"Isn't there any other way?" At the dining table, Cen put down the dishes and chopsticks in his hand.

"You still have time to worry about others, why don't you think about yourself." Cen's father said dissatisfied.

"I'm just asking if there's any other way for you." Cen lowered his head and continued.

"There's absolutely no way, don't you know? Your spot is also required, so choose an extra person in another district to replace you. He explained, and continued: "Do you think the rules of the inner city are casual, this is still an opportunity that I have managed to get. ”

"What?" Cen stood up in disbelief. Could it be that he harmed Dong'er? Obviously, she still has a year to reach adulthood.

"That'...... Is that person Dong'er? Cen said tremblingly.

"There's no way around it. I don't care who they choose as scapegoats. He said helplessly.

"Husband? Are you telling the truth? Cen's mother couldn't believe it. Since her family moved here, Dong'er has often come to her house to play, and in her eyes, Dong'er is a kind and sensible girl. Her relationship with her daughter is even more like that of a sister.

After a long silence, Cen's father replied, "Yes." ”

"I decided to join the army." Cen suddenly came out with this sentence.

"What do you say!?" Cen's father jumped like thunder and slapped the table.

"I decided to join the army! You replace Dong'er! Cen didn't back down.

"Cen Er, do you know what it means to join the army? That's two years! Life and death are hard to prohibit! Mother said worriedly.

"That won't hurt Dong'er." Cen said firmly.

"When will you change your ignorant temper! That's what this society is! It's unfair everywhere. He yelled at Cen.

"Husband......" Cen's mother frowned.

"I've decided." With that, Cen turned around and went upstairs.

"You ......," he was speechless.

At night, Cen's parents lay on the bed tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

"Did you sleep?" She asked.

"How can you sleep! Tomorrow is the time to report. He sighed.

"Actually, I've been thinking about whether it's good or bad for us to move here. Although I am just a housewife with little education. But always feel that the planet ...... It's weird......" she said, turning to look at him.

"What's the weird way?" He asked.

"I can't tell. But the world is so big, maybe we shouldn't always protect her like this. Perhaps, she is much stronger than we think. It's like at dinner, her eyes are exactly the same as you were at that time. But didn't you still break through, and now, we're happy, aren't you? She laughs.

“…… yes, maybe it's time. He no longer insists on his own opinions. After all, everyone grows up one day, and sooner or later they have to face the direction they choose. And this cannot be postponed forever.

"So, tomorrow morning, will you find time to talk to her? After all, there is not much time for this to happen suddenly......" she said, taking his hand.

"Don't worry. I know. He shook her back. Give her peace of mind.

Before dawn, Cen got up. She stood in front of the window, looking at the outside world with a faint purple light, and was fascinated. In fact, she understands her parents' good intentions. She had also heard how terrible it was for this "to join the army". But after all, about 70% of the people who return to the city every time. So she didn't think it was that hard to accept. But for Dong'er, she couldn't bear it, especially the fact that she replaced herself to join the army. Therefore, even if her father did not solve Dong'er's matter in the end, she must go to join the army. Maybe it's the childish self-esteem that's at work. After all, Dong'er is a very reserved girl in her eyes. But every time I met her, I always greeted her warmly. treats people and everything very decently, and it is precisely because of this that she is more real. It makes people want to be friends with her.

"Knock knock—"

"Who...... Yes? A knock on the door woke Cen in front of the window.

"It's me, can Dad come in?" He replied.

“…… Come on in. With that, Cen turned and sat down on the bed, with his back to the door.

"Actually, Dad knew you would wake up early. So, I want to buy some time to talk to you. He sat down next to Cen.

"You know, Dad didn't mean to say that yesterday. I'm just worried about you, after all, ......" Before he could finish speaking, Cen put his arm around him and leaned on his shoulder.

"I know, Dad, I'm sorry. But that's my choice. Cen said calmly.

"Hmm...... Dad understands...... You've been the pride of both of us since we were young. He touched her head and continued, "I've already called the registration section, so it stands to reason that there should be no problem." ”

"Thank you! Dad ...... "Actually, Cen is also very reluctant. Although she is very strong, after all, she has never been to the outside world. It's one thing to yearn for, it's another thing to actually be. No one wants to be the 30%, but fate is always so tormenting......

"Alright, then you can pack your things first. I won't bother you. With that, he patted her hand and left.

