Shen Chengfeng hung up the call without saying another word and stared at Qi Yue.
Feeling cold all of a sudden, Qi Yue looked up, only to see his Commander staring at him. "Do you have something to tell me, Master Shen?"
"Where are the recruits training today?"
Qi Yue flipped open his notebook and shook his head, "They're now having a three-hour break and will re-assemble only at five."
As soon as he had finished speaking, Shen Chengfeng had pushed his chair away from the desk and stood up.
Unsure what his intentions were, Qi Yue got up as well. "Is anything the matter, sir?"
Shen Chengfeng turned around, and his face devoid of any emotion. It was as if it had been ironed multiple times. Qi Yue was not able to figure out what was on his mind. What he could see, though, was his black eyes that were so dark that they made people anxious.
Qi Yue made a smart decision to stay quiet, and not to continue asking.
Shen Chengfeng pushed open the door of the office, his military boots giving rise to heavy footsteps as he passed through the corridor.
The guards he walked past were all vigilant, and stood at attention, with their heads held high and chest out, as they greeted him. "Sir."
Xiao Ye put down his cell phone and appeared to be in high spirits as he watched the two people who currently seemed to be having fun in the water. He then put on his sunglasses and muttered:
"My dear fourth brother, as your younger brother, that's all I can do for you. The rest will be up to you, hahaha."
Having heard the maniacal laughter coming from the shore, Xiao Jing couldn't help but shudder. Why did she have the feeling that Xiao Ye was harboring sinister intentions?
For some reason, she wanted to beat him up!
Xiao Ye cheerfully made eye contact with the person who had her eyes on him, then waved with a wide grin on his face. "You guys have fun, I'm leaving now."
"Yes, sir." Lin Qi quickly performed a salute.
The frown on Xiao Jing's face deepened. Somehow, she had always had the feeling that Xiao Ye was up to no good. Was he jealous because she was doing well?
As expected, someone who has had psychological problems as a child was bound to have issues as an adult.
She sighed. He must have been spoiled too much.
Lin Qi held on to Xiao Jing's arm, and said to her gently, "Try floating. Don't worry. I'll be supporting you. You won't have to choke on the water again."
Xiao Jing grabbed Lin Qi's hands tightly and carefully detached herself from the bottom of the lake. But every time she attempted to do so, she would stop halfway out of fear.
"You don't have to be afraid anymore," Lin Qi reassured Xiao Jing, as he held her by her waist.
It was a little itchy for Xiao Jing, so she resisted the somewhat inappropriate move. "I think I should use a flotation device," she suggested.
"Do you think it would be appropriate for a man to use a floaty?"
"But…" I am a delicate little girl, Xiao Jing thought inwardly. She had no choice but to remain submerged in the water.
"It's ok. Let's try again," Lin Qi went down to the bottom of the lake, and stayed there as he held onto Xiao Jing's feet.
Xiao Jing managed to stay afloat on the surface of the water. Having someone hold her gave her enough courage to try moving her arms.
"Hu, hu, hu." Lin Qi emerged from the water to take deep breaths. "That's right. Take your time. You'll be able to do it in no time," he reassured her with a smile.
"It's been hard on you, Lieutenant Colonel Lin," Xiao Jing said apologetically, as she helped to wipe away the beads of water on his face.
"You don't have to be so formal with me. We're teammates, after all," replied Lin Qi, before he dove into the water once again.
Just as Xiao Jing started swinging her arms, a rock suddenly sliced through the peaceful surface of the water, triggering jets of water.
Lin Qi came out of the water and was about to give a piece of his mind to the soldier who had acted errantly but kept his mouth shut when he realized who it was.
Shen Chengfeng put on his usual poker face, as his eyes swept coldly over the surroundings. It was as if they were in the throes of winter and there had been a significant snowfall that had frozen all living things.
Xiao Jing's heart skipped a beat. Why did it feel as if the devil incarnate was there for them?
"You've been trying pretty hard, I see," said Shen Chengfeng, as he walked over to the lake.
Lin Qi performed a salute after wiping the water away from his face. "Commander."
"Do you not understand what I meant by a break?" Shen Chengfeng paid no heed to Lin Qi and looked straight at the little silent figure.
"I was hoping to make up for my shortcomings through hard work," Xiao Jing replied in a small voice, as she dunked herself in the water again, and let out two mouthfuls of bubbles.
"Since you're training so diligently, I ought to feel gratified as your leader. How about this? So as not to waste your lofty aspirations, I'll watch you guys practice. You may start now."
Xiao Jing was silent.
Shen Chengfeng raised his hand and placed it on Lin Qi's well-built body. "Being able to hold your breath underwater is a requirement. You shall demonstrate how it's done. I want you to be able to stay underwater for at least 150 seconds."
Xiao Jing furrowed her brows. One hundred fifty seconds amounted to two and a half minutes. If it were that easy, then why didn't he demonstrate instead? She suddenly had the desire to punch Shen Chengfeng as well.