In her impression, Yang Shaofeng was indeed roguish, but not to the point of committing such absurd acts.

During their time together, Tian Tian felt that Yang Shaofeng was generally a righteous person, and she couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

But she couldn’t ignore it either. The rumors about Yang Shaofeng stripping a corpse spread rapidly throughout the military camp, one person telling ten, ten telling a hundred. By lunchtime, the cafeteria was abuzz with people talking about it.

Although everyone kept their voices low out of respect for Tian Tian as Yang Shaofeng’s fiancée, she still overheard everything.

This couldn’t go on. She had to find Yang Shaofeng and get a clear explanation.

By late afternoon, after settling the last of the wounded, Tian Tian prepared to leave the medical station to find him. However, as soon as she stepped outside, she saw Yang Shaofeng waiting for her at the door.

When he saw her, his stern face softened with a smile. He waved her over, “Cuicui, come here quickly.”

Yang Shaofeng had clearly cleaned up; his military uniform was spotless, and the golden glow of the setting sun bathed him, making him appear unexpectedly gentle.

Tian Tian walked toward him, but before she could say a word, Yang Shaofeng grabbed her hand. “Let’s go talk at my place.”

She silently agreed and allowed him to lead her to his new quarters. Although the entire camp was abuzz with the rumors, Tian Tian didn’t want to discuss them in public.

Yang Shaofeng’s new quarters were slightly larger than his previous ones. After bringing her inside, he pressed her into a chair and said, “Sit here for a moment. I have something for you.”

With a smile that resembled a child showing off a treasure, Yang Shaofeng walked over to the wardrobe, opened it, and took out a pair of black high-top leather boots, a small, exquisitely made handgun, and a strange-looking garment.

“What’s this?” Tian Tian asked, puzzled.

Yang Shaofeng grinned. “I got these off a female enemy major. These boots are imported and top quality. Winter’s coming, and they’ll keep you warm.

“This bulletproof vest is also imported. If you wear this, even if you go onto the battlefield, you won’t be easily hit.

“And as for this little handgun—you’ve been wanting one, haven’t you? I thought this one was perfect for you. It’s lightweight, has a long range, and works great. But it’s imported, and it only has four bullets. Use them sparingly, only in emergencies.”

Hearing this, Tian Tian was deeply moved. “The camp is saying you’re a pervert for stripping a woman’s corpse… Was it all for me?”

Yang Shaofeng looked embarrassed. He hadn’t expected the rumors to spread so widely.

“During the battle for Luchang County, I noticed the female major’s boots and handgun right away. When they fled during the night, I volunteered to pursue them. They drove almost all night before I caught up and took them down one by one at dawn.

“At first, I didn’t plan to strip her, but when I shot her in the chest, nothing happened to her. After finishing her with a headshot, I realized she must’ve been wearing something special. Sure enough, when I searched her, I found this bulletproof vest.

“Everything on her was top-quality imported gear. For you, why wouldn’t I strip her?!”

“The boots, the gun, the vest… But why did you take her pants off too?” Tian Tian asked, her nose tingling with emotion, but she couldn’t help her curiosity.

Yang Shaofeng’s face turned red. “That woman had so many valuable items on her. I didn’t want to miss anything. The boots, the gun, the vest—it was all top-notch gear. I had to check everywhere to make sure I didn’t overlook something. Cuicui, I swear, I wasn’t trying to take advantage of her. That woman killed so many of my comrades. If anything, I wanted to turn her into a sieve. I could never have any other intentions. You’re the only one in my heart.”

Tian Tian believed him. If he’d had any interest in that woman, he wouldn’t have shot her dead.

“Were you hurt?” Tian Tian’s eyes scanned him for injuries.

Yang Shaofeng shook his head. “I’m fine, no injuries.” As a sharpshooter, he typically stayed hidden, waiting for the perfect moment to deliver a devastating blow to enemy officers.

“Here, try on these boots and see if they fit,” Yang Shaofeng said, kneeling down to help her put them on.

The black boots fit Tian Tian perfectly, making her legs look longer and more elegant.

“They look great,” Yang Shaofeng said with a smile. “Better on you than on her.”

Tian Tian also found them to be warm and comfortable. She stood up and walked a few steps. The boots were leagues ahead of anything she’d worn before. In these times of scarcity, survival was paramount. Who cared if the boots had belonged to the dead?

As she tested the boots, her eyes fell on the military uniform on his bed.

The uniform seemed torn in places, with a needle and thread still pinned to it. Clearly, Yang Shaofeng had been trying to mend it himself.

Tian Tian walked over, sat on the bed, picked up the needle and thread, and began stitching.

Yang Shaofeng had done so much for her, but she had rarely helped him. Mending his clothes felt like the least she could do to ease her conscience.

Having worked in the medical unit, stitching wounds every day, Tian Tian’s sewing skills had improved significantly. While her work wasn’t perfect, it was leagues better than anything Yang Shaofeng could do.

