On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

As dusk deepened, the "Gewuyuan" at the foot of the Western Hills was shrouded in silence.

The construction site that was bustling during the day has fallen silent, with only a few gas lamps still on in the "Mechanical School" workshop.

Under the glass lampshade, the light was soft, illuminating Chu Xiling's cold and focused profile.

She sat behind the desk next to the podium. The plain white smock over her indigo work clothes shone faintly under the lamp. Her black hair was neatly tied behind her head, revealing her smooth forehead and slender neck.

Holding a red pen, she was concentrating on reviewing the sketches and analysis reports submitted by the students.

The pen tip slid across the paper, making a slight rustling sound, which was the only sound in the silent workshop.

The halo of the glass lamp cast a small shadow under her long eyelashes. Her cold face was calm, except for a barely perceptible trace of concentration between her brows.

The workshop manager approached lightly, stopped a few steps away, and said in a very low voice: "Master Chu, the prince is here."

Chu Xiling paused her pen and looked up.

At the entrance of the workshop, a tall black figure stood quietly.

Lin Zhen arrived at some point, alone and without any guards.

He wore a dark dragon-patterned uniform with a thin cloak of the same color over it, and stood with his hands behind his back. His deep gaze pierced through the slightly dim light in the workshop and fell on her.

He did not come in immediately, but just looked at her quietly, as if appreciating a quiet painting.

Chu Xiling put down the red brush, stood up, looked at him with cold eyes, and nodded slightly: "Husband."

Lin Zhen walked slowly into the workshop, his steps steady and silent. He approached the desk, his eyes scanning the spread-out blueprints and the half-annotated report. "Still busy."

"Yes." Chu Xiling responded, "After reviewing these."

"No hurry." Lin Zhen's voice was low and gentle, his eyes fixed on her slightly tired but still clear eyes, "I've had dinner."

"Not yet." Chu Xiling said.

"Everything is ready at the mansion," Lin Zhen said. "Wan'er sent someone to inquire."

"Got it." Chu Xiling lowered her eyes and looked at the report on the table. "I'll be back later."

Lin Zhen said nothing more, but walked aside and sat down casually at the long table in the student drawing area.

He did not disturb her, his eyes calmly sweeping over the furnishings in the workshop: the huge steam engine structure diagram on the wall, the dazzling array of parts and tools on the shelves, and the half-disassembled steam engine model on the workbench.

The air was filled with a faint scent of engine oil, wood and ink. This was her world.

Chu Xiling sat down again, picked up the red pen, and continued to review.

She marked the papers very carefully, sometimes frowning in thought, sometimes picking up a pen to make notes.

Lin Zhen watched her quietly. He watched her slender fingers grip the red pen as she circled and outlined the drawing; he watched her cool profile take on a soft outline under the light; he watched her focused expression, as if the only thing in the world was the drawing and data before her.

This tranquility and concentration are like a deep pool or ancient well, silent and breathless, yet possessing its own captivating power.

Time flowed in silence. Outside the workshop, a cold wind swept through the treetops, making a soft whimper. Inside, the only sounds were the rustling of pens across paper and the steady breathing of the two. A tacit understanding, unspoken, flowed quietly in the silence.

With the last stroke of the pen, Chu Xiling put down her red pen and gently closed the report.

She raised her eyes and looked at Lin Zhen: "Okay."

Lin Zhen stood up: "Let's go."

Chu Xiling took off her plain white smock, sorted out the drawings and reports on the table, and then walked over to Lin Zhen.

The two walked out of the workshop side by side. The cold wind blew in their faces, carrying the chill of deep winter.

Lin Zhen took off his thin cloak and draped it over Chu Xiling's shoulders.

The black cloak brought his warmth and the crisp scent of pine wood, instantly dispelling the cold.

"No need." Chu Xiling turned slightly sideways.

"Wear it." Lin Zhen's voice was low and left no room for doubt.

Chu Xiling stopped refusing and gathered her loose cloak.

The two walked slowly along the bluestone road towards the gate of Gewuyuan.

