"Anyway, the General is inherently suspicious. He probably already suspects that I am a spy among spies. I can no longer gain his trust and must fight with my back against the wall!" Zhang Zhiqi's gun was tightly pressed against Cheng Mo Su's temple. She had lost all feeling in her body and could only sense the urgency and tension.
Shangguan Shaoyi's heart trembled in a way that words could not describe. His usual coldness and resilience could not be maintained. Cheng Mo Su was in pain from Zhang Zhiqi's grip, and the tension and fear in her eyes pierced straight into Shangguan Shaoyi's. The large hand holding the gun trembled with anger and frustration, and the fury in his eyes blazed like flames ready to erupt. His finger lightly touched the trigger, aimed at Zhang Zhiqi's head, and through gritted teeth, he spat out a few words, "Let her go!"
"Hmph." Zhang Zhiqi snorted coldly, "How many things can threaten you, Shangguan Lin? I finally caught one; how could I let her go?" His face, full of flesh, quivered with delight. "First, you need to put down your gun. If you accidentally fire while pointing it at me, it won't matter if I get hurt, but if she..." He smiled coldly, looking provocatively at Shangguan Shaoyi. He observed closely and knew the weight Cheng Mo Su held in Shangguan Shaoyi's heart, a weight that Shangguan Shaoyi had yet to realize.
Mo Su...
Snowflakes fell from the sky, but there was a dead silence. Shangguan Shaoyi glared fiercely at him, and Zhang Zhiqi returned the gaze with equal intensity. Their eyes clashed violently in the air, creating powerful waves that swept through the snowflakes, bringing a chill. He couldn't let anything happen to her; she was the one he wanted to protect no matter what. Shangguan Shaoyi's gaze was restrained yet profound as he slowly relaxed his grip and let his hand drop.
"Very good." Zhang Zhiqi laughed loudly, "This woman is indeed important enough to make our cold-hearted Young General willing to put down his gun." As he spoke, his hand suddenly tightened around Cheng Mo Su's neck, choking her throat. Seeing Cheng Mo Su gasping for breath with tear-filled eyes made Shangguan Shaoyi's heart tighten painfully; he wished he could tear him apart right then and there.
Zhang Zhiqi laughed even more arrogantly, "Shangguan Lin, don't be anxious; I will return the beauty to you. It's just that..." He changed his tone and his gaze shifted. "Now you must order the troops to withdraw from Feng Province!"
Shangguan Shaoyi furrowed his sword-like brows, his tall figure shaking violently. Feng Province—the place he had been fighting for even in his dreams—the place where he was born and raised, where his father had passed away.
Gaining Feng Province would be like a tiger returning to its mountain forest; here he could command the nation and wield power freely. If he gave it up, it would not only hurt himself but also harm the generals and soldiers who followed him. But... he closed his eyes, feeling a sharp pain in his heart as images of Cheng Mo Su's clear eyes and smile filled his mind.
She took his hand, her eyes sparkling like blooming lotuses. "The ball has started; dance with me."
Her unique smile shimmered under the moonlight. "That's great... I'm so glad you're not a bad person."
Her tone was stubborn yet charming as she playfully asked, "You have to say I'm beautiful first."
Her clear, stream-like pupils concealed a hidden expectation. "Tonight is New Year's Eve, and according to the old tradition of the Cheng Family, everyone at the Cheng Residence has to have the New Year's Eve dinner together. Of course, you can choose not to come, but... I hope you will..."
A hint of stubbornness flashed in her eyes. "You’ve kept many things from me, and I want to hear you tell me."
Her gaze was as bright as spring water, and her smile serene. "But speaking about these things does indeed make me feel much happier, so Shaoyi, you should also share anything that’s bothering you."
Her already beautiful snow-white skin was tinged with a faint blush. "There’s nothing like that, but... there’s you."
Her Water Eyes shimmered as she grasped his arm. "I’ll stay with you."
The moments of warmth shared in his memories were vividly displayed before him—casual dialogues, unintentional words—already etched in his heart with an indelible mark that made him both enamored and flustered. She had long been imprinted in every detail of his life, becoming the only sweetness in those dark days. Her smile, though calm, was a warm scene that pierced through his heart. Her tears, though transparent, were unforgettable pangs that stirred his emotions. His coldness and confusion appeared dazzling in her eyes; the dimmest corners of his being were illuminated by her presence. Because of her, he felt invigorated and more concerned. Returning to the Barracks, what awaited him was no longer a silent map or the clamor of military affairs, nor the solitude of day after day, but a gentle smile and soft whispers.
