Xiao Jing felt like she was about to die. It wouldn't be long before she would die of fright, considering how these men seemed to always appear out of nowhere.
However, why was it that she always felt as if he had stripped her naked with his eyes whenever she saw Commander Lian Qing? Were his peach blossom eyes too lewd?
It had to be!
"Where have you been?" Lian Qing turned around, having heard the rustle behind him. After seeing the figure standing at the door, unmoving, he quickly walked up to her and asked, "You went for a shower?"
Xiao Jing threw her dirty clothes into the laundry basket embarrassedly. She tried to change the topic, "Why are you here, Commander?"
Lian Qing plopped himself down on the chair. After a quick scan of their surroundings and confirming that there were no outsiders within the room, he carefully closed the door.
Xiao Jing frowned, but as always, allowed him to smoke within her room.
Lian Qing finished an entire stick before stating solemnly, "I am quite surprised by your performance today."
Xiao Jing blinked and managed a light cough. "I guess that guy's questioning gaze must've provoked me. After all, I still carry the blood of the Xiaos in my bones."
"Which is why I'm sending you to the Special Command Unit."
What did he just say? Or do? Why did the topic take such a turn? When had she ever said anything about joining the Special Command Unit? With a body as thin and feeble as hers, was Lian Qing sure that he wasn't sending her there to make a fool of herself?
Lian Qing extinguished his cigarette, his usual composure receding from his face. He said with utmost seriousness, "The military opened a back door for us, ordering specifically for our regiment to send an outstanding soldier to enter the Special Command Unit. I have great hopes for you."
"Captain, I feel that you're the one more suited for this opportunity."
"Hahaha, we've already submitted your name. I'm just here to inform you of the decision. Show them what you've got over the next few days. Let's aim to leave a good impression in front of your superior officers." Lian Qing patted Xiao Jing's shoulder as he looked at her, like a brave man wringing his hands at a difficult decision.
Xiao Jing saw three words from the depths of his eyes — fend for yourself!
Darn that man! He had pushed her out as a shield! All those pampered sons at the camp were all there to pass the time. Which of them had the real capabilities to bust into the Special Command Unit for real? They would just be asking for a wallop!
"For the glory of the 525 Regiment, Xiao Jing, you will undergo intensive training from today onwards. When you report to the Special Command Unit next week, let's make the jaws of all of the guys there drop to the floor." Lian Qing put his hand on her shoulder. "What are you wearing inside your vest? Why is it puffy?"
Xiao Jing's eyes widened. She had been so shocked by the icy shower that she had forgotten to rebind the white bandage across her chest.
Lian Qing's hand moved down slowly, and when it was a mere centimeter above her heart, Xiao Jing slapped his hand away.
Xiao Jing replied, keeping a straight face, "I will not let you down, Commander. From this day on, I will train all sorts of basics at heightened intensity. I will strive to achieve brilliance and glory for the 525 Regiment."
"Good. I expected no less from Comrade Xiao, my most doted subordinate." Lian Qing rubbed her head. Wasn't the man a little too short? Did he indulge too much in rubbing his head over the past two years?
"Commander."
"Hmm?"
"Don't rub my head like you would pet a dog."
Lian Qing retracted his hand and laughed out loud, his head thrown back. "Have a good rest. Report to the field at 2 pm."
Silence returned to the room. Xiao Jing sat at the end of her bed and began to wrap the white bandage around her body.
Knock knock knock. The sound of knocking came from the door yet again. The very next moment, the visitor had pushed the door open and let himself in.
"F*ck you, man!" Xiao Jing didn't have enough time to put on her jacket. She immediately slid into the blanket. She glared at the uninvited guest while grinding her teeth.
Her piercing glare pinned Mu Xichi in his tracks. He moved his eyes down to the blanket and asked, "Are you turning in for your afternoon break, Deputy Commander Xiao?"
Xiao Jing was a little afraid to move, and so she continued to burrow her body into the blanket rigidly. She sighed resignedly. "Is anything the matter, Sir?"
Mu Xichi walked two rounds around the room and acknowledged that the regiment did treat its soldiers well. As expected of the famous Regiment with Connections, every soldier belonged to one of the rich and influential families in the Capital City.
"Is there something that you would like to say to me, Sir?" Xiao Jing clutched onto the blanket tightly, fearing that he might pull her blanket off on a whim. She could not imagine what he would look like if he ripped the rug off and saw her white, naked skin underneath. His expression would be more exciting than if she caught him after he had swallowed sh*t.
Mu Xichi's directed his gaze towards Xiao Jing's body, which then landed directly on the long, white bandage poking out of the blanket. He asked bewilderedly, "What's that?"
Xiao Jing followed his eyes and felt her heart stop for a second. Her hands moved before her brain could process the information, and before she knew it, she had forcefully pulled the bandage back under the blanket. She smiled a little awkwardly. "My legs were feeling a little sore, and so I'm binding them with some bandages."
"Don't you feel hot?" Mu Xichi pointed at her forehead. "You look like you're sweating."
"I don't feel hot at all. Wrapping myself like this helps the body to detox." Xiao Jing shut her eyes, obviously suggesting to the guest that they should be leaving. "If there is nothing else, Sir, I would like to take my rest now."
Mu Xichi nodded. "Commander Lian had submitted your name. I'm here to tell you that our Commander will be testing you on your fitness personally. It's one of the required procedures before you could enter the Special Comment Unit."
"By testing, you mean...?" Xiao Jing felt unsettled for some reason.
Mu Xichi replied unhesitantly, "Close-quarters combat, one on one."
Xiao Jing had no response.
"Be brave. Anyways, none of us will be alive when we leave this world, right?" Mu Xichi's lifted the corner of his lips, seemingly smiling at her misfortune.
What is this sudden urge to take the man down with her if she died?
"All of us went through it before we reached where we are right now. There's no need to fear. Although our Commander can be a little heavy-handed, he would never kill you. You would at most be bedbound for a few months."
"Can I choose to withdraw from the selection, Sir?"
Mu Xichi shook his head. "I'll let it slide since I'm the only one who heard it. Tell that to the Captain, and I reckon that he'll beat you up even more harshly."
Xiao Jing was suddenly reminded of those eyes that fell on her like ice picks. Even if he did nothing, his gaze was enough to put holes in her body.