After speaking, several people let out ambiguous chuckles. Then, a female soldier with a slightly clearer voice said, "Huh—where's Sui-zi?"

Someone replied in a pinched voice, "Sui-zi said she went to give her Brother Lu something she specially brought back from her performance trip to Xinjiang last time."

"I heard Sui-zi say she and Lu Huaizheng knew each other from way back. They used to live in the same compound. Later, after Lu Huaizheng's father passed away, Lu Huaizheng left with his aunt, and they saw each other less."

"Don't you guys think Sui-zi is a bit pretentious? Acting like a naive and sweet girl who knows nothing, just good at acting cute."

Someone laughed, "You don't like Lu Huaizheng too, do you? Seeing how you can't stand Sui-zi?"

That person scoffed disdainfully, "Who likes a military leader? Lu Huaizheng's face doesn't look like a soldier's at all. I actually prefer Sun Kai. But I'd never date a soldier, and even if I did, I wouldn't choose someone from the Air Force Compound."

At this moment, someone chimed in, "To be honest, I don't like Sui-zi either. She loves stealing the spotlight too much. Last time we had a meal, we all sat at table B, but she was the only one who insisted on squeezing in at the leaders' table. We've been classmates for so many years, but when has she ever opened up to us? Acting all mysterious, who cares about her."

"Alright, that's enough."

Yu Hao waited inside for a while. The group started gossiping about other things, and she ran out of patience, pushing the door open and walking out directly.

The female soldiers had been chatting happily. At the sudden sight of a strange woman coming out of a stall, they were all stunned. Their loud conversation came to an abrupt halt. They exchanged hesitant glances, and only after Yu Hao's back had completely disappeared through the doorway did they whisper another piece of gossip, "Who was that—"

Everyone shook their heads blankly. "No idea."

As Yu Hao passed through the corridor, she heard someone shout from downstairs in a sweet, clear voice, "Brother Huaizheng!"

She instinctively looked over. A girl in a tight-fitting black dance outfit was standing smilingly under a small magnolia tree, waving vigorously at a group of men not far away.

The streetlights were dim at night. In the pearly white moonlight, Yu Hao squinted to get a better look. She was clearly a dancer; her figure was graceful and well-proportioned, her arms slender and delicate. She was a little beauty.

Sui Sitian ran a few steps to Lu Huaizheng, handing over the small wooden box in her hand. "Here, this is what I brought for you last time. I searched for it for a long time, my legs almost broke from running."

Lu Huaizheng lowered his head, took it, and said thank you.

Sun Kai teased, "Yo, my little sister Sui is getting prettier and prettier."

Sui Sitian revealed a row of neat teeth. "I heard Captain Sun is getting married. Congratulations, congratulations."

Sun Kai exclaimed, "How did even you find out I'm getting married?"

Sui Sitian said, "We love to trade a bit of gossip when we have nothing to do. Don't mind it, Captain Sun."

Sun Kai laughed, draping his arm over Lu Huaizheng's shoulder. "You guys usually just gossip about Captain Lu, don't think I don't know."

Sui Sitian smiled shyly and looked at Lu Huaizheng again. "Can I come find you after dinner? I have something to ask you."

Lu Huaizheng scratched his eyebrow, just about to speak.

Sui Sitian added, "It'll be quick, five minutes."

In the end, Yu Hao saw him nod.

...

Yu Hao didn't eat that night. She lay in bed and slept for two hours. When she woke up, her stomach felt a little better, and she prepared to go downstairs to the supermarket.

Zhao Dailin happened to walk in with two plastic bags of things and put them on the table. She glanced at her and said, "You didn't go down to eat just now. Captain Lu specifically asked the kitchen to save you some food, worried you'd be hungry when you woke up. He just left. Should I go call him back and have him watch you eat?"

Yu Hao squatted on the floor to put on her shoes. "No need. I'm not hungry. I'm going out for a bit."

Zhao Dailin hummed in surprise. "You've barely eaten all day. Eat something first. Are you going to look for Captain Lu? No need, he said he'll come over later."

"Like hell I'm looking for him." Yu Hao put on her jacket. "I'm going out to buy something. If he comes over, just tell him I'm asleep."

Zhao Dailin's senses were sharp; she immediately pulled her back. "What's wrong? Everything was fine just now, wasn't it?"

Yu Hao turned her face away. "It's nothing, I just think you were right last time. A girl shouldn't be too forward."

"It's good that you've realized that." Zhao Dailin smiled and pulled over a chair to sit down. "But, from my observation, you need to grab hold of a man like Lu Huaizheng. I really think he's great in every aspect—mature and steady, but not boring, and he's witty too. Haven't you seen how those soldiers below worship him—tsk tsk."

Yu Hao didn't listen any further and turned to leave.

...

