Chapter 72: Asking Him to Take Good Care of Her

Shen Yuan went to report at the military headquarters. He was to participate in the training of outstanding soldiers from all divisions in the capital's main military zone. For this reason, he would not be staying at the Shen family home for some time. He did, however, send Shen Chaoxi an email, assuring her that all was well in the unit and that she need not worry.

Since Shen Chaoxi was injured during the joint military operation in Dongzhou, she had been recuperating. Many affairs in the First Military District were left to Jiang Chen and his team to handle. Thus, since her "kidnapping," Shen Chaoxi had enjoyed several peaceful days in the Shen household.

She kept wondering about the wager her grandfather had made with her upon her return to the capital—why had the old man not started to act on it yet? But soon enough, his arrangements arrived, catching her off guard.

The summer was stifling; the cicadas droned noisily from the treetops, a sound she found particularly irritating. Shen Chaoxi hated being disturbed. That afternoon, a dark green military vehicle stopped outside the Shen residence. From it stepped a young man in crisp uniform, his features refined and handsome. He approached Shen Chaoxi and spoke of his purpose in coming.

He had come to escort her.

Shen Chaoxi was momentarily taken aback, not fully understanding his intent.

Lu Fifteen explained, "Miss Shen, here’s how it is. Our captain said that your grandfather recently instructed him to bring you to the military district for some experience. Since our captain has a mission requiring him to stay at one of the bases for a while, he specifically ordered me to fetch you today."

Shen Chaoxi felt a twinge of suspicion. "Your captain?"

It was Lu Yunzhou.

She frowned slightly. What game was her grandfather playing now? First, he claimed urgent business, leaving Sanqing Peak at dawn and having Lu Yunzhou bring her back. Then, he arranged for Lu Yunzhou to visit the Shen home every few days, ostensibly to play chess with his student. He even complained that she wouldn’t let him retract his moves, making the game dull.

Grandfather, you truly have a knack for schemes.

Now, he wanted Lu Yunzhou to take her to the military district for training. Did he not know the state of his granddaughter? All because of the wager between them. Shen Chaoxi had not yet begun to make her move, still contemplating how to coax Lu Yunzhou into breaking off the engagement within three years. Yet her grandfather had already taken the initiative.

Since returning to the capital, Shen Chaoxi had been investigating the failed Falcon Operation in Dongzhou three years ago and those involved, leaving her little time to pursue personal grievances. However, it was clear that the old man was determined to match her persistence.

He was indeed a crafty old fox. He had always been like this. Grandfather would always find a way to complicate things for her.

Given the situation, Shen Chaoxi asked out of habit, though she already knew who the captain was. She gazed at Lu Fifteen in his uniform, her brows arching slightly.

"So, where is your captain?"

Her eyes lingered on Lu Fifteen, then covertly flicked to the insignia on his shoulder. Xiao Xiao stood beside Shen Chaoxi, frowning, and likewise noticed the rank on his shoulder.

"Miss Shen, our captain had urgent matters to attend to, so he sent me to collect you," Lu Fifteen replied, his voice honest and warm, a friendly smile on his lips. His disposition was notably cheerful. Yet his respectful demeanor suggested that the task assigned by Lu Yunzhou was not to be ignored, as if it were absolute.

He himself did not understand why the captain wanted to bring this Miss Shen to the military district—a delicate, sheltered flower, he thought. Could she endure life there? Lu Fifteen was baffled but could only obey orders. He was told to fetch her, and so he must see everything arranged and bring her back.

Shen Chaoxi studied him quietly, as if weighing something in her heart. After a brief silence, she asked, "How long will I be there?"

She wished to know how long this so-called "training" would last. At that moment, she recalled something. Since the Shen family was out in the open, while the mastermind operated from the shadows, and since she had failed to trace any leads, it might be wise to leave the Shen home and let the enemy relax their vigilance. At least, in the military district, she could evade their watchful eyes and conduct her investigation undisturbed.

Her main concern was avoiding the gaze of her adversaries. As for whether she would feel restricted in the military district, she was confident she could handle it. Since this was her grandfather’s idea, she would play along.

"Honestly, I’m not sure, Miss Shen. Once we get there, I’ll ask our captain," Lu Fifteen admitted. He only knew he was to fetch her on account of his captain’s sudden obligations; nothing else had been explained.

"Why do you know nothing?" Xiao Xiao grumbled, her tone cold and impatient.

Hearing the complaint, Lu Fifteen glanced beside Shen Chaoxi, noticing Xiao Xiao for the first time.

Shen Chaoxi addressed him, "This is something I must mention—I’ve been frail since childhood, prone to illness, and need someone to look after me. Can she come with me?"

"Miss Shen, well... our captain didn’t say," Lu Fifteen replied, awkwardly scratching the back of his head. "I suppose... it should be permitted?"

He then remembered the captain’s instructions: he was to ensure Miss Shen's well-being. If she needed someone to care for her due to poor health, bringing a companion should not be an issue.

Yes, that was it.

Thus, Shen Chaoxi, accompanied by Xiao Xiao, boarded the vehicle Lu Yunzhou had sent. Perhaps by taking an alternate path, she could evade the surveillance of those hiding in the shadows and conduct her investigation anew.

Throughout the journey, Lu Fifteen could not help but glance at the girl in the backseat. He recalled how the captain had rescued her last night, holding her in his arms. It was clear to Lu Fifteen that his captain treated her differently from anyone else.

What was the relationship between Miss Shen and their captain? Was it merely because the captain was the old man’s student, obligating him to care for her? That didn’t seem right. Judging by his captain’s usual disposition, he was not one for looking after others. At least, Lu Fifteen was surprised; he had never seen the captain so accommodating to anyone.

He was curious, deeply so.

Little did he know, this was only the beginning. If Lu Fifteen ever learned who Shen Chaoxi truly was, he would probably be scared out of his wits!

The First Military District was the faith of Y Country's soldiers, the place he had always aspired to.

At three in the afternoon, as the sunlight grew harsh, the military vehicle wound its way through the dense mountain roads and arrived at a vast expanse of forest, stretching beyond sight.

They had reached the Jingnan 015 Military Base.

The author says: Soon the big shots at the military district will be mixing things up. All disguised under humble identities, hahaha. Accompanying a group of true rookies.