The next morning, everyone left.
Before Yang Ziyun went through security, she held her hand and told her, "Take good care of yourself. Mom is waiting for your good news."
Grandpa chuckled and said, "Ruoke, little girl, come home and play chess with Grandpa whenever you have time."
The general awkwardly uttered six words—"Take good care of yourself!"
Xiao Fu'an threw a tantrum and refused to leave, crying and making a scene in the airport lobby. Huo Qingfeng had to put in some effort to calm him down, and he obediently boarded the plane with Yuan Meng.
Ling Ruoke saw two groups of people off at the airport, watching the planes streak across the wind, feeling an indescribable loneliness. If it weren't for the warm embrace behind her, she would have definitely cried. She hated the feeling of parting, yet it seemed like she was always saying goodbye.
"Don't think about it anymore, let's go home. Your husband will be with you, okay?" Huo Qingfeng put his arm around her waist and kissed her cheek.
Ling Ruoke looked up at the tenderness on his face and nodded gently. Turning around, disregarding the bustling airport, she tightly hugged his waist. She was terrified of parting, so terrified! "Huo Qingfeng, you'll always be by my side, won't you?"
She's not actually that strong; she gets scared too, she just doesn't dare show it! No matter how strong she is, she's still just one person. She needs others to support her so she can become even stronger.
Huo Qingfeng gently brushed his chin against her hair. "Ruoke, don't be afraid, I'll always be with you! No matter what happens, I'll never let go of your hand!"
Ling Ruoke buried her face in his chest and inhaled deeply. Knowing he would be by her side made the many separations to come seem less frightening.
On her way home, Ling Ruoke wanted to go to the company. She was worried that if she didn't show up soon, the employees would think that she, the boss, had run away. She had already taken the time to do the document review and such, but she still needed to make an appearance.
Huo Qingfeng then drove to the company building. "Do you want me to come up with you?"
"No need, I'll only stay for a little while. Wait for me in the car, I'll be right there." He jumped out of the car and ran towards the elevator.
No one in the company knew about Ling Ruoke's kidnapping, so everyone just assumed she had been absent for a few days due to family matters. She entered the office and found everything proceeding smoothly, which reassured her. Sitting in the front row, Mei Yanting was dressed in a stunning autumn outfit from a fashion boutique, looking exceptionally radiant; the pink color made her skin appear particularly beautiful.
Ling Ruoke smiled slightly and tapped the table. "It seems like you have a very happy married life."
Mei Yanting exclaimed, then grinned broadly. "No one is as happy as Sister Ximeng! Sister Ximeng is the happiest!"
Ling Ruoke didn't try to compete with her in terms of happiness; she simply smiled and went to look at each person in turn. Finally, she stopped at Xia Mo's spot, crossing her arms and looking at her general. "Everything as usual?"
"Everything is as usual," Xia Mo replied with a smile, adding, "But you're such a seldom-showing boss. Be careful, or I might run away with everyone one day."
Ling Ruoke raised an eyebrow and asked, "Are the men slaves and the women concubines?"
Xia Mo chuckled, then quickly covered her mouth. The others nearby heard this and began to chatter in protest. The girls were alright, but the boys were particularly loud; they certainly didn't want to be slaves.
Ling Ruoke chatted with them for a while, and after confirming that everything was alright, she came out again. She realized that she wasn't particularly concerned about the company; perhaps she wasn't the type of woman who was very career-driven. If it weren't for company matters making her life more fulfilling when the colonel wasn't home, she might have been even lazier.
Huo Qingfeng was surprised to find that his wife had come downstairs with a furrowed brow. "Wife, what's wrong?"
"Honey, am I too unambitious?" Logically speaking, with the company doing so well, most people would be focused on expanding the scale, but she doesn't seem to be like that.
Huo Qingfeng raised an eyebrow. "Why would you think that?"