He never expected to be so attached to this life—attached to the point of being unable to let go.
"Shangguan Lin, have you made up your mind?" Zhang Chiqi's trigger had been pulled back a few centimeters; just one more millimeter would unleash a fierce flame that would pierce through her skull.
At this life-and-death moment, Cheng Mosu's heart calmed down instead. She secretly made a decision; all her fears, anxieties, and confusion were cast away into the clouds.
She remembered his warmth and the tenderness he only showed her. She didn’t want to burden him or watch him lose what rightfully belonged to him; she didn’t want to put him in a difficult position or let him be criticized by his subordinates. She cherished his embrace, was fascinated by the smell of gunpowder on him, and missed the warmth that slightly revealed itself in his cold gaze when he spoke. Having these was enough...
Cheng Mosu looked deeply at him, making him feel as if it were a farewell for death; without thinking, he called out her name. But it was too late...
She opened her mouth and bit Zhang Chiqi with all her strength. Even someone as tough-skinned as Zhang Chiqi gasped in surprise and grimaced in pain. He tightened his grip around Cheng Mosu's fragile body so she couldn't escape; at that very moment, Cheng Mosu seized his hand. Years of military training caused him to instinctively pull the trigger.
The whole world seemed to freeze.
She could feel Shangguan Shaoyi's gaze on her from behind, piercing through time and space, spreading a sense of sorrow. She could not tell what expression he wore at that moment—was it anger or grief? Were his brows furrowed, and was there reluctance in his eyes? She could no longer know.
"Mo Su!" The overwhelming sorrow shook the heavens and the earth. She felt herself weakly falling backward, blood flowing from her forehead onto her pale face, but she landed in a warm embrace. Before her was that familiar handsome face as if it had come from another world. Shangguan Shaoyi held her tightly, as if trying to merge her into his heart, almost to the point of madness. She stared blankly at him and at Zhang Chiqi, who lay unconscious on the ground.
Shangguan Shaoyi's face was pale, his eyes burning with a fiery intensity as he scrutinized every inch of her skin. She reached up to rub the bloodstains, but it wasn't her own blood; it was Zhang Chiqi's blood that had stained her from behind.
Shangguan Shaoyi's hands rubbed against her smooth skin, creating a tickling sensation as he looked closely for any injuries. Once he confirmed she was unharmed, the tension in his heart slowly eased. His chin rested on the top of her head, and his gaze gradually returned to normal.
Her pupils slowly widened as tears fell drop by drop onto his chest like scorching imprints. He still held her tightly without a hint of loosening his grip, as if letting go would cause her to vanish. After a long while, he finally raised his hand to silently wipe away her tears. His rough hands made her skin sting, but she couldn't bear to interrupt him; she simply watched him confirm again and again that she was still by his side, noticing the redness around his eyes.
"I'm... fine..." she whispered, but he seemed oblivious to her words, focusing intently on her as if just one glance away would make her disappear. He leaned down slightly, his dry lips brushing against her forehead, then her eyelids, then the tip of her nose, and finally landing on her lips. Cheng Mo felt a jolt throughout her body; she only felt a tingling sensation as her breath became heated with his rhythm while her body melted weakly into his embrace.
This was his first kiss with her—long, gentle, intoxicating, and lingering. The warm yet domineering kiss landed on her lips; their hands intertwined quietly, fingers locked together. He slightly increased the pressure; the fragrance between her lips made him unable to resist exploring further. Their lips met, tongues touched; she had long lost all sensation and only felt the heated breath swirling between their lips. As he deepened the kiss, even breathing became increasingly urgent; the surrounding air was instantly drawn away, leaving a dizzying sensation.
It was unclear how long it lasted before he finally released her. She gasped for the air that had been stolen from her moments ago, not daring to look up at him. However, he turned her face toward him so she could meet his serious and profound gaze. Her snow-white skin resembled blooming flowers—vibrant and beautiful beyond compare.
He took her hand with a casual yet earnest smile and said, "Mo Su, let's go home."
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