Years turn into wind

The sound of gunfire finally faded in the final moments before dawn. The battlefield was utterly silent, and the scent of blood hung heavy in the air. Ling Xiaotian held Cheng Yuwei in his arms, his gaze fixed on her pale face. Her breathing was shallow. A stray bullet had struck her left shoulder, and blood gushed out, soaking her clothes.

"Cheng Yuwei! Wake up!" Ling Xiaotian's voice was hoarse, and he felt an unprecedented fear surging within him. He had never been so frightened before, not even when facing tens of thousands of enemy soldiers on the battlefield. He had never felt such despair. He pressed hard on the wound on her shoulder, trying to stem the bleeding.

Cheng Yuwei's eyelids trembled slightly. She forced herself to wake up and forced a smile on her lips: "I... I'm fine, just... a little bleeding."

"Stop talking!" Ling Xiaotian ordered through gritted teeth, his voice trembling uncontrollably. He quickly picked up Cheng Yuwei and retreated to the rear of the battlefield without looking back. The soldiers made way for him, their eyes filled with awe and concern.

The journey back seemed incredibly long. Cheng Yuwei's consciousness blurred several times amidst the pain and exhaustion, but she gritted her teeth, refusing to let herself pass out. Ling Xiaotian's embrace was warm and strong, giving her a great sense of security, but she could also sense the anxiety and pain deep within him.

Finally, they returned to Ling Xiaotian's territory. His Grand Marshal's Mansion stood in the heart of the city, majestic and imposing, like a colossal fortress. However, this time, Ling Xiaotian returned bloodied and exhausted. His eyes no longer held their usual stern confidence, but were replaced by a deep worry.

"Quick, call the military doctor!" Ling Xiaotian strode into the Marshal's Mansion and directly ordered his subordinates to prepare for treatment.

Cheng Yuwei was quickly placed in a room, and the military doctors skillfully tended to her wounds. Ling Xiaotian stood nearby, his eyes cold and sharp, as if he could see through everything. His hands were clenched into fists, his knuckles white, and his face was filled with an unprecedented tension.

"Miss Cheng's wound is very deep, but fortunately, no vital parts are injured. As long as she rests well, she will recover in a period of time." The military doctor's voice was steady and calm, which finally made Ling Xiaotian breathe a sigh of relief.

Cheng Yuwei's face was still pale, but she opened her eyes and looked at Ling Xiaotian standing beside the bed, smiling slightly. "I'm fine, don't worry."

Ling Xiaotian's brows were still furrowed as he said in a low voice, "You should have a good rest and shouldn't take such risks again."

Cheng Yuwei shook her head, with a hint of stubbornness in her smile: "If I hadn't blocked that bullet at that time, you might not be standing here. I can't watch you get into trouble."

Ling Xiaotian's throat tightened, and a complex emotion surged in his heart like a tide. He knew Cheng Yuwei was brave, but this time her actions made him truly feel the unbearable possibility of loss.

"Don't do such dangerous things again." He whispered, his tone full of unquestionable command.

Cheng Yuwei smiled, weak but still gentle and firm: "As long as I am with you, I am willing to take any risk."

A few days later, the smoke of war gradually cleared from the battlefield. The enemy's attack ended as reinforcements were cut off, and Ling Xiaotian successfully defended his territory. The war came to a temporary end, the soldiers were able to breathe, and Ling Xiaotian was able to return to a relatively peaceful life with Cheng Yuwei.

The once tense atmosphere within the Marshal's residence gradually eased with the end of the war, but Ling Xiaotian's heart still couldn't truly calm down. Ever since Cheng Yuwei's injury, his attitude towards her had subtly changed. He remained by her side, his gaze always filled with a tenderness and concern he had never seen before.

One night, Cheng Yuwei woke from a dream and found Ling Xiaotian sitting by the bed, gazing at the moonlight outside the window. The moonlight shone on his resolute figure, making him look particularly desolate and lonely.

"Why haven't you slept yet?" Cheng Yuwei asked softly, with a hint of concern in her voice.

Ling Xiaotian turned his head, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. "I'm thinking about something." His voice was low, yet clearly tired.

"About the war?" Cheng Yuwei asked.

Ling Xiaotian shook his head slightly and was silent for a moment before saying, "It's about you."

Cheng Yuwei's heart trembled, and she looked up at him, her heartbeat speeding up a little.

"You could have lived your own life, done what you wanted." Ling Xiaotian's voice was low and hoarse, his eyes revealing an unprecedented tenderness. "But you followed me and went through all these dangers. I don't know... if I have the right to let you endure this."

Cheng Yuwei's eyes softened as she whispered, "I chose to follow you because I believe in you. I never regret my choice."

Ling Xiaotian stared at her with a deep and complex gaze. He reached out and gently stroked Cheng Yuwei's cheek, his eyes filled with complex emotions. At that moment, it seemed as if the coldness and cruelty brought by war were melted by his tenderness.

"Aren't you afraid of me?" he asked softly, with a hint of self-mockery in his tone.

Cheng Yuwei smiled and shook her head. "You've never scared me. Even in the most dangerous moments, I know you'll protect me."

Ling Xiaotian was silent for a moment, then slowly said: "I will always protect you and never let you get hurt again."

Just as the atmosphere between them gradually softened, suddenly, there was a hurried knock on the door.

"Come in." Ling Xiaotian withdrew his hand, his eyes turned and his calm expression returned.

A guard pushed the door open and entered, his face solemn. "General, I just received news that there are unusual movements on the front lines. The enemy seems to be planning a new operation."

Cheng Yuwei frowned upon hearing this, while Ling Xiaotian quickly stood up, his eyes becoming cold: "It seems that peace has not yet truly arrived."

After he finished speaking, his gaze returned to Cheng Yuwei, with a hint of reluctance in his eyes, but more of determination: "You have a good rest first, I will be back soon."

Cheng Yuwei nodded, a hint of worry flashed in her eyes, but she didn't say much. She just watched Ling Xiaotian's back as he turned and left, silently praying in her heart that this war would end soon.

The smoke of war has temporarily dissipated, but Cheng Yuwei knows that true peace is still a long way off. She knows that in this turbulent era, the future is full of unknown challenges, and her fate and Ling Xiaotian's will continue to be intertwined in this storm.

What does the unrest on the front lines mean? Is the enemy's conspiracy brewing? And behind all this, how will Ling Xiaotian and Cheng Yuwei's relationship develop?