Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Xiao Jing tried to recall what had happened. The man in front of her could have been the reason her body was aching. Her aches could have been due to him beating her up.
After all, it was her third brother. He had no qualms about throwing a few punches, twisting her ears, or hoisting her over his shoulder in a fireman’s carry. He intimidated her through sheer strength and violence.
The sight of his sinewy body was enough to make Xiao Jing feel pain all over, as if her body remembered what it had felt like to be on the receiving end of his fists. It was bad enough that she was in such a dismal state. She did not need him to make it worse. Especially not him. He was the devil incarnate.
“Well, your arm will be out of commission for some time,” Xiao Zheng said casually. Seeing that she had not moved, Xiao Zheng poured a glass of water and sat down with his legs crossed.
“Why are you here, Third Brother?” asked Xiao Jing grumpily as she attempted to lift her mutilated arm.
“Did you think I was here for you?” Xiao Zheng snorted inelegantly. “I am here to talk to the Commander.”
If he had come for Shen Chengfeng, why had he come over to the infirmary to see her? And why had he struck such a relaxed pose?
“Rest well and recover soon,” said Xiao Zheng. He stood up and retrieved a tiny porcelain bottle from his military cap. He said nothing else as his fingertips glided over the opening of the container.
She looked at the blue and purple bottle in his hand, then at his face, wondering if he also had something for her.
Xiao Zheng leaned over and whispered into Xiao Jing’s ear, “With your skinny body, even if you make it into Steel Eagle, you will probably end up being bullied. The macho men in the barracks have been lonely for far too long. With such a weak frame, you will be an easy target. If anyone has evil intentions towards you, use this. A single pill is strong enough to take out an elephant.”
The corners of Xiao Jing’s mouth twitched. Xiao Zheng always had strange ideas.
Patting her lightly on her shoulder, Xiao Zheng then solemnly said, “I’m heading back first. You have a good rest. Don’t worry about the fallout. You are still family, even if we have not exactly been close. If something does happen, I’ll take care of it.”
Xiao Jing stared at his retreating figure, before letting her darkened gaze fall on the little porcelain bottle on the table. Her usually elusive elder brothers had appeared far too often recently. How and why had she managed to attract their attention?
Was it because she had been selected for the Special Command Unit? Were they worried that she might ruin the family’s reputation?
Xiao Jing stared at the ceiling in a daze. If she were sent back to Regiment 525, she would be kicked out of the Xiao family.
No member of the Xiao family had ever been sent back.
Meanwhile, across the camp, rhythmic sounds of knocking echoed through the war room.
Handing over the report, Mu Xichi said candidly, “Although Xiao Jing was the last one to fail, based on the comprehensive results, he was the worst performer. Therefore, he should be eliminated accordingly.”
Shen Chengfeng said nothing in response and merely stared at the results slip.
It was the hottest time of the day, but for some reason, Mu Xichi felt a frost descend upon the room, causing the temperature to plunge sharply.
“Sir, Lieutenant General Xiao Zheng, Chief of the Third Team, Unit SSS123, is here to visit you,” an Army Guard announced outside the door.
Shen Chengfeng closed the file he was holding and looked up at the unflinching figure standing outside the door right now. “You may take your leave,” he told Mu Xichi.
Mu Xichi gathered all the documents and got ready to leave. As he walked out of the door, he was greeted by a sudden chill. He mustered the courage to steal a glance at the man known for his ruthlessness – the third child of the Xiao family, General Xiao Zheng.
It was rumored that anyone who dared go against Xiao Zheng ended up getting their neck broken, regardless of their status. Even prestigious leaders were no exception. Xiao Zheng cared only about results, and not the means used to achieve them, which was why the “Shining Tiger” Special Command Unit had become a SSS of the highest rank.
Xiao Zheng was an influential figure within the camp.
There was no way that someone so formidable had dropped by for an idle chat. Looking at the serious expression on his face, one could be forgiven for thinking that he was there to pick a fight.
Shen Chengfeng poured a glass of water and rubbed his finger around the rim of the glass. He clearly showed no signs of being affected by Xiao Zheng’s presence. Shen Chengfeng was as calm as the warm water in the glass. “The Xiao family seems to care a lot about your fourth brother, huh?” he said evenly.
“Outsiders are not allowed to take advantage of our family members,” said Xiao Zheng, as he toppled Shen Chengfeng’s desk with a kick.
There was a loud boom as the desk broke into half.
“I am not sure what you are thinking, but surely you do not think of the Steel Eagle Team as a place for idlers?”
“You are right, General Shen. That is exactly why I don’t think that Xiao Jing has what it takes to remain in Steel Eagle.”
Shen Chengfeng sized up the man before him.
Xiao Zheng continued. “A team such as Steel Eagle should consist of only the best and the elite. Someone with Xiao Jing’s physique would be eliminated in the first round.”
“Master Xiao is right to say that. Xiao Jing did indeed lose the right to remain in Steel Eagle,” Shen Chengfeng did not bother to mince his words.
Xiao Zheng then lifted an overturned chair with his foot and straddled it. “Since General Shen also deems him to be unsuitable, and Shining Tiger is recruiting anyway, I’ll take him with me. Please prepare the requisite letter so that it can be done.”
“Master Xiao ought to finish listening to what I have to say. Before training, it would have been fair to say that everyone thought that Xiao Jing wouldn’t make the cut. However, after what had transpired yesterday, I have changed my mind about him. Xiao Jing does have strengths, so I have decided to make an exception by accepting him into Steel Eagle.”
“That is not your style. Everyone knows that Shen Chengfeng is a man of his words. Rules are rules. Besides, you don’t need a loser.”
“Rules can be changed at any time. I’m a pretty easy-going man. If there is nothing else, please take your leave, Master Xiao. And do remember to report the damage on your way out, it needs to be compensated.”
Xiao Zheng kicked the chair away and stared angrily at him. “What did Xiao Jing do to deserve such attention from you?””Ah, right. I have to thank General Xiao Ye for this. Had it not been for his recommendation, I would never have gotten to meet someone as special as Xiao Jing.”