She Came to Heal, Stayed to Conquer

Just as they were talking, Zhao Zun and Han Lei trudged wearily side by side into the courtyard. Covered in dust, it was evident that they had just returned from the construction site.

Zhao Zun furrowed his brow upon seeing Hua Tianyou.

”Tianyou, what are you doing here?”

Upon seeing Zhao Zun and Han Lei, Hua Tianyou laughed heartily and stood up.

”Last time during the surprise attack on the Turkic, Li Gang reported my achievements, and I gained military commendation. I’m planning to return to the Capital City. When I got to Qingshui County, Mr. Luo mentioned you were here, so I took a detour to come and see you.”

”Military commendation?”

Seeing Hua Tianyou’s proud look when he mentioned ”military commendation,” Zhao Zun and Han Lei exchanged a glance and their lips curled into a meaningful smile, but they said nothing more.

The servants brought hot water, and Zhao Zun and Han Lei quickly washed up.

Seeing them covered in mud, Hua Tianyou couldn’t help but wrinkle his nose.

”What have you been doing? Why are you in such a sorry state?”

Zhao Zun wiped his hands and said lightly, ”Oh, just building a cement factory.”

”Cement factory?” A curious glint appeared in Hua Tianyou’s eyes. ”What is that?”

Zhao Zun pondered for a moment, shook his head, and said, ”What is it? Hmm... I can’t really describe it.”

”If you don’t know, why are you messing around with it?” Hua Tianyou was incredulous. ”No way, tomorrow, I’m coming with you to see it for myself.”

Ever since following Han Lei once onto the battlefield, using a handgun to fight the enemy, he finally witnessed Han Lei’s prowess firsthand.

Now, hearing about something like a cement factory, his curiosity peaked, and naturally, he didn’t want to miss the chance to see it.

Zhao Zun glanced at him, and said seriously, ”You can come. But, you must promise that whatever you see and hear here cannot be shared.”

”Uh?”

Hearing Zhao Zun say this, Hua Tianyou was taken aback, then suddenly seemed to recall something, slapped his forehead in annoyance, and said, ”Oh! Why didn’t you say so earlier; I’ve already talked about the handgun thing!”

”Who did you tell?” Zhao Zun’s gaze darkened, his tone suddenly turning colder.

”Just those buddies in the camp! I... I merely bragged a bit to them.”

Hua Tianyou’s voice grew quieter, and his face showed a hint of embarrassment.

Upon hearing this, Han Lei couldn’t help but glare at him, and her fierce voice echoed in the courtyard.

”Are you stupid? Can you just say such things casually? Do you know it could get Zhao Zun killed?”

”Uh...” Hua Tianyou bowed his head, awkwardly said, ”I know that now.”

Han Lei snorted coldly and rolled her eyes, ”I knew you weren’t reliable.”

Hua Tianyou quickly raised his hand and solemnly swore, ”I promise, from now on, I won’t tell anyone anything about here!”

Last time going to the battlefield was so urgent, Han Lei forgot to give him a heads-up.

Zhao Zun understood Hua Tianyou; although he had a flamboyant personality, he valued loyalty and kept his word. Once he promised something, he would certainly do it.

Zhao Zun sighed and said no more, agreeing to take him to the cement factory the next day.

The following day, the group arrived at the cement factory. Han Lei busied herself with her work, while Zhao Zun drove Hua Tianyou around to tour the cement factory and the mining site.

Hua Tianyou witnessed the towering steel-sheet sheds, the frazzled tricycle carts shuttling back and forth, the roaring water pump by the river, and the cement road that had been conditioned to allow normal traffic. He was slack-jawed, his chin nearly dropping, eyes full of wonder and admiration.

Sitting beside Zhao Zun, he leaned his face close and clung to Zhao Zun’s arm.

”The stuff here is really intriguing! I’ve decided, I’m not going back to the Capital City. I want to stay here and play around with these things with you all.”

Zhao Zun chuckled, ”You can stay, but you have to work, don’t bring your pampered habits here.”

”That won’t be a problem! I’ve been in the military camp these past few months, not just for show. Now I am disciplined and impressive...”

Before he could finish, Zhao Zun freed a hand and quickly knocked him twice on the head.

”Young master, calling you young master, who are you calling young master?”

”Don’t! Ow, that hurts. Hahaha...”

Zhao Zun drove the tricycle, the two playfully bickering as they headed towards the cement factory.

... I am a lazy dividing line ...

These days, Luo Hai hadn’t gone to the wasteland side.

He secluded himself in the study, where sunlight poured through paper windows, illuminating the books on the desk with a faint yellow glow.

The study was silent, with only the occasional sound of sighing accompanied by his heavy breathing.