Chapter 27

This was not a true kiss, but their lips were pressed together.

When both Qin Qingman and Wei Ling realized what this meant, they froze. They did not separate immediately, as if their lips had a mind of their own and were reluctant to part.

The breath they exhaled brushed against each other’s face, enveloping them both in each other’s breath.

Qin Qingman felt her heart racing, so fast that it seemed like it was going to burst out of her chest.

Thump, thump, thump—

Each heartbeat represented her nervousness and shyness.

At the same time, Qin Qingman could clearly sense the feeling of Wei Ling’s lips—soft, with a certain resilience, and accompanied by a masculine scent that intoxicated her. This was temptation, the temptation that came from a man’s instinct.

Her large, watery eyes grew clouded, as if in a drunken haze.

Without thinking, Qin Qingman slightly parted her lips, and then, her whole body was set ablaze.

It was a passionate fire, a pure fire, and also a fire that could burn everything down.

—o—o—o—

Wei Ling had fled from the shack in a rush. He hadn’t forgotten his mission, holding onto the pot in his hand. In his hurry, some ash from the bottom of the pot had smeared onto his clothes, leaving evidence of his past “sins.”

Standing beside the thick snow, Wei Ling felt his face burn unbearably.

It was so hot that it could roast sweet potatoes.

Earlier, he had followed his instincts and kissed Qin Qingman, kissed his soon-to-be wife. Her lips had made him linger, had made him breathe heavily, and had made him feel unable to stop.

The more he thought about it, the hotter his face became.

In the end, he buried his face in the thick snow.

The cold made the snow begin to melt, and the icy chill quickly helped Wei Ling calm down.

That kiss with Qin Qingman had been an accident, but it had also been a result of emotions finding their way.

After understanding the key point, Wei Ling lifted his head and wiped the melted snow from his face. With a smile, he filled the pot with clean snow.

He had figured it out. He had already submitted his marriage report, so Qin Qingman was already undoubtedly his wife. Tomorrow, when he went back, he would urge the Colonel to approve the report. Once the approval came through, he would immediately go with Qin Qingman to get their marriage certificate.

Once they had the certificate, they would be a legitimate married couple.

A lawful couple could do anything lawfully!

Thinking this way, Wei Ling became more focused on the idea of marriage.

With the pot full of snow, Wei Ling was concerned that the kiss earlier might have embarrassed Qin Qingman. So, he wandered outside for a while before heading back to the shack. By the time he arrived, the shack was already lit by the orange glow of a fire, and an oil lamp with a glass cover had been placed on a tree branch outside.

The oil lamp burned animal fat, producing a lot of smoke, but it illuminated the path without issue.

Upon seeing the light, Wei Ling’s heart was immediately filled.

In the dark night, amidst the lights of thousands of homes, there was finally one light that belonged to him—the one his partner had been waiting for him to return to.

Holding the pot, Wei Ling entered the shack.

Inside, Qin Qingman had already started a large fire. Though the shack was near the hot spring lake and the temperature was higher than the surrounding areas, the humidity from the steam made the air thick. The fire helped maintain the dryness inside the shack.

It would also aid in a better night’s sleep.

The firewood was burning steadily, and the temperature inside the shack rose quickly. Qin Qingman, no longer able to bear the heat in her cotton coat, had long since removed it and hung it on a nearby pile of dry wood. She was now only wearing a sweater.

Though the sweater had faded in color and was covered in patches, it was made of wool and kept her warm.

In an era of scarce resources, no one would mock someone for having too many patches on their clothes; if there was any teasing, it would be about whether the clothes were clean.

As soon as Wei Ling entered the shack, he saw Qin Qingman in her sweater.

The patches on the sweater were not what caught his attention. What made him quickly avert his gaze was the way the sweater hugged her graceful figure.

Perhaps it was because Qin Qingman had been eating better and her body had developed further, or maybe the sweater had shrunk a bit, but the sweater, which used to fit her loosely, was now slightly tighter. Just that slight tightness revealed her beautiful figure in full.

“Qin… Qingman, the pot.” Wei Ling said, his face flushed. He placed the pot filled with snow down and quickly stepped back out of the shack.

Given the situation, he didn’t dare to stay alone with his wife in the same room. He worried that he might not be able to control himself in front of the one he liked.

He touched his burning face and stopped at a distance from the shack, not too close but not too far, and began to move his limbs, practicing punches.

It was a simplified version of military boxing, a routine he had adapted by combining ancient hand-to-hand combat techniques with modern martial arts.

