Chapter Twenty-Three: I Truly Am a “Deserter”

Sun Ting’s slender frame trembled slightly. With the start of the show drawing near, her anxiety grew, leaving her palms damp with perspiration. At this very moment, she felt a sudden urge to retreat, wishing she could find someone else to take her place as the host.

Suddenly, a large, steady hand settled on her shoulder.

"What are you afraid of?" Ye Yuan’s calm, gentle voice reached her ears. "It’s not like you’re heading onto a battlefield. Just calm your mind and don't let this be a burden."

Sun Ting was taken aback. Ye Yuan’s words were like a beam of light, gradually steadying her terrified heart. If the heroes of the past were not afraid of death, why should she be afraid of a camera?

"I understand, Grandpa Ye!" Sun Ting declared with newfound resolve.

Ye Yuan smiled at her. "Go on."

"Yes!" Sun Ting nodded firmly, took a deep breath, and walked from the wings onto the stage.

At this moment, countless families across the country were sitting before their televisions, watching the nation’s first live-broadcast program of its kind. Many internet users had even moved their computers next to their TVs just to chat with others across the country while watching.

Due to the discourse online, netizens had spontaneously split into two camps. One side, composed mostly of paid trolls and those misled by misinformation, criticized Ye Yuan on various forums. The other side believed in him, viewing him as a true war hero. The two sides were locked in a fierce, irreconcilable debate.

As the show’s opening sequence ended, the audience watched as Sun Ting, dressed in a cheongsam, walked gracefully to the center of the stage under the gaze of the cameras.

"Hello, dear viewers. I am Sun Ting." She clutched her fists tightly, trying to keep her voice steady. "I believe many of you have already recognized me. That’s right—all the photos and recordings regarding Grandpa Ye were captured by me. I am the host of 'Retracing the Red Path,' Sun Ting."

Her calm, clear voice traveled through the televisions to the viewers.

"Wow! This host is beautiful!"
"Are northern girls really this tall?"
"Where is the war hero? I want to see the war hero!"
"Has anyone investigated that stone at the hero’s house yet? It’s killing me! That stone must have some significance!"

Forums and chat rooms were buzzing with discussion.

"And now, the first episode of 'Retracing the Red Path' officially begins. Let us welcome Grandpa Ye to the stage!" Sun Ting said, turning and bowing slightly toward the backstage area.

The studio erupted into warm applause. The audience consisted of people from all walks of life from the city and county who had volunteered to participate. Xiao Bo, Liu Ping, Cong Gui, and Ye Yan sat in the front row.

Hearing Sun Ting’s introduction, Ye Yuan stepped forward. He wore a tattered military uniform; deep wrinkles mapped his face, yet they could not hide the tenacity and dignity of a soldier. Every step he took was steady and powerful. The applause grew even louder.

After Ye Yuan appeared, the chatter online intensified.

"Say what you will, but one look is enough to tell that this old hero has been on the battlefield and fought the invaders!"
"It’s a performance! It’s definitely a show. Why else would he deliberately wear tattered clothes?"
"Shut your mouth! The uniform he’s wearing is from the early days of the Anti-Japanese Allied Army, back when the invaders were still in the Northeast!"
"I have a friend from Hehe County. I heard that uniform was actually intact until a local bully burned down Grandpa Ye’s home. It was Grandpa Ye who braved the fire to save it!"
"Really? This uniform must hold special meaning for him if he risked his life to save it!"

In the studio, Sun Ting invited Ye Yuan to sit on the sofa. Facing the nearby camera, Ye Yuan appeared remarkably composed, as if it didn't exist. After all, he had never feared the enemy's artillery fire; how could a harmless camera possibly intimidate him?

By contrast, Sun Ting was somewhat nervous. "Grandpa Ye, the public opinion about you online is currently polarized. Do you have any thoughts on this?"

Sun Ting threw out the question everyone was concerned about.

Ye Yuan adjusted the microphone, a serene smile on his face. "Actually, I have never cared about what others think of me. As long as my conscience is clear, that is enough. But since I agreed to come on this show, I must say something."

He held up the small box he had carried onto the stage. "Inside this are the military medals of my late comrades. These were all recognized by our commanders."

"As for those who call me a 'deserter'—I am, indeed, a 'deserter'."

The room erupted in shock. Even the chat rooms fell into a brief, stunned silence.

"Haha... has this old man lost his mind? How could he say that on air?"
"What did I tell you? This guy is suspicious. You people were just blinded by his 'hero' status!"
"Is this a sudden pang of conscience? Is he tired of the act?"
"Why are you trolls in such a rush? The old hero hasn't finished speaking yet..."

The trolls seized the opportunity to attack, while those who supported Ye Yuan were anxious, wondering why he would say such a thing. Everyone desperately hoped he would clarify.

"I am a 'deserter.' On the eve of the founding of this nation, I fled. I fled from my unit, and I fled from my comrades." Ye Yuan spoke into the microphone, his voice full of penetration and charisma. "I was worried that this new nation would just be a change in name—that there would still be distinct classes, corruption, and a disregard for human life."

"I feared that the land we fought so hard to win would ultimately turn back into that rotten, feudal dynasty..."

After saying this, Ye Yuan turned his head and asked Sun Ting in a low voice, "I said that right, didn't I? It's called a feudal dynasty?"

Sun Ting was amused by his reaction. After laughing, she quickly regained her composure and nodded seriously.

Ye Yuan nodded slightly and continued, "I wanted to see everyone united, for this country to truly become one big family."

"I wanted people to greet each other with handshakes instead of kneeling. For people to be addressed as 'comrade' instead of 'master'."

"I didn't want the people to shout 'Long live the Emperor'."

"I wanted them to shout... Long live the people!"