Translator: Dj22031
Editor: Dj22031
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The sunlight was gentle and warm, falling softly into the deep forest.
The fallen Zhenghu team member on the ground stared blankly at the two people wiping each other’s eyes in a tender atmosphere. He felt it was necessary to remind them that they should still show some care for their fallen soldiers.
Not far away, Xiao Zheng, who was preparing to attack, suddenly tensed up and once again uncertainly picked up his binoculars to observe the movements ahead.
Beside Xiao Zheng, Chen Yishan silently crossed out another team member’s name and sighed, “If this continues, we’ll have to declare ourselves wiped out.”
Xiao Zheng said fiercely, “What are those two doing?”
Chen Yishan, not understanding his implied meaning, picked up the binoculars and looked ahead as well, then said in surprise, “Captain Shen is injured.”
Xiao Zheng didn’t care about that issue; what he cared about was why Shen Yanwang’s hand was on his little brother’s face, and judging from his smug look, he seemed to enjoy touching his little brother’s fair and tender face.
Chen Yishan exclaimed with delight, “This is a golden opportunity! We must gather everyone to attack and make sure to kill their captain first!”
Xiao Zheng put down his binoculars, his eyes bloodshot, and said, “Kill this Shen Chengfeng at all costs.”
Chen Yishan sensed his intense anger and nodded with relief. Fortunately, his captain had once again boosted morale.
Xiao Jing applied some medicine to his eyes, but tears still started to flow uncontrollably. She wiped her eyes, her vision blurred, and she saw double.
Shen Chengfeng shouldered his sidearm and walked ahead, saying in a normal voice, “Let’s find a water source first; that little water isn’t enough to clean us up properly.”
Xiao Jing followed behind him, and the two disappeared into the woods.
The stream flowed gently, and after a fawn drank some water, it heard footsteps and quickly turned and darted into the grass.
Shen Chengfeng squatted by the water’s edge, and as soon as his hands touched the surface, the originally cold liquid began to boil.
Xiao Jing couldn’t help but laugh and said, “Captain, if you do it like that, the water will evaporate before you even get it on your face.”
After saying that, she squatted down beside him, cupped a handful of water in her hands, and slowly wiped his eyes.
The water was a little cool, and two figures were reflected on the surface. A gentle breeze caused the reflections to ripple slowly.
“Can you see it clearly now?” Xiao Jing eagerly leaned closer to him.
Shen Chengfeng pushed away the face that was close to him without expression, and lay down directly, immersing his entire head in the water.
Bubbles began to rise from the surface of the water, and it started to churn in waves.
Xiao Jing stared wide-eyed, feeling both amused and exasperated, at the fish floating to the surface, their bellies turning white from the scalding heat.
“Huff, huff, huff.” Shen Chengfeng held his breath for about half a minute, then lifted his head out of the water, wiped the water off his face, and said, “You go ahead and wash.”
Xiao Jing lay on the water’s edge, submerging her head completely. There was a very thick layer of moss underwater, and the fish that had just turned belly up seemed to come back to life, sinking to the bottom one by one.
“Huff, huff, huff.” She looked up, water droplets trickling down her cheeks and down to her collarbone, soaking through her clothes with each breath.
Shen Chengfeng silently threw a clean handkerchief at her face. “Let’s continue.”
Xiao Jing followed on his right and asked, “Where should we ambush them now?”
“We need to meet up. Pei Yi and the others are in the southwest corner.” Shen Chengfeng took off his gloves and pulled away the branches blocking their way.
Xiao Jing walked behind him, watching his figure who didn’t even bother to cut down trees and just let them decay. She wondered if she should remind him that if he acted so ostentatiously, he would get ganged up on sooner or later.
“Coo coo coo.” The entire island began to be shrouded in night.
Hearing approaching footsteps, Pei Yi pressed the communicator and asked, “Have you noticed who it is?”
“It’s the captain and Little Eighteen,” Jin Shan said, relaxing his guard over the communicator.
Pei Yi nodded and deliberately stood up to look at the direction from which the noise was coming from.
