Only I Understand His Gentle Heart - Chapter 104.1

During the days when they couldn’t meet, Zhang Wulin worked twice as hard in training. He wanted to emulate Captain Lu and achieve meritorious deeds, eventually becoming a young officer. His goal was to provide Lin Ziyu with a promising future, one built on actions rather than empty promises.

And Lin Ziyu?

She visited her aunt and uncle for dinner. When they asked how her scriptwriting was going, Lin Ziyu answered truthfully. In reality, she had contributed very little to the script for Counterterrorism because she didn’t understand the subject well enough. She wasn’t even officially credited.

Then her uncle teased her with a chuckle, “Met any young, handsome officers?”

Lin Ziyu’s thoughts drifted to Lu Zhuofeng. Initially, she had entertained the idea of getting closer to him, but his cold demeanor and obvious preference for Ming Zhu made her reconsider. She wasn’t one to fixate on a single man, so she let it go easily. Now, her thoughts turned to Zhang Wulin.

The squad leader.

He might not be an officer now, but maybe someday he would be.

When her aunt and uncle asked about her personal life, Lin Ziyu kept her relationship with Zhang Wulin to herself. She pressed her lips together and shook her head. “No, no one.”

Her aunt couldn’t resist nagging. “Your mom mentioned wanting me to help arrange a good match for you, maybe even a blind date. I’m telling you, marrying well is important. If you plan to settle in Beicheng, it’s best to find someone local.”

Lin Ziyu smiled but didn’t say anything.

For as long as she could remember, Lin Ziyu had always known what she wanted. Yet her relationship with Zhang Wulin had developed unexpectedly. What surprised her more was how much she allowed herself to indulge in it. After leaving her aunt’s home, a wave of clarity hit her. She questioned herself, What are you doing? He’s just a young soldier. Even if he becomes an officer in seven or eight years, can you wait that long? What will your family say? They won’t agree.

If her aunt and uncle found out she was dating a squad leader instead of a proper officer, how would they react? How would they explain it to her parents? Could she withstand the pressure and continue the relationship?

These were real concerns, and Lin Ziyu was a practical person.

Her thoughts began to trouble her. She truly liked Zhang Wulin. He was the best man she had ever met. But she feared she might lack the courage to endure everything their relationship demanded.

At the end of the month, the creative team visited the military base.

By then, Lin Ziyu had already started considering breaking up. She worried that the deeper she fell, the harder it would be to extricate herself—and she didn’t want to hurt Zhang Wulin. He was so pure and sincere that a breakup would undoubtedly devastate him.

Was it better to end things sooner rather than later?

That afternoon, after training, Zhang Wulin heard that the creative team had arrived. Grinning broadly, he immediately ran to the cafeteria.

The moment he spotted Lin Ziyu, he strode toward her. Seeing him, Lin Ziyu felt her earlier resolve to break up waver, replaced by a surge of joy. She missed him, too. Their eyes met for a few seconds before she urged him, “Go line up for your meal first.”

Cao Ming, a fellow soldier, teased, “Squad Leader.”

Zhang Wulin shot him a glare before scratching his head sheepishly and looking at Lin Ziyu. “Okay, I’ll go now.”

“Mm, hurry up,” she replied.

Lin Ziyu had saved a seat for him at a table. Across from her was an empty spot, while the rest of the creative team sat nearby. Tang Xin, one of her colleagues, teased her, “Look at how the squad leader is smiling.”

Lin Ziyu glanced at Zhang Wulin, who was beaming with youthful energy in his training uniform. She lowered her head, a small smile forming on her lips.

After a few moments, though, she couldn’t help but sigh quietly.

What was she going to do?

Tang Xin observed her closely and spoke softly. “Lin Ziyu, the squad leader is such a good guy. You should treat him well. I know being a military spouse isn’t easy, but look at Ming Zhu—she’s a military wife, too. You’d have someone to share that experience with…”

Lin Ziyu understood Tang Xin’s intent; she was trying to persuade her to cherish Zhang Wulin.

