War Photographer's Notebook

In the room behind the church icon, Wei Ran used a Dutch pot to cook Timov and Buck, who was in a coma, a large army stew full of ingredients and very German flavor.

Perhaps because of the lure of the scent, Buck, who had been carried to the bed by Wei Ran and Timov, also woke up.

Seeing that the strong man with most of his butt exposed was subconsciously about to pull out his gun, Timov quickly gave an order in English to stop, and then served a large stew in the protective storage case of an American oil stove, plus a few A piece of bread was handed to the other party, and at the same time, he did not forget to explain the current situation in detail.

Helping Buck retrieve the memory lost due to coma, the strong man turned his head to look at his gauze-wrapped butt with difficulty, and then raised his head to look at Wei Ran who was sitting at the table with a little bit of difficulty. The hostility asked in English,

"Are you a doctor?"

"Veterinarian" Wei Ran said deliberately.

"what!"

Buck unbuttoned his neckline, lay down on the bed and used a spoon to deliver food into his mouth, and said vaguely, "Your skills are good, and I can barely be considered a veterinarian. The animals on my farm are all I castrated and sewed it up with my own hands, to tell you the truth, those things..."

"Those things are really big, aren't they?" Wei Ran took the lead to say the lines that the other party was about to say.

"Now I believe it, you are indeed a veterinarian." Buck said solemnly.

"Why do I feel like you said that today?" Timov looked at Buck suspiciously.

"I said it this morning when I helped medic Orlando stitch up a wretch with shrapnel in his ass."

Buck said frustratedly with a disgusted expression on his face, "Unexpectedly, it took only half a day, my ass was also hit, and I said the same thing again."

"I don't know which unlucky ass will get hit next time you say this."

While teasing Buck, Timov walked to the table with bare feet and sat down. He took a big mouthful of the stew that was also contained in the protective shell of the oil stove, and then sighed intoxicated, " This taste is so good, Victor, it seems that you are really the chef here."

"It's delicious, don't you think you can't eat anymore?" Wei Ran quickly waved his hands after speaking, "Of course, this is just a chat at the dinner table, you don't have to answer."

"Victor, you sure don't know."

Buck struggled to crawl to the edge of the bed, put the small aluminum alloy tube with food in his hand on the floor, and said in a serious whisper, "Actually, we have already caught your round mustaches. "

"Do you think I will believe it?" Wei Ran asked back, dumbfounded.

"real"

Buck poked a piece of fat and thin pork from the barrel with a fork and stuffed it into his mouth. While chewing, he said vaguely, "We locked him in the production workshop of Hershey Company and worked 24 hours a day and night. Shit on the production line, and then Hershey will make his shit into biscuits, and that's what we've been eating for the last month."

"Hard and unpalatable shit," Timov added vaguely as he shoveled the stew into his mouth.

"If you want to try it, I seem to have it here, it broke me all the way."…

While talking, Buck put his hand into his bosom, and after some groping, he took out a piece of compressed biscuit that was still unopened and shook it at Wei Ran.

"Forget it, I'm not interested, you can keep it for yourself." Wei Ran didn't even have the intention to get up, and directly waved the spoon in his hand.

Seeing this, Buck directly threw the compressed biscuit in his hand into the box under the bed, picked up the small tube on the floor again, and shoveled the steaming stew into his mouth.

"Can I have another one?" Timov who finished the food first asked Wei Ran who was sitting opposite.

"Come by yourself." Wei Ran raised his chin towards the Dutch pot placed in the middle of the table.

"thanks!"

Timov, who was not at all conscious of being a prisoner, immediately picked up the wooden spoon in the pot, filled himself with half a tube of stew, and by the way, picked up the wooden spoon from the upside-down pot.

Two slices of bread and butter were held on top of the cast-iron pan lid.

"Your supplies seem to be very rich?" Timov asked indifferently after adding an extra tablespoon of stew to Buck.

"I used to be an assistant to the quartermaster. When I fled here, I secretly brought a few boxes of canned food and some flour."

Wei Ran also calmly attributed the abundant reserves on the dining table to his own personal behavior.

"Guards, chefs, artisans, and quartermasters?" Timov looked at Wei Ran and said meaningfully, "Victor, you have so many roles."

"To survive in a place like this, everyone has to wear multiple hats."

