Soldier A: "Hey, don't you guys think Reporter Song is especially cute?"

Soldier B: "Discovered that long ago. She's adorably silly; can't take a joke at all, blushes the moment you tease her."

Soldier C: "I just think she's very gentle, hehe." He turned his head. "Ah Zan, right?"

"..." Li Zan said, "I haven't interacted with her much. I don't know."

A few seconds later, he silently added, "She's very serious and reliable at work."

Soldier D chimed in: "Hey! Let me tell you when she's the cutest. When she's filming really seriously, and you suddenly go up and shout 'Reporter Song!' The way she whips her head around, startled, her expression at that moment is so cute, makes you want to pinch her cheeks."

Before he could finish, he was swarmed and beaten by everyone around him. "You're acting like a hooligan!"

Soldier D covered his head. "Can't I even think about it?"

"No!"

The group descended into chaotic fun, while Li Zan twirled a vegetable leaf in his hand.

He thought about the scene they described but couldn't picture it.

...

In the office, Luo Zhan explained his intentions to Song Ran.

They were sending a soldier to the Special Joint Force. Since this was the first time a Chinese soldier was joining the team, they hoped Song Ran could follow along and report on the training camp.

Luo Zhan said, "We have other TV reporters at our base, but the content you produce is more down-to-earth, without such a strong propagandistic feel. Both the higher-ups and the audience really like it. So we'd like to ask for your help this time as well."

Song Ran was flattered. "How can you call it helping? I'm honored that you're giving me this opportunity."

Luo Zhan smiled. "That's good. For the next two days, we'll have to trouble you to follow and interview Li Zan."

Song Ran was taken aback. "Second Lieutenant... Li?"

"That's right. Second Lieutenant Li is an outstanding soldier, and the higher-ups think very highly of him. Joining the team this time, he's also representing the country. Song Ran, you must do a good job filming."

Song Ran nodded slowly. "Mm."

...

Early the next morning, Song Ran arrived at the base entrance, just as Li Zan did.

The training camp was at the US Military Base, just a street away, a quick walk.

At seven-thirty in the morning, the sunlight was brilliant, but the city had not yet awakened, and there were no other pedestrians on the street.

The two walked side by side in silence, with only the rustling sound of their feet on fallen leaves. Song Ran fiddled with the camera in her hands from time to time to ease the awkwardness she felt.

Li Zan suddenly asked, "Do you live far from here?"

"Huh?" She looked up at him, then averted her gaze. "Not far. Turn left up ahead, and it's two streets away."

"The Government Army is currently losing ground, and the situation in Galuo is also deteriorating. Try not to walk around the streets unless you have to."

Song Ran nodded. "Oh. Got it."

After a few seconds, Li Zan suddenly laughed and said, "You'll still run all over the place, won't you?"

"..." Song Ran touched her ear. "I'm a reporter... I can't just hole up in a hotel all day."

"True. I haven't seen you these past few days, figured you went 'shopping'."

"..." She answered formally, "There are many things I want to document, so it's not good to stay in the military camp every day."

"That's true." He said no more.

Passing an intersection, Song Ran inadvertently looked up at him. The sunlight on his face made his features look even more refined. Just as she was looking, he turned his head and met her gaze.

Her heart tightened. She pointed to the scabs on his face and neck and said, "Are you okay?"

He touched them casually, not seeming to mind. "It's nothing."

"Will it leave a scar?"

He found it amusing. "Guys don't care about that."

When they arrived at the entrance of the US Military Base, Song Ran filmed from the side while Li Zan waited for his documents to be verified—she hadn't been here before.

The American soldier on guard duty said they could enter. Li Zan turned to call Song Ran and saw she was still focused on filming.

He watched her for a while. For a moment, he wasn't sure what he was thinking, but he slowly walked over, stood a few steps away from her, and suddenly called out forcefully:

"Reporter Song!"

"Huh?" She jumped, turning around in a hurry with a dazed and surprised expression. "What?"

Li Zan stared at her, then suddenly smiled, jerking his chin towards the inside. "We can go in now."

"Oh."

He walked behind her, and recalling her expression, he couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle.

...

Song Ran turned off her camera before entering the courtyard, as unauthorized filming was not allowed here.

The military camp here wasn't much different from the Chinese base, but the soldiers coming and going gave a distinctly different impression—Caucasians have a natural advantage in physical build, and the soldiers looked even taller and more robust.

The soldiers gathered on the training ground came from seven different countries. Apart from Li Zan, the rest were all white and black soldiers from Europe and America. Li Zan was just as tall as them, but not as powerfully built.

