“Get in the car! What are you standing there for? Waiting for me to carry you?”
Qin Zhan’s voice was laced with barely restrained anger.
Right now, all he wanted was to get this woman with a head full of dirty thoughts out of here.
If Lin Wan stayed at the compound gate for one more minute, his dignity as a regimental commander would be shattered. How was he supposed to lead his troops after that?
The shout startled Lin Wan so badly that the sunflower seed kernel she’d just shelled dropped to the ground with a tiny plop.
She shrank her neck like a frightened little wife, lowered her head, and shuffled toward the passenger-side door of the jeep in tiny steps.
The jeep sat too high. Her worn cloth shoes slipped on the running board, causing her whole body to wobble.
Why are you yelling? Figures—a man with… deficiencies would have a bad temper.
See? Classic chronic frustration syndrome. Hormonal imbalance leading to complete emotional instability.
What a pity. Such a nice jeep, driven by a man who “can’t.” Even the engine somehow sounds… weak.
Qin Zhan had just opened the driver’s door when his foot slipped, nearly twisting his freshly polished military boot.
The veins on the back of his hand bulged as he gripped the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles turned white, as though the wheel were Lin Wan’s neck.
Weak?
He was the undisputed alpha during military drills across the entire military district.
And now she was calling him weak?
In the back seat, his orderly, Xiao Zhang, desperately pressed his face against the window, his shoulders shaking uncontrollably.
He felt like he’d uncovered the commander’s biggest secret. If this ever got out, would he even survive the night?
But it was just so hard not to laugh!
“Are you getting in or not?” Qin Zhan ground out through clenched teeth as he turned sideways and extended one long arm.
In that instant, the man’s presence suddenly closed in.
A faint scent of tobacco mixed with the dry warmth of sun-baked fabric surrounded her, overwhelmingly masculine.
Before Lin Wan could react, her vision darkened.
A strong hand wrapped around her waist.
The next second, her feet left the ground.
Like lifting a little chick, Qin Zhan effortlessly grabbed her by the waist with one hand and deposited her into the passenger seat.
His broad palm was warm, astonishingly strong, nearly squeezing the life out of her waist.
Lin Wan let out a startled yelp and instinctively grabbed his arm.
Through the thin layer of his military uniform, her fingers felt muscles as hard as steel.
Holy crap! That feels amazing!
Hard! Seriously hard! Even harder than the giant rock at the village entrance!
What incredible arm strength! He lifted me with one hand! Is this what they call boyfriend strength?
Such a shame, though. What’s the point of having strong arms if the important part doesn’t work? It’s all just a castle in the air… a beautiful illusion…
“Enough!”
Qin Zhan finally snapped.
With a low growl, he leaned in until his handsome face was less than two inches from hers.
Dark eyes churned with dangerous fury, as though he wanted to swallow her whole.
“Sit properly. Fasten your seatbelt. If you move again, I’ll…”
The words caught in his throat.
He’ll what?
Take her right here?
If he actually said that, wouldn’t he just sound like a shameless hooligan?
Besides, what interest could he possibly have in this skinny little bean sprout?
Lin Wan blinked innocently, clutching the seatbelt with both hands like a frightened rabbit.
She said nothing aloud.
But inside…
Her thoughts exploded.
I’ll what? Hit me?
Good grief. He actually has violent tendencies?
The books were right. Men who can’t perform often compensate with violence to hide their inadequacies.
Help! This engagement has to be broken off! If I don’t call it off, my surname isn’t Lin! I refuse to spend the rest of my life getting beaten into a cripple!
Although… he’s even more handsome up close. Those eyelashes are so long, and his skin is flawless… but that still doesn’t change the fact that he’s a dangerous psycho!
Qin Zhan inhaled sharply, his temples throbbing.
He abruptly withdrew and slammed the door shut.
Bang!
The entire jeep shook violently.
If he didn’t put some distance between them immediately, he was genuinely afraid he’d strangle her.
Only then did Lin Xue, who had been completely ignored outside the vehicle, snap back to reality.
She watched Qin Zhan actually lift Lin Wan into the jeep.
They’d been so close…
The intimate posture made anyone blush.
