Since confessing the existence of the space to Lu Zhanting, Su Wanqing felt like a different person.
The lonely shadow who once carried a secret alone had finally put down the heavy burden, and now had a companion by her side to walk with.
Her steps were much lighter, and the way she looked at people no longer resembled a hedgehog bristling with spikes, but instead carried a sense of calm and warmth.
Early the next morning, the wake-up call echoed throughout the military compound.
Su Wanqing opened her eyes, no longer seeing the cold ceiling of the study.
She was sleeping in the master bedroom, on the marital bed that belonged to her and Lu Zhanting.
Last night, Lu Zhanting had simply moved her bedding from the study over, his reason clear and commanding:
“Husband and wife should sleep together.”
Su Wanqing didn’t argue.
She lay beside him, about a fist’s distance apart, her body a little stiff from unfamiliarity, but listening to his steady and powerful heartbeat, she slept especially soundly.
This was the deepest sleep she had ever had in her life.
The spot beside her was now empty, still warm.
Lu Zhanting had already gotten up.
Su Wanqing got dressed and stepped out of the bedroom, immediately spotting him in the courtyard practicing boxing.
He was bare-chested, his bronzed skin glistening with a thin layer of sweat in the morning light, muscles sleek and filled with astonishing explosive power.
Every punch he threw sliced the air with a fierce roar.
Su Wanqing didn’t interrupt, quietly entering the kitchen.
With a thought, fresh eggs and flour appeared in her hands; she also took some sacred spring water to mix into the dough and began preparing breakfast.
When Lu Zhanting finished his morning training and entered the house, warm steam followed him, along with the rich aroma of wheat that filled the air.
On the dining table was a steaming bowl of egg noodles.
Each noodle strand was distinct, topped with a golden fried egg, the broth clear and flavorful.
“Eat quickly, you need energy for training,” Su Wanqing handed him the chopsticks.
Lu Zhanting looked at her; morning light sparkled in her eyes like countless shattered stars.
His heart felt soft and swollen as if soaked in warm water.
He took the chopsticks and started eating heartily.
The noodles were chewy and smooth, a flavor he had never tasted before; the broth was so fresh he wished he could swallow his tongue.
He knew this was another gift from that magical land.
After finishing, Lu Zhanting took the initiative to clear the dishes.
“I want to organize the space warehouse today and sort the items,” Su Wanqing naturally spoke of their shared secret while following him.
“That way it’ll be easier to get things later.”
“Okay,” Lu Zhanting nodded. “I’ll help you when I get back.”
He paused, then added, “It’s too big inside. Don’t wander around alone, be careful not to get lost.”
Su Wanqing laughed at his serious warning. “Okay, I’ll listen to you.”
They smiled at each other, the air around them tinged with a sweet scent.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
Suddenly, urgent knocking sounded at the courtyard gate.
“Report! Company Commander!”
It was Guard Chen Hao’s voice, filled with unusual urgency.
The smile vanished from Lu Zhanting’s face in an instant, replaced by the cold sternness unique to soldiers.
He strode over and opened the gate.
Chen Hao stood at the entrance, his expression grave.
“Commander, the regiment headquarters issued an emergency notice—temporary mission! All company-level and above cadres must assemble in the regiment meeting room within ten minutes!”
“Understood,” Lu Zhanting responded in a low voice.
His gaze shifted to Su Wanqing inside, flickering with a hint of apology and deeply hidden worry.
“Emergency mission.”
Those four words hit Su Wanqing’s warm heart like a block of ice.
As a military wife, this meant separation, and unknown dangers.
She thought she was prepared, but her heart was still gripped tightly by an invisible hand, tightening in waves.
“You should go quickly, don’t delay.”
Su Wanqing stepped forward and adjusted his uniform collar, trying to keep her voice calm and normal.
But her slightly cold fingertips betrayed her.