It had a more classical style, simpler and more suitable for the present day, and perfect for him to practice in front of others.

Inside the shack, Qin Qingman had no idea that her appearance, wearing only a sweater, had caused Wei Ling to retreat. She thought it was the accidental kiss that had made Wei Ling feel embarrassed. Thinking back on that kiss, her cheeks, which had finally cooled down, began to flush again.

During the brief contact of lips, she had felt Wei Ling’s awkwardness.

Awkwardness meant a lack of experience.

Knowing that Wei Ling was inexperienced and innocent in this regard, Qin Qingman’s heart overflowed with a bittersweet sweetness.

Living in this era had its limitations. The scarcity of resources could make life difficult, but it also had its positive side. At least people in this time had simple and honest thoughts. There was no concept of “love above all else.” and for most people, marriage was seen as a responsibility, a duty, and a mutual respect.

As long as they were willing to marry, and barring any accidents, it meant they would stay together through thick and thin, never separating.

Thinking about Wei Ling’s handsome face and broad build, the warmth in Qin Qingman’s cheeks deepened, and she couldn’t help but feel a bit more eager to accept the idea of marrying him.

Outside the shack, Wei Ling had just finished a set of punches, and only then did he begin to sweat slightly.

As he took out a towel to wipe his sweat, the door to the shack opened, and Qin Qingman, her graceful figure visible from afar, called out to him: “Ah Ling, it’s time to eat.”

Ah Ling, it’s time to eat!

These were the most beautiful words Wei Ling had ever heard.

“Okay.” he replied, and with quick steps, he made his way toward the shack. Although he still avoided looking at Qin Qingman’s body out of caution, he was no longer afraid of being alone with her in the same room.

It was the second time they had been in the shack together, and the scene was the same as the first time.

There was a pot but no bowls, and even the chopsticks were whittled from wood by Qin Qingman herself.

As the saying goes, “familiarity breeds comfort.” The two of them, now more in tune with each other, no longer discussed how to eat. Instead, they simply took turns with the chopsticks, sharing the wheat rice in the pot.

The wheat, stir-fried and then boiled, had bloomed and was deliciously sweet.

Unfortunately, the conditions were limited, so there were no vegetables.

But there was salt.

The rice was sprinkled with salt, and this was the kind of meal Wei Ling and the other soldiers typically had.

As Qin Qingman ate the rough rice with only salt for flavor, she gained a better understanding of Wei Ling’s standard of living. She didn’t say anything, simply finishing the meal in silence. Afterward, Wei Ling went to wash the pot, while Qin Qingman took a towel and headed toward the lake to wash herself.

They had prepared for the mountain trip in advance and knew they would be staying overnight, so they brought towels and simple toiletries.

“There’s a protruding rock on the right side of the lake. It’s a good spot to wash up behind the rock.” Wei Ling said, offering a reminder without following her to protect her.

“Okay, I understand.” Hearing Wei Ling’s reminder, Qin Qingman’s heartbeat quickened again.

She understood why Wei Ling had said that. Although there was no one around in the area, as a woman, she would naturally want to avoid being seen while tending to herself. A safe environment would bring a greater sense of security.

Her face flushed, and Qin Qingman soon found the rock Wei Ling had mentioned.

The rock was large and attached to the mountain, with three sides facing the mountain and one side facing the lake. It was, in a sense, a natural and perfect bathing spot.

As she took in the view of the wash area, Qin Qingman was suddenly tempted to take a hot spring bath.

Since arriving in this world, she hadn’t had a proper bath. The weather here was so cold that water turned to ice. Even though there was a stove at home, it wasn’t the same as taking a proper shower. The discomfort of bathing in a large wooden basin could only truly be understood by those who had experienced it firsthand.

Looking at the steaming lake water before her, Qin Qingman felt a strong longing.

Although she hadn’t brought any spare undergarments, and there was a strong man not too far away, she really wanted to take a bath.

Turning her head, Qin Qingman glanced at the distance. Wei Ling was still cleaning the pot with snow.

Because of the distance and the hazy moonlight, Wei Ling’s figure was unclear in her view. In fact, with her eyesight, she couldn’t see him very clearly at all.

This only fueled her desire for a hot spring bath.

Perhaps she could take a quick bath, without soaking for too long.

With this thought, the desire to bathe in the warm water grew stronger in her heart. For someone who loved cleanliness, the sight of a lake full of warm water was an irresistible temptation.

She took another glance at Wei Ling’s back and finally made up her mind.

