“There’s not much fun to be had here,” Xie Huaizhen said in response to Shu Xue. “It’s just daily training and missions.”

‘Of course, there is one fun thing,’ he thought. ‘Shu Xue writing to me. That’s probably the most fun I’ve had here.’

Every month, Xie Huaizhen’s greatest anticipation was receiving Shu Xue’s letters. He loved reading about her university life and her daily escapades.

Compared to his own monotonous existence, her vibrant life was his greatest comfort.

Shu Xue put her luggage down and turned to face Xie Huaizhen. “Alright, fess up. When did you start liking me?”

Xie Huaizhen pressed his thin lips together. “I’m not really sure.”

When he first met her, he found her intriguing. Then, through her letters, he slowly got to know her and her life, which he found just as fascinating.

He gradually found himself drawn to Shu Xue.

It probably happened without him even realizing it.

“So, was it love at first sight? You were just too embarrassed to say it at the time, weren’t you?” Shu Xue asked with a beaming smile.

“Maybe… Possibly.” Xie Huaizhen recalled their first meeting. He had, in fact, been drawn to her.

It was just that, at the time, he had just been through the ordeal with Su Zhaozhao and Gu Qingran, which made him subconsciously wary of women.

Besides, back then, he still harbored some faint feelings for Su Zhaozhao. He couldn’t bring himself to be with one woman while having another in his heart.

But things were different now.

Still, Xie Huaizhen felt that Shu Xue’s sudden arrival was a bit too impulsive.

“What about you? Why did you suddenly come here? Don’t you have classes?”

If he remembered correctly, it wasn’t a school holiday.

“I took some time off! I was so excited after reading your letter, I just knew I had to come and talk to you in person.”

Shu Xue beamed at Xie Huaizhen, her eyes sparkling.

Though her features were delicate, her smile was exceptionally bright, like sunshine itself.

She was the type whose beauty grows on you—the more you looked at her, the prettier she became.

Startled by her sudden proximity, Xie Huaizhen quickly backed away.

Seeing his reaction, Shu Xue couldn’t help but chuckle. “Are you scared of me? Aren’t we dating now? Xie Huaizhen, I don’t care about your family background. I only care about you. You’re handsome, motivated, and always striving to do better.”

As she spoke, Shu Xue reached out and took Xie Huaizhen’s hand, her eyes fixed on him with a bright smile.

The man’s hand was large and warm, and Shu Xue couldn’t resist giving it a little squeeze.

Shu Xue’s teasing made the tips of Xie Huaizhen’s ears turn red. “Are you always this direct? I thought we were going to take things slow.”

“Why would we take it slow?” Shu Xue said. “I’ve been waiting for this day for so long!”

Shu Xue had been attracted to Xie Huaizhen since they first met. After waiting for half a year and finally winning him over with her letters, she had rushed here without a moment’s delay to see him.

With something like this, you have to strike while the iron is hot!

‘Now that we’re dating, it’s time to collect my fee.’

With that thought, Shu Xue rose onto her tiptoes and planted a kiss on Xie Huaizhen’s lips.

She then immediately took two steps back, beaming at Xie Huaizhen, unable to contain her grin.

Xie Huaizhen hadn’t expected Shu Xue to kiss him right off the bat. He froze for a second, staring blankly at her.

The girl’s cheeks were flushed, and she seemed a little shy herself, but she continued to gaze at him with such earnestness.

Xie Huaizhen turned his head away, savoring the kiss. His own cheeks grew warm, but his words were cool. “How could you do something like that when we’ve just started dating? Shu Xue, this is… completely improper.”

“What rules?” Shu Xue raised an eyebrow in surprise. “Are there rules for dating? Nobody told me. Besides, we’re going to do things like this sooner or later anyway. Let me have a little kiss.”

She was no traditional woman; if she wanted to do something, she did it.

So-called moral constraints couldn’t hold her back!

“You…” Xie Huaizhen was at a loss for words. He never imagined things would progress this quickly.

‘Jumping straight to kissing?’

“What about me? If you’re not satisfied, you can just kiss me back,” Shu Xue said, smiling sweetly at him.

Xie Huaizhen’s gaze fell upon Shu Xue’s lips. Even without a touch of makeup, they were as red as if they’d been painted with rouge. They were surprisingly beautiful.

His Adam’s apple bobbed uncontrollably, and his heart began to race.

Xie Huaizhen narrowed his eyes. “You think I don’t dare?”

He said it through slightly gritted teeth.

“Do you? Then go on, try me.” Shu Xue tilted her face up at Xie Huaizhen, deliberately goading him.

‘It would be best if he kissed me on his own initiative!’

Xie Huaizhen’s gaze lingered on her lips, and for a moment, desire flared within him. But the thought that they had only just started their relationship, and doing something like this… it didn’t feel right.

Xie Huaizhen quickly averted his gaze. “You should finish unpacking. I’ll take you to eat later.”

With that, he walked away quickly.

Huh?

Shu Xue hadn’t expected the man to leave in such a hurry. She was a little disappointed.

Meanwhile, after Xie Huaizhen got down to the first floor, a gust of wind hit him, and his head instantly felt much clearer.

‘Did a young woman really just flirt with me until I was blushing and my heart was pounding?’

But this girl was so forward—holding hands, hugging, and kissing right after they started dating. Xie Huaizhen felt he was completely out of his depth.

He was still quite traditional in his views. Things like this should be taken slowly.

But he wasn’t sure if he could maintain his self-control if he spent a few more days with someone as forward as Shu Xue.

Shu Xue finished unpacking and went downstairs, joining Xie Huaizhen for a meal at the base’s cafeteria.

The place was bustling with people, and some of them greeted Xie Huaizhen as they passed.

Hearing them address him as Camp Commander Xie, Shu Xue asked, “You got promoted?”

Xie Huaizhen nodded. “I did.”

“Congratulations!”

Someone else asked, “Camp Commander Xie, is this your girlfriend?”

Before Xie Huaizhen could say anything, Shu Xue nodded at the person. “Yes, I’m his girlfriend.”

“When did you get a girlfriend, Commander? How come you never told us?”

Shu Xue casually pulled a handful of candy from her pocket and handed it to him. “Here, have some celebration candy!”

“Wow, thanks! Commander, your girlfriend is so generous!”

It was White Rabbit milk candy, which was expensive. They were usually reluctant to buy it for themselves.

They would only buy some as a treat during the New Year.

Xie Huaizhen froze for a moment, then grabbed Shu Xue’s arm and quickly pulled her toward a corner. “Shu Xue, can you not do that? We’ve only just started dating, and you’re already handing out celebration candy.”

“What’s wrong with it? Us getting together is a happy occasion. Why shouldn’t I hand it out?”

Shu Xue looked at Xie Huaizhen, confused. “You don’t like this?”

Seeing the young woman pouting with a wronged expression, Xie Huaizhen’s heart softened.

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