Entering Sunrise Bay XiaWan for the First Time

the bay here was separated into two relatively independent harbors by the Qing Xi River flowing into the sea.

On the southern side near the mountains, several deep-water piers extend from the sea along the Qing Xi river into the inland river. The vast pier square at the left side of the pier is currently used as a military drill ground, with future plans to develop it into a seafood-centric whole sale market. Three commercial streets have been arranged in a circular pattern along the perimeter of the square, serving as the logistical hub for military supplies and services.

To the north along the riverbank, plans are made for future government offices and public lands. Presently, only a large stretch of courtyard walls and a stone-based house have been erected near the sea, adorned with a signboard bearing the name: "Sunrise Residence." Connected to it, the pier stretches far into the sea, culminating in a wooden platform of about 20 square meters.

Looking at the deck at the end of wooden walkway, her gaze conjures up the images of two people in her mind. Sometimes they walk hand in hand along the pier, welcoming the dawn; other times, they practice Tai Chi movements bathed in the morning sun. Occasionally, they sit embracing each other, watching the sunset, or engage in fishing, playing in the water, or meditating. Each scene represents her most beautiful aspirations. As she turns around, she meets Cheng Mo's gaze, which has been deeply fixed on her eyes all along. No words are needed, only a kiss, conveying their mutual understanding in this moment.

Behind the beach, a hundred meters north of the Sunrise Residence, lay a vast expanse of flat and open land. A few cement-based houses and numerous military tents were systematically arranged according to the seven divisions of the Guard Troops of Cheng family, radiating out from the central command tent. According to thoughts of Xiang Bei, it was envisioned that after the end of the conflict, that area would be developed into a well-equipped upscale residential and commercial community.

Approaching the command tent, she saw the seven divisions of the Cheng family's guard troop finishing their training and resting in the camp. Joyfully, she greeted each and every one of them as she approached. It had been almost a year since she last met them at the seaside base, and it had been rare to see everyone gathered so neatly. Surrounded by these enthusiastic young men, she had felt a bit like the head of the household, or rather, the lady of the house.

In the spacious marshal's tent, what was originally a lively family reunion now appeared more like a large-scale Q&A session. During that time, the leaders of the Cheng family's guard had been shuttling between various construction sites, organizing and coordinating manpower. As they witnessed buildings rising from flat ground and various specialty products entering full-scale production, they had adhered resolutely to the construction requirements while accumulating a bellyful of curiosity and questions. From steam-powered water extraction and biogas lighting to the transformation of soil-based roadbeds, from peculiar silk masks to various bags, skincare products, darkened tea leaves, and heavily smoked meats, they had gathered around, eagerly asking the questions that had accumulated over the months.

Tong signaled for everyone to be quiet. She understood too well what she had brought here from the distant modern world and she also understood the impact of the charm of Eastern Asia culture spanning millennia on these ancient people. So, she succinctly and incisively explained the key points of various new technologies, adding the finishing touch to her explanations. Then, the tone changed, and Miss Tong began to describe the features of each inn and the new towns that would soon develop around them. Finally, she found her most loyal fan base, showcasing everything from the Fishjoy Inn run by the Dan people from the boats, the Mountain Goods Inn at the foot of Dong Binh Mountain run by hunters, to the dairy inn launched by the pastoral estate... to the Mulberry-Sesame-Sugar-Oil Inn, listing the unique features of each place, boasting alone while everyone else played along. Tong talked non-stop for over an hour, until nightfall, when they sat down for dinner.

Cheng Mo watched as Xiang Bei finished eating before finally pulling her away to rest. In fact, if he didn't want her to wake up early to watch the sunrise the next morning, he really wouldn't have wanted to interrupt her. He wanted to sit quietly from a distance and watch her in the center of the lively crowd, radiant and laughing freely, just like this, watching her for a lifetime.

"Xiao Bei, you're amazing! You've been busy by yourself during this time. Thank you, Xiao Bei." Cheng Mo hugged her as they sat on the wooden platform facing the sea in front of the Sunrise Residence. This was the place where the two of them had set up a tent and spent the night watching the sunrise for the first time.

"Ah Mo, at this moment, I truly understand the tranquility of the years. With the great battle looming, we will surely win this fight, won't we? Ah Mo, I want to protect this peace."

"Yes, Xiao Bei, I will definitely protect you, and I will safeguard every inch of land of my Eastern Shore people and the YunMeng people as well. Now, let's rest first, my little Bei Bei. Tomorrow morning, wake up with me to greet the first light on the front line, okay?" Cheng Mo's solemn promise made Xiang Bei enter the realm of dreams with unparalleled peace of mind.

As the dawn of the second day painted the sky with its first brilliant streaks, Xiang Bei opened her eyes to the sound of a deep and melodious bugle call, greeted by Cheng Mo's enlarged smiling face. Clad in golden armor, draped in the mantle of a marshal, sunlight streamed in from behind him, outlining a golden halo around him. "Xiao Bei, let's go, we're going to greet the warships of the Southern Border Navy!"