Ling Ruoke pursed her lips, thinking seriously. Then she rested her head on the seat and looked at him. "I don't think I have any grand ambitions to build an empire in my career, nor have I tried to work in that direction."
"If you may, what is your understanding of a career?"
Ling Ruoke thought for a moment and shook her head seriously.
Huo Qingfeng smiled indulgently. "Many people have a one-sided understanding of career. Most people think that if I can make a lot of money and start a company, that's career success. But that's not the case. A career can be very big or very small. Its definition is general; there's no specific direction. It all depends on the person involved to explore and determine it. So, it's not about how big you want to expand your company or how much profit you want to make. Let me ask you again, if you don't want to build an empire in your career, what kind of life do you want?"
Ling Ruoke turned her gaze away from his face and looked at the distant, misty mountain peaks. "I think my family, my children, and my husband are the most important things. I'll only think about working if I can take good care of them. If I'm home alone, I don't mind working overtime even if I'm busy, but if you're home, I don't want to work overtime. If we have children, I think I'll spend even less time at the company!"
Huo Qingfeng reached out and patted her head. "Ruoke, I don't think there's anything wrong with you being like this. It's not that I like my woman to revolve solely around me and the children, but if this is the lifestyle you want, then there's nothing wrong with it. You see, you're not completely indifferent to the company; you're very serious about every project, you're very thoughtful about how to motivate your employees, and so on. In fact, the company's performance is improving and its scale is expanding, all thanks to your hard work. You're not as career-driven as other women, but you're not a woman who has accomplished nothing, are you?"
"When you put it that way, I feel like I'm actually quite successful." Ling Ruoke chuckled foolishly.
Huo Qingfeng couldn't help but laugh. "You're already quite capable. A woman who can take good care of her family and do her job well is already very successful. You know how many women neglect their families for their careers, and how many women give up their careers for their families. You manage to balance both, and do them both very well, and most importantly, you're happy."
Ling Ruoke grabbed his large hand and gently rubbed her face against his palm. "Huo Qingfeng, I think you're a debater or a psychologist!"
"I told you long ago, your husband is a genius!" He raised his chin and arched his eyebrows, looking very smug.
Ling Ruoke giggled, not mocking his vanity. She genuinely thought her colonel was truly remarkable.
"If possible."
"Um?"
He spread his large hand and clasped it with hers. "I'm so glad that family is the most important thing to you. I'm also so glad to hear you say that you like this kind of life."
He feared that she aspired to great things in her career, and that his profession would limit her aspirations.
Ling Ruoke's heart softened at his words, and her nose tingled a little. "That's because I have a wonderful husband who loves me very much. Otherwise, I would also be like those women, trying to prove myself through career success."
Life is short, only a few decades; it passes in the blink of an eye. The world of business is vast; even the world's top company owner has only ventured into a small part of it. If you sacrifice a happy family for your career, you will surely regret it when you reach a certain age.
Back home, Ling Ruoke brought out her computer, connected it to the TV, and watched horror movies! She didn't actually like watching horror movies, but she liked the feeling of seeking safety in his arms after being scared.
Their living room is very large, so the flat-screen TV is quite small. Watching a horror movie on such a large screen would terrify anyone.
Before the terrifying scene even appeared, Ling Ruoke had already nestled comfortably in Huo Qingfeng's arms. His warm body heat seeped through her clothes, making her feel safe.
Snacks were laid out on the coffee table that had been dragged over, and she nestled comfortably, enjoying the food her husband fed her. She didn't let out a single scream until the movie ended. "Wow, I'm not scared at all anymore!"
Huo Qingfeng pinched her cheek helplessly. "You've been nestled in your husband's arms all morning, completely protected. It would be strange if you were still afraid!"
Ling Ruoke stretched out her limbs in his arms, lying down and looking at him, giggling foolishly. She thought to herself, with you, I'm not afraid to watch horror movies anymore; with you, I'm not afraid of the future, even though I can't predict what will happen.
