In the 1960s
Ning Haobo walked out of the tent and was immediately stunned because he found that all the soldiers who were supposed to be resting and chatting outside were gone.
The soldier who came to bring him food came over with a lunch box and said, "Team, it's time to eat. We have snake meat today. Captain He's wife made it herself. It's delicious."
"Where are the others?" Ning Haobo asked.
"They all went to the Brave Tiger Squadron to eat," the soldier said, quickly explaining, "Because it's break time, and it's not far away anyway, they just went there to eat and came right back. Both shifts on duty are given food, so they won't be delayed in their vigilance."
"I understand. You should go have dinner too," said Ning Haobo.
After the soldiers left, Ning Haobo sat down and looked at the snake meat in his lunch box, feeling an indescribable feeling in his heart. If Tao Yuan hadn't discovered the smoke trap the night before, they might have been completely wiped out. Now, all the soldiers were filled with gratitude towards him. Even the soldiers in the Wolf Squadron affectionately called him "sister-in-law" and showed him great respect.
Ning Haobo did not expect that Tao Yuan would be so forgiving and treat the soldiers of the Wolf Squadron the same way he treated the soldiers of the Brave Tiger Squadron.
Tao Yuan just couldn't stand the Ning family, and had no problem with those soldiers. Of course, he wouldn't treat those soldiers differently just because he was the captain of the Wolf Squadron.
All the soldiers knew that Tao Yuan and He Liyuan were very affectionate and that Tao Yuan slept with He Liyuan at night. Wen Han's cold attitude towards Ning Haobo, like a stranger, was also noticed by the soldiers.
So Ning Haobo's mood was very complicated. Of course he still loved Wen Han, but Wen Han had always been so cold to him, which made his passionate heart for her gradually cool down.
The soldiers were all envious of He Liyuan, thinking he had married a capable wife who loved him so much. They also felt that Ning Haobo's abandonment of Tao Yuan was the greatest loss of his life, and he would definitely regret it.
Before, Ning Haobo would have scoffed, wondering how he could possibly regret it, considering Wen Han was the true love of his heart. But now, he's gradually realizing that living together requires more than just love; it also requires mutual care and concern. Only when you treat me well and I treat you well can a long-term relationship last. He's starting to doubt how long his marriage, fueled by his passionate love and dedication, can last.
"I never thought snake meat would be so delicious! This is my first time eating snake meat." After finishing his meal, Ren Xiuyang walked back with the soldiers and said to Gu Yu beside him, "After we wipe out those bandits, I must take my brothers and catch a few more snakes. Otherwise, where can we catch such big snakes when we return to the military area? The snakes in the mountains near us are only as thick as fingers, and you can't tell at first glance that there is not much meat."
"Let's wait until we wipe out the bandits. It's really frustrating that we can't catch them." Gu Yu was also very satisfied with his meal, but he felt anxious whenever he thought of those bandits.
"I'm worried too." Ren Xiuyang sighed and said, "Those bandits are too cunning. It seems they know our movements. No matter how hard we try, we can't stop them."
"Usually, bandit leaders have someone like a military advisor by their side, specifically responsible for giving advice. It seems that there are some very powerful military advisors among those bandits."
"What should I do? I can't keep wasting time like this." Ren Xiuyang frowned, feeling worried.
"Let's see if Captain He can come up with any solution. He has commanded mountain battles before and has combat experience," said Gu Yu.
"Right!" Ren Xiuyang looked around, then pulled Gu Yu to a quiet place and said, "I don't think Captain He is in a hurry. He must have a plan. Unlike our captain, he sits in the tent all day studying the map, neither discussing with us nor with Captain He. What can he figure out just by looking at the map?"
Gu Yu sighed inwardly, but said, "He just became the squadron leader not long ago, so it's normal that he lacks experience. Give him some more time. Besides, in this battle, the Brave Tiger Squadron is the main force, and we are just assisting. The main command still lies with Squadron He, and we will just follow their arrangements."
When it was time to go to bed at night, Tao Yuan sat on the bed and He Liyuan squatted beside the bed to wash his feet.
He Liyuan's fingers were rough, and when they slid across Tao Yuan's soles, he couldn't help but shrink back. "Itchy."
Tao Yuan's feet were so white and tender that He Liyuan didn't dare to use any force. He just rubbed them gently.
Tao Yuan supported himself with his hands on both sides, looked down at the basin, and suddenly felt like playing, and kept trying to free his feet from his hands.
"Don't make trouble. We walked on the mountain road for several hours today. Take a good soak." He Liyuan pushed his raised feet back into the water.
