Chapter 28: Gratitude

Li Qiang woke up feeling a bit better, but the fatigue hadn't completely disappeared.

He remained habitually vigilant, not completely relaxed.

He stepped out of his room to get some fresh air.

Just then, he saw a familiar figure approaching from the direction of the forest.

It was Li Yaqin, carrying a full basket on her back, overflowing with various wild vegetables and fruits.

She looked like she'd had a very fruitful harvest.

Li Qiang's eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at the fresh vegetables and fruits.

This Li Yaqin seemed to have adapted to life here better than he'd imagined.

Indeed, she wasn't timid enough to come here with such a risky plan?

A smart person is good, a smart person is easier to use.

Li Yaqin was his sister, that didn't stop him from using her.

To achieve his goals!

Li Yaqin's ability to gather so much meant she had indeed been in the mountains for the past few days.

However, he couldn't completely rule out other motives.

Li Qiang naturally knew the situation in the mountains—the wild vegetables and fruits, and the dangers lurking deep within.

He looked at Li Yaqin, his eyes filled with concern and a barely perceptible hint of inquiry.

“You’re back? Be extra careful when you go into the mountains and forests,” Li Qiang instructed, his voice deep and firm, carrying the unique authority of a soldier.

“Yes, I know, brother,” Li Yaqin nodded obediently, a sweet smile on her face, like a dutiful younger sister.

Now was not the time to break ties with Li Qiang.

At least until she could repay his life-saving debt, she still needed to rely on him.

After all, Li Qiang had played a crucial role in allowing her to settle down safely in this unfamiliar military compound.

Li Yaqin knew very well that Li Qiang wasn’t as indifferent as he seemed about her going into the mountains to gather wild vegetables.

He probably already guessed something, but just hadn’t said it aloud.

"Go cook," Li Qiang said, feeling a pang of hunger. He instructed his sister to prepare a meal.

"Okay," Li Yaqin replied, turning to head towards the kitchen.

Her steps faltered slightly, as if she were somewhat reluctant, but she quickly resumed her normal pace.

These days of constant chores were becoming unbearable; she was beginning to miss the leisurely life she had in modern times.

Li Yaqin secretly thought that once the Zhao family's affairs were settled, she would definitely take a good rest and never have to work so hard again.

The setting sun bathed the entire courtyard in a warm orange-red glow.

Cicadas chirped tirelessly in the trees, adding a touch of noise to the tranquil evening.

A muffled rumble of thunder rolled across the sky, like the low growl of a wild beast, foreshadowing an impending storm.

Inside the military compound, streetlights gradually came on, their dim yellow glow struggling to dispel the darkness in the deepening night, foreshadowing the approaching storm.

Upon receiving the notification, Li Qiang immediately inquired about the situation from the messenger.

Upon learning that it was Political Commissar Li who had summoned him, and that it was related to Zhao Chengyu, his suspicions deepened.

As the deputy regimental commander, he was usually very busy, and Political Commissar Li rarely summoned him alone unless there was an emergency.

The muffled thunder continued, each rumble more intense than the last, as if urging him to quicken his pace.

Pushing open the heavy wooden door, the bright lights of the office shone through.

Li Qiang squinted slightly, somewhat unaccustomed to the sudden brightness.

He immediately saw Zhao Chengyu sitting on the sofa.

The young special forces regimental commander, Zhao Chengyu, now had his leg wrapped in a thick cast, and his face was somewhat pale.

This was a stark contrast to his usual cold and sharp image.

Li Qiang's heart sank, as if gripped by an invisible hand, making it difficult to breathe.

Zhao Chengyu was the sharpest blade in the military region, its ace.

His injury was a huge loss to the entire unit, especially such a severe one.

Has something serious happened?

He strode forward, approaching Political Commissar Li, He Chengyang, and Zhao Chengyu.

He stood at attention and saluted, his movements precise and powerful, without the slightest deviation.

“Political Commissar, Commander, is there a mission?” Li Qiang asked in a deep voice, a hint of tension barely perceptible in his tone.

Political Commissar Li waved his hand, gesturing for Li Qiang to sit down. His smile held a reassuring quality, attempting to ease Li Qiang's tension.