“I’m fine,” she looked up and forced a smile. “I’ll wait for you to come back.”
Seeing her forced strength, Lu Zhanting felt a pang in his chest.
He raised his hand, gently stroking her cheek with rough fingertips, then stretched out his long arms and irresistibly pulled her into a tight embrace.
“Take good care of yourself at home,” his voice low and hoarse, shaking her eardrums. “Lock the doors and windows. If anything happens, find Sister Liu or go straight to the company with Chen Hao.”
“Mm,” Su Wanqing buried her face in his solid chest and responded softly.
The clean scent of soap mixed with his unique reassuring masculinity filled her nose.
She greedily absorbed this warmth, as if it could give her strength against the unknown.
The hug lasted only a few seconds.
Lu Zhanting released her.
He looked at her deeply, then turned decisively and strode away.
The gate closed, his steady and powerful footsteps quickly fading into the morning courtyard.
The house instantly became eerily quiet.
Su Wanqing stood where she was, still holding the warmth of his body, but the surroundings were cold and empty.
This was their first real separation after marriage.
She didn’t know where he was going, what he was doing, or when he would return.
This was a military marriage.
Behind the sweetness lay endless waiting and worry.
Su Wanqing stood still for a long time before finally moving.
She couldn’t just wait idly.
She had to do something.
A clear thought surfaced in her mind.
She quickly rushed into the bedroom, locked the door, and with a thought, vanished from where she stood.
The space was still full of life, but Su Wanqing had no mood to admire it and ran straight to the simple wooden warehouse cabin.
Lu Zhanting was going on a mission, facing unknown dangers.
She couldn’t help in any other way, but she could provide the most solid logistical support.
She wanted to prepare him an infallible “love supply pack.”
Su Wanqing quickly searched through the warehouse.
Food! Outdoor missions require huge energy expenditure, so it must be high-energy and easy to carry.
She found prepared beef jerky, made from space beef and spring water, a small piece of which could quickly replenish energy.
She quickly baked a batch of bread, using flour mixed with spring water, soft in texture and able to stay fresh for a long time.
High-purity chocolate, candies, and several apples produced in the space—all packed in.
Next were the medicines, the most important part.
Su Wanqing sorted the herbs and ready-made medicines she had prepared earlier.
She bottled three small glass vials of concentrated spring water—this could save a life, detoxify, and speed up wound healing in emergencies.
She carefully carved different marks on the bottles.
Special powder for stopping bleeding, anti-inflammatory medicine, fever reducers, painkillers, and even a few needles and threads soaked in spring water for stitching wounds.
She had almost assembled a small field medical kit.
Finally, weapons and tools.
She dug out a Swiss Army knife she had collected in a past life, then found a special alloy dagger sharp enough to cut through iron, wrapping it carefully with cloth strips.
A military canteen filled with spring water.
A high-powered telescope.
A waterproof lighter.
She even packed several sets of dry, breathable pure cotton underwear and socks.
She wanted to stuff the entire space into his pack.
When all the things were piled up in front of her, Su Wanqing realized that this was quite a large package.
How could she hand these items to him without drawing attention?
After his meeting, he might leave immediately!
Su Wanqing’s heart felt like it was on fire.
No, she had to see him off in person.
She found an ordinary army green canvas bag and carefully packed everything inside, wrapping each bottle and jar with soft cloth.
After finishing, she immediately exited the space, grabbed the bag, and rushed out the door.
She ran with all her might toward the military camp.
The morning wind brushed her face, cool, but her heart was burning hot.
She had to make it in time!
She had to see him once more!
As Su Wanqing, panting heavily, reached the edge of the Tiger Battalion training ground, she saw from afar several army green trucks already starting up.
Groups of fully armed soldiers were boarding the trucks in an orderly manner under the officers’ commands.
The solemn atmosphere was suffocating.
Su Wanqing’s heart leapt into her throat. She desperately scanned the camouflaged crowd, wildly searching for that familiar figure.
