Chapter 71: Departure

When Lin You saw Qin Lang return, she hurriedly ran to him and hugged him tightly, pressing her ear against his chest to feel his heartbeat.

Qin Lang gently patted her back and asked softly, “Why are you awake so early?”

In his arms, Lin You replied, “I dreamed that you were gone.”

Qin Lang’s heart tightened, he wondered if she had sensed something.

He lowered his head to kiss her hair and comforted her, “How could I be gone? I’m right here in front of you, aren’t I?”

“Were you too worried because I didn’t come back last night?”

Lin You nodded in his embrace.

Qin Lang continued to explain, “There were some matters at the base last night, but they’ve been taken care of now. Everything is fine.”

He then lifted Lin You’s face and noticed that she was already in tears, which made his heart ache. He spoke hurriedly, “It’s okay… it’s okay… why are you crying? I… I’m back…”

However, Lin You’s tears kept flowing, and no matter what Qin Lang said, it didn’t help.

Finally, he asked, “Wife, I’m hungry. Is there food at home?”

Upon hearing this, Lin You quickly stopped crying, wiped her tears, and said, “Yes, I’ll go heat it up for you. You should wash up first, you’re all sweaty.”

Qin Lang leaned close to her ear and teased, “Are you rejecting me now? Wasn’t it you who wouldn’t let go of me just a moment ago?”

“I was just worried about you.”

“Alright, then, it’s tough for you. I’ll go take a shower first.”

When Qin Lang came out, Lin You had just finished warming up the food.

Qin Lang saw that she had composed herself and took her hand, saying, “Yoyo, I’ll be on fewer missions recently, so I’ll have more time to be with you. While I’m here, you don’t need to be strong, cry if you want to, laugh if you want to, just be yourself.”

Lin You nodded in agreement.

He continued, “When I’m out, do some things you enjoy. You can chat with Aunt Zhou, Mom, and Lu Li to distract yourself.”

Lin You nodded again. Before coming to the base, she had always been strong, but now that she had someone she cared about, she found it easy to feel anxious.

Watching Qin Lang eat heartily, Lin You also had a good meal. After eating, she sat at the table, her gaze downcast, and softly asked, “Am I too fragile?”

Qin Lang got up and walked over to her, wrapping his arms tightly around her and comforting her gently

“How could you be? In my heart, you have always been the best. It’s just that I and Mom have protected you too well, this is not your fault.”

He sighed lightly and continued, “We always want to protect you, but we overlook the fact that you still have to face everything on your own when we’re not around.”

“When I’m not around, you’ve always been strong. It’s my profession that prevents me from telling you everything, it’s my issue that makes you worried.”

Lin You raised her head slightly, her eyes shining with determination. She replied firmly, “Husband, don’t say that. I understand. This is your mission.”

“I won’t expect you to always revolve around me, and I’ve never looked down on your profession. I just want you to come back safely every time.”

Qin Lang nodded appreciatively, stroking her hair, “Okay, I promise you.”

After a moment, Lin You asked softly, “Do you want to take a nap?”

Qin Lang nodded, his voice tinged with fatigue

“Yeah, I’m a bit tired.”

“Stay with me, then.”

“No, I still have to work. You should sleep.”

“You didn’t sleep well last night either, sleep a bit more. I’ll help you ask Captain Song for leave.”

“That wouldn’t be good, right? I’ll just adjust my schedule.”

“Fine.”

With both of them by each other’s side, they both slept well. Lin You didn’t have to work during the day, but she had to return to the health team for her shift that night, while Qin Lang also had some things to take care of.

However, Lin You found it strange that Qin Lang insisted on taking her to the health team.

“Aren’t you busy? Why do you need to take me?” Lin You asked in confusion.

Qin Lang smiled slightly “It’s the same whether I take you or not.”

Lin You hesitated a bit “But…”

“There’s no ‘but.’ Let’s go.” Qin Lang interrupted her, taking her hand and walking towards the health team.

All the way, Qin Lang held Lin You’s hand tightly, as if he were afraid she would suddenly disappear. Lin You felt the warmth and sweat in his palm.

Standing in front of him, she asked softly, “Qin Lang, are you nervous or scared?”

“No, it’s just hot.”

Looking into Qin Lang’s calm eyes and hearing his firm reply, Lin You began to doubt if she was overthinking it.

At the entrance of the health team, Qin Lang stopped, hugged Lin You tightly, and kissed her cheek.

“Go in and work well.”

“Then you go take care of your things.”

“Yoyo, I love you.”

“Yeah, I know.” Seeing Qin Lang still standing there without moving, she stepped forward to hug him again.

“I love you too.”

“Okay, go.”

Qin Lang stood at the entrance until he could no longer see Lin You before turning around and walking away with heavy, reluctant steps.

Lin You entered the consultation room, and after exchanging shifts with Doctor Liu, he left.

Lin You sat alone in the consultation room, feeling that something was off with Qin Lang, as if something was about to happen. Her mind was a mess, so she stood up, sat down again, and then stood up once more, walking to the nurse’s station to find Xiao Nan and Xiao Bei to chat and distract herself.

The two were discussing medical advice.

When Xiao Bei saw Lin You approaching, she prepared to grab a chair for her.

Lin You hurriedly waved her hand, signaling them to keep working and not to worry about her.

Once the two finished, Xiao Nan took out a watermelon, and the three of them walked to the duty room, chatting while eating

“Doctor Lin, is the watermelon sweet?”

“Sweet.”

Xiao Nan and Xiao Bei exchanged glances and burst into laughter.

Lin You looked at the two, puzzled, and asked, “What are you laughing at?”

Xiao Nan cleared her throat “Isn’t it sweeter than you and Colonel Qin?”

“Huh?” Lin You still didn’t understand.

Xiao Bei got up, wiped her hands, and leaned close to Lin You’s ear, saying, “We saw Captain Qin come to see you this afternoon, you two even had a loving hug.”

She pretended to tremble a bit “So sweet, right? Sweeter than the watermelon?”

Lin You, shy as before, replied to them, “It’s sweeter than watermelon.”

Xiao Nan and Xiao Bei simultaneously elongated their voices, “Oh…”

Lin You shook her head helplessly and started teasing them

“Shall I introduce someone to both of you?”

They both immediately shook their heads, indicating they didn’t want that.

“Why not?”

“We still prefer our current situation, one person eats enough to keep the family from starving.”

Lin You was about to say something else when they suddenly heard an urgent assembly order from outside.

The three hurriedly put down their watermelons and ran outside.

Sure enough, they saw a military helicopter landing on the training ground.

Soon, the team members geared up and began boarding the helicopter.

Lin You’s heart dropped to her throat as she instantly understood the reason for Qin Lang’s strange behavior that afternoon. She prayed in her heart that he would come back safely.