"My heart aches for you." Shen Tingzhou's voice trembled almost imperceptibly. "But I can't reveal my identity. If we're targeted, not only will the mission fail, but you and your daughter will also be in danger. Wanqiu, wait for me. I will definitely come back after the mission is over, and no one will be allowed to bully you again."

As he spoke, his gaze fell on the hoe in her hand and the bamboo basket beside her—the basket contained half a bag of well-rotted organic fertilizer and several packets of seeds wrapped in newspaper; these were not things that ordinary farmers would have. He then looked at Lin Wanqiu's face, which was much rosier than it had been six months ago, and her eyes were much brighter, a stark contrast to the timid and submissive wife who had never dared to speak loudly before.

"You..." Shen Tingzhou was about to ask her why she had changed so much lately when he heard the faint barking of dogs coming from down the mountain, along with Zhang Lan's loud voice: "Lin Wanqiu! You little slut! Not coming home in the middle of the night, are you hiding in the back mountain having a secret rendezvous with some wild man!"

Lin Wanqiu's heart tightened—it must be that Old Madam Shen saw that she hadn't gone back and sent Zhang Lan to cause trouble in the back mountain! If Zhang Lan saw Shen Tingzhou, who knows what kind of trouble she would cause.

"You'd better hide!" She pushed Shen Tingzhou into the shadows of the trees. "Zhang Lan is coming. If she sees you, you'll be in big trouble!"

Shen Tingzhou also heard Zhang Lan's voice, frowned, took out a small copper whistle from his pocket, and stuffed it into her hand: "Take this. If you encounter danger, blow it three times, and I will come to help you. Remember, don't fight with Old Madam Shen and the others head-on. Protecting yourself and Nian'an is the most important thing."

He had barely finished speaking when Zhang Lan's footsteps drew near: "Lin Wanqiu! Where are you hiding? Come out right now! Otherwise, I'll tell the brigade leader that you trespassed into the back mountain and tried to steal from the brigade!"

Shen Tingzhou glanced at Lin Wanqiu one last time, then turned and disappeared into the dense forest, his movements as swift as the wind, leaving only a swaying leaf behind. Lin Wanqiu quickly tucked the brass whistle into her pocket, picked up her hoe, and deliberately feigned impatience: "What are you shouting for? I'm clearing land here! Do you think everyone's like you, staying up all night gossiping?"

Zhang Lan ran over carrying a lantern, its light so bright it was blinding. She looked Lin Wanqiu up and down, then glanced around: "Are you clearing land here all by yourself? I think I saw a man's shadow just now?"

"Are you blind?" Lin Wanqiu rolled her eyes, hoisted the hoe onto her shoulder, and said, "This back hill is all trees and grass except for me. Where would a man come from? I think you're so desperate for a man that you should go home and think about it in bed with your husband Shen. Don't get in my way here!"

Zhang Lan was speechless, her face turning red. Unable to find the man anywhere, she could only mutter curses, "You wait! I'm going to tell Old Lady Shen right now, and she'll come and deal with you!" With that, she picked up the lantern and stormed off.

Lin Wanqiu watched her retreating figure and breathed a sigh of relief, but her hand was still tightly gripping the bronze whistle—the cold metallic touch reminded her that everything that had just happened was not a dream, and that Shen Tingzhou was really still alive.

She had no more interest in clearing the land and shouldered her hoe, heading home. Moonlight streamed down the path, casting a long shadow over her, but her mind was filled with images of Shen Tingzhou—why had he faked his death? What mission was he on? Why was he afraid to even go home? And the way he looked at her just now, it seemed like he suspected something—had he discovered the secret of the space?

The more she thought about it, the more confused she became. It wasn't until she reached the gate of her own yard and saw the faint light coming from the window that she remembered Nian'an was still waiting for her at home. She composed herself, pushed open the door, and saw Nian'an sitting on a small stool, holding a cornbread in her hand, but her eyes were fixed on the doorway. When she saw her return, she immediately stood up: "Mom! Why did you take so long to come back? I was so scared."

Lin Wanqiu quickly went over, picked him up, and patted his head: "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, Mommy's back. I just went to the back mountain to find you something delicious, look." She took out a piece of milk candy wrapped in oil paper from the bamboo basket and handed it to Nian'an.

Nian'an's eyes lit up, but she didn't open it immediately. Instead, she looked up at her and asked, "Mom, is this the kind of milk candy that Dad bought?"

Lin Wanqiu felt a pang in her heart, and she nodded, forcing back her tears: "Yes, it was Dad who asked someone to bring it to Nian'an. Nian'an, eat quickly, and then go to sleep."

Nian'an carefully unwrapped the oil paper, put the milk candy in her mouth, and smiled with her eyes narrowed, like a satisfied kitten: "It's so sweet, just as sweet as the ones Daddy bought. Mommy, is Daddy coming back soon?"

Lin Wanqiu hugged him and gently patted his back: "Yes, Daddy will be back soon, and then he can eat milk candy with Nian'an."

After coaxing Nian'an to sleep, Lin Wanqiu sat by the bed and took out the copper whistle. Moonlight shone through the window onto the whistle, reflecting a faint light. She suddenly remembered what Shen Tingzhou had just said—he had been secretly watching them all along. Did he know that she used flour from her spatial storage to make steamed buns and medicinal herbs from her spatial storage to treat Nian'an's illness?

If he knew the secret of the space, what would he think? Would he think she was a monster? Or would he help her keep the secret?

Just then, she heard a slight noise outside the courtyard wall. Lin Wanqiu's heart tightened. She picked up the scissors by the kang (a heated brick bed), quietly walked to the door, and looked out through the crack in the door—she saw a dark figure flicker outside the courtyard wall and quickly disappear.

She recognized the figure; it was Shen Tingzhou.

It turns out he hadn't left all along; he was still secretly protecting them.

Lin Wanqiu put down the scissors, her unease lessening, replaced by a mix of indescribable emotions. She knew that Shen Tingzhou's appearance had completely changed her life—before, she only wanted to live a good life with Nian'an, earn some money, and stay away from those awful people in the Shen family; but now, she not only had to survive, but also uncover Shen Tingzhou's secrets, help him complete his mission, and truly reunite their family.

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