Tang Xin paused halfway through her sentence, then stopped entirely.

Lin Ziyu gave her a small smile. “Thank you, Tang Xin.”

Zhang Wulin approached the table carrying his tray of food. Sitting across from Lin Ziyu, he smiled at her—a smile filled with uncontainable joy that anyone could see was genuine. It was clear to everyone that Zhang Wulin truly liked Lin Ziyu. Their sudden relationship, however, had surprised many.

Fate worked in mysterious ways.

With so many people around, the two barely exchanged a few words. During the short midday break, they took a walk around the base. Zhang Wulin chatted happily as they strolled, his excitement evident, but Lin Ziyu suddenly felt a wave of panic well up inside her.

She stopped walking and called out softly, “Squad leader…”

She still wasn’t used to calling him anything else after all this time.

Zhang Wulin turned back, his grin wide and cheerful. “What’s wrong?”

“You… do you really like me?” she asked.

His ears turned slightly red, but he looked at her with an earnest smile. “Of course I like you.”

Looking into his sincere and pure eyes, Lin Ziyu realized how foolish her question had been. She smiled weakly, but the panic inside her only grew. She felt a twinge of regret—regret for ever getting involved with him in the first place.

Noticing the subtle change in her expression, Zhang Wulin became nervous. “What’s the matter?” he asked.

Lin Ziyu shook her head and smiled, not daring to voice what was in her heart.

“When are you leaving? I don’t know if I’ll get to see you after my training ends this afternoon,” Zhang Wulin said, completely unaware of the thoughts swirling in her mind. His only concern was finding a way to spend more time with her after training.

“I’ll wait until your training is over,” Lin Ziyu replied.

She decided to wait. When evening came, and the darkness made it harder to see his eyes, maybe she would find the courage to say what needed to be said.

Evening.

The moment training ended, Zhang Wulin dashed off the field. In his haste, he accidentally bumped into Ming Zhu, earning a quick scolding from Lu Zhuofeng. Ming Zhu, however, smiled and reassured him, “Go on, Lin Ziyu is still here.”

He scratched his head sheepishly and ran off, his excitement palpable.

The night sky of early winter descended quickly. By the time Zhang Wulin and Lin Ziyu stepped out of the cafeteria, the world around them was already cloaked in darkness.

Leading Lin Ziyu to a quiet, secluded spot, Zhang Wulin finally stopped and wrapped his arms around her. He didn’t say a word. She had once told him he didn’t need to ask for permission when he wanted to kiss her, so he leaned down and kissed her deeply.

Lin Ziyu froze for a moment before closing her eyes. She told herself it could be a goodbye kiss.

Zhang Wulin kissed her hungrily, his longing and affection pouring out in waves. He had missed her so much.

When they finally broke apart, both breathing heavily, Zhang Wulin wanted to kiss her again. But Lin Ziyu gently pushed him away, lowering her head. “Squad leader…” she whispered.

For the first time, she couldn’t muster the courage to meet his gaze.

Zhang Wulin looked at her, confused. “Huh?”

Taking a deep breath, Lin Ziyu raised her head and met his eyes. “I’m sorry… I’ve been thinking a lot lately. I don’t think we’re right for each other. My parents will oppose us in the future, and instead of getting more deeply involved, we should end it here.”

Yes, before they fell any deeper, it was better to stop now.

While she could still walk away.

While Zhang Wulin hadn’t completely fallen for her yet.

There was still time to prevent further heartbreak. She wasn’t such a terrible person, was she?

Zhang Wulin stood there, dumbfounded, as though he hadn’t heard her correctly. He stared at her blankly, his voice dry and trembling. “You’re saying…”

“Yes. Let’s break up,” Lin Ziyu blurted out quickly. She was afraid that if she hesitated any longer, she wouldn’t be able to say the words.

She lowered her head again, unable to face him, and turned her gaze to the side.