C49 Adaptability

Yang Chuxia hadn't checked the news, but she was moved by Yag's concern. She responded, "I'm okay. It's nothing life-threatening!"

Yag made a tsk sound and continued, "Did you guys get back really late last night? I didn't see you at military training this morning, so I figured you were exhausted. I didn't call you until after the third period, and when you didn't answer, I thought maybe General Edi had left you in Carrie City."

Feeling a bit sheepish when Yag brought up Edi, Yang Chuxia replied, "How could that be? General Edi's character isn't that poor, is it?"

Yag chuckled and teased, "So, as the General's lady companion, did anything... intriguing happen between you two? After all, adversity often leads to friendship!"

Yang Chuxia forced a laugh and asked, "You're not smitten with General Edi, are you?"

Yag exclaimed, "General Edi is the heartthrob of every woman in the Alliance. What's wrong with liking him? It's perfectly normal! To have a one-night stand with him would be a dream come true!"

Yang Chuxia was so taken aback by Yag's frankness that she nearly dropped her phone. Then she heard Tung Chen's mischievous voice, "Hehe! Yag, if you talk to Dr. Yang like that, you'll scare her. Not everyone's as bold as you."

Yag laughed heartily, "I forgot our Dr. Yang is a time traveler from the ancient past."

Caught between laughter and tears, Yang Chuxia offered, "I'll treat you to dinner tonight as a way to make it up to you."

Yag grumbled, "Why wait until tonight? Why not have lunch now and then head back to class?"

Yang Chuxia couldn't very well tell Yag that General Edi, whom he admired, had asked her out to lunch. After a moment's thought, she said, "Sean just informed me that the General wants to discuss something over lunch."

Upon hearing that General Edi wanted to speak with Yang Chuxia, Yag quickly said, "Oh, then go have lunch with the General. We can catch up tonight! By the way, are you attending this afternoon's class? I'll save you a seat."

Tung Chen remarked coolly, "The classroom is enormous. Dr. Yang doesn't need your help to reserve a seat, does she?"

Yag snapped back irritably, "Get lost, I simply don't want to sit with you!"

Yang Chuxia couldn't help but let out a smile and said, "Bye, I still have to change."

Yag quickly echoed, "Bye..."

At the base, most people were either in military or standard-issue uniforms. After freshening up, Yang Chuxia fiddled with the new dress in her hands, fretting about going out to dinner with Edi. She worried that he might think she had dressed up for a date with him.

Would anyone throw stones at her? She was particularly concerned about the Mecha team's captain, Colonel Sofia! After a moment's hesitation, she steeled herself and put on the dress. If she asked Edi to bring her a military uniform, it might upset him again.

Having dawdled for half an hour, she was about to leave when the door swung open, and in walked Edi, clad in his military uniform, exuding a robust and spirited aura.

Upon seeing Yang Chuxia in a white dress that swept the floor, Edi exclaimed, "You look stunning. You're so much prettier in a dress than in pants, like a little fairy!"

He strode over, wrapped her in his arms, and planted a lingering French kiss before releasing her waist and taking her hand. "Let's go have dinner," he said.

Yang Chuxia, still not quite comfortable with such displays of affection, diverted the conversation, "What about Sean? Has he gone to order?"

Edi gave her a sidelong glance and said, "Why would we bring Sean on our date?"

The word 'date' took Yang Chuxia by surprise, and she stammered, "Aren't we eating at the base cafeteria?"

"Do you actually like eating there?" Edi asked, one eyebrow arched.

Yang Chuxia, not wanting to be so dressed up for a meal at the base, quickly replied, "No, I just thought you meant the base cafeteria."

As Edi wrapped his arm around her waist and they headed out, Yang Chuxia asked awkwardly, "Do you think anyone will see us?"

Edi furrowed his brow, "What are you worried about now?"

Not wanting him to think she was trying to distance herself, she playfully responded, "I'm just worried about becoming the enemy of every woman on the base. I might have to start wearing a bulletproof vest and helmet just to step outside!"

Edi chuckled with an air of authority, "Who would dare! Let them come at me if they think they're capable."

Yang Chuxia spoke with a touch of sorrow, "I fear I won't last until you arrive, and I'll meet my demise!"

Edi reached out and gently pinched her furrowed nose, teasing her, "Aren't you quite the fighter? Just lay out all the women eyeing your man."

Hearing this, Yang Chuxia broke into a cold sweat and replied with a hint of melancholy, "General, you're overestimating me. If I were that capable, I wouldn't be a doctor; I'd switch careers and become a general myself."

"Don't sell yourself short," Edi replied. "You'd more than suffice as a general's wife, at the very least!"

At his words, Yang Chuxia's heart skipped a beat, her cheeks flushing with a rosy hue. She gathered her courage and asked, "General, are you implying with that remark that I'm to be your wife?"

Edi tightened his grip around her waist and responded with a cool demeanor, "Are you entertaining thoughts of marrying another general?"

Yang Chuxia giggled nervously, then, feeling it was unseemly, quickly composed herself and said, "No such thoughts at the moment."

Edi hummed in acknowledgment and quirked an eyebrow, "So, you're not ruling it out for the future?"

Worried about responding incorrectly and facing Edi's private punishment again, Yang Chuxia meekly said, "I'm concerned about your future promotions, so I'm playing it safe!"

Edi burst into laughter and assured her, "The highest I could rise is to a general, so you'd still be the wife of a general. Anything beyond that is unlikely!"

Exiting the Senior Officer's building, they encountered no one, which was unexpected. Edi stopped the aircraft at the building's entrance, and they both boarded.

Yang Chuxia smartly slid into the back seat, but under General Edi's stern gaze, she quickly scurried to the co-pilot's seat.

She remained vigilant and anxious as they left the base, and upon reaching the restaurant, she swiftly donned her sunglasses before disembarking.

Edi's temples throbbed as he asked her icily, "Miss Yang Chuxia, does being seen with me embarrass you?"

Startled, Yang Chuxia stuttered, "No, not at all! Didn't you tell me to keep my sunglasses on?"

Edi inhaled deeply and guided her into the restaurant. They settled into a secluded corner before he spoke in a grave tone, "Do you enjoy playing these secretive games? Or is it that you truly never considered being with me, hence why you keep concealing our relationship from everyone else?"

Yang Chuxia found herself at a loss for words in response to Edi's probing.

Edi loosened his collar button and fixed her with an icy gaze.

Feeling guilty, Yang Chuxia hung her head and whispered, "I'm scared..."