The wooden workbench had transformed into an exquisite mahogany one, its every surface carved with delicate patterns that made Xie Changning’s heart ache.

’What’s a workbench for?!’

’It’s for working! What’s the point of carving all these patterns? Wouldn’t it be better to use that effort to make it last longer?!’

Even though Xie Changning didn’t have to clean the workbench—it cleaned itself automatically every day—she still couldn’t quite get used to it. Her workbenches had always been minimalist in style, so suddenly switching to an ornate one left her feeling a bit uninspired.

Fortunately, the next upgrade would result in a metal-style workbench, so Xie Changning temporarily accepted this ornate one.

She finished putting everything in order.

Only then did Xie Changning begin to study the workbench’s current capabilities.

From making small parts at the very beginning, Xie Changning’s workbench could now produce molds for certain machines, such as molds for four-wheeled vehicles and internal components for photocopiers.

Unlike the existing technology of the 1970s, the photocopier Xie Changning’s workbench produced was in color.

It could print in color.

Technologically, it was a bit more advanced than what was currently available.

Workbench Lv. 4: Can produce photocopiers (includes blueprints for design, component schematics, etc.), high-quality light industrial products...

The laboratory was now getting on track, and Xie Changning was thinking about how to apply it all in the real world.

However—

If Director Zhao’s efforts went smoothly, she would become the director of a machinery factory. When that happened... producing photocopiers would be a cinch.

At the thought, Xie Changning began to look forward to the promotion.

After leaving the space, Xie Changning returned to her room to rest.

*

Yue Yihan went on a mission and only returned half a month later.

Back at the base, the Brigade Commander was a little surprised. "Isn’t this a twenty-day mission?" ’Why is he back five days early?’

"Well... I finished, so I came back."

Hearing Yue Yihan say this, the Brigade Commander understood. Yue Yihan had wanted to finish the mission quickly so he could take leave and go home to his wife.

The Brigade Commander chuckled and chided, "Yue Yihan, you’re hopeless!"

When the topic shifted to Xie Changning, the Brigade Commander’s expression turned more serious. He looked intently at Yue Yihan. "Tell me the truth. How exactly did you and your wife meet?"

Previously, Yue Yihan had gone to Shanghai for a mission. He was gone for less than two months, and when he came back, he filed a marriage application.

’This whole thing is too strange!’

Although the subsequent political background check and Xie Changning herself raised no red flags, as an elder who had watched Yue Yihan grow up, he found it hard to trust a daughter-in-law who had married into the family so quickly.

"I... I was set up."

Yue Yihan said the words the Brigade Commander had long expected. The Brigade Commander snorted coldly. "I knew it!"

’That girl does seem outstanding, but you know a person’s face, not their heart!’

Especially since Yue Yihan was a regiment commander. With her marrying him so quickly, he found it hard to truly feel at ease.

"You’ve misunderstood, sir. It wasn’t her. She was a victim too. It was actually..." As he spoke, Yue Yihan looked at the Brigade Commander, finding it difficult to continue.

Seeing Yue Yihan’s conflicted expression, the Brigade Commander frowned.

"Just say what you have to say!"

"It was Yu Huo."

Yue Yihan forced out the name.

The Brigade Commander’s lips parted. He stood stunned for a long moment before uttering two words, "Yu Huo?"

Yue Yihan wiped his face and nodded with difficulty.

The Brigade Commander wanted to ask, ’Yue Yihan, you must be joking, right?’

But he had watched Yue Yihan grow up. Yue Yihan wasn’t the type of kid to lie. If he did something, he’d admit it; if he didn’t, he wouldn’t. He wouldn’t randomly slander others.

"Why would she do that?"

Yu Huo was the star pupil of the Brigade Commander’s wife and a frequent guest at their home, so the Brigade Commander was very fond of her.

Yu Huo came from a difficult family, one that favored sons over daughters. If not for Yu Huo’s insistence on studying, plus the financial support from the Brigade Commander’s wife, she likely would have already been sold off to some family in exchange for a bride price.

Because of this, the Brigade Commander and his wife pitied her deeply and had taken her in as their goddaughter.

They tried to fill the wounds of her childhood with love.

In front of the Brigade Commander and his wife, Yu Huo always acted sweet and obedient. So, when Yue Yihan told him this, the impact on the Brigade Commander was immense.

"I’m not sure. But the only thing I drank that day was what she gave me."

Yue Yihan didn’t want to accuse her, but all the evidence from that day pointed to her.

Yue Yihan lowered his eyes, then slowly raised them to look at the Brigade Commander. "I’m sorry, sir. I’ve already contacted the local police about this. Their instructions were not to alert the suspect, so I didn’t tell you."

Yu Huo’s actions had seriously affected his mission.

He couldn’t allow someone to break discipline like that. He didn’t know where she got the drug, but the police would find out.

The fact that there were no results yet could only mean that the case had wider implications and that they needed to lay low for now.

And then catch them all in one fell swoop.

"It’s not your fault. She’s the one who did wrong." The Brigade Commander slowly exhaled, trying to suppress the unease in his heart.

His unease stemmed from the fact that Yu Huo had, in the end, gone down the wrong path.

A path that neither he nor his wife had ever imagined for her.

"Sir... you should have a proper talk with your wife. I’m afraid she’s going to be imprisoned." Targeting a state military officer was a jailable offense.

Even though he had known her for a long time, Yue Yihan showed no mercy.

He didn’t dare to think about what would have happened to him if he hadn’t met his wife.

Thinking about what happened that day, Yue Yihan’s expression twisted...

"It seems I misunderstood your wife. Another day, my wife and I will personally visit her." The Brigade Commander sighed. He had made a mistake, and he would take responsibility for it.

"I want to take three days of leave!"

Having finished the serious topic, Yue Yihan instantly changed the subject, directly asking for leave.

The Brigade Commander was shocked.

"What did you say?" The Brigade Commander looked like he was about to unbuckle his belt. "You little brat, do you even have that much leave time?! Three days!" ’He doesn’t think he can get an extra day off just because he told me about Yu Huo, does he?’

’That’s impossible!’

Having been refused, Yue Yihan nodded helplessly. "Alright then, I guess I can only take two days."

As he spoke, Yue Yihan’s shoulders slumped, and he shuffled toward the door.

He seemed very dejected.

The moment he stepped out of the Brigade Commander’s office, Yue Yihan’s expression brightened like a sunny day.

’Yes! I get to spend two whole days with my wife!’

’If I hadn’t asked for three days, the commander probably would have only given me one. How could one day possibly be enough to cure how much I miss my wife?’

’I had to get one more day!’

Leaving the base, Yue Yihan first went to the department store to buy some snacks for his wife.

Then, he went to look at televisions.

After confirming that he couldn’t afford one, he moved on to the section selling radios. He looked for a long time before finally choosing a Panda brand B11 radio.

The Panda brand was a bit more expensive than ordinary brands, but it had the advantage of better sound quality.

At this moment, Xie Changning was stuffing clothes into the washing machine. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Then, she heard footsteps outside. She turned her head and saw Yue Yihan standing at the door, carrying several bags.

"Honey, stop that! I’ll do it!"