Tao Yuan supported his shoulders and asked in a coquettish tone, "Do you love me?"
He Liyuan looked up at him and said seriously, "Of course I love you."
"Why do you love me?" Tao Yuan asked again.
He Liyuan thought for a while and said, "There's no reason. After falling in love with you, I realized that love itself is the biggest reason. No other reason can compare to it."
"Isn't it because I'm good to you that you love me?"
"If you treat me well, I can treat you well too, or repay you in other ways. But if someone else treats me well, I might be grateful, but I won't necessarily fall in love with him. So I love you not only because you treat me well, the biggest reason is that I just fall in love with you."
"My mother also told me that you are not good at speaking and can't say nice things. When I go back, I will tell her that you are not bad at speaking and can say nice things very well." Tao Yuan was touched in his heart, but he still wanted to tease him.
He Liyuan picked up Tao Yuan's feet, wiped them with water, put them on the bed, and opened the quilt to cover him.
After He Liyuan got into bed, he hugged Tao Yuan tightly and whispered in his ear, "The fight will start in two days. Don't go collecting herbs anymore. It's not safe."
"Have you found where the bandits are hiding?" Tao Yuan asked in a low voice.
"I discovered their hiding method," He Liyuan said. "They are very cunning. Their hiding method is difficult to detect, but there is a certain pattern to follow. Perhaps even they themselves have not discovered this pattern, otherwise they would not have left traces for me to discover."
"Be careful not to fall into their trap." Tao Yuan reminded him.
"Don't worry, I've already tried it out. They can't set such a trap." He Liyuan said very confidently.
"Then you must be careful. If you can't capture the Panther King alive, kill him. As for the cultural relics, we can find another way to find them." Tao Yuan still felt uneasy, worried that he would risk his life just to capture the Panther King alive.
"I understand." He Liyuan kissed his forehead.
He Liyuan was not only a strong commander, but also a resourceful strategist. Just as he had predicted, two days later, they encountered the bandits and a firefight ensued.
Tao Yuan had originally thought that if they couldn't find the bandits, he would find an excuse to go with them on the scouting trip and use the system to help them. However, He Liyuan's foresight was remarkable, and he actually managed to stop the bandits. After a fierce siege, although the Panther King finally escaped, at least half of the bandits were eliminated.
He Liyuan had injured the Panther King. Even if he was formidable, escaping with injuries would certainly be inconvenient. Therefore, over the past two days, He Liyuan had intensified his search efforts, dispatching both the Brave Tiger Squadron and the Fierce Wolf Squadron simultaneously, aiming to capture the Panther King alive while he was still seriously injured. Otherwise, these mountains were already rich in herbs, and if he waited until his injuries were healed, it would be even more difficult to find him.
Because the fighting had begun, there were wounded soldiers and the medical team became even busier.
While Tao Yuan was busy, he was also worried about He Liyuan. Although he had the space and the spring water, as long as He Liyuan was still alive, he could heal him no matter how serious his injury was, but he still hoped that he would not get hurt at all, because it would hurt him.
"The squadron leader is injured, bring the stretcher over, come and lend a hand!"
Tao Yuan was suddenly startled, and he and Wen Han ran out at the same time. However, because Wen Han was in the yard and he was in the house, Wen Han ran ahead of him.
Wen Han ran to He Liyuan, looked at him anxiously and asked, "Brother Liyuan, are you hurt?! Where are you hurt?!"
He Liyuan didn't even look at him, he walked straight towards Tao Yuan who was running towards him, supported him and said, "Run slowly, be careful not to fall, I'm not the one who got hurt, don't worry."
"Aren't you injured?" Tao Yuan pressed his rapidly beating heart and gasped, "I was scared to death."
Wen Han stood there in a daze, staring at Ning Haobo, who had just been laid out on the stretcher. Even the soldiers beside him felt extremely embarrassed because he had rushed out and the first person he asked about was not his own husband, Ning Haobo, but someone else's husband, He Liyuan.
Ning Haobo's face and legs were covered in blood, but the pain in his body was nothing compared to the pain in his heart. He had watched Wen Han run out, and seeing his anxious and worried expression, he was so happy. But when he ran in front of He Liyuan, his heart felt like it had been poured with a basin of ice-cold water, and his limbs trembled with cold.
"Hurry up and carry the squadron leader in. Why are you still standing there?" Ren Xiuyang said to the soldiers, breaking the awkward situation.
The soldiers then lifted Ning Haobo up and hurriedly sent him to the temple to have doctors treat his injuries.
