The next morning, Qin Ye took Su Tang in a military jeep and headed towards Lhasa.

On the way, Qin Ye drove, occasionally glancing at Su Tang in the rearview mirror.

"I'm sorry you had to go through that yesterday." His voice was low.

Su Tang was looking at the scenery outside the window when she heard this. She turned her head and smiled, "I'm not wronged."

Qin Ye pursed his lips, seemingly organizing his thoughts.

After a while, he spoke again, his tone carrying a hint of seriousness that was barely perceptible: "Su Tang, from now on... after we get married, I'll take care of everything at home. I can learn to cook and do housework. I won't let you suffer."

Su Tang's heart skipped a beat. This guy, who looks so cold, is actually quite caring.

She blinked, teasing him deliberately, "Oh? Commander Qin, are you trying to be a model husband?"

Qin Ye's ears turned slightly red, but he nodded earnestly: "I will try my best."

Looking at his serious profile, Su Tang felt something quietly melting in her heart.

When we arrived in Sun City, it was bustling with activity.

People come and go on Barkhor Street: herders in Tibetan robes, elderly people spinning prayer wheels, and cadres and soldiers in various uniforms.

The air was filled with the unique aroma of yak butter tea and Tibetan incense.

Qin Ye took Su Tang to the Potala Palace first.

The magnificent palace stands atop Red Mountain, its red and white walls appearing especially solemn and majestic against the backdrop of blue sky and white clouds.

As Su Tang looked up at this world-famous building, she couldn't help but feel a sense of awe.

It stands tall, transcending time, giving her the illusion of returning to the modern era.

Afterwards, they went to the Jokhang Temple.

In front of the temple gate, many devout believers were prostrating themselves in full-body prostrations. Their dedication and faith deeply moved Su Tang.

Inside the Jokhang Temple, rows of huge prayer wheels slowly turn in the hands of believers.

Qin Ye also stepped forward, reached out, and turned the bronze prayer wheels engraved with scriptures one by one, seemingly chanting something softly.

His expression was focused and devout, completely different from the stern and unsmiling regimental commander he usually was in the military camp.

Su Tang looked at him quietly, feeling a little curious.

After he returned from his rounds, Su Tang asked softly, "What were you praying for just now?"

Qin Ye turned to look at her; in the sunlight, his eyes appeared exceptionally deep.

He paused, his voice low as if afraid of disturbing something: "I pray that we... will have a happy and peaceful marriage. I also pray that you... will be alright here."

Su Tang's heart felt as if it had been struck heavily by something.

In her past life, she walked alone amidst the clash of swords and shadows, never daring to hope for happiness or peace, and no one had ever experienced such a pure and sincere blessing.

At that moment, looking into Qin Ye's earnest eyes, she suddenly felt that perhaps, this era and this man could give her a different life.

As Qin Ye emerged from the Jokhang Temple, he suddenly pulled out something carefully wrapped in cloth from his military backpack.

Upon opening it, I was surprised to find it was a camera!

Moreover, it was a German-made Leica M3 that would become famous in later generations!

Su Tang's eyes widened in surprise.

Good heavens, this thing is a truly exorbitantly priced luxury item in this day and age! More precious than gold!

"You... how did you get this?" Su Tang asked in surprise.

Qin Ye explained, "I asked a relative in Hong Kong to help me buy this film a few years ago. I... I like to take random photos in my spare time, and I know a little about it."

He spoke casually, but Su Tang knew that behind this "knowing a little" probably lay a lot of effort and money.

"Come on, let me take a few pictures of you." Qin Ye raised his camera and pointed it at Su Tang.

Su Tang wore a red sweater that He Shumin had prepared for her today, which made her skin look even whiter.

She stood beneath the red walls of the Jokhang Temple, with a clear blue sky behind her.

Qin Ye's framing and snapshot skills are surprisingly professional.

He didn't ask Su Tang to pose deliberately, but instead captured her unintentional smiles or her tranquil gaze into the distance.

"Click, click," the shutter sound was crisp and pleasant.

After taking a few pictures, Su Tang also became interested: "Let me try!"

She took the camera and, with her 22nd-century aesthetic sense and understanding of photography, quickly got the hang of it.

"Commander Qin, stand over there, yes, under that porch."

"Relax your expression, don't be so serious, smile."

Under her crisp command, Qin Ye adjusted his posture somewhat awkwardly.

When Su Tang's camera was pointed at him, he looked at her bright smile and couldn't help but relax, his lips curving upwards into a rare smile.

Su Tang quickly pressed the shutter.

The two took many photos of each other in the streets and alleys of Lhasa.

By the time they returned to the Qin family home, it was already quite late.

Qin Ye looked at the camera in Su Tang's hand and suddenly said, "I have a simple darkroom in my room where you can develop photos yourself. Want to give it a try?"

Su Tang's eyes lit up: "Great!"

That evening, a dim red light shone in the small storage room in Qin Ye's room, which had been converted into a darkroom.

Su Tang and Qin Ye stood side by side in front of the developing tray.

The air was filled with the smell of chemicals, and an ambiguous atmosphere, hard to define, was quietly brewing.

The space was cramped, and the two would occasionally brush against each other's arms unintentionally, causing a slight electric current to run through them.

As Su Tang watched Qin Ye operate the equipment skillfully, she thought to herself, "This guy really knows a lot."

As the images slowly emerged from the developing solution, both of them smiled.