Translator: Dj22031
Editor: Dj22031
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The autumn breeze was gentle, and the ferry bound for the North Island was packed with people.
“Soldier brother.”
“They really are all soldiers.”
“Take a picture quickly and upload it to your social media.”
On the ferry, a barrage of flashing lights illuminated the scene.
Jiang Xin’s hand was still wrapped in bandages, but when faced with the admiration of a group of beautifully dressed urban women, the natural sense of superiority made him raise an eyebrow and smile.
“Ahem.” Pei Yi coughed lightly. “Be mindful of your behavior.”
Jiang Xin lowered his head dejectedly. To avoid excessive exposure, the entire team tried their best to avoid being in front of anyone’s camera.
The ferry docked, and everyone disembarked in an orderly fashion.
A group of little girls followed them for a while, but when they realized they were too far away, they had no choice but to give up.
Xiao Jing looked around and asked, “Where are the captain and instructors?”
Pei Yi raised his hand to signal everyone to stop, checked the time, and said, “The instructors told us to wait here; they will send a car to pick us up.”
“Vice Captain, I feel like we’re here for a group training session rather than a vacation today.” Cheng Chen said with a wry smile. Everyone was wearing military uniforms. Just based on that, did they look like they were on vacation?
Pei Yi gave him a cryptic look, neither confirming nor denying it.
“The cars are here!” Cheng Feng shouted, and four jeeps approached from afar.
Qi Yue got out of the passenger seat, beaming, and said, “Let’s go.”
The car drove away from the bustling center of North Island and headed towards a secluded and sparsely populated forest.
Everyone already knew perfectly well that they had all been tricked by the instructor.
The jeep finally stopped on the beach in the southwest of the North Island. The golden sand mixed with the deep blue seawater, and there was a salty smell in the air.
“Let’s rest for a day and set up the tents.” Qi Yue ordered his men to unload the tools from the vehicle.
“Instructor, what about the vacation we were supposed to have?” Jiang Xin couldn’t help but ask.
Qi Yue’s lips curled up slightly. “It’s a vacation, isn’t it? Aren’t we at a resort right now?”
One by one, the tents were set up with unspoken difficulties, and seven or eight tents that could accommodate more than two people at the same time suddenly appeared on the beach.
Qi Yue took out his binoculars to check the sea. The weather was fine and sunny, so the tide shouldn’t be coming in.
“This must be the most desolate place on the North Island,” Lin Qi said, breaking the silence as he sat down next to Xiao Jing.
Xiao Jing nodded. “Indeed, we can’t trust the leaders’ good intentions too much.”
“It seems these next two days won’t be as easy as I imagined.” Lin Qi opened the kettle and handed it over.
Xiao Jing shook her head. “Have you seen the captain?”
Lin Qi frowned slightly and said, “You seem to be particularly concerned about the captain lately?”
“What do you mean by that?”
Lin Qi hesitated, then remained silent.
Xiao Jing said seriously, “I was just wondering if the captain would come over since everyone else has arrived.”
“Xiao Jing, you said I have those kinds of feelings for you, but have you absolutely no feelings for the captain?” After a moment of hesitation, Lin Qi finally couldn’t hold back and blurted it out.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Jing stood up in surprise. She was so agitated that she almost lost control of her facial expression. She then said, “Lin Qi, you can be disgusted by me, but I will never allow you to use such thoughts to slander me. My sincere heart for the captain is so filthy and despicable in your eyes?”
Lin Qi realized he had misspoken and quickly stood up, blaming himself, “I’m sorry, Xiao Jing, I was just confused for a moment. I misspoke. How could I be so stupid as to make such a mistake?”
Xiao Jing took a deep breath, ignored him, and stubbornly ran into the woods.
“Xiao Jing!” Lin Qi pretended to follow.
“Don’t follow me.”
Lin Qi stood there, watching the receding figure, his heart clenching with an unprecedented panic.
Xiao Jing rushed into the woods. A cool wind howled past. She leaned against a tree, panting, and looked up at the dappled sunlight filtering through the branches. She closed her eyes and tried to calm herself.
“What are you doing here?” A familiar voice came from the right rear.
Xiao Jing subconsciously turned around. The man slowly walked out from the depths of the forest, wearing his usual airtight military uniform.