For parents, we may not realize it. Either way, it's right and wrong. Despite the arguments at the time, in the end they always selflessly tolerated and bowed their heads. If you find that you are the one who is wrong, and it is they who apologize, it may be when you feel the most guilty. Every time, I am full of consciousness and must correct it next time, but when I become a slave to my temper, I will inevitably repeat the mistakes of the past. Are there so many opportunities in the world? The established trajectory of time is always forward, and when the introspection is realized, it may have long been a matter of time, and people are no longer there.

Outside the Inner City Military Administration - Area 803.

"All military participants are required to undergo biometric authentication in the lobby. Then, join the team according to the code you obtained. All ......" repeated the introductory words over and over again at the military control gate.

Dong'er stood at the door for a long time, and people came and went next to her from time to time. Finally, she mustered up her courage, took a deep breath, and went inside.

As soon as I entered, I found that the line was so long. I thought I had come earlier. It looks like it's going to be a long time before it gets to itself.

"Dong'er......?" Suddenly, someone in the back tentatively called his name.

Dong'er looked back and saw that it was Cen. She didn't expect Sister Cen to come, because her right to defer the application was not used, and besides, she also understood that because of her father's relationship, she might not have to join the army. So Dong'er looked a little surprised. If I didn't have a little bit of that kind of meaning that day, it would be impossible, but maybe Sister Cen has already fought for her, after all, this is not child's play, it is not so easy.

"Sister Cen......? You...... Do you want to go too? Dong'er was surprised.

"Hehe, no. Anyway, sooner or later, you have to face it. Cen argued. She has always suppressed her emotions, obviously her father has already taken care of the relationship, why is Dong'er still here? Cen knows his father very well, and he will never lie to her.

"Dong'er, I'll go to the consultation room. You wait for me. Cen patted Dong'er on the shoulder and walked away. Dong'er looked at the back of Sister Cen leaving, and always felt that she seemed to have something on her mind today.

"Smack-" When Cen wanted to get out of here, he was suddenly hit back by the electric gate that was set as one-way. The pain was so painful that Cen's body suddenly went numb.

"Hey! What do you want to do? A management soldier walked towards Cen .

"I want to go out." Cen said. In fact, all communication equipment is isolated here, and Cen wants to go out and make a phone call to his father.

"It doesn't work, have you read the manual carefully. Just enter the door of the military administration. They must obey the arrangement and not be able to return to their lives until the end of their service. He explained impatiently.

"Excuse me, where is the information desk here?" After being silent for a long time, Cen had to think of another way.

"AI or HB?" He asked.

“HB。” Cen replied. This kind of thing is purely self-inflicted trouble, it is best to choose HB and find a human service desk.

"Turn right in front of you and you'll see the sign. It's about the fourth room. The soldier pointed in the right direction.

"Thank you." After saying that, Cen walked over there.

"Knock knock—"

"Please come in." A man said politely.

"Excuse me, why are minors here?" Cen asked unceremoniously.

"Huh? Please put your hand on the bio screen first, I need to confirm your information. He said. Although Cen was very anxious, he did so.

He looked at the information, looked up at her and said, "Oh? It turns out that you are the daughter of Director Cen of the R&D Department of the district. Is there anything you can do? ”

"Before...... The girl named Dong'er who replaced me before. Why is it still here? I don't need her to replace me anymore. Time was pressing, and she didn't want to go around in circles anymore, Cen asked eagerly.

"Sorry, information about all the incoming groups in the entire inner city will be uploaded to the archives department of the General Military Administration. In other words, the information of the girl named Dong'er has been uploaded to the General Military Management Office, and we cannot withdraw it. This withdrawal of information is illegal. He explained.

"Is it legal for minors to join the military?" Cen shouted.

"In this case, it will be regarded as an unsolicited application, which is not a violation of the regulations." He explained irrelevantly.

"You ...... You ......" Cen trembled angrily.

"Click-" Suddenly, the automatic door on the side of the consultation room opened. An officer walked up to the information desk.

"Chief of War, why are you here?" He immediately smiled and stood up.

"Well, I saw something wrong with this on the monitor, so I came here." With his hands in his trouser pockets, he walked over majestically.

"Please stop making trouble here, or I'll fire your father. Since it is your own choice, you also have to bear the consequences, from the moment you enter the one-way door, it has been erased, and the data about you is uploaded again. That is, both you and your friends, must join the army. The look in his eyes made it seem like it wasn't a joke at all. Cen had nothing to say this time, she clenched her fists, gritted her teeth, and even if she was not convinced, she could only walk out from here.

"I'm sorry for you! Sorry, I can't handle this either! He bowed down and apologized to the warlord.

