C15 Sean

Yang Chuxia paced around the Confinement Room and used the restroom. When she emerged, she attempted to summon assistance. She hadn't eaten breakfast, and surely they wouldn't deny her food while in confinement, would they?

Thankfully, someone was available to respond, but the voice lacked the warmth of those in the dormitory, answering mechanically, "Number 1739, what do you require?"

"Great! Stripped of my name and reduced to a number," Yang Chuxia muttered with a wry smile. She mused, "I've only damaged a few Weight Increasing Machines. If I had crashed a Mothership during training, would they lock me up for life?"

Clearing her throat, she addressed the voice, "Could you bring me some breakfast, please? I haven't had anything to eat since I woke up."

"Understood! Number 1739, your breakfast will be delivered shortly," came the icy reply.

Yang Chuxia had expected a guard to bring her meal, but to her surprise, it was Sean, Edi's aide, who entered.

Embarrassment washed over her as she accepted the meal box from Sean.

"Are you doing okay?" Sean inquired, driven by compassion.

Unable to hold back, Yang Chuxia vented to the first person who had shown her kindness, "Assistant Sean, I only broke four Weight Increasing Machines. Why is the punishment so severe? If I had destroyed a Mothership, would they execute me?"

Sean had anticipated Yang Chuxia might question her confinement, not her punishment. He regarded her with a complex gaze, unsure of what to say. Was she genuinely naive or just feigning ignorance?

Deep down, he couldn't believe that Yang Chuxia was an enemy spy. The young woman before him was quite beautiful, with a youthful innocence about her, pure in thought, reminiscent of a college student fresh into the real world. The only baffling aspect was her unusually high Combat Power.

Nonetheless, given General Edi's suspicions, he knew his duty as a soldier was to follow orders. Gathering his thoughts, Sean addressed her, "Dr. Yang, Sergeant..."

"Hi, Sean! You can call me Yang Chuxia. If you feel we're not quite there yet, then Dr. Yang will do. No need for formalities like 'Sergeant.'" Yang Chuxia said with a smile as she ate, a grain of white rice clinging to the corner of her mouth.

Sean was reminded of the girl-next-door and couldn't help but chuckle. Pointing to her mouth, he said, "You like rice? I guess it's a family tradition, huh?"

Yang Chuxia nodded gently, "My parents used to make it for me every day when they were alive."

Knowing her parents had passed away from her file, Sean apologized, "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to bring it up."

Yang Chuxia managed a smile, though it seemed a bit strained.

An awkward silence fell between them.

After watching Yang Chuxia finish her meal without leaving a single grain, Sean cleared his throat and offered, "Are you full? If not, I can get you another serving. It's surprising how much you can eat for someone so petite!"

Yang Chuxia shook her head playfully, "It's not my last meal. Just have them prepare a bit more for lunch. You've got important things to do; no need to go out of your way to bring me food." Her eyes welled up as she spoke.

Feeling deeply aggrieved, she wondered why life couldn't be smoother for her, why it seemed to be filled with so many hardships. With a tearful voice, she looked up at Sean and asked, "Sean, may I have a hug?"

Sean's heart melted, and he nodded, opening his arms.

Yang Chuxia rushed into his embrace, holding him tight, her voice breaking, "Sean, I only damaged four Weight Increasing Machines. Why do they have to punish me until the machines send a warning? And now, they're locking me up in the Confinement Room. Why? Is this how they treat all the new recruits?" She had faced so much injustice that she couldn't help but feel targeted. Perhaps General Edi didn't want her in the new recruit training at all.

She was, after all, just a recent graduate, still new to this environment, not having had the chance to make any friends yet. Lin Yin had brought her food, but it was only to curry favor with General Edi, and Yang Chuxia didn't feel grateful for Lin Meng's supposed kindness.

Currently confined, Sean visited her and brought her meals. She had also borrowed money from him in the past. Gradually, she came to see Sean as someone she could depend on. The more someone lacks something, the more they crave it once they have a taste.

Sean could feel the girl clinging to him was particularly upset, her small frame quivering as she cried silently. He gently placed his hand on her head, soothingly stroking her soft black hair.

"Alright, don't be upset. As long as you've done nothing wrong, you won't be in confinement for long. You'll be out before you know it. Just think of it as a break. Get some sleep for three days and nights, and when you wake up, you'll be free to go."

When Yang Chuxia heard Sean mention "done nothing wrong," she hesitated. Sensing something amiss, she released Sean and stepped back, looking up at him questioningly, "What do you mean? Have I done something else wrong?"

Sean extended his hands to her shoulders and gently guided her back to her chair to sit down. He asked, "Chuxia, can you tell me if you learned any martial arts before enlisting? And how were you able to run 60 kilometers with a 100-kilogram load before reaching your limit?"

"I ran 60 kilometers with a 100-kilogram starting weight?" Yang Chuxia looked at Sean in astonishment, stuttering, "Really? How do you know I started with 100 kilograms on the Weight Increasing Machine?"

With a look of genuine sincerity, Sean met her gaze and said, "Chuxia, would you be willing to tell me? Only if you're comfortable sharing your secret."