Shen Chengfeng stared at the figure lost in thought, and finally stopped and did not go forward.
Xiao Jing stared intently at his eyes and brows. A beam of sunlight fell squarely on his shoulder, illuminating his magnificent epaulets, making them particularly dazzling.
“What are you doing here?” Having received no reply, Shen Chengfeng asked again.
Xiao Jing snapped out of her daze and quickly stood up straight. She asked, “When did the captain arrive?”
“Two hours earlier than you.” Shen Chengfeng walked towards the exit.
Xiao Jing followed closely behind him, occasionally glancing at him furtively.
“Speak your mind.”
Xiao Jing guiltily looked away and glanced around, asking, “Captain, what are we doing here?”
“Vacation.” A concise two-word reply.
“…” Captain, don’t you feel terrible about lying through your teeth like this?
Once outside the woods, wisps of smoke rose from chimneys.
Qi Yue was ordering people to prepare lunch.
“Lieutenant Colonel Ji, whoever marries you in the future will be so lucky.” Cheng Chen squatted in front of the makeshift stove, looking at the fragrant food, and couldn’t help but swallow his saliva.
Ji Shanlin smiled honestly and kindly, “I was originally planning to join the cooking squad.”
“Your skills are so good, you can handle a gun and a knife at the same time!” Mu Xichi stared intently at the pot.
Xiao Jing ran over after smelling the aroma, sniffed, and looked at the braised pork[1] in the pot, which was almost cooked. She then said in surprise, “Lieutenant Colonel Ji, we really underestimated you.”
Ji Shanlin grinned, his smile widening. He picked up his chopsticks, took a small piece, and offered it to him. “Captain Xiao, could you help me taste it?”
When Xiao Jing saw the meat that was about to be eaten, her body instinctively opened her mouth.
Jiang Xin clicked her tongue. “We’ve been standing here for ages, but Lieutenant Colonel Ji hasn’t let us try the taste.”
Xiao Jing covered her mouth with both hands, her eyebrows curving upwards, “It’s so delicious, much better than the food in our cafeteria.”
Ji Shanlin smiled broadly and picked up another piece of meat, saying, “Try it again.”
Xiao Jing, her mouth covered in grease, gave a thumbs up and said, “I could eat two big bowls of this soup and rice.”
Ji Shanlin put the braised pork into a large basin with satisfaction and washed the pot: “Captain Xiao, don’t leave. Stay here and taste it for me to see how it tastes.”
Xiao Jing stared intently at the large pot. “Since Lieutenant Colonel Ji is so insistent, then I shall oblige. What shall we cook next?”
Lieutenant Colonel Ji took out a bowl of chopped potatoes and said, “Potato stew with meat[2].”
Xiao Jing sat cross-legged on one side, eagerly anticipating what was to come.
Inside the tent, Qi Yue was reporting on the training program for the next two days when he noticed his captain staring intently out of the tent. He followed his gaze.
Xiao Jing grinned, her face beaming with a carefree smile.
“Captain? Captain?” Qi Yue called out again tentatively.
Shen Chengfeng nodded. “Go on.”
Qi Yue covered his mouth and coughed lightly, “Captain, you seem to be paying special attention to Xiao Jing lately.”
“I was wondering if that meat tasted good?” Shen Chengfeng said very softly and casually.
Qi Yue was stunned for a moment, then realized what was happening and burst into laughter: “So the captain was hungry.”
Shen Chengfeng closed his laptop, stepped out of the tent, and asked, “Is everything ready?”
“Yes, Captain.” On a long table, several large basins were placed, and everyone was lined up with bowls and chopsticks.
After Xiao Jing finished preparing a serving, she jogged over to Shen Chengfeng and handed it to him with a look of seeking a reward.
Shen Chengfeng glanced at the greasy meal in her hand and frowned, saying, “Too much fat.”
Seeing him open his mouth, Xiao Jing directly picked up a piece and stuffed it into his mouth, asking expectantly, “Does the captain think it tastes good?”
Shen Chengfeng chewed the meat in his mouth. It was cooked to perfection, fatty but not greasy, and quite appetizing.
Xiao Jing smiled and said, “Lieutenant Colonel Ji said he would cook something even better for us tonight.”
“Special forces rations—”
“Captain, have another bite.” Xiao Jing picked up another piece of meat and held it to his mouth.
