C5 Trade

You found me so quickly? Yang Chuxia was somewhat surprised by Edi's promptness, but upon considering Lin Meng, it all made sense to her.

Edi frowned as he reviewed Yang Chuxia's profile on the monitor. Name: Yang Chuxia, Gender: Female, Age: 21, Previous Address: 101 Green Lake Street, Colonized Star Ta Na; Family: Deceased parents, only child. Graduate of Ta Na Star Medical University, currently serving as a doctor in the Flying Eagle Combat Group, rank: Sergeant...

Footsteps approached from outside the office. Edi shut off the monitor's display and, upon hearing a knock, said indifferently, "Enter."

"Do you prefer tea or coffee, Dr. Yang? I can prepare it for you," Sean offered.

"No, thank you. There’s no need," Yang Chuxia declined.

Sean nodded, smiling as he opened the door for Yang Chuxia.

She entered, making eye contact with Edi and saluting crisply, "Reporting, Sergeant Yang Chuxia, at your service, General!"

"Sit," Edi commanded, his stern expression unsoftened by her presence.

"Yes, General," Yang Chuxia complied, sitting across from Edi, her posture erect, eyes fixed on the back of the monitor.

"I'm curious, Dr. Yang, what brought you to the New Soldier Fighting Field?" Edi inquired, his face composed but his tone less than cordial.

"Forgive me, General, but I haven't come across any regulation in the Alliance's military code that prohibits a combat group's doctor from visiting the new recruits' Training Field," Yang Chuxia responded, matching his calm demeanor.

A cryptic smile played at the corners of Edi's mouth. He leaned forward, elbows on the table, and clarified, "I'm not accusing you of any wrongdoing by being at the Fighting Field. My question stems purely from personal curiosity."

He stood, extending his hand to Yang Chuxia, and said earnestly, "I would like to offer a sincere apology for the harm my rash actions this morning may have caused you, Dr. Yang."

Yang Chuxia stood, her tone firm, "General, while I can forgive the physical harm, I cannot condone the disrespect you've shown me."

"Insult?" Edi raised an eyebrow. "Because I called you up here and then sent you back down?"

"Yes, and the General scorned my height," Yang Chuxia admitted candidly. Despite her composed exterior, her heart was far from steady. Edi exuded an intimidating presence, like that of a fierce hawk, not easily withstood by the average person.

Edi was taken aback. He hadn't expected such a delicate-looking young woman to possess such a strong sense of pride! Recalling her aggressive attempt to bite him during their last encounter that morning, he realized it stemmed from this very issue.

His expression softened as he offered a sincere apology, "I'm sorry! I mistook you for a new recruit."

"Is it acceptable to insult a new recruit at will?" Yang Chuxia challenged.

Edi was momentarily at a loss for words, then responded, "Dr. Yang, please forgive my frankness! Given your stature, it would typically be impossible for you to join the military! I assumed you had used connections to get in, which led to my thoughtless remark. It was not my intention to offend."

Yang Chuxia had pegged Edi as an arrogant and conceited man. She was surprised by his readiness to apologize and acknowledge his mistake, making her feel somewhat petty in comparison.

Noticing her astonished look, Edi inquired, "So, Dr. Yang, may I ask if you can forgive my error? Or would you prefer to file a complaint against me?"

Yang Chuxia wrestled with her feelings, hesitating before finally mustering up the courage to say, "Alright! I suppose I can forgive the General, for now."

"Temporarily?" A rare smile flickered across Edi's stern face.

"Fine! Living with the constant threat of a ticking time bomb isn't pleasant, but I'm the one at fault here. I'll have to accept the punishment of being on tenterhooks, fearing an imminent explosion. Hopefully, Dr. Yang, you'll allow me to sleep peacefully sooner rather than later."

Edi's words, a mix of jest and reproach, left Yang Chuxia somewhat disconcerted.

"Dr. Yang's skills are impressive! It seems I need to rethink the height requirements for new recruits. If one is skilled, they shouldn't be held back by their height and could be considered for special enlistment," Edi mused, his words laden with implication.

Yang Chuxia couldn't help but wonder if he had dug into her past.

Their relationship was strictly professional, with the added complexity of being virtual strangers and having unresolved issues between them, leaving little room for casual conversation. Yang Chuxia stood up to take her leave.

As she was about to exit General Edi's office, she paused at the door and turned back, stating earnestly, "Perhaps, General, you might consider entering into a deal with me."

General Edi was lounging on the leather sofa, seemingly caught off guard by Yang Chuxia's abrupt return. Known for his careful demeanor in public, he had unbuttoned the top two buttons of his uniform, exposing his elegantly sculpted neck and hinting at the allure of his collarbones.

Yang Chuxia's eyes involuntarily lingered on his throat, and she swallowed hard, struggling to redirect her gaze and maintain eye contact.

General Edi was well aware of his own allure, reflecting with a touch of amusement on the growing number of women in the military. He drawled, "Let's hear it then."

Gathering her courage, Yang Chuxia declared, "General, I would like to join the training as well. If you don't mind, I'll take it as a gesture of your apology to me."

"You're interested in joining the new recruits' training?" General Edi's deep blue eyes sparkled with intrigue. "Dr. Yang, the Alliance's military regulations don't explicitly forbid military doctors from