"Yes, you're back." Qin Ye responded, his gaze falling on her wearing only a cotton-padded coat. He frowned and said, "Why did you come out dressed so lightly? Come inside quickly."
As he spoke, he pushed her into the house and closed the door behind him, keeping the cold air out.
"Go wash your hands, dinner's all ready, just waiting for you." Su Tang pulled him into the house, pointing to the dishes on the table like a prized possession, "Look, I made braised pork for you, doesn't it smell delicious?"
"It smells good." Qin Ye's gaze swept over the food, finally settling on Su Tang's bright eyes, feeling both warm and guilty.
He washed his hands, and the two sat down at the table.
Su Tang immediately picked up a piece of stewed pork belly that was tender and reddish-brown and put it into his bowl: "Try it quickly, it's my first time making it, I don't know if it suits your taste."
Qin Ye picked up the piece of meat and put it in his mouth.
The pork skin was soft and tender, the fatty meat melted in his mouth, and the lean meat was tender and flavorful. It was salty with a hint of sweetness and a rich soy sauce aroma. It was so delicious that he wanted to swallow his tongue.
He ate more than half a bowl of rice in one go before looking up at Su Tang, who was looking at him expectantly, and solemnly uttered two words: "Delicious."
Su Tang then smiled, her eyes crinkling, and ate a piece herself.
The meal was warm and peaceful.
Su Tang served him food, and he buried his head in his food, occasionally glancing up at her with an unyielding tenderness in his eyes.
However, Su Tang still keenly sensed that Qin Ye had something on his mind. He ate faster than usual, as if he were completing a task, and there was a hint of seriousness hidden between his brows.
"Has something happened in the army?" Su Tang asked casually as she cleared the dishes after the meal.
Qin Ye paused for a moment while wiping the table.
He looked up at Su Tang, his expression somewhat complicated, as if he was considering how to speak.
"Tangtang," he put down the rag, pulled her to sit down on the edge of the bed, and held her hand, his palm dry and warm, "There's something I need to tell you."
Su Tang's heart skipped a beat for no apparent reason: "Go ahead."
“The higher-ups have given orders,” he said, looking into her eyes, his voice low and serious, “the situation at the border is a bit tense, and I… I might have to lead a team out tonight.”
"Tonight?" Su Tang was stunned, her mind going blank.
She had expected him to have an urgent mission, but she didn't expect it to happen so soon, on their very first day of marriage.
"Was it because of the unprecedented blizzard a few days ago?" She quickly calmed down and, combining the information she had heard before, instantly guessed the key point: "The cold wave caused an energy crisis, and some forces along the border took advantage of the chaos?"
A hint of surprise flashed in Qin Ye's eyes. He hadn't expected her to guess so accurately, but given the military discipline, he could only nod vaguely: "The situation is complicated, and the mission is urgent."
After saying that, he tightened his grip on her hand, his voice filled with deep remorse: "Tangtang, I'm sorry. I have to leave on our first day of marriage... I haven't fulfilled my responsibilities as a husband."
He was only able to come back today thanks to a special permission from Deputy Commander Liu, who allowed him to say goodbye to his newlywed wife and return to his unit in an hour.
Looking at his apologetic face, Su Tang felt a pang of sadness.
She knew it wasn't his fault.
Soldiers consider obeying orders their sacred duty, and protecting their country is a mission ingrained in their very bones.
She nestled into his arms and whispered, "I don't blame you. I knew you were a soldier before I married you. You're going on a mission, and I'll be waiting for you to come home."
That's what I said, but the sense of loss and reluctance in my heart surged up like a tide, and I couldn't stop it.
Qin Ye held her in his arms, feeling the soft body against his chest, and felt as if his heart was being cut by a knife.
He couldn't bear to part with it, he really couldn't bear to.
He hadn't had enough time to cherish and love his newlywed daughter before he was about to leave her alone in this freezing cold.
But he's a soldier, so he can't have too many emotions.
The atmosphere in the room became somewhat somber for a moment.
Qin Ye glanced at his watch; it was almost time. He released Su Tang, stood up, and said in a hoarse voice, "I...I should go."
He found it incredibly difficult to utter even a single word.
Su Tang looked at him, at the struggle and reluctance in his eyes, and a bold idea suddenly popped into her mind.
Before going on a mission, go back to the 22nd century; time is frozen anyway.
Staying there for seven days would allow the two of them to stay even longer.
Most importantly, obtaining the rare earth mine distribution map upon returning might allow for a faster resolution of the current crisis on the Tibetan border.
"Wait." She grabbed his hand as he was about to turn around.
"Hmm?" Qin Ye turned around.
Su Tang looked up. "Who said you had to leave right away?"
"Come on, I'll take you back to your parents' home first."
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