy."
He gently patted her shoulder—like a mentor, a teacher, a friend. His tone softened.
"We humans should strive to be upstanding and virtuous. No matter what we've been through—man or woman—none of us should do anything that will make us ashamed of who we are."
"You're a good kid, Xiyan. Leave those painful memories behind. Focus on what lies ahead. Smile when you're happy. And when you're sad, look around—at the sky, at the world. It's still worth fighting for. Your life is your own responsibility now. Do you understand?"
Tears glistened in her eyes.
And yet, her expression remained steadfast.
Her dark eyes shimmered with the quiet brilliance of diamonds—unyielding, full of strength.
"Yes," she said, her voice firm. "I'll remember your words. Always."