Chapter 108 Touring the Campus
Xie Shiyu chuckled softly, and stretched out his hand very naturally, gently tucking a strand of her hair that was messed up by the wind behind her ear. His movements were familiar and intimate, and his fingertips inadvertently brushed across her slightly cool earlobe, bringing a familiar throbbing.
"Well," he responded, and took the thick journals from her hands as a matter of course. "Thank you for leading the way, Gu. Let's start from your 'base'. In the Chinese Department building, is there anything that requires special 'vigilance'?" He deliberately emphasized the word "vigilance" with a hint of sarcasm.
Gu Qiuyue's ears warmed slightly at his natural affection. She glared at him, her tone tinged with pouty, "The biggest hidden danger is the army of voracious bookworms in the library, and the study hall riots in the teaching building where it's always hard to get a seat. If our target is being surrounded and blocked by these eager students, Captain Xie will have to put in some effort to evacuate them."
The two walked side by side on the tree-lined avenue, the tall sycamore trees casting long shadows.
Gu Qiuyue introduced the buildings along the way as they walked: the history of the old red brick building, the function of the newly built science museum, and the distribution of the experimental buildings in the distance.
Xie Shiyu listened attentively, his eyes scanning the sides of the road, the entrances and exits of buildings, and areas with open views sharply. Occasionally, he would whisper a few questions about the lighting conditions during peak traffic hours or in certain areas at night. This was purely a professional habit.
"Over there," Gu Qiuyue pointed to a group of buildings surrounded by fences that looked exceptionally quiet, "that's the Mechanical Engineering Department and the related key laboratories. The management is usually very strict, and you need a permit to enter and exit."
Xie Shiyu paused slightly, his gaze instantly sharp as a hawk's, locking onto that area. He stared, his brows furrowing slightly, barely perceptible. "Well, this will be the most important place."
His voice dropped, a solemn note of a mission at hand. "Professor Schmidt's main academic exchange activities are likely concentrated in this area. The security level must be raised to the highest level."
He turned his head and looked at Gu Qiuyue. His tone had returned to a gentle state, but it was filled with the concern a husband has for his wife. "Yueyue, in the next few days, the security in this area will be increased, and the inspections will be stricter. If you come over..." A knowing smile flashed in his eyes, obviously knowing his wife's habit of skipping classes. "Remember to bring your student ID, cooperate with the inspection, and try not to go to the core area to avoid repeated questioning and wasting time."
Gu Qiuyue's heart warmed, realizing that he was quietly protecting her and taking care of her freedom. "I know," she replied, her tone filled with the trust between husband and wife.
"I won't cause any trouble for you, don't worry." She paused, then couldn't help but wonder, "That Professor Schmidt... is he really that powerful? Even our department has heard rumors."
"Very impressive," Xie Shiyu affirmed, his gaze once again fixed on the laboratory carrying such an important mission. "He's a renowned authority on precision machinery and automation in West Germany, and indeed throughout Europe. Inviting him and his wife to visit us this time is truly remarkable, and it holds great significance for the country. Therefore," he glanced at his wife, his eyes filled with the resolve and reassurance of a soldier, "there must be absolutely no mistakes in security."
The setting sun gradually sank towards the horizon, dyeing the sky a gorgeous orange-red. Gu Qiuyue took Xie Shiyu through the core teaching area and living area. When they reached the girls' dormitory area, Xie Shiyu stopped.
"That's all." He glanced at the dormitory entrance and handed the journal back to Gu Qiuyue. "I've learned a lot today. Thank you, Gu." His deep gaze fell on her face, a mixture of nostalgia and a subtle fatigue. "I have to return to the team. The Schmidts have plans tonight."
"Well, go ahead. Work is more important." Gu Qiuyue took the book, her fingertips accidentally touching his lightly calloused fingers. The reluctance in her heart intensified. Seeing that his shoulders seemed to be carrying an invisible burden, she couldn't help but admonish him like any other wife who was worried about her husband: "You...you have to be careful too. No matter how busy you are, remember to eat on time. Don't rely on your youth to carry it all."
Xie Shiyu looked at her deeply, as if he wanted to engrave her concerned look at the moment into his heart. His Adam's apple moved slightly, and he took a step forward. He raised his hand very quickly but very naturally, gently brushing the fine bangs on her forehead. His fingertips stayed on her forehead for a moment, with intimacy and comfort that did not require words: "Okay, I'll listen to you. You too, eat well, study hard, and as for that matter," he was referring to Bai Xiaolian, "let's turn the page, don't let it bother you." His voice was low and powerful, with a reassuring power.
After saying that, he took a step back, his tall and straight figure standing like a pine tree or a mountain in the twilight. He nodded slightly to Gu Qiuyue, and after a brief but meaningful exchange of glances, he turned neatly and walked with the steady steps unique to soldiers. He soon blended into the rising twilight of the campus, and his figure disappeared at the end of the path.
Gu Qiuyue stood there, holding the book that still had the warmth from his palm, looking in the direction he left.
The evening breeze ruffled her hair, and the warmth of his fingertips lingered on her forehead. The stone of longing and worry weighed heavy in her heart. She knew he had an important mission, and all she could do was protect her studies and her life, becoming his most stable support, allowing him to focus on his work without distractions.
The night fell gently, and lights lit up on the campus. Gu Qiuyue took a deep breath, turned and walked towards the dormitory building.
Tomorrow, the sun will rise as usual, and the sound of reading will continue by the Weiming Lake, but Xie Shiyu's battle has just begun. The wind blows across the lake, rippling the calm reflections, and quietly stirring the waiting heartstrings. In that waiting, there is a wife's deepest concern and support for her husband.
Gu Qiuyue took a deep breath, put away her worry, turned around, hugged her book, and walked briskly towards the dormitory building. In order to return to the dormitory earlier, she did not take the main road, but chose a relatively secluded path by the lake, lined with lilac trees.
The road was sparsely lit and had swaying shadows of trees. It was very romantic to walk on during the day, but seemed a bit dark at night. Gu Qiuyue tightened the book in her arms and quickened her pace.
Just as she was about to walk out of the path and step onto the intersection leading to the main road of the dormitory area, a figure in the shadow of a stone railing near the lake not far ahead made her subconsciously stop.
He was a middle-aged man wearing dark gray work clothes, who looked like a school support staff. He was short and thin. He had his back to the path and was facing the lake. He wore an old work hat that was washed white, with the brim pulled down low.
He seemed to be stopping to admire the night view, but in fact he was leaning slightly sideways, his body tilted at an imperceptible angle, his sight passing over the lake and accurately towards the brightly lit place in the distance!
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