War Photographer's Notebook

As the evening approached, before the sun set, Qiqi called Wei Ran to Sophie's room next door.

How about a look?
After Qiqi closed the door, she took off her hat and woolen coat, raised her chest and raised her head, turned around in front of Wei Ran and asked.

Compared to a few hours ago, this beautiful girl with long and fluttering hair now looks like Sophie, with a pomaded Prussian hazel head, and even her originally high breasts look much flatter now .

If it wasn't for the fact that the skin on the neck was not too delicate, her appearance was too weak, and her figure was relatively petite, the efforts she had made were really a good disguise.

Looking around, Wei Ran bent down and wiped it with his hands at the corner of the wall, then rubbed it on his neck, and then wiped it on his hands indiscriminately like rubbing hand cream.

Qiqi's eyes lit up when she saw this, and immediately followed Wei Ran's example and wiped some dust on her neck.

So be it
Wei Ran said in a timely manner, this kind of change, which is better than nothing, is actually at most just a psychological comfort.

After all, these young girls certainly couldn't believe that decades later, even the lizard's ghostly appearance would be hard to keep, let alone just cut short hair and wrapped it around the chest?
A little breathless, like trying on those corset dresses at Sophie's house before.

Qiqi took a deep breath with difficulty, and then said, Brother Victor, take the German-speaking American to the basement to have dinner with us later.

Let him eat in the basement too?Wei Ran came back to his senses and asked in surprise.

Um!
Qiqi nodded seriously, Sophie and the others are ready, so let's take him there!

ok, ok.After Wei Ran finished speaking, he stretched out his hand and opened the door.brother victor
Qiqi took Wei Ran's other hand, and asked in a jiffy, am I ugly like this?

Wei Ran, who would not turn his back on Qiqi, responded bluntly, but at the same time sighed secretly in his heart.

Then... that's good. Qiqi showed a reassuring smile, and slowly let go of Wei Ran's wrist.

Leaving the room that originally belonged to Sophie, Wei Ran immediately saw Dominique, who was picking up a lunch box and a pair of boots, outside the door of the next room, and Nadia, who was standing side by side with him, also throwing a lunch box.

This blond girl also had her hair cut short and wrapped around her chest. From the way she took a deep breath every now and then, it was obvious that such a disguise was also not a comfortable thing for her.

Why are you here?

Wei Ran asked curiously, the two young lovers couldn't see anyone after lunch, not to mention Wei Ran, even Sophie didn't know where the two of them hid.

Sophie asked us to take care of the guy who got shot in the ass Dominique explained immediately, shaking the lunch box in his hand, and we brought our dinner.

Let's go in together." Wei Ran said, and pushed open the door.

Taking the two young lovers into the room, Wei Ran said in English to Timov who was lying on the folding bed, Timov, come with me, I will take you to dinner.

And me?Buck, who was staring at a photo in a daze, asked subconsciously.

...

this is my assistant dominic
Wei Ran patted the shoulder of the young man beside him and introduced, of course, there is also his girlfriend, he will take care of you.He doesn't understand English, so you may need some rapport.If you don't have any conflicts when I come back, maybe I can find a way to provide you and Timov with some wine.

as long as there is something to eat
Buck is contented and good-natured. Of course, for the sake of wine, I will also cooperate with your assistant.

Hearing this, Wei Ran looked at Timov, and asked in German, can your legs walk?

No problem
Timov pointed to the clean brush on the table

Stove case, do I need to bring my utensils?
No, just go with me.

As Wei Ran spoke, he winked at Dominic, who immediately handed Timov the boots he brought in.

Hopping on one leg and putting on the boots, Timov rubbed the bruises where he had been beaten by the animal trap, then stuffed his trouser legs into the boots, and limped out of the room following Wei Ran.

Where are we going?Captain Timov, who was wearing a labor regiment uniform, asked as he looked at the weeds and ruins everywhere in the setting sun.

just follow me

Wei Ran slowed down a little, and led the other party into the room under the ruins of the platform, passed through the curtain hanging on the wall, and finally walked into the warm basement filled with the aroma of food.

Under the glare of kerosene lamps, the children sitting around the long table and the girls with short men's hair trying to make themselves look like boys, and all kinds of food on the long table , made Captain Timov, who entered here for the first time, be stunned for a moment.

