Translator: Atlas Studios  Editor: Atlas Studios

Hearing Bai Yaoyao's angry tone, Duan Yanhao's heart felt as though it had been scratched.

“Don't be angry. I wanted to send you back for the new year.”

“Yanhao, you're still coming up with such an excuse now?”

Duan Yanhao sighed quietly and replied, “Fine. That night, I heard news about the battle with the southern troops. It was too sudden, and I wasn't prepared yet. Under such circ.u.mstances, I couldn't just keep you in Country X. You'll be safe if you go to Country A, and I'll feel a.s.sured too.”

“But haven't you thought about what would happen to me if you're in danger?”

Duan Yanhao was rendered speechless by Bai Yaoyao's incessant interrogation. A moment later, he answered, “I just wanted you to be safe and sound. I didn't think so much back then.”

Bai Yaoyao wanted to throw a tantrum at him, but seeing how frail and weak Duan Yanhao looked, she couldn't bear to do it.

She hit his chest as she said, “Don't ever do this again. No matter where you go, bring me along. I want to be with you even if it means that we'll die.”

Those words were what Bai Yaoyao truly felt deep down. She had said it casually, but it affected Duan Yanhao strongly. His heart shuddered along with his body.

Bai Yaoyao sincerely wanted to fight to the death with him. He believed her without a doubt too.

Otherwise, why would she, a mere lady, risk her life to come and look for him? Such a feat required a lot of courage.

The Duan family was a military household. In the past, his forefathers had selected dainty ladies as their wives. They were usually loving, but during battles, they took off with their expensive jewelry without a single word.

They had trained with the troops and possessed great skills. But on the night of battle, right when their skills were most needed, they had escaped instead.

Therefore, he had always thought that women ought to be protected instead. They weren't people to fight alongside him. They could enjoy the fine things in life, but they couldn't suffer together with their husbands.

In the end, he met a woman that was an exception. She was Chi Jiaojiao. She was strong and charismatic, and he respected and admired her greatly.

She was also the first woman that he liked, so he didn't object to their marriage alliance.

However, Bai Yaoyao seemed to be a bigger surprise to him now. His cold eyes glinted clearly. While feeling surprised, his heart also ached for her.

“Yaoyao, I'm so lucky to have met you.”

Duan Yanhao said those words out of nowhere, so Bai Yaoyao couldn't comprehend immediately. “Yanhao, what happened? You haven't answered me. You have to bring me along in the future and cannot just desert me, alright? Don't you know that when I was falling off the cliff, my only regret was not being able to see you again before I die?”

“I'm sorry, Yaoyao. I'm sorry. I'll bring you along in the future.”

“That's right. You have to. I can fight with you. If we fight together, I don't have to think about what you were going through. I don't have to feel afraid and worried. I couldn't even sleep peacefully, and I was always anxious about your well-being.”

As Duan Yanhao listened, his heart ached. She was the woman that he wanted to protect, yet he eventually made her suffer with him. “Yaoyao, it's all my fault.”

“It's not your fault. It's because of the war. I came out here this time so that we can defeat the southern troops together and unify Country X.” Bai Yaoyao's words sounded dominating. Even though she was injured, she still appeared strong and charismatic.