“Captain.” More than half of the Tie Ying team were resting at the same location.
Xiao Jing immediately noticed Lin Qi lying motionless on the ground. So she hurried over, looked at the bleeding wound on his leg, and asked, “How did you get hurt?”
Upon hearing the familiar voice, Lin Qi almost instinctively opened his eyes. His vision was blurry, but he saw a shadow approaching from afar. He quickly sat up, and after confirming that the person in front of him was Xiao Jing, he couldn’t help but smile slightly.
Xiao Jing opened the makeshift first-aid kit, intending to treat his wounds.
“Little Eighteen, it’s no use. He injured an artery. We’ve already notified the instructors to send someone to pick him up and take him back for treatment,” Jiang Xin said from the side.
Xiao Jing frowned deeply. “How could the injury be so severe?”
“The Zhenghu team are no pushovers. After discovering our presence, ten of them suddenly surrounded us. Two of us were killed on the spot. Lin Qi reacted quickly, but he was still injured, and the injury was to a vital spot, so he had to withdraw early,” Jiang Xin explained.
Xiao Jing wrapped the bandage around his neck twice, and sure enough, the bloodstains quickly soaked the gauze.
Lin Qi shook his head. “I can actually still fight.”
“This is just a drill. There’s no need to risk your life. Don’t forget our mission is on the real battlefield. This withdrawal doesn’t count as a failure.” Mu Xichi took out two packs of compressed biscuits and handed them over. “Eat something to replenish your strength. The instructor said they’ll arrive in about ten minutes.”
Lin Qi lowered his head, looking somewhat dejected.
Xiao Jing sat down beside him, tore open the packaging, and handed him a cookie. “I will avenge you.”
Lin Qi forced a smile, looking at Xiao Jing, hesitant to speak.
Xiao Jing lowered her eyes, looking at the bloody hole on his leg, and said, “I may have gone a bit too far today. I believe in your character. Take good care of yourself and we’ll be back soon.”
Lin Qi felt a lump in his throat, but in the end, he could only nod solemnly, “Don’t fight head-on. Major Mu is right. Today’s competition is just a drill. Our lives are meant for the real battlefield.”
Xiao Jing’s gaze involuntarily drifted towards Shen Chengfeng’s direction. She thought to herself that this was her last chance. If she couldn’t stay until the end, then today’s exercise would be her last opportunity to play in the Iron Eagle Special Forces.
I must treat today’s competition as a real battlefield; I cannot afford to lose, I must win.
“The instructors have arrived. Cheng Feng, go and see Lin Qi off,” Pei Yi said as he stepped forward.
The man called Cheng Feng stepped forward and helped Lin Qi up, letting him lean against himself as much as possible.
Lin Qi turned around and looked at Xiao Jing again with a serious expression. He had thought that he could fight alongside her to the end, but unexpectedly, he was the one who had to withdraw halfway and announce his departure. He was very unwilling, full of resentment.
“Alright, I’m afraid our commotion has already attracted the attention of the Zhenghu team. Everyone, get your gear ready and disperse.” Pei Yi picked up his weapon first.
The crowd that had been gathered together dispersed. Xiao Jing hesitated for a moment, then walked up to Shen Chengfeng, squatted down, and asked, “Captain, do you need any treatment for your injury?”
Shen Chengfeng opened his eyes, his expression cold and indifferent, as if he had been wronged. He then stared intently at the figure approaching him.
Xiao Jing felt uneasy under his glare and asked helplessly, “Did I do something wrong again?”
Shen Chengfeng stood up and set off again, ignoring his wounds.
Xiao Jing muttered to herself, “I don’t think I did anything wrong.”
Shen Chengfeng stopped and replied, “Lin Qi is a very honest person. Giving him an ambiguous answer will only confuse him more.”
Xiao Jing frowned, “But I think I went too far with some of my words. Things that didn’t happen were made to seem like his fault just because I said them.”
“So you plan to continue this ambiguous relationship with him?”
“We are not unclear or ambiguous; we have always been honest, upright, and proper.”