Shen Chengfeng didn’t say anything more. He looked at those big, expectant eyes, and opened his mouth and swallowed, the sauce staining the corner of his lips.
Xiao Jing noticed the sauce on his lips, and without thinking much of it, she raised her hand and reached towards his face.
The group buried their heads and ate the food on their plates without making a sound.
The Tie Ying team all knew one thing: their captain had a special feeling for Little Eighteen, but there was no need for them to gaze at each other so passionately and affectionately in front of everyone.
Lin Qi stared intently at Xiao Jing’s retreating figure. The sun shone brightly on the dazzling beach, and his military uniform exuded a heroic aura. He could laugh, and he could laugh heartily without reservation, but his laughter was not directed at him.
Lin Qi lowered his head in disappointment, looking at the food he had deliberately brought for him. It seemed to have gone cold, and had gone cold too quickly.
“Captain, I’m going to eat too.” Xiao Jing handed him the plate.
Shen Chengfeng nodded.
Xiao Jing ran back and was about to pick up a clean plate to get her food when a hand stopped her.
Ji Shanlin handed him the meal he had prepared early in the morning, smiling as he said, “I saved this for you.”
Xiao Jing looked at the mountain of braised pork piled on the plate, nudged Ji Shanlin’s shoulder, and laughed, “You’re got guts.”
“Lieutenant Colonel Ji, you’ll get ganged up on if you show favoritism like this,” Cheng Feng whistled.
A group of rough-looking men stood up in unison.
Ji Shanlin said with a wry smile, “This is all thanks to Captain Xiao for tasting the dishes.”
Cheng Feng shook his head. “We can help too. We’re all willing to do this job next time, right, brothers?”
“Yes!” came the enthusiastic reply.
Xiao Jing sat on the beach with her rice bowl in her hand. Noticing the intense gazes directed at her from not far in front of her, she looked up.
Lin Qi quickly looked away.
Xiao Jing stood up and walked towards him.
Lin Qi’s heart was pounding; some of his words seemed pale and powerless.
Xiao Jing scooped two pieces of meat from her bowl onto his plate and said, “We’ve all been confused today.”
Lin Qi was flattered and surprised. “I thought you were going to be angry with me.”
“Those are things only women do. We are all men. What can’t we say or talk about? It’s understandable that you have doubts, but I have a clear conscience. My feelings for the captain are purely admiration.”
“I was too narrow-minded,” Lin Qi said, lowering his eyes.
Xiao Jing patted his shoulder and pointed to the sky, saying, “I have sworn a solemn oath that I will never covet the captain’s good fortune in this lifetime, or I will be struck by lightning.”
A thunderous crash echoed through the sky.
“…”
“…”
There was an indescribable awkwardness to the scene.
Xiao Jing covered her mouth and coughed lightly, “Ahem, you should also know that we are not gods and cannot predict the uncontrollable factors of nature. They always like to tease us humans.”
Lin Qi couldn’t help but cover his mouth and laugh.
“Are you making fun of me?” Xiao Jing narrowed her eyes, staring at the guy who was laughing so hard he was bent over.
Lin Qi waved his hand and said, “No.”
Xiao Jing snorted coldly, “Eat quickly, the food is getting cold.”
Lin Qi ate the whole bowl of rice in a few bites, swallowing it whole.
“After we finish eating, let’s tidy up a bit and get ready to start training.” Qi Yue pushed up his sunglasses.
A group of people stood in a row on the beach.
Qi Yue pointed to the boundless sea behind him with one finger, “Do you see the dividing line at the beginning?”
About five kilometers away, a row of maroon floats on the water, and everyone knew that crossing that boundary line was not allowed.
Qi Yue added, “One round trip.”
Everyone began preparing for the swim, and to reduce resistance, the group took off their clothes.
Xiao Jing felt a little guilty and tried to make herself less noticeable. To avoid suspicion, she stretched out her limbs haphazardly.
“Xiao Jing, stop training for now and come with me,” Shen Chengfeng called out to the figure behind the crowd.
Xiao Jing put on her shoes and ran forward, grinning as she asked, “Captain, where are we going?”
Shen Chengfeng did not answer her question and turned to walk towards the jeep.
