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Standing at the mouth of the cave, Song Yuzhou perked up his ears and seriously observed the surroundings.
He wasn’t familiar with this area and couldn’t be sure whether there were wild animals lurking nearby.
The night air was cool, and knowing that Jiang Zhi Ning’s entire body was soaked, he worried that the firewood wouldn’t last. While there was still some light left, he quickly went off to gather more dry branches.
Five minutes later, Song Yuzhou returned carrying another large bundle of dry grass and twigs.
Just as he entered the cave, he quickly turned around, flustered:
“Sorry! S-Sorry!”
Inside, Jiang Zhi Ning had her back to him, her clothing completely off. Her long, waterfall-like hair hung loosely down her back.
She raised her delicate arms to part her wet hair, and her graceful figure was cast on the cave wall by the flickering firelight—enough to stir the imagination.
Hearing movement, Jiang Zhi Ning hurriedly shielded her chest and looked at the man who had his back turned.
Song Yuzhou’s face flushed a deep red as he stood there awkwardly holding the firewood:
“S-Sorry. I just wanted to add more wood to the fire.”
Jiang Zhi Ning quickly put her clothes back on.
“It’s okay, comrade. You can come in now.”
Still looking at the branches in his hands, Song Yuzhou hesitated but finally entered the cave.
He placed the firewood to the side and, shy and not daring to lift his head, was about to leave again when Jiang Zhi Ning called out:
“Comrade, my clothes are dry now. Why don’t you take off your wet ones too?”
Just as Song Yuzhou was about to refuse, she blinked mischievously:
“What? Afraid I’ll take advantage of you?”
“N-No…”
“Then hurry and change. If you catch a cold, I’ll feel responsible,” she replied sweetly.
The fire crackled, casting a warm glow on her face. Her smiling expression was even more captivating under the light.
Ears burning red, Song Yuzhou finally gave in and, under her gaze, removed his shirt and military jacket.
Jiang Zhi Ning blinked in surprise.
Wow—are men in this era all this easy to fluster?
But as she looked at his body, her eyes lit up.
This man’s physique was seriously top-tier. Not an ounce of fat, a well-defined chest, and perfectly sculpted abs.
Across his chest was a scar about two to three inches long—not quite beautiful, but it added a rugged appeal.
Uncomfortable under her direct gaze, Song Yuzhou gave a slight cough.
Embarrassed, Jiang Zhi Ning quickly covered her face.
Busted.
Song Yuzhou placed his clothes to the side and picked up the snake he had killed earlier.
“What are you doing?” Jiang Zhi Ning peeked curiously through her fingers.
“Roasting snake meat.”
On the way back, he had already cleaned out the insides. He skewered it on a stick and placed it over the fire.
Jiang Zhi Ning swallowed nervously, still haunted by nearly being bitten to death earlier. She took a deep breath and threw some twigs into the fire.
“You can’t do it like that—it’ll smother the fire,” Song Yuzhou said calmly. He picked up a slightly thicker stick and gently stirred the pile, causing the flames to rise.
Jiang Zhi Ning’s eyes lit up.
“Wow, you’re amazing!”
Though her tone was exaggerated, her eyes shone with genuine admiration.
Song Yuzhou scratched his head, embarrassed.
Seeing him roasting the snake, Jiang Zhi Ning picked up his shirt and helped him dry it by the fire.
The silence grew awkward, so she took the initiative to make conversation.
Tilting her head playfully, she looked at him:
“Comrade, in this era… if you see a girl’s body, don’t you have to take responsibility?”
Song Yuzhou froze and answered honestly, “If you want me to, I will. But… I already have three kids. Marrying me might be unfair to you.”
Jiang Zhi Ning blinked, shocked.
“You’re married?!”
Song Yuzhou shook his head.
“No.”
Wait—does this era allow having children before marriage?
“Don’t worry,” Jiang Zhi Ning smiled, “you saved me. I won’t turn around and cause you trouble.”
“By the way, I don’t even know your name yet. I’m Jiang Zhi Ning.”
“Song Yuzhou.”
As soon as he said it, Jiang Zhi Ning’s eyes widened.
Song Yuzhou?!
He was the one mentioned in the book—the heroic vice regimental commander who later became the youngest commander in the entire military region!
There hadn’t been much detail about him in the novel. It was only mentioned that his parents died young, and his elder brother, also a soldier, died saving him during a mission. His sister-in-law had run off afterward, leaving behind three kids.
So he adopted and raised the children himself, never marrying for the rest of his life.
Seeing her reaction, Song Yuzhou asked, “You know me?”
Jiang Zhi Ning quickly shook her head.
“Nope.”
He didn’t press further. He simply handed her the roasted snake meat.
“N-No, you eat it,” Jiang Zhi Ning laughed awkwardly.
It looked barely prepared—who knows how many germs were on it?
With her fair skin and fashionable red dress, Jiang Zhi Ning clearly looked like a pampered city girl—not someone used to snake meat.
Without saying anything, Song Yuzhou carefully picked the cleanest, most tender piece and handed it to her:
“If you don’t eat, you’ll go hungry.”
Touched by his gesture, Jiang Zhi Ning finally took a small bite—surprisingly, it wasn’t bad.
After eating, she suddenly sneezed. Before she knew it, something was draped over her shoulders.
Looking up, she saw Song Yuzhou handing her his military jacket.
“It gets cold at night in the mountains.”
Just as she was about to decline, she sneezed again.
“Thank you, comrade.”
She wrapped the coat around herself and held her hands over the fire to warm up.
After such a chaotic day, fatigue set in. Drowsiness crept over her without her realizing it.
Song Yuzhou sat upright, stealing a glance at her peaceful sleeping face.
Her long lashes cast soft shadows on her cheeks, her expression calm and serene.
But in his mind, the image of her earlier—bare skin under flickering firelight—flashed again, causing his face to burn uncontrollably.
He got up and stepped outside, thinking to look for his team. But with her alone in the cave, he felt uneasy.
It wasn’t proper for a man and woman to be alone in such circumstances—he didn’t want to tarnish her reputation.
So, like a silent guardian, he stood at the mouth of the cave, watching over her.
As dawn broke, Jiang Zhi Ning opened her eyes, staring at the unfamiliar surroundings.
The firewood had burned down to glowing embers, still giving off warmth. She tightened the jacket around her shoulders and stepped outside the cave.
Fresh mountain air greeted her. She closed her eyes, breathing deeply—it had been a long time since she’d smelled air this clean.
She smiled.
Footsteps approached. She turned her head and saw Song Yuzhou walking toward her, wearing a sun-faded shirt.
“Good morning, Comrade Yuzhou,” she greeted cheerfully, her smile as bright as the spring sun.
Caught off guard, Song Yuzhou quickly looked away, handing her a handful of wild berries.
First time seeing wild berries, Jiang Zhi Ning took them curiously:
“Thank you.”
She took a bite and immediately squinted from the sourness.
“So sour!”
Still, with nothing else to eat, she was about to accept it when Song Yuzhou handed her another berry.
“This one’s sweet.”