NOVPUBThe next day Shen Mochen got out of bed, brushed his teeth, washed his face, and had breakfast. The Gaotang State-owned Sanatorium was located in the southwestern corner of the state capital, Yu Huai City, adopting a garden-style design with picturesque scenery; just outside the gate, one could see a bridge over flowing water and the artfully arranged rocks of a dry landscape garden.
But Shen Mochen didn't have an artistic bone in his body to appreciate the beauty. After breakfast, he ran to the gate and amused himself by throwing stones at the koi fish.
"Shen, the higher-ups have arrived. Come with me," Liu Chaoyan said with a light pat on Shen Mochen's shoulder, her smile warm.
Shen Mochen nodded, clapped his hands, and followed Liu Chaoyan. Glancing at her back, the white dress that was always pristine now finally bore the stains of mud.
Perhaps sensing his gaze, Liu Chaoyan laughed while tying up a strand of hair: "Does it look a bit messy?"
Shen Mochen didn't shy away and candidly said, "Haha, it's the first time I've seen the captain looking all dirty."
Liu Chaoyan laughed too: "There are clothes for sale here. I'll buy a new one and change into it later. Thank you for last night. Without you, we couldn't have held out until the rescue arrived."
"As a guy, I couldn't just run ahead of the girls, right?"
"You really do have the makings of a gentleman," Liu Chaoyan said, her smile blooming like a flower.
"How are you feeling, captain? Any discomfort after yesterday?"
As they continued toward a meeting room, Shen Mochen breathed in the scent Liu Chaoyan left lingering in the air, feeling his mood lift.
"I've had a check-up, no problems," said Liu Chaoyan with a smile, "How about you and Xia Sister, did you make up last night?"
"Make up?" Shen Mochen was momentarily puzzled before he smiled, "We didn't argue."
"Oh, that's good then," Liu Chaoyan glanced at Shen Mochen and looked away, "When Caiyu was here, she was the one who did the cooking. By the time I arrived, she had become our 'elder sister'. She always said that taking care of others is an elder's responsibility."
"It sounds like something Caiyu would say. But even if she wasn't the oldest, she'd still take care of everyone."
"Yes, that was just her excuse. But over time, we all got used to having an 'elder sister' figure in the family. Even after Caiyu graduated, it seemed as if there should be a new 'elder sister'. Xia Sister never used to cook; she really is lazy. But these days, she has been working really hard."
Shen Mochen chuckled, "Haha, serves her right. If she had started preparing earlier and learned cooking and housework from Caiyu, she wouldn't be having such a hard time now."
Liu Chaoyan's eyes lowered, "Yes, that's the logic. She has been too slothful... But, maybe she's also afraid of goodbyes, as if it's a rehearsal for a farewell ceremony. She doesn't want to face it, I guess."
Shen Mochen fell silent for a moment.
"Xia Sister is a lazy person; she's not cut out to be the 'elder sister,'" Liu Chaoyan said softly, "but she tries so hard to emulate Caiyu, feeling it's her duty, even though it requires constant exploration and learning. Sometimes she's too stubborn, forgetting to think about the consequences, possibly making things worse and causing trouble for others..."
Shen Mochen tilted his head, listening quietly.
Liu Chaoyan slowly stopped walking, turned to look at Shen Mochen with a serious smile: "If such a thing really happens, please be understanding... She's not a bad person, she tries very hard."
Shen Mochen was taken aback, wondering if she already knew that Xia Qingrou was the one who put Xiao Xingshuang's underwear there.
But before he could ponder further, Liu Chaoyan resumed walking, "Let's hurry, everyone is waiting for us."
They arrived at a certain meeting room where the rest of the team had already gathered. In addition to all members of 0189, there were also two senior officers from Buque, one of whom was an old acquaintance of Shen Mochen, Du Ziqi.
"Here you are!"
Xia Qingrou greeted Liu Chaoyan and Shen Mochen with a beaming smile. On her face were the same kind of hideously ugly glasses she used to wear, probably bought from the sanatorium store that morning.
Shen Mochen smiled and nodded at Xia Qingrou, who also grinned and pulled out the seat beside her, beckoning Shen Mochen to sit down.
Their intimacy belied the fact that just last night, they had been attacking and cursing at each other.
Du Ziqi coughed, "Now that everyone is here, I'll announce the decision from above."
For successfully repelling the A-level monster and preventing civilian casualties, superiors sent someone to award the 0819 squad with the Yupi Country's National First-Class Honor Medal, and issued an additional quarter's salary as a bonus.
Additionally, all amplifier injections used in the battle were compensated by the officials. The entire squad could also take a collective break for five days, meaning each person had an extra five days of vacation.
Even Han Muxue had no objections to the decision from above. A quarter's salary as a bonus was nothing if not generous, not to mention the National First-Class Honor Medal, one of the highest honors in the military, something even Cai Yuncui had never received.
Of course, the higher-ups had their requirements too. It was quite simple: 0819 was not to spread any details of the A-level monster incident, especially not internally within Buque to avoid causing panic.
Everyone agreed on this point, so after an hour or so, the awards ceremony officially concluded.
"Lieutenant Shen Mochen, please stay back," said Du Ziqi, as the others dispersed, calling only Shen Mochen.
Xiao Xingshuang glanced at Shen Mochen, while Xia Qingrou seized the opportunity to not engage with him and cheerfully invited other girls to go shopping.
"Do you remember what General Yan mentioned to you?" Du Ziqi asked, "General Yan asked me to tell you that she's very pleased with your heroic performance last night. However, since this is Buque's first attempt to promote their own star, she doesn't want anyone to grasp the opportunity to levy accusations of staging a show, so you'll have to stay at the base for a few more months."
Shen Mochen appeared unconcerned, "No problem, I'm just an ordinary Buque, staying at the base is only natural."
"Good, I'm glad you understand," Du Ziqi smiled relievedly and hesitated for a moment, "By the way, I heard you're dating a beautiful girlfriend from within Buque, that Captain Xia Qingrou, right?"
"Yeah," Shen Mochen tilted his head, "Am I not allowed to have a girlfriend?"
Hey, hey, hey, I'm not some pop idol who can't even have a girlfriend—that would be too miserable!
"Of course not, that's your freedom," Du Ziqi quickly shook her head, then licked her lips, "It's just that with General Yin, well, you know, would it be safer to..."
Shen Mochen's tone turned instantly cold, "She's not dead, so bury what? You promised me the amplifier, didn't you?"
Suddenly, Du Ziqi felt a bone-chilling coldness, causing her to shiver unconsciously.
"Yes, yes, yes, the first shot of the amplifier was already given to General Yin yesterday," Du Ziqi said hurriedly, "I'm just speaking off the cuff, please don't take it to heart."
Shen Mochen pursed his lips and clenched his fists without speaking. He understood Du Ziqi's point—afer all, in the eyes of the world, Yin Caiyu was no different from the dead.
But he couldn't accept it.
Still, he managed to suppress his anger and didn't come to blows with Du Ziqi.
After a few more exchanges, Shen Mochen headed straight back to his room.
"Welcome back!"
As he opened the door, there was an uninvited visitor frowning in the room.
"What are you doing here, and why are you wearing those glasses again, sealing your charm?" Shen Mochen laughed.
"My family sent someone over, they want to see you," Xia Qingrou clicked her tongue.
