"Yes, I see. Is there anything else? If no, I'll go and call them now."
Upon hearing that Leena was fine, Luke was much relieved too.
"Nothing else. You may leave now!" Edward picked up his phone and called Daisy. He tried ringing many times but nobody answered him. 'What is she doing? Is she busy with something?' Edward wondered.
He had guessed it right. Daisy was indeed quite busy at the time. The day after was the National Day, so she was involved in the preparations for the military parade that was to be held. Currently, she was correcting the soldiers' formation and figures on the training field.
Get your tiptoes straight! Legs higher! Watch for your gun positions." Several sweat beads streamed down her back and face. Daisy did her job conscientiously. If they were skilled soldiers, they could do well without her instructions. But unfortunately, all of them were new recruits. What was more, the other battalion and company commanders were assigned with different tasks. She had no other option but to instruct them in person.
"Hey, you! Your hands are not in the right position. Look, I'll show you how to do it." Daisy walked to a soldier and took the rifle from him. She showed him the position in front of everyone.
All the new soldiers watched her demonstrate the positions carefully. They did not dare to be absent-minded even for a second, nor did they make any noises. They had heard the senior soldiers mention that Colonel Ouyang, though young and beautiful in appearance, was extremely strict during training. She strongly berated soldiers who performed a bad job or did not concentrate fully.
All right. Now do it like I just showed you," Daisy encouraged them. She handed over the rifle to the soldier and took a step back. She was such a figure of heroic spirit and pride in her green military uniform.
"Yes, Colonel," The fresh recruits chorused. The loud reply echoed around the training field. It was nice to be young. Their voices reflected their bravery.
"Now, pay attention to my words. Attention! Dress right! Watch the formation. Eyes at the front. Now at ease! Attention! Quick steps. Look out, your feet must be on the same horizontal level. Your actions must be powerful and organized." The soldiers followed Daisy's orders. She too stood beside them and performed the actions for their reference. Meanwhile, she was on the lookout for anyone who was not performing correctly.
Colonel! You have a call." Mark trotted over to her, saluting her in military style. He gave her the phone.
I see. You stay here and keep an eye on them the way I was doing. I'll leave for a while," Daisy said to Mark. She took the phone from him and left the training field. Daisy did not answer the phone until she was at a distance, underneath a big tree.
Hello. This is Daisy Ouyang speaking. Who's that, please?" Although Daisy was on the phone, her eyes were still trained on the field that was not too far away. She didn't take a look at the number to see who had called her.
Hello to you too. Nice to talk to you, Colonel Ouyang," Edward greeted her jokingly. A ruffian's smile appeared on his face.
"Mr. Mu. Nice to speak to you too! Say, what is the matter? I am quite busy right now." Daisy frowned slightly. What was wrong with this man? He knew very well that she was very busy these days and here he was, calling her and making fun of her. What was he up to? Was he making trouble for her?
"Yeah, I know, you are quite busy. But you need to have your meals. How about this? I would like to invite you for dinner tonight. Would you like that?" Edward did not get angry at all. If it were the past Edward on the phone, he would have been pissed with her impatient tone. However, ever since he got to understand her temper, he came to realize that this woman was open to persuasion, but not to coercion. He would not be involved in a romantic relationship with anyone but Daisy. When faced with her, he felt like he had no power or prestige at all.
"Tonight? Is there something special today? Can't I have dinner with you some other time?" Daisy anticipated that she was going to stay up late because of her work, so she wished she could reject the invitation.
"No, there is nothing special today. I was just thinking it would be good for us to have dinner with Rain and the others. But since you are so busy, I won't bother you anymore. It's okay, Colonel Ouyang! Sorry to keep you on the line. I wasted your precious time by talking to you. Bye!" Edward finished speaking and hung up immediately, without waiting for her response. He was aware that his phone would ring in a few seconds. He knew her well.
Daisy gritted her teeth. Shoot! This man! He was playing the same trick on her again! He knew she was unwilling to disappoint him, so he pretended to stoop and compromise deliberately in order to make her feel guilty. He knew she would never want to let him down.
Daisy did not know what to do. She sighed, raising her head to take a look at the burning sun. Finally, she decided to call him back. She cursed him a thousand times as the phone rang.
Hello. Who is that?" Edward answered the phone, pretending like he didn't know who was on the phone. A content smile spread across his face. Yes! He had done it again. Unfortunately for her, Daisy was unable to see his sly smile through the phone.
"Edward Mu! Don't you try to fool me! I can see right through your pretense," Daisy said, grinding her teeth. He was taking this for granted! If he were anybody else, she would have handled him with a bullet.
"Pretense? What am I pretending to be? Now you're just putting words into my mouth. Woman, as a Colonel, do not accuse an ordinary citizen falsely at your will." He smiled, teasing her. Edward leaned leisurely against the back of his chair. Daisy could not see him in person. Otherwise, she would be so mad to see how he was lying through his teeth.
"Wow! You? An ordinary citizen? Hah! You are a typical profiteer." Daisy snorted through her nose. Only a cheeky guy like him could claim to be an ordinary citizen. However, she was his wife and knew him well. In her eyes, he was an unfeeling industrialist.
Fine, fine! I am a profiteer. But I won't be qualified to be one soon," Edward said in frustration. As she heard him, she felt a bit worried. She did not understand why he was speaking like that.
Edward, what do you mean? Has something happened?" Daisy asked hesitantly. After all, he did not interrupt her work usually. It was strange for him to call her and insist on inviting her to dinner when she was so busy. That was not his style.