Shen Qingchen took a deep breath and slowly withdrew his hand. He knew now was not the time to ask further questions. He looked around. The basement was simple and shabby. The water stains on the walls were like tear marks. The corners were filled with old and dilapidated items. His heart was sour again. "You have suffered these days." He said softly, his voice full of guilt and pity.
Jiang Zhi turned her head slightly, avoiding his gaze, and looked toward a shadow in the corner. "Whether it was hard or not, I've gotten through it all." Her tone was flat, as if she were recounting something unrelated, but the slight trembling of her shoulders betrayed the turmoil within her. She recalled the days and nights of being hunted, the days of hiding while pregnant, the laboring days with no safe place to rest, and the excruciating pain she could only grit her teeth to endure. After the child was born, she had to be constantly vigilant for danger, as the slightest mistake could cost her life. Every scene haunted her like a nightmare, but she persevered through it all with a fierce determination.
Shen Qingchen opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but found his throat blocked, unable to utter a single sound. He stared at Jiang Zhi's thin profile, a mixture of emotions welling up in his heart. Once, they had been so loving and sweet. He had promised her a lifetime, and she had showered him with tenderness. But now, they were in this state. He secretly vowed to make amends, to allow Jiang Zhi and their child to live a stable and happy life again.
"I will protect you and never let you get hurt again." Shen Qingchen's voice was low and powerful, as if he was making a promise to Jiang Zhi, and as if he was cheering himself up. He straightened his back and looked at Jiang Zhi firmly, the determination in his eyes reassuring.
Jiang Zhi didn't respond, but just patted the child gently, her eyes still wandering. She didn't know whether she should believe Shen Qingchen's promise. The pain of the past made her dare not give her heart easily. But at this moment, in this dim basement, seeing the unprecedented determination in Shen Qingchen's eyes, her heart couldn't help but ripple.
At this moment, there was a sudden noise of footsteps outside, followed by the anxious shouts of the allies: "Ms. Jiang, Mr. Shen, it's bad, the enemy is moving again, as if they are gathering troops and preparing to attack again!" The sound echoed in the narrow space of the basement, instantly breaking the brief silence.
Jiang Zhi and Shen Qingchen exchanged a glance, their eyes instantly hardening. They knew their brief respite was over, and a new round of battle was about to begin. Jiang Zhi held the child tightly, gently placing him in a corner of the dark room, carefully covering him with miscellaneous items to ensure his safety. Then, she stood up, took a deep breath, and the weakness in her eyes vanished, replaced by determination and courage.
"Let's go out and take a look." Jiang Zhi said, and walked towards the door first, with firm steps and no hesitation. Shen Qingchen followed closely behind. He looked at Jiang Zhi's back, his heart full of admiration. This woman had gone through hardships, but she had never been defeated. Instead, she became stronger. He secretly made up his mind to fight side by side with her and protect everything they cared about.
The two of them emerged from the basement. The glaring sunlight outside formed a stark contrast to the darkness within. Inside the manor, the allies had already drawn their weapons and were ready for battle, each face etched with exhaustion and determination. Jiang Zhi glanced at the crowd, a warm feeling welling up in her heart. These people were not her kin, yet they stood by her in this life-or-death situation, fighting alongside her.
"Don't be afraid, everyone. Together, we can defeat the enemy." Jiang Zhi shouted loudly, his voice clear and resounding, like a war drum, inspiring everyone's morale. The allies responded one after another, shouting slogans and gripping their weapons even tighter.
Shen Qingchen walked to the front of the team, his gaze sternly directed toward the manor, where dust billowed and the enemy loomed. He quickly gathered his thoughts and, with his exceptional leadership, began to redeploy his defenses. "Team One, guard the left flank. Stay hidden and don't attack rashly. Team Two, follow me in the front, ready to counterattack at any moment. Team Three, protect the rear, especially the basement entrance. Don't let the enemy get even a step closer." His voice was steady and powerful, each command clear and unambiguous. Everyone immediately followed his instructions, rushing to their respective posts in an orderly manner.
Jiang Zhi stood aside, watching Shen Qingchen's commanding presence, and couldn't help but sigh with emotion. She had only known him as a dominant figure in the business world, but now, on the battlefield, he was also demonstrating extraordinary leadership. She took a deep breath, walked over to the injured allies, crouched down, and used her superb medical skills to bandage their wounds, her technique skillful and gentle. "Don't be afraid, it will heal soon," she whispered in a soothing voice, her eyes focused and warm, warming the hearts of the injured allies and seeming to ease the pain a little.
During these tense pre-war preparations, Jiang Zhi and Shen Qingchen occasionally exchanged glances, their gazes mingling with past love, their current understanding, and their hopes for the future. Despite the perilous road ahead, their fate uncertain, they knew in their hearts that as long as they were by each other's side, they had the courage to face it all. And the ripples of emotion that stirred within them, quietly spreading amidst the raging flames of battle, instilled in them even more strength to forge ahead, cementing their belief that one day, they would break through the darkness and usher in the dawn.
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