Chapter 161: Took The Initiative to Call Her

They went back with a box of fruit-flavored beer from the counter.

The flavored beer came in bottles.

It had low alcohol content that could not instantly get you drunk, but after having plenty of bottles to drink, one would feel the alcohol kicking in.

Yu Bao'er finished three bottles in a short time. After having so much to drink, there already was a blank look in her eyes.

Her cheeks were visibly flushed. Although she kept a sliver of consciousness, she looked no different from someone who was drunk.

Gu Qingjiu didn't dare to drink the flavored beer, afraid that her older brother would notice.

Even if its alcoholic content was minimal, it still contained alcohol.

If she drank alcohol, she figured her older brother would give her a good beating.

But since Yu Bao'er kept saying how yummy it tasted, and the fact her relatives were egging her on by the side, Gu Qingjiu took a small sip.

After a sip, she realized that it tasted pretty good, and she couldn't resist downing a small glass.

Gu Qingjiu thought it was no big deal at first, but she had underestimated the aftereffects of the drink.

Although she felt sober, her face quickly heated.

Even her head spun a little, but it was tolerable. Afraid her older brother would find out later, Gu Qingjiu stayed in the suite and kept slapping herself, hoping the effects of the alcohol would go away.

Yu Bao'er and her relatives, on the other hand, were having a ball of a time singing.

Gu Qingjiu knew she couldn't sing to save her life, so she wisely didn't go up to sing.

But then again, she was feeling stuffy in the suite; perhaps she needed some fresh air to sober up.

Hence, she opened the door and went outside.

The minute the door closed, deafening music escaped outside.

It wasn't as warm in the lobby as in the suite, and the air felt much cooler. This made Gu Qingjiu, whose cheeks were feeling hot, feel much more comfortable.

Her gaze turned towards the spiral staircase on the right side of the lobby.

And she wondered why the Chief Instructor was with that group of people.

Those middle-aged people even looked familiar.

And it also made Gu Qingjiu wonder if they were from the military, or perhaps officials from somewhere.

After all, people like the Chief Instructor would get to see people that normal civilians usually don't get to see.

Just then, Gu Qingjiu saw someone walking down the stairs.

He looked rather familiar.

So familiar that Gu Qingjiu felt like her eyes had turned to ice that instant.

The person coming down the stairs was Su Lingche.

His frame was as thin as before.

Not firm and muscular like soldiers.

Exuding a gentle and elegant aura, the way he walked down the stairs resembled an elegant son of a rich family.

But underneath that refined appearance, perhaps a heart that had long turned into a hypocrite hid.

Gu Qingjiu wasn't as surprised to run into the Chief Instructor as she was to run into this person. This was truly a doomed affinity.

Her brows furrowed, and she initially wanted to go back in the suite immediately.

But Su Lingche had already noticed her. Not wanting the man before her to feel there was anything unusual with her, Gu Qingjiu retracted her gaze and walked towards the adjacent suite.

"You..."

Surprisingly, the person behind her called out to her.

In the empty corridor, his voice was obvious.

So obvious that Gu Qingjiu couldn't even pretend she didn't hear him.

Her body turned stiff. Quickly though, she composed herself and turned around calmly, as though nothing had happened.

A hint of doubt clouded her face as she cocked her head.

Chapter 162: The Hatred Beneath the Calm Surface

"You're the girl who drank milk tea at the shop today."

Su Lingche didn't know why he met Gu Qingjiu there.

He seemed a little happy to see her. But seeing Gu Qingjiu turn around, he dashed over to her.

As the man walked towards her step by step, Gu Qingjiu had a brief flashback of the Su Lingche in her previous life and the one who she was dealing with.

He walked to her and had a genial and harmless smile. The way he looked at her was so gentle.

She then realized that it was this exact person who had pushed her down a ravine, together with Yu Shiwei!

Everything that happened in the Yu family and her final despair in jail all came crashing down at her like a wave...

Her originally diminished hatred surged back suddenly. Gu Qingjiu held back her urge to stab the person in front of her. She clutched her hands tightly together behind her back, her fingernails stabbing into her palms. Her smile emitted a cold trace of ill intention.

"Oh, you were the waiter from this afternoon!"

'Waiter' was a term Su Lingche didn't want to hear.

