Nina could see everything clearly now. The blankets and cups, along with other items, were all adorned with yellow stars.Could it be..."Teacher! You're finally awake!" Sean shouted excitedly as he ran into her arms.Nina was momentarily stunned but then instinctively patted his head."You’re awake!" Another voice said.A soldier in uniform stepped inside, lifting the curtain."Miss, how are you feeling?" the soldier asked, approaching Nina.Hearing familiar English, Nina immediately felt a surge of safety, almost like being home. "I'm okay. Are you... Are you from the Birkham army?""Yes," the soldier replied, a hint of excitement in his voice. "It's so chaotic here. I didn’t expect to meet someone from our country."Nina's first thought was whether she might meet Nash. But seeing the soldier in front of her, she realized he probably didn’t know her or Nash. She decided to ask cautiously, "Do you know Nash York?”To her surprise, the soldier's eyes lit up. "Ah, you know our
Their eyes met, and it felt like an eternity. Despite spending so much time together in the past, this first glance after their long separation felt particularly precious. Tears welled up in Nina's eyes. Seeing him safe and sound mattered more than any words.She didn't step forward, trying hard to control her emotions. Before coming here, she had often wondered if they would ever see each other again. Just seeing him was already a blessing. Compared to his safety, her grievances seemed insignificant.They didn't approach each other. From a distance, their eyes conveyed all the longing they felt. "Captain York," a soldier called out, breaking the moment. "Everyone's waiting for you inside."Nash turned back. "Right," he replied and walked inside without hesitation.Nina stayed where she was, watching until his figure disappeared. A sense of loss filled her heart, but she reminded herself that they were divorced. No disappointment could surpass the heartbreak of receiving the di
The rice looked coarse and not particularly appetizing."Here you go."Suddenly, Nina caught a whiff of fragrant rice. She looked up to see Nash standing in front of her, gazing at her with a serious expression. In his hand was a bowl of clean white rice.Nina was momentarily stunned. Seeing her hesitation, Nash placed the bowl next to her, setting a spoon on top. "Eat."He then took the bowl of slightly blackened rice and began to eat. Nina watched him intently, then asked, "Is this all you eat?"Nash sat on a stone beside her. "Yes."Nina pressed her lips together, noticing how much he had changed. The once dignified Nash, who used to have everything at the highest standard, was now eating this coarse rice in such harsh conditions. She glanced at the bowl of white rice and said, "I'm not that delicate. I've gotten used to the life here in Yaren. You didn't have to go out of your way to get white rice for me."Nash glanced at her. "There's not much white rice left. Don't wast
"Got it, James!""You were all talking so animatedly; I want to see who this person is..." James didn't believe Nash would be interested in any young girl, especially since he had someone back home. He was curious and peeked over, only to see a familiar-looking figure from behind. He also noticed Nash's gaze, which was indeed as affectionate as the others had described.He silently remarked, "This is bad! There's going to be trouble back home!"James grew anxious. If Nash found a girlfriend here, what about the wife back home?Curious, one of the soldiers nudged him, "What do you think, James?"James pushed them back, "Stop gossiping! Captain isn't like that!""Okay, okay!"They listened to James and quieted down. But inside, James was nervous. He was more anxious than anyone else. He knew how deeply Nash felt for Nina, so it didn't seem likely he had feelings for someone else. But that back view looked a lot like Nina's.Oh no!Could Captain have found a substitute?---
Hearing this, Nina still felt a pang of sorrow. They were living through what their ancestors had endured. Though she hadn't experienced it herself, every time she read about it or saw it in media, she felt a deep empathy for their suffering and a profound appreciation for her country's rapid development. It was a reminder to never forget the past.Just then, Nash emerged and saw Nina talking with Carl. He noticed her gently patting Carl's back, comforting him. They seemed to get along well, as if they had known each other for a long time. Nash's expression darkened, his brows furrowing slightly.Nina, seeing Carl's downcast demeanor, felt a protective, almost sisterly affection for him. She moved closer, offering her shoulder for him to lean on, hoping to instill some positive energy and a glimmer of hope. "Let’s work towards rebuilding our nation!" she said to him.Carl looked into her eyes, finding motivation in her determined gaze.A sudden cough interrupted them. Carl quickl
"Really?" Nina was a bit surprised.Nash glanced at her, his tone calm. "Your clothes are dirty. You probably need a shower."Nina looked down at herself. At home, she used to shower every day. Here, with such harsh conditions, she had given up on that luxury. She had been buried under rubble and had been through a lot, so she definitely wasn't clean. She hadn't expected Nash to be so considerate.She couldn't help but sniff herself. "Do I smell?""No." Nash's deep eyes locked onto hers. "I just know you like to stay clean."His words left Nina momentarily dazed. She looked up at Nash, feeling the distance between them. Despite the divorce papers in hand, he still showed her such thoughtful care.His actions revealed that he was still attentive to her needs.Nina bit her lip, shifting her gaze to avoid the unclear and complicated feelings between them. "Alright."Nina nodded and said, "I'll go back now.""Okay."Nina turned to leave. Nash watched her until she disappeared fro
Her expression grew more awkward, and she let out a light huff, "So what if I did?"Nina crossed her arms and looked at her with a hint of amusement. "Why are you bringing me food? Weren't you trying to kick me out just a few days ago?"Arin's pride was visibly bruised. She glanced at Nina and then looked away. "I didn't want you to starve. The village is in shambles, and many people are eating communal meals. When I didn't see you around, I worried you'd starve to death. I don't want another death in our village."The excuse was flimsy. Nina remembered Arin's previous antics and the fact that she had saved Arin's brother. It was probably guilt that prompted Arin to bring her a meal.Nina walked inside, sat down, and glanced at the food. "There's even meat. Did you bring out your family's best for this?""Who says that!" Arin followed her inside. "Everyone's eating this. I'm not making any special treatment for you!"Despite her defiant attitude, Arin was still a young girl who c
The woman still looked hopeful. "Then when can I come back tomorrow to see him?""I'm not sure about that," the guard replied.Now she felt a bit disappointed. Yesterday, she had managed to see him and even shared a meal with the group, but today he was nowhere to be found. Maybe she had come too late. Perhaps if she arrived earlier tomorrow, she would have better luck.Just then, James walked by, still mulling over whether Nash was using the woman he had seen as a stand-in for someone else. He muttered to himself, "It shouldn't be, right? Preparing a hot bath for her? Captain wouldn't be this nice to just any woman, it's not ethical. But then, Captain isn't that kind of person."He was trying to reassure himself, knowing Nash's deep affection for Nina. It did not seem likely he would use someone as a stand-in. But on the other hand, since Nash and Nina were divorced, he wouldn't have to worry about ethics.As James muttered to himself, the woman, Chana, looked up and saw him.