Ling Ruoke was led into their bedroom again. The bedroom was also wallpapered, a light green with beautiful maple leaves, echoing the colors of the duvet cover, pillowcases, and sheets. She knew that the colonel didn't like patterned bedding, or rather, soldiers generally didn't. But to make her feel at home, he had actually chosen a patterned four-piece bedding set.
On one side of the bed is a wardrobe, and on the other side is a computer desk. A small lamp sits on the desk, its pale green shade particularly adorable. Above the bed hangs a painting of a chubby little baby, sucking its fingers and grinning broadly.
"Do you like it?" Seeing the sparkle in her eyes, Huo Qingfeng felt that all the fuss he had done, even if people laughed at him, was worth it. And let's not forget, he had really gone to great lengths to decorate this home.
Ling Ruoke nodded, tears welling in her eyes. She grinned, turned to look at him, and said, "Huo Qingfeng, how could you do such a good job!"
While the color scheme here certainly isn't perfect, the important thing is how much thought he put into it. He's a grown man, and this kind of work is something he's never been good at. If it weren't for her, he wouldn't have bothered doing it at all. But he did it, putting so much effort into decorating it, just to make her feel like this place is home!
Huo Qingfeng held her waist, feeling that all his efforts had been worthwhile. Just to make her smile, everything was worth it. To win a smile from his beloved, he was willing to humiliate an entire army! If times hadn't changed, he might have acted just as recklessly! "Go lie down in the living room and watch TV. I'll go cook."
"No, I'll do it." He carried her all the way here, so she didn't exert any effort at all and wasn't tired at all. She didn't know what others thought, but she thoroughly enjoyed cooking for her beloved. Throughout the process, she was filled with anticipation and joy, and she loved seeing the satisfaction on his face when he ate the food she had prepared.
Huo Qingfeng smiled and kissed her. Having his wife in his arms—to put it bluntly, it felt fucking amazing! "Then I'll do the work first today, and you can supervise, okay?"
"Alright then. Shall we go out to buy groceries?" Ling Ruoke followed him into the kitchen and saw him open the refrigerator, which was filled with all sorts of ingredients. Soldiers always keep everything neat and tidy, even their refrigerators.
"I've already prepared it!" He didn't want his wife to go through the trouble of buying groceries, so he prepared several days' worth in advance.
Ling Ruoke was deeply moved. She clung to his lean waist, unwilling to let go, like a little tail. "Huo Qingfeng, I love you more and more. I don't want to leave you for a single day, no, not even a second!"
So please take care of yourself and stay safe and sound. As long as you and the children are safe and sound by my side, I have no other requests. I don't ask for much, really not much!
And so, Ling Ruoke began her life in the military. Actually, these days weren't difficult for her. She was always a quiet person, and now she spent her time at home writing and preparing dinner, waiting for her husband to come home so they could eat together. Life was peaceful and fulfilling, and she was quite happy.
She slept soundly in his arms at night, unafraid even if the sky were to fall. Neither the emergency commands of the night nor the clarion calls of the morning could wake her. She would only whimper softly before drifting back into a deep sleep. Because of his scent in the blankets, she slept peacefully, treating any disturbances as lullabies.
Huo Qingfeng would carefully get up each time, and when he saw her whimper and fall asleep again, his eyes would well up with tears. Knowing that she was waiting for him there, he had inexhaustible energy every day, and he could always grin and show his two rows of white teeth when no one was around.
Soon, it was New Year's Eve.
Even before this, Ling Ruoke had already been helping her sister-in-law Cai Yaqin prepare the New Year's Eve feast. Although everyone said that she was pregnant and shouldn't participate, they couldn't dissuade her from doing it, so as long as it wasn't heavy work, they let her do it.
Ling Ruoke was very happy at work; she loved this family-like life. She especially loved the soldiers' enthusiastic greetings of "Sister-in-law" and their wide-eyed grins. It was a place full of passion and warmth; living here, you would never be lonely.
However, she also truly understood what she had seen online before: Just because you're with a soldier doesn't mean you can see each other every day like a normal couple.
That's absolutely true. Because their training is very intense, sometimes they don't return until very late at night, by which time she's already asleep. Sometimes they'll suddenly disappear for a day or two without even a word.
There were also arrangements for New Year's Eve. Everyone would have a reunion dinner together, and there would be entertainment. Some of the entertainment was prepared by these elite soldiers themselves, while some was prepared by their families.
Ling Ruoke was given a chance to sing a solo and perform a piano piece. It's a mystery how they knew she could play the piano! They had sent someone to the performing arts troupe to borrow a piano well in advance; she was determined to perform!
