As the last rays of the setting sun cast a blood-red glow across this war-torn land, the smoke gradually dissipated, but the pungent smell of gunpowder lingered in the air, mingled with the stench of blood, telling of the brutality of the battle. Jiang Zhi and Shen Qingchen, a pair of lovers who had drifted through the wind and rain for so long, enduring countless hardships, now stood in the center of the battlefield, gazing at each other, a glance that spoke volumes.
Jiang Zhi's hair was disheveled, a few sweat-soaked strands clinging to her slightly pale yet resolute face. Her clothes were tattered and stained with blood, both from the enemy and herself. A deep wound on her arm oozed blood, winding down her forearm and dripping onto the dusty and gravelly ground, creating a shocking speck of blood. Yet, she seemed oblivious to the pain, her eyes fixed on the equally disheveled Shen Qingchen before her.
Shen Qingchen's tall frame trembled slightly, not from fear, but from the exhaustion and sheer fatigue of a long, intense battle. He bore more wounds, each one a gruesome tear like a savage demon tearing at his flesh. Blood had already soaked through his clothes, staining them a glaring crimson. But his eyes were fiery and resolute, gazing at Jiang Zhi with deep affection, cherishing, and an endless longing. It was as if everything in the world had vanished into nothingness, leaving only the woman before him, truly present.
The two of them stood there for a long time, the clamor and noise around them as if blocked out by an invisible barrier, time seemingly standing still. After a long moment, Jiang Zhi was the first to break the silence. Her voice was choked with sobs, yet it carried an indescribable resolve: "You fool, why did you come? What if..." Before she could finish her words, tears welled up in her eyes, leaving two distinct tear marks on her dusty cheeks.
Seeing this, Shen Qingchen was extremely anxious. He ignored the sharp pain in his wounds caused by his movements and stepped forward. He stretched out his bloody hand and gently covered Jiang Zhi's mouth to stop her from continuing. "Without you, what is the meaning of my life?" His voice was low and hoarse, but it was like a warm current that flowed straight into Jiang Zhi's heart, dispelling the chill caused by fear and worry deep in her heart.
Jiang Zhi raised her hand and grasped Shen Qingchen's hand, which was covering her mouth. Her fingers trembled slightly, as if she wanted to hold on to this moment of warmth and peace of mind, never letting go. Through her tearful eyes, she carefully examined Shen Qingchen's face. The familiar eyebrows, the high nose bridge, the slightly pale but still tightly pursed lips, each of which was engraved with the hardships and difficulties they had walked together. At this moment, memories of the past surged back like a tide.
She recalled her first encounter in the city, consumed by a vengeful obsession. Lonely and resolute, like a wounded beast licking its wounds, she silently searched for the truth in the dark corners beneath the bustling city. Back then, she had never imagined someone would enter her world, melting the ice in her heart with their ardent love. Chen Qingchen's appearance had initially seemed like an accident, a minor joke played by fate. But his persistence and deep affection, like beams of bright, warm light, pierced through the haze, illuminating her once dark and gloomy world.
All those memories she had deliberately ignored, buried deep within her heart, now surfaced one by one. Every bouquet of gorgeous flowers he sent her, the affectionate love letter hidden within the bouquet, and those carefully crafted romantic encounters were all proof of his love. Even when she treated him coldly out of revenge, he never complained or retreated, always staying by her side, silently giving and never abandoning her.
Chen Qingchen, looking at Jiang Zhi, was filled with emotion. From the moment he first saw her, a fleeting glimpse of her amidst the crowd, her unique aura captivated him. Her resilience, honed through hardship, her intelligence, and her kindness, like a magnet, drew him closer. In his pursuit of her, he witnessed her agonizing struggle for revenge, heartbroken but also resolute to protect her. Even after the many setbacks that forced them to part, every day and night spent missing her ripped at his heart like a sharp knife.
At that moment, the crisp sound of children's laughter echoed from a distance, breaking the two people's deep thoughts. Jiang Zhi and Shen Qingchen looked in the direction of the sound and saw their allies slowly approaching with their children. The children trotted towards them, their faces filled with innocent smiles, as if completely unaware of the bloody and cruel things this land had just experienced.
Jiang Zhi crouched down, arms outstretched, eyes filled with tenderness and reluctance. "Baby, the bad guys are defeated. We'll never be apart again," she whispered softly, a barely perceptible tremor in her voice. The two children burrowed into her arms, their heads nuzzling against her neck. Their soft, childlike voices carried a childlike warmth: "Mom, we missed you so much." Jiang Zhi hugged the children tightly, tears blurring her eyes once again, this time with the joy of surviving a catastrophe and the relief of having found something she had lost.
Shen Qingchen also squatted down, embracing his wife and children in his arms. His broad chest built a warm and solid haven for them. His eyes were filled with love, and he reached out to gently stroke the children's heads, his movements so gentle that it seemed as if he was afraid to disturb the most precious treasure in the world. "My dear children, Daddy will always be with you from now on, and will never let you suffer any grievances again." His voice was low and firm, revealing a fatherly love as strong as a mountain.
The eldest son blinked his big, shiny black eyes, curiously looking at the wounds on his parents' bodies. His little hands gently touched them, his eyes full of worry: "Mom and Dad, does it hurt?" The tender voice was like the sound of nature, directly touching the softest corner of Jiang Zhi and Shen Qingchen's hearts. Jiang Zhi raised his hand to wipe away the tears from the corners of his eyes, and smiled and comforted: "Don't worry, baby, Mom and Dad are not in pain. As long as you are by our side, all the pain is nothing."
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