The two of them went to buy the groceries for dinner hand in hand, which made all the middle-aged women at the market stare in amazement. Everyone who knew Ruoke greeted her warmly, constantly saying how well-matched the two of them were.
Emerging from the market, Huo Qingfeng carried groceries in one hand and had his arm around his wife's slender waist with the other. "Honey," he said, "I've noticed you're quite famous among those older folks."
“I show up almost every day, and I always buy vegetables from those elderly people’s stalls. After seeing them so often, I naturally got to know them.”
"My wife is so virtuous!"
Dinner was prepared by Huo Qingfeng, while Ling Ruoke moved her computer to the living room to write. Listening to the sounds coming from the kitchen, she felt a sense of peace, and her thoughts flowed freely.
"Honey, dinner's ready."
Ling Ruoke had just finished typing the sentence when the colonel called for dinner. She closed her laptop, ran over, hugged the colonel from behind, and rubbed against him forcefully.
Huo Qingfeng set out the bowls and chopsticks, and pulled out a chair. Then he pulled her out from behind, leaned down to kiss her, and pressed her into the chair. "Are you hungry? Eat quickly."
Ling Ruoke sat in the chair, swinging her legs like a child. She tilted her head back, waiting for him to serve her food.
Huo Qingfeng placed a piece of food in her bowl with his chopsticks, looking at her cute and playful appearance, and felt a pang of emotion. She had always acted kind, considerate, and generous, almost making him forget that she was nearly a decade younger than him, and strictly speaking, still a girl who had just grown up. If her parents hadn't died young, she might still be a carefree and innocent girl, instead of a wife.
He was making dinner in the kitchen just now, and the thought of her spending every day alone in this huge house, cooking, eating, and sleeping all by herself, made him realize how lonely she must be. He's a man, so it's not a big deal for him, but for a woman, this kind of life is terrifying. He even wondered if she was too scared to sleep at night in this empty house.
He took a deep breath, controlling his emotions, and looked at her with affection as she ate her meal with her head down. This girl had given him the most beautiful years of her youth, entrusted her entire life to him, and he had to cherish her!
My heart softened, and I couldn't help but reach out and pat her head.
Ling Ruoke, with chopsticks in her mouth, looked at him with some surprise. "What's wrong?"
"It's alright, come and eat. Is it good?"
Ling Ruoke smiled, her eyes crinkling. "Yes, my husband's cooking is the best." She tilted her head, looking especially adorable.
"Of course, your husband is a genius." As he spoke, he put another piece of food on her plate.
"Hehe." Ling Ruoke chuckled and helped him pick up some food. "You should eat too, it won't taste as good when it gets cold."
"good."
After dinner, Huo Qingfeng helped Ruoke to rest on the sofa while he went inside to clean up the kitchen.
Ling Ruoke sat for a while, then darted inside again. She hugged his waist from behind, clinging to him like a little tail. She even followed his footsteps as she walked, which looked quite amusing.
A tall, imposing man and a petite, lovely woman. The man is busy with his hands, but he occasionally turns to look at the woman, his expression tender. The woman looks up at him, her smile as radiant as a spring breeze. The scene is warm and happy.
After finishing up, the two of them held hands and took a walk around the neighborhood to digest their food.
It was late autumn, and the wind was a bit chilly. Huo Qingfeng pulled the person close, sharing their body heat. Most of the time, they didn't speak, just quietly enjoying the atmosphere.
As I passed a villa, I witnessed a couple arguing. The woman, carrying her belongings, had already rushed past the door when her child ran out, clinging to his mother's leg and crying, begging her not to leave.
Ling Ruoke knew this was someone else's family matter, so she quickly pulled Huo Qingfeng away. But even in that short time, she still figured out the main reason—the man was cheating on her; he had a mistress!
Ling Ruoke slowed down after walking quite a distance.