His body stiffened as he frowned lightly but slowly relaxed once again. He explained, "I was just helping my classmate, not an actual waiter."

Given how anxious he was to explain himself, it showed how much he hated that term.

Gu Qingjiu looked doubtful as she pursed her lips. "Really?"

Her attitude rubbed on to Su Lingche, but he didn't know how this girl felt about him.

He only knew that he had a strange attraction to her.

It was why he took the initiative to greet her despite it being out of his character.

One had to know that he wasn't the type to take the initiative to strike up a conversation with girls.

But the girl in front of him had crystal clear eyes; as if she held galaxies within them.

The aura she exuded was as crisp as a water lily, and she gave off a novel form of attractiveness.

For him to say 'hi' to such a girl was not considered demeaning at all.

If Gu Qingjiu knew Su Lingche's inner thoughts, she would have definitely laughed her head off.

"Yea, I didn't expect to see you here. What a coincidence."

His clumsy attempt to start a conversation showed his inexperience in picking girls up.

If it was Gu Qingjiu from the past, she would've thought of Su Lingche as a cute and honest person.

But the current Gu Qingjiu only hated how blind she was back then.

Something contemptuous flashed across her eyes as she replied, "Yea, what a coincidence."

Her heart was thumping rapidly—the result of her restraint.

She was so scared that she could not hold back and really went up to throw a punch at this person.

"My name is Su Lingche, what's yours?"

Su Lingche introduced himself to Gu Qingjiu and revealed a gentle smile.

His eyes curved up slightly and his smile was bright and clear like the moon.

Around him was an air of a sunshine boy not yet exposed to society.

If it was any other girl, Su Lingche's smile would have had mesmerized them.

Gu Qingjiu had already fallen for it once, so why would she fall for it again?

She smiled politely in return, appearing to be distant and cold. "My name's Gu Qingjiu."

"Gu Qingjiu?" Su Lingche repeated her name beneath his breath. "Clear as wine? What a great name!"

His words of praise made Gu Qingjiu sick.

She really didn't want to dawdle with this man around, but she couldn't just turn and leave either.

"Thank you."

And with those two words, the atmosphere sunk down.

It was a little awkward, and Su Lingche seemed to realize it as well.

It was his first time starting a conversation towards a girl, so he had no idea how to continue it.

Chapter 163: So He Had His Eyes On Bao'er

At that moment, from Gu Qingjiu's older brother's end, someone had pushed the door to their private room open.

And the person who came out was Gu Qingjiu's cousin, Yao Yanshen.

The scene was a little strange.

Yao Yanshen didn't expect to see Gu Qingjiu standing outside with a man.

And this man was someone he had never seen before.

His gaze seemed a little strange, so he immediately went forward to tug Gu Qingjiu.

"Qingjiu, I was about to look for you."

Gu Qingjiu turned back and looked at him. "Older Brother Yanshen, what's the matter?"

Yao Yanshen did not immediately reply. He strangely eyed Su Lingche before asking with a hint of doubt, "He's your friend?"

Gu Qingjiu replied plainly, "I don't know him."

And when Su Lingche heard Gu Qingjiu saying she didn't know him, his face flushed.

He was embarrassed to the max.

Yao Yanshen found the person in front of him familiar, but because of the embarrassment, Su Lingche wanted to leave. He spoke in a hurry, "Sorry, I'll talk to you some other time."

And he left straightaway.

The way he acted was as if both of them were on familiar terms.

"Have I seen that person from somewhere?"

Yao Yanshen had a memory, but no matter how handsome Su Lingche was, in a man's eye, he was just an invisible person. When they came across each other in the afternoon, Yao Yanshen wouldn't be able to remember him other than the fact that he found him familiar.

"He was the waiter from the milk tea shop we visited in the afternoon."

The corners of Gu Qingjiu's mouth lifted as she easily revealed Su Lingche's identity.

"Oh!" Yao Yanshen had a sudden realization. "Oh, so that was him?"

Actually, even if she told him, he wouldn't really get an idea of who Su Lingche was.

After all, there was more than one waiter in that shop.

Gu Qingjiu didn't continue with her explanation either. Her expression relaxed as Su Lingche walked away, and she asked, "Older Brother Yanshen, you were looking for me for something?"

Yao Yanshen waved his hand as if feeling embarrassed. "I was bored in our private room, so can I join yours instead?"

