Translator: Dj22031
Editor: Dj22031
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It was a beautiful day with a clear sky and beautiful water. The two of them just sat on the mud ground and ate one bite at a time, feeling very comfortable.
Lin Qi looked around and made sure that there were no outsiders. Then he tugged at the corner of Xiao Jing’s clothes and carefully put the thing hidden in his pocket into her hand.
Xiao Jing felt something in her palm and instinctively lowered her head, only to see a plump apple fall into her hand.
She was stunned: “Isn’t this the captain’s?”
Lin Qi nodded and explained in a low voice, “I know you like to eat it, so I picked it especially for you.”
Xiao Jing hurriedly put it back into his pocket and said sternly, “Are you doing this knowingly? If the captain finds out, you will be punished.”
Lin Qi grinned, his face full of innocence. He said, “I said I would be responsible for you. As long as it’s something you like to eat, I’m willing to do it even if it’s knowingly.”
“…”
“Hurry and eat it while no one’s around. I’ve already washed it.”
Xiao Jing smiled, took out the apple, held it in both hands, and took a bite of half of it.
The sunlight fell between her eyebrows, with a slight flicker of light. And when the breeze came, the air seemed to be filled with the fragrance of osmanthus.
Lin Qi stared at Xiao Jing who was so close to him without blinking and was actually fascinated for a moment. This face was very white and clean. Even though he was exposed to the sun all day long in the military camp, his face was still so white and clean. Especially in front of this group of rough men, Xiao Jing looked even more noble and handsome.
“Would you like to eat some?” Xiao Jing handed her apple directly to him.
Lin Qi was stunned, looking at the red apple in his hand that had been half eaten. He didn’t know if his mind was a little confused, but he opened his mouth and took a small bite. It was sweet and sour, but delicious.
Xiao Jing smiled and said, “It’s delicious, right?”
Lin Qi nodded, “It’s delicious.”
“But don’t do that again. You don’t know how petty our captain is. If he knew we’d secretly picked his fruit again, I’m afraid he’d punish us by making us do hundreds of push-ups.”
“It’s okay. Just tell me if you want to eat it. I will pick it carefully for you.”
Xiao Jing threw the fruit core into the waste bag, stood up contentedly after eating and drinking, stretched her waist, and prepared to go back to the dormitory for a nap.
But just as she turned around, she saw a shadow suddenly appear on the ground. It was not difficult to identify the identity of the person from the shadow. He was wrapped so thickly that he was completely airtight.
Haha, my back feels so cold.
Xiao Jing looked awkwardly at the man who had been standing behind them since who knows when. She wondered whether she should deny it and tell him that she definitely did not cheat.
Shen Chengfeng’s sharp eyes fell on the waste bag in front of her, and the implication was self-evident.
Xiao Jing moved her body, and her intention was as clear as Sima Zhao[1]‘s, to destroy the bag directly.
Shen Chengfeng’s expression remained normal, showing no emotion. He asked, “Was it delicious?”
Xiao Jing’s heart skipped a beat, and she kept trying not to hide her actions. She just looked at her sinister superior with an innocent face.
Shen Chengfeng took two steps forward, pointed meaningfully at the bag under her feet, and said, “It looks delicious.”
“Gulp.” Xiao Jing swallowed and remained silent. As long as she refused to speak, she didn’t believe that he would open her mouth and check it carefully.
“Open your mouth.” Shen Chengfeng said coldly.
Xiao Jing’s mouth twitched slightly, and she smiled bitterly: “Captain——”
“Captain, this is my fault. It has nothing to do with Captain Xiao.” Seeing this, Lin Qi stood up straight, held his body high and said with his head held high.
Shen Chengfeng glanced at the soldier who spoke so forcefully and said, “Do you know what the punishment is?”
“Captain, I ate the apple. If you want to punish someone, you should punish me.” Xiao Jing said hurriedly.
“You two seem to have a strong camaraderie. Should I give you both a lighter sentence in light of your confessions?”
“Captain, how about I pick one for you?” Xiao Jing suggested.
Shen Chengfeng glared at her.
