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.
James said, "It's no trouble. You're doing this for Captain after all."Chana smiled and left, and James followed shortly after. However, Chana kept James's words in mind, curious about the woman Nash was supposedly so attentive to.She didn't leave immediately but instead asked a soldier, "When will we leave this village?""I'm not sure about that," the soldier replied.Chana tried another approach, "The woman who's been in close contact with Captain, is she from this village?"The soldier thought for a moment, "No, I think she's from our country."Hearing this, Chana's heart sank. That woman was from their country. No wonder they were all talking about it."Thanks," she said with a smile and returned to her tent.Her son woke up as she arrived. "Mom, where did you go?" The boy, speaking their native language, clung to her, looking anxious. She hugged him tightly."I went to see Captain," Chana said, stroking his soft hair."The handsome uncle?" the boy asked."Yes," Chana
At that moment, she noticed many women with tools, carrying baskets on their backs. Among them was Arin."Arin!" Nina called out. "Are you all going to gather herbs this early?""Yes," Arin replied. "Early is best. Some herbs retract once the dew dries. Plus, we can also gather bamboo shoots. It's the season for them!""I'll join you," Nina offered, thinking she had nothing else to do and was eager to help."Great, I'll get you a basket and tools," Arin responded warmly.Nina quickly integrated with them and joined them in gathering herbs on the mountain. Some of the women, noticing her delicate appearance, doubted her capabilities. One remarked, "Can you manage this?"Nina confidently replied, "I can handle it. I'm stronger than I look," in the Yaren language. Though her pronunciation was still rough, she understood their words and could respond in kind.This impressed the women. "This girl is smart, speaking our language," one exclaimed.Nina smiled. "Just a bit, so bear wi
In Nash's mind, the Pharaoh was definitely not a good person."Look over there! The Yaren women are gathering herbs!"They saw the women working hard."The allied forces' raid destroyed most of the herbs, which are their primary source of income.""Wait…" Felix suddenly rubbed his eyes in disbelief. "Am I seeing things, or is that someone familiar among the Yaren women?"Nash immediately recognized Nina in the midst of the women. She had managed to fit in quickly, even chatting happily with them. Most of these women hadn’t received any formal education and spoke their native Yaren language. The younger ones could speak a bit of the common language. Nina seemed to be able to communicate with them quite well.Nash glanced at Felix. "You’re not seeing things."Felix was shocked. "What? Ma'am followed us all the way to the Yaren territory!"Nash pressed his lips together and corrected him, "From now on, call her Miss Nina.""Understood, Captain," Felix replied.Despite his word
Nina knew her pants were wet. Everyone too. It was a small price to pay for gathering herbs, and she didn't mind."I’ll change when we get back," she said casually.Nash, however, warned her, "If you don’t protect your legs from the damp, you could get rheumatism.""It’s just for a little while," Nina replied politely. "I’ll change my pants as soon as we return."But Nash’s attention was fixed on her legs. Without saying a word, he knelt down and began to roll up her pant legs.Surprised and a bit embarrassed, Nina tried to stop him. "What are you doing? It’s really not necessary."Ignoring her protests, Nash took off his kneepads and fastened them around her legs.Everyone around them watched with growing curiosity.Arin covered her mouth in excitement, as if she had just discovered a juicy piece of gossip.Their relationship was clearly not ordinary!It felt like watching a romantic drama unfold.Nash tightened the kneepads, securing them snugly. "These are waterproof and