The way he said it seemed to be a little too pointed.

Gu Qingjiu felt that it definitely had something else to it..

Was Gu Qingmo's company not enough for him that he needed to find her?

Gu Qingjiu came to a sudden realization as she thought of Yu Bao'er.

In an instance, the corners of her mouth curled up as she nodded. "Sure, of course you can."

She came out to get some fresh air, but after she had heard Yao Yanshen's concern, she immediately brought him in.

In case they met Su Lingche, who might pop in the scene again.

She now had no reason or power to deal with Su Lingche, so she didn't want to see him at all.

He was just an eyesore.

Although everyone in the private room looked shocked when Gu Qingjiu brought her cousin in, Yao Yanshen's friendly nature allowed him to meld with the group easily.

Gu Qingjiu watched on from the side.

This cousin of hers! Although he paid attention to appearances, his ability to socialize was not bad.

Which was why he became friendly with these people within such a short time. Gu Qingjiu didn't have to worry.

But Gu Qingjiu realized that Yao Yanshen's gaze was almost always going to Yu Bao'er.

After Gu Qingjiu left, Yu Bao'er drank several more cans of apple beer.

Although the alcoholic content was not high, when added together, it was still a considerable amount. Gu Qingjiu could even tell that from Yu Bao'er's singing that she was tipsy.

Yu Bao'er, who was drunk, became more bold and unrestrained. In such a short time, she already was on friendly terms with Yao Yanshen and even called him brother.

Chapter 164: You Think Too Much Into It, I Didn't Even Bring Money

Gu Qingjiu watched on from the side, unsure whether she should laugh or cry.

This cousin of hers, who only cared about how pretty one was, fell for Yu Bao'er. But it was not in her place to stop him.

It was something between the two of them.

Bao'er was still single, and she was sure Yao Yanshen had no girlfriend, else he wouldn't have made his intentions so obvious.

Whether there would be sparks forming would be up to them.

Gu Qingjiu wouldn't interfere.

She sat at the side playing games and singing, so her mood was not bad.

When it was around ten at night, Gu Qingjiu suddenly received a text message from Commander Huo's cell phone.

As for why it was said as 'Commander Huo's cell phone', it was because Commander Huo didn't sent the text message.

" Have you left, Chief "

Staring at this statement made the OCD in Gu Qingjiu feel uncomfortable.

The only punctuation was a comma, and there were no full stops.

And the last word came out of nowhere as well.

But Gu Qingjiu quickly realized that the person who sent the text message was the Chief Instructor!

He was asking if she had left.

Gu Qingjiu naturally didn't dare to slight a text message from the Chief Instructor.

She quickly replied, " I have yet to leave. I think it will be awhile more. What's the matter, Chief Instructor? "

"Commander Huo's drunk. We're leaving in half an hour. At that time, come over to help."

" Okay. Just let me know through a call or text. "

Seeing that the Chief Instructor needed her help, Gu Qingjiu didn't question it and agreed immediately.

As if it was a joke, she thought it was rare for the Chief Instructor to ask for help.

She had to help no matter what, anyway.

But the bulk of the reason was probably that Commander Huo was drunk.

After Gu Qingjiu's reply, He Niancheng did not reply anymore.

Gu Qingmo played a while more on the sofa. In the end, before they even hit the half-hour mark, Gu Qingmo knocked on their private room, telling them it was time to leave.

Yu Bao'er and Yao Yanshen, who were having so much fun, refused to leave.

But Gu Qingmo did not allow Gu Qingjiu to stay any longer.

Gu Qingjiu had no choice, so she said, "Older brother, can we wait a little longer? My Chief Instructor is upstairs, and he asked for my help and I have already agreed. They're almost done as well. We can leave after I help him."

And Gu Qingjiu wouldn't feel good going back on her promise with the Chief Instructor as well.

Gu Qingmo couldn't wrap his head around it. "Your Chief Instructor?"

He recalled Gu Qingjiu's Chief Instructor, and his expression turned contemplative. "Oh, your Chief Instructor who didn't look like he fancied girls..."

Gu Qingjiu was speechless.

If there was nobody around, she would definitely cover Gu Qingmo's mouth.

"Okay. Since you agreed, I will wait here with you. I'll settle the bill for your friends."

Hearing that, Gu Qingjiu obediently nodded and followed Gu Qingmo to settle the bill at the front counter.