As the only Asian on the team, Li Zan naturally received a lot of special treatment—having dust maliciously kicked in his face while crawling, getting his shoulder stepped on while climbing walls, having teammates refuse to provide cover during combat simulations, and being repeatedly "killed by friendly fire"...

Especially that American soldier named Benjamin, whose petty actions and taunts never stopped.

Song Ran witnessed all of this from the side, feeling indignant, but she didn't voice a single opinion. This was a military camp, a place where men competed. If she were to complain, it would only make the situation more awkward.

The instructor was British and turned a blind eye to it, paying it no mind.

Fortunately, Li Zan showed no sign of resentment. He patiently endured the entire day, and his performance didn't fall too far behind, ranking in the top three.

When the team was dismissed in the evening, the "special treatment" was not over yet.

The instructor had just dismissed the team when Benjamin joked to a French soldier, "Their country is very interesting. For war correspondents, they send women; to be soldiers and go to the battlefield, they also send women."

Song Ran was about to turn off her camera when she heard this and frowned.

At this moment, Li Zan's expression also changed slightly. He clenched his jaw, and for an instant, there was a fierce look in his eyes as he stared at Benjamin, but it all dissipated in a flash.

Li Zan didn't say a word and walked quietly past Benjamin.

But Benjamin noticed his gaze and laughingly reached out to pat his shoulder. "Ma'am, do you have a different opinion about what I said?"

Before the words were out, Li Zan suddenly grabbed his arm and executed a shoulder throw. Benjamin flipped over but didn't fall, instead countering with a throw of his own the moment he steadied himself. Li Zan was prepared, quickly circling around to dodge, then darting behind him to put him in a chokehold. Benjamin immediately ducked and slipped away.

Neither could control the other in a single move. They simultaneously and quickly let go, pulling back two or three meters apart.

Dust flew on the training ground.

"Whoa!!!" The surrounding soldiers immediately scattered, forming a circle.

Li Zan stared straight at Benjamin and ripped off his bulletproof vest, web gear, and pistol, throwing them all on the ground.

This was the signal for a challenge.

"Oh!!!" The spectating soldiers cheered loudly.

Benjamin grinned and also began to take off his vest.

Song Ran was afraid things would escalate. "Second Lieutenant Li... this..."

Li Zan turned his head and pointed a finger at her. "No filming!"

Song Ran froze, not daring to step forward.

Li Zan removed all the gear from his arms and legs—the web gear, dagger, and firearms—and threw them on the ground, stripping himself down to just his military uniform, combat boots, and tactical gloves.

Facing Benjamin, who had also stripped off his gear, he clenched his fists and got into a ready stance.

Benjamin was also ready to fight, and even the instructor stood by to watch.

Benjamin attacked first, lunging forward with a punch aimed at Li Zan's right cheek. Li Zan turned to evade it and kicked at Benjamin's left leg, which the latter also easily dodged.

The soldiers in the circle hooted and cheered, shouting their support.

Song Ran stared intently at Li Zan, not daring to breathe.

After a brief period of testing each other out, the two quickly got into the fight.

Benjamin was serious now. He rushed forward two steps, throwing a punch straight at Li Zan's temple. Li Zan barely dodged it, and another punch followed in quick succession, grazing his jaw. Li Zan twisted his arm and charged forward, knocking him to the ground where he rolled several times. Yellow sand swirled. Both wanted to be the first to get up and seize the opportunity, but they held each other in check, repeatedly dragging one another back down to the ground.

The surrounding crowd was in an uproar, and all the American soldiers training nearby ran over to watch.

The two were grappling when suddenly, Benjamin kicked Li Zan in the abdomen, scrambled to his feet, and immediately tried to stomp on his chest.

Li Zan agilely rolled away, swept his leg at Benjamin's supporting leg, and knocked him over. Just as Benjamin was about to get up, Li Zan flipped over and leaped up, slamming his body and elbow down on him, pinning his chest. With his other hand, he quickly grabbed at Benjamin's boot, pulled out the "dagger" tucked inside, and instantly "stabbed" at Benjamin's throat.

The "blade" fell, and Benjamin went completely still, raising both hands.

Li Zan gently lowered his clenched fist and drew it across his throat—a "throat-slit."

The surroundings fell deathly silent.

Li Zan, panting slightly, pushed Benjamin away and stood up.

After a few seconds of dead silence, applause suddenly broke out from the crowd of onlookers.

Li Zan roughly wiped the dust from his head and face, walked to the side, and picked up his scattered vest, pistol, and other gear one by one. He glanced at the stunned Song Ran and said, "Let's go."