Years turn into wind

Chapter 185 The Calm Before the Storm

The days in the Marshal's Mansion were slightly calmer due to Ling Xiaotian's injury, but the news of the border crisis was shrouded in a tense atmosphere.

In the past few days, Cheng Yuwei has focused all her attention on taking care of Ling Xiaotian and researching military supplies and medicines. She has a vague worry in her heart but is unwilling to say much.

Leisure in the morning light

Early in the morning, sunlight filtered through the heavy curtains into the study in the Marshal's Mansion. Ling Xiaotian had a rare moment to sit at his desk and flip through a strategic map.

"Are you still busy?" Cheng Yuwei walked in with a cup of hot tea, her voice soft but with a hint of reproach, "The doctor said you need to rest more and stop tensing up."

Ling Xiaotian looked up and saw her face illuminated by the morning light. A gentle smile appeared in her eyes. "I'm not busy, I'm just relaxing. Take a look at the map, and you'll have a better idea."

Cheng Yuwei put down the tea, approached him, and glanced at the map: "Is this where the enemy troops are gathering?"

Ling Xiaotian raised his eyebrows and nodded: "Yes, the terrain here is complex, and it is a breakthrough point for them to launch a surprise attack."

Cheng Yuwei pursed her lips and pointed to another place: "Isn't this place more suitable for defense? The terrain is higher and the resources are better distributed."

Ling Xiaotian was slightly stunned, and his eyes showed some approval: "It seems that I should hire you as a military advisor. Your insights are not inferior to Zhang Jun."

Cheng Yuwei lowered her head and smiled: "I'm just guessing. But if I can help you a little, it won't be in vain for me to stay here."

Ling Xiaotian held her hand and whispered, "You've helped far more than you can imagine. Weiwei, with you here, my rear is stable."

Cheng Yuwei was a little embarrassed by his words. She pulled her hand back and pretended to be calm, saying, "Okay, drink some tea and stop talking nonsense."

Secret Letters

The brief warmth in the study was interrupted by Zhang Jun's knock on the door.

"Commander, this is the intelligence we received today." Zhang Jun handed a document to Ling Xiaotian.

Seeing this, Cheng Yuwei consciously stepped aside to avoid disturbing them. Ling Xiaotian quickly scanned the documents, his eyes gradually becoming deeper, and his fingertips lightly tapped the table.

"It looks like the enemy has already made a move," he said, then looked up at Zhang Jun. "Notify all troops to intensify patrols starting tomorrow, especially toward the northern border."

Zhang Jun left in response, and Cheng Yuwei couldn't help but ask, "Is there something wrong?"

Ling Xiaotian put the document away and said calmly, "It's just some routine intelligence exchange. Don't worry."

Cheng Yuwei looked at his thoughtful expression and felt puzzled, but she knew that he intended not to let her get involved too much in military affairs, so she had to give up.

A little joke in the garden

By the afternoon, the tension in the mansion had eased slightly. Cheng Yuwei, having a rare moment of free time, took Ling Xiaotian for a walk in the garden.

"How's your recovery going?" Cheng Yuwei couldn't help but ask as she supported him as he walked slowly along the gravel road. "Don't be so stubborn. The doctor said you need to rest well."

Ling Xiaotian smiled and said, "You remember the doctor's words better than I do. Don't worry, this little injury won't do me any harm."

"It's just a minor injury?" Cheng Yuwei glared at him. "If you hadn't insisted on not getting on the stretcher, the situation would have been much more serious!"

Seeing her angry look, Ling Xiaotian couldn't help but reach out and gently scratch her nose: "Weiwei, don't always have a stern face, smile."

Cheng Yuwei blushed at his action and raised her hand to slap his hand away: "Don't do this!"

"How about this?" Ling Xiaotian asked pretending to be serious.

Cheng Yuwei turned her face away and ignored him, but Ling Xiaotian chuckled softly, his voice revealing a rare sense of ease: "Actually, days like this aren't bad. I don't have to worry about the front lines. Being able to take a walk like this with you is a luxury."

Hearing him say this, Cheng Yuwei's heart trembled slightly. She turned around and said softly: "You are the commander, shouldering heavy responsibilities. I know you can't always be so relaxed. But I hope you can think more about yourself."

Ling Xiaotian looked at her seriously, with tenderness in his eyes: "All I'm thinking about is you."

Cheng Yuwei's face flushed instantly, and she muttered softly, "Slippery tongue again!"

Undercurrent

That night, Ling Xiaotian sat alone in the study, the light making his face look even more stern.

He took out the mysterious letter and read it over and over again. The words "hidden by my side" in the letter made him particularly concerned.

"If this is the enemy's way of distracting us, then their plan must be very covert," Ling Xiaotian muttered to himself, a hint of vigilance in his eyes. "We can't afford to make any mistakes in this operation."

Just then, there was a knock on the study door.

"Who?" Ling Xiaotian quickly put the letter away.

The door was pushed open, and Cheng Yuwei walked in with a bowl of soup: "Xiaotian, have some midnight snack."

Ling Xiaotian looked at her, his eyes softening unconsciously: "Another medicinal soup?"

Cheng Yuwei couldn't help but laugh and said, "No, it's the chicken soup I made. The weather is cold tonight, you can drink it to warm yourself up."

He took the bowl of soup and whispered, "Thank you for your hard work, Weiwei."

Seeing him drink the soup, Cheng Yuwei said with satisfaction: "Go to bed early and don't stay up late."

Ling Xiaotian nodded and watched her leave, his expression still solemn.

"Weiwei, I won't let anyone hurt you. Even if danger is hiding in the dark, I will protect you." He whispered, his eyes sharp.