Chapter 347 The Other Half of My Heart

The next morning.

The northwest sky was still covered with a layer of gray-blue gauze, and the cold air seemed to surge in overnight, like an invisible spider web, wrapping up the temperature and slowly dropping.

The mountains in the distance were still immersed in the morning mist. The poplar trees in the military compound pointed straight up to the sky, and the water droplets condensed on the branches glowed coldly in the dim light.

Lin Anan pushed open the door, and the cold wind instantly penetrated her collar, making her shiver. She quickly closed the door again and went to change into a warmer coat.

The aroma of burning wood wafted from the direction of the kitchen, mixed with the fresh smell of meat.

Lin's mother got up earlier than Lin Anan and was adding dry poplar branches into the stove. The flames crackled and sparks made her cheeks red.

"An An, are you up?"

Mother Lin listened to the noise and poked her head out. She happened to see her daughter who was wrapped up tightly. She nodded with satisfaction and said, "It was windy last night. It will be very cold this morning. Don't catch a cold."

"Yeah, I know."

Lin Anan still had to go to the army gate to wait for someone, so she didn't feel like chatting. After packing up, she drank a few mouthfuls of porridge and hurried away, "I'm going to pick up Mingzhou."

"Hey, hey, hey, Mingzhou must go back to the army first, so he won't have time to take care of you. Just wait at home and don't go out and suffer the cold in vain." Lin's mother said.

Aunt Chu held back Mother Lin and said, "Let her go. You don't understand."

Lin's mother didn't understand. She was not from the military region, she just felt sorry for her child.

Aunt Chu talked about her past, the firelight reflected on her side face, and her eyes curved, "I still remember one time, Tianli's father hadn't been home for a year, and suddenly I received the news that he had won a battle and was coming back. I stood at the entrance of the army for a whole day..."

Lin Anan held a military water bottle in her arms, which was filled with brown sugar water, prepared for Chu Mingzhou.

The dirt road leading to the troops was covered with a thin layer of frost, which made a crackling sound when stepped on.

The red flag at the distant sentry post fluttered in the cold wind. Six armed sentries stood motionless at the door like iron statues.

Lin Anan explained her purpose and was let in, and stood not far from the guard room waiting.

About an hour later, the morning mist gradually dissipated, and finally the roar of car engines was heard.

Military vehicles turned the corner, and the dust they raised condensed into golden mist in the sunlight.

Lin Anan's heart skipped a beat, and the brown sugar water in the kettle swayed slightly with her trembling hands.

The moment the car door opened, a familiar figure jumped out of the military vehicle. The hem of his black coat was slightly lifted by the wind, revealing the straight military uniform underneath.

As if sensing something, Chu Mingzhou turned around and looked, his originally serious face instantly lit up with surprise.

"An An."

His lips moved slightly without any sound, but Lin Anan knew he was calling her. She nodded at him but did not move forward.

Chu Mingzhou has lost a lot of weight. His sharp facial features have become more three-dimensional, and his slender waist has obviously shrunk. However, the look under the brim of his military cap seems to be filled with warmth, which is very touching.

Even though the person was standing right in front of her, Lin Anan felt like she was missing him like crazy.

The soldiers got off the car and lined up neatly.

"Everyone stand! At ease! Squad leaders, count the number of people, check the equipment, and assemble in the barracks immediately!" Chu Mingzhou's voice was sonorous and powerful.

The cold wind blew up fine sand and hit the soldiers' resolute faces, but it could not blow away the suppressed excitement in the team.

A young soldier noticed Lin Anan not far away, and he winked at his comrades, indicating that the battalion commander's wife was coming and they had to hurry.

When the whole team entered the army, Chu Mingzhou was the last one left. He only had time to say a few words to Lin Anan, "Anan, thank you for your hard work."

“It’s not hard.”

"You go back first, I'll be quick."

"I'll wait for you, right here."

Chu Mingzhou's mouth corners slightly raised. Unable to resist her, he hummed lightly and quickly caught up with the team.

Lin Anan huddled in the leeward side of the guard room, watching Chu Mingzhou's tall figure gradually walk away.

The cold wind blew gravel against her face, but she didn't care at all, her eyes followed the familiar figure closely. The military canteen in her arms was slightly hot, just like her burning heart at the moment.

Chu Mingzhou was not much better. Seeing his wife waiting so early in the morning, he felt distressed and happy. He was also glad that he had hurried to get there at this time. Otherwise, how long would An An have to wait?

He delivered the task very quickly this time. Commander Zheng had been waiting for him since early morning, but before he could even say anything, he turned around and ran away.

"No, there is good news, you kid don't want to listen?"

"We'll talk about it tomorrow."

Commander Zheng was so angry that he laughed. He complained to his subordinates, "Look at him! Look at how stupid he is! The organization has promoted him to the head of a regiment and awarded him a major commendation, but he just ran away like this..."

When Chu Mingzhou ran out, Lin Anan was standing on tiptoe to look inside.

Chu Mingzhou swore that these were the most beautiful pair of eyes he had ever seen, sparkling and moist. The moment they saw him, the longing in their eyes seemed to become real and was about to overflow.

"Mingzhou!"

Lin Anan still held the kettle in her left hand, and quickly freed her right hand to wave at him.

Chu Mingzhou came running with big strides, his military boots making a dull sound as they stepped on the ground.

The cold wind blew the hem of his coat fluttering, revealing the military dagger on his waist. The cold metallic light formed a sharp contrast with the heat in his eyes.

"An An." He wanted to hug her, but the place didn't allow it. He suppressed the impulse and just reached out and rubbed her head gently, "Let's go home."

"Okay~"

The two walked side by side towards the military compound.

Lin Anan took out a military water bottle from her bosom and handed it over, "Are you tired? Here is some brown sugar water for you."

The kettle was kept in her arms, and the brown sugar water inside was still warm.

Chu Mingzhou took it and took a gulp. The sweet taste that choked his throat made him laugh out loud: "It tastes good."

The sunlight penetrated the mist and cast long shadows behind the two people. Occasionally, a sparrow returning to its nest would flap its wings and fly over their heads, startling the leaves from the treetops.

Chu Mingzhou also took out an oil-paper package from the inner pocket of his coat, and opened it layer by layer, revealing a few candies, but the edges of the candy wrappers were worn and frayed.

"It's fruit candy. You should like it." He stuffed the candy into Lin Anan's palm. His rough fingertips brushed against her slightly cool skin, and his heart began to beat fast...

Lin Anan pinched the fruit candy, and her nose felt sour. "I like it."

Seeing that there was no one around, Chu Mingzhou took her hand and clasped his ten fingers together so tightly that it seemed as if he wanted to hold all the time of separation into his palm.

Lin Anan felt the thin calluses on his palms, which at this moment made her feel more at ease than any love words.