“Li Qiang, don’t be nervous. I didn’t call you here today for a mission.”

Political Commissar Li cleared his throat, his voice echoing in the quiet office, breaking the heavy atmosphere.

He paused, seemingly choosing his words carefully, before slowly speaking.

“Cheng Yu’s injury is related to your sister, Li Yaqin.”

Political Commissar Li’s voice wasn’t loud, but every word struck Li Qiang’s heart like a hammer blow.

Li Qiang looked up abruptly, his pupils contracting sharply as if pricked by a needle, his body trembling slightly.

He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but it was as if something was choking him, unable to utter a sound, only a few short, breathy sounds.

Li Yaqin?

That seemingly delicate younger sister, who always manages to do astonishing things?

How could she be involved with Zhao Chengyu's injury?

This sudden news was like a boulder thrown into Li Qiang's calm heart, stirring up a storm that he found hard to accept.

Li Qiang was shocked and confused, even more worried that Li Yaqin had gotten into some terrible trouble.

After all, Zhao Chengyu's status was undeniable; if Li Yaqin had really injured him, the consequences would be unimaginable.

"Li Qiang, don't worry," He Chengyang noticed Li Qiang's sudden pallor.

He quickly waved his hand, trying to ease the tension and explain further.

"Chengyu said he accidentally fell, and it has nothing to do with your sister."

Hearing this, Li Qiang was even more puzzled.

Who was Zhao Chengyu?

He was a special forces elite who had survived countless battles, agile and quick-witted.

How could he have "accidentally" broken his leg?

He even specifically emphasized that it had nothing to do with Li Yaqin?

There's probably more to this than meets the eye.

There must be a hidden secret, and that secret is very likely related to Li Yaqin.

Li Qiang was filled with doubt and unease; he desperately wanted to know the truth.

Just then, Political Commissar Li entered carrying a steaming cup of tea.

His steps were light but steady.

He walked to Zhao Chengyu and placed the teacup on the coffee table in front of him.

"Chengyu, have some hot water," Political Commissar Li said, his tone filled with concern.

“Commander Zhao, your tea,” Political Commissar Li said softly, his tone full of respect.

Zhao Chengyu nodded slightly to show his gratitude to Political Commissar Li.

He slowly extended his slender fingers, their knuckles distinct, his nails neatly trimmed.

His fingers gently grasped the white porcelain teacup; the touch was delicate and warm, like the finest mutton-fat jade.

He didn't drink the tea immediately, but instead gently stroked the rim of the cup with his fingertips, feeling the subtle changes in temperature.

He was pondering how to explain this to Li Qiang, in a way that would both protect Li Yaqin and reassure Li Qiang.

Steam rose from the teacup, forming a hazy mist.

It blurred his deep eyes, making it impossible to see what he was thinking.

He seemed lost in thought, his aura becoming calm and restrained.

Seeing Zhao Chengyu's state, Li Qiang felt a growing unease within him, like vines sprouting wildly, threatening to consume him entirely.

He understood Zhao Chengyu; this man never easily concealed his emotions.

The calmer he appeared, the more serious the situation seemed, even exceeding Li Qiang's expectations.

"Commander, are you... really alright?" Li Qiang finally couldn't help but ask, his voice hoarse as if sanded, trembling slightly.

He strained his eyes, trying to find a flaw in Zhao Chengyu's face, to see through the calm facade to his true thoughts.

Zhao Chengyu slowly raised his head, his deep gaze meeting Li Qiang's anxious eyes.

A complex emotion flashed in his eyes, a mixture of helplessness, indulgence, and an indescribable tenderness.

He said calmly, "I'm fine, just a minor injury." Although his tone was calm, Li Qiang still noticed a clue in the way Zhao Chengyu gripped his teacup.

“But…” Li Qiang wanted to press further, feeling that Zhao Chengyu’s tone was too nonchalant.

It was completely out of character for him, so decisive and efficient, especially since he had injured his leg, which was in a cast.

It seemed he would have to find a private opportunity to clarify things; right now, the most important thing was to avoid arousing suspicion from the political commissar and the superiors.