Jealousy instantly reddened her eyes.
Why?
Why did that country bumpkin get to sit in the passenger seat?
That was the seat reserved for a commander’s wife!
Throwing caution to the wind, she rushed to the driver’s window and grabbed onto it.
“Brother Qin Zhan! What about me? I haven’t gotten in yet!”
“And my sister’s filthy! She’s covered in dirt! She’ll make your car dirty!”
“Let me sit in front! I’ll help you clean the jeep!”
Already on the verge of exploding, Qin Zhan found her interruption to be the last straw.
Without even turning his head, he replied coldly,
“Isn’t there space in the back?”
“And my jeep is mine. Whoever I want sitting in it sits in it. It’s none of your business.”
“Orderly, let’s go.”
“Huh?”
Xiao Zhang froze.
Commander… aren’t you the one driving? I’m sitting in the back…
Only then did Qin Zhan realize he was still behind the steering wheel.
She’d irritated him so thoroughly he’d lost his senses.
Embarrassed and annoyed, he shot Xiao Zhang a glare.
“I meant sit tight! Stop talking so much!”
With that, he slammed the accelerator to the floor.
The modified military jeep roared like an enraged beast and shot forward.
The tremendous force slammed Lin Wan firmly against the seatback.
Lin Xue hadn’t even let go of the window before the moving jeep dragged her forward a few stumbling steps.
She landed flat on her backside in the dust.
Her brand-new synthetic dress instantly became a filthy rag.
She stared blankly as the jeep disappeared into the distance, swallowing a mouthful of exhaust fumes and flying dirt.
Cough! Cough!
“Brother Qin Zhan! How could you treat me like this!”
“Lin Wan! You little vixen! This isn’t over!”
Inside the jeep…
The atmosphere was unbearably strange.
Qin Zhan drove at breakneck speed.
The speedometer needle climbed relentlessly.
The roadside trees blurred into streaks of green.
He was venting his frustration.
At this speed, most people would’ve been terrified.
But not Lin Wan.
She was actually enjoying herself.
She even wanted to stick her hand out the window to feel the rushing wind.
After glancing at the human volcano sitting beside her, she wisely decided against it.
Woohoo! What a rush!
Looks like while this man may not have talent in one department, he’s an incredible driver.
Is this what they mean when they say God closes one door but opens another? Since he can’t find satisfaction there, he gets it from speeding instead?
Tsk, poor guy. He can only rely on speed and adrenaline to make up for his physical shortcomings.
Qin Zhan’s grip on the gearshift faltered.
The jeep swerved across the road in a dramatic S-curve, nearly crashing into a roadside poplar tree.
In the back seat, Xiao Zhang turned pale, clutching the handrail for dear life as he silently prayed:
Sis-in-law… please stop talking!
If you keep this up, all of us are going to die!
The commander isn’t driving like this because he “can’t”—he’s driving like this because you’re driving him insane!
Qin Zhan slammed on the brakes.
The jeep screeched to a halt in front of the guesthouse.
Turning his head, he fixed Lin Wan with a determined stare.
She had to understand.
Some things were not to be joked about.
Especially a man’s pride.
“Get out.”
His voice was low and hoarse.
Lin Wan obediently unbuckled her seatbelt and reached for the door handle.
Suddenly, Qin Zhan grabbed her hand.
His large palm was burning hot, making her instinctively flinch.
“Lin Wan.”
Looking directly into her eyes, he spoke each word slowly and clearly.
“You don’t need to concern yourself with my physical condition.”
“My physical fitness scores rank first in the entire military district.”
“That includes… that department.”
Lin Wan blinked in confusion.
“Huh? Commander, what are you talking about? I wasn’t worrying about you. I know you’re in great health. Really great.”
Outwardly, she looked perfectly sincere.
Inwardly…
See? He’s getting defensive.
This is exactly what they mean by ‘the guilty protest the loudest.’
The more you explain, the guiltier you sound.
A real alpha never has to go around announcing how capable he is.
Only people who are all bark and no bite obsess over proving themselves. Poor guy… his pride is really fragile.
Qin Zhan: …
Forget it.
Just let the world end.
I’m tired.