Chapter 36
That kiss was like a switch, completely changing the atmosphere between the two. Although they maintained a necessary distance and professional attitude in front of outsiders—Miao Weizhen was still the calm and decisive leader, Wen Ling was still the diligent and enthusiastic student—everyone with a discerning eye in the base could sense the silent understanding and warmth that flowed between them.
Ah Yuan was the first to notice. While delivering documents to Miao Weizhen, she caught a glimpse of him looking down at Wen Ling's wound. His focused gaze and gentle movements were a stark contrast to the cold and stern minister she remembered. She whispered to Lao Lin, "The minister looks at His Highness the way you look at your precision instruments."
Lao Lin was debugging a newly arrived piece of equipment. Without even looking up, he murmured, "Hmm," and after a moment, added, "Weizhen hasn't looked this human in ages."
The words were said harshly, but revealed the understanding of an elder.
That afternoon, Wen Ling was helping Lao Lin calibrate a batch of sensors in the workshop. His injuries were no longer serious, but Miao Weizhen had expressly forbidden him from engaging in high-intensity work, so these tasks requiring patience and carefulness fell on him.
"Master Lin," Wen Ling asked casually while adjusting the parameters, "Have you known the Minister for a long time?"
Lao Lin paused, looking at him with cloudy eyes. "When he first came to me, he was still a half-grown boy, holding a pile of scrap metal, saying he wanted to build something that could fly."
Wen Ling stopped what he was doing in surprise.
"His sister was still alive at that time." Old Lin's voice deepened, carrying the vicissitudes of memory. "That girl was a genius, but too idealistic. Weizhen is different. He understood from a young age that if you want to protect something, you must have enough power."
This was the first time Wen Ling had heard anyone mention Miao Weizhen's past. He thought of the file on the "Star Shuttle Project" and the girl with the bright smile in the photo.
"Miss Xinglan...what kind of person is she?"
Old Lin was silent for a long time, so long that Wen Ling thought he wouldn't answer. Just as he was about to continue working, Old Lin suddenly spoke: "That girl, her eyes were as bright as stars. She always said that technology should be used to heal, not destroy."
His rough fingers unconsciously rubbed the tool in his hand. "Although Weizhen always had a stern face at that time, his eyes would soften as long as his sister was around."
Wen Ling's heart tightened slightly. He could imagine that scene -
When he was young, Miao Weizhen was not as cold and hard as he is now, and he would show rare tenderness in front of his sister.
"Then," Lao Lin's voice lowered, "on the day of the accident, Weizhen stayed outside the lab for three days and three nights. When the doctor announced that Xinglan would never regain consciousness, he stayed inside alone all night. He came out the next day, a changed man."
Wen Ling thought of the upside-down photo in Miao Weizhen's study, and the fatigue he occasionally showed, and finally understood the source of that heaviness.
That evening, Wen Ling came to Miao Weizhen's lounge. Ever since that kiss, this place had become almost their shared space. Miao Weizhen was reviewing the latest intelligence summary. When he saw him come in, he naturally reached out and pulled him to his side.
"Old Lin told me some things about your past today." Wen Ling leaned on his shoulder and said softly.
Miao Weizhen's body stiffened slightly, but he quickly relaxed. "That old guy has become more talkative."
"He said you wanted to build something that could fly when you were a kid."
Miao Weizhen chuckled, a rare sense of ease in his voice. "Back then, I was ignorant and dismantled half of our hovercraft. My father almost broke my leg."
Wen Ling looked up at him. Under the light, Miao Weizhen's handsome profile looked particularly gentle. He couldn't help but reach out and gently smooth the other's slightly frowned brow.
"Xinglan... She must be very proud of you."
When his sister's name was mentioned, Miao Weizhen's eyes darkened, but he did not avoid the topic.
"She always thinks I'm too serious," he said softly, "and says I overcomplicate things."
"If she saw the Iron Throne now, she would definitely change her mind."
Miao Weizhen turned to look at him, emotions surging in his deep eyes.
"Wen Ling," he suddenly said, "Do you know why I chose you?"
Wen Ling shook her head.
"It's not because of your identity, nor because of your ability." Miao Weizhen's fingers gently stroked his cheek, "It's because in you, I see the possibility that Xing Lan has always believed in - the power to shine in the darkness."
These words moved Wen Ling more than any other love words.
He gazed into Miao Weizhen's deep brown eyes, seeing his own clear reflection there, and also seeing the sincerity that was rarely revealed. He tilted his head slightly and took the initiative to kiss those thin lips that were always tightly pursed but now unusually soft.
This kiss, unlike the previous tentative attempts, was filled with complete trust. Wen Ling's lips pressed gently against his, his tongue cautiously probing inside, as if exploring a precious secret. Miao Weizhen was stunned at first, then took control, clasping his hand at the back of his neck and deepening the kiss. Their breaths mingled, a familiar yet unfamiliar scent between their lips and teeth.
Wen Ling could feel Miao Weizhen's hand sliding to his waist, the warmth through the fabric making him shudder slightly. He took the initiative to unbutton the top two buttons of Miao Weizhen's uniform, his fingertips touching the skin of his collarbone. This bold move made Miao Weizhen's breathing noticeably heavier. He pressed Wen Ling to the bed behind him, and the kiss spread from his lips to the side of his neck, leaving a soft mark there.
"Weizhen..." Wen Ling called his name softly, her voice trembling with emotion.
Just as Miao Weizhen's hand reached into his lapel, the communicator rang at an inopportune moment. Miao Weizhen frowned and took a look. It was an urgent call from Luo Yan.
"Minister, there's new news from the Sailiang capital. Wen Xunyi's condition has rapidly worsened, and several factions within the military have begun openly vying for power. Also..." Luo Yan's voice was filled with a rare hesitation, "We've detected an unusual quantum communication signal. The source is unknown, but the encryption method is very similar to that used by the 'Star Shuttle Project' laboratory."
Miao Weizhen's eyes suddenly became sharp, and the warmth he had just shown disappeared. "Continue monitoring. I'll be right there."
He ended the call and looked at Wen Ling with complicated eyes: "It seems that our troubles are coming again."
Wen Ling held his hand tightly: "I said, let's go together."
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