Wei Ran finally raised his head when he said this, "Okay, take Captain Moff, don't continue to test each other, right? After dinner, someone will explain the current situation to you. Before that, you can count on me. Whatever you ask may be false.”

"OK! No problem!" Timov briskly assured, "I'll keep an eye on it."

Before Wei Ran could say anything, there was a knock on the door behind him.Seeing this, he immediately put down the spoon, got up and opened the wooden door nailed with several layers of canvas,

Outside the door, Sophie and Qiqi, who were wearing German woolen coats, stood one meter away from the door frame. Beside the door, there were also Horst and Okan holding submachine guns.

"What's the matter?" Wei Ran looked at the two girls opposite and asked.

"I need to discuss some things with you." Sophie pointed to Wei Ran's room while saying this.

"Wait a moment," Wei Ran said, turned back to the room, took the woolen coat and outer belt hanging on the wall, and followed the two girls into the freezing rain.

And behind him, Horst and Okan were also standing outside the door, blatantly pointing the muzzle of their submachine guns at the two trembling American prisoners in the room.

Under the leadership of Sophie, Wei Ran followed the two of them through the stone bridge and reeds again, and got into the flood hole where many valuable objects were hidden.

It wasn't until she saw the luxurious antique carriage again that Sophie lit the oil lamp and said, "Brother Victor, we want to discuss with you how to deal with those two Americans."

Hearing this, Wei Ran was not in a hurry to express his attitude, but just pulled over an antique chair and sat down, took out the cigarette case and gave Qiqi and Sophie who were sitting in the front of the carriage a cigarette each, and kicked the question back , "Why don't you tell me what you think first?"...

"My mother, and Nadia's brother, including the church, were all killed by bombs dropped by American planes."

Qiqi was the first to speak, and there was no anger, no hatred, and no grievance in her tone, only numbness that was almost solidified.

Sighing lightly, Sophie sat down next to Qiqi, took out a lighter and lit the cigarette in her hand.

In the lingering light blue smoke, Sophie sighed and said, "But if we kill those two Americans who are obviously not pilots for revenge, what is the difference between us and the Nuggets who wanted us?"

"Yeah..." Qiqi burst into tears suddenly, and rubbed her face vigorously, "but my mother is dead, my mother is dead!"

Looking at each other, Sophie shook her head lightly, and pulled out a small PPK pistol with a pink wooden handle patch from the holster around her waist. Watching, she stuffed the pistol into Qiqi's hand.

"You decide for yourself, no one is forcing you, and there will be no reason to stop you from taking revenge."

Sophie took a step back, stood beside Wei Ran and continued, "Even if you kill those two Americans, I can guarantee that no one will blame you in the future. Qiqi, no matter what decision you make, We all support you."

"That's right"

Seeing Qiqi looking at him, Wei Ran nodded cheerfully, "Sophie is right, besides, if you want them to die quickly, you can shoot them in the back of the head, if you want them to die more painfully , you can hit them in the stomach or in the lungs.”

while talking, Wei
Ran also gestured for a specific position on his body.

"You..." Qiqi looked at Sophie and Wei Ran helplessly, and then, as if frightened, she put the gun in her hand on the couch of the carriage in a panic.

"you are my friend"

Sophie said as a matter of course, "I've known you longer than I've known that little trash Dominic, and if it wasn't for you, I should have been wanted. So no matter what you do, as a good friend, I will Support you."

Speaking of this, Sophie took a deep breath, took a step forward, and picked up the pistol on the carriage, "It's okay Qiqi, if you dare not do it, I can kill them for you."

After speaking, Sophie walked towards the entrance of the cave with her gun in her hand.

"Wait!" Qiqi grabbed Sophie, "don't want me...I didn't say I would kill them."

Hearing this, Sophie, who turned her back to Qiqi, secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and then asked solemnly, "But, they are indeed Americans, and they are indeed invading us now..."

"No, no more."

Qiqi shook her head again and again, "As you said, if we want to complete our revenge by killing two Americans who were not murderers, then what is the difference between us and Naju who wanted us?"

"Phew! It's okay! I almost went to kill someone."

Sophie finally let out a long breath, wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, and threw away the small pistol in her hand with no bullets, turned around and hugged the tearful Qiqi, and compared this The girl who was a head shorter than her was hugged into her arms. …

Waiting patiently until the two young girls calmed down and sat down again, Wei Ran crushed out a cigarette that hadn't been smoked at all and asked, "So what are you going to do with those two Americans next?"

