Su Tang instantly understood; they were recruiting her as a spy.
On the surface, she only showed just the right amount of surprise and bewilderment.
“This is not a forced order.” Xiao Dongsheng saw the turmoil in her heart and added, “Your abilities are unique, and the country urgently needs them. But we respect your personal wishes. If you agree, you will receive the most rigorous special training, enjoy the highest honor and protection that the country can give you, and of course, you will also shoulder the heaviest responsibilities. If you refuse, all our conversations today will be sealed as top secret, and you will still be a meritorious official of the military region and Commander Qin's wife. No one will disturb you.”
He stood up and left a pale yellow envelope on the table.
"You can take your time to think it over. Whenever you've made up your mind, you can contact me anytime through the military region's secure hotline. I've left you my contact information."
Xiao Dongsheng left, leaving Su Tang alone in the office once again.
She sat quietly, her gaze fixed on the medal of honor and the thin envelope, remaining motionless for a long time.
In her past life, she risked her life for the organization, only to end up with her body and her entire comrades wiped out. In this life, all she wants is to live a peaceful life with Qin Ye.
But... can we really live in peace?
The tree may wish to be still, but the wind will not cease.
It seems that her ingrained work style makes it impossible for her to be a truly ordinary person.
Life went on until Su Tang made her decision.
Zhou Huai'an was taken away, and the expert group from Beijing left in disgrace, leaving the thermal circulation furnace project without any further obstacles.
With the complete blueprints and hands-on technical guidance provided by Su Tang, the military region's logistics factory immediately began mass production of the "heat-concentrating circulating furnace".
Director Qian Xuedong and Chief Engineer Geng Xiangdong practically lived and worked at the factory, both over a hundred years old combined. They were incredibly enthusiastic, personally overseeing the operation and fearing the slightest mistake.
The first batch of fifty new-style stoves was personally approved by Deputy Commander Liu, and was given priority to be supplied to the military region's kindergartens, clinics, and families with elderly people and children in the family compound.
On the day of installation, the entire military compound was as lively as if it were Chinese New Year.
In the military kindergarten, less than half an hour after the first stove was lit, the activity room, which was originally as cold and damp as an icebox, became warm and cozy.
The children cheered with delight, shedding their heavy, armor-like cotton-padded coats and running around in just their sweaters. Their rosy little faces no longer bore the chilblains that were a common sight in previous winters.
A young female teacher, seeing the children's joyful smiles, couldn't hold back her tears, which streamed down her face.
She held Su Tang's hand as he came to inspect the installation, and said in a choked voice, "Team Leader Su... thank you... thank you so much... you don't know, every winter, half of the children would get sick. It was heartbreaking to see their little faces and hands red and purple from the cold... this stove of yours is a real lifesaver."
The military wives were also deeply grateful to Su Tang.
From that day on, people never stopped coming to Su Tang's door. Today, Sister Li would bring a basket of freshly laid eggs; tomorrow, Sister Wang would bring a basket of handmade insoles; and the day after, Aunt Zhang would bring a bowl of steaming pork and cabbage dumplings.
They're not good with words; they don't know any grand principles, they just repeat the same few practical things over and over again.
"Team Leader Su, you're truly a living saint in our residential compound! My wife used to get wheezing every year around this time, coughing so badly she couldn't sleep at night. But after we installed the stove yesterday, she slept like a log all night! This morning she insisted I bring you two eggs, saying you absolutely had to accept them—it's a lifesaver!"
Faced with those simple and sincere faces, and listening to those heartfelt pleas, Su Tang's heart was filled with an emotion she had never felt before.
This feeling of being needed, trusted, and genuinely supported and loved brought her more satisfaction and warmth than any cold medal or award.
This is what she wanted: the warmth and humanity of everyday life.
Deputy Commander Liu looked at the bustling military region and listened to the data reported by the logistics department—after the new furnace was installed, the number of patients with colds and fevers at the clinic dropped by 90% within a week!
He paced back and forth in the office excitedly, slapped his thigh, and said to Qian Xuedong, "Old Qian! Listen to the commotion outside! This isn't just a furnace! This is the will of the people!"
He pointed out the window, his voice brimming with barely suppressed excitement: "The furnace that Comrade Su Tang developed is more important than a reinforced regiment! It's a strategic piece of equipment that will stabilize our morale and support our rear!"
He immediately ordered the factory to work overtime and the second batch of furnaces produced should be rushed to the front line of the border by military vehicles.
In the cold outpost, when the soldiers gathered around the small, yet constantly radiating heat, and even able to get a sip of hot water, everyone was filled with excitement.
High morale transformed into boundless fighting power.
Half a month later, good news came from the front: Qin Ye's troops, in a key counterattack, achieved a brilliant victory with soaring morale and minimal losses.
Qin Ye returned as the evening glow illuminated his journey.
Su Tang was drying the herbs she had planted earlier in the yard when she looked up and saw the figure she had been longing for day and night.
He had lost weight and gotten darker, with stubble on his chin and his military uniform covered in dust, making him look somewhat travel-worn.
But those eyes sparkled the moment they saw her.
Su Tang put down what she was holding and ran towards him.
Qin Ye strode forward and opened his arms when he was still two steps away from her.
Su Tang buried her face in his arms...
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