Although the house assigned to Li Zhan was somewhat remote, it was much more spacious than Bai Ge’s home. Four adobe rooms surrounded a small courtyard. Weeds grew thickly throughout the yard, with wildflowers scattered among them, while an old mulberry tree spread its lush branches overhead, its purple-black berries hanging heavily and bending the branches.
After putting down the luggage, Li Zhan immediately went into the grass and found a thorn. Holding Wen Wan’s finger, he carefully pricked the blister.
“Ow, be gentle!” Wen Wan instinctively pulled her hand back.
Li Zhan’s expression didn’t change, but his movements became even gentler. He punctured the blister, applied red antiseptic solution, then wrapped the finger twice with gauze and even tied it into a neat little knot.
Wen Wan looked at her finger, now wrapped like a tiny rice dumpling, and didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “It’s just a little blister. Anyone who didn’t know better would think I’d broken my finger.”
Li Zhan didn’t even look up. “I promised your brother I’d take good care of you.” He found a rag, wiped down a small stool in the courtyard, then pressed Wen Wan gently by the shoulders and made her sit. “Rest.”
He rolled up his sleeves and began cleaning the house himself. A cool breeze swept through the mulberry tree, making the leaves rustle. Resting her chin in her hand, Wen Wan watched as Li Zhan efficiently pulled weeds, swept the floor, and wiped the windows. The back of his military uniform gradually became soaked with sweat, clinging to his solid back.
“Li Zhan,” she suddenly asked, “how did you and my second brother meet?”
Li Zhan kept working. “In the same trench.”
“Last time you went to Shanghai on a mission, why didn’t you go see him? My second brother was home.”
“It was a classified mission. It wasn’t convenient. From now on, don’t ask me about my work. Anything related to the military is classified.”
Wen Wan pouted. This was classified, that was classified. Fine, then there was nothing to talk about.
She got up and wandered beneath the mulberry tree. Standing on tiptoe, she picked a few ripe berries and popped them into her mouth. Their sweet juice burst across her tongue, even sweeter than the candies she had bought in Shanghai.
Two minority children curiously peeked into the courtyard from the gate. When they saw Wen Wan looking at them, they smiled shyly before running away.
Not long afterward, they came back carrying a coarse porcelain bowl piled high with shaved ice. Thick clotted cream was poured over the top, along with amber-colored honey, and a spoonful of apricot jam decorated the center.
“Apah said to give it to the new neighbor,” the older child said in halting Mandarin.
Wen Wan happily accepted it. After taking a bite, the cool sweetness instantly chased away the summer heat. She quickly rummaged through her bundle and handed the children some chocolate. “Thank you!”
The children cheered and ran off.
Standing by the doorway, Li Zhan watched Wen Wan smile so brightly that the corners of her eyes curved into crescents. The corners of his lips unconsciously lifted as well.
Sitting beneath the mulberry tree, Wen Wan looked at the now completely transformed courtyard and curiously asked Li Zhan, “What are the neighbors next door like?”
Li Zhan wiped the sweat from his forehead and came over to sit beside her. “Uncle Arman is the ranch veterinarian. He’s a very straightforward and honest man. His wife makes the best milk curds around here.”
Wen Wan nodded, then pointed at the empty room. “Can we add some new furniture? Like a wardrobe, a desk, and things like that?” It was simply too bare right now. It truly lived up to the saying: practically empty.
Li Zhan pondered for a moment. “We’ll do it step by step. Things are tense right now. Being too conspicuous wouldn’t be good. That’s also why I chose a house on the outskirts. Your identity is special, after all, and there will inevitably be people looking for something to use against you.”
Wen Wan understood his concerns. Having lived through her previous life, she knew exactly how things were. When the political movement had just begun, people were living in an atmosphere of fear and suspicion. It wasn’t just military dependents—even some soldiers themselves were dragged into it.
For now, she would keep a low profile.
So Wen Wan obediently agreed. “Okay. I’ll listen to you.”
The evening breeze carried the refreshing crispness unique to the grasslands. Wen Wan had originally only leaned against the wall to rest with her eyes closed, but she unexpectedly drifted off to sleep.