Mr. Timov, you are welcome to have dinner with us.

Sophie stood up like a hostess, and raised her hand towards the seat reserved in advance, please sit down.

Subconsciously glanced at Wei Ran beside him, Timov came back to his senses, tried his best not to walk with a limp, came to the table, and sat on the seat reserved for him.

In front of him, a German army lunch box with Timov’s name on it contained thick broth, on the tray were a few slices of freshly baked bread, and even on the lid of the lunch box were slices of ham and bacon. Meat and grilled fish, and even half an apple.

At this moment, Wei Ran also came over with a glass cup, put it beside Timov, and then took out a delicate jug, and poured a full glass of red wine into his glass.

please don't be shy

Sophie waited for Wei Ran to put away the jug and said, we have a lot of food, and your companions will get the same food, of course, except for the red wine, which is Brother Victor's private reserve.

Wei Ran, who I will make up for Mr. Barker later, sat in the seat next to Timov and made a promise.

There are really so many children here?Timov asked in disbelief.

Most of them are orphans who lost their families because of the war, and some of them are rescued by us from the battlefield.

Sophie ate in small bites, and introduced the origins of the children here while chatting, but Wei Ran, not only did not participate in the conversation between the two of them, but even put most of his attention on talking with the rest of the children. children's interaction.

...

After eating dinner for more than half an hour, after confirming that Victor was not going to perform magic tonight, Qiqi also pulled out the Aesop's fables as usual, and continued to tell the children about the fox and The story of the crow.

Shall we go outside and talk?
At the end of the bedtime story, Sophie whispered to Timov who was not far away, and at the same time, she winked at Wei Ran.

Good

Timov, who had already finished his dinner, nodded, got up and followed behind Wei Ran and Sophie, limped out of the basement, and walked into the room full of clothes to dry.

Taking advantage of Wei Ran's efforts to light the oil stove, Sophie finally revealed another layer of identity between her and Qiqi and others.

what did you say?
Timov looked at Sophie who was holding a kerosene lamp in surprise. White rose?Are you a member of White Rose?The White Rose organization that distributes anti-Narsh leaflets in Germany?
Have you heard of us too?Sophie asked slightly surprised.Of course, of course I've heard of it.

Timov said with some excitement, Mr. Thomas Mann is my mother's favorite writer. He also spoke for you on the BBC radio station last year. At that time, our family listened to this program.It was also because of that show that I decided to join the army.

Thank you. Thank you Sophie was a little flustered at a loss.
now i believe
Timov glanced at Wei Ran who was still pumping gas for the oil stove, and then looked at Sophie, you are indeed not an armed organization in Germany, then Miss Sophie, Mr. Victor, I wonder if Buck and I can help you What do you guys do.

Seeing that Sophie had forgotten her words for a while, Wei Ran simply took up the conversation, Timov, frankly speaking, we not only have to worry about being discovered by Natsu, but also by you Americans.So we do need your help and Buck's help.

we need you when the americans find us

Taking a deep breath, Sophie, who had rearranged her thoughts, took over the conversation and explained the ideas discussed in the cave to Timov.and also.
Also, in case you don't plan to guarantee us, with you here, we can at least have hostages and bargaining chips to negotiate with the Americans.

Wei Ran, who had already lit the oil furnace, helped explain again, so Captain Timov, we are not enemies, but you still need to be a prisoner for a period of time until the end of the war.

fully understand
Timov nodded, but asked after a moment of hesitation, Miss Sophie, when I was captured by you, I had a map with me, can you lend me a moment?I also have some...some information, no, it should be bad news, I also have some bad news to tell you.

Hearing this, Sophie subconsciously looked at Wei Ran, saw him nodding, and then said, please wait a moment.

Before she finished speaking, the girl ran out of the room, and brought back the waterproof map not long after.

I don't know the exact location of this castle ruin

While spreading out the map on the sewing machine, Timov turned up the firepower of the oil stove with the radiator, and then stretched out his hand to draw a dotted line on the map, but after we were going to break through the German line of fire, we went to 400 No. Highland advances.And I believe that we will reach this combat goal very soon.

...