Standing behind the rock, she carefully checked the surroundings. The lake was quiet, and the water was clear and safe. Tempted beyond measure, Qin Qingman quickly began to undress. She was swift, and in less than half a minute, she was down to her undergarments and then dove into the water.

The soft, delicate skin on her body soaked in the warm water, and it took Qin Qingman several minutes to adjust to the temperature.

Once she adapted to the warmth, she was overcome with a feeling of utter relaxation.

It was said that hot springs could not only relieve fatigue but also treat ailments like rheumatism. She now understood how true that was. Soaking in the lake, Qin Qingman squinted her eyes in satisfaction. If not for the fact that Wei Ling was nearby, she might have let out a contented sigh.

Extreme pleasure required extreme self-control.

After less than two minutes in the water, Qin Qingman quickly grabbed a towel to dry herself off.

The sound of water splashing echoed softly, sometimes louder, sometimes quieter…

Wei Ling had been crouching at a distance, washing the pot over and over again. Even though the pot had already been polished to a shine by the snow, his hands continued to mechanically repeat the cleaning motion.

It wasn’t that he didn’t know the pot was clean; he simply didn’t feel able to go back.

His hearing was far more sensitive than most people’s. The moment Qin Qingman had started undressing to bathe, he had known immediately. His mind had run wild with uncontrollable thoughts.

The instant Qin Qingman had entered the water, a drop of blood fell from his nose.

Then more blood followed.

He covered his nose, his face flushed crimson.

He never expected that one day, just hearing his wife bathe, would make him so flustered that he would end up with a nosebleed. This was something he had never experienced before.

Qin Qingman finished washing quickly. Apart from her hair, she cleaned everything else thoroughly. When she finished, about ten minutes had passed. Though she longed to stay in the warm water, she reluctantly climbed out and began dressing.

She put on her outer clothes, and, of course, she had to clean her damp undergarments.

After washing them, Qin Qingman thought for a moment and then wrapped them in a towel before heading back to the shack.

Inside the shack, Wei Ling wasn’t there, but the cleaned pot was.

“Qingman, I’m going to check around. Make sure you close the shack door tight, stoke the fire a bit, and rest early. I’ll be back a little later.” Wei Ling’s voice suddenly came from outside. After speaking, he didn’t enter.

Qin Qingman understood how much soldiers cared about vigilance, so when Wei Ling didn’t enter, she felt a sense of relief.

“I understand. Stay safe, and come back to rest soon.”

“Mm, I’m leaving now.” With her reply, Wei Ling’s footsteps faded, and she could hear him walking toward the mountain.

The forest behind the mountain was dense, and the rocks were jagged and treacherous, making it easy to hide danger. That was the reason why Wei Ling needed to check it.

Actually, it was all an excuse. He just wanted to give Qin Qingman some time alone.

Once Wei Ling’s footsteps had completely disappeared, Qin Qingman quickly took her washed undergarments and draped them over the campfire to dry.

The fire was large, and the temperature inside the shack was high. With such a big fire, she figured her undergarments would be dry in less than half an hour.

A few minutes later, Wei Ling stood on a massive rock halfway up the mountain, quietly looking down below.

He could imagine exactly what Qin Qingman was doing at that moment.

And that was why he had deliberately stayed away.

The distance was a bit too far, and from where he stood, Wei Ling could only make out a small part of the shack below. However, there was light, with the fire outside the shack flickering brightly. That was the lamp Qin Qingman had lit for him. Every time he saw that light, he felt his chest swell with warmth.

There was no one else in his heart but Qin Qingman.

Even his family in this world did not hold as much importance to him as Qin Qingman did.

Wei Ling had accepted the memories of this body and, of course, knew all the affairs surrounding it. He was aware of the relationship the original owner had with his parents.

When the original owner was born, the country had not yet been liberated. His father was at war, and his mother gave birth to him while in the rear lines. Unfortunately, during a retreat, his mother’s health never fully recovered, leaving her frail and sickly thereafter.

This had nothing to do with the original owner as an infant, but there was a term called “displaced anger.”

The original owner’s mother had a very indifferent attitude toward him. While she didn’t mistreat him, her maternal affection was scarce. This caused a distant relationship between the original owner and his parents, a problem that Wei Ling had noticed the moment he took over the body.

Fearing his true identity would be exposed, he quickly requested a transfer out of the capital.

After leaving the capital, both sides had more freedom. They had become distant.

Wei Ling still fulfilled his filial duties, writing letters and sending local specialties. He never expected that, after a year of this, his parents in the capital would suddenly realize how much they had neglected him and wanted to make amends.

