Yu Hao thought they hadn't returned yet. While strolling on the training ground, she ran right into Lu Huaizheng. At that moment, she was imitating how Lu Huaizheng usually instructed his team members, pacing back and forth with her hands behind her back, stopping from time to time to kick one person and then another—

"Chin tucked in so tight, aren't you afraid it'll shatter?"

"Your feet, why are they so far apart? Are you rowing a boat!"

"Whose target are you aiming at!"

"Stop trying to look good with your posture, just aim at the target first! Why don't you join the performance team!"

Her tone was remarkably similar.

Then, she caught a figure in her peripheral vision. She looked over suspiciously and saw Lu Huaizheng leaning against a tree with his hands in his pockets, a serious yet amused expression on his face as he stared at her.

Yu Hao's expression changed, and she turned to walk away.

He straightened up and followed her. "Do you know you're not supposed to barge onto the training ground?"

"I do now," she replied coolly without stopping.

"Stop."

Yu Hao didn't stop.

"I'll shoot if you take another step."

It was the first time Yu Hao had ever heard such a blatant and powerful threat. "You'd better put a bullet in my head, or I'll haunt you even as a ghost."

So stubborn, like a bull.

As it happened, that day, Li Hongwen called Lu Huaizheng to his office. A pot of Da Hong Pao Tea was steeping on the table, steam gently rising from it. He poured a cup for Lu Huaizheng and pushed it over. "Try it. Professor Han brought it for me especially."

Lu Huaizheng took a sip, leaned back in his chair, and nodded. "Good tea."

"Of course. Everything from Professor Han is top quality." Li Hongwen said meaningfully, "So, any progress?"

Lu Huaizheng: "What progress?"

Li Hongwen clicked his tongue. "With Yu Hao! Don't tell me after all this time, you haven't even added her on WeChat."

Lu Huaizheng just smiled without saying anything.

Li Hongwen saw his expression and knew something was wrong. "No way, you brat. It only took me two days to win over your sister-in-law. It's been almost a damn month. What have you been doing!"

"She doesn't like me."

"Don't be like that. If you put in some effort, she'll start to like you. Coincidentally, for tomorrow's drill on the training ground between your team and Team Two, let's have Yu Hao participate. She can be the hostage for Sun Kai's side. Don't you guys need a hostage?"

"We can just use a dummy."

"A dummy isn't realistic enough. Let's have Comrade Yu Hao make a little sacrifice. It'll also be a good way to fire up the guys."

The next day, Yu Hao received a notice from her superior, instructing her to participate in the drill as a hostage for Team Two, awaiting rescue by Team One.

Sun Kai locked Yu Hao in the hostage camp, assigned two men to guard it, and then instructed them, "Captain Lu's team has a long-range sniper, so don't let your guard down. Captain Lu loves to play clever tricks. Even if he tries to force his way in, we can't back down! Get him! You hear me! Also, protect Dr. Yu. If the hostage gets a headshot, it doesn't matter who wins."

Yu Hao had a protective helmet on her head and was tied to a chair with ropes. Before Sun Kai left, he patted her shoulder comfortingly. "Thanks for your trouble."

The hostage camp was a small room made of stacked car tires. The sides were open, allowing a view of the outside, meaning she was completely exposed to the sight of both teams. If anyone was unhappy with her, a single headshot would solve the problem.

Yu Hao had a walkie-talkie next to her, through which she could hear the communications from Lu Huaizheng's team.

After a series of crackling static, Chen Rui's voice came through. "Captain, can you see the position of the hostage camp?"

After a moment, Lu Huaizheng's voice replied, "I see it."

Then it was the Little Squad Leader: "Captain Sun really went all out this time. I just saw them planting mines nearby. If we rush in, not only do we risk getting headshots, we could also be blown up. Why don't we just give Dr. Yu a headshot? Save us the trouble of rescuing her."

After he said that, the group snickered.

Yu Hao's face darkened. 'I never thought you were that kind of Little Squad Leader.'

