First, then, love.

10 PM.

The study door opened, and Mr. He came out after finishing his conversation with his two sons.

It's getting late, time to rest.

He Zheng's bedroom was at the end of the corridor on the second floor, and the two guests' room was opposite his room.

Shu Yao didn't go to the guest room, but went straight into He Zheng's bedroom.

Push open the door.

A scent mingled with the smell of old books and clean sunlight wafted towards me.

The room wasn't big, but it was spotless, clearly indicating that someone cleaned it regularly.

Against the wall stood a 1.2-meter single iron-framed bed, covered with a military green plain sheet, the quilt folded into a standard tofu block, with sharp edges.

This is the bed He Zheng slept in when he was a child.

The room was very simply furnished, even somewhat shabby.

A green tin desk with peeling paint, and a wooden chair.

In the corner, a well-worn canvas punching bag hung, covered in dents from being punched.

A wooden shelf is nailed to the wall above the desk.

It was filled with all kinds of trophies and medals.

"First Place in the All-Army Military Combat Competition", "Outstanding Marksman", "Second-Class Merit Award"...

The golden sheen bears witness to this man's valiant journey from a lowly soldier to a king of soldiers.

"What are you looking at?"

He Zheng walked in and closed the door behind him.

With a "click," the lock closed.

He took off his coat and casually hung it on the back of the chair, leaving him only wearing a black turtleneck sweater.

Outside the window, it started snowing again sometime during the day.

The heavy snow, whipped up by the gale, lashed against the glass windows with a rustling sound. The weight of the snow broke the withered branches of the old pine tree in the yard, producing a crisp snapping sound.

Inside, the old-fashioned cast iron radiators were burning hot, emitting a soft gurgling sound of running water; the room was dry and warm.

Shu Yao stood in front of the shelf and picked up a bronze trophy that looked quite old.

"You used to be so amazing," she said, turning to look at him with undisguised admiration and tenderness in her eyes.

He Zheng walked over, took the trophy from her hand, and casually put it back in its place.

"They're all old things, nothing to see."

He took her hand and led her to the narrow single bed.

The two sat side by side on the edge of the bed, leaning against the hard wooden headboard.

The bed was too small, so the two of them had to press themselves tightly together.

Shu Yao leaned her head on his shoulder and wrapped her arms around his strong arms.

The main lights in the room were off, only a desk lamp was on, casting a dim, yellowish light that cast long shadows on the two people.

The atmosphere was quiet and peaceful.

Only the sound of wind and snow howling outside the window.

"Mom showed me your photo album downstairs just now," Shu Yao said softly, her fingers unconsciously picking at the texture of his sweater.

"I've seen it," He Zheng said calmly, rubbing his chin against the top of her head. "It's all just embarrassing stuff, what's so interesting about it?"

"I saw the photos of you being shot and hospitalized," she said, her voice lowering and trembling slightly.

He Zheng's body stiffened slightly.

The hand around her shoulder tightened a little.

He was silent for a while.

"That was so long ago," he said in a deep voice, echoing in the quiet room, carrying a sense of weight and experience.

"At the border, we were on a drug bust, but the drug traffickers had heavy firepower, and we were trapped in the rainforest."

He didn't deliberately exaggerate the tragedy of the time; his tone was as calm as if he were telling someone else's story.

"The bullet pierced through my body armor, my lung was punctured, and I bled a lot."

He paused, his gaze falling on the old sandbag in the corner, his eyes becoming somewhat distant.

"The squad leader who was leading the team took a stray bullet while covering my retreat."

"They couldn't save him."

He Zheng's voice remained steady.

But Shu Yao could feel that his heart rate had slowed down.

Shu Yao didn't speak, but tightened her arms around his and buried her face deeper into his neck, warming him with her own body heat.

*

The night grew deeper and deeper.

The wind and snow outside the window seemed to be getting heavier.

The radiators in the room were so warm they made people feel hot.

He Zheng turned his head and looked at the woman leaning on his shoulder.

Her eyes were closed, her long eyelashes covering her eyelids, her breathing was deep and even, quiet and obedient.

She was completely different from the spoiled, prickly young lady I first met.

He Zheng raised his large hand and gently stroked her cheek.

Shu Yao opened her eyes, her peach blossom eyes shimmering with moisture under the dim light.

The two looked at each other.

There was no verbal communication, yet it was as if they could see into each other's souls.

He Zheng suddenly rolled over, supporting himself with one hand on the side of her head, his tall body half-pressing down on her.

He lowered his head, his forehead touching hers.

Their noses touched, their breaths mingled.

"Yaoyao".

He spoke, his voice grating.

"When I was on a mission before, I had no worries."

He stared into her eyes, speaking slowly and deliberately, word by word.

"My life belongs to the country and the military. I can throw it away anytime, anywhere. I have never been afraid of death."

"But now..."

He Zheng paused for a moment.

His Adam's apple bobbed violently up and down.

He took her right hand and guided her to gently place it on his left chest.

Through the black sweater, she could clearly feel the strong, powerful heart pounding wildly beneath her.

"I have a weakness."

He spoke harshly, wiping her soft red lips with his thumb.

"No matter what mission we go on, no matter what danger we encounter in the future."

"I will come back to see you safe and sound."

"Even if I have to crawl, I'll crawl back to your side. Nobody the hell will let you be a widow."

The voice just fell.

He let out a low growl, then suddenly lowered his head and fiercely sealed her lips with his.