They wanted to compensate him, but instead of asking what he wanted, they simply sent a young woman to meet him.

Wei Ling, proud as the heir of the Duke’s family, would never allow anyone to control his life.

He had initially planned to reject the matchmaking arrangement outright. However, before he even met the girl, he had encountered Qin Qingman—the girl he truly wanted to marry.

It was because of Qin Qingman that Wei Ling had started to feel a sense of belonging in this world.

His life had come alive; he was no longer just a lonely spirit living out the original owner’s life. He was Wei Ling, the heir of the Duke’s family, the general of the Northern Army.

Back at the shack, it had been less than half an hour, and Qin Qingman’s undergarments had already dried completely.

The quick drying was because Qin Qingman’s undergarments weren’t like the padded ones from later generations, but rather a traditional wraparound.

While bras had become popular in developed countries, most people in their country didn’t know about them, and the original owner certainly hadn’t had one. Qin Qingman had to continue using the traditional style of undergarments.

There was an advantage to this style, though: they were easy to wash and dry.

Taking advantage of the time before Wei Ling returned, Qin Qingman put her undergarments back on and then donned her sweater.

Wei Ling didn’t keep her waiting long. He returned at just the right time, knowing that if he didn’t come back soon, Qin Qingman wouldn’t dare sleep on her own.

When Qin Qingman saw Wei Ling return, she let out a sigh of relief.

In the remote wilderness, to be honest, she didn’t dare to sleep alone in the hut. After all, the mountains in the Northeast were not only rich in resources but also teeming with animals. The stories about wild bears weren’t just myths.

When Wei Ling returned, he spread his coat on the ground, which had been set up on a wooden frame, then looked at Qin Qingman. “Qingman, it’s getting late. It should be only a few hours before daybreak. You should sleep for a while. We’ll head down the mountain once the sun’s up.”

Qin Qingman hesitated when she saw the bed, the only one available.

She knew that this bed had been made up by Wei Ling just for her, and she was the only one who would use it.

Recalling how she had barely exerted any effort while hitchhiking up the mountain, Qin Qingman felt sorry for Wei Ling, who had been working hard all day without a place to rest. After some thought, she took her cotton coat and said, “Ah Ling, let’s squeeze together.”

They were about to get their marriage certificate, so there was no need for unnecessary formalities under such circumstances.

After a moment of shock, Wei Ling felt a deep sweetness in his heart when he saw Qin Qingman’s invitation.

He could feel Qin Qingman’s care and concern for him.

But he still refused. “Qingman, it’s not appropriate.” In his mind, they were not legally married yet, so they couldn’t share a bed, even though the simple ground mat was still considered a bed.

Qin Qingman’s face turned red at the rejection, and she grew rebellious.

“Are you afraid I’ll bully you?” Qin Qingman’s gaze towards Wei Ling became somewhat unfriendly.

“No.” Wei Ling quickly denied.

He was skilled in martial arts, so how could Qin Qingman possibly bully him?

“Then what are you afraid of?” Qin Qingman knew what Wei Ling was worried about and understood that he was thinking about her reputation.

Wei Ling knew that Qin Qingman wasn’t someone to make trouble, but he didn’t know how to respond to her concern about her reputation, so he remained silent.

“Ah Ling, will you marry me?” Qin Qingman rephrased the question.

“I will, Qingman. In this lifetime, I will only marry you.” Wei Ling was at a loss for words, and in his panic, he grabbed Qin Qingman’s hand.

Feeling the roughness of Wei Ling’s hand, Qin Qingman smiled gently. “Ah Ling, since you won’t let me down in this life, what does it matter if we share a simple ground mat today? Don’t overthink it. Get some rest. We still have to travel home tomorrow.”

Wei Ling couldn’t resist her gentleness.

And he didn’t want to.

By the time he realized what had happened, the two of them were already lying on the ground mat, with Qin Qingman’s cotton coat covering both of them.

Wei Ling was tall, and Qin Qingman’s cotton coat couldn’t cover him completely, but even the small part that covered them made his heart bloom with happiness.

Lying next to the person he cared about the most, Wei Ling thought he wouldn’t be able to sleep, but on the contrary, he fell into a deep and peaceful sleep.

Breathing in her reassuring scent, Wei Ling slept soundly through the night, not even having a dream, and he slept until dawn.

The moment he opened his eyes, Wei Ling dared not move.

Because Qin Qingman was tightly pressed against his body, her head resting over his heart, and Wei Ling could feel his heartbeat gradually quickening. Thump, thump, thump… it was alive and jumping…