Chapter 182 I guard my home, and I also guard your light.
He subconsciously raised his hand, his fingertips trembling slightly, as if he wanted to brush away a strand of hair that had been ruffled by the wind from her cheek, but he stopped in mid-air, as if afraid of being abrupt to her.
His fingers curled slightly, but in the end, they simply fell back to his side solemnly, clenched into a fist, and then slowly relaxed.
"I admire and appreciate your abilities."
He repeated, his voice calmer yet more forceful than before, "But what I want to keep watching, follow, and keep in my heart is you."
A cool breeze swept through the empty factory area, carrying the faint sounds of work chants and the crisp clanging of metal in the distance.
His words sounded exceptionally clear against this background noise.
"It's Xu Zhili, the one whose eyes light up and who can't help but laugh out loud when she single-handedly repairs an old, worn-out spinning machine."
"It's Xu Zhili, who occasionally gets hurt by someone who doesn't know any better, and secretly frowns and feels sad, but when she turns around and sees that the other person is in trouble, she can't help but lend a hand."
"Xu Zhili, who clearly struggles to make ends meet and finds it difficult to save up meat and oil coupons, always thinks about making braised pork for her growing younger brother, and is happier seeing him eat it than if she ate it herself..."
The last rays of the setting sun struggled to penetrate the mottled glass windows of the tall factory building next to him, falling obliquely on his broad shoulders and straight back, enveloping him in a warm but soon-to-dissipate halo.
His voice was very soft, as if afraid of disturbing something, yet it carried an unmistakable, rock-solid seriousness and warmth.
"Being with you, even if it's just sitting side by side on the edge of the field after work, or standing silently like this, makes me feel especially at ease and secure."
"It's like... it's like my heart, which has been adrift for so long, has finally found a place to settle down."
He paused, his gaze calmly meeting her eyes. "This feeling has nothing to do with your abilities, it only has to do with who you are, my Ali."
Xu Zhili felt her heart skip a beat, as if she had been gently bumped by something warm and hot. A flush of heat rose uncontrollably to her face, and even her ears burned.
Her hands, hanging by her sides, unconsciously clenched the hem of her brand-new dress, her fingertips trembling slightly.
Xu Zhili looked up at him and saw Xie Yunze's eyes burning with a seriousness and earnestness that she had never seen before, almost overflowing, as well as a trace of nervousness that he tried to suppress but still revealed.
Xie Yunze's jawline was taut, and his Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily.
Her heart skipped a beat, and she held her breath slightly. The lingering hum of the surrounding machines and the distant noise seemed to fade away instantly, leaving only his deep breathing and her own pounding heartbeat in the world.
"Xie Yunce..."
Xu Zhili softly called Xie Yunce's name, her voice carrying a softness and panic that she herself was unaware of, like a feather gently brushing against her heart.
"Isn't it... a bit too early to say these things now?"
She instinctively tried to shrink back a little, her feet shifting slightly, but he seemed to freeze her in place, unable to move an inch.
Xie Yunze resolutely took another small step forward, shortening the distance between them once again. The faint scent of soap and a very faint smell of engine oil could be faintly detected on his body.
His gaze was fixed on her, not allowing her to look away: "It's not too late. I've already seen through my own feelings, and I'm absolutely certain of them. I also know that you deserve the best treatment and the most dedicated protection."
He took a deep breath, as if to suppress his surging emotions and bring the topic back to reality, but it was more like a heavy and sincere promise.
"Whether you want to modify the car or not, it's up to you. But if you want to, I'll go with you."
His voice was deep and powerful: “Whatever materials or procedures you need, I’ll run them, I’ll work on them. If we encounter any problems, we’ll figure them out together, stay up all night together. No matter how difficult or dangerous it is, I will always stand in front of you and protect you. I will never let you face it alone.”
His words resonated powerfully, echoing in the twilight as the sun set and a gentle breeze rose. They struck Xu Zhili's heart heavily, each word striking a ripple.
Xu Zhili listened quietly, and the panic she had just felt was gradually replaced by a complex emotion.
She lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes casting a small shadow beneath them. After a moment of silence, she spoke softly, her tone carrying a complex mix of clarity and emotion: "Xie Yunce, you are very good, really."
She looked up at him, her gaze clear and bright. "But I have to interrupt you. You are so young, with a bright future ahead of you. You shouldn't be dragged down by me—my family background is not good, that's an obvious fact."
"Once... once you're really together, your path to promotion and your future will become much more difficult, and may even come to a standstill. Have you really thought through these real-world issues? Aren't you bothered at all?"
Her voice was soft, yet it struck the air between them like a hammer.
Xie Yunze's heart skipped a beat, as if it had been hit hard by something, feeling both sore and swollen.
He gazed intently into Xu Zhili's clear yet worried eyes, his Adam's apple bobbing violently, his chest surging with indescribable emotions.
"My future and my abilities have never been given to me by the opinions of others or by so-called 'smooth sailing'."
His voice suddenly rose a little, carrying the unique strength and unquestionable determination of a soldier: "My achievements are earned by my own sweat, blood, and even life. I have my pride and my ambitions."
His eyes were sharp as an eagle's, as if piercing through the twilight before him and returning to those glorious years.
"In the days and nights of defending our country, on the dusty training grounds, and in every post guarding our mountains and rivers,"
His voice deepened, each word seeming to be ground from his chest: “I have always firmly believed that ‘loyalty’ is not only about ideals, but also about one’s own choices. It is a vow engraved in my bones and blood, more important than any external label.”
His voice was a little louder than before, carrying the unique fortitude of a soldier and a rare touch of gentleness.
“I used to think that protecting the country was everything, and my heart was filled with the lights of thousands of homes. But after coming back from this vacation and seeing you, seeing Ali, who is still confident, intelligent, and resilient in the face of adversity, with a light in her eyes, I slowly began to understand…”
He paused, his gaze fixed on her, as if trying to see through and melt away her hesitation and unease.
"The 'home' I protect is not only the land beneath my feet and the family behind me, but also the place where you stand, and you yourself. What I want to protect also includes your light and warmth."
I guard my home, and I also guard your light.
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