Xiao Jing stared unblinkingly at Xiao Ye. "Aren't you afraid of incurring the wrath of heaven for twisting the facts like this?"
"You don't believe me?" Xiao Ye tutted. "Can't you tell how well he treats Mu Xichi?"
"Who he likes and what he likes doesn't have anything to do with me. All I know is that, since I've decided to join Steel Eagle, I will remain one of them unless they give me up! Otherwise, I will live and die as part of Steel Eagle!"
"Aren't you afraid that he will have designs on you? Or have fantasies about you?" questioned Xiao Ye.
"Now that you mention it, I do recall something," Xiao Jing got up from the bed and stared fixedly at Xiao Ye.
Xiao Ye could not figure out why she was sizing him up like that, so he asked her with a scowl, "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"You told him that I had a hidden illness, and on more than one occasion suggested that he take off my clothes. Do you hate me that much, Xiao Ye?"
Xiao Jing inched closer and closer towards him, the reflection of Xiao Yu in her eyes gradually becoming more prominent as she got closer.
Xiao Ye took a step backward. His guilty conscience made him susceptible to Xiao Jing's attack, and he caved under her unrelenting stare. "What nonsense are you saying? We are a family. Even if we aren't that close, I have no reason to dislike you."
"Why did you set me up then?" Xiao Jing glared daggers at him, seemingly having seen through his act.
"I have never suggested anything like that. That's on Shen Chengfeng for having impure thoughts. He must have said that on purpose, after having seen how delectable you looked."
"I have no recollection of having ever met him, yet he called me by my name when we first met. Fifth brother, I really ought to thank you for hooking us up. Thanks to you, I was able to join Steel Eagle."
"Hahaha, that's an overstatement, Fourth Brother. I only mentioned you in passing," Xiao Ye picked up his car keys, knowing that the more he said, the more mistakes he would make. Xiao Jing was usually pretty easy-going. He had not expected him to be so perceptive and observant, or so spot on with his analysis.
"Well, thank you for your kind intentions, Fifth Brother. After all, Steel Eagle is no child's play. So as not to give other people a reason to speak behind our backs, I will be staying here no matter what fetishes Shen Chengfeng may have."
"Since you won't take my kind words of advice, I shall leave you to your own devices."
Xiao Jing did not bother responding and merely watched him leave with his tail between his legs. She lay on the bed again and stared at the ceiling in a daze. Xiao Jing seemed to be lost in contemplation, a grim expression adorning her face.
Outside the ward, Xiao Ye heaved a deep sigh of relief, as if a heavy load had been taken off of him. Just as he was about to make a move, a shadow suddenly appeared in front of him.
As he looked up, it became easier to make out who it was. Shiny military boots, a stiff posture, a sharp chin, distinct features, and intense eyes that were filled with a murderous look!
Xiao Yu was staring at him expressionlessly, not saying a single word.
Xiao Ye stumbled on his feet, and staggered backward, his back landing against the wall behind him. The corners of his mouth twitched.
"Big… big brother," Xiao Ye blinked at the person standing before him, unable to believe what, or rather, who, he was looking at. Where had Xiao Yu come from? How did he pop up? And why was he staring at him with such an intense look in his eyes? What was he thinking?
"What are you doing here?" asked Xiao Yu. His voice was as calm as a pool of still water. There were no ripples or fluctuations whatsoever. It made him incredibly intimidating.
"I came to visit Fourth Brother," Xiao Ye answered with some apprehension, as he adjusted his military cap. "Please excuse me. I have other matters to tend to."
"Alright then, let's leave together," said Xiao Yu, who then turned and took the first step down the stairs.
Xiao Ye's legs buckled under him. He stared dazedly at the retreating figure of his eldest brother. What was he supposed to do? He seemed to have been targeted!
"Do you want to know what I'm doing here?" Xiao Yu asked casually once they were in the car.
After a brief moment of hesitation, Xiao Ye said, "Weren't you on a mission? When did you return?"
"Shouldn't you be more concerned about when I appeared?" Xiao Yu responded.
Xiao Ye gulped. His instincts told him that they shouldn't pursue this topic any longer. Otherwise, he would land himself in hot water.
Xiao Ye laughed nervously. "Let us not continue this topic. I heard from my Mother that the annual Xiao family banquet would be held in Linyuan this year. Did Big Brother come back for the banquet?"
"Is that important?" Xiao Yu asked.
"Did you not come back to attend the banquet?"
"Did you think that I would travel thousands of miles back here just to attend the banquet?"
Xiao Ye was taken back by his response. Did that mean Xiao Yu had come back for Xiao Jing?
"When did you hear about Shen Chengfeng's interests and habits?" Xiao Yu trapped Xiao Ye with a stare, which acted like a net keeping Xiao Ye under control.
Xiao Ye instinctively stepped on the brakes. Glancing at the barricade before him, he had a sudden desire to perish together.
Xiao Yu lifted his hand and patted Xiao Ye on the shoulder. "It's all thanks to you that Xiao Jing could make it into a Special Command Unit. He owes you for this favor, I'll remember that. Let's talk about it again when we have time, what do you say?"
Xiao Ye gripped the steering wheel tightly. Due to his nervousness, his palms were clammy with sweat.
"Let's go," Xiao Yu shifted the gear for him. "Father wants us to head back. He must have something important to discuss with us. It's probably regarding Xiao Jing."
It was another quiet and cloudy night.
…
The first rays of dawn spread across the land. A vehicle approached the camp's gates and was allowed to enter after the officer had checked the access pass.
Xiao Jing stepped out of the vehicle. After having spent a couple of days resting in the hospital, she was feeling somewhat out of place.
It felt as if she had become dog's-tail grass, which was incredibly common, when she had previously been a delicate flower in the greenhouse.
"Xiao Jing, you're back?" Ling Qi put down the gun he had been assembling and ran up to her. He couldn't help pinching her little cheeks.
Xiao Jing evaded his touch awkwardly and placed her belongings in her locker. "I seem to have fallen behind again.""It's okay. I can help you," Lin Qi passed her the gun on the table. "This is an m500 hand revolver from Country M. It's supposed to be the most powerful handgun in the world, and is known for its large caliber. A 0.5-inch caliber, 12.7 mm, gun length 457 mm, barrel length 266 mm, height of 165 mm, and an unloaded weight of 2.32 kg. Other hand revolvers hold six bullets, but this holds only five, because of the size of its bullets. Wanna check out how powerful it is?"