Zhang Jianguo took a cigarette out of his pocket and handed it to Qin Jian: "What's this? Weren't you the one who didn't smoke? How come you're picking it up now too?"
"My thoughts are a bit scattered, I need to sort them out. A cigarette might help clear my head!" Qin Jian held the cigarette between his lips and leaned in to light it from the fire in Zhang Jianguo's hand.
"Commander, give me one too!" Zhao Dong chimed in, asking for a cigarette.
As soon as he asked, everyone in the command unit started asking as well. Helpless, Zhang Jianguo tossed the entire pack onto the table in the command center and took Qin Jian outside with him.
The sky outside had already turned completely dark.
The autumn wind carried a biting chill, especially deep inside the dense forest—it was freezing cold.
Qin Jian and Zhang Jianguo walked to a more open area, both of them sitting down on the thick carpet of fallen leaves on the ground.
"What's your take on this situation?" Zhang Jianguo asked.
