Steel Soviet Union

Very few people have seen Malashenko's tears. Comrade Brigade Commander's eyes almost only show his firm will when facing the enemy, and his warmth and kindness when facing his own comrades.

Although the tears were not so exaggerated that they flowed out of his eyes on the spot, Commissar Petrov could clearly see the sparkling light in the corners of Malashenko's eyes, and the whole person's eyes even changed color.

Malashenko let go of his hands, turned around and stepped in front of the political commissar Petrov. His slightly raised right hand touched the face of the political commissar who had not been touched for a long time.

"I always thought you were just overworked and often stayed up late and couldn't eat well. I was so stupid! Really, no one is more stupid or naive than me."

Political Commissar Petrov, who was standing on the spot, could feel the warmth of his fingertips across his cheek, and knew exactly what Malashenko was referring to.

In order to prevent Malashenko from seeing his increasingly yellowing face, Commissar Petrov would sometimes even deliberately smudge his face, giving the appearance of a dusty man who had just returned from inspecting the troops below. .

The complications caused by pancreatic cancer have long since made this strong body covered in bruises, and the Caucasian face has turned into a sickly yellow look due to the complications of jaundice. Covered with the original skin color, at first glance, you may even suddenly feel that you are completely different. After looking in the mirror, Commissar Petrov knew that his body would never return to its previous state.

"He said you have pancreatic cancer. I don't believe it. I did the right thing, right?"

When human beings are in despair, they will always believe in those beautiful things that place their hopes in ideals.

This is a common situation for most people, not just Malashenko.

Political Commissar Petrov, who had personal experience of this experience and empathized with it, took a breath and finally faced Malashenko and spoke slowly.

"One day I will leave you, Malashenko, just like an eagle will one day learn to fly high on its own. This day just came as soon as possible, in a way that we did not expect, But you have to accept it.”

Political Commissar Petrov spoke very softly, sounding like a father teaching the philosophy of life, rather than the way of communication between comrades-in-arms and comrades.

With red eyes, Malashenko took a deep breath with his mouth half open. Although he had expected the result to be like this, he still couldn't accept it at all.

Malashenko, who turned away, raised his hand to cover his mouth and nose. His eyes were looking around like a radar antenna interfered by ground clutter. He was helpless and helpless. I didn't know where to look, but the sound of my breathing clearly had the smell of a changed voice. (っ◔◡◔)っ

As this scene continued, Commissar Petrov felt an indescribable feeling in his heart as he looked at Malashenko's back.

In the foreseeable near future, I will bid farewell to this land that I love deeply, and to the motherland that I have followed my faith and united under the red flag with my comrades for most of my life. But these are the things that have gone through so much. But it is not unacceptable to Commissar Petrov.

What Political Commissar Petrov is really worried about and worried about is that the young man in front of him has many similarities and overlaps with his own experiences when he was young, but he has already gone further in his short time.

Political Commissar Petrov once hoped that as a bystander, comrade-in-arms, comrade, and former mentor, he could witness with his own eyes what kind of path Malashenko would take and reach a height that he had never reached in his entire life. Let's take a look at what kind of future this young man who has brought him so many unexpected and bright things will have.

It has only been two years since the outbreak of the war in 1941 that we really got to know and get along with Malashenko.

But in the past two years, Political Commissar Petrov and Malashenko have gotten closer and closer and walked side by side on the common road, and the two resolute figures almost overlapped.

Whether it is Malashenko or Political Commissar Petrov, the existence of the other party has gone beyond ordinary comrades and colleagues, and is more like a family living together under the same roof. This is a kind of relationship that is almost inseparable from flesh and blood. Different, but more profound, the emotions tempered by experiencing suffering together are irreplaceable.

Escape and unwillingness to face it could not change the facts. Political Commissar Petrov, whose psychological endurance was far higher than that of Malashenko, maintained the bottom line of strength. He forcibly suppressed the strong emotions in his heart and stepped forward to meet him. His hand patted Malashenko's shoulder, which was facing away from him.

"Lead everyone to retreat. This is more important than what happened to me. You are not only my comrade and relative, but also the brigade commander of all the comrades of the entire Stalin Guards 1st Heavy Tank Brigade."

If possible, Malashenko really wanted to turn his head on the spot, look up to the sky and shout: This bullshit brigade commander is quitting! What could be more important than your illness?

A person's growth is always subtle, and invisible growth will always trump deliberate pretense, just like Malashenko now.

Malashenko did not act according to his personal emotions and strong wishes. The responsibility and burden on his shoulders made him clearly feel the preciousness of the lives of his comrades who trusted him and willingly put their lives in his hands.

Malashenko has no right to make his comrades, who are sincere and without a trace of hypocrisy, pay with their lives because of his momentary madness.

Whether it is the past life or this life, the same soul loaded in different containers has never been a Cao Cao-style "I would rather let the world betray me than let the world betray me" selfish person.

If Malashenko was such a person, then he would not have the same resonance as Commissar Petrov. They would struggle side by side and forge ahead on the same road. The differences between people are more than simple. Just saying that.

He wiped his chin and wiped away the liquid that had flowed out of the corners of his eyes away from his eyes.

As he turned around, Malashenko, who once thought he was really hard-hearted, finally came to his senses and understood a seemingly simple truth.

No matter in the past life or in this life, I am still at an age where I still cannot accept the death of my loved ones.

Whether it is war or illness, the feelings of someone who has been ruthlessly taken away from someone important are always the same.

Once again facing Commissar Petrov, whom he should be extremely familiar with, but now feels as if there is an invisible wall between them, Malashenko has an indescribable feeling in his heart.

Even if he stood there and spent half a minute savoring the bitterness, in the end Malashenko could only pass by his political commissar in sadness.

"Inform the troops and prepare to retreat."