Warhammer 40K in a box

Chapter 650 Military Parade (Censored)

The next morning, before the sky had fully awakened, the pale blue horizon was tinged with a faint, fish-belly-white light, and the outlines gradually emerged in the hazy dawn.

Chen Xi was already dressed and ready, his dark suit perfectly pressed, making his posture even more upright.

Standing on the soft carpet in the corridor, he gently knocked on the door next door. The moment his knuckles touched the wooden door, he felt a rare sense of tension—an emotion he hadn't experienced in many years.

A moment later, Li Jingyi opened the door.

She was clearly ready, her light beige trench coat simple yet elegant, highlighting her graceful figure.

In the soft morning light, her eyes were exceptionally bright, carrying the freshness of dawn and a hint of joy.

Upon seeing Chen Xi, a smile naturally appeared on her lips, and she said softly, "Good morning."

"Good morning," Chen Xi replied with a smile, his gaze lingering on her face for a moment before noticing the faint bluish-gray under her eyes. "Didn't you sleep well last night?"

His voice was a few degrees softer than usual.

Li Jingyi raised her hand to gently touch the corner of her eye and smiled, "I was a little excited and didn't sleep very well. My mind kept imagining what would happen today."

She admitted, as she closed the door and walked alongside him toward the elevator, "But I'm in good spirits. You might only experience such a grand event once in your life."

The elevator descended smoothly, and the mirrored door reflected the well-matched figures of the two.

Li Jingyi unconsciously adjusted her collar, while Chen Xi noticed that the slight curls at the ends of her hair shone softly in the morning light, with a few strands falling beside her ears, adding to her gentle and graceful appearance.

The elevator was filled with a faint fragrance, the fresh white floral scent of Li Jingyi, which blended surprisingly harmoniously with the subtle cedar scent of Chen Xi.

The hotel lobby was much quieter than at night, with only early-rising staff working quietly, their leather shoes making a crisp, rhythmic sound on the marble floor, as if playing a prelude to this special morning.

The air was filled with the aroma of freshly ground coffee and the refreshing scent of lemon left after cleaning.

They walked through the lobby, their light footsteps echoing in the cool air, each step seeming to mark an important moment.

The car was already waiting at the hotel entrance; it was still that black sedan, steadily parked in the gradually brightening morning light, its body covered in morning dew.

Upon seeing them, the driver deftly opened the door to acknowledge them, his demeanor professional and courteous, yet his face beaming with a festive smile: "Mr. Chen, Ms. Li, good morning. Enjoy your visit."

The morning breeze was cool, gently brushing against Li Jingyi's hair, causing her to shiver slightly.

Chen Xi keenly noticed this detail; as Li Jingyi got into the car, he reached out and placed his hand on the top of the car door to protect her. This subtle gesture warmed Li Jingyi's heart.

The car was filled with the aroma of coffee—he had specially asked the hotel to prepare her favorite flavor, and the paper cup was at the perfect temperature when it was handed to her.

"Thank you," Li Jingyi said, her fingertips brushing against his fingers as she took the gift, a touch of warmth spreading through her.

She lowered her head and took a sip; the fragrant liquid dispelled the last bit of sleepiness and eased the tension in her heart caused by anticipation.

Chen Xi noticed that she was wearing a light cherry blossom pink lip gloss today, leaving a faint mark on the rim of the white paper cup. The color looked particularly soft in the morning light.

The vehicles drove smoothly out and merged into the gradually awakening streets.

The city's layout gradually became clearer, and the solemn yet enthusiastic atmosphere became increasingly apparent.

Although it was still early, the main roads leading to the square were already teeming with people. Representatives from all over the country and people from all walks of life looked excited and proud as they headed in the same direction.

The colorful ethnic costumes stood out in the crowd like a flowing rainbow; the medals on the chests of the elderly shimmered in the morning light, telling tales of past glories; young people held small national flags, their faces beaming with pure pride. Soldiers stood tall and focused, forming a strict cordon, silently guarding the order of this grand event.

Chen Xi and Li Jingyi walked along with the crowd.

When going through security, due to the crowd, Chen Xi naturally reached out and gently supported her from behind, forming a protective gesture without overstepping boundaries.

Li Jingyi felt the warmth and protectiveness emanating from his palm, her ears burning slightly. She turned her head and smiled gently at him, a smile that contained reassurance and a hint of barely perceptible shyness.

