Chapter 142
Some had once doubted him, questioning what real abilities such a young man could possess. But he proved himself through victory after victory.
Na Muqi felt quite emotional - he was truly a rare military genius. Even when at a disadvantage, he could always use his wit to find a breakthrough.
Since the age of fifteen, he had rarely known defeat in the past ten years. Especially after turning twenty, he had become increasingly steady and composed.
Gone was his youthful naivety; he was no longer as impulsive and combative as before. He had almost forgotten that he was once a valiant young man who would charge into enemy camps single-handedly.
Now he had grown more stable and dignified, though his temperament had become increasingly aloof.
"Very well, let everyone rest and regroup today. We'll attack the city tomorrow."
"General, you should rest early too. I'll take my leave now."
Qin Yuchuan returned to his tent, finally finding a rare moment to check his phone.
[Qingyi: I'm sending you the gift I prepared for you earlier. It's a bit late, but I still want to give it to you.]
[Qingyi: Take a look! Do you like it?]
Receiving the painting Feng Qingyi sent, Qin Yuchuan examined it carefully.
He had seen her painting at the winter banquet before. Compared to that one, this piece was much more intricate, showing she had put a lot of thought into it.
It was a painting of him, drawn by her own hand - probably the best gift he had ever received.
[Yuchuan: I like it very much.]
[Qingyi: I thought you'd only see it at midnight. Aren't you busy today?]
These past few days, he had always replied to her messages in the early hours of the morning. She hadn't voiced her urges for him to rest earlier.
She understood his current situation - he wasn't free to do as he pleased. Even if he wanted to rest earlier, he couldn't until his work was done.
He had responsibilities and obligations to his soldiers. All she could do was take good care of herself, so as not to distract him.
[Yuchuan: I can rest a little today.]
[Qingyi: You must be very tired then. I won't bother you anymore. Rest well, you probably haven't been sleeping well lately.]
[Yuchuan: Alright.]
She was always so gentle. Even just a few words from her made him feel warm.
After carefully storing away the painting she had sent, Qin Yuchuan undressed and went to bed.
Although he wanted to chat with her more, now wasn't the time. He had more important things to do.
These past few days, he had been busy until the early hours every night. He was indeed exhausted. For tomorrow's sake, he needed to rest well.
Feng Qingyi had only been in the Capital City for a few days when the new semester began.
The day before classes started, she was called by Shen Hanyue to help move some things.
When she saw Shen Hanyue, Feng Qingyi thought for a moment that she had mistaken someone else for her friend.
Her shoulder-length black hair had become a dazzling purple mane, and she was wearing a rainbow-colored down jacket, making her stand out dramatically.
"Qingyi, why are you so slow? I've been waiting for ages!"
"Your hair color is really... unique!" Feng Qingyi could barely look at it directly.
Shen Hanyue grabbed her hair and pulled it off. "It's just a wig. I bought lots of them. Want to try one?"
"...I think I'll pass. What did you want me to move?"
Shen Hanyue pointed at the large box in front of her. "All of these are for you. Take them back yourself."
"...What's in here?" Feng Qingyi asked curiously.
Shen Hanyue replied, "They're gifts for you. Just take them back and see for yourself. I'm going to move my stuff to the dorm now."
Gifts for her, such a big box - Feng Qingyi wanted to open it right away to see what was inside, but it was tightly sealed with tape.
She decided to move it back first before opening it, but the weight was a bit overwhelming.
Feng Qingyi even suspected it might be filled with rocks; otherwise, why would it be so heavy?
She considered herself quite strong, but she feared her arms might give out if she tried to carry this box all the way back.
"Use this cart to push it back!"
Feng Qingyi turned to see Song Jingyuan pushing a hand truck towards her.
Because of previous events, Feng Qingyi felt a bit awkward.
However, she really did want to use that cart. Pushing it back would be much easier than carrying the box herself.
"Let me help you." Song Jingyuan helped Feng Qingyi lift the box from the ground onto the cart.
Feng Qingyi gratefully said, "Thank you so much, senior!"
Song Jingyuan asked, "Where are you taking this? I'll go with you."
"No need, I'll bring the cart back after I'm done."
"I'm free right now anyway. It would be troublesome for you to go back and forth."
Since he put it that way, Feng Qingyi didn't refuse further. He might need to use the cart later anyway.
"Thank you!"
Song Jingyuan took the initiative to push the cart and tentatively asked, "Why isn't your boyfriend here to help you?"
"He's not from our school. He's quite busy with work."
"I see."
It seemed he had no chance at all. He had previously thought that when she said she liked someone, it was just an excuse to reject him.
He didn't expect that everything she said was true.
"Well, I wish you happiness then!"
Feng Qingyi smiled and said, "I hope you can find your own happiness too."
Song Jingyuan helped Feng Qingyi push the box to the outside of the villa. "Is this where...?"
"I'm living here alone now," Feng Qingyi explained.
Song Jingyuan offered, "Then let me help you move it inside."
"You've been such a great help today. Let me get you some water."
Song Jingyuan declined, "No need, I should get going."
"Goodbye then!"
"Mm, goodbye!"
After Song Jingyuan left, Feng Qingyi eagerly opened the box.
To her surprise, it was filled to the brim with potatoes and sweet potatoes.
Shen Hanyue's love for her was truly weighty - by her estimate, it would take her several months to eat all of this.
After classes started, everything remained much the same as before.
Feng Qingyi still attended classes and hung out with Shen Hanyue, Qu Jingqiu, and Lou Xi, occasionally having meals or gatherings together.
Shen Hanyue asked, "Qingyi, I remember you said you'd introduce your boyfriend to us. When will he be free?"
"...He's not free recently." According to him, he wouldn't be free for a year or two.
Qu Jingqiu chimed in, "I've never seen you call or text him either. You're in a long-distance relationship, aren't you worried at all?"
This girl showed no change in behavior before and after getting into a relationship.
She attended classes and ate with them every day, yet they had never even caught a glimpse of her boyfriend.
They rarely heard her talk about him either, as if he didn't exist at all.
"He's busy with work. Besides, he's surrounded by men, so there's nothing to worry about. It's not like he's going to run off with someone else."
Shen Hanyue spoke up, "Qingyi, long-distance relationships are already unreliable enough. You need to be more cautious. You're being too trusting and have no sense of vigilance at all."
Feng Qingyi had great faith in Qin Yuchuan. Although he had never made any promises to her, she inexplicably trusted him.
Perhaps it was because he seemed inherently reliable and paid meticulous attention to her needs. She wholeheartedly acknowledged him from the depths of her heart.