The room that Gu Qingmo's friends occupied didn't need Gu Qingmo to settle the bill. But knowing that Yu Bao'er and the rest came because of Gu Qingjiu, Gu Qingmo wanted to settle their bill either way. And although Gu Qingjiu knew that Yu Bao'er came to her own accord, she wouldn't stop her brother from doing so.

When the clerk looked through, in a puzzled tone, he said, "I'm sorry sir, but room 199's bill has already been paid for."

It surprised Gu Qingmo to hear that. He turned to Gu Qingjiu and asked, "Your friends have already settled the bill?"

"They didn't." Gu Qingjiu shook her head in confusion. "I was with Bao'er all this time, and the rest are not yet done singing. Why would they come out to settle the bill?"

After speaking, Gu Qingjiu suddenly thought about Commander Huo and Chief Instructor.

With their personality, they might have really settled her bill.

She immediately sent a text message to ask He Niancheng.

" Chief Instructor, did either you or Commander Huo help settle my bill? "

He Niancheng's reply was quick and simple.

" You think too much into it, I didn't even bring money. "

Gu Qingjiu was speechless.

Chapter 165: An Angel Wouldn't Do Such Mean Things

She had to admit that sometimes the Chief Instructor's words were really straight to the point.

After she had sorted the Chief Instructor's tone, she felt that she might really have over-thought things.

But if it wasn't the Chief Instructor, who could it be?

Gu Qingjiu felt rather confused.

They didn't know anyone else around, and it couldn't have been Yu Bao'er's friends.

Gu Qingmo asked the clerk again, "Did someone from that private room settle the bill? One of their friends, perhaps?"

The clerk looked slightly embarrassed. "I'm sorry, sir. When he said he would foot the bill, I didn't ask too much..."

And that was true. When someone will foot the bill, why would one care so much?

Out of her expectations, Su Lingche's face flashed across her mind.

But she denied it in an instance.

With Su Lingche's personality, there was no way for him to be so generous.

Gu Qingjiu remembered clearly when he came to the Yu family to teach her piano. From what he wore back then, he must have been dealing with being financially constrained.

He wouldn't take the initiative to pay for a girl who he just met.

But just in case, Gu Qingjiu further probed, "The person was a man? What was he wearing?"

The clerk could reply to this question quickly.

His description did not seem like Su Lingche, and it left Gu Qingjiu more clueless than ever.

But knowing that it wasn't Su Lingche, it allowed her to heave a sigh of relief.

If Su Lingche really did it, she would only feel more disgusted at his actions.

But having a stranger settle their bill still made Gu Qingjiu feel uneasy. She nudged Gu Qingmo, and she softly said, "Older brother, I think you should still pay. We don't even know who the person is, so we shouldn't be taking their favor."

Gu Qingmo didn't have any objections. He said to the clerk, "Forget it. We will settle our own bills. I'll pay for the private room. We even don't know who paid for our bill. Can I trouble you to return the money to the person? Is he here as well?"

The clerk appeared puzzled, but he still nodded. "He went to a private room upstairs. I'm not sure which private room he is from, so I'll have to ask..."

"That's okay. You can pass him the money when you see him walk down."

After he had spoken, he turned around and asked Gu Qingjiu, "Could it be a friend of your friend?"

Gu Qingjiu shook her head. "It shouldn't be. If he knew Bao'er, he should at least come over and say hello. Let's just pay and get it over with."

Frankly speaking, for someone who she didn't know to pay for them made Gu Qingjiu feel weird.

The main point was that she had no impression of the said person.

When Gu Qingmo was paying, Gu Qingjiu received a text message from the Chief Instructor.

" 8888, fifth floor. "

After reading the text message, she said to Gu Qingmo, "Older brother, my Chief Instructor is calling me. I'll go up and look and come down soon."

Gu Qingmo nodded and looked at her in concern. "Okay, I will wait for you here. If there's anything, just call me."

"Okay, I'll be down soon."

Gu Qingjiu went upstairs after that.

The Chief Instructor mentioned that Commander Huo was drunk, so Gu Qingjiu was actually looking forward to it.

She was looking forward to seeing how Commander Huo looked when he was drunk.

The fifth floor was the highest floor of the KTV building. On the same floor was KTV's most luxurious and expensive private room.

