Everyone chatted as they drank, and the conversation gradually turned to David Clark's background. Henry Foster asked in surprise, “Little David, I heard from Director Brooks that you’re a veteran. You’re only 18—normally that’s the age to join the army, so how come you’ve already retired?”

Richard Brooks looked at David Clark and smiled as well, saying, “I was just about to ask the same thing, Little David. You’re quite a young soldier.”

David Clark searched his mind for an answer and felt a bit embarrassed. “Well… I joined the army pretty early, at 16.”

Enlisting at 16 did happen back then, but the reason David Clark joined so young was entirely because his life at the time was truly unbearable.

The previous David Clark was very unfortunate. When he was 13, both his parents died in an accident, leaving him and his 11-year-old sister to live off the factory’s compensation. The uncles and aunts at the factory pitied the siblings and took good care of them, but the young David Clark didn’t behave—he smoked, drank, gambled, and fought. You could say he was good at everything except the right things. The head of the factory’s security department, Samuel Grant, was a friend of David Clark’s parents. Seeing that David Clark was just one step away from ending up at the police station, he used his position to send him into the army, hoping he could turn his life around there.

In the army, David Clark met a good company commander and a good platoon leader. Under their strict guidance, David Clark not only developed excellent military skills but also changed a lot as a person. If not for this, he wouldn’t have acted so bravely this time.

This February, David Clark’s unit participated in the self-defense counterattack against Vietnam. His reconnaissance company was the first in the entire army to break into Lang Son. While clearing out a hidden Vietnamese bunker, David Clark’s respected company commander was unfortunately killed by gunfire, and his platoon leader was seriously wounded, losing a leg on the battlefield. When the Vietnamese soldiers in the bunker finally couldn’t hold out and surrendered, David Clark, unable to contain his anger, picked up a light machine gun and fired at the surrendering soldiers, violating battlefield discipline. After the war, the second-class merit he should have received was revoked, and he was discharged early.

David Clark briefly recounted these events to Henry Foster and Richard Brooks. Henry Foster spoke up for him, saying, “It’s normal for young people to have some spirit. Merit is merit, fault is fault—how could the army handle it like that?” In truth, he didn’t really know what military discipline should be, but since David Clark had saved his daughter’s life, he felt he had to say something in his defense.

Richard Brooks raised his glass and said, “Little David, after hearing your story, I have just two words for you: I admire you! If it were me, I’d have done the same. When your comrades have died, how can you not avenge them? Come, let me borrow Director Foster’s wine and toast you.”

David Clark raised his glass and drank, then said to Richard Brooks and Henry Foster, “Maybe it’s for the best that I was discharged early. Both my company commander and platoon leader are gone—there’s not much point in me staying in the army. I still have a younger sister at home, and I should go back to take care of her.”

Henry Foster said, “Little David is right. Now is the time for economic development. Vice Chairman Deng said that from now on, economic development will be the focus. Going back to the factory early, you can still make something of yourself. But these days, science and technology are important. When you go back, Little David, you should work on your education. Without it, you’ll be at a disadvantage.”

Henry Foster had just heard David Clark say he barely got through junior high and didn’t learn much, so he offered some advice from his own experience. David Clark nodded repeatedly, expressing his thanks.

Laura Foster sat to the side, listening to the adults talk. The story David Clark told about the self-defense counterattack deeply moved her. The way she looked at David Clark now carried a hint of admiration.

Chapter 003: Offering Flowers to the Buddha

David Clark and the others spent the night at the police station. The next day, the car was repaired, and everyone said goodbye to Richard Brooks before getting in and heading to the provincial capital, Tanzhou, in Xiangping Province.

As soon as they got in the car, Laura Foster insisted on sitting with David Clark. It was no wonder—everyone else in the car was an adult, and only David Clark was close to her in age, making him the only one she could really talk to. Along the way, Laura Foster peppered David Clark with questions, chatting happily. Since David Clark was from the future, he could easily pull a few jokes from the internet, which was more than enough to make Laura Foster giggle nonstop. The more David Clark made her laugh, the more attached Laura Foster became, eventually treating him almost like an all-knowing, caring big brother.

“Brother Lin, can you recite poetry?”

“I can. Can you?”

“Of course I can. I can recite… twenty-five poems.”

“That’s amazing! Why don’t you recite one for me?”

“Okay! After I finish, you have to recite one for me too, okay?”

“Sure, you go first.”

“I’ll recite a poem by Chairman Mao: ‘With heroic bearing, five-foot rifle in hand, At dawn’s first light, the drill ground grand. Sons and daughters of China, with lofty aim, Prefer arms to rouge, glory to claim.’”

“Well done, well done.” The other passengers all applauded. The little girl was pretty, had a lovely voice, and her recitation left everyone feeling refreshed and delighted.