The night was dark and the stars were sparse. On both sides of the road, the newly planted pines and cypresses swayed in the cold wind, casting mottled shadows.

In the distance, the lights of the imperial capital formed a hazy sea of ​​light in the night.

The two walked in silence, their footsteps clearly audible on the quiet night road.

There are no excessive words, only quiet companionship.

Lin Zhen's tall figure beside her was like a silent mountain, bringing a silent sense of security. Chu Xiling's cool breath lingered at the tip of her nose, carrying a subtle, elegant medicinal fragrance.

"How was the class today?" Lin Zhen broke the silence.

"It's acceptable." Chu Xiling's voice was cool and steady. "Student Zhang Heng's idea of ​​a double-layer boiler with diatomaceous earth insulation for exhaust gas preheaters is feasible."

"What is the thermal insulation coefficient of diatomaceous earth?" Lin Zhen asked.

"0.05 watts per meter Kelvin." Chu Xiling replied.

"What are the difficulties in preheater design?" Lin Zhen asked.

"The calculation of heat exchange area requires accurate exhaust gas flow rate and temperature fluctuations, which affect heat exchange efficiency and chimney draft." Chu Xiling said.

"Is there a solution?" Lin Zhen said.

"Install a flow meter, temperature sensor, and regulating valve for real-time control." Chu Xiling said, "The drawings have been approved for completion."

"Good." Lin Zhen nodded.

The simple questions and answers, like the academic discussions within the Academy of Gewu, were accompanied by a tacit understanding.

They talked about cold numbers and sophisticated machinery, but their words were filled with unspoken understanding and support.

The carriage drove back to the palace and stopped directly in front of the "Baigong Pavilion" in Qixia Garden.

Inside the pavilion, warmth reigned. The charcoal brazier dispelled the deep winter chill, and the air was filled with the delicate fragrance of orchids.

Chengxuan had already prepared hot tea and snacks. When she saw the two of them come back, she hurried forward to serve them.

Lin Zhen dismissed his attendants.

There were only two people left in the warm room.

Chu Xiling took off her black cloak and handed it to Cheng Xuan to keep.

She walked to the couch by the window and prepared to take off her work clothes.

"Ling'er," Lin Zhen called.

Chu Xiling paused and looked up.

Lin Zhen walked up to her and his eyes fell on her left arm.

Although there was clothing between them, he knew that there was a light pink scar there, an old wound left by the Cliff of Broken Souls. It would hurt slightly whenever the weather was cold.

"The wound still hurts." He said in a low voice.

Chu Xiling was slightly startled, then shook her head gently: "It's okay."

"It's cold today." Lin Zhen said, "Cheng Xuan prepared some ointment."

He walked to a low table beside him, picked up a small white jade box, opened the lid, and a clear medicinal fragrance filled the air.

Inside the box was Chu Xiling's special blood-activating and blood-stasis-removing ointment.

Chu Xiling watched his movements, a slight ripple flashing in her cold eyes.

She was silent for a moment, walked to the couch and sat down, gently rolling up the sleeve of her left arm.

On the white arm, the pale pink scar meandered like a snake, and was particularly clear under the candlelight.

Lin Zhen walked to her side, bent one knee slightly, and squatted down.

He dipped his fingertips into a little ointment and gently applied it to the scar.

The ointment was cool, with a minty scent. His fingertips, warm and lightly calloused, brushed against her cool skin, bringing a subtle tingling sensation.

Chu Xiling's body stiffened slightly, then relaxed.

She lowered her eyes and watched Lin Zhen's focused and gentle movements.

His drooping eyelashes cast a small shadow under his eyes, and his expression was as serious as if he was treating a precision instrument.

The warm room was completely silent, with only the occasional crackling of the charcoal brazier and the gentle breathing of the two people.

"How is the northern border orbit survey progressing?" Chu Xiling asked softly, breaking the silence.

"The Ministry of Construction has sent personnel to conduct an on-site survey." Lin Zhen's fingertips applied even pressure, his voice low and deep. "The Dijing-Yanmenguan section, with its relatively flat terrain, will be prioritized for paving. The Fenlei Division will provide custom-made road spikes and shock-absorbing pads."

