The God of War Who Protects the Nation: Starting with Saving a Mother and Daughter in Distress

Over the next two days, Qin An hired someone to clean the house while secretly tidying up the basement.

They also bought dozens of bags of grain and various household items that are easy to store.

After finishing all that, he looked at the newly renovated basement and felt much more at ease.

Yang Yuyan watched him bustling around, and although she didn't say anything, her heart was filled with warmth.

This man always puts their safety first.

Knowing that his vacation was running out, Qin An became even busier with the remaining time.

He devoted all his time to improving the living conditions of his wife and daughters, constantly taking them around Xingye County.

"Let's go buy some clothes first." Qin An took Yang Yuyan's hand, with Cai Yan and Cai Zhen following beside them. "The weather is about to change, you all need to change your clothes."

The cloth shop was filled with all kinds of fabrics, including silk, cotton, and coarse linen.

Upon seeing Qin An, the innkeeper hurriedly and warmly greeted him: "Captain Qin, what would you like to order? I have everything you could possibly need..."

Qin An is now a celebrity in Xingye County, and the other party recognized him at a glance.

Looking at the prices of the fabrics here, Yang Yuyan quietly tugged at Qin An's sleeve: "It's too expensive, don't spend the money!"

Although Qin An did bring back a large amount of money, Yang Yuyan was not an unsophisticated woman.

But she knew very well that this was all Qin An's hard-earned money, and instinctively wanted to be frugal.

Qin An ignored her and pointed to a piece of sky-blue cotton cloth, saying to the shopkeeper, "Make two dresses for my young lady and a jacket for my wife, using the best materials."

He then turned to Cai Yan and asked, "Yan'er, what color do you want?"

Cai Yan looked at a piece of light purple fabric and whispered, "This..."

"This one," Qin An immediately decided. "And get Zhen'er a pink one too."

Cai Zhen jumped up excitedly: "Thank you, Father!"

Yang Yuyan frowned, heartbroken, as she watched Qin An buy seven or eight bolts of cloth in one go: "Enough is enough, why buy so much?"

"Not much." Qin An smiled and paid the bill. "I don't know when I'll be back next time, and you don't like to be in the public eye, so it has to be done right away."

Yang Yuyan paused for a moment, sighed, and didn't refute.

After leaving the cloth shop, they went to the general store.

Qin An bought writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones for Cai Yan, sugar figurines for Cai Zhen, and a silver hairpin for Yang Yuyan. The hairpin wasn't fancy, but it was exquisitely made, with a small peach blossom carved on it.

"I wanted to buy it for you last time I came back, but I didn't have time." Qin An inserted the silver hairpin into her hair, took a step back to examine it, and said, "It's beautiful."

Yang Yuyan touched the silver hairpin in her hair, feeling a sweet warmth in her heart, but scolded, "You're wasting money again."

When passing by a pastry shop, Cai Zhen was so captivated by the aroma that she couldn't move away.

Qin An smiled and bought a box of osmanthus cakes. Cai Zhen picked up a piece and stuffed it into her mouth, her face covered in sugar crumbs.

Yang Yuyan took out a handkerchief to wipe her face, and Cai Zhen said indistinctly, "Mother, Father is so good to us."

Yang Yuyan looked at Qin An, and Qin An was also looking at her. The two smiled at each other.

The everyday life in the city, the time spent with this family, simple yet warm, is the taste Qin An misses most on the battlefield.

When they returned to the mansion, the brokers had already brought several maids with them.

They were all girls around fifteen or sixteen years old, and they looked honest and well-behaved.

Yang Yuyan selected two quick-witted girls, one named Tao'er and the other Xing'er, and asked them to familiarize themselves with the tasks in the courtyard.

Cai Yan was reading in the study, Cai Zhen was pestering Tao'er to teach her how to braid her hair, and Yang Yuyan was in the kitchen teaching Xing'er how to make the pancakes that Qin An loved to eat.

Qin An sat on the stone bench in the courtyard, watching this scene with a sense of peace in his heart.

This is the life he wants.

He has a wife and daughter, and a stable home.

But in such chaotic times, such good days are destined not to last.

No matter how reluctant he was, Qin An had no choice but to prepare to embark on his journey once again.

The moon shone exceptionally bright on the night before our parting.

The courtyard was quiet, with only the rustling of leaves in the wind.

Qin An sat under the lamp in the main room, wiping his spear.

The gun barrel reflected the lamplight, gleaming with a cold light.

Yang Yuyan brought in a bowl of hot tea and placed it beside him: "Still not asleep?"

"Yes." Qin An put down his spear, took her hand, and said, "I'm leaving tomorrow."

"I know." Yang Yuyan sat down beside him, her head...

She leaned gently on his shoulder. "Be careful on the road, don't push yourself too hard."

Qin An pulled her into his arms, resting his chin on the top of her head, his voice low and husky: "Don't worry, I'll come back to be with you."

He paused, his fingertips tracing her delicate skin. "But who knows how long it will be before we meet again after this trip?"

Yang Yuyan raised her head, her eyes glistening with tears, yet carrying an unprecedented determination.

She reached out and unbuttoned her clothes.

Although the two were almost always happy during the time after Qin An returned.

But the thought of him leaving again for an unknown period of time filled Yang Yuyan with an indescribable longing.

It was for his own sake, and also for Qin An's.

The moonlight shone on Yang Yuyan, outlining exaggerated curves, as if she were veiled in a hazy veil.

"My husband," her voice trembled slightly, yet remained exceptionally clear, "let me stay with you tonight."

Qin An felt a surge of emotion, all the words stuck in his throat, leaving only a torrent of feelings.

He leaned down and kissed her lips. This kiss was different from the usual gentleness; it carried the urgency and reluctance of parting, as if he wanted to imprint their scents deep into each other's bones.

Yang Yuyan responded to him passionately, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck and surrendering herself completely.

She knew that words were inadequate at this moment; only this most intimate tenderness could express the longing in their hearts.

Qin An scooped her up in his arms and strode into the inner room. The kang (heated brick bed) was covered with brand-new bedding, which Yang Yuyan had specially changed that afternoon, carrying a faint scent of sunshine. He gently placed her on the kang, and moonlight streamed in through the window cracks, dancing on her flushed cheeks.

His kisses traveled downwards, from his forehead to the tip of his nose, from his lips to his neck, as if he wanted to leave his mark everywhere.

Yang Yuyan breathed slightly, her fingertips gently tracing his broad back, feeling the bulge of his muscles—the strength of a powerful man, and a source of comfort and security for her.

"Yan'er..." Qin An called her name softly, his voice filled with suppressed longing.

Yang Yuyan opened her eyes, her pupils sparkling like stars. She took the initiative to meet her, and the moment their lips touched, it felt as if an electric current surged through them, causing both of them to tremble slightly.

The joy of reunion had not yet faded when the sorrow of parting quietly crept in. All emotions intertwined at this moment, transforming into the most primal palpitations.

Qin An knew Yang Yuyan's feelings and understood her reluctance to part, so he responded to her deep affection in his own way.

When facing this mature woman, there is no need for any careful tenderness; every touch is full of love.

Yang Yuyan once again completely abandoned all her reserve, only wanting to temporarily forget the sorrow of parting and immerse herself in this moment of tenderness.

Just then, two little heads peeked in: "Mommy, Daddy's leaving tomorrow, we want to spend more time with him!"