Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Su Li slept through the night, and it was undoubtedly a rare occasion for her. When she awakened, she felt rejuvenated entirely and was in exceptionally high spirits. It felt so unlike her other nights where she would be tormented with horrific nightmares even though she could sleep for the whole night. She’d always feel exhausted after getting up instead of feeling fresh and ready to go.
Did I fall asleep on his bed?
Su Li tried to stay calm but realized that she had spent the night in Xiao Luo’s apartment last night. She checked her clothes unconsciously and was relieved that she was still fully clothed. At the same time, she felt a little insecure about herself and began to doubt if she still had her charm as a woman. This was the first time in her life that such thoughts gnawed at her.
She gathered herself, then got up and left the room.
There was nobody in the living room, and breakfast was already prepared for her on the dining table—milk, toasted bread, and sunny-side-up eggs, which were still warm. There was a note beside her breakfast: I’m off, take good care of yourself!
“Who needs your concern!”
Su Li chuckled and felt a warmth soothe her heart. After staring at the breakfast for some time, she broke into a joyful smile.
******
******
In the Libyan civil war, Hua nation’s army and navy worked closely together to execute an evacuation mission to help their compatriots to return safely home.
Xiao Luo and Ji Siying sailed down the South China Sea through the Straits of Malacca before traversing the Indian Ocean. From there, they traveled up the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea for a couple of days before finally reaching the coast of Libya and making landfall. The entire trip covered some ten thousand miles. Under normal circumstances, they would have traveled by air, but due to the conflict, that air space was now restricted by the international community.
Standing on the warship deck of the Hua Nation Navy while looking at that land that was embroiled in the internecine war, one could detect the ghastly smell of death in the air even from the coastal area. There were rising plumes of black smoke everywhere, and the civil war, a conflict between the government and the revolutionaries, had spread across the entire country like a plague. They could see soldiers afar in their combat fatigues facing off in gun battles with their naked eyes.
The Hua nation’s flag became the only safe haven unaffected by the war in this coastal region.
Hundreds of thousands of the Hua nation expatriates were boarding the ships assisted by the navy and army personnel. Every one of them had the look of despair on their faces and found themselves shivering uncontrollably from the post-trauma of war despite finally reaching safety. Many of them had sustained injuries, and the one thing that Xiao Luo saw in their eyes was fear. During their evacuation, they must have witnessed countless ghastly scenes of carnage.
“That war correspondent is Sarah Michelle. She’s a citizen of Mei nation, white, 175cm tall, and 22 years old. She’s the youngest daughter of the head of the Michelle Clan. Mei nation has also dispatched a SEAL team for the exfil mission this time.”
Ji Siying reported the situation to Xiao Luo, she actually wanted Xiao Luo to digest this information on their way here, but he did not want to do that. Xiao Luo came here with a tourist’s mindset, and she could only brief him on the mission now, which was fine as it was still not too late.
She held a black briefcase in her hand, but she still looked stunning. Her beauty was unique—she was a warrior and yet alluring and charming.
“Since the SEAL is involved, why are we needed?” Xiao Luo asked.
“Our country has always been leaning toward peaceful co-development. Based on this, Sarah Michelle’s videos will be a catalyst for ending the Libyan civil war. In addition, the Michelle family has had a long history of friendship with our country and this is their personal request for help. They trust the warriors from our country more than the warriors from their own,” Ji Siying replied.
“We’re here as their backup plan?” Xiao Luo asked.
Ji Siying nodded. “That’s right,” she said.
“Mr. Xiao Luo, if you run into that SEAL team, please be aware of them. Although the Michelle family is an ally, the soldiers of the Mei nation have a tendency to be hostile towards our soldiers or agents. Mei nation plans their military exercises with a view that we are a potential enemy and this has conditioned their soldiers to see us as so.”
“Okay, got it.”
“The last appearance of Sarah Michelle was in Stantine—that’s about six hundred kilometers away from here. There are some fifty of our compatriots trapped in a factory over there and we are mobilizing a special operations team consisting of the army and navy troops to hightail to Stantine. Mr. Xiao Luo, you can ride along with them.”
“Must I follow them? Can’t I work in solidarity?”
Xiao Luo frowned as he prefers to fight alone. Being with a group of people would only make him feel restricted, and it would be an added responsibility for him to keep his compatriots safe in a foreign land. He could not possibly leave them when they were being assaulted.
“Mr. Mie, in this wartorn land, it would be terribly difficult to make it out alive all by yourself, let alone reaching the city of Stantine six hundred kilometers away. With us, we can take care of each other on our trip, isn’t that a more logical arrangement?”
Before Ji Siying could answer Xiao Luo, a deep, masculine voice spoke.
It belonged to a middle-aged man who looked like he was in his forties. He was smartly decked in a spotless white navy uniform with an impeccable smile, making him extremely charismatic. There were a few other soldiers in camouflage fatigues and helmets accompanying him.
Xiao Luo had stayed on the ship for five days, and he knew who this man was. He was Gong Gaofeng, the captain of this warship and one of the key officers in charge of this evacuation mission.
“Chief!”
Ji Siying greeted Gong Gaofeng politely as he was the commanding officer here.
“It’s okay.”
Gong Gaofeng laughed candidly and peeked at Xiao Luo, “It seems like the NSA agents like yourself are very confident of your abilities, it’s great, truly great, hahaha…”
There was an underlying meaning in his words, and of course, Xiao Luo could read in between his lines and understood what he actually meant.
“Please don’t mind us, chief. Mr. Mie did not mean anything else,” Ji Siying responded, attempting to explain Xiao Luo’s statement.
“Don’t worry, kiddo, I didn’t mean anything either.”
Gong Gaofeng waved the matter off. “Let me introduce you guys to the leader of this special operations team,” he said, “Zhiming…”
The man was at least one point eight three meters in height and with the martial bearing and confidence of a highly-trained soldier. He stood tall and straight like a pine tree, and his eyes looked as sharp as an eagle. He saluted Xiao Luo and Ji Siying and introduced himself with a booming voice, “I am Jiang Zhiming and the commander of this special operations mission. It is nice to meet you!”
He then extended his hand out to Xiao Luo.
Xiao Luo responded in kind. “NSA agent, code name ‘Mie’”!
After they had exchanged a handshake, Jiang Zhiming shook hands with Ji Siying but quickly let go.
“It is my honor to be able to fight alongside you!” Jiang Zhiming said, looking into Xiao Luo’s eyes steadily look and respectfully. He appeared humble.
Xiao Luo was quite taken aback and replied, “The honor is mine.”
“I think, you guys will have a memorable mission together and I shall anticipate your triumphant return!”
******
******
Before they depart, Ji Siying pulled Xiao Luo aside and tidied up his collar as she could no longer hold back the worries she had for him.
“Mr. Xiao Luo, I will be waiting here for your return. Promise me, you must come back!” she said.
“Sure.”
Xiao Luo nodded stiffly as they were both aware of each other’s feelings and did not need to say it out. It was enough that they knew what the other felt.