This time, Qiqi set her sights on Sophie.

"do not forget"

Sophie responded to Qiqi and Wei Ran with firm eyes, "We are members of the White Rose organization, and we always want to do something for peace. And I think these two Americans may be an opportunity for us."

"We?" Wei Ran looked at Sophie and asked, "You mean, including me?"

"certainly"

Sophie nodded as a matter of course, "Didn't you say you wanted to add white roses in the basement? I agreed."

"When did you agree?" Wei Ran asked subconsciously.

"Just now." Sophie pointed to the cigarette butt under Wei Ran's feet solemnly, "Before you put out this cigarette."

"It was a real surprise"

Wei Ran's exaggerated admiration did not surprise Sophie and Qiqi, two girls with tears in their eyes, couldn't help but smile.

"Let's get down to business." Wei Ran became more serious, "Sophie, what are you going to do?"

"I think we might be able to identify the White Rose organization to those two Americans, so that we can at least get along with them without being enemies."

Sophie paused, seeing that Wei Ran and Qiqi didn't respond, she continued, "I can only think of so much for now, Qiqi, Brother Victor, I think we can let them stay as friends and let them They see the real situation here, so in case..."

Gritting her teeth, Sophie said seriously, "The Americans are getting closer and closer to us. In addition to worrying about the shells falling from our heads, we also have to worry about whether the Americans will come here through the swamp.

If... if one day they find this place, if those two American soldiers are willing to vouch for us then maybe... maybe the kids in the basement will survive. "

"We can't guarantee what kind of people those two American soldiers are of good character"

Qiqi also said seriously, "So we don't have to treat them as enemies, but we also can't give them complete freedom, so that if the Americans find this place, if they don't want to guarantee us, we can at least keep them They're being held hostage."

"And here"

just haven't
Wei Ran, who expressed his opinion, raised his finger and pointed to the carriage not far away, "There are no nobles in the United States. If the two of them discover what is hidden in this cave, even if they are noble people, even if only this A luxurious carriage is enough to turn them into robbers."

Speaking of this, Wei Ran deliberately looked at Sophie and Qiqi, "Especially there are many young and beautiful girls here, which is also a temptation."

Sophie and Qiqi looked at each other, gritted their teeth and said, "We'll seal this place with stones later."

"Before dinner, I will cut every girl's hair." Qiqi also said what she could think of to deal with it.

"I hope it will be useful." Sophie brushed back her short hair, and there was a trace of helplessness on that strong face. …

Seeing this, Wei Ran couldn't help thinking of the women and children in the basement in Berlin.Compared with the people in that basement, the two young girls who have just grown up in front of them can think so much, and they have done well enough.

Even if Captain Letts or Dominique's parents, who have never even met, are here, there is probably only this that can be done at present.

Just as he was thinking of the "parents" who should have been there long ago, Qiqi also asked, "Sophie, when will Dominic's parents come over and Uncle Letz and Uncle Jens, what will they do?" ?”

"I don't know either." Sophie shook her head with difficulty, "Let's solve the trouble in front of me first!"

"It would be great if our radio could still work." Qiqi sighed, "Maybe there is still a chance to receive their telegrams."

"It's all to blame on that damn American bomber!" Sophie was stunned after cursing, and a look of surprise appeared on her face.

"What did you think of?" Qiqi immediately noticed her abnormality.

"I just remembered something"

Sophie stood up excitedly, "When Uncle Kasten helped us make that broadcasting system, I remember seeing two American radio stations in the mezzanine of his basement."

Seemingly worried that the explanation would not be clear, Sophie added additionally, "Probably used as parts, I don't know if those radio stations can still be used, if they can be used..."

"Then we must have the same channel we agreed upon."

Wei Ran poured a basin of cold water at the right time, and then asked, "Is it the American radio station in the upstairs mezzanine of Dominic and I's room?"

"right!"

Sophie automatically ignored the cold water thrown by Wei Ran, "When the war in this forest first started, my dad managed to get several of those American radio stations."

"Wait, how many sets did you just say?" Wei Ran asked in surprise.

"The fact that the stations my dad got was originally hidden in the ruins."

Sophie spread her hands, "On the contrary, it was Uncle Kasten's two sets. We took great risks to send them over. If he wants to help us make a broadcasting system, he must have enough parts."

