Chapter 80 Her understanding and strong support

Huo Tingxiao's sudden departure was like an unexpected cold snap, instantly plunging Su Wanqing back into a cold and unknown abyss. That late night, his resolute departure and that icy "command" pierced her heart like the sharpest ice spikes, awakening her most primal fears—the fear of losing him, the fear of the cruelty of war.

For the first few days, she felt like a zombie. She forced herself into design during the day, trying to numb her nerves with the busyness, but her lines kept drifting out of control, her mind constantly drifting to a distant place, a place she didn't know the name of, but one that was likely filled with smoke and danger. At night, she was plagued by endless nightmares: gunshots, explosions, the image of him collapsing in a bloodbath... Countless times, she was awakened, her clothes soaked with sweat, her heart pounding so hard it almost broke.

Assistant Chen would show up on time every day, bringing some daily necessities, and report as usual: "Madam, the leader is fine and the mission is going smoothly." His tone was respectful, but there was a subtle glint and concealment in his eyes.

Su Wanqing knew these were just empty words of comfort. She had no right to know the true state of the battle, nor could she imagine it. She could only glean a faint, unsettling message from Assistant Chen's increasingly serious expression and the occasional, hurried commands blaring from the encrypted communication channel. The situation was anything but easy.

The immense feeling of powerlessness and worry nearly overwhelmed her. She even began to resent this damn war, resent his unhesitating choice, and resent that she could only wait passively and pray helplessly like an outsider.

However, in this painful torment, late one night, when she woke up from a nightmare again and curled up on the cold bed with tears in her eyes, her fingers accidentally touched the cold and hard object beside the pillow - it was the military badge that he had stuffed into her hand the night before he left, representing his highest honor and half a life's scars.

The cold touch stimulated her fingertips and instantly pierced her chaotic thoughts.

She sat up suddenly and gripped the badge tightly. The cold metal edge hurt her palm, but it also made her confused mind suddenly clear up.

She remembered the words "Sorry" he had spelled out with bullet shells under the moonlight, his clumsy yet solemn confession, the resolute look in his eyes when he entrusted all his property and future to her, and the tacit understanding and pride they had shared when they fought side by side in the exhibition hall...

It’s not that he doesn’t love her or that he doesn’t cherish this family.

It was because he loved her so much and cherished her so much that he stepped forward without hesitation when the country and responsibility called upon him, pushed her away with his hardest shell, and faced all the dangers and difficulties alone.

Isn't everything he did just to protect thousands of families like theirs?

And what about her? She kept saying that she understood him and would be his strong support. But was her strength limited to enjoying the safety under his wings, and unable to withstand the slightest separation and worry?

A true military wife should not only be protected, but also understander, supporter and...guardian.

The huge shame and a new awareness, like a sudden enlightenment, instantly washed away all her self-pity and fear.

She slowly wiped away her tears, and her eyes gradually became clear and firm.

Yes, she couldn't fight alongside him, couldn't share the slightest danger on the front lines with him. But she could protect this home, so that he wouldn't have to worry about anything! She could become strong enough, strong enough to endure the torment of waiting, strong enough to be worthy of the heavy title of "military wife"!

From that moment on, Su Wanqing seemed to be reborn.

She no longer indulged in worries and tears, but turned all her thoughts and concerns into the power of practical action.

She regrouped and threw herself into her work with even greater passion and focus. She proactively contacted the logistics department she had previously collaborated with, requesting participation in more non-classified equipment improvement projects for frontline soldiers. She officially named her design studio (although still in its infancy) "Watcher Design," focusing on designing products and services that provide more humanistic care for military personnel and their families.

She began to participate more actively in the compound's family affairs. Using her design expertise, she helped the family affairs committee optimize promotional materials for military families' employment skills training. She took the initiative to visit families of military wives whose husbands were also deployed, listening to their difficulties, using her own experience and optimism to enlighten them, and doing her best to coordinate and resolve some of their practical life issues. She even organized a small "military families mutual aid group" where everyone learned first aid knowledge, shared parenting experiences, and encouraged each other...

She is no longer a "leader's wife" who passively waits for comfort, but has become "Comrade Su Wanqing" who actively shines and gives warmth and strength to others.

Everyone saw her changes.

As Assistant Chen delivered daily necessities, the worry in his eyes gradually gave way to admiration. He would bring limited but reassuring news from the "front lines"—"The commander and his men have won another victory," "Supplies have arrived safely," "The weather has improved"—and though his messages were still brief, they were enough to ease Su Wanqing's frayed nerves.

When Xia Xiaoran came to see her, she was even more surprised to find that although her friend had lost some weight, the light in her eyes was more determined and brighter than before, and her whole body exuded a calm and powerful aura, which made her feel both distressed and extremely proud.

"Qingqing, you are so amazing! If I were Chief Huo, I would be so touched to know that you take such good care of the family and the compound, and work so hard in your career!" Xia Xiaoran hugged her with red eyes.

Su Wanqing just smiled slightly, looked into the distance, and said softly: "I'm just doing what I should do. Reassuring him is my most important task now."

In the stillness of the night, she still missed him and worried, her heart tightening at the slightest bit of bad news from the front. But she stopped crying. Instead, she took out the badge and held it tightly in her hand, as if drawing from it the courage and strength to stand shoulder to shoulder with him. She would spread out her drawing paper, pouring all her thoughts and encouragement into her pen, sketching designs filled with hope and warmth, imagining showing them to him when he returned and telling him, "See, while you were away, I worked hard and didn't let you down."

She became a true and strong supporter, providing a warm and powerful sky not only for Huo Tingxiao, but also for the military families who watched silently like her.

She understood the weight of a military marriage, the meaning of sacrifice, and also had a deeper understanding of the man who "pushed her away" and went into danger alone.

Her love, through waiting and perseverance, has become deeper and more resilient.

She knew that no matter where he was or when he would return, she would be here, guarding their home, keeping her promise, and waiting for his safe return.

And she believed that he could definitely feel this silent yet extremely powerful force coming from behind.

Because they are each other's deepest concern and also their hardest armor.