Xiao Jing kept silent. From his disgusted look, she understood once again what he said: the brain is a very important thing.
“Captain, I accept the punishment.” After saying that, Lin Qi squatted down and lay directly on the ground, completing push-ups one after another.
Xiao Jing didn’t refuse and also lay on the ground. The two of them did push-ups side by side.
Shen Chengfeng looked down at Xiao Jing, who was clearly struggling physically, and narrowed his eyes. He then said in a lukewarm tone, “Did I ever order push-ups as punishment?”
Xiao Jing lost her balance and fell to the ground with her hands going limp. She frowned, thinking that her captain really couldn’t be viewed with the same mindset as an ordinary person. It was simply an insult to ordinary people.
Shen Chengfeng continued: “Lin Qi, you can go back to the dormitory to rest. Come with me.”
Xiao Jing got up from the ground, patted Lin Qi’s shoulder gently, and mouthed to him: “You go back first.”
Lin Qi felt vaguely uneasy and said anxiously: “Your body——”
“It’s okay, I will do what I can. After all, I need to save my energy for the competition in ten days.” Xiao Jing hurriedly followed Shen Chengfeng.
Shen Chengfeng glanced at the small figure following closely behind him and walked straight towards the back mountain.
Xiao Jing followed closely behind, wondering in her heart why he brought her here. Was he going to go on an exhilarating cross-country hike with her?
It was so cruel to treat a patient like her who had not yet recovered like this.
Shen Chengfeng pushed aside the half-man-high grass and entered the forest. The dense trees blocked the excess light, and the entire forest seemed solemn and dull.
Xiao Jing ran forward, unable to bear the oppressive atmosphere, and said, “Captain, where are we going?”
“We’re here.” Shen Chengfeng suddenly stopped.
Xiao Jing didn’t react in time and bumped into his shoulder.
Shen Chengfeng pointed to the big tree in front of him and said, “Pick apples.”
Xiao Jing blinked her eyes. The big tree, almost four people tall, was laden with fruits. Crystal clear apples hung on the treetops. When the wind blew, the air was filled with the fragrance of apples.
Shen Chengfeng asked again: “Do you want me to repeat it again?”
Xiao Jing hurriedly climbed up the tree using both hands and feet, picked the biggest ones, and then ran over with a harmless smile, looking like she was asking for a reward, and said, “Captain, are you going to give them to me?”
Shen Chengfeng looked at the good-looking fruit and said, “What do you think?”
Xiao Jing nodded, “Captain, you are so kind.”
“These are for my mother.” Shen Chengfeng grabbed her hand.
Xiao Jing watched helplessly as the thing that was about to reach her mouth was snatched away by her captain. She curled her lips and wondered whether she should secretly pick another one when he wasn’t paying attention.
“You should know my rules.”
The cold voice echoed quietly.
Xiao Jing couldn’t help but shiver, then she silently retracted her hand, and followed Shen Chengfeng away, looking back every few steps.
Shen Chengfeng turned around and stared at the little figure behind him with a look of grievance on her face. Seeing her cheeks puffing up involuntarily, for some reason, his mood suddenly improved.
Xiao Jing had just walked back to the camp when a figure came towards her quickly.
Ji Shanlin saluted Shen Chengfeng, then pulled Xiao Jing aside and whispered, “Captain Xiao, this is what I brought from my hometown. I saved it especially for you.”
When Xiao Jing saw the bag of beef jerky he stuffed into her hands, her eyes lit up and she quickly stuffed it into her clothes.
Ji Shanlin smiled and said, “I left a big bag for you. Try it first and see if it tastes good. If you like it, I’ll ask my family to send more next time.”
Xiao Jing nodded rapidly, and out of the corner of her eye she caught sight of the captain staring at them eagerly. She coughed lightly and asked, “Does Captain have any?”
Ji Shanlin stared blankly, “Are you still going to give it to the captain? I heard the deputy captain say he doesn’t like these things, so I didn’t prepare any for him.”
