AWB Chapter 151 A Warm Moment in the Newlyweds
Chapter 151 A Warm Moment in the Newlyweds
early morning.
The morning light streamed through the elegant curtains, casting dappled shadows on the floor. Cao Qingdi slowly opened her eyes, the unfamiliar ceiling coming into view. She paused for a moment before realizing she had moved into the Chen mansion. This was her first morning as Chen Zijun's wife, and she felt a mixture of shyness and sweet anticipation.
She turned to look beside her. Chen Zijun was awake, turned to look at her, his eyes full of tenderness. Sunlight shone on his face, softening his features. This man, who was usually so powerful and feared by warlords, was now focused solely on her.
"Awake?" Chen Zijun's voice was soft, with a hoarse quality from just waking up.
Cao Qingdi nodded, her cheeks slightly flushed. She recalled everything that had happened last night, and her heart began to race.
Chen Zijun gently stroked her hair, the warmth from his fingertips making her feel at ease. "What do you want to do today?"
Cao Qingdi thought for a moment and said, "I'd like to go see the new lab and familiarize myself with the environment."
Chen Zijun nodded: "Okay, I'll have Sister Huixin show you around."
A moment later, Cao Qingdi finished washing up, changed into an elegant cheongsam, and stepped out of her room. The corridors of the Chen mansion were spacious and bright, with exquisite oil paintings hanging on the walls and soft red carpets underfoot. Every detail of this residence showcased the owner's taste and wealth, but Cao Qingdi felt a long-lost tranquility.
Mo Huixin was already waiting downstairs, dressed in a well-fitting cheongsam with a gentle smile on her face.
"Young Madam," Mo Huixin said with a smile, "Young Master asked me to show you around the Chen Mansion and the newly built laboratory behind it."
Cao Qingdi nodded: "Thank you for your trouble."
Mo Huixin shook her head: "You're too kind, young mistress."
She led Cao Qingdi on a tour of the Chen mansion. The residence was even larger than Cao Qingdi had imagined. The study was filled with books and documents, and there were still unfinished official documents from Chen Zijun on the table. The dining room was spacious and bright, and could accommodate more than twenty people at the same time. The reception room was elegantly decorated, with calligraphy and paintings by famous artists hanging on the walls. The back garden was even more of a hidden paradise, with artificial hills and flowing water, and lush flowers and trees, displaying the elegance of a Jiangnan garden.
"Young Madam, this is the study. The young master usually handles military affairs here," Mo Huixin introduced. "This is the dining room, this is the reception room, this is the back garden, and this is your newly built laboratory..."
Cao Qingdi listened attentively, nodding occasionally. She could feel Chen Zijun's thoughtfulness—this laboratory was specially prepared for her, filled with all kinds of advanced experimental equipment and chemical reagents, even more complete than the laboratory she had at Gongji Hospital.
"Young Madam, please let me know if you need anything," Mo Huixin said. "The young marshal instructed that you must be made comfortable."
Cao Qingdi smiled and said, "Thank you."
Mo Huixin led Cao Qingdi to the back garden, where Mo Lanzhi was handling official business in a small pavilion. The pavilion was surrounded by lush green bamboo groves, the leaves rustling in the breeze. Mo Lanzhi looked up and saw Cao Qingdi, then quickly stood up.
"Sister Huixin," Mo Lanzhi hurriedly stood up and said, "Greetings, young mistress."
Cao Qingdi nodded: "Hello."
Mo Huixin said, "Young Madam, if you like the back garden, you can come here for a walk often. The scenery here is beautiful; there are peach blossoms in spring, lotus flowers in summer, osmanthus flowers in autumn, and plum blossoms in winter. Each season offers a different view."
Cao Qingdi nodded, her gaze sweeping over every corner of the garden. The artificial hills, flowing water, pavilions, and terraces truly made it a rare and tranquil place. "Yes, I will."