The soldiers all walked away, He Liyuan and Tao Yuan also returned to the tent, leaving Wen Han alone standing there. He was startled by the look in Ning Haobo's eyes, and after standing there for a moment, he came to his senses, then slowly turned around and walked into the temple.
"Damn it!" Ren Xiuyang punched the tree and said unwillingly, "We were so close, so close to catching the Panther King, but in the end, he got away!"
"That Panther King is truly formidable. He beat Captain Ning like that, and even after being shot several times, he was still able to escape even when we surrounded him." Gu Yu also felt very regretful. "It was so hard to meet him. I'm afraid I won't be so lucky next time."
"He knows we're going to capture him alive and not kill him, so he's so fearless. Otherwise, I'd just shoot him in the head and see how he can get away!" Ren Xiuyang said angrily. "I'm just confused. Is he really a pangolin? Otherwise, how could he disappear so suddenly?!"
"If he didn't have some skills, he wouldn't have been the bandit leader for so many years." Gu Yu sighed.
"Since he's such a capable man, why not do something else? Why did he choose to be a bandit? He can enjoy the wealth he has gained through robbery and robbery, and he feels at ease?"
"Some people think differently. They certainly don't think there's anything wrong with what they're doing. Instead, they feel a special sense of accomplishment when their brothers, under their leadership, enjoy drinking and eating meat."
"Hmph! Once we catch him, I'll show him what a true sense of accomplishment is!" Ren Xiuyang kicked the tree trunk to vent his anger.
"Are you really not injured?!" Tao Yuan unbuttoned his coat and touched his body carefully. "Even if it's a minor injury, you are not allowed to hide it from me."
"I really wasn't hurt. I didn't encounter the Panther King. It was the people from the Wolf Squadron who encountered him, but he still escaped." He Liyuan said.
Tao Yuan held his face, looked at him and said, "I'm really worried about you. I even thought, if only you didn't join the army, I wouldn't have to worry so much. I know it's not right to think like this. The other soldiers are also other people's sons and husbands, and there are people who are worried about them. If no one joins the army, our country will be in chaos. But I just can't help but have such selfish thoughts."
"I'm sorry." He Liyuan hugged him tightly and said, "I know my job makes you worried, but I have my responsibilities and mission, and I can't back down because of this. I promise you, I will be more careful in the future, and I will definitely grow old with you."
"I know. I understand you. I just can't help but worry." Tao Yuan closed his eyes and leaned his face on his shoulder. "I will never be lazy again. I will definitely save more soldiers."
"You'd better be lazy." He Liyuan said, "If you work too hard, I'll worry about your health, and it will be easier to distract you. Just stay as you are and don't make me worry, okay?"
"It's really unfair. I have to worry about you, but I can't let you worry about me." Tao Yuan said dissatisfiedly.
"I'm sorry." He Liyuan apologized to him.
"I don't want to hear your apology. Say something else to comfort me." Tao Yuan acted coquettishly with him.
"I love you. In this life, the next life, the life after that, and forever and ever, I will only love you."
After the other doctors bandaged Ning Haobo, Wen Han walked over to the bed, sat down, and asked, "How do you feel?"
Ning Haobo opened his eyes, motionless, and did not answer him.
Wen Han was silent for a while. He was definitely not going to be able to coax him. However, he knew that his previous actions must have chilled him, but it was a subconscious action, and he had no time to think about it.
"I'm sorry." Wen Han apologized for the first time, which was a significant improvement for him. But his next words made Ning Haobo's heart turn from being poured with cold water to being frozen.
"I still can't fall in love with you. I know this is very unfair to you, but I can't control my heart. When we get back, we should separate and go through the divorce procedures. You can find someone who truly treats you well. This will be good for both you and me."
"Do you think he'll marry you if you get divorced?" Ning Haobo finally spoke. "He already has someone he loves, and someone everyone envies. Do you think he'll divorce for you?"
"I know he definitely won't divorce and marry me now. I've figured it out. Even if I hold on to a tiny hope and grow old alone, it's better than what I'm like now." Wen Han stood up and said, "You should have a good rest. We can talk about other things after we get back."
The nurse next door heard the conversation between the two and couldn't help but discuss it in a low voice.
"Captain Ning is so pitiful. He regretted his marriage to Dr. Wen, but ended up getting divorced."
"No matter how bad the bitter fruit is, you have to swallow it. What else can you do?"
"If he had married Dr. Yue, things wouldn't be like this now."
"That's not necessarily true. They say that what you can't have is the best. If he hadn't married Dr. Wen, he would probably have missed Dr. Wen for the rest of his life."
"Dr. Yue is so in love with Captain He now, he definitely won't regret it. Dr. Yue is so good, Captain He definitely won't divorce him. Even if Dr. Wen is willing to wait, it will be in vain."