"What is the material of the railroad spikes?" Chu Xiling asked.

"The surface carburizing treatment of forged and quenched refined iron enhances wear resistance." Lin Zhen said.

"What are shock-absorbing washers used for?" Chu Xiling asked.

"It's made of vulcanized rubber mixed with cork chips," Lin Zhen replied. "The elasticity and cushioning effect are acceptable."

"You can try silicone." Chu Xiling said, "The new one made by the Institute of Gewu has better weather resistance and elasticity."

"Good." Lin Zhen nodded, "Send a sample for testing."

The questions and answers were like discussing steam engine efficiency in the Institute of Gewu, yet in this intimate warm room, they felt even more intimate. The coldness of rail technology intertwined with the warmth of fingertips, creating a strange harmony.

After applying the ointment evenly, Lin Zhen withdrew his hand and wiped his fingertips with a handkerchief. Chu Xiling lowered her sleeve to cover the scar.

"Thank you, husband." Her voice was still cold, but with a barely perceptible softness.

"Rest early." Lin Zhen stood up, his eyes falling on her slightly tired face, "Don't overwork yourself."

"Yeah." Chu Xiling responded.

Cheng Xuan served hot tea and some light snacks. Lin Zhen and Chu Xiling sat opposite each other at the low tables on either side of the couch.

Lin Zhen picked up the teacup and took a sip: "How is the civilian conversion of Burning Sky Thunder going?"

Chu Xiling picked up a small piece of osmanthus cake and ate it in small bites. "The ratio of explosives for mountain excavation has been stabilized. The trial results in the mine are remarkable. The slow-release blasting agent was successfully used to loosen frozen soil for canal excavation without damaging the foundation."

"Good." Lin Zhen's eyes flashed with approval, "This thing will benefit the country and the people."

"Yes," Chu Xiling put down the cake and looked at him with cold eyes. "There are still risks in purifying and storing the nitroglycerin in the core of the Burning Sky Thunder. Civilian use requires strict control over its flow and usage regulations."

"Ling'er has thought it through." Lin Zhen nodded. "I'll leave this matter entirely to you. Develop regulations, set up a specialized operation, and conduct strict oversight."

"Yes." Chu Xiling responded.

There was a brief silence.

Inside the warm room, the aroma of tea wafted through the air, candlelight flickered. Between the two, there were no sweet nothings, no passionate affections, only a quiet companionship and a tacit understanding. They discussed state affairs and the study of things, their words flowing with unspoken trust and support.

Lin Zhen looked at Chu Xiling's cold profile under the candlelight.

Her drooping eyelashes, straight nose bridge, and tightly pursed lips all reveal a kind of aloofness and solitude.

However, beneath this coldness lies her dedication to the study of things, her responsibility to the people, and her deep affection for him that needs no words.

He reached out his hand, reached over the low table, and gently placed it on her hand on her knee.

Her hands were slightly cool, her knuckles were slender, and her palms had thin calluses from years of drawing with a pen.

Chu Xiling's body trembled slightly, but she did not pull her hand back.

She raised her eyes, her cold gaze looking straight at him, her gaze as clear as water, reflecting the dancing candlelight and his deep eyes.

There, there is no loneliness, no alienation, only complete trust and belonging.

"Ling'er," Lin Zhen called softly.

"Yeah." Chu Xiling responded softly.

"Thank you for your hard work." His voice was low, with a hint of imperceptible pity.

"It's my job." Chu Xiling said.

No more words needed.

The warmth of his palm passed through her slightly cool skin, conveying silent comfort and strength.

The thin calluses on her fingertips rubbed against his palm with a kind of tenacious commitment.

Outside the warm room, the cold wind is still biting.

In the warm room, candlelight flickers and the aroma of tea wafts in the air.

The two held hands and looked at each other, feeling each other's body temperature and heartbeat in silence.

The deep affection beneath the coldness is like a warm current buried deep underground, silent and invisible, but enough to withstand all the coldness in the world.