To be honest, Ling Ruoke hadn't touched a piano in a long time, not since the moment her family's misfortune struck. She wanted to refuse, but her sister-in-law Cai Yaqin said: These soldiers train all year round, without even a long vacation, let alone any fun. At least it's the New Year, and many of them can't reunite with their families, so let's prepare some entertainment for them.
Ling Ruoke didn't say a word. Whether the playing was good or bad was one thing; what mattered was the sentiment. If doing something so small could make them happy, why refuse?
She sometimes admired Cai Yaqin, her sister-in-law. No wonder she was the wife of the brigade leader; she had a lot of influence in the family quarters and was exceptionally conscious of her position. Everyone listened to her, and everything she did was done in a group, making it a lively and bustling affair!
Starting on the morning of New Year's Eve, a group of women got busy. Some made dumplings, others washed vegetables; they worked together efficiently and in an orderly manner.
Ling Ruoke thought that it would be cold in winter, so she decided to cook boiled fish herself, add a little chili, and she was sure that she would sweat profusely and feel very comfortable while eating it!
Cai Yaqin's sister-in-law also said that these soldiers are really lucky this year. Ling Ruoke's belly was already showing slightly. For her safety, her sister-in-law originally disagreed, but she couldn't persuade her otherwise.
When Huo Qingfeng heard that his wife was going to help in the kitchen, he arranged for a bodyguard to protect her. Even so, he was still a little worried.
It wasn't until after 7 p.m. that the meal was served. After the dumplings, bowls of boiled fish were brought out one after another, along with other dishes—an unprecedented feast.
The fish were all bought with the help of a few soldiers, paid for by Ruo Ke; it was a huge cartload. She was busy in the kitchen, sweating profusely, but she finally managed to cook the fish, bowl after bowl. Garnished with red chili peppers, it looked festive, and the aroma was so enticing that it made one's mouth water.
The tables in the cafeteria were arranged in neat rows. Although they were a bit narrow, the atmosphere was lively.
The stage was in the center and had already been set up. It certainly couldn't compare to the live performances of the Spring Festival Galas on major TV stations, but some effort had been put into it, and it looked alright.
The first program was a military chorus. The military songs were loud and powerful, resounding throughout the troops, enlivening this cold New Year's Eve and warming everyone's hearts.
Ling Ruoke's seat was arranged next to Huo Qingfeng's. Because Ruoke was pregnant and it was inconvenient for her, she was placed in the second seat in the middle aisle. The first seat was naturally for her colonel, who was there to protect his wife.
Looking at the bowls of boiled fish being served one after another, watching the soldiers eat with gusto and sweat pouring down their faces, and then at his wife's rosy cheeks, Huo Qingfeng almost burst into tears. Damn it, he, Huo Qingfeng, had really married a gem!
Right now, a skit is being performed on stage. And you know what? These soldiers are quite the comedians, earning thunderous applause.
Ling Ruoke was watching intently when she felt a burning gaze beside her. Following her intuition, she looked up and saw a rather young and pretty girl in military uniform staring at her. She paused for a moment, then understood. The colonel's womanizing ways had returned! She didn't know whether to be happy about the colonel's irresistible charm or to be annoyed, so she simply ignored it.
"What's wrong?" Huo Qingfeng looked at his wife with concern. If everyone else wasn't there, he would have liked to kiss her.
Ling Ruoke smiled sweetly. "No, I think spending the New Year in the army is great. Everyone is so enthusiastic and dedicated; it's much more enjoyable than having New Year's Eve dinner in a five-star hotel, isn't it?"
Huo Qingfeng's heart softened, and he longed to hold her tightly in his arms. He couldn't resist secretly wrapping his arm around her waist, wanting to touch her belly, but her clothes were too thick. "That's because I have such a lovely military wife like my wife, that's why everyone is so happy."
Ling Ruoke smiled even more sweetly. "Then you have to treat me well when you get back." She was now used to acting coquettishly with him and liked the way he pampered her.
"Okay, whatever my wife says goes." The colonel always readily agreed.
Halfway through the New Year's Eve dinner, it was Ling Ruoke's turn to perform. So she went to the restroom and had her sister-in-law, Cai Yaqin, accompany her to change her clothes. Of course, she wouldn't change into an evening gown or anything like that; there weren't any available, and it wouldn't be suitable for her.