He presented a special invitation with a gold-embossed cover, and after a rigorous and efficient verification process, the staff politely led them to an area on the viewing platform with an excellent view.

From here, the entire parade route is laid out before you, and the grandeur and solemnity of the square are palpable.

Standing in such a grand scene, Li Jingyi unconsciously and gently grasped Chen Xi's hand, as if she needed a sense of reality to confirm everything before her.

Chen Xi held her hand back, his palm warm and firm, and his fingers pressed very lightly on the back of her hand, as if as a silent comfort.

With some time still to go before the ceremony began, the viewing platform gradually filled with representatives from all walks of life.

Li Jingyi looked around curiously and saw many people dressed in ethnic costumes, as well as white-haired veterans whose medals gleamed in the morning light.

Following her gaze, Chen Xi softly introduced, "Those are veterans who participated in the battle; their average age is over ninety."

Upon hearing this, Li Jingyi's eyes immediately filled with respect.

She noticed an elderly man in a wheelchair who, despite his advanced age, was trying to straighten his back and his eyes were shining with excitement.

She unconsciously tightened her grip on Chen Xi's hand and whispered, "Without their sacrifice, there would be no such grand occasion today."

Chen Xi nodded, his gaze deep and thoughtful: "That's why we must carry on this spirit." As he spoke, he gently rubbed her fingers, "Are you cold? The morning breeze is still a bit chilly."

Li Jingyi shook her head, but unconsciously moved a little closer to him.

The sun had fully risen, and its golden rays bathed the square, casting a warm glow on everyone's face.

Looking at the man's sharply defined profile beside her, she suddenly felt that this moment was incredibly precious.

The atmosphere on the viewing platform gradually became more enthusiastic, with people talking in hushed tones and sharing their anticipation for the upcoming grand ceremony.

Chen Xi would occasionally lean down and whisper some details in her ear, his warm breath brushing against her ear.

Li Jingyi discovered that he not only knew military equipment inside and out, but was also very familiar with the procedures and etiquette of the ceremony.

Li Jingyi held her breath, her eyes filled with respect and excitement.

The soldiers marched in unison down the long street, their rhythmic steps resonating powerfully, a sound like the heartbeat of the nation, strong and resolute.

Overwhelmed with emotion, she instinctively gripped Chen Xi's hand even tighter.

Chen Xi remained silent, but tightened his grip on her hand, interlocking their fingers, sharing this breathtaking moment together.

His thumb unconsciously and gently stroked the back of her hand, the subtle movement carrying a comforting meaning, making Li Jingyi's heart beat faster.

Chen Xi watched intently, but there was a deeper, almost imperceptible meaning in his eyes.

He seemed to be inspecting or evaluating, his gaze sweeping over the resolute faces of every soldier and the majestic figures of every piece of equipment, his heart filled with complex emotions—both pride as a citizen and responsibility as a participant.

The atmosphere reached its climax as the ground equipment formation roared across the square.

In addition to the main battle equipment currently in service that the public is familiar with, several new weapon platforms that have never been publicly revealed have aroused waves of uncontrollable amazement.

Among the most eye-catching were the laser-cannon tank and the bipedal walking mech that had previously appeared at the airshow. They were adorned with combat-ready paint, making them appear even more imposing and dignified.

The turret of the laser tank has a smooth profile unlike that of traditional artillery, and its barrel is a powerful laser cannon that shimmers with a pale blue light in the sunlight.

The bipedal mech moved with a steady and agile gait, and the weapon modules mounted on its body demonstrated its multi-purpose combat capabilities.

Li Jingyi gasped in surprise, her mouth slightly agape. She unconsciously moved closer to Chen Xi, almost leaning on his shoulder.

She whispered, "These devices... look so ahead of their time!"

Chen Wei leaned closer and whispered in her ear, "These are newly deployed experimental models. See the modular energy battery compartment behind the laser tank turret? And the cushioning design at the mech joints... There are some concepts behind these that I deciphered from the special technical data I provided."

When he spoke, his lips were very close to her ear. Li Jingyi could smell his refreshing scent, mixed with the smell of steel and gunpowder in the square, which made her cheeks slightly flushed.