Lu Huaizheng was met with a closed door. As he tiptoed downstairs, he was surrounded by a few new recruits. The greenhorns crowded around him, craning their necks and asking repeatedly, "Captain Lu, Captain Lu, is your Assault Team recruiting this year?!"

Just as they finished asking, Sun Kai came running down from upstairs. Lu Huaizheng grabbed him, making him face the greenhorns' interrogation together.

"A batch just finished before the New Year. Why didn't you sign up?" Lu Huaizheng said, looking at the short male soldier in front of him.

Wen Yang was a soldier who had just joined last year. His overall qualities were good in all aspects, but he was relatively reserved. He hadn't been in the service for long and failed the qualifying assessment before the New Year, losing his chance. He lowered his head, a little embarrassed.

Lu Huaizheng understood. He patted his shoulder comfortingly, rarely pouring cold water on such an enthusiastic new recruit, and said with a smile, "It's okay, you'll pass next year."

Wen Yang suddenly seemed as if he'd been injected with chicken blood. He stood ramrod straight, his hands pressed tightly against the seams of his pants, and roared, "Yes, sir!"

The group stood at the bottom of the dormitory building, chatting enthusiastically, completely unaware that they were blocking the way up and down the stairs. Sun Kai, feeling playful, decided to tease Wen Yang. He asked, "Hey, if you pass next year, do you want to go to Captain Lu's team or come to mine?"

This question was just like when relatives would constantly ask you as a child, "Do you like Mommy or Daddy more?"

Everyone knew that the three teams of the Assault Team were the elite of the elite. Even though Lu Huaizheng and Sun Kai had been good brothers for so many years, there were always rumors that while they were friendly on the surface, they were secretly competing for the position of number one and team captain.

Sometimes, when the rumors reached Li Hongwen's ears, he would get angrier than the two of them, dragging the rumor-mongers to his office for a harsh reprimand. The two of them would just lean against either side of the doorframe, smoking, not taking it seriously at all.

Others might not understand, but their life-and-death friendship, forged over the years, couldn't be destroyed by a few words. When on a mission, a single look from Lu Huaizheng was enough for Sun Kai to understand. This kind of rapport was cultivated through countless life-or-death struggles over so many years.

The two of them were deservedly one of the best among the Airborne Troops.

Once, when a team was sent out on a mission, Sun Kai joked with Lu Huaizheng, "You'd better come back in one piece, or there'll be no one to compete with me for the number one spot."

At that time, Lu Huaizheng just smiled and put on his cap. Without saying a word, he patted his back reassuringly.

Joking around on a daily basis was never a problem.

In private, the two of them were actually a bit shameless, telling their fair share of dirty jokes. But the moment they put on those camouflage uniforms and those caps, they would suddenly become serious, their gazes turning righteous and awe-inspiring.

What moved Sun Kai the most was that Lu Huaizheng was someone who feared nothing. He never said much during missions, but he always got the job done cleanly and beautifully. But on that one mission, Sun Kai saw melancholy in his eyes for the first time, and a hint of reluctance.

Sun Kai shoved his shoulder. "Brother, don't scare me. I've never seen you like this."

Lu Huaizheng had been looking up at the sky. Hearing this, he looked down to adjust his gloves, his voice quite heavy. "It's nothing. I just suddenly feel a bit of regret."

Sun Kai: "What regret?"

Lu Huaizheng just smiled and didn't speak again. After putting on his gloves, he waved to Sun Kai with his back to him and left directly.

Sun Kai later thought about what Lu Huaizheng would be like if he were in a relationship. A man so unyieldingly tough on the battlefield, invulnerable and indestructible—he wondered if his heart was soft.

Speaking of which, when it came to training, Sun Kai was actually stricter than Lu Huaizheng. Lu Huaizheng might banter with you sometimes, but Sun Kai would have a grim face the entire time. His punishments weren't as harsh as Lu Huaizheng's, but his intimidating presence was definitely not inferior.

It was true that more soldiers liked Lu Huaizheng than Sun Kai.

Wen Yang looked at Lu Huaizheng and then at Sun Kai, looking troubled, almost on the verge of crying from anxiety.

Just then, a soft voice came from the stairs, "Excuse me, please let me through."

The whole group looked up in unison and saw a girl standing two or three steps above them. She had her hair in a neat ponytail, looking refreshing and elegant—an indescribable beauty.

Everyone was stunned for a moment, then hastily cleared a path for her. Sun Kai was the first to greet her, "Little Dr. Yu, going out?"

Yu Hao came down the stairs and hummed in acknowledgment.

After taking two steps, Yu Hao turned back, bypassed Lu Huaizheng who was leaning against the wall, and asked Sun Kai, "Captain Sun, do you know if there's a supermarket nearby?"

Sun Kai was taken aback at first, but reacted incredibly fast. He pointed at Lu Huaizheng, "Captain Lu knows. It's late, let Captain Lu go with you. It's not safe for a girl to go alone."

Yu Hao said, "No need, just tell me the address. I'm going to buy something and will be back soon."