Ling Ruoke wore thermal underwear underneath, with black pants that showed off her long, slender legs. She wore a turtleneck sweater over a red coat and fur-lined leather shoes. Although the outfit wasn't particularly fashionable, she was beautiful and had great skin, so she looked quite radiant.
The host was already reciting his lines when he added a very interesting sentence at the end: "Those fragrant pots of boiled fish in front of you were all made by this beautiful lady herself!"
The piano was placed in the center of the stage. When Ling Ruoke gracefully arrived and sat down behind it, she placed her hands on the piano, looked up, and smiled radiantly. Instantly, the entire audience erupted in applause.
Huo Qingfeng was completely dumbfounded when he saw his wife go on stage. He had never inquired about the program list for New Year's Eve, nor had his wife mentioned that she was going to perform.
Ling Ruoke's first performance was a piano solo, "Serenade," accompanied by female dancers from the cultural troupe.
Actually, piano music is such an elegant genre that most people don't really appreciate it. It's bound to be highbrow and have limited appeal. But what's important is the intention. They probably just wanted to enrich the program's content.
As the last melodious note faded, Ling Ruoke looked up and smiled brightly again, then slowly stood up. "Some people asked me if it was hard to marry a soldier. Some people asked me if I was afraid of the hardships of life with a soldier. In any case, I got married, and I came here. I don't know where their thoughts came from, but standing here now, I feel very happy and content."
Ling Ruoke's gaze swept across the room, quickly finding the colonel's position. He was quite far away, so she couldn't clearly see his expression. But she knew he was watching her, so she smiled through her tears.
"My request is not much, and I think all military families don't ask for much either. We only hope that you are safe, healthy, and happy. Wherever you go, whatever you do, whenever you come back, as long as you return safely to our side, we will have enough courage to face all the difficulties and obstacles in life! In the end, I just want to say one thing to my husband and to all soldiers: Please take care of yourselves for our sake!"
Thunderous applause erupted. Many people were already moved to tears.
Perhaps the brothers and sisters in the cultural troupe had already said this during their performances. But the feelings and meanings behind these words are different when they come from them versus from a woman accompanying a soldier in the army.
Ling Ruoke chose the song "I Am a Star on Your Shoulder." She thought about it for a very long time before choosing this song; every lyric resonated with her heart. Taking a deep breath, she slowly sang along with the music:
Your steps toward military service were resolute and unwavering.
My figure followed behind me.
Your watchful gaze is resolute and steady.
Let the world be filled with warmth
…
I wish to be a star on your shoulder.
The glorious years will help you overcome all obstacles.
Know each other, accompany each other, rely on each other and stay together
You are the most radiant light in my life.
…
Your weathered voice is loud and magnetic.
Your words revealed your unwavering loyalty.
Your strong chest is hot and burning.
Let peace fill the land, sea, air and space
…
I am a star on your shoulder.
We'll stand by you through thick and thin.
Longing, yearning, loving, cherishing
I am the most beautiful scenery in your life.
(over)
Ling Ruoke's voice was already beautiful, and she sang with exceptional emotion. Even through the microphone, you could feel that she was singing with tears in her eyes. She wasn't just singing the lyrics; she was singing about her own feelings.
A song that softened even the toughest men, bringing tears to everyone's eyes. Ling Ruoke, the singer, practically sang the entire song through tears. Before, she might have simply thought the song was beautiful, but now, as a military wife, she understands the unspeakable emotions behind every lyric.
Captain Gao E said to his wife, "That Huo Qingfeng really hit the jackpot!" His wife gave him a glare, and he immediately added, "Of course, I hit the jackpot too."
Cai Yaqin chuckled, and tears streamed down her face as she laughed.
Huo Qingfeng had been holding back for a long time. As the last note faded away, he rushed onto the stage like a machine gun, scooping up his wife, his precious treasure!
He was always worried that life with his wife in the military would be too difficult, and that she wouldn't be happy. But his young wife adapted very well, or rather, she made a concerted effort to integrate into this large family for his sake. Yes, she integrated into this family, rather than forcing herself to adapt!
Many people's love for special forces soldiers stems from their perceived glamorous image, but in reality, special forces soldiers are people who risk their lives. As their families, we live in constant worry! His wife is just a 26-year-old girl, yet she is willing to stay in these mountains, watching the sunrise and sunset, accompanying him as he dedicates his youth and passion.
"No matter where you go, no matter what you do, no matter when you return, as long as you come back to us safely in the end, we will have enough courage to face all the difficulties and obstacles in life!" This is not just a sentimental statement; it is a sincere and strong heart, and an unwavering vow!
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