The appearance of the aerial formation once again pushed the spectacle to a new level. Leading the way were still the powerful fighter jets, but following behind was the "White Emperor" aerospace fighter, which had only made a fleeting appearance at air shows before. It flew past at low altitude in a three-aircraft formation, its streamlined silver-gray fuselage completely different from the current fighter jets, and it brought a deep energy hum as it flew past.

Li Jingyi was mesmerized and instinctively grabbed Chen Xi's arm.

Chen Xi stood steadily, his arm naturally encircling her back, forming a protective posture.

He tilted his head back, his gaze following the warplanes, and explained in a low voice, "They don't use traditional fuels and engine principles... We've provided some basic model ideas about high-energy plasma confinement and propulsion."

Finally, the strategic strike module made its grand finale appearance.

The massive missile transporter, erector, and launcher slowly drove by, showcasing the Republic's most solid strategic shield.

The most eye-catching of them all is a hypersonic aircraft that adopts a waverider configuration. Its shape is extremely futuristic, and its smooth curved surfaces and complex aerodynamic layout suggest its powerful penetration capability.

Chen Xi stared at the display of this ultimate power, his expression solemn.

He was deeply moved by Li Jingyi's presence and held her hand tightly without letting go.

He said softly, "This is not about conquest, but about ensuring peace and preventing everything we cherish from being destroyed by war."

As he spoke, his gaze slowly shifted from the equipment in the distance to Li Jingyi's face, his eyes focused and deep.

The grand military parade concluded amidst rousing military music and thunderous cheers, but the awe it evoked lingered in everyone's hearts for a long time.

The crowd began to disperse in an orderly manner. Li Jingyi was still immersed in the shock she had just experienced. Her hand was still being held by Chen Xi, as if she had found the most reassuring support.

Chen Xi considerately led her away from the crowd to a relatively quiet corner on one side of the viewing platform.

From here, you can overlook the entire square, with the distant monument gleaming in the sunlight.

Li Jingyi leaned against the railing, took a deep breath, and tried to calm her excited emotions.

Her cheeks flushed with excitement, and her eyes shone brighter than usual, as if filled with starlight.

"Are you alright?" Chen Xi asked softly, handing her a bottle of water.

His fingers touched hers again unintentionally. This time, neither of them moved away immediately. The touch was gentle and lingering, as if silently conveying something.

Li Jingyi took the water, her eyes shining: "I don't know what to say... This is all too shocking."

She paused, searching for the right words, "It's not just about the advanced equipment, but also about... the manifestation of national self-confidence, the power of unity."

Chen Xi smiled at her, hesitated for a moment, and then said with a determined look, "Jingyi, the progress you have seen today is the result of the hard work of countless people. And I... am very fortunate to be able to participate in some of these key technological breakthroughs in my own way."

He carefully considered his words, his gaze never leaving her eyes.

“Through special channels, I came into contact with some technological concepts and prototypes that went beyond the existing theoretical framework. My job is to try to understand them and transform some of the concepts that can be adapted to our physical rules into feasible design inspiration.” He looked at her frankly, “The laser tanks, bipedal mechs, and even the White Emperor aerospace fighters that you see today, their core technologies originated from this.”

Li Jingyi's eyes were filled with shock, but even more so with a sudden, enlightened understanding.

She finally understood where the profoundness that occasionally appeared in Chen Xi came from.

His choice to reveal this astonishing truth to her at this moment speaks volumes about the trust he placed in her.

She gripped his hand even tighter in return, her fingertips exerting a slight pressure.

“Thank you for telling me this,” she said softly. “I’m honored to share this secret.”

Her gaze was clear and firm, as if she were making a silent promise.

Chen Xi raised his hand and gently tucked a strand of her hair, which had been ruffled by the wind, behind her ear.

This natural and intimate gesture made Li Jingyi's heart beat faster involuntarily.

"I hope you can understand why sometimes I can't be too explicit."

By this time, most of the crowd had dispersed.

Chen Xi glanced at the time and said softly, "We should go."

But he didn't let go of her hand immediately. Instead, he led Li Jingyi slowly down from the viewing platform.

Their fingers were intertwined, as if they were one.

On the street, the crowd is being dispersed in an orderly manner.

They walked side by side, their arms occasionally touching.

As I passed under a ginkgo tree, an autumn breeze swept by, and golden leaves fell like rain.