Yang Shaofeng approached her and tried to stop her. “Cuicui, it’s just a small tear. I can handle it myself. Don’t tire yourself out.”

“It’s nothing. I’ll be done soon,” Tian Tian said with a smile, continuing her work.

The sight of her sitting on his bed, carefully sewing his uniform with her head bowed, filled Yang Shaofeng’s heart with warmth. Her delicate hands moved with practiced ease, and each stitch was neat and firm, showing her care and effort.

In this chaotic world, having the person you loved by your side was a blessing beyond measure.

There’s a saying: Home is where the heart is. No matter where the army went, as long as she was there, that was his home.

After about half an hour, Tian Tian finished mending two uniforms.

“All done. I should head back now,” she said, folding the uniforms neatly and standing up.

Yang Shaofeng couldn’t bear to let her go. He pulled her into his arms. “You think you can leave the wolf’s den so easily?”

Tian Tian glared at him, but her soft and adorable expression made it look more like a pout.

Yang Shaofeng chuckled, leaning in to kiss her.

Feeling the heat and passion in his kiss, Tian Tian closed her eyes and slowly responded.

After twenty minutes, Yang Shaofeng finally let her go, albeit reluctantly.

“You’re going to be the death of me,” he muttered.

Tian Tian couldn’t help but laugh. She had half-expected him to go further tonight, but all he did was kiss her.

“Cuicui, what are you laughing at?”

“Nothing,” she said, keeping her thoughts to herself.

Yang Shaofeng sighed. “When will this war finally end? I can’t wait to marry you.”

“I don’t think we need to wait for the war to end. Once the troops settle down a bit, we can have a simple ceremony here in the camp,” Tian Tian said.

“With the way the fighting is escalating, it’ll be hard to find any stability,” Yang Shaofeng replied. “But I hope you’re right.”

“I’ll head back now.”

“I’ll walk you back.”

A few days later, the Flying Tiger Regiment received orders to take down the enemy stronghold at Dazhai Valley. Zhou Biao led Yang Shaofeng and the troops to the front.

Back in the medical unit, Tian Tian was restless all day.

Late that night, her roommate woke her with grave news: the Flying Tiger Regiment had suffered a crushing defeat in Dazhai Valley, losing 70% of its soldiers.

Even Flying Tiger Regiment Commander Zhou Biao was injured and had to be carried back to the medical station for treatment.

Tian Tian was filled with dread, her heart pounding uncontrollably. If even the regiment commander was injured, what about Yang Shaofeng? Could he be in serious danger?

She quickly got dressed and rushed to the medical station to assist.

When Sheng Wenbo saw her arrive, he informed her, “Captain Yang was shot in the abdomen and is currently unconscious. I’m about to perform surgery on him. Don’t worry.”

Tian Tian, pale-faced and visibly shaken, requested, “Dr. Sheng, I’d like to assist with the surgery.” She wanted to stay by Yang Shaofeng’s side.

Sheng Wenbo declined. “No, there are too many wounded, and we’re short-staffed. Focus on treating the other patients. Leave Captain Yang to me.”

With that, Sheng Wenbo hurried off.

Though deeply worried about Yang Shaofeng, Tian Tian had no choice but to follow orders and continue treating the wounded.

Yang Shaofeng remained unconscious for three days, even developing a high fever during that time. His condition was critical. Tian Tian stayed by his bedside, sleepless and anxious, until his fever finally broke on the fourth day.

The influx of injured soldiers kept the medical station overwhelmed, leaving Tian Tian unable to constantly watch over Yang Shaofeng.

One day, while changing a patient’s bandages, her roommate burst in, breathless and flustered.

“Cuicui, something terrible has happened!”

Puzzled, Tian Tian asked, “What’s wrong, Big Sister?”

“Captain Yang woke up…” the woman panted.

Tian Tian’s heart lifted, and she smiled, relieved. “That’s great news! He finally woke up.”

But the woman hadn’t finished. “After waking up, he went straight to Commander Zhou’s room and got into a shouting match with him. Commander Zhou was furious and demoted Captain Yang from company commander to platoon leader!”

Tian Tian was stunned. “What? Why would Yang Shaofeng argue with Commander Zhou?”

The wounded soldier whose bandages she was changing also looked shocked. Commander Zhou and Captain Yang had always seemed to have a good relationship, and the commander greatly valued Yang Shaofeng.

The woman lowered her voice. “Apparently, Captain Yang blamed Commander Zhou for issuing incorrect orders that led to the disastrous defeat at Dazhai Valley.”

Tian Tian’s heart sank. Yang Shaofeng was unbelievably bold to challenge his superior like that.

“Big Sister, are you free right now? Can you cover for me? I want to go check on Captain Yang.”

The woman nodded quickly. “Go ahead. I’ll handle things here.”

“Thank you.” After briefing her on the patients, Tian Tian hurried away.

