Feeling her uncontrollable urgency, Huo Shaoheng paused, his deep voice hoarse with an emotion even he hadn't noticed: "Be patient, little one… just a little more… hold on."
This time, he didn't use his hands. Nor did he use kisses.
...
At the end of March, the nights in City C were still quite cold.
But in Huo Shaoheng's private residence, temperature was controlled year-round by central air conditioning, so it was never too hot or too cold.
Yet after what had just happened—something more intense than anything he'd ever experienced—his emotions felt tangled. He needed cold water to clear his mind.
Standing under the rushing shower, the icy water poured over his head, instantly washing away the turmoil in his chest.
It was just another mission.
Like the countless missions before.
Only this one was… slightly more intimate. Easier than most. But still, just a mission.
Nothing more.
And before he erased it completely from his mind, he allowed himself one last moment to recall it.
Leaning against the shower wall, his chiseled face finally relaxed slightly under the cooling spray.
Once finished, he stepped out, a towel draped around his neck. As he entered the bedroom, the heavy scent in the air made his lips twitch in discomfort.
He grabbed the remote, activated the air filtration system, and let the room refresh itself.
Then, settling onto the white hardwood sofa, he reached for a cigarette—the so-called "post-mission smoke."
Glancing at Gu Nianzhi, still gasping softly as her heart rate steadied, he pressed his lips together. His gaze clouded with emotions he didn't wish to confront.
...
She was deep in sleep now.
This time, it wasn't like the unconscious haze she had slipped into before—it was real, exhausted slumber.
Carefully, Huo Shaoheng lifted her and placed her onto the freshly changed sheets, draping a thin blanket over her.
After a moment's hesitation, he decided against removing the silk blindfold covering her eyes.
Once certain she was sound asleep, he slipped away for another quick rinse and changed into a black T-shirt and military camouflage pants.
Pushing open the floor-to-ceiling balcony doors, he stepped outside, finally lighting his cigarette.
Arms crossed, he stood quietly, his gaze heavy as he looked out at the mist-covered mountains. Was he deep in thought? Or perhaps, thinking about nothing at all?
The first light of dawn peeked over the mountain ridge, casting a faint purple haze over the valley.
Just then, the military wake-up call echoed across the base. The once serene valley buzzed to life with activity.
Familiar sights greeted Huo Shaoheng. He took a final drag, flicking the cigarette butt into the corner trash bin with effortless precision.
Taking a deep breath of fresh morning air, he turned and re-entered the bedroom.
Shutting the balcony doors, he pulled the heavy blackout curtains closed once more. A glance at the bed confirmed that Gu Nianzhi was still fast asleep.
She was utterly drained.
The corner of his lips lifted slightly before he strode toward the door.
Just as he pulled it open, a heavy thud sounded.
A round figure tumbled inside, head-first onto the floor.
Huo Shaoheng's brow twitched. "Chen Lie."
The man who had been waiting outside the door all night—none other than Chen Lie himself—rubbed his sore head, gripping the doorframe for support.
Wide-eyed, he blurted, "You—you—you… finished already?!"
"What are you babbling about?" Huo Shaoheng's voice was colder than Arctic ice. "Who told you to wait outside my door?"
"I was worried about you…" Chen Lie muttered, peeking up at him before lowering his voice mischievously. "So… how many times?"
Huo Shaoheng didn't answer. Expressionless, he waved him inside. "Check on her."
"Really?!" Chen Lie rushed off to the living room, grabbed his field medical kit, and stumbled back, excitement making his words stutter. "D-D-Done already?!"
Huo Shaoheng ignored the question entirely, pulling out another cigarette and lighting it calmly.
He watched as Chen Lie drew a blood sample from Gu Nianzhi's pale, limp arm. The blue silk blindfold still covered her eyes.
The sight made Huo Shaoheng feel uncomfortably warm. He took a sharp drag, inhaling deeply, before nudging Chen Lie's shoulder. "Come outside."
Once the medical instruments were set, Chen Lie followed him out of the room.
Huo Shaoheng peeked inside once more to confirm that Gu Nianzhi was still asleep before shutting the door softly.
Then, turning to Chen Lie, he held out his hand. "Give it to me."
"Give you what? What do you mean? I owe you something?" Chen Lie squinted in suspicion. "I'm nearsighted—I can't see what you're up to, so don't try to trick me."
Huo Shaoheng glanced at him, lips tightening. "The drug. The one that ensures no memories remain."
"Huh?" Chen Lie blinked. "What memories?"
"Don't play dumb." Huo Shaoheng's voice was low and deadly. "You said you could make sure no one remembers what happened afterward. How does it work?"
"Oh!" Chen Lie finally caught on. His expression twisted into something unreadable before he scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "You mean that drug? You want it too? But… you're not an outsider…"
Huo Shaoheng's gaze sharpened. "Enough nonsense. Give me the drug."
Chen Lie's round mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water. Eventually, he sighed in exasperation. "Well… General Huo, the thing is… that drug has to be taken beforehand. It puts people in a state of semi-consciousness where they act purely on instinct. Like Nianzhi—when she wakes up, she won't remember a thing."
In other words, it had to be taken before the event. The person under its influence would have no recollection afterward.
Huo Shaoheng's heart sank.
Chen Lie slowly inched backward, as if trying to disappear. He hesitated before finally blurting, "…Taking it afterward doesn't work. General Huo, if you're asking me for a drug that erases memories now… it's too late."