After Marrying the Officer Chapter 1355 - 1354: Main Story Finale 27

Listening to Huo Shiqian speak of his mission with such casualness, as if it were a trivial matter, Xia Chuyi still felt a pang of ache in her heart.

She mused, 'When he was actually deep within that dense forest, it must have been incredibly difficult, hadn't it?'

But she knew if she were to ask Huo Shiqian directly, he would invariably reply with, "It was nothing."

Huo Shiqian desired to be a mighty tree, offering shelter from every storm for her, and thus, he would naturally never confide in her about the tempests he had weathered.

Xia Chuyi sighed inwardly, her thoughts turning to: 'My Uncle Liberation Army already faces such hardships; from this moment onward, I shall be even more cautious and strive my utmost not to become a burden to him.'

Naturally, Xia Chuyi kept these reflections confined to her heart, refraining from uttering them aloud.

Certain matters are not conveyed through words, but through actions.

"To avoid tipping off the enemy, I feigned an absence, to sow confusion among them," she heard Huo Shiqian continue in her ear. "My original plan was to catch Guo Jiumin completely off guard once I reached Beijing. Who would have known..."

Huo Shiqian gazed at his wife and let out a sigh. "Who would have known that the moment I returned, I would learn you had been kidnapped..."

Even though these words were spoken with little outward emotion...

Still, Xia Chuyi could vividly imagine the profound anxiety Huo Shiqian must have experienced during that time.

"It won't happen again, it won't happen again," Xia Chuyi whispered into his embrace, sniffling, as she spoke to her husband.

"Mm," Huo Shiqian replied softly, his arm encircling his wife.

At this precise moment, shielded from his wife's sight, Huo Shiqian finally allowed the shadows within his eyes to subtly dissipate.

Upon discovering that Xia Chuyi had been taken, the anger and worry that surged through him far exceeded the miniscule amount he displayed.

This was because, during his investigation into Guo Jiumin, he had already uncovered the motive behind Guo Jiumin's absolute desire to ruin Xia Chuyi's reputation: his calculation was that once Huo Shiqian was out of the picture, Guo Jiumin could then formally propose marriage to Xia Chuyi.

This would occur at a time when Xia Chuyi's name was tarnished, presenting a significantly reduced obstacle.

Compounding this was the secret of Xia Chuyi being the 'Prophet,' coupled with the contract she had signed.

Furthermore, bolstered by Guo Jiumin's unwavering conviction in the 'charm of a hero saving a damsel,' he felt assured he could indeed marry her.

Heh!

Upon learning this, his rage became utterly uncontainable; he nearly rushed back that instant to dismember Guo Jiumin into tiny pieces.

However, the broader implications of the situation were too significant, compelling Huo Shiqian to suppress his fury and resolve to settle matters with Guo Jiumin only after returning to Beijing.

Little did he anticipate that upon his arrival back in the capital, he would immediately hear the news of Xia Chuyi's kidnapping by Guo Jiumin.

How could Huo Shiqian not be consumed by worry? How could he not be inflamed with fury?

Fortunately, oh so fortunately, Xia Chuyi was unharmed.

Otherwise, Huo Shiqian shuddered to think how utterly unhinged he might have become.

"Chuyi, from this moment forward, never take risks lightly again," Huo Shiqian murmured, lowering his head to gently stroke his wife's hair as he spoke to her.

"Mm," Xia Chuyi nodded with firm resolve, then addressed Huo Shiqian, "Then you also..."

Barely initiating her sentence, Xia Chuyi lifted her head from his embrace, carefully considering her words. She said to Huo Shiqian, "Shiqian, I understand that undertaking missions is something you cannot avoid."

"But you must perpetually remember, you now have elders looking up to you and a child below – you absolutely must not take risks lightly either!" Xia Chuyi impressed upon Huo Shiqian with utmost gravity.

At her earnest words, Huo Shiqian offered a faint smile, cupped his wife's face, met her gaze directly, and stated, "Mm, I will endeavor to do so."

"As a soldier, in safeguarding our nation and our home, we protect not only the greater family but also our own immediate one," Huo Shiqian declared with equal seriousness. "Because I have you, because all of you exist, I will strive harder and exercise greater caution."

"Chuyi, we both must cherish this," Huo Shiqian concluded.