Having said that, Timov looked up at Wei Ran and Sophie. What I want to say is that if we are in this castle just on our attack route, I am afraid that even if I stand at the front, I may not be able to Block those bombs dropped by those idiot pilots.

I don't know if it was to scare Sophie and Wei Ran, Timov spread his hands and said helplessly, reminding us that our blind pilots are idiots full of shit.Although they can deflect for several kilometers when bombing the enemy, they can definitely throw it on the top of their heads accurately when bombing their own people.So if this castle is around the line of fire, it may become very dangerous very soon.

Pausing for a while, Timov searched on the map, pointed to a location and said, here, this place named Watsonak, we are currently attacking here, after we take this place, we will move towards Advance on Hill 400 in this direction.

Before he finished speaking, Sophie's face turned pale, and she shivered uncontrollably following the appearance of the place name Watsonak.

What's wrong?Wei Ran asked in a low voice.

Sophie Watsonak said tremblingly, it is very close to us, just opposite the swamp.

Seeing that Timov was also looking at her, Sophie said with difficulty, and there was also the No. 400 highland, where I... my father was taken there.What did you say?Wei Ran's eyes widened. Did Captain Letts go to Height 400? !

right there
Sophie stretched out her trembling fingers and tapped the No. 400 highland on the map, and explained with panic and despair in her tone that this map is not very accurate, but the No. 400 highland marked on it is indeed the place where my father was killed. place to take.Also, there's Watsonak.If it's really what Timov said.
When Sophie said this, fine cold sweat broke out on her forehead, which was deliberately touching a smear of black dirt. If they occupy there and attack Height 400, they will definitely pass by our current position!

Where do this castle ruins go on the map?Wei Ran
He and Captain Timov asked the same question in unison.

Let me see.
Sophie put the oil lamp in her hand on the sewing machine, took out the square box and turned on the flashlight, looked for it against the map laid on the sewing machine, pointed to a location with her fingernails and said with certainty, here!
Wei Ran and Timov looked at each other, looked around, ran to the fireplace and picked up two pieces of black charcoal.

Passed one piece of charcoal to Captain Timov, who immediately circled the target area they attacked during the day, and Wei Ran also circled the location of Height 400 after reconfirming with Sophie.

This castle ruin is indeed on the path of the next attack

After Wei Ran made a judgment, he turned his head and looked at Timov who was standing opposite, how about drawing out your sphere of influence?
Not necessarily accurate. As Timov said, he picked up the charcoal and circled a large area on the map.

we need to get out of here as soon as possible
Wei Ran frowned and said, according to the files he found before entering the historical fragment, the U.S. military will completely occupy the last stronghold of Watsonak on the fifth day of December. After that, it only takes two days for 12 Heights will also be taken down.

...

He even seriously doubted that the fortress where he was busy working as a fuel rat before was probably the last stronghold of Watsonak!
In other words, there are only three or four days at most left for the children and girls in the ruins of the castle to escape.

No!

Sophie rejected Wei Ran's proposal without even thinking about it. We can't leave here. My father hasn't come yet, and neither have Dominic's parents and brother.us.
Miss Sophie
Timov straightened his waist and said seriously, once this becomes a battlefield, the ruins will not be able to block the shells from both sides.At that time, whether we or you, I guess it will be impossible to temporarily cease fire for you.

but
Sophie, who was only 19 years old, suddenly panicked. Her big eyes looked at the area blackened by charcoal on the map and fell into a daze.

For her, a member of the White Rose, bringing so many children who had already died in battle and her companions who had been wanted for half a year to the German territory was tantamount to throwing herself into a trap to die.

But if they escape to the American territory, there is no guarantee that so many people will not be regarded as sneak attacking German guerrillas. At that time, there should not be too many, as long as there is a wave of machine gun fire, I am afraid that half of the children will be killed.

What's more, in this forest at this time, there is another insurmountable gap between the two warring parties - landmines.

If you guys are willing to leave, maybe you can go in this direction.

Thimov used charcoal to trace a curved black line on the map, which is the border between Germany and Belgium, also in this forest.Sophie, as long as you can get to Belgium through this forest, you can survive.There is already the territory of the Allied forces, and the junction of this forest is also based on vigilance.

