Chapter 15 – Snow Disaster

As the snow fell heavily, Qin Ye walked deeper into the mountains with the aid of a tree branch.

The soldiers outside could handle things on their own, but whether there were still people trapped deep within the mountains remained unknown. His purpose this time was to investigate the situation.

If there were villagers buried under the snow, they could be rescued in time.

After walking about two kilometers into the mountain, he indeed came across several households ahead—houses that had collapsed under the weight of the snow.

Qin Ye grew anxious and rushed forward. However, unfamiliar with the mountainous terrain, he slipped and fell. His body rolled down the slope into a valley.

He tried several times to stand but failed. Frowning in pain, he muttered to himself: “Damn! I might’ve broken my leg!”

In this vast snow-covered wilderness, if no one realized he had gone this way, he would freeze to death out here in the remote mountains.

Just then, a slim figure appeared, walking while shouting nonstop: “Regiment Commander Qin! Regiment Commander Qin! Qin Ye!”

Li Lan had followed Qin Ye into the mountains, but the snow was too heavy. With Qin Ye’s long legs, one of his strides equaled two of hers, and he quickly vanished from sight.

Still, Li Lan wasn’t willing to give up. In her dream, this was the moment she had her first real connection with Qin Ye. In that dream, Qin Ye was injured here, and she had carried him out and nursed him back to health.

Because of that, their relationship had deepened quickly, and she had eventually married Qin Ye just as she had hoped.

Whether that dream would come true depended on today.

Her previous life had been full of hardship, and she had no desire to go through that again. Only by seizing this opportunity could she attach herself to someone like Qin Ye and ensure a life free from worry.

Seeing Li Lan now felt like seeing a savior to Qin Ye, and he immediately shouted: “Nurse Li, I’m here! Come help me!”

When Li Lan saw the injured Qin Ye, she felt a rush of joy—her dream had been accurate!

It looked like being reborn hadn’t been in vain. This life, she was destined to be the heroine.

She tumbled and crawled down the slope, calmly touching Qin Ye’s injured leg. “Regiment Commander Qin, don’t move! Let me take a look.”

Qin Ye frowned, enduring the sharp stabs of pain in his leg. “It’s nothing. Help me up. We need to get out—there are still villagers who need rescuing. Saving lives comes first!”

Li Lan helped him up and said: “Regiment Commander Qin, you can’t go on like this. You might’ve fractured your leg. I’ll carry you out!”

Qin Ye was stunned and looked at the small, thin girl in front of him, then shook his head. “No! You won’t be able to carry me. I can manage on my own!”

But after only a few steps, he fell back into the snow again.

Li Lan frowned, urgency in her voice. “You really can’t keep going like this! Wait here. I’ll get you out of here!”

She didn’t panic. In fact, she was glad she hadn’t brought anyone else with her. This was her best chance to get close to Qin Ye, and she had to seize it. No one else could steal her spotlight!

Using both her hands and feet, Li Lan climbed back up the slope and dragged over a door panel from one of the collapsed houses. Then, she pulled out a rope she had prepared earlier and pushed the door panel down the slope.

Panting heavily, she ran back to Qin Ye. “Regiment Commander Qin, lie down on it. I’ll pull you out!”

This method worked! Qin Ye reluctantly accepted the solution. Besides, he had no other choice. The first priority was to get out, then he could call for help.

So he obediently climbed onto the door panel and let Li Lan pull him forward.

Several times, he told her to go on without him, to find help and come back. Each time, Li Lan refused.

She said there were wild wolves in the mountains, and she couldn’t leave Qin Ye here alone. She also said that he was the hero in her heart, and being able to do something for the hero she admired made her feel honored beyond words.

Hearing that warmed Qin Ye’s heart.

Looking at her thin and frail figure, Qin Ye couldn’t help but think of Ye Qing back home.

Both women looked physically weak, yet they possessed extraordinary inner strength. They had a kind of indefinable resilience—something that other women simply didn’t have.

After taking several breaks along the way, Li Lan finally managed to pull him out of the mountain hollow.

Not far ahead, the rescue team was approaching. Qin Ye shouted loudly: “Sun Wei! Zhang Liang! Over here!”

The two soldiers turned around and saw Li Lan dragging a door panel, with Qin Ye sitting on top, slowly making their way toward them.

The two were startled. “Regiment Commander Qin, you’re injured?”

Qin Ye waved his hand dismissively. “I’m fine! Thanks to Nurse Li, who pulled me out. The fracture’s already been stabilized. You two, take some men and head in—the houses of a few families have collapsed. Just follow the footprints and you’ll find them.”

“Hurry up! What are you standing there for?”

The two soldiers immediately called for their comrades and followed Li Lan’s tracks into the mountains.

Qin Ye finally let out a sigh of relief. “Comrade Li, thank you—truly.”

Li Lan dragged him to a sheltered spot and crouched down to check his injured leg. “Regiment Commander Qin, your leg is fractured. You can’t join the operation again! We need to get you back immediately!”

Qin Ye opened his mouth to object, but before he could say anything, Li Lan had already gotten up and run off into the distance.

On the return trip, the vehicle carried only Qin Ye, the driver, and Li Lan. Since Li Lan had rescued him and was the most familiar with his condition, the medical team decided she would accompany him back to the unit and assist with his immediate hospitalization and surgery.

The driver glanced back. “Regiment Commander Qin, should we inform Sister-in-law? Have her go to the hospital to take care of you?”

Qin Ye shook his head. “Not yet. She’s already struggling with the child—no need to add more to her plate. Don’t let her worry. When we get to the military district, go find Gao Hao. Tell him to go to the hospital and stay with me. Remind that kid to be careful in front of Ye Qing. Just tell her I’m still on assignment.”

The driver looked at Qin Ye through the rearview mirror and chuckled. “Didn’t expect Regiment Commander Qin to be so considerate of Sister-in-law. Alright! We’re soldiers—used to facing life and death. This little injury’s nothing. I’ll do as you say.”

Li Lan felt a surge of joy: Here’s my chance!

She had been worried that Ye Qing’s presence might interfere with the events of her dream, but who would’ve thought—even with Ye Qing and the child stationed with the troops, it hadn’t changed the course of events. It seemed she and Qin Ye were truly destined to be together.

Looking at the tall, handsome Qin Ye seated behind her, and thinking about his enviable background, Li Lan couldn’t help but feel a flutter in her heart.

After a moment, she spoke up. “Regiment Commander Qin is right—Sister-in-law must be overwhelmed taking care of the child and setting up the new home. She probably doesn’t have time for anything else. It’s better not to tell her, so she won’t worry.”

“Besides, I’m fine. I can take care of Regiment Commander Qin. Once your leg heals and you return home, Sister-in-law won’t have to worry about anything. Isn’t that great?”

Qin Ye’s deep, magnetic voice rang out from behind her. “No need to trouble yourself, Comrade Li. Gao Hao can take care of me.”

No matter how much Li Lan insisted this time, Qin Ye wouldn’t budge.

She merely assumed he didn’t want to owe her a favor, and silently made up her mind: I was assigned to care for him from the beginning. No one knows his condition better than I do. If all else fails, I’ll apply to the hospital to become his personal nurse. That’ll give me a chance to build a connection with him.

When Qin Ye was wheeled into the operating room, Gao Hao stood outside anxiously. Li Lan had already run off to the inpatient department to submit her application.

Gao Hao had been specifically instructed not to tell Ye Qing about this matter, but he still couldn’t help worrying: Ye Qing was clearly a sharp and capable woman—could something this serious really be kept from her?