Shen Chengfeng turned around, his deep gaze falling on her. “Perhaps you also think Lin Qi is a good person and are planning to take things further with him?”
Xiao Jing was suddenly startled and subconsciously shook her head, shaking it violently as if she wanted to break her neck. She said, “He and I are really just comrades-in-arms.”
“He may not know your identity, but you know better than anyone else that the reason he’s so stubborn and unable to get out of this situation is because you gave him the opportunity to get close.”
“But all the kindness he showed me was genuine,” Xiao Jing muttered.
Shen Chengfeng narrowed his eyes and said, “I’ve been quite good to you, are you also planning to secretly fall for me?”
“…”
“Don’t forget your identity, and don’t forget why I kept you in the special forces team, not so that you could get close to someone and form a romantic relationship.”
“Ahem.” Xiao Jing grabbed his sleeve and said with a wry smile, “Captain, I have absolutely no intention of playing any games of kissing and hugging with anyone. I will explain it to Lin Qi when I get back.”
Shen Chengfeng slapped her hand away and turned around proudly. “Also, don’t misunderstand my kindness towards you, and don’t have any improper thoughts about me. Although I know you are a woman, there is no future for us.”
“…” When did I ever say I wanted a future with you? When did I ever say I had romantic feelings for you?
Shen Chengfeng glanced sideways at the figure that hadn’t followed and said in a more serious tone, “What are you standing there for? To be a target for someone to shoot and kill?”
Xiao Jing snapped out of her daze and jogged forward. She then said firmly, “Captain, don’t worry. Even if I were to die childless, I would never covet you. I’ve said before that you are my ancestor. Since you are my ancestor, I cannot overstep my authority and have any designs on you. Rest assured, I swear to God that if I ever have any improper thoughts about you, may I be struck by lightning.”
“Bang!” A bolt of lightning flashed across the entire sky.
“…”
The scene became awkward for a moment, and even crows flew over, flapping their wings happily.
“Ahem.” Xiao Jing coughed awkwardly and replied, “Nature’s uncontrollable forces are something none of us can stop, right?”
Shen Chengfeng scrutinized her from top to bottom, “It seems I also need to keep my distance from you.”
“No, Captain, I’m speaking from the bottom of my heart. I really don’t have any illusions about you. I know you like the clearest lake water.” Xiao Jing hurriedly chased after him, but because she was running too fast, she stepped on a wooden stick and lost her balance in an instant.
Hearing the noise, Shen Chengfeng instinctively turned around, and a figure rushed straight into his arms.
“…” The scene once again fell into an awkward atmosphere that was hard to describe.
Xiao Jing blinked her big eyes and forced a smile. She then said seriously, “Captain, I really didn’t mean to throw myself at you.”
Shen Chengfeng pushed her away and scrutinized her once more with piercing eyes. “Stay one meter away from me. Don’t come any closer.”
“Team leader–“
“Take one step closer, and write a three-thousand-word self-criticism.”
Xiao Jing watched his gracefully turning away, her mouth puffed out, and she once again turned into a pufferfish in anger.
My sincere heart, how you have defiled it!
Xiao Jing felt incredibly wronged. She stared at the captain, who was deliberately keeping his distance from her, with wide eyes. His obvious distancing made her seem like she was being disrespectful.
“A three-thousand-word self-criticism.” The unquestionable, domineering voice rang out once again.
Xiao Jing’s heart skipped a beat. She instinctively looked up and saw her captain, who had unknowingly walked up to her. Her lips twitched uncontrollably.
Shen Chengfeng looked at the small body that had silently pressed against his back and said again, “A five-thousand-word self-criticism.”
Xiao Jing quickly grabbed his arm, pouting, “Captain, I was just careless for a moment. I promise it won’t happen again.”
Shen Chengfeng lowered his eyes, his gaze fixed on her hand.
Xiao Jing released her grip on him as if she had been electrocuted, and laughed it off, saying, “I’ll step back right away.”
Shen Chengfeng said, “A 10,000-word self-criticism.”
