Wen Qiao quickly ran through possible strategies in her mind.
Finally encountering a man who fit her aesthetic in every way, it would be a shame not to pull him into her orbit.
And she could annoy the female lead at the same time.
Two birds, one stone.
Life was already so harsh in this era—was it too much to want a little sweetness?
Having such a handsome, universally admired husband at home—just seeing him was eye candy, even if she didn’t use him.
Earlier, when she had sneaked a peek at him, she had left one of his underwear intact.
She hadn’t touched him directly, but she had seen all she wanted to see.
Her expression at the time had been one of utter shock.
The size was astounding.
Being the male lead, it went without saying that his abilities in every other aspect would be top-tier as well.
Just thinking about it made her giddy.
Wen Qiao indulged in her daydreams about a blissful future, her thoughts drifting further and further, until she fell asleep in a daze.
Lu Yanchen watched the woman on the bed, her head covered, as her breathing gradually steadied.
He raised an eyebrow in surprise.
He had expected her to keep pestering him, but she fell asleep so quickly.
He walked to the door.
Outside, wind and rain lashed against the night, dark and heavy.
The cold wind blew in through the doorway, brushing across his sharp features.
Feeling slightly stifled, Lu Yanchen unbuttoned one button at his collar.
Yet the tension between his brows persisted, throbbing relentlessly.
A faint, lingering scent from the woman clung to his nose.
It wouldn’t dissipate and refused to leave.
It unsettled him, stirring a nameless irritation.
He could see through her feigned expressions and clumsy acting at a glance.
Lu Yanchen didn’t know exactly what her intentions were, but one thing was certain: she was not an enemy agent.
Yangcheng itself was a place rich in resources.
Baiyun mountain Military Reclamation Farm was the best-equipped farm within the Yangcheng Military District Production and Construction Corps.
Its environment was superior, the workload lighter, and the oversight of educated youth less strict.
Only the children of revolutionary heroes or martyrs—or those with strong political family backgrounds—could be assigned there.
Her entry meant her credentials had gone through multiple layers of verification.
If anyone else had tried to inquire about his unit number, he would have immediately blacklisted them.
He would have taken control of the situation the moment they asked, perhaps even doubting their intentions in “rescuing” him.
But if Wen Qiao really was a newly assigned educated youth at Baiyun mountain, then everything was likely a coincidence.
The granary was indeed nearby.
The place where he had fainted wasn’t far away either.
It wasn’t paranoia.
As a soldier, he not only had to observe military secrecy regulations but also stay alert at all times.
Enemy agents employed countless tactics.
Anyone seeking sensitive information, like a unit number, would trigger triple checks in the military: verifying background, social connections, and recent contacts.
Serious cases would be handed over to security, sent to a study class for review and detention.
His sternness toward her earlier was therefore necessary.
She had simply happened to meet him.
Had it been another soldier, she might have been taken in for interrogation.
Lu Yanchen stood at the door in the cold wind, his mind gradually clearing.
He picked up a match from the table and lit the lamp, then approached the bed.
He reached out and pulled the thin blanket from Wen Qiao’s face.
Under the dim light, her lips were faintly red, curled in a subtle smile, like a flower gently blooming in the wind, exuding a delicate fragrance.
Her serene sleeping face was like a beautiful painting, unfolding in the dreamscape, intoxicating him.
Lu Yanchen gazed quietly for a moment.
After some hesitation, he reached out and tucked the blanket around her.
Then he turned and sat back on the wooden stool by the fire.
In the morning, Wen Qiao was awakened by the chirping of birds.
Still sleepy, she slowly sat up.
She stretched lazily, rubbed her eyes, brushing her eyelashes aside, her gaze hazy and lingering with dreamlike warmth.
Her delicate skin appeared even softer in the morning light, like dewdrops at dawn.
Through the window, the eastern sky shone a pale bluish-green, like indigo fabric faded by rain.
The typhoon’s leaden clouds had shattered into cotton-like fragments, a few remaining drifting swiftly across the sky.
Suddenly, a shaft of morning light fell on her. She shielded her eyes and squinted, brushing aside her slightly messy hair.
The movement was casual and natural, exuding a touch of laziness.
Her gaze cleared gradually, and she turned to meet Lu Yanchen’s dark eyes.
Her thoughts snapped back instantly.
He hadn’t sat there all night, had he?
“You didn’t sleep in bed last night?”
The wooden bed was small, but two people could sleep comfortably.
Lu Yanchen glanced at her calmly.
“Men and women do not share a bed.”
Wen Qiao was speechless.
They had slept together before—touched, held, and this small room was alone. What was the point of restraint?
Just sleep—she couldn’t possibly “eat” him in her sleep.
Wen Qiao got out of bed and peeked at the deep blue sky.
After a typhoon, it usually took three to five days to clear, but it had only been one. How was the sky already sunny?
The ground outside was muddy, but the water wasn’t deep.
She felt a twinge of regret.
Their time alone was short.
As expected, Lu Yanchen spoke.
“Pack up. We need to leave here as soon as possible.”
He hadn’t returned all night; the military district would definitely send people searching.
They probably assumed he was trapped on the mountain.
Baiyun mountain was treacherous, full of steep slopes. After heavy rain, landslides and collapses were easy to occur.
He couldn’t leave them in danger.
They had to return early.
Besides, the typhoon had struck suddenly without warning, causing inevitable damage.
Now that his body was unharmed, he needed to participate in rescue efforts as soon as possible.
Wen Qiao nodded silently.
There wasn’t much to pack anyway—just some food. The buns were already eaten yesterday, leaving only a packet of boiled eggs.
An enamel jar and a tin water bottle.
The bedding was worn from the original owner at the Shen household; she wouldn’t take it. Leave it as lodging for the forest ranger.
She stuffed the eggs into Lu Yanchen’s hands.
“I don’t like boiled eggs. You can eat them all.”
Just waking up, she had no appetite.
Besides, she really didn’t like boiled eggs—the flavorless texture nearly choked her.
“Thanks.”
Lu Yanchen accepted them and began peeling the eggs.
He had already gone out to scout that morning.
This was the forest ranger station at the foot of Baiyun mountain.
Although not far from the military farm, all the roads ahead were blocked by landslides and muddy, requiring a detour around the other side of the mountain.
This morning, he had easily moved a thick tree trunk at the entrance.
That was when he realized some strange changes in his body:
For instance, his strength had increased dramatically.
His senses were also sharper.
He couldn’t figure out the cause, but it was a good thing, so he didn’t dwell on it.