Then she heard Lu Huaizheng's voice, suppressing a laugh. "Good idea."

There was a moment of silence.

Three, two, one.

"Boom—" With a loud bang, Yu Hao saw a mine explode on the ground in front of her, sending soil flying and filling the air with dust. It was only then that she realized, 'Are these damn things real?'

Lu Huaizheng's voice came through the walkie-talkie. "Alright, stop chatting. Chen Rui, cover me. Find some high ground and don't let them spot your position."

The constant explosions and the resounding gunshots were deafening to Yu Hao. It seemed someone was moving in the grass ahead, the blades of grass standing up with the wind from the roaring blasts.

A figure suddenly rushed out of the rising black smoke. Yu Hao watched him charge towards the hostage camp. Just as he was about to reach it, another mine exploded nearby. He reacted extremely quickly, shielding his face with his elbow and dropping to the ground. When he looked up again, his handsome face was revealed, and he even made a "shushing" gesture at Yu Hao.

Lu Huaizheng used the mine explosions as cover, along with Chen Rui's sniper fire, and quickly reached the hostage camp. It was the riskiest and most direct method, one they usually wouldn't dare use in real combat because it easily reveals one's position. But in a drill, it was the fastest way.

But then Yu Hao deliberately shouted, "You're here!"

The two guards who were patrolling on the other side suddenly ran over, completely exposing Lu Huaizheng. He reacted instantly, vaulting into the hostage camp through the window. He grabbed one man's arm and twisted it, forcing him to the ground, then turned to grab the other's shoulder, pinning him against the wall with a reverse grip. The first man lunged at his back, but it was as if he had eyes in the back of his head. He yanked the man back, threw him, and both guards fell to the ground together. The buttons on their shoulders were hit, smoke rose from their heads, and they were out.

The entire sequence of movements was crisp, clean, and beautifully fluid.

Yu Hao was stunned.

Lu Huaizheng walked over, hiked up his pant leg, and squatted in front of her. He rested one hand on his thigh and met her eyes with a smile. "Did you do that on purpose? Trying to cause trouble for me? Hey, what did I do to offend you?"

"Nothing. Untie me."

"Beg me, and I'll consider it," Lu Huaizheng said.

"Are you planning to carry me out along with the chair then?"

The way she said it, especially with her deadpan expression, made Lu Huaizheng unable to hold back a laugh. He chuckled and untied her.

They flattened themselves against the wall, preparing to move out. He shielded her behind him. "Don't run around later. Stay with me, understand?"

The two of them left the camp, one after the other.

Yu Hao followed a meter behind Lu Huaizheng. Lu Huaizheng hugged the tire wall and asked her, "You're so far from me. How am I supposed to protect you?"

Yu Hao: "I don't need your protection."

He snorted. "Then you'd better keep up."

As soon as he finished speaking, he moved extremely fast, reaching a nearby tree in just a few steps while Yu Hao was still standing by the hostage camp.

Sun Kai discovered the hostage was missing and began to set off a large number of mines.

Within minutes, several explosions went off in front of Yu Hao. Lu Huaizheng dove over, shielding her with his body. The man's hard, solid frame pressed down on her, his rapid breathing just above her head.

The dust settled, and their faces slowly became clear.

Yu Hao felt the man's chest vibrate slightly as his angry voice rumbled, "I told you to follow me, but you didn't. You deserve it if you get blown up!"

"Can you put away your princess attitude for once?!"

"I really spoiled you rotten in the past!!"

After that scolding, she obediently followed him out without saying a single word.

During lunch, both of them had dark faces, as if facing a great enemy.

Until Friday, when Lu Huaizheng was on leave. He went to Li Hongwen's place to get his phone. As soon as he turned it on, countless WeChat messages popped up. Then, he discovered a strange conversation on Li Yaoxin's WeChat Moments.

Li Yaoxin was replying to someone.

"Miss Yu Hao, you really like to 'like' my WeChat Moments."