Throwing away the charcoal in his hand, Timov picked up the soft ruler on the sewing machine and measured it. Then he glanced at the scale at the corner of the map. The distance to the border was less than three kilometers. It is only about 12 kilometers away, if you go faster, you can touch it in one night.

Why are you doing this for us?Sophie asked abruptly, besides hesitation and helplessness in those big eyes, there was also a strong sense of alertness.

I don't want to die either, not only do I not want to die, but I also don't want Buck to die at the hands of our own people.

Timov spread his hands. He and I appeared here for various reasons and were captured by you. If possible, of course we still want to go back alive.

This time, Sophie was silent for a long time, and finally said, Brother Victor, take everyone away, I want to stay.What did you say?Wei Ran and Timov looked at the determined girl in unison.

i want to stay

Sophie repeated again, my dad hasn't come yet, neither have Dominique's parents, I'm going to wait for them here.

After they came over, they found your body here?
Timov bluntly reminded, Miss Sophie, now is not the time to be impulsive, why don't you go to Belgium first, and then find a way to contact your family and let them meet in Belgium?

Her father, Mr. Letts, was taken by a dog on a leash.Wei Ran tapped the No. 400 highland on the map with his finger, and his father should be here now.

...

Her father is.
Wei Ran, the quartermaster of a fortress in Watsonak, stared at the other party and replied.

I do have a proposal, Timov said after some thought, we can make a deal.

What deal?Seeing that Sophie was silent, Wei Ran simply asked.

I want to get out of here as much as Buck, so we might as well do some collaboration.

Captain Timov paused, and continued, "You guys help me carry Buck, and show the way out of here. Anyway, you must be more familiar with this forest.And with your cover, Buck and I will not be exposed.

When I get out of the forest and arrive at my destination, I will testify for you and let you get the preferential treatment you deserve.

Having said that, Timov looked at Sophie. After you are safe, I will immediately contact my company and ask everyone to help keep an eye on your father's whereabouts.

Also, until the war is over, I think you should keep your affiliation with the White Rose a secret.

Why?Before the words were finished, Qiqi with a cold face also walked into the room.

If you disclose your identities at this time, if there is no accident, our people will definitely make a big publicity, and maybe there will be war reporters interviewing you.

Timov spread his hands and said, once your identities are premature, what do you think will happen to your family members who have not been rescued?
Hearing this, Qiqi and Sophie shivered involuntarily, obviously they had anticipated what might happen.

Thank you for your reminder, we will temporarily keep the identity of White Rose a secret.Sophie paused, but I still need to think about leaving here.

Please hurry up, we don't have much time, and every minute of delay here will make it more difficult to escape.Timov looked at Wei Ran at this point, and besides, can you give me another cigarette?
As Wei Ran said, he took out a pack of unopened Camel cigarettes from his pocket and threw it directly to the other party.

Skillfully tearing off the wrapping paper, Timov popped a cigarette in his mouth, put it on the radiator, and took a sip. Then he reminded in the end, if you decide to follow my advice, you'd better make sure first. Well, which direction to go and then find someone familiar with the route.I'm not familiar with this forest, and I don't know how many forts and machine gun fire points you have hidden here.Otherwise, Buck would not have been injured.

Brother Victor, take Mr. Timov back to rest first.Sophie said, picked up the oil lamp on the sewing machine, turned around with Qiqi and walked towards the basement.

let's go back too
Wei Ran turned off the oil stove while speaking, and before the red-hot radiator was completely dimmed, he and Timov left one after the other, and walked towards the house on the side of the church in the gradually rising night.

When the two of them opened the door and came in, Buck was playing poker with Dominic and his little girlfriend Nadia who didn't know where to find it. There were some peanuts used as chips beside the chair used as a card table by the bed.

Victor, you are finally back.Dominic immediately buckled the poker cards in his hand on the chair. We are playing poker, do you want to join us?

I'll let Wei Ran wave his hand, let Timov play with you, and I'll get some red wine.

You are not afraid.
you can try
Wei Ran didn't wait for Timov to finish, he took the hanger on the

Coconut pot on the wall, go outside, I'm looking forward to your dangerous move, I just need to kill another person right now.

just?

Timov was stunned, and when he was about to say something more, Wei Ran had already closed the door from the outside, and walked into the forest outside the moat in the dark.