Huo Qingfeng, who was being pulled along by her, couldn't help but chuckle. "Wife, people who don't know the situation will think you're the culprit. Why are you running away?"
Ling Ruoke pouted and glared at him. "I'm not like that! I hate mistresses the most! Why would you want to destroy someone else's family when you can live a good life? And those kinds of men are awful too, they should just take a pair of scissors and cut them up!"
She spoke with righteous indignation, and Huo Qingfeng couldn't help but laugh again. "This kind of thing can't be explained in a few words. The man is wrong, the mistress is wrong, and the wife isn't necessarily entirely without fault either. Even an upright judge can't settle family disputes, so let's not get involved."
"I don't care, you can't do that!" She grabbed his clothes and argued with him.
Huo Qingfeng put his arm around her waist and kissed her cheek. "When you encounter something like this, don't take it personally. That's not good, you know? You can't use the substitution method in life, otherwise your thinking will easily become extreme."
"I know, I was just kidding." Ling Ruoke had never truly doubted her colonel; she was the kind of person who, once she loved someone, trusted them completely. Of course, she could get jealous sometimes.
Huo Qingfeng pecked her lips. "Good girl. Let's not overthink things. My heart is only for my wife. I wouldn't even bother to look at other women."
Ling Ruoke looked up at him and smiled, her smile as radiant as a flower.
"Are we still going around in circles?" The neighborhood is quite large; they've already circled it once.
Ling Ruoke pouted. "Let's not go around in circles anymore, let's go home. You can carry me."
Huo Qingfeng bent down and carried her on his back. Many people, especially the elderly, came out for a walk after dinner. They all smiled when they saw the couple.
At first, Ling Ruoke felt embarrassed, but later she began to enjoy it. This broad back was hers, this shoulder she could lean on was hers. Resting her chin on his shoulder, she felt as if she possessed the whole world.
Back home, they played and cuddled together in the bathroom until it was late at night before they got to bed.
Ling Ruoke nestled against Huo Qingfeng's chest, half asleep. But one of his words jolted her awake.
"Honey, I have to go back to my unit tomorrow," Huo Qingfeng said with difficulty. It was the last thing he wanted to say, but as a special forces soldier, he always had to tell his wife this. For him, it was just a struggle to say it; for her, it was torture every time.
As soon as he spoke, the person in his arms immediately raised their upper body and looked at him with wide eyes. They paused for a moment, then realized they shouldn't have acted that way, so they forced a smile. "Then be careful, I'll wait for you to come home."
Huo Qingfeng felt a sharp pang in his heart. He reached out and stroked her face, the delicate touch under his palm softening his heart even more. "Ruo Ke, you don't have to force yourself to be so sensible. You can even cry and make a scene to stop me from leaving." If she were a little more willful, perhaps he would feel better.
Ling Ruoke smiled, her eyes brimming with tears. "Even if I cry and make a fuss, you still have to go back to the team. And I don't want to make a fuss either. I just want you to go back to the team peacefully and come home safely."
She doesn't ask for much; as long as she knows he'll be with her for the rest of her life, she'll have enough strength to face the loneliness and solitude of guarding her home alone.
Huo Qingfeng took a breath, suppressing his surging emotions. "I told you I wanted to change careers. If I can't do it right now, won't you be very disappointed?"
Ling Ruoke shook her head. "We're just discussing it; we haven't reached a decision yet. I know you make decisions carefully, and there must be important reasons behind them. I trust you."
He respected her, cherished her, and was even willing to give up his career for her; she was content with that. Often, thinking and doing are different. Thinking is limitless, but doing is often constrained by many things.
"What a silly girl!" Huo Qingfeng hugged her tightly and kissed her twice forcefully. His thumb traced the back of her eyes, gazing into those watery pupils. "Ruoke, give me some time, I'll definitely do well!"
Ling Ruoke smiled sweetly. "Okay."
Forehead to forehead, hearts intertwined. Together we believe that life will only get better.
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