Chapter 4

After she finished speaking, she looked back at the path we came from with a guilty conscience, as if making sure no one could hear what she said.

I put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Relax, I've been watching our surroundings. We're alone."

As Kate breathed a sigh of relief, I couldn't help but burst her bubble about the future.

"Kate, unless you push back against your parents and make sure they treat you and your siblings fairly, everything I warned you about is bound to happen," I told her.

"No way, that's not true. My parents really love me. It's just that my little brother and sister are still young," Kate protested.

I was not the type to push people, especially not my friends.

People had to own the choices they make. I couldn't change the fate of someone who didn't want to change.

If I interfered too much, I might not even be able to stay friends with her.

Because they were family, Kate just brought me along to see her aunt.

"Hey, Faith," Kate called out.

"Well, if it isn't Kate! Come on in, grab a seat, don't be shy," Faith greeted her warmly.

"Actually, I came to ask for your help with something," Kate said.

"Oh? What's going on? And where are your parents?" Faith asked.

Kate stepped aside and nudged me forward. "This is my classmate. She just graduated from middle school and wants to join the countryside program. Didn't you say you were short on young people for it? She's just right!"

Faith's face instantly lit up. She jumped to her feet, all her worries melting away. She looked years younger in that moment.

"Come on, take a seat, kiddo! I'll get you some water, and let's have a good chat," Faith said warmly.

Just like Kate said, Faith was totally stressed out about not having enough volunteers for the countryside program.

The office was practically deserted because everyone else was out trying to rally more volunteers, and today it was Faith's turn to hold down the fort.

While I was busy filling out the application, Kate suddenly let slip the secret part to Faith.

Faith looked a bit unsure. "Sweetie, what if your parents say no? Once we hand in this form and the list is set, we can't change it anymore!"

I paused, looked up, and flashed a big grin.

I said, "Don't worry, Faith. My dad's an army commander, and he's always had really high ideals.

"Ever since I was little, he's taught me that as a soldier's kid, I should love my country and always be ready to work hard for the good of our country and everyone in it.

"He'll be proud of me for sure once he finds out I signed up."

Faith said, her tone gentle, "Why keep it a secret? The sooner you tell them, the better. They'll have time to get everything ready for you.

"Sure, you were heading out to the countryside to learn and grow, but nobody would stop your parents from making sure you had everything you might need, just in case.

After all, these were young people who signed up on their own, full of ambition. They got a bit of special treatment.

It was not like you were being shipped off because you messed up or anything.

I shook my head with determination. "Heading out to the countryside is about answering the call and getting re-educated. It's not some vacation. No need for all that extra prep, I'm sure I can tough it out myself."

Faith's face lit up at my words and she agreed happily. "That's the spirit! Spoken like a true soldier's kid. Your parents are going to be so proud of you."

While I was packing up to head out to the countryside, one of my dad's old army buddies knocked on our door.

"Bad news! Someone turned you in, and the directive to send you away should arrive in a few days!" he said, his voice urgent.

"How could this happen?" I blurted out, totally stunned.

Dad helped Mom out of the room. She was a total mess, and then stayed behind, talking with his old army buddy late into the night, just the two of them.

Mom came into my room and just held me tight, crying with me until the middle of the night.

"Celia, what are we going to do now? Kayleigh's still in college. I don't even know if this will affect her too," Mom sobbed.

"Mom, I only just graduated middle school," I muttered, feeling helpless.

"It doesn't matter now. There's no college entrance exam these days. Even Kayleigh only got into college because your dad pulled a lot of strings for her. Going to high school wouldn't change anything for you," Mom said, her voice trembling.

Heh... In my last life, seeing Mom so upset, I just kept quiet about my own problems and always tried to be the thoughtful one.

So this was how Mom really saw me?

"Your dad's got such a high rank. If they're sending him away, it must be a huge deal. We'll probably get shipped off to the harshest place imaginable. What are we supposed to do? How are we even going to make it?" Mom wailed.

All these years, Mom just followed Dad wherever the army sent him. She never had to worry about anything except some easy chores and keeping an eye on us kids.

After years of an easy life, Mom was suddenly terrified of what was coming.

"Celia, why is this happening to us? Your dad gave everything for this country. How could they do this to us?" Mom sobbed, her voice shaking.

"Last year, the neighbors got sent down, and I heard they had to get up before sunrise to work their butts off... What am I supposed to do now?" Mom cried, panic in her voice.

'I've heard all this before in my past life, but hearing it again still stings,' I thought, the pain just as sharp as ever.

Back in my previous life, I used to worry that my parents were just too old to survive all the mess going on.