Chapter 64: The Floodgate Breaks

The train rattled along the tracks, carrying the two of them toward a future filled with hope and anticipation.

By the time they arrived at their family quarter, it was already night. The dim glow of the streetlights elongated their shadows, wrapping them in a tranquil atmosphere. Upon entering the house, Mu Nanhe immediately got to work boiling water to prepare a bath for Yang Qingyan.

Before long, the sound of running water filled the bathroom. Yang Qingyan let the warm water wash away her exhaustion. When she emerged, wrapped in a bath towel, water droplets still clinging to her hair, Mu Nanhe was already there with a towel in hand, ready to help. He gently guided her to the sofa and began to tenderly dry her hair.

As he brushed through her hair, his gaze gradually grew intense, and his heart began to race uncontrollably. He locked his eyes onto Yang Qingyan’s face, his breathing becoming quicker.

Sensing something was off, Yang Qingyan slightly turned her head. Their eyes met, and in that moment, it felt as though time had stopped.

Mu Nanhe’s lips moved closer instinctively, and Yang Qingyan’s cheeks flushed. Their lips met softly, like petals drawn together by an unseen force. The temperature in the room began to rise, an air of ambiguity spreading between them.

As their feelings intensified, their interactions became more intimate, and before they realized it, they wound up in the bedroom. Moonlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains, casting a gentle glow that enhanced the warm scene.

The next morning, sunlight filtered softly through the window, gracing the bed. Yang Qingyan stirred awake, feeling soreness throughout her body, as though every inch of her muscles was protesting. She instinctively reached out, only to find the other side of the bed cold and empty, reminding her that Mu Nanhe had left early for his unit.

Frowning, she struggled to sit up. As soon as she got out of bed, her legs gave way. Yang Qingyan inwardly cursed, “This man has such strength; how can he handle so much?”

After freshening up, Yang Qingyan made her way to the kitchen, where she found that Mu Nanhe had thoughtfully prepared breakfast. She ate a bit, feeling slightly revitalized, though still exhausted. So, she returned to the bedroom, climbed back into bed, and caught a few more hours of sleep.

In the afternoon, she finally awoke and left a note for Mu Nanhe, then headed to the military hospital, making her way directly to the director’s office. She gently knocked on the door, and after receiving a response, she pushed the door open. The director’s face lit up with a warm smile upon seeing Yang Qingyan.

“Director, I’m sorry for leaving so abruptly due to my husband’s situation and not having the chance to inform you earlier,” she said apologetically.

The director waved his hand dismissively, smiling as he replied, “Qingyan, I understand. I tried to reach you a few times and heard you were okay.”

“How has the hospital been during my absence?” Yang Qingyan asked with concern.

“Alas, we’ve had quite a few tricky cases. Some were beyond our capabilities, and we’ve had to refer patients to larger hospitals.” The director frowned slightly, then brightened. “But now that you’re back, I’m relieved. There are a few challenging surgeries coming up that need someone of your caliber.”

From then on, Yang Qingyan devoted herself to her work. She performed several surgeries, giving her all in each one. In the operating room, her focused gaze never wavered, and the instruments moved precisely under her skilled hands as she executed every step meticulously. Sweat soaked through her scrubs, yet she remained oblivious, with only the responsibility for her patients in her heart.

One particular surgery involved a young soldier who had suffered severe abdominal injuries during training, with multiple organs damaged. Yang Qingyan stood at the operating table for hours, using her exceptional medical skills and relentless willpower to successfully repair the injuries and pull the soldier back from the brink of death. Post-surgery, she personally checked on the patient’s recovery multiple times, patiently guiding the nursing staff on subsequent care points.

In her free time, she would gather herbs from the mountains and dry them, learning to absorb the essence of nature. Yang Qingyan felt her abilities growing stronger in this world, far more than during the apocalyptic times. Perhaps due to the scarcity of flora in the apocalypse, her wood-based abilities had not progressed.

Meanwhile, Mu Nanhe immersed himself fully in military training. Early each morning, he and his comrades jogged together, their synchronized footsteps echoing across the training grounds. When running with weights on his back, he pressed on with determination, sweat soaking his shirt, but he didn’t complain once. In tactical training, he showcased agility, skillfully navigating various obstacles and exhibiting excellent military proficiency. His legs had returned to their previous state and even improved.

During a simulated combat exercise, Mu Nanhe’s squad received orders to break through enemy lines and scout a designated area. He led his team adeptly, skillfully using the terrain to evade enemy patrols. They successfully approached the target. However, on their way back, they fell into an ambush. Remaining calm, Mu Nanhe quickly directed his team to counterattack, and with his outstanding tactical sense and teamwork, they ultimately broke through the encirclement and completed the mission successfully.

Time slipped by quietly amid their busy and fulfilling lives, and in the blink of an eye, over a month had passed. Yang Qingyan garnered unanimous recognition from her colleagues and patients for her work at the hospital, continuously challenging herself with more complex surgeries and improving her medical skills. Mu Nanhe’s training results in the military also became increasingly outstanding.

One day in October, the sky seemed to burst open as rain fell relentlessly, continuing for days. The torrential downpour became an invisible wall that enveloped the entire world, with raindrops pounding on the ground and splashing up high, as if the earth trembled under the immense force of the rain.

Standing by the window, Mu Nanhe gazed at the chaotic scene outside, his brows furrowing with a hint of concern.

Sure enough, before he could gather his thoughts, a soldier came to notify him that the dam in the neighboring county had breached, and there were reports of landslides, instructing him to assemble a rescue team immediately.

Mu Nanhe’s expression shifted solemnly; without a moment’s hesitation, he said, “Alert all team members; assemble at the training ground in thirty minutes. Bring rescue equipment and set out swiftly!” The soldier saluted and quickly ran off to relay the orders.

Turning to Yang Qingyan, his gaze firm, he said, “Qingyan, the situation is urgent. I need to lead the team for rescue operations. Take care of yourself at home.”

Yang Qingyan nodded vigorously, concern and encouragement evident in her eyes. “Go with peace of mind, but be sure to stay safe.”

Mu Nanhe walked briskly to the door, glanced back at Yang Qingyan with a deep look, then pulled open the door and plunged into the downpour.