She wondered what they came here to discuss...

But remembering that the Chief Instructor mentioned that they didn't bring money, she could naturally conclude that the person footing the bill wasn't them.

Could it be... that the Chief Instructor asked her up to settle their bill?

An angel like him wouldn't do such mean things.

Chapter 166: Actually Seeing Major-General Smile

When she arrived at the fifth floor, the luxurious feeling it exuded was completely unlike that of the lower floors.

Soft red carpet covered the entire corridor, and they could hear no footsteps when one walked on it.

Oriental wall paintings complimented the western style of the suite. They also used wooden doors as compared to the thick doors that were prominently used on the floors below.

It even had complicated and exquisite carving, and with a glance, one could tell it must have cost a lot.

The entire fifth floor comprised only one private room.

As she made her way up, she passed by a few people, but now, no one was in the corridor.

Gu Qingjiu continued to walk over. Seeing the number on the door tag, she knocked lightly on the door.

The door was like those in the past; it had gaps that allowed people from the other side to see the silhouettes within.

"Come in."

Even if a door separated them the cold voice that resounded still caused people to shudder.

Hearing the permission, Gu Qingjiu slowly pushed the door ajar.

As expected, it was completely different from the lower floors.

There were a few people at the center of the room that didn't look like a private room, but an exquisite pavilion.

They were all kneeling on the floor like that of a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. At the center was a small, low to the ground table with drinks and... alcohol.

And Huo Yingcheng's loud voice enveloped the entire atmosphere of the private room.

"Come on, come on! Continue drinking! Director Liu, we are not going home until we drop!!!"

The few people around Huo Yingcheng were each holding beer mugs and had bloodshot eyes from drinking.

He was already slurring his words and still pushed for people around him to drink more.

He Niancheng wasn't at the center. Rather, he was sitting on a wooden armchair, fiddling with a silver lighter.

He wasn't in his army uniform but in rather casual attire.

Gu Qingjiu noticed him the moment she entered.

His black top wrapped around his perfect figure; the contrast of color gave him a feeling of untamed evilness as he sat in the dark.

Even so, seated on the wooden armchair, he exuded a cool elegance. This confusing combination of signals made him look like a person who could rob a life at any time—a grim form of power.

His gaze was distant but deep—like moonlight in the night.

Gu Qingjiu's entrance didn't incite many reactions from the drinkers since they were all drunk.

She walked towards He Niancheng. She spared just a slightly longer glance since He Niancheng dressed differently.

He Niancheng noticed her gaze, and without changing his tone, he asked, "What are you looking at?"

Gu Qingjiu steadily and truthfully replied, "Since the Chief Instructor is handsome, I took a longer look."

He Niancheng was speechless.

This wasn't the first time He Niancheng heard such words. After all, as he grew up, people showered him with numerous praises.

But it was his first time hearing someone say it so boldly.

Or perhaps it was because these words came from the mouth of a person who he didn't have a conflict with.

Somehow, his heart had a twinge of happiness upon hearing her words.

This joy caused the corners of his lips to lift into an exquisite curl.

Gu Qingjiu didn't catch it, but Huo Yingcheng who happened to turn around saw that smile.

And he paused, gaping visibly.

He Niancheng's lips pursed back into a line almost instantly.

But it didn't stop Huo Yingcheng from rubbing at his eyes. "What the heck? I drank so much that I actually saw Major-General smiling!"

Chapter 167: I Heard Nothing

He Niancheng's expression turned cold all of a sudden.

And Gu Qingjiu stiffened.

His words were clearly directed towards He Niancheng.

But Major-General?

As if hearing something incredible, it stunned her.

He Niancheng reacted in an instance. He ignored that death-seeking Huo Yingcheng and immediately turned to Gu Qingjiu. Although he said nothing, Gu Qingjiu could still sense the dangerous glint from his dark orbs.

She straightened into a perfect posture and tensed. "I heard nothing!"

Even if she heard, she had to deny it!

He Niancheng's dark orbs finally turned normal again.

His tall figure stood up. He was so tall that it seemed as if his shadow alone could engulf Gu Qingjiu.

That oppressive feeling that washed over her made her feel the imminent danger.

"Huo Yingcheng, if you even dare to drink another mouth of alcohol, you can go back tomorrow!"

This voice successfully dammed the joyful atmosphere in the air.