“That’s right. Who is our captain? Why would he care about this thing? If you give it to him, he might stare at you with those cold, dead fish eyes and make you feel uneasy.”
Ji Shanlin scratched the back of his head and said, “They all said I was a little silly.”
Xiao Jing patted his shoulder again, and noticing the fierce gaze from her captain, she hurriedly followed him.
Shen Chengfeng glanced at what she hid in her clothes, and without asking any more questions, he walked straight towards the dormitory building.
Xiao Jing was about to return to her dormitory building. But just as she took a step towards the north area, she heard a strong and powerful male voice behind her.
Shen Chengfeng asked, “Are you going to the bathhouse to wash off that stinky smell?”
Xiao Jing stopped, thought for a moment, and said, “I can wash it in two days.”
Shen Chengfeng stared at her silently, and it was not difficult to see the disgust in his eyes.
Xiao Jing smelled herself and found that she did smell a bit.
“Come with me.”
Xiao Jing looked in the direction he left, trotted forward, put her hands behind her back, and approached him. She then smiled shyly and said, “Captain, are you inviting me to go to your dormitory to take a shower?”
“Perhaps you’re thinking of joining your comrades in the broad daylight, bare-chested, crowded public baths.”
Xiao Jing thought about the scene: a row of men, all naked, waving to her very friendly, and then a group of them forcibly stripping off her clothes.
Haha, I suddenly feel that the captain is 10.8 meters tall again today, so handsome.
Shen Chengfeng pushed open the dormitory door and said, “There are clean clothes inside.”
Xiao Jing was surprised, “Captain also prepared clothes for me?”
“They are mine.”
“…”
Shen Chengfeng sat back in his chair, looking at the motionless little body leisurely, and then said: “Do you still need me to help you take off your clothes, help you run the water, and then give you a bath?”
“Hahaha, no, no need.” Xiao Jing slipped into the bathroom and looked at the complete toiletries, as well as two clean army green T-shirts hanging on them.
Shen Chengfeng listened to the intermittent sound of flowing water coming from inside, turned on the computer, and a message popped up immediately.
A declaration of war from Xiao Zheng, captain of the Zhenghu team:
Just wait for me. You, Shen Chengfeng, are the first person who dares to play tricks on me like this. In ten days, I will fight you to the death.
Shen Chengfeng’s fingertips tapped the tabletop, and his gloved hands made a dull sound as they struck the surface. He spoke as if talking to himself, saying, “If someone threatened you, what would you do?”
Xiao Jing heard this as she walked out of the bathroom and instinctively responded, “Fight him to death and let him know that I’m number one in the world.”
“How to respond?” Shen Chengfeng asked again.
“Then say you’re blind. I’ll slap you so hard that even your mother won’t recognize you. I’ll crush him with my momentum, conquer him with my aura, and drive him to death with my words.” Xiao Jing leaned forward, resting her hands on her chin, and asked with a smile, “Who is so reckless as to dare to threaten our captain?”
“Xiao Zheng.” Shen Chengfeng uttered the name indifferently.
Xiao Jing’s hand twisted and her chin hit the table hard. She felt as if her eyelids were spasming and twitching constantly.
Shen Chengfeng tapped the keyboard with his fingertips and finally clicked send. “Okay, I’ll reply to him.”
“Captain, you won’t really do what I say, will you?” Xiao Jing rolled her eyes and looked at the computer subconsciously.
“Snap.” Shen Chengfeng closed the laptop directly.
“…” Don’t you feel guilty about bullying a delicate girl like me?
Shen Chengfeng demonstrated to her through his own actions: Not only do I not feel any pain, I am also full of energy and very happy.
Xiao Jing took a deep breath, hugged her clothes in her arms, turned around and prepared to leave proudly.
“Bang.” A bag fell to the ground, making a sound neither light nor heavy.
Two pairs of eyes looked over almost at the same time.
Xiao Jing knelt down and sat directly on the bag, humming a tune guiltily, “The weather is nice today.”
“Get up.” An unquestionable strong voice sounded from above her head.
Xiao Jing raised her eyes, her eyes gleaming innocently, “Captain, is there something wrong?”
