Forced to marry a disabled man in the countryside? I'll repay you tenfold!

[Congratulations on successfully saving four critically wounded soldiers who were on the verge of death. These were loyal patriots, a truly meritorious act. You have gained +400 Merit Points.]

[Current Merit Points: 1000/1000 (One of the upgrade requirements has been met)]

[Congratulations on preventing the tragedy of multiple families being torn apart during this major rescue operation. You have received the following bonus rewards: Enhanced Spirit Spring storage +2 cubic meters; Golden Spirit Infusion - Random Critical Hit Chance +1 (Critical Hit Multiplier: 10-999x, can be stored).]

Su Wanqing had expected to receive merit rewards for saving people, but she didn't expect such generous rewards. Her long-awaited merit points were full, the enhanced spiritual spring had two more cubic meters, and she even got a free super high-multiplier random critical hit opportunity!

It was so cool.

Happy, happy.

"What are you grinning about?" Zhou Yanshen gently ruffled her hair, his voice soft and gentle. "Come on, I'll get some hot water so you can wash up." If there weren't other people around, he would have already pulled her close. But he was soaking cold himself and didn't want to make her feel cold.

Su Wanqing was in a good mood and obediently agreed, then suddenly remembered something: "So where will I sleep tonight? In that little tent from yesterday? What about you?"

Zhou Yanshen paused his long stride, turned around, and straightened his back in the direction of Commander Zhao: "Report! Zhou Yanshen requests to change accommodations tonight and move to my wife's tent. The original berth can be given to the wounded who need care."

When they arrived, five or six of them squeezed into one large tent. Now that his wife has come, he naturally doesn't want to share a space with that bunch of stinky men anymore.

A murmur of suppressed laughter immediately rose from the surrounding area.

Commander Zhao slapped him across the face. "You little rascal, if you want to sneak into your wife's tent, go ahead. No need to ask for permission, we all know what's going on. I'm warning you, keep it down when you're making a ruckus at night, or you'll keep a bunch of hot-blooded young men awake."

"yes!"

Zhou Yanshen's ears burned slightly, and he immediately fled with Su Wanqing.

Honestly, he wanted to sleep with his wife, just to sleep together, he never thought of doing anything else.

Su Wanqing's face flushed, and he practically dragged her away from the crowd. Only after they had walked a short distance did Zhou Yanshen cough lightly and say in a low voice, "Commander Zhao was just... trying to lighten the mood. We've been too tense these past few days; now that things have finally turned out well, don't mind him."

Su Wanqing muttered softly, "I'm not afraid. We're a legally married couple."

Where did you sleep last night?

Su Wanqing then led him to the small tent. The bedding from yesterday hadn't been put away yet, but there was no need to. Although the tent was a bit small, it was enough for two people to squeeze in.

Zhou Yanshen first fetched hot water so that Su Wanqing could quickly wash herself inside the tent and change out of her blood-stained clothes. He himself stayed outside the tent, quickly stripped down to only a pair of military green shorts, and used the remaining water to wash both of their clothes, also giving himself a thorough rinse from head to toe.

After Su Wanqing changed into a clean shirt, Zhou Yanshen had also tidied himself up, changed into a clean vest and trousers issued by the army, and bent down to crawl in.

Perhaps it was the tension of several days of life-or-death struggle that finally eased his nerves. When he entered, he still carried a hint of the cold, hard aura honed on the battlefield, but as soon as the tent flap fell, that outer shell melted away instantly. He reached out and pulled her into his arms, lowering his head to bury his face deeply in the warm crook of her neck.

"Wanqing..." His voice was muffled, with a slight, almost imperceptible tremor, "I miss you so much."

I almost never saw her again.

Zhou Yanshen was clingy like a puppy at this moment, completely different from the cold and decisive Captain Zhou he usually was. The dim light illuminated the profile of his face, making him look so handsome and aloof that it sent chills down one's spine.

Su Wanqing didn't say anything, but simply reached out and touched Zhou Yanshen all over.

Zhou Yanshen's body stiffened slightly, his cheeks flushed: "Wife...you...are here, do you...want it?" Actually, he just wanted to hold her and sleep for a while, as he had a mission tomorrow morning. But if his wife wanted it, he...would definitely oblige, and couldn't spoil the mood.

Su Wanqing: "..."

"Let me see if you're hurt!" She slapped his arm playfully. "Those guys are so badly injured, you must be hurt too. You were too embarrassed to say anything when there were so many people around, right?"

Zhou Yanshen's ears turned even redder.

Why is it that when he's with his wife, he's always the one overthinking things? It makes him seem less like a gentleman.

He did have a few bruises and scratches on his body, but thankfully the skin wasn't broken: "It's really nothing, it's almost healed, you can see for yourself."

He deftly removed his vest and pulled his trousers down to his knees, revealing his muscular physique. Sure enough, there were some purplish-blue marks on it, which had turned somewhat whitish from being soaked in water.

"It still needs to be treated." Su Wanqing turned around and took out an enhanced version of spiritual spring water from the medical kit, which was actually her spatial storage. She dipped a cotton ball in it and gently applied it to his wound.

The man's tall, muscular body was extremely imposing in the small space, his well-defined muscles rising and falling slightly with his breathing. Su Wanqing's fingertips traced his firm skin, feeling as if she were taking advantage of a male model.

Before he could finish applying the medicine to the wound, Zhou Yanshen suddenly grabbed her wrist.

"Stop it." His voice was low and hoarse.

Su Wanqing: "?"

What's wrong?

She looked up, her eyes filled with confusion.

Zhou Yan looked at her intently, then gently pulled her down onto the bed. He leaned closer, his warm breath brushing against her ear:

Su Wanqing sensed his reaction without even looking, and her face flushed. She blinked obediently, looking at the man so close to her, and quietly wrapped her arms around his neck.

"No..." Zhou Yanshen's Adam's apple bobbed, his voice low and hoarse.

Su Wanqing didn't speak, but asked with her eyes.

She could clearly feel the changes in his body, yet he seemed to be trying his best to restrain himself—what a contradictory person.

Zhou Yanshen rubbed his forehead against her cheek, then gently kissed her before whispering, "I know very well that right now it's just your body seeking release... but I don't want it to be like this. I think this should be something beautiful, not just something to vent."

He had been on edge for too long. Although he physically craved release, he feared he would completely lose control once he started. He hadn't fully recovered from the life-or-death pressure of the past few days. What if he lost his temper and hurt her?

Before that, he had always been very careful and dared not use too much force.

At that moment, he felt like a wild beast that was about to lose its mind, only capable of rampaging recklessly.

"Sweetheart," he tightened his arms and pulled her closer to him, "Just let me hold you like this for a while."

He would wait one night to rest, just one night. Only when he could completely control himself would he allow himself and his wife to do those things they loved.