Even if they drank a lot and weren't clear in the mind...

Against He Niancheng's sudden chilling growl...

It was as if someone had poured a tub of cold water over their heads on a winter night, chilling them to the very core!

The people turned sober in an instance.

Huo Yingcheng immediately placed the mug down. "Who... Who drank?"

Even with him slurring his words, he wouldn't admit it.

Huo Yingcheng's eyes were wide open, and he felt like he was about to faint. He Niancheng's gaze chilled further as he talked to the rest. "Directors, I think it's enough that we've discussed this much."

Gu Qingjiu almost swallowed her tongue hearing that.

The people in front of her were directors.

But in front of said directors, He Niancheng's influence was still as strong as ever.

The few directors obediently nodded their heads.

"Yes, yes. I guess this is about all."

"Commander He, let's meet again when you're free!"

"Commander He... have a safe trip back!"

Each of these directors were high above ordinary folks. But at the moment, they were so drunk that they could not properly walk, and yet they still helped each other to get out of the suite as soon as possible. Such a scene showcased He Niancheng's potent authority.

Huo Yingcheng looked so drunk because of the alcohol and his head was swaying. It looked as though he would faint.

When the rest had left, Gu Qingjiu was a little worried while looking at Huo Yingcheng. "Chief Instructor, are we going to let Commander Huo walk down like this?"

The expression which He Niancheng threw at Huo Yingcheng looked like one of disdain.

He frowned as he looked at Gu Qingjiu. "I'll bring him down. You just have to follow. I'll bring you somewhere so that you can help me retrieve something. He was supposed to be doing it."

Gu Qingjiu instantly understood.

With Huo Yingcheng that drunk, he couldn't take what He Niancheng wanted him to obtain.

With her predicament, she felt like a nanny of the royal family.

But Gu Qingjiu wasn't unwilling or anything of that sort.

Gu Qingjiu waited outside for He Niancheng to bring Huo Yingcheng down, but all she saw was He Niancheng unhesitatingly pressing on the service bell to get the KTV's clerks to lug Huo Yingcheng down.

He Niancheng simply followed behind as he disdainfully looked at Huo Yingcheng through his black orbs.

He reeked of alcohol. Who would get close to him?

Suddenly, Gu Qingjiu felt that this Chief Instructor...

Was a man with no affections and shallow feelings!

But Gu Qingjiu didn't dare to voice out and instead followed obediently behind.

As they went down, she saw Gu Qingmo. Gu Qingjiu waited for the Chief Instructor to walk a little further before she went to her brother.

Chapter 168: Merely Joking But He Responded Narcissistically

"Older Brother, I need to step out with the Chief Instructor. I'm helping him collect something."

Gu Qingmo frowned and asked, "What is it?"

Gu Qingjiu dropped her arms lethargically and replied, "I don't even know."

However, she was also curious why the Chief Instructor couldn't collect the item himself.

Gu Qingmo glanced at his watch and was rather unhappy. "It's already so late and Mom is asking us to return home. She'll scold us if we don't!"

That was merely an excuse. Gu Qingmo wanted Gu Qingjiu to go home earlier.

Gu Qingjiu lowered her head and thought if following her Chief Instructor's command was an appropriate thing for her to do so.

He Niancheng might be her Chief Instructor, but it was already so late...

Right at that moment, He Niancheng realized that Gu Qingjiu had yet to step outside. He turned around to see what was going on.

He saw Gu Qingmo and Gu Qingjiu speaking to each other.

Gu Qingmo recalled seeing Gu Qingmo before.

After all, when Gu Qingmo came to the military to take Gu Qingjiu away, his choice of words had been strong. He held a grudge against him afterward.

Therefore, he approached them and asked coldly, "What's wrong?"

Before Gu Qingjiu could speak, Gu Qingmo flashed a smile and answered, "You must be Qingjiu's Chief Instructor. This might come across as rude, but I still must say it. She is having her vacation now, and it is also already late. My younger sister needs to go home. If this is not urgent, could you find someone else to do it instead?"

He Niancheng instantly understood what he was trying to say.

He slowly gazed at Gu Qingjiu and said in a deep voice, "I just need ten minutes. I'll send her home. She won't be hurt in any way."

His calm tone sounded undeniably stern.

It made them feel oddly stressed out.