Chen Xi subconsciously raised his hand to shield her from the falling leaves, a small gesture that warmed Li Jingyi's heart.

“Do you know what moved me the most?” Li Jingyi suddenly spoke, her voice soft yet clear. “It wasn’t the advanced equipment, but the moment you chose to tell me the truth.” She stopped and turned to face him. “That was more awe-inspiring than any military parade.”

Chen Xi looked at her intently, his eyes flashing with complex emotions.

He gently held her hands and said, word by word, "Because I hope that one day you can not only share my secrets, but also my life."

His voice was deep and gentle, carrying an unprecedented seriousness.

Li Jingyi felt her cheeks burning. She lowered her head, but couldn't help but smile. After a while, she raised her eyes to meet his gaze: "I'm really looking forward to that day."

Her answer was simple and sincere, her eyes shining with the same expectation.

They continued walking forward, their fingers still intertwined.

The ginkgo trees on both sides of the street swayed in the autumn wind, their golden leaves like celebratory ribbons, paving a golden road for them.

Chen Xi said softly, "The significance of these technological breakthroughs goes far beyond the military field. They represent a leap forward in our nation's innovation capabilities, signifying that we are no longer just followers, but have become leaders." His words were filled with pride, yet also carried a heavy sense of responsibility.

Li Jingyi listened quietly, sensing the conviction in his words. She suddenly understood why this man was so special—he not only possessed exceptional talent but also a profound sense of patriotism. This sentiment wasn't an empty slogan; it was ingrained in his work and life, becoming a part of him.

They arrived at a relatively quiet neighborhood, and Chen Xi suggested, "How about we take a walk for a while? I know there's a nice little park nearby." Li Jingyi readily agreed; she didn't really want this special morning to end so soon.

In the small park, autumn colors were at their peak. Maple leaves were as red as fire, and ginkgo leaves as yellow as gold, creating a magnificent picture. They found a bench and sat down. In the distance, they could faintly hear the cheers after the military parade, but the noise seemed to be separated from them by a transparent barrier; in this world, there were only the two of them.

“Actually,” Chen Xi began slowly, his gaze falling on the children playing in the distance, “there is another reason why I chose to tell you this today.” He turned to Li Jingyi, his eyes serious and profound, “On this special day, at this moment that symbolizes national strength and national confidence, I want you to see the meaning and value behind my work.”

Li Jingyi looked at him with emotion and said softly, "I felt it. Not only the power of the nation, but also your sense of mission and responsibility." She paused for a moment, then added, "That makes you even more...charming." She said the last two words with a hint of shyness, but with utmost sincerity.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting warm dappled patterns on them. Chen Xi's fingers gently caressed the back of her hand, a gesture that had become so natural, as if they had been doing this for a long time.

“Jingyi,” his voice softened, “I know we haven’t known each other for long, but I feel like we’ve known each other for ages. In front of you, I can be my most authentic self, without needing to hide anything.” His gaze was warm and sincere, making one want to believe him without even realizing it.

Li Jingyi's heart raced; she realized this was a crucial moment. She took a deep breath and bravely replied, "I feel the same way. With you, I feel safe and understood." Her voice trembled slightly, but remained incredibly firm.

Their eyes met, and a sweet yet tense atmosphere filled the air. Chen Xi slowly raised his hand and gently stroked her cheek, the warmth of his fingertips making her tremble slightly.

“So,” he whispered, “would you like to officially become a part of my life?” The question was simple and direct, yet it contained infinite depth.

Tears welled up in Li Jingyi's eyes, but they were tears of joy. She nodded, her voice soft yet firm: "I do." These two words seemed to carry a thousand pounds of weight, yet were as light as a feather, drifting between the two of them and freezing this beautiful moment.

A truly relaxed smile bloomed on Chen Xi's face, a smile that brightened his entire being. He gently pulled her into his arms, a restrained and precious embrace, as if he were handling an incomparably valuable treasure.

On this crisp autumn day, amidst the national pride brought by the military parade, two souls found each other. Sunlight shone on their clasped hands, warm and bright, seemingly casting an eternal glow upon their quietly blossoming affection and the secret they shared.

In the distance, children's laughter drifted on the wind, and the flags in the square still fluttered high under the blue sky and white clouds. Everything was just right, like this beautiful day, full of hope and promise.

(End of this chapter)