C23 Friends

Yang Chuxia shook her head, knowing the question on everyone's mind was what she and Edi had been up to in the Fighting Field. She approached and asked, "Aren't you supposed to be in class this afternoon?"

Yag, grinning, grabbed her hand. "Not yet, but it's almost time. Dr. Yang, did Vice-Captain Sean clear the field just so you and General Edi could have a proper match?"

The young men nearby watched Yang Chuxia with curiosity.

She responded with a smile, "Yes, that's right!"

Yag's eyes sparkled with excitement as he clutched Yang Chuxia's hand. "So, did you win this time?"

"No, I lost!" Yang Chuxia admitted. "If General Edi had been defeated by me, I'd probably become public enemy number one."

Yag burst into laughter. "How long did the fight last? It's such a shame the field was cleared; we missed the chance to witness General Edi's valor."

Yang Chuxia couldn't help but laugh at Yag's candidness. "Dear, are you saying you wanted me to lose?"

Yag suddenly looked sheepish, releasing her hand. "Dr. Yang, that's not what I meant! Please, don't take it the wrong way."

Just then, a tall young man beside them offered a friendly smile to Yang Chuxia. "Hi, Dr. Yang! I'm Chen Dongchen. Yag sometimes speaks without thinking; you shouldn't take her too seriously."

Yang Chuxia smiled, gesturing towards Yag. "No offense taken! Nice to meet you, Chen Dongchen."

The other young men introduced themselves as well. Tung Chen, with his golden hair and blue eyes, had a mischievous charm and stood at an impressive 1.85 meters. Cliff, with his silver hair and icy blue gaze, was also quite tall at 1.82 meters and strikingly handsome.

Tung Chen, Cliff, and the refined Chen Dongchen were all teammates. Their captain, Ian, wasn't present. Yag described him as incredibly proud, wild, and cunning, yet undeniably handsome.

Yang Chuxia smiled and remarked, "It seems like there's not a single guy on your team who isn't handsome."

Cliff gave Yang Chuxia a nonchalant look and commented, "In Yag's starry-eyed view, men are categorized simply as handsome or not, and whether they can fight."

His words came across as quite blunt! Yang Chuxia was taken aback. Judging by their interactions, they didn't seem at odds, so they must be quite familiar with each other; otherwise, such comments would be out of place.

Yag didn't seem bothered in the slightest and retorted, "What girl wouldn't be smitten with someone like General Edi who's both handsome and a skilled fighter? You're just jealous!"

Turning back to Yang Chuxia, he suggested, "Dr. Yang, since you're also doing military training, why not join our team? I'm sure everyone would be thrilled to have you!"

Yang Chuxia glanced at Cliff, Chen Dongchen, and Tung Chen before replying, "I'm not sure that's appropriate. At the very least, we'd need the captain's approval."

Chen Dongchen reassured her, "Don't worry, the captain will definitely agree. Where else could he find such a capable girl?"

Tung Chen chimed in with a mischievous grin, "Our team's gender balance is off. With Dr. Yang's arrival, it'll be four men to two women. You ladies will be well-accompanied!"

Yang Chuxia was at a loss for words. She had always been a girl of pure heart, focusing on her studies and rarely socializing, let alone dating. Since joining the Flying Eagle Combat Group, her interactions with Sean and Edi were the most physical contact she'd had with the opposite sex.

Noticing Yang Chuxia's discomfort, Yag winked and teased, "Dr. Yang, you can't seriously be telling me you've never been in love or had close encounters with guys?"

Upon hearing this, all eyes were on Yang Chuxia, filled with curiosity. Could someone really be that traditional?

Flustered, Yang Chuxia, her cheeks flushed, pushed Yag away and asked, "Is everyone this forward in the military?"

Yag gasped in mock surprise, "Oh my god! Dr. Yang, are you telling me you don't know? Oh no! You mean to say you've never had that kind of intimate contact with a guy?"

Memories of Edi's proximity flashed through Yang Chuxia's mind, and she stuttered, "Hey! Why do you have to be so mean?"

Yag's eyes widened in disbelief. "What's so terrible about that? Forget the outside world, just look at the military. Doesn't everyone have a few people they're fond of? The Alliance is very respectful of human rights, even within the military, you know? If you take a liking to someone, just ask them out. It's not like you're getting married, and as long as you're not in the same department, even dating isn't an issue!"

Yang Chuxia was taken aback, struggling to come to terms with this revelation. The military was this liberal, allowing multiple romantic friendships simultaneously?

Chen Dongchen observed Yang Chuxia's stunned face and said soothingly, "Take it easy, Yag. Dr. Yang is a nice girl; don't frighten her away."

Tung Chen gave a playful whistle, stepped forward, and clapped Yang Chuxia on the shoulder, saying, "Hey there, beautiful. I'd be honored to be your first boyfriend! If you're interested, feel free to get in touch with me!"

Without thinking, Yang Chuxia grabbed Tung Chen's wrist and gave it a sharp twist, causing him to yelp in pain, "It's broken, it's broken! Let go!"

Immediately releasing her grip, Yang Chuxia apologized profusely, "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to do it; it was just a reflex."

The others were momentarily dumbfounded before they could process what had happened.

Cliff gave Tung Chen a disdainful glance and muttered, "Idiot."

Chen Dongchen couldn't help but chuckle and said, "Dr. Yang, now I see why you're single!"

Yag gave him a dismissive look and added, "Enough! He brought it on himself. Dr. Yang, you have no reason to feel guilty."

Nursing his wrist, Tung Chen managed a grin and said, "No worries! You're just not accustomed to physical contact, I get it!"

Embarrassed, Yang Chuxia offered, "I'm truly sorry! How about I make it up to you with coffee when you're all free?"

Yag immediately perked up, agreeing, "Sure! Let's do it tonight. I'll get the captain to join us, and we can also discuss your joining the team."

Yang Chuxia pondered for a moment before responding, "Sure, we'll touch base this evening."

After a bit more conversation, Yang Chuxia bid farewell to Yag and the rest, heading back to her dormitory for a much-needed hot shower. The afternoon's military training had been completely neglected.

Once in bed, she summoned the details of the afternoon's training. Thankfully, it had only involved physical exercises and military knowledge—nothing about aviation, Mecha, or weaponry.

Relieved, Yang Chuxia considered that, as friends with Yag and the others, she could always inquire with her teammates if there was anything she didn't understand. If all else failed, she could seek advice from Sean.

With this thought, she let go of her concerns and quickly drifted off to sleep.