She found him!
By the cab of the foremost truck, she saw him.
Lu Zhanting was also dressed in camouflage combat uniform, his face painted with camouflage makeup, looking stern and unfamiliar. He wore a steel helmet and held a rifle, briefing his adjutant.
That iron-blooded aura of “strangers keep away” made him seem like a completely different man than the one practicing boxing in the courtyard that morning.
For a moment, Su Wanqing hesitated.
But thinking of the uncertain and dangerous road ahead for him, she disregarded everything else.
“Lu Zhanting!”
She shouted with all her strength toward him.
Lu Zhanting, who was giving mission instructions, suddenly paused.
He abruptly turned his head, his sharp eyes instantly locking onto Su Wanqing standing at the edge of the training ground.
She held a bulging canvas bag in her arms, her cheeks flushed from running, and strands of hair damp with sweat clinging to her forehead, looking at him anxiously.
All the soldiers around turned their gaze toward her simultaneously.
Lu Zhanting strode toward her with an imposing momentum.
“Why are you here?” His voice carried a restrained reproach.
“I…” Su Wanqing was a little flustered by his serious expression. She raised the canvas bag and whispered weakly, “I prepared some things for you. Food and medicine. Take it with you; you might need it.”
Lu Zhanting’s eyes moved from the bag to her eyes, reddened by nervousness and worry.
Something deep inside his chest was heavily struck.
He knew this bag contained her care, her concern, and their shared secret.
He reached out and grabbed the heavy bag.
“Nonsense,” he scolded verbally but held the bag tightly. “The army has discipline. Running over here like this—what do you think you’re doing?”
Su Wanqing lowered her head, her nose tingling, feeling very wronged.
The next moment, a rough, calloused hand gently lifted her chin.
Lu Zhanting bent down, whispered into her ear in a voice only they could hear, quickly, “I’ve got the stuff. Be careful at home. Wait for me.”
His warm breath, tinged faintly with gun oil, brushed her ear, tickling and burning.
Su Wanqing’s face instantly flushed bright red.
“Assembly!”
From nearby came the order to board the vehicles.
Lu Zhanting gave her one last look—deep and burning, as if filled with a thousand words unsaid.
Then without hesitation, he turned and strode toward the truck carrying the canvas bag, leapt up, and landed steadily on board.
Su Wanqing stood still, watching the army green trucks kick up dust as they slowly drove away, eventually disappearing at the end of the road.
Her eyes were wet before she even realized it.
Only when the trucks were completely out of sight did she silently turn and walk homeward.
Her steps were slow, her heart hollow.
From this moment on, the long wait began.
Meanwhile, on the bumpy military truck,
Lu Zhanting leaned against the corner of the truck bed, eyes closed.
The surrounding soldiers were quietly discussing the unknown mission; the atmosphere tense and solemn.
He shut himself off from all those sounds.
His hand rested on the canvas bag beside him.
Through the fabric, he could clearly feel the shapes of the bottles inside.
His heart was filled with a warm emotion.
He recalled how Su Wanqing stood anxiously in the morning breeze, looking at him.
That silly girl.
Clearly terrified, yet still thinking of preparing so many things for him.
He could even imagine her alone in that magical place, frantically searching and packing.
In an unnoticed corner, the corner of Lu Zhanting’s mouth twitched into a slight smile.
He reached into his pocket and took out a small, hard object, clasping it in his palm.
It was a bullet head threaded with a red string.
The bullet was polished smooth, with two small but forcefully carved characters etched on it—
“Peace” .
This was carved by Su Wanqing herself last night in the space.
She said: “You protect the country, I protect your safety.”
Lu Zhanting clenched the bullet tightly. The hard texture and the lingering warmth that belonged to her transformed into an indescribable strength, flowing into his entire body.
Wanqing, wait for me.
I will definitely come back safely.
Back to your side.