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

Yang Yuyan was not surprised at all that her two daughters wanted to spend more time with Qin An. With her indulgence, her two daughters became very dependent on Qin An, their stepfather.

Qin An has now gotten used to it.

Even with two women chattering away beside him, it had no effect on him whatsoever.

He was busy with his own things, not wanting to leave any regrets about this parting.

As time passed and she realized that Qin An had less and less time left, Yang Yuyan, despite her own exhaustion, still wanted to get up and tidy up for Qin An.

But at that moment, Cai Zhen suddenly spoke up, "Mother, why don't you rest for a bit? I'll help Father get ready!"

Upon hearing her words, both Qin An and Yang Yuyan were taken aback.

I never expected her to make such a request on her own initiative.

Qin An hesitated, instinctively wanting to refuse.

After a moment's thought, Yang Yuyan nodded: "It's rare to see such filial piety in you, so you can take care of it!"

Cai Zhen immediately cheered.

Under Yang Yuyan's guidance, she has become much more sensible.

The thought of Qin An leaving and not knowing how long it would be before he returned filled her with a desire to show her filial piety.

However, Cai Zhen wasn't one to hog the food, and pulled the somewhat embarrassed Cai Yan aside, saying, "Sister, help me pack!"

Unlike Cai Zhen, Cai Yan is not as outgoing, so it would be difficult for her to speak up on her own initiative.

With Cai Zhen's encouragement, she did not refuse.

Looking at the two sensible girls, Qin An patted their heads without saying anything more.

He wasn't stupid; now that things had come to this, how could he not see Yang Yuyan's plans?

Although it felt a little strange, he didn't intend to refuse the other party's kindness.

Even though the two women were not his biological daughters, he loved both the intelligent and quiet Cai Yan and the cheerful and lively Cai Zhen very much, and had long regarded them as family.

Now that they want to fulfill their filial duties, Qin An will naturally not let them down.

While the two women were busy helping to tidy up, Qin An pulled Yang Yuyan into his arms, holding her plump body tightly without saying a word.

For a moment, the moonlight outside the window seemed to become hazy, quietly hiding behind the clouds, leaving only the busy figures inside the room.

……

The noise inside the house gradually subsided by the next morning.

Yang Yuyan's indulgence and gentleness melted away Qin An's restlessness and reluctance.

As dawn approached, Qin An looked at his wife nestled in his arms, then glanced at the two women on either side, sighed softly, and then his eyes hardened again.

Their existence is their armor that allows them to forge ahead bravely.

For them, for this family, I must fight with all my might on the battlefield so that I can return as soon as possible and give them a stable future.

Hearing Qin An's sigh, Yang Yuyan, her cheeks as red as ripe apples, nestled in his arms with a dreamy look in her eyes.

But her face was filled with happiness and reluctance.

Although she knew this moment would come sooner or later, she still couldn't bear to part with Qin An.

Her soft, boneless body pressed tightly against his chest, feeling his presence.

It seemed that only in this way could one feel Qin An's love and warmth.

Time seemed to stand still at this moment, yet it also seemed to pass by swiftly.

Finally, Qin An broke the silence: "From now on... take good care of yourself and the children."

He stroked Yang Yuyan's smooth back, his voice slightly hoarse.

Yang Yuyan curled up in his arms like a docile kitten, her hair disheveled and plastered to her sweaty cheeks.

At that moment, she was breathtakingly beautiful.

Knowing that Qin An was about to part ways with her, no matter how reluctant she was, she could only nod in the end: "You too... you must come back safely."

Qin An didn't say anything more, but simply held her tighter, savoring this last moment of tenderness.

He knew perfectly well that a thousand words couldn't compare to the simple wish for his safe return.

These four words were his most solemn promise to them.

……

As dawn broke and the east began to lighten, the sounds of horses' hooves and soldiers assembling could be heard from the alleyways.

Qin An was already fully dressed, his armor gleaming coldly in the morning light.

Yang Yuyan stood at the entrance of the main room, wearing an overcoat, her eyes red.

"Is everything ready?"

"Mm." Qin An walked up to her, reached out and brushed the stray hairs from her cheek. "Take good care of yourself and the children, don't overwork yourself."

"I know." Yang Yuyan tiptoed and straightened his crooked collar, her fingertips tracing the artery in his neck, feeling its strong beat.

"I've prepared the food and water for you, and Tao'er has put them on the horse."

As they were talking, Cai Yan and Cai Zhen also came out, rubbing their eyes.

Upon seeing Qin An's armor, Cai Zhen burst into tears and rushed over to hug his legs, crying, "Father, please don't leave!"

Qin An bent down and picked her up, rubbing his stubble against her little face: "Father is going to war. When I come back next time, I'll test whether your kung fu has been mastered."

"Then you have to come back quickly!" Cai Zhen hugged his neck, her little mouth chattering like a machine gun, "Remember to eat on the way, don't get cold, be careful if you encounter bad people, and..."

"Okay, okay." Qin An nodded with a smile, handed her to Yang Yuyan, and then looked at Cai Yan.

The little girl stood there, her eyes red-rimmed like a rabbit's, but she stubbornly refused to shed a tear. She simply whispered, "Father, I will take good care of Mother and my sister."

Qin An patted her head, feeling a warmth in his heart.

This child is always so sensible.

Outside the courtyard gate, a dozen or so old comrades were already waiting there with their horses. When they saw Qin An come out, they all cupped their hands in greeting: "Captain!"

Qin An nodded in agreement and turned to step out the door, but Yang Yuyan suddenly stepped forward and hugged him from behind.

Her cheek pressed against his back, her voice trembling slightly but unusually clear: "Husband, there's something I want to tell you."

Qin An stopped in his tracks, a slight thought stirring within him.

"Your journey is long and arduous; I don't know how long it will take for you to return." Yang Yuyan's voice came from close to his armor, carrying a hint of barely perceptible shyness. "Men inevitably have needs when they are away from home... If you meet a suitable woman, don't worry about me; you can take her as a concubine without hesitation."

Qin An turned around abruptly, staring at her in shock.

He never imagined that Yang Yuyan would say such a thing.

Yang Yuyan met his gaze, her face flushed, but she remained frank: "I know you're not a heartless person, but the battlefield is dangerous, and no one can predict what will happen in the future."

"I...I have yet to bear you any children. If you have other children, the Qin family will still have an heir!"