Years turn into wind

After the battle, Ling Xiaotian specifically found Cheng Yuwei alone.

"You did a great job." He showed a rare expression of appreciation.

Cheng Yuwei took a deep breath, feeling the tension she had suppressed for so long finally released. She knew that this was not just a victory in a battle, but also the beginning of her survival in this strange era.

"This is our cooperation." She raised her head and looked directly into Ling Xiaotian's eyes. "Only if you trust me can I do better."

Ling Xiaotian nodded, and after a moment's silence, he finally said, "From today on, you are no longer my prisoner, but my partner."

This sentence marked a change in Cheng Yuwei's position in Ling Xiaotian's heart. She had gradually grown from an outsider with no background to one of his core forces.

However, Cheng Yuwei knew that Ling Xiaotian's trust wasn't permanent, and she needed to be even more cautious and constantly prove her worth. She didn't truly belong to this era, and once her usefulness faded, she would face utter destruction. To survive, she must not only help Ling Xiaotian achieve victory on the battlefield, but also learn how to navigate this complex political landscape.

A few days later, Cheng Yuwei had just come out of the laboratory when she ran into a strange woman. She looked to be about thirty years old, wearing an elegant cheongsam, with a sneer on her face, appearing quite arrogant.

"Are you the woman Ling Xiaotian has recently promoted?" The woman's voice was filled with obvious hostility.

Cheng Yuwei frowned slightly. Before she could speak, the woman sneered, "Do you think you can become Marshal Ling's right-hand man with just a little knowledge of chemistry? Don't be naive."

Cheng Yuwei knew this woman was clearly a prominent figure in the military, perhaps Ling Xiaotian's confidant or wife, and that she had no good intentions. She took a deep breath and said calmly, "I simply relied on my own abilities to establish myself in the military. As for anything else, I'm not interested."

The woman snorted, her eyes filled with contempt. "It's best to remember your status and don't try to climb too high."

Cheng Yuwei ignored her and walked around her. She knew that in this world dominated by men, besides victory on the battlefield, there were countless complex interpersonal relationships and power struggles. As an outsider, she did not have enough background support, and the only thing she could rely on was her own talent and wisdom.

That night, Ling Xiaotian unexpectedly invited Cheng Yuwei to dine with him. The two sat opposite each other at the table, and the atmosphere, unlike the usual coldness, actually relaxed a bit.

"I heard that you met Lin Yuzhu?" Ling Xiaotian suddenly spoke in a flat tone, as if he was just mentioning a trivial matter.

Cheng Yuwei paused, nodded and replied: "Yes, she seems to be somewhat... hostile towards me."

Ling Xiaotian didn't respond directly, but simply chuckled and lowered his head to pick up a mouthful of food. After a moment, he said, "Lin Yuzhu was the one my father arranged for me in my early years. She comes from a prominent family, so she's my nominal fiancée."

Cheng Yuwei was stunned. She had never expected that woman to be Ling Xiaotian's fiancée. No wonder she was so unfriendly.

"However," Ling Xiaotian continued, his tone tinged with indifference, "Her family has long since declined, and the engagement is only to maintain the interests between the two families. I don't have any feelings for her."

Cheng Yuwei's heart trembled. She could sense the coldness and ruthlessness behind Ling Xiaotian's words. He seemed to have never had any real feelings for the people around him, and only blindly exploited them.

But this made Cheng Yuwei even more vigilant. She understood that Ling Xiaotian might temporarily value her talent, but as long as she lost her usefulness, she could be abandoned at any time.

"What about you?" Ling Xiaotian suddenly raised his head, his eyes sharp. "Where on earth are you from? Your knowledge and skills don't seem like someone from this era."

Cheng Yuwei's heart tightened. She had long anticipated that Ling Xiaotian would gradually become suspicious of her background. She had to respond with caution and not reveal any flaws.

"I simply received a good education and was particularly interested in chemistry," she replied calmly. "In the face of war, everyone must find their own place. I'm lucky to be able to use my knowledge to help you."

Ling Xiaotian's gaze lingered on her face for a moment, as if he were lost in thought. Ultimately, he didn't ask any further questions. Instead, he stood up and said, "No matter where you're from, as long as you continue to help me, I will ensure your safety here."

Cheng Yuwei secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Although the crisis was temporarily resolved, she knew that Ling Xiaotian had not truly let go of his suspicions of her. She had to be more careful to survive in this dangerous environment.