When she woke again, it was already dark. An oil lamp had been lit in the courtyard. Under its dim yellow glow, the entire little yard looked completely transformed. The weeds had been cleared away, the wildflowers had been replanted in a corner, and even the fallen leaves beneath the mulberry tree had been swept into a neat little pile.
She rubbed her eyes and walked inside. She found that the tables and chairs, which had originally been covered in dust, had been scrubbed until they gleamed. They were somewhat old, but at least everything was clean and tidy.
A delicious aroma wafted out of the kitchen. Li Zhan was carrying out a large platter of golden lamb pilaf, topped with caramelized carrots and tender pieces of lamb. Beside it was a plate of pira hong—a refreshing cold salad of onions, peppers, and tomatoes—and a bowl of thick, rich yogurt.
“You’re awake?” Li Zhan set the dishes on the table. “Come eat.”
Wen Wan took a bite of the pilaf. The rice had absorbed the savory flavor of the lamb perfectly, while the sweetness of the carrots was just right. The pira hong was tangy and refreshing, and the rich yogurt was smooth and creamy, with a spoonful of honey drizzled over the top.
“So good!” Her eyes sparkled as her cheeks puffed up like a little hamster.
The corners of Li Zhan’s lips lifted almost imperceptibly. He scooped another bowl of yogurt for her.
After dinner, Wen Wan wiped her mouth and returned to the inner room. Then, with a mysterious expression, she took a stack of blueprints out of her space and pushed them in front of Li Zhan.
“What are these?”
Li Zhan unfolded the blueprints. His pupils suddenly contracted.
They were detailed mechanical blueprints of a certain type of warship!
Wen Wan lowered her voice. “I stole them from my ex-husband’s safe. I didn’t have time to turn them over when I left. I’m giving them to you now, so I can finally feel at ease.”
Wen Wan knew that Li Zhan would inevitably face criticism for marrying her at such a sensitive time.
Moreover, her ex-husband was Xu Mingzhe, that traitor who had sold out the country. Shortly after she divorced him, Xu Mingzhe and Lin Xiaoman were arrested. Everything had happened far too coincidentally.
Xu Mingzhe had been charged with treason and colluding with the enemy. Sooner or later, the organization would learn about her connection to him. By then, she would inevitably come under suspicion. Not only Li Zhan, but even her second brother could be implicated.
These blueprints were Wen Wan’s way of proving her sincerity. They could not only help distance her from Xu Mingzhe’s political position but would also greatly benefit the military.
After all, these were blueprints for one of the most advanced mechanical designs in the world.
At a time when Huaguo’s international relations were tense, many countries refused to provide technological assistance. The newly established Huaguo was being constrained and hindered at every turn.
Li Zhan stared intently at her. “Do you know what these blueprints mean?”
Wen Wan pretended to be clueless. “What?”
Li Zhan looked at the blueprints in his hands, his eyes shining with excitement. Their value was immeasurable. They would be of tremendous importance to the country’s military-industrial development.
Overcome by emotion, he suddenly spread his arms and pulled Wen Wan tightly into his embrace.
“Wen Wan, thank you. Truly. Thank you so, so much.” His voice was low and sincere, his chest rising and falling slightly with excitement.
Caught completely off guard, Wen Wan froze in his arms.
The man’s body heat seeped through their thin clothing, mingling with the faint scent of sweat and leather. Her heart suddenly began pounding.
She hurriedly pushed him away, her cheeks burning. “Li Zhan—Commander Li! You’re hurting me. Keep your distance!”
Only then did Li Zhan realize what he had done. He quickly released her, the tips of his ears turning slightly red. “Sorry. I got too excited.”
He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself, but the excitement in his eyes had yet to fade. “These blueprints are far too important. I have to take them back to the military immediately.”
Wen Wan nodded and pretended to calmly straighten her clothes. “Go ahead. You don’t have to worry about me.”
Li Zhan carefully put the blueprints away. When he reached the door, he turned back and reminded her, “I won’t be coming back tonight. Get some rest early, and lock the door.”
Wen Wan nodded. “Got it.”
Watching him hurry away, she let out a long breath. She touched her still-burning cheeks and muttered under her breath, “This man… Why does he keep hugging people out of nowhere? Honestly.”