Song Heping suddenly woke up in the middle of the night.
Without any warning.
He was drenched in sweat as he woke.
Sitting on the bed for a few minutes, all traces of sleep vanished.
He felt restless, as if something was about to happen.
Unable to sleep, he got up, walked over to the desk, grabbed a bottle of mineral water, and took a big gulp.
The cold mineral water jolted him awake.
Stepping outside, the bright moon hung high overhead.
The camp was silent, with only a few sentries visible near the gate from afar.
Song Heping slowly walked down the corridor and sat on the cement planter under the tree in front of the barracks.
The quiet stillness reminded him of his days in the military, the nights when the duty staff swapped shifts, and the barracks buzzed with snoring soldiers.
If it weren't for family issues, Song Heping would never have chosen to retire.
He felt that the life most suited to him was still military life.
