Chapter 72: The Ambition of a "Petty Person"

When they returned to the farmhouse, although Lynn and the woman had tidied up their clothes, the extra rosy complexion on their faces and the elusive glint in their eyes couldn't hide from the experienced. Private Carl, who was grinning in the corner, and the serene-faced Private Goatee by the wall, evidently accepted this reality without saying a word. In this era of raging war, the fragility of life was as delicate as a dandelion, whisked away by the wind in the blink of an eye, disappearing without a trace. Why not seize the moment to enjoy life while one's body was unharmed, the belly full, and limbs intact?

In just a short while, little Calleigh fell asleep at her grandfather's feet, wrapped in the blanket Lynn had carried all day. Gently laying down the straw, the woman sat down beside her daughter, softly brushing aside the short strands of hair scattered across her forehead. That golden hue was surely inherited from her father, who once soared proudly through the skies. With time's nurturing, she would one day grow into a graceful young lady. How many young men would be captivated by her enchanting golden locks?

The future life might not be as happy as one hoped, especially for children like Calleigh, born into unfortunate times in Germany. The war destroyed their homes, killed their parents, leaving many as orphans. As they grew up, they would have to struggle for survival amidst the confrontation between the US and the Soviet Union, facing the confusion and pain brought about by the division between East and West Germany...

These impending worries were like thick rain clouds on the horizon, and Lynn regained his senses, looking at the heartwarming scene before him. The woman's eyes revealed the tenderness of a mother, making her youthful face even more charming. To Europeans, her figure and appearance might only be considered average, but from Lynn's perspective, she was a rare young mature woman, a "buy one, get two free" deal!

Casually spreading out the straw and grass, Lynn sat down. After satisfying both body and mind, he suddenly felt a strong urge to smoke. It was no wonder that among German soldiers, a pack of cigarettes could fetch a "Poposhka" in trades; its irreplaceable role in soothing emotions was undeniable. Perhaps he should consider opening a cigarette factory after the war ended?

This idea flashed through his mind momentarily, but without capital, experience, or any knowledge of running a business, Lynn's forward-thinking of decades wouldn't be of any use if he simply operated a small factory.

So, what could he do?

After pondering for a while without any inspiration, Lynn took out his dictionary and "Everyday German Conversations" book—learning German as quickly as possible was the foundation for achieving any plans.

Tucking Calleigh tightly under the blanket, the woman lay down beside her daughter, with Lynn on the other side, letting Calleigh and White Goatee sleep in between. As the fire gradually dwindled, casting flickering light into the dilapidated room, Lynn, with the determination to learn, studied and recited while occasionally asking White Goatee for help with any phrases he couldn't grasp. Occasionally, his gaze swept towards the woman, whose beautiful eyes hidden in the shadows kept staring at him.

Yes, he was indeed feeling a bit handsome now, but this admiring gaze... it was probably because of what had happened earlier! So, now that it had happened, did he need to bravely take on the responsibility of taking care of this family of three, or should he just treat it as a casual affair? Moreover, according to physiology, the passionate encounter from earlier had released billions of life sources. Without direct contraceptive measures, could it lead to the conception of a little Lynn?

These questions in his mind couldn't be directly asked to the woman, so Lynn could only think step by step. He would see what demands she would make and then consider fulfilling them as best as he could.

Worried that the firelight might attract unwanted attention during the night, Lynn didn't add any more wood to the stove, letting it dim until it went out completely, then he squeezed in beside White Goatee to sleep. With four people and two blankets, along with some straw as padding underneath, they slept more comfortably than any other night.

Lynn didn't even have any nightmares all night.

Waking up early in the morning, just as the day was breaking, Private Carl was already wrapped in a blanket, cleaning his weapon. This fiery soldier wasn't carrying a rifle; instead, he had a pistol with a contour somewhat similar to a Browning, but smaller in size. Although Lynn couldn't determine its model immediately, he was sure it wasn't the classic German Luger 08 or the Walther P38.

Stretching his limbs and turning to see the three generations of the family still sleeping soundly, Lynn buttoned up his coat, stealthily approaching Carl and squatting down. "Browning?" he asked.

"No, a Schmeisser, Belgian stuff!" Carl glanced up at him. "Had a good time last night, didn't you?"

"Hmm?" Lynn didn't quite understand.

With a glance towards where the woman was lying, Private Carl said, "She's great, huh?"

"Um..." Lynn looked over, but the woman was still asleep.

"Buddy, what should I do?" Lynn asked.

"Huh?" Due to his injured left hand being less dexterous, Private Carl was mostly using his right hand, with the left just helping to steady the pistol.

Lynn took out his dictionary and flipped through it. "Responsibility, what kind of responsibility should I take?"

"Oh!" Carl casually replied, "Continue taking care of them along the way and help them get on board as soon as possible!"

"Ah... so, can I go with them on the ship?" Lynn asked again.

"Do you have relatives or friends in the Königsberg Garrison Headquarters, and can you talk to them?" Carl asked back.

It took Lynn some effort to understand this, and then he shook his head decisively.

"Unless you're seriously injured, otherwise... both you and I will be towards the end of the boarding order!" Carl pulled back the gun barrel, lifted it with one hand, and only then, with a righteous tone, said, "We're soldiers, frontline combat troops. We might be reassigned to a position on the outskirts to defend against Soviet attacks—until the whole army retreats, or we die honorably in battle!"

Battle, it's always about battle. Hard defensive battles, occasionally even desperate counterattacks with a significant difference in strength, risking life and limb, high risk, low income—when would such days come to an end?

Like a white-collar worker who had just enjoyed the weekend but then learned from colleagues that they had to work overtime tonight, Lynn felt a bit annoyed. Life was so beautiful, why couldn't everyone lay down their arms, go home, and enjoy domestic bliss?

Although he felt regretful, seeing Carl's fearless expression, Lynn also felt a bit ashamed. My honor is loyalty. If everyone moves forward bravely, even if the equipment is a bit worse, and the troops are a bit smaller, we can still hold our heads high even if we lose a battle. If everyone is afraid of fighting, each with their own little schemes, a collapse at the slightest touch wouldn't be surprising. Moreover, persisting in combat could at least provide a relative sense of freedom and the recognition of personal dignity. Once killed in action or captured by the Soviets, there would be no chance for tender affection, only enduring hunger and suffering, perhaps even losing the strength to masturbate!

Battle! Battle! As long as we hold on until we're withdrawn to the homeland, there's still a chance to escape the worst fate! Lynn encouraged himself inwardly. With just a few months left until the fall of the empire, he could definitely plan a feasible way out—don't think that the treatment in Allied prisoner-of-war camps would be better than that on the Soviet side. Once the war ended, there would be no need to bolster the morale of the German army anymore, and the Americans and the British would reveal their true colors!

Thinking about a life beyond the fires of war, where he could bathe in gentle dreams every day, Lynn suddenly felt motivated again. Since he had to survive through battle, maintaining his weapons was indispensable. He got up and went to retrieve his assault rifle. As he passed by the family of three, he happened to look down at the woman from above. Perhaps due to the nourishment of last night's activities, her fair face was glowing with a rosy hue. Thinking about the compact feel of certain parts and the smoothness of her skin, Lynn almost couldn't resist another urge...