"The address is hard to find," Sun Kai said. "There are no supermarkets around here, you have to walk to town. If you go alone, I'm afraid you won't be able to find your way back. Let Captain Lu drive you."

"Then never mind, I'll go tomorrow."

Yu Hao turned and ran upstairs.

Behind her, Sun Kai nudged Lu Huaizheng's chest. "Hey, did you offend her again?"

Lu Huaizheng's gaze was fixed on her fleeing back, his voice also cold. "I haven't spoken a word to her since I got out of the car."

Sun Kai had a sudden realization and understood. He patted his shoulder with the expression of an experienced man, "Do you know what women are?"

Lu Huaizheng's brow furrowed slightly as he gave him a sidelong glance.

Sun Kai switched to putting his arm around his shoulder. He was shorter than Lu Huaizheng, so it was a bit of a strain. He sincerely shared his personal experience, "This creature called a woman is like this: if you talk to her, she finds you annoying; if you don't talk to her, she gets angry. If other women don't talk to you, she thinks you have no charm; if other women talk to you, she gets jealous. She clearly wants to eat steak but insists on saying 'whatever'. She clamors about losing weight every day but complains she's tired after running for two seconds. There's another situation: when she ignores you, it's probably because her period has come. In those few days when a woman is on her period, she's so damn annoying. She can't touch water, can't lift things, and will want to break up if you say one harsh word. Their bodies are bleeding, so they want your heart to bleed too. Gentle and virtuous women belong to other people; bossy and demanding ones are your own."

The group of greenhorns listened to Sun Kai's eloquent speech as if it were a comedy routine, laughing their heads off.

Lu Huaizheng raised an eyebrow, "You've got quite a lot of insights. When you get married, I'll compile these golden quotes of yours into a booklet and send it to the bride."

Sun Kai's expression changed. "Fuck, are you even human?"

Lu Huaizheng pushed him away and turned to go upstairs. As he passed Yu Hao's dorm, Zhao Dailin happened to be coming out, closing the door behind her. She waved at him.

He walked over.

"Is Yu Hao asleep?" He was in his camouflage uniform, hands in his pockets, leaning against the corridor outside the dormitory.

The words had barely left his mouth.

"Clack—"

The room, which had been lit just a moment ago, suddenly went dark. The corridor light shone brightly. Lu Huaizheng stared blankly at the dark window frame.

Zhao Dailin glanced back and said, "Cuddled up in bed playing on her phone. She didn't even eat dinner."

Lu Huaizheng leaned lazily, his hands still tucked in his pockets. He looked away casually and said, "Wake her up. Didn't she want to go to the supermarket to buy something? I'll take her, and we can grab a bite to eat on the way. Training officially starts tomorrow, so I won't have much time to spend with her."

The way he said that.

Zhao Dailin crossed her arms, holding her head high. After sizing him up for a few seconds with an intriguing expression, she decided to help the little girl inside. "Hey, Captain Lu."

Hearing her, Lu Huaizheng withdrew his gaze and turned to look at Zhao Dailin.

Zhao Dailin said, "Are you trying to woo our Yu Hao?"

He lowered his head and smiled, his shoulders shaking slightly, almost imperceptibly. "What do you think?"

What kind of person was Zhao Dailin? She had lived for over thirty years and studied psychology for so many years; her emotional intelligence was indeed above average. She could tell if a person's intentions were good or not with a single glance. For example, a few years ago, a male comrade from the neighboring courtyard had been pursuing Yu Hao. He wore glasses as thick as the bottom of a bottle, his skin thicker than his knowledge, and his squinting eyes were filled with nothing but creepiness.

The good thing about a person like Lu Huaizheng was that he didn't hide his intentions. His eyes were clear and bright. He was deep, but not in a creepy or malicious way. His 'badness' was written all over his face, open and frank, which was straightforward and piercing.

The moment Zhao Dailin met his gaze, she understood. He was reliable, a kindred spirit. She didn't beat around the bush with him anymore. "Yu Hao isn't like other girls. She's very innocent. Don't be fooled by her cold exterior; she's genuinely naive. Since you want to pursue her, then show some proper attitude. What's the deal with always stringing her along so half-heartedly? If I were Yu Hao, I wouldn't pay you any mind either."

"I know." Lu Huaizheng kept his hands in his pockets, his eyes lowered. He spoke sullenly with his head down, "It's precisely because of that that I don't dare. I'm afraid if something happens to me, what if she can't forget me?"

"Then break it off. Don't pay her any mind."

"I can't do it. I can't ignore her." Lu Huaizheng sighed, straightened up, and said to Zhao Dailin, "Let me think about it for a few more days. Honestly, I would dare with anyone else, but with her, I just don't dare."

The author has something to say:

Lu Lu is actually very pitiful.

You will probably feel very sorry for him when you read on.

Actually, Sui-zi is a very cute girl...