The three strolled and chatted. Mo Huixin inquired about Cao Qingdi's past, and Cao Qingdi shared her experiences without reservation. She spoke of her time studying at the Beiping Medical College, her years studying in the United States, and her passion for medicine and dedication to drug research. Mo Lanzhi and Mo Huixin listened quietly, occasionally interjecting a word or two, creating a harmonious and warm atmosphere.
"Young Madam, did you used to live in Beiping?" Mo Huixin asked.
Cao Qingdi nodded: "Yes, I lived there for a few years, not very long, because I went abroad to study soon after."
Mo Huixin thought to herself, "No wonder the young mistress is knowledgeable in medicine. The young master said that the young mistress is the most famous and best surgeon in all of Shanghai, and that you are a genius."
Cao Qingdi smiled: "I'm very interested in medicine. I used to focus mainly on surgery, but he's led me astray, and now I mainly do some drug research."
She thought for a moment and said, "I'd like to continue my research on improved sulfonamide formulations in this laboratory at the Chen residence. I wonder if that would be convenient?"
Mo Huixin said, "Young Madam, this is a great idea. I can arrange it for you. Besides, the young master has provided you with the best laboratory available; it's perfectly adequate."
Cao Qingdi nodded: "That's wonderful."
Mo Lanzhi then smiled and said, "Young Master has instructed us more than once to make sure Young Madam is comfortable and can do what she wants."
Cao Qingdi smiled and said, "Thank you."
In the afternoon, Chen Zijun returned to the Chen mansion. He pushed open the door and saw Cao Qingdi organizing books. The setting sun streamed through the window, casting a golden halo around her figure. At that moment, Chen Zijun felt an unprecedented tranquility—the outside world's disturbances seemed to be shut out through this door, leaving only him and her, and this rare warmth.
"You're back?" Cao Qingdi looked up, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.
Chen Zijun nodded: "Yes, the military affairs are all settled."
He walked to Cao Qingdi's side and gently put his arm around her shoulder. Cao Qingdi leaned against him, feeling his body temperature and heartbeat. This was the first time she had felt this man's exhaustion so closely—he always appeared so composed and invincible, but at this moment, she could feel the heavy burden on his shoulders.
"How was your day?" Chen Zijun asked.
Cao Qingdi smiled: "Very good. Huixin showed me around the Chen mansion and even arranged a pharmacy for me."
Chen Zijun nodded: "Very good. Just tell Sister Lanzhi and Sister Huixin what you need."
Cao Qingdi nodded: "I know."
She looked up at Chen Zijun earnestly: "Little brother Zijun, aren't you tired from being so busy every day?"
Chen Zijun shook his head: "No. I'm used to it."
Cao Qingdi said, "You need to rest and avoid overworking."
Chen Zijun nodded: "I will."
He reached out and took Cao Qingdi's hand, their fingers intertwined. "Qingdi, I will try my best to make time for you."
Cao Qingdi smiled: "Yes, I know."
Chen Zijun thought for a moment and said, "Qingdi, after the Northern Expeditionary Army issue is resolved, I'd like to take you to Hangzhou for a traditional Chinese wedding."
Cao Qingdi asked in surprise, "A Chinese-style wedding?"
Chen Zijun nodded: "Yes. Our current wedding is very simple because I need it to give my father-in-law an explanation and to put Shanghai at ease. Also, due to the current situation, neither my father nor mother can come, which is disrespectful to them and to you. So I plan to hold a grand wedding in Hangzhou."
A flicker of emotion crossed Cao Qingdi's eyes. She knew Chen Zijun genuinely wanted the best for her, even though he was already a warlord with a large army, he still cared about these small details. "Okay."
Chen Zijun continued, "Furthermore, I must also make it clear to you that I intend to take this opportunity to integrate the Zhejiang Military Governor's Office and implement the economic, political, and military integration of the five provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai, Anhui, and Fujian."
Cao Qingdi nodded: "Yes, that's good."
