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Cheng Mo held a censer in her hands to warm them, her black hair styled into a bun with a silver hairpin. She wore a newly made cream-colored Qipao, and her earlobes were adorned with a pair of sea-colored round earrings. A pearl necklace graced her neck, and her smile was simple and serene, with eyes as clear as water. Growing up in a wealthy family, she naturally loved to dress up, never repeating outfits or jewelry. Having just settled in New Beicheng, she took advantage of Shangguan Shaoyi's downtime to persuade Xiao Zuo to accompany her while she purchased some clothing.
Upon returning to the camp, she inevitably faced Shen Mingliang's disdainful gaze. "Today's women are getting more and more revealing; the slit of the Qipao is almost up to the waist. And don't go running around unnecessarily; I don't want you leaking any information." Cheng Mo smiled quietly. Shen Mingliang was straightforward and blunt, but he was also honest and kind, which made him less annoying.
She gently placed an item on the table and smiled brightly, "Yes, I apologize for troubling Deputy Officer Shen. I not only bought clothes but also browsed a bookstore and picked up a few books for everyone. This one is for you, Deputy Officer Shen." Just as Shen Mingliang was about to refuse, his gaze froze on the book. It was a military strategy book filled mostly with illustrations and easy-to-understand text, making it quite accessible.
"Ahem." He cleared his throat and reached for the book, tucking it into his chest. A faint blush appeared beneath his dark skin. "Um, thank you."
"You're welcome. This book isn't like other military texts that are difficult to understand; its content is vivid and suitable for someone like Deputy Officer Shen who doesn't sweat the small stuff. I'm just giving a good book to a good person; it's actually this book that should be thanked for finding someone like you who appreciates it." She continued to smile lightly, giving Shen Mingliang face with her words.
"Well... Miss Cheng is too kind." He stopped mentioning Cheng Mo's outing and took the book back to study.
Cheng Mo smiled and sat down with another book in hand, engrossed in reading without noticing when Shangguan Shaoyi came over and sat beside her with a smile, asking, "What are you reading?"
His sudden voice wasn't jarring; she closed the book and handed it over for him to see the cover, which surprised him. "The Classic of Mountains and Seas? I thought you only read foreign literature."
"I occasionally read classical texts as well, but that bookstore didn't have much selection, so I ended up choosing this one."
"The first volume of The Classic of Mountains and Seas contains some interesting things about 'food.' To me, it's quite fascinating: 'Eating does not satiate hunger; eating allows one to walk well; eating does not allow one to lie down.'" His smile lingered on his face; though handsome and upright, he seemed somewhat melancholic. "People back then lived so simply; as long as they ate well each day, they had no other worries. Now, aside from food, everything else is a worry."
Cheng Mo's gaze faltered slightly. Shangguan Shaoyi had always been strong and indifferent, speaking little; suddenly saying such things left her at a loss for how to respond. Shangguan Shaoyi smiled at her again, his features becoming even sharper and clearer. "I misspoke. Nowadays, with wars raging everywhere and corpses from starvation scattered across the land, I forgot that many people even worry about food."
"If there were no more wars one day, how wonderful that would be," Cheng Mo said softly as she lowered her head.
"There will be a day." A glimmer of determination flashed in Shangguan Shaoyi's eyes, and Cheng Mo felt as if his gaze was fixed on some distant place, burning hot, as if it could ignite at any moment. In a daze, she heard him continue, "I will definitely make that day come!"
At that moment, Cheng Mo realized that his ambitions were not limited to the Northeast but encompassed the entire world.
Thinking of this made her feel as if something had gently brushed against her heart. Without thinking, she blurted out, "I believe in you. I will always be by your side watching..." Only after saying this did she realize what she had revealed, inadvertently laying bare her hidden feelings before him. Cheng Mo's face turned as red as spring peaches, and she dared not look into Shaoyi's eyes again, hurriedly changing the subject. "Um... by the way, Shaoyi, do you have any siblings?"
Before he could recover from her earlier bold declaration, he heard her change the topic. Shangguan Shaoyi smiled and didn't want to make her feel awkward, continuing with her question: "I have an older sister. What about you? Is your father only blessed with one daughter?"
"Not really." She thought for a moment; although family matters shouldn't be casually shared with others, she couldn't bring herself to lie to Shaoyi. "I have an older brother."
"Really? I've been at Cheng Residence for so long and have never seen him."
"My brother lives in America with his mother," Cheng Mo said quietly. The cold light illuminated half of her face while casting the other half in shadow. She paused for a moment before finally continuing, "My father developed feelings for a female student he met while studying in America and had my brother. Later, when the Republic was established and talents were needed, my father returned for the country, but my brother and his mother didn't want to come back and stayed in America."
Shangguan Shaoyi listened quietly to these things she had never mentioned before, feeling that she seemed delicate and ethereal, almost transparent. Cheng Mo looked up and silently smiled at him; her quiet smile seeped into his gaze. Cheng Mo froze for a moment and shyly said, "Why am I telling you all this? You must not be interested in hearing it; I really am foolish."
"You tell it, and I will listen." His tone was incredibly serious.
Cheng Mo looked into his warm yet cool eyes and felt as if all the strength she had bottled up for over a decade was about to be released in an instant. "Later when my father returned to China, he actually never married that woman in America. So he came back and married my mother. When I was very young, my mother found out about this and... jumped into the river..." Tears shimmered faintly in her eyes, making him desperately want to hold her close and protect her. Yet she smiled gently and calmly, "My father thinks I don't know these things; no one has mentioned them for so many years. But I do know. Children may not understand adult matters but are quite perceptive. From the way he spoke about my mother, from his phone calls with contacts in America, from his drunken ramblings occasionally, I understood everything clearly." Tears finally fell down her cheeks, piercing straight into Shangguan Shaoyi's heart.
Cheng Mo quietly wiped away her tears and regained her gentle smile. "But even so, I don't hate my father at all. I no longer have a mother; if I were to hate the only family member left in this world, that would be too pitiful." Her eyes sparkled like clear springs, and her smile was serene. "Talking about these things does indeed make me feel much better. So Shaoyi, you should also share anything that's bothering you."
Shangguan Shaoyi felt warmth in his heart. He had grown up following his father on campaigns, developing a silent demeanor where all worries were swallowed within himself. Now it felt like he had someone to confide in for the first time. His tightly knit brows relaxed slightly; though he spoke jokingly, Cheng Mo sensed his seriousness. "Then you might have to listen for three days and three nights."
He reached out and pulled Cheng Mo Su up with his strength. The coldness on her face gradually faded, replaced by a rebellious smile. "You can tell me your troubles; as long as you speak, I will listen. But if I can't solve my own problems, how can I protect you and this world?" His gun pointed straight at the sky, as if it were going to pierce through the heavens.
He turned and pulled Cheng Mo Su into his embrace. In a daze, she heard the sound of their hearts beating wildly, feeling enveloped by the lingering scent of gunpowder. His distinct and handsome features filled her vision. The night deepened, and the half-moon in the sky cast a faint light upon them. He tightened his grip on her arm, listening as her breathing gradually slowed from rapid to calm, sensing her fragrance subtly surrounding him. Reluctantly, he released his hold. Cheng Mo Su felt shy and couldn't look at him, her fair skin blushing lightly, while the curve of her lips was soft and delicate. He gently ruffled her hair and said softly, "Mo Su, thank you."
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