“Get up.” Shen Chengfeng repeated again.
Xiao Jing shook her head vigorously. “Captain, my legs seem to be cramping again. Please leave me alone. Go about your business. I’ll be able to walk on my own once the cramp subsides.”
Shen Chengfeng didn’t say anything else and directly picked her up from the ground.
Under the light, the food packaging bag still emitted a little light.
Xiao Jing squatted down and put the beef jerky back into her arms, explaining, “This is a kind gesture from Lieutenant Colonel Ji. I can’t refuse it.”
“Do you know my rules?” Shen Chengfeng asked knowingly.
Xiao Jing pouted and held it out with both hands, “Not even one piece?”
“I’ve already told you that the Special Forces isn’t an ordinary barracks. You can’t just eat whatever you want. Bringing these things into the barracks is strictly prohibited. According to convention, both you and Ji Shanlin should be punished.” Shen Chengfeng looked over the packaging bag. “Moreover, these are uninspected, three-no foods. This is a serious offense.”
“Captain, this is my fault. Just punish me.”
“You think you’re right?” Shen Chengfeng emphasized.
Xiao Jing gritted her teeth and said, “I can write a 10,000-word self-criticism.”
“Have you submitted the self-criticism you owed me last time?”
“…” Did I shoot myself in the foot?
Shen Chengfeng placed the beef jerky on the table and said calmly, “If you violate the rules again and again, you will either be deported or retired immediately.”
“Captain, I was wrong. I promise that I will never accept anything from them again. I promise.” Xiao Jing raised three fingers and vowed.
“Your words have no credibility with me.” Shen Chengfeng pointed at the clothes she was wrapped in and asked, “Is there anything else?”
Xiao Jing hurriedly spread the clothes on the ground, “No more, look, it’s really gone.”
Shen Chengfeng squatted down, not caring whether her clothes were dirty or smelly, and checked them one by one to confirm that they were empty.
Xiao Jing was at a loss for words and said, “Captain, am I really so unworthy of your trust?”
“Yes, I’m afraid you’d sell yourself for a little food.”
“Although I am greedy, I still have principles.” Xiao Jing said with certainty.
Shen Chengfeng directly handed over the beef jerky and said, “Eat it.”
Xiao Jing’s mind was in a daze. She looked at the packaging bag handed to her in disbelief, subconsciously opened the bag, and then looked confused.
Shen Chengfeng clasped his hands in front of his chest, staring intently at her as she smoothly opened the bag and then bit off a piece of meat.
Xiao Jing spat out the piece of meat in her mouth, stood up straight, and replied in a resounding voice: “I am willing to accept the punishment.”
After saying that, she put the beef jerky back on the table and pushed it towards him.
Shen Chengfeng continued to stand without making any statement.
Xiao Jing was frightened, thinking about her captain’s unpredictable black heart, and pushed him closer. Seeing that he still didn’t move, she simply grabbed it and handed it to him personally.
“One hundred push-ups.” Shen Chengfeng said.
Xiao Jing’s heart slowly calmed down. But just as she was about to squat down, her feet suddenly slipped and she fell straight to the ground.
Shen Chengfeng was quick to grab her wrist, pull it hard, and hold her back in his arms.
The light shone softly on the two of them, her body was pressed tightly against his, and her hair still had that familiar scent of jasmine.
The two looked at each other. Her face was a little red, probably because she had just taken a shower. She looked like a cherry that was about to ripen, pink with red.
Xiao Jing blinked her eyes twice, and his facial features gradually enlarged in her pupils. Under close observation, the captain’s cold face seemed to suddenly lose its frost, and his eyes were particularly warm, like the morning sun in March, dazzling but not glaring.
“Captain.” she called.
“Yes, I am here.” he replied.
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[1] Sima Zhao’s intention refers to his blatant ambition to usurp the throne from the Cao Wei dynasty, which was an “open secret”. The phrase “Sima Zhao’s intention is obvious to everyone” (司馬昭之心，路人皆知) became a Chinese idiom for a secret plan that is, in fact, no secret at all.