Xiao Jing gritted her teeth and, seeing the captain who was unyielding, could no longer bear it and said, “Fine, punish me if you want. I’ve come over, but I’ve backed away again. I’ve come over again, but I’ve backed away again. I’m going to stick to you, grab you, and hug you. Punish me then.”
Shen Chengfeng watched silently as a small figure bounced around happily, his expressionless face showing no emotion, as calm as autumn water, undisturbed.
The sudden silence made Xiao Jing feel uneasy. She looked at the large hand she had impulsively clenched in her palm and silently felt an urge to back down.
“Bang.” A bullet, accompanied by a strong gust of wind, hurtled straight toward Xiao Jing.
Shen Chengfeng grabbed her hand and placed the back of her hand behind her back. He then wrapped his arm around her waist, spun her around 360 degrees, and hid behind a large tree.
The sudden change and the rapid spinning left Xiao Jing confused. She had just woken up when she realized he was right next to her ear.
Shen Chengfeng cautiously said, “Someone is surrounding us.”
The warm breath, carrying a faint scent of ointment, lingered in the air. Xiao Jing couldn’t help but shrink her neck and subconsciously glanced in his direction.
Shen Chengfeng’s face was very clean, as if he had some kind of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Even on the battlefield, he tried his best to keep himself clean.
“Bang!” The bullet pierced her shoulder and landed on a tree in front of her.
After suddenly realizing what was happening, Xiao Jing grabbed her sidearm and looked for cover.
The chaotic footsteps began to increase in intensity, indicating that there were probably more than ten people on the other side.
Shen Chengfeng pointed to another tree, “Get out of there.”
Xiao Jing didn’t understand his intention, but she still crawled on the ground and cautiously moved backward.
Shen Chengfeng changed to a new magazine and waited intently for the other party to reveal their location.
“Boom!” A flash of lightning streaked across the sky, as if ravines had been split open. As night deepened, a light rain began to fall.
Raindrops pattered on her fingertips. Xiao Jing remained frozen in place, time ticking by. Her opponent continued to defend without attacking, likely waiting for an opportunity as well.
Shen Chengfeng gestured to her.
Xiao Jing understood the captain’s intention: he wanted her to act as bait to lure the enemy out of their hiding place.
Shen Chengfeng searched for a good shooting spot. The rain intensified, and the entire forest began to mist, obstructing everyone’s vision.
Xiao Jing, who was hiding in the east, began to intentionally or unintentionally reveal her whereabouts.
“Bang.” A bullet landed near her feet. She quickly pulled her leg back and fired back with her gun.
“Bang bang.”
Xiao Jing fired only one shot, but two sounds rang out in the air, and a puff of white smoke suddenly rose from the once quiet grass.
Shen Chengfeng put away his sniper rifle and turned around to a new position.
“Bang.” The bullet caught his trail as he left and rang out behind him.
Xiao Jing jumped out of the bushes, deliberately exposing herself.
The enemy stopped their attack at the right time. Every member of the special forces team was a well-trained all-rounder. A head-on confrontation was an opportunity to fight for every second. Moreover, with this complementary combat mode of one in the open and one in the shadows, no one dared to fire rashly. They were afraid that if they exposed their coordinates, the sniper hiding in the shadows would kill them with one shot. Besides, this sniper was Shen Chengfeng himself.
Xiao Jing took the risk of exposing herself. She walked forward step by step, and the water mist began to thicken, almost forming a natural barrier around her.
“Coo coo coo”.
A rustling sound came from the grass.
Xiao Jing lowered her eyes, and in just a moment, a bullet came hurtling towards her head-on.
“Bang!” The bullet landed on her side, just missing her bulletproof vest.
“Bang.” Another bullet was fired from the shadows, and a person who had been hiding behind a rock hurriedly ducked.
“Bang bang bang.” Under the barrage of fire, the stone began to crack. The next moment, the bullets pierced through the stone and landed precisely on the man’s side, avoiding his bulletproof vest.
The change came too quickly. Xiao Jing gritted her teeth and rolled behind cover. She touched her waist and opened her hand, which was covered in bright red blood.
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