"Yeah, I think so too. Doctor Wen might as well just settle down and live a good life with Captain Ning. Why does he have to be obsessed with someone who doesn't love him and is someone else's husband?"
"How can I describe the human heart?"
After investigating the escape route of the Panther King, He Liyuan has completely grasped his way of escape. Since the Panther King is seriously injured, as long as they search more quickly and carefully, they will definitely be able to surround him again.
Acting at night would be disadvantageous to them, so they couldn't search overnight. In order to prevent the Pancake King from having more time to recuperate, He Liyuan set out with his soldiers as soon as the sky was just getting light.
As soon as He Liyuan left, Tao Yuan couldn't sleep, but it was too early to get up, so he could only lie in bed with his eyes open, listening carefully to see if there were any gunshots.
After daybreak, Tao Yuan got up and stood under a large tree outside the temple, looking at the distant mountains. Hearing the faint sound of gunfire, Tao Yuan knew they had found the Panther King again, and this time, He Liyuan would not let him escape again.
At noon, a soldier lying on the ground watching through binoculars suddenly shouted, "They're back! They're carrying a man tied up. It must be the captured Panther King!"
"Let me see!" The soldier next to him heard his words and snatched the telescope to look down.
Tao Yuan, who was standing not far away, felt relieved when he heard their words. Only when he saw He Liyuan and confirmed that he was not injured could he completely relax.
After the soldiers came up, they threw the tied-up Panic to the ground and kicked him hard to vent their anger. "Finally, we caught you. It took us so much effort!"
When Tao Yuan saw He Liyuan being supported by a soldier, he immediately ran over and asked, "Are you injured? Where are you injured?!"
"Don't worry, it's not a serious injury." He Liyuan comforted him first, and then said, "When I was fighting with the Panther King, he injured my leg. I'll be fine after applying medicine."
"The captain didn't let him have an easy time either. He was beaten so badly that he couldn't even get up. We had to capture him alive!" said the soldier proudly.
"Come in quickly, I'll apply medicine for you, and then we'll deal with that Panic King." Tao Yuan said hurriedly.
Ning Haobo turned around and saw He Liyuan being helped in. He asked, "Has the Panther King been caught?"
"He's been caught and is being tied up outside." He Liyuan replied as he was helped to sit on another bed.
Ning Haobo closed his eyes. The Panther King was caught. As long as they found out where the cultural relics were hidden, they could go back. After they went back...
The nurse came over with a medicine box. Tao Yuan squatted down beside the bed, cut open his trouser leg with scissors, then avoided the wound and touched his leg bone.
"You said the injury wasn't serious." Tao Yuan said, "You can't walk for the next two days. I'll apply some medicine to you first, and then put a splint on you. Just rest well, and don't put any force on this foot."
"Even after taking your medicine, I still can't walk?" He Liyuan looked at him and asked.
"It's because of my medicine that I only confined you for two days. Otherwise, you would have been bedridden for at least half a month. You've injured your bones." Tao Yuan glared at him and said, "I said two days, and that's two days. If you dare to walk during these two days, I'll drug you and make you lie down for ten days."
"I understand." He Liyuan said quickly, "I will strictly follow the doctor's orders and will not walk around for the next two days."
Tao Yuan first helped him clean the wound, then applied medicine to him, and put a splint on him. After taking care of everything, Tao Yuan brought clean clothes, pulled the curtain, and helped him change.
He Liyuan changed his clothes and sat on the bed. Tao Yuan held his changed clothes and said to him, "You have a good rest. I'll go make some medicine and come to accompany you later."
He Liyuan nodded and watched him leave.
After Tao Yuan left, Wen Han walked in, stood beside He Liyuan's bed and asked, "Brother Liyuan, are you okay? Does your leg hurt?"
He Liyuan, just like before, completely ignored him and lay down with his eyes closed. He was already married, so he should avoid any member of the opposite sex, let alone this one with such obvious ambitions.
Wen Han turned around and glanced at Ning Haobo, who also had his eyes closed. He felt it was not appropriate to stay any longer. He and Ning Haobo had not yet divorced, and it was inappropriate for him to be overly concerned and worried about another man as his legal husband.
After turning around and leaving, Wen Han prepared to cook some porridge, not for He Liyuan, but for Ning Haobo. He knew that even if he cooked for He Liyuan, he would definitely not eat it. He and Ning Haobo were still husband and wife, so it was only natural that he should take care of him. Although he felt a little indebted to Ning Haobo in his heart, he really couldn't fall in love with him.
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