Chapter 3421: Combustion (10)

On the other hand, Wu Xianrou was dressed to impress. She wore stylish and eye-catching clothes. Soft waves of hair framed her face, accentuating her femininity. On her feet was a pair of elegant high heels that made her legs look perfectly long and straight.

Next to her, Ning Shu looked downright unsightly and offensively plain by comparison.

Wu Xianrou gave her one look and said bluntly, “I’ve already told my dad I don’t want to marry some rough military brute, but he won’t listen. He insists I marry him.”

Ning Shu frowned. Why did she have to keep throwing around the term ‘military brute’? That was just blatant occupational prejudice.

She said, “And if our squad commander said something, your father would suddenly listen? He’s your father. If he doesn’t even heed your words, why would he listen to someone who works under him?”

Why must she insist on making things difficult for someone else? Was it entertaining to her?

Wu Xianrou turned her gaze on Ning Shu. “And who are you supposed to be? This is between me and Song Yi. What right do you have to butt in?”

“I’m one of Squad Commander Song’s subordinates.”

“In that case, why are you interrupting when your commanding officer is speaking? Song Yi, is this how lax your command has become?”

Wu Xianrou, who was at least nominally from a military family, made a show of pulling rank with formal language.

“She’s a member of my squad, and I know exactly what kind of people they are,” Song Yi replied calmly. “But Miss Wu, this is indeed something you need to speak to your father about. I don’t believe he’d really want to jeopardize your future happiness.”

Wu Xianrou’s eyes flicked between Ning Shu and Song Yi. A look of suspicion grew on her face.

“Song Yi… don’t tell me you’re sleeping with your subordinates?” she said, voice edged with scorn.

Ning Shu: …

So this was why people everywhere seemed to fantasise about seeing Wu Xianrou dead.

How had she even survived this long?

Her ability to make enemies was truly unmatched.

No wonder Song Yi kept reassigning teams and deploying military helicopters for dramatic rescues like some action hero rescuing a damsel in distress.

Maybe this was how their love story was meant to last: wrapped in spectacle and make-believe.

Song Yi’s expression darkened. “Miss Wu, please watch your words.”

Just like Little Nine had said, she had no sense of propriety, no boundaries. To say something like that so casually—when it could compromise military discipline and image—was beyond reckless.

Wu Xianrou saw that Song Yi was displeased, and instantly grew even more upset. “What, struck a nerve? I knew I was right not to marry you.”

She gave Ning Shu a disdainful once-over. “To be messing around with a subordinate like this. Disgusting.”

Ning Shu looked at her without expression. “Do you have any proof that my relationship with Squad Commander Song goes beyond the professional? Miss Wu, words like that aren’t to be thrown around lightly.”

Wu Xianrou only replied, “Can you honestly say you don’t like him?”

Ning Shu: Oh, for fuck’s sake. Seriously, what a nightmare.

No wonder so many so-called ‘vixens’ and ‘jealous, scheming women’ were out to get Wu Xianrou.

She ran her mouth with no filter and still thought she was just being candid and straightforward.

Just because she claimed to be blunt didn’t mean the rest of them had to tolerate her so-called ‘honesty.’

Ning Shu’s gaze turned cold. “Mind your tongue.”

“Oh please, like you two can do it and no one’s allowed to say anything? So self-righteous. Absolutely revolting.” Wu Xianrou stood there on her moral high ground, looking down her nose at Ning Shu.

Ning Shu: …

Wow, she thought. There went her temper.

She turned to Song Yi. “Sir, so now I’m officially sleeping with you? It’s your call. What are we doing about this?”

Wonderful. She just got a baseless accusation slapped on her out of nowhere.

Song Yi kept rubbing his temples while explaining over and over again, “There’s nothing going on between me and Wu Jing. Strictly speaking, what you’re saying is slander.”

Wu Xianrou looked thoroughly displeased. This was the husband her father had picked for her? Not only was he not taking her side, but he was also defending someone else, and even accusing her of slander?

Scumbag!

She immediately snapped, “There’s no way I’m marrying you. You’re having an affair with a subordinate of yours. I could never marry you. That’s right, I’m going to tell my dad. You’re not a decent man.”

Wu Xianrou grabbed her purse and stormed out of the hospital room.

Ning Shu merely curled her lips into a smirk. “As of tomorrow, I won’t be coming to the hospital anymore. Can’t risk another run-in with her. I don’t have the stamina for that.”

With that, she left the ward. Just before stepping out, she turned back with a gleefully wicked look and said to Song Yi, “I’m suddenly looking forward to you marrying Wu Xianrou. Watching you suffer, at your wit’s end, is going to be delightful.”

She grinned sweetly, and she looked as if bathed in a soft glow. “Seems like what I said before is slowly coming true. Wu Xianrou wants a husband who’s always, always on her side. And just now, the one time you stood up for me, she flew into a rage.”

Song Yi was already thoroughly exasperated, and now even his subordinate was taunting him. He couldn’t help saying, “If you keep gloating like this, you’ll end up with no friends.”

“I can row the little boat of friendship all by myself,” Ning Shu shot back breezily, before turning and walking off. She’d rather spend the time training.

If she couldn’t break up the couple, she might as well focus on her work.

As a special forces soldier, she had demanding daily tasks. She had to undergo combat training and master all kinds of weaponry, both domestic and foreign kinds. Rifles, grenades, grenade launchers, light artillery, anti-tank weapons—she had to know them inside and out. Her hand-to-hand combat skills also had to be exceptional.

A qualified special forces operative had to be able to fight in urban warfare, night operations, conduct searches, escape danger, and survive behind enemy lines.

Driving all kinds of military vehicles? That was a basic requirement. She had to be able to fix mechanical issues and use onboard equipment and weapons proficiently as well.

Parachuting, climbing, crossing minefields, map reading, long-distance marches through rough terrain—check, check, check.

Reconnaissance and intelligence gathering were also essential. This skillset included observation, stealth, eavesdropping, prisoner capture and interrogation, photography, and, when necessary, encrypted communication.

The expectations for special forces were basically superhuman.

Every day she had to go through the full slate of training, then still carve out time to visit injured fellow squad members in the hospital.

Ning Shu decided she couldn’t be bothered with the hospital anymore. That time was better spent learning to service vehicles, identify faults, and use field equipment. Or rock climbing. Or practising surveillance. Or studying encrypted comms.

She wiped the sweat from her brow. These tasks were intense and daunting. After all, she wasn’t the entrustor, and she had to get the hang of all these skills fast.

Most days, Ning Shu could only catch three or four hours of light rest, if that.

While Song Yi was laid up recovering from his injuries, she was determined to speed up her mastery of every skill.

A qualified special forces soldier should be able to do what they needed to in any situation.

Urban warfare, night combat, search and evasion—no matter the environment, they had to fight, analyse, and adapt.

Sometimes, the sheer amount of learning and training left Ning Shu feeling dizzy.

When she got too tired, she’d just shut her eyes and rested.

Even so, the political commissar still summoned her for a chat. He accused her of violating military discipline and bringing negative influence to the squad.

The reason? Inappropriate relations with a superior.

Ning Shu: …

Damn it. Everyone had lost their minds.

Gossip travelled faster than bullets.

And this particular rumor had originated from Wu Xianrou’s mouth.

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