However, it was shocking for them to hear him offer such firm assurance.

She didn't know why the Chief Instructor insisted on making her go, but hearing those words, Gu Qingjiu felt more relieved. "Older Brother, I'll just go this time round."

Strictly speaking, Gu Qingjiu had to obey her superiors when she was in the military camp. Hence, as long as He Niancheng's orders do not go against any other rules, Gu Qingjiu didn't have a choice.

It was a military order.

He Niancheng was already very patient with him.

Despite his hesitation, Gu Qingmo felt rather pressured as he sensed the dominance of the other man. Nevertheless, hearing those words of assurance, Gu Qingmo still felt more at ease.

As he nodded, he said, "Go."

Gu Qingjiu then left with He Niancheng.

As they left, they didn't realize that Su Lingche was near the staircase.

He saw the two of them leaving together. He Niancheng's back view radiated a high and mighty aura, and it made one feel inferior.

His gaze turned dark all of a sudden.

...

At the underground carpark, Gu Qingjiu sat on the passenger seat of the keep. She couldn't stop herself from asking, "Chief Instructor, is this so urgent? Am I the only one who can do it?"

She thought that it was odd.

He Niancheng fastened his seatbelt and unexpectedly explained it for her. "I came to China recently. Besides Huo Yingcheng, I don't trust anyone else."

He paused before continuing, "If I'm not being picky, I can trust you a little."

"..."

Those words already explained everything.

It also implied that the thing that they were collecting contained some secrets that they shouldn't divulge.

Gu Qingjiu was in disbelief, but she still flashed a smile. She blurted out a joke, "Chief Instructor, I feel so honored to have gained your trust."

Little did she expect He Niancheng to nod his head arrogantly. "I don't just trust anyone."

Gu Qingjiu was speechless.

She was merely joking, but he had taken her seriously and even gave her a narcissistic response!

Chapter 169: Commander Huo, Let Me Off!

She could only contain such thoughts to herself.

Gu Qingjiu didn't have the guts to retort his words.

At that moment, He Niancheng drove with a stern look on his face.

The dim lights in the car illuminated his side view, making him appear gentle.

His cold yet handsome look was enchanting.

Even the surroundings made the atmosphere seem a little dull and odd.

Just before Gu Qingjiu was about to ask him about the items that they were going to collect, she heard a voice.

Huo Yingcheng, who had passed out drunk in the back seat, suddenly yelled, "Oh! Where am I?"

At the same time, he furiously sat up straight.

It made Gu Qingjiu jump in shock.

On the other hand, He Niancheng didn't flinch nor made any sound.

Gu Qingjiu looked behind and amidst the darkness, she could only see Huo Yingcheng's silhouette and his bright, glinting eyes. He was sitting upright.

She couldn't tell if he had really been drunk.

Gu Qingjiu asked, "Commander Huo?"

"Qing... Qingjiu?"

Once he spoke, it was all clear to her.

He spoke with a distinct lisp, and his words were all jumbled up. Yet, it was surprising that he could still recognize her from her voice.

Gu Qingjiu stifled a laugh and replied quietly, "Yes, Commander Huo, I am Gu Qingjiu."

"Yes, yes..."

Commander Huo's voice sounded unstable as he suddenly glanced around his surroundings. As he moved, Gu Qingjiu could see the confusion on his face.

"Where... Where's Commander He?"

In his drunken stupor, he fumbled over his words.

Gu Qingjiu glanced at He Niancheng and pointed at him. "Commander Huo, isn't the Chief Instructor here?"

Huo Yingcheng narrowed his eyes and looked dazedly at the space in between the driver and passenger seat. Without inspecting further, he waved his hand and answered, "Stop lying... He Niancheng... Why would he chauffeur me around? Qingjiu... Hey, I may be drunk but my vision is still clear... You! Stop trying to deceive me!"

Gu Qingjiu was speechless.

'Commander Huo, please wake up. This is He Niancheng, whom you're familiar with!'

Despite not showing much reactions, the expression on He Niancheng's face was glum. Through the mirror, he glanced at Huo Yingcheng with a sharp, piercing gaze.

Huo Yingcheng subconsciously shuddered, but he still couldn't understand what had happened. Grabbing Gu Qingjiu's seat, he showed no restraint and yelled and thrashed around.

