Lin Xizhi acted as though no one else was there.
She didn’t notice that the other team members were hastily clearing out of the room.
She simply continued,
“Or perhaps Captain Song just doesn’t like my type. Maybe you prefer someone like Assistant Peng instead someone who’s spoiled, willful, and unreasonable?”
Song Zhuowei pursed his lips.
He definitely did not like Peng Zeping’s type.
She was noisy.
Far too noisy.
But…
He did like hearing Lin Xizhi ask that question.
He couldn’t explain why.
He just…
Felt happy.
Watching her fuss over it so seriously made him feel as though he’d eaten honey.
While he was still savoring that sweet feeling, Lin Xizhi suddenly changed the subject.
“If that’s really the type you like, I can become that kind of person too.”
“I just hope Captain Song is willing to give me a chance.”
She stepped closer until she was standing directly in front of him, her gaze unwavering and determined.
“You haven’t even gotten to know me yet.”
“How can you already be certain that I’m not your type?”
“I didn’t finish what I wanted to say last time.”
“I know Captain Song has great ambitions, but choosing a partner doesn’t conflict with wiping out the pirates.”
“If you hadn’t thought it through before, then start thinking about it from today onward.”
“I know there are many women who like you.”
“But I still want to fight with everything I’ve got for a chance.”
“I want to strive for the top.”
Song Zhuowei was completely dumbfounded.
The way she spoke made him feel like the embroidered ball hung in front of the lion’s head during the village’s lion dance performances everyone chasing after him.
But he wasn’t some decorative embroidered ball!
Nor did he need a lion chasing him around!
He was a man!
Men were supposed to be the ones pursuing women!
A strong premonition suddenly struck him.
If he didn’t make his position crystal clear right now, this young woman who looked delicate on the outside but was actually fearless and startlingly bold would sooner or later say something even more outrageous, something so embarrassing that he’d have nowhere to hide.
No.
He had to stop this now.
Putting on a serious expression, Song Zhuowei said,
“If I ever meet a girl I like, I’ll pursue her myself.”
“So you don’t need to worry about that.”
“When the day comes that I’m courting someone, you’ll naturally know what kind of woman I like.”
Lin Xizhi couldn’t help clenching her fists.
This man really was impossible.
Was this what more than twenty years of being single had done to him?
Anyone who didn’t know better would think he was preserving his virginity so he could become a monk.
She was out of ideas.
In the end, she could only say,
“If that’s how Captain Song feels, then I’ll take it as your official rejection.”
“I can only hope you find the girl you truly like as soon as possible.”
Lin Xizhi hated dragging things out.
Since she had deliberately made her words so decisive, she naturally turned and left without another glance.
Hesitating would only make people look down on her.
It wasn’t as though she couldn’t accept rejection.
If Song Zhuowei wasn’t interested in her, then she’d simply find another good man.
What was wrong with that?
Carrying a trace of irritation, Lin Xizhi walked out of the office.
She had barely taken a few steps when she saw Pei Yuncheng, whose skin had been tanned almost black.
It had only been a few days.
How had he become this dark already?
And after darkening so much, he seemed noticeably less handsome.
Lin Xizhi couldn’t help narrowing her eyes.
The old saying was true:
“Fair skin hides three flaws.”
It didn’t just apply to women it applied to men as well.
Pei Yuncheng had originally been naturally fair-skinned.
Combined with his refined appearance and polished clothing, he had always stood out in a crowd.
But now he was wearing an ill-fitting set of loose olive-green military clothes.
His face had been tanned so dark he resembled Judge Bao.
The more she looked at him, the more she felt that the woman she had been in her previous life had been blind and foolish.
That was why she’d been deceived by this shameless scumbag until nothing was left of her.
She didn’t want to look at him any longer.
Then she remembered that Song Zhuowei had just rejected her.
In that case…
She might as well use Pei Yuncheng as a stepping stone.
“It looks like these past few days of training have been quite effective,” she said with a smile.
“Educated Youth Pei seems much more energetic than before.”
The moment Pei Yuncheng saw her, it was as though he had found his savior.
He hurried over eagerly and said without reservation,
“Xizhi! What are you doing here? I didn’t even know you’d come!”
“How have you been these past few days? Has anyone bullied you?”
“Captain Song may be very strict with me, but I can handle it. Don’t worry.”
“If I make it into the Coastal Defense Team reserve unit, I’ll be able to go with them to eliminate the pirates.”
“When that happens, I’ll personally recover everything the pirates stole from you.”
“Then you won’t have to live under someone else’s roof anymore.”
As he spoke, he rolled up his sleeves to show her the various cuts and scrapes on his body from rocks and gravel.
“I heard there are medicinal herbs where you’re staying.”
“When you have time, could you make me some medicine to help these wounds heal?”
“I’m getting injured every few days, and once I get into the seawater, it really hurts…”
“These wounds affect my training and keep me from performing at my best.”
Lin Xizhi glanced at his injuries and inwardly found them amusing.
Those scratches…
If he didn’t hurry up and show them off, they’d practically heal on their own.
His little pity act had almost missed its chance.
And, as expected of someone so skilled at charming women…
The moment they met, he either painted grand promises or put on a pitiful display, acting tough while secretly inviting sympathy.
Unfortunately…
Lin Xizhi’s heart had died long ago.
She didn’t pity him in the slightest.
If anything, she wished Song Zhuowei would train him to death.
But…
How could she make Song Zhuowei dislike Pei Yuncheng even more?
She thought of the medicinal ointment Pei Yuncheng had just asked her for.
So she smiled and said,
“All right. I’ll remember what you said.”
“I’ll study hard under my master.”
“You should work hard too. Train diligently.”
“Let’s both do our best in our own ways.”
“I look forward to meeting you at the summit one day.”
Pei Yuncheng smiled with complete confidence.
He knew it.
As long as he was willing to crook a finger, Lin Xizhi would still obey him just like before.
She was, after all, nothing more than a little goldfish swimming in his personal pond.
Whenever he wanted, he could scoop her back up with a net.
After saying her piece, Lin Xizhi left.
Pei Yuncheng tidied himself up, fetched some fresh water to wash his hands, and prepared to join everyone for lunch.
Just then, Song Zhuowei’s command rang out.
“Extra training!!!”
The whole team groaned.
“Captain, it’s almost lunchtime! Can’t we at least eat first before we continue?”
Song Zhuowei’s face was as black as ink.
“Whoever says one more word gets another hour added!”
The entire team instantly fell silent.
Not a single person dared make another sound.
Song Zhuowei then led everyone back to the seaside dock.
He announced a new goal:
One extra hour of training.
Holding the old pocket watch his mother had left him, he appeared to be watching the time.
But inside, his thoughts were in complete turmoil, as though countless little people were fighting in his head.
Lin Xizhi’s words to Pei Yuncheng kept echoing in his ears.
“Let’s both do our best…”
“I look forward to meeting you at the summit one day.”
Meet at the summit?
The hell are they meeting for?
Besides, that weak, good-for-nothing scholar might not even survive a few more days of my training.
Reach the summit?
What summit does he think he’s reaching?
He actually dreams of joining the Coastal Defense Team reserves?
Look at that brat, getting carried away!