"So there are extra American radio stations here," Wei Ran asked in surprise.

"there is none left"

Sophie shook her head, "The one above your room is the only one left, and the rest were dismantled into parts and sent to Uncle Kasten's house."

"Is the US military radio in the mezzanine upstairs still working?" Wei Ran asked again.

"Maybe you can"

Sophie said uncertainly, "I was trying to repair the radio system that was blown up, so I took the American radio apart, but I'm not sure I can restore it to its original state."

"Channel, what about the channel that Brother Victor just mentioned?"

Qiqi reminded from the side, "Even if we can fix that American radio, there is no way for us to contact him without a unified channel."

"Yeah." Sophie was discouraged and said regretfully, "We should have agreed on a channel in the first place."

"Is there an encryption method between you?" Wei Ran asked persistently. …

"No"

Sophie spread her hands, "Uncle Kasten is not optimistic about our broadcasting plan. In fact, our plan was stopped by the bomb dropped by that damn plane before it even started."

"Send it in plain code?" Qiqi came up with a bad idea that caught Sophie's eyes.

Wei Ran waved his hand, "It's unrealistic. Even if you don't consider the danger of being bombed by the United States and Germany at the same time, you have to consider whether Uncle Kasten just turned on the radio to receive the telegram?"

"makes sense"

Sophie said with some disappointment, "After all, all we can do is hide here like mice, do nothing, and only pray for the end of the war."

"Anyway, let's find what we just said."

Qiqi tiptoed and hugged her good friend Sophie, and comforted her in a gentle voice, "Let's hide the cave first, and then help the girls cut their hair. Let me think about it, although we don't have much medicine, But there is still a lot of gauze, maybe we can wrap up the boobs. Those stinky men will always stare at the boobs..."

"Ahem..."

Wei Ran cleared his throat and brushed his sense of existence that he was not deaf and was still alive, "I'm here to seal the cave, how about you arrange the girls now?"

The two girls who were holding each other let go of each other and smiled at each other. Sophie pointed to the wooden boards under the carriage, "Let's use those wooden boards to seal the cave! There are many stones next to the entrance of the cave. It’s used to block the entrance of the cave, and I leave it to you here.”

Before the words were finished, the two girls turned around in unison and ran out of the cold and damp cave, whispering all the way.

"What will happen next..." Wei Ran muttered to himself, lifted the lampshade and blew out the oil lamp hanging on the carriage.

Pulling out a few wooden boards covered with iron sheets from under the carriage, Wei Ran walked out of the cave, locked the iron fence door, then used wooden boards to cover it, and finally blocked the entrance of the cave with stones piled up around it.

Looking back at the ruins of the castle on the other side of the reeds, he took out the engineering shovel from the metal book, first got some mud from the bank to cover the stones at the entrance of the cave, and then shoveled some moss to cover it.

Finally, he cut some reeds and pine needles that can be seen everywhere to completely cover the hole, Wei Ran put away his engineering shovel, and walked towards the church calmly.

When he walked to the door of the room again, Horst and Okan were still vigilant against the two Americans in the room with their submachine guns, but Timov and Buck had already eaten all the food in the pot and bowl. The food was crunching from someone who gave them an apple.

Without entering the room, Wei Ran walked towards the basement.

In such a morning, the glass that was shattered by the explosion had been cleaned, and a rope was stretched between the walls. On these ropes, all kinds of clothes were hung to dry.

At this moment, Qiqi and the girl named Heike are holding a pair of scissors each, helping the other girls cut off their long hair by the window, carefully helping them create a tomboy-like Prussian Hazelnut hairstyle.

Looking at the hair loss all over the floor, and looking at those girls with red and swollen eyes, Wei Ran silently exited the room that had been affected by the war.

When he returned to his room again, the two American prisoners had finished eating the apples in their hands, and they were guarding the American oil stove on the table, chatting in whispers.

However, when Wei Ran came in, the two of them shut up, obviously not wanting Wei Ran to hear.

"Victor, can I go for a walk," Bilmofu asked, "Also, can you give me back the cigarettes and lighter?"

"You can't leave this room just yet," Wei Ran said, taking out half a pack of Camel cigarettes from his pocket and throwing it on the table.

"thanks"

Timov immediately reached out to pick up the cigarettes, popped two out of them deftly, took two sips from his mouth to the side of the red-hot heater, and then distributed one of them to Buck who was watching anxiously.

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