Xiao Jing followed closely behind, and when the car entered the main road, she couldn’t help but ask again, “Captain, are we going on a secret mission?”
Shen Chengfeng glanced at her sideways and said, “Or are you thinking of staying on the beach to continue your training?”
Xiao Jing suddenly realized, “The captain deliberately removed me?”
“It’s impossible to cross five kilometers of water while wearing clothes. Otherwise, it would not only slow you down but also consume more energy. If you stay there, it will only arouse suspicion.”
“Captain, you’re so kind to me.”
“I just don’t want to be implicated by you for no reason.” Shen Chengfeng stepped on the gas.
“Captain, where are we going now?”
“We’ll just take a quick look around and then head back.” Shen Chengfeng drove towards the resort area.
Near the center of the North Island, the crowds began to thicken.
Xiao Jing opened the car door and looked at the crowd in front of her; the car simply couldn’t move forward.
“I’ll go park the car, you wait here for me.” Shen Chengfeng turned the steering wheel, and the car slid into the alley in an instant.
Xiao Jing had almost forgotten how long it had been since she had gone out on the streets. Ghana City, far from the city center, was sparsely populated. In fact, apart from military camps, there were no civilians within a hundred miles. She felt like she was about to become detached from life.
“Here, take this.”
Xiao Jing was taken aback. She looked at the cotton candy that had appeared in front of her, then at the person who had handed it to her, and smiled slightly. “When did the captain buy this?”
“It was a gift from someone else.” Shen Chengfeng walked towards the crowd.
Xiao Jing walked behind him, licked the soft marshmallow, and laughed, “Who gave it to you? Why aren’t you eating it?”
“I’m afraid it might be poisonous.”
“…”
“Who do you think will give it to me?” Shen Chengfeng stopped and waited for her to come forward.
Xiao Jing felt a lump in her throat; should she eat it or not?
“Parking is free.” Shen Chengfeng pressed her head down, dodging a small fluffy ball that seemed to have bounced off somewhere.
Xiao Jing leaned against his shoulder sullenly, her pupils widening involuntarily. The people around her were getting more and more crowded, and someone squeezed past her, forcing her to get even closer and tighter.
Shen Chengfeng looked down at the head pressed against her body, her eyes darting left and right as if observing her surroundings.
“Fire and wind show! Fire and wind show!” A crowd of people rushed past.
Xiao Jing had just regained her footing when a figure rushed towards her. Before she could even hold onto the cotton candy, she could only watch helplessly as it fell to the ground.
“Fire and wind show! Fire and wind show!” The crowd was still pushing and shoving.
Xiao Jing was pulled forward by the crowd. She subconsciously turned around and saw that the captain had been pushed to some unknown place.
“Boom!” A ball of flame soared into the air, then exploded in mid-air, falling brilliantly and transforming into delicate, lustrous rose petals.
Xiao Jing steadied herself, pushed through the crowd, and tried to walk back to where she had been.
“Boom.” The flames rose into the sky again in a dazzling display. A person threw down a handful of ash of unknown origin. The moment it touched the flames, it sparkled like a falling meteor.
“Captain?” Xiao Jing couldn’t squeeze through the crowd, so she had to shout loudly amidst the clamor.
There was no response.
“Captain,” she called out again.
“Yes, I’m here.”
The next instant, Xiao Jing felt her arm being grabbed, and then she lost her balance and fell in his direction.
Seeing the fireball explode behind her, Shen Chengfeng almost instinctively scooped up her small body.
Xiao Jing looked up, and the man’s features gradually became clear. The lights danced around them, and his pupils sparkled, exceptionally bright.
Shen Chengfeng lowered his eyes, and their eyes met. He noticed the gold dust remaining on the ends of her hair, raised his hand and gently wiped it away, calmly saying, “Stay close to me.”
Xiao Jing felt a warmth in her palm. She buried her head and found her hand being held in a large palm. Even though there was a glove in between, she could still feel the warmth in his palm.
She smiled involuntarily.
“Boom!” The flames continued to blaze, and excited roars echoed one after another.
Shen Chengfeng gripped her hand tightly, using his body to shield himself from the impact of the people around him. When he noticed the small figure behind him pause, he turned around and met her smiling eyes.
“Thump, thump, thump-thump-thump.” A rapid heartbeat sounded in his ears.
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