"Haha. Qingjiu! I've been tolerating him for a long time! He's a clean freak and has OCD! In your language, that would mean he's troublesome and fussy! After experiencing some troubles. He was deported, but he started to look for you instead! We're all at his mercy... Hehe. Qingjiu, we're all depending on you in the future!"

"..."

Commander Huo must have been really drunk!

He was clearly incredibly drunk, seeing how he dared to even bad-mouth He Niancheng.

Gu Qingjiu quietly prayed that Huo Yingcheng would be fine when his mind cleared up.

She held herself back and didn't dare to say anything in response. Yet, Huo Yingcheng didn't let her off.

"Qing... Qingjiu... Frankly speaking, you don't like him either, do you? A person like him can only rely on his looks! There's nothing special about him! Qingjiu, don't you agree?"

Gu Qingjiu was speechless.

'Commander Huo, just let me off!'

Chapter 170: Retrieving Something

She could tell that the grudges Huo Yingcheng had for He Niancheng must have accumulated for quite some time, which was probably why he couldn't hold back after getting drunk.

Gu Qingjiu felt that the intense atmosphere inside the car had lowered down as Huo Yingcheng continued basking in his own joy.

In the end, Huo Yingcheng even pestered Gu Qingjiu about her opinion of He Niancheng.

Gu Qingjiu didn't make a single sound for a long time. Before Huo Yingcheng could urge her, she heard a cold snort from beside her.

"When a superior asks you, you should reply immediately!"

Gu Qingjiu was speechless.

This question concerned her life and death!

This was the hardest question she had faced ever since her rebirth.

Which was why against Huo Yingcheng's continued pestering, Gu Qingjiu simply tensed up as she replied, "Chief Instructor is a good person!"

After all, in her heart, he was still an angel.

"..."

The corners of He Niancheng's mouth seemed to twitch a little.

And Huo Yingcheng said something unbelievable again.

"Good person? I think girls like you are all too mesmerized by his handsome face that you forget that this world is much scarier. Have you seen him kill..."

'Thump!'

Before Huo Yingcheng could even finish speaking, He Niancheng's hand swiftly reached out at a speed Gu Qingjiu couldn't even catch.

She only vaguely realized that He Niancheng had his hand tightening around Huo Yingcheng's throat, so much so that he couldn't even breathe. Huo Yingcheng's sturdy body fell back onto the backseat.

The car fell completely silent.

It was originally a rather relaxing atmosphere, but because of Huo Yingcheng's unfinished words, the shock caused cold sweat to envelope her.

She didn't utter a single sound and instead just looked down, looking like she was trying to avoid the elephant in the car.

What Commander Huo was trying to say couldn't be that the Chief Instructor had killed people, right...?

In their society, which was strictly governed by laws and morals, Gu Qingjiu had never encountered something of the likes.

At most, those were things she only saw on the news or the internet.

But for soldiers, these situations existed. At certain times, they would have to decide if they didn't want to.

And at the KTV earlier on, she heard Huo Yingcheng shout 'Major-General.'

Gu Qingjiu finally understood that the Huo Yingcheng who always joked with them and the unsmiling He Niancheng might really not be ordinary people.

It appeared she entered some forbidden territory without realizing.

But now, she couldn't show any signs of awkwardness.

The air in the car seemed frozen. The silence also brought about a feeling of oppression, but then she heard He Niancheng's indifferent voice. "He's drunk."

As if he was explaining or hinting at something.

Gu Qingjiu understood right away. Straightening her back, she nodded. "I understand, Chief Instructor."

And silence fell upon the car again.

They drove to an unfamiliar place at the city center of Dayi City where there was an incredibly ordinary looking retail store.

And it had a signage stating that it sold different jewelry.

And it was still open.

There were a few similar shops nearby. Gu Qingjiu saw a fifty to sixty-year-old person inside the shop.

When the car pulled over at a parking lot outside, Gu Qingjiu looked towards He Niancheng.

He Niancheng's locked his gaze at the store in front of them, and he pursed his lips. "Go down and say that you're here to collect something. Mention Huo Yingcheng's name, but don't say mine."

Although Gu Qingjiu didn't understand it fully, she did not question it and got out of the car immediately.

She was still clad in her casual attire, so she looked ordinary. After she had entered the shop, the old man's rough voice sounded. "What are you looking for, young miss?"