When she returned to Yang Shaofeng’s room, he was already gone. She rushed to Commander Zhou’s quarters but found only the commander, his face flushed with anger. It was clear his temper hadn’t yet cooled.

Ignoring his fury, Tian Tian asked directly where Yang Shaofeng had gone.

Commander Zhou curtly replied, “I don’t know.”

Frustrated, Tian Tian left and continued searching.

She ran into Sheng Wenbo, who was hurrying by. Just as she was about to ask about Yang Shaofeng, he said, “Cuicui, you need to talk some sense into Captain Yang. He’s in a very unstable mood right now.”

“Dr. Sheng, do you know where he is?”

“He went back to his room. I tried talking to him earlier, but he wouldn’t listen.”

“I’ll go find him now.” Tian Tian broke into a run.

When she reached Yang Shaofeng’s door, she knocked urgently. “Brother Feng, open the door!”

Inside, Yang Shaofeng was simmering with frustration and didn’t want to see anyone. But upon hearing Tian Tian’s voice, he couldn’t help but stagger to the door, clutching his wound as he opened it.

Tian Tian hurried inside, immediately scanning him for injuries. “How are you feeling? Does it hurt?” She supported him and added, “Come, lie down on the bed.”

This time, Yang Shaofeng didn’t resist and obediently lay down.

Tian Tian sat at his bedside, her eyes fixed on him.

His face was pallid, his lips colorless. His bloodshot eyes were rimmed with dark circles, and his breathing was nasal. Seeing him in such a state made Tian Tian’s heart ache.

“Brother Feng, why did you argue with Commander Zhou? Can you tell me what happened?”

At the mention of the incident, Yang Shaofeng clenched his fists, his teeth grinding audibly as his fury reignited. “If it weren’t for his faulty orders, we wouldn’t have suffered such a devastating loss. So many of our brothers wouldn’t have died. Cuicui, my entire company—every single one of them—died except for me. They were living, breathing men who had fought by my side for years!”

His eyes turned red, and he punched his chest in anguish. “It hurts so much! When I heard that Commander Zhou was also admitted to the medical station, I couldn’t contain my anger. His injuries? He tripped while retreating and scraped his skin. Does that warrant a hospital bed? He’s only playing the sympathy card, trying to shirk responsibility for the disaster he caused!”

Yang Shaofeng’s fist struck the bed with a loud thud, his voice shaking with emotion. “So many of our comrades are dead, and all he wants to do is sweep this under the rug. How can I swallow this anger?”

Tian Tian understood him. If she were in his position, she wouldn’t be able to remain calm either. These were brothers who had faced life and death together.

She, too, harbored grievances against Commander Zhou. Sheng Wenbo had mentioned early on that Commander Zhou didn’t need to be in the medical station, but he had insisted on staying. Whenever Tian Tian treated him, his minor wounds never seemed to heal, and he constantly complained about phantom pains, making himself seem gravely ill.

So, he had ulterior motives after all.

“Brother Feng, let’s go back to the medical station. Your injuries are severe, and you were unconscious for four days with a high fever. Everyone’s worried about you being alone here.”

Tian Tian didn’t know how to console him further. In her mind, the original Yang Shaofeng had succumbed to despair at the corruption in the military. If her assumptions were correct, his sense of betrayal by the leadership might have been what led him down the dark path to becoming a traitor.

Still, she held onto a sliver of hope that she was wrong.

“Brother Feng, I know you’re angry right now, but you’re wounded and need proper care. I don’t know much about war or battle strategies, but I do know this: those brothers didn’t die so you could waste away. Only by recovering can you avenge them. Neglecting your health only plays into the enemy’s hands, letting them win twice.”

Her words struck a chord with Yang Shaofeng. He struggled to sit up, saying, “You’re right, Cuicui. I need to get better so I can make the enemy pay.”

Tian Tian helped him up, cautioning, “Take it slow.”

“I can handle this. It’s just a scratch,” he said stubbornly as she supported him out the door.

Seeing the dark circles under her eyes, Yang Shaofeng’s heart softened. “You’ve worked so hard. Thank goodness I have you, or I’d lose my mind.”

“Don’t think about that now. Focus on healing.”

With Tian Tian’s help, Yang Shaofeng returned to the medical station.

The Flying Tiger Regiment had lost 70% of its men, leaving fewer than 500 soldiers. Thanks to Commander Zhou’s smooth-talking, higher-ups dispatched 2,000 reinforcements under his command.

After half a month of recovery, Yang Shaofeng was discharged.

One day, while Tian Tian was busy in the medical station, Commander Zhou came looking for her.

Surprised, Tian Tian saluted. “Good day, Commander.”

Commander Zhou returned the salute. “Comrade Xu, do you have a moment?”

Faced with her superior, Tian Tian had no choice but to agree. “Of course, Commander. Please, go ahead.”

Commander Zhou gestured for her to step aside to speak privately.

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