Chen Zijun said, "Although my father was the military governor of Zhejiang Province, his personality made Zhejiang Province relatively independent and relaxed. I plan to take advantage of the wedding in Hangzhou to completely integrate Zhejiang Province into the system, achieving military-political integration within the five southeastern provinces of the Chen family army."
Cao Qingdi nodded: "I believe you can do it."
Chen Zijun smiled, his eyes full of tenderness: "With your support, I have even more confidence."
The following day, Cao Qingdi's small pharmacy set up in the Chen mansion began operations. The laboratory was filled with all kinds of sophisticated instruments, including test tubes, beakers, and microscopes. The air was filled with the faint smell of chemical reagents, a smell that Cao Qingdi was most familiar with, which made her feel at ease and at ease.
Wearing a white lab coat, she was in the pharmacy researching improved sulfonamide formulations. She carefully mixed various reagents, observing every detail of the chemical reactions. She had been studying this formulation for a long time, constantly searching for a more efficient synthetic route.
Mo Huixin entered the pharmacy and, seeing Cao Qingdi's focused expression, said softly, "Young Madam, please tell me what equipment you need."
Cao Qingdi nodded: "Thank you, Sister Huixin. I need some experimental equipment and chemical reagents."
Mo Huixin said, "I'll have someone prepare it immediately."
Cao Qingdi smiled and said, "Thank you."
Looking at Cao Qingdi's focused expression, Mo Huixin couldn't help but feel admiration. This woman not only possessed superb medical skills but also a compassionate heart. "Young Madam, what is the purpose of your research?"
Cao Qingdi stopped what she was doing and said earnestly, "I want to improve the formula for sulfonamides, reduce costs, and make this drug more affordable for more people. Many people are losing their lives because they can't afford medicine, and I hope to change that."
Mo Huixin nodded: "Young Madam is truly kind and skillful."
Cao Qingdi smiled: "I was just doing my best."
Several days later, Cao Qingdi's research made progress. After countless experiments, she finally found a new synthetic method that could significantly reduce the production cost of sulfonamides. This discovery thrilled her, and she couldn't wait to tell Chen Zijun.
She excitedly ran to Chen Zijun's study, still somewhat thrilled as she pushed open the door.
"Zijun!" Cao Qingdi exclaimed, "I've discovered a new synthesis method that can reduce costs by 30%!"
Chen Zijun put down the documents, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes: "Really?"
Cao Qingdi nodded, a smile spreading across her face: "Yes! By adjusting the reaction conditions, I've found a more efficient synthesis route. This way, the production cost of sulfonamides can be reduced by 30%, making it more affordable for ordinary people."
Chen Zijun stood up, walked to Cao Qingdi's side, and gently patted her shoulder: "That's great! Your research is very meaningful."
Cao Qingdi said, "I want to put this improved formula into production as soon as possible."
Chen Zijun nodded: "Okay, I support you. Just tell me what resources you need."
Cao Qingdi smiled and said, "Thank you."
Chen Zijun said, "Qingdi, your research will not only benefit the people, but also provide better medical support for the Chen family army. On the battlefield, the supply of medical materials is of paramount importance."
Cao Qingdi nodded: "Yes, I will continue to work hard."
Just then, Mo Lanzhi walked into the study, her expression solemn.
"Young Master," Mo Lanzhi said, "I have important intelligence to report."
Chen Zijun nodded: "Speak."
Moran said, "Young Master, the French side strongly protests your statement regarding the return of the French concession and is joining forces with other powers to put pressure on you."
Chen Zijun sneered: "The French, they actually dare to protest?"
He walked to the map and looked at the French Concession in Shanghai. On the map, the concession was marked in red, like a glaring scar. This concession was ceded to the foreign powers during the Qing Dynasty, a source of shame for the Chinese people. Chen Zijun's declaration to reclaim the concession made the French uneasy; they joined forces with other foreign powers in an attempt to pressure Chen Zijun.
"Sister Lanzhi," Chen Zijun said, "tell the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that the French protests are invalid. The concession is Chinese territory and must be taken back. If the French dare to use force, we will take it back by force."