The Warlord nodded, and left without saying anything more. In fact, it was impossible for him to fire Cen's father, who was the director of the R&D department of the district and played an irreplaceable role in the R&D department of District 803. However, lies and truths are only in a single thought. If the liar believes it to be true and the effect is achieved, that is the result he wants. This assertiveness and decisiveness in the face of threats is not a legitimate approach. However, for him, to achieve the end, there is no means.

"Huh? Sister Cen! Dong'er saw Cen coming over with his head down.

"Well, I'm sorry for you. Help me take a spot. Cen looked up and saw Dong'er's smiling face. Said embarrassedly.

"What are you doing? Sister Cen. Dong'er asked back.

"Nothing. Just ask about joining the army. Cen said casually.

"Oh." Dong'er turned around. In the blink of an eye, they were already lined up. The entire biometric authentication operation line is completed by AI. Like an assembly line, after fingerprint authentication, from the moment you stand on the conveyor platform, all external physical conditions from head to toe, as well as internal physical examinations, including musculoskeletal conditions, organ conditions, blood test status, etc., are uploaded to the platform's personal file in an instant.

When Dong'er arrived at the terminal of the portal, the back of her hand was picked up by a robotic arm and several black squares were stamped on it.

"Dong'er?" Cen shouted behind Dong'er. Her inspection certification is also over.

"Please go to the front inspection door to scan the QR code outside, and the door to your team will open. Please follow the order and offenders will be escorted to the examination room. Thank you for your cooperation. The service robot at the terminal of the conveyor said.

Cen and Dong'er saw at a glance that in front of the inspection door, there were eight doors side by side. Each door is no different, at least with the naked eye, and there is nothing strange about it.

The two hugged each other, nodded their heads and said goodbye to each other.

When Dong'er passed through the inspection door, there was a "click-" sound, and the door on the far right rose up and opened.

"Then I'll go in first, Sister Cen." Dong'er looked back and said.

"Hmm!" Cen nodded at her, and then prepared to pass through the inspection door as well. Just as Cen passed, the door that Dong'er had just entered opened again. I didn't expect them to be on the same team. Cen was very happy in his heart, he didn't expect such a coincidence. When she saw Dong'er for a while, she must have been surprised and delighted.

When Cen came in, he stood there and was stunned for a long time, but he didn't expect it to be so spacious! It's like a square. And in front, there is a neatly arranged line.

"Hey! Rookie! The instructor in front shouted at Cen in a daze.

"Sister Cen!" Dong'er saw that this person turned out to be Sister Cen. She shouted excitedly.

"What are you doing!! Be quiet! The instructor pointed at Dong'er and reprimanded.

Dong'er lowered her head embarrassedly, Cen smiled awkwardly and found a place to return to the team.

"Bell bell bell—" Suddenly, a bell rang. Then, the voice of the radio was heard: "As of now, it is 10:30 sharp. There are 33 first-level gates, 20 second-level gates, and 27 third-level gates in the 803 Military Administrative Region...... There are ten people in the eighth-level gate, all of whom are present, which is consistent with the statistics of District 803. At this point, this is the end of the current 803 District Army. ”

"We are the Eighth Gate. From now on, you are the Eight Gates. And I'm ......" The instructor's face changed and he stopped suddenly.

"You, give me a line!" He pointed to a boy next to Cen and yelled.

"What were you just laughing at?" He said solemnly.

"It's nothing, I just think it's ridiculous to call it the Eight Gate Team." His words had just fallen. The instructor jumped in front of him in two steps and kicked him in the chest. The boy was kicked straight away, fell heavily to the ground, and lay there twitching, with a hideous face.

"My name is Chen Jinghuai! You can call me Instructor Chen. He crossed his hands over his chest, completely ignoring the players on the ground, and continued: "If you think the Eight Gate Team is ridiculous, then I am really disappointed in you!" Just now, by the time you pass the test, the knowledge implanted in your brain should be almost ready to be extracted. ”

Sure enough, when Cen was thinking about this, the knowledge that did not exist in his brain actually "existed" out of thin air. It's just that there is some stinging in the scalp, like an electric shock.

"The players who entered the eighth level gate, that is, the front team, and why became the "front" team!? I think you know better! In other words, no matter what happens, the front team always has to take the lead! Instructor Chen continued.

"You must be worthy of the resources provided by the General Military Commander to all the members of the Eight Gates! You also have to be worthy of the support role of other teams for the Eight Gate team! And like him, he doesn't have such qualifications at all! With that, he kicked the player who was lying on the ground again. Then, the mechanic next to him carried him down. Members of the forcibly evacuated team who violated the rules were imprisoned for several months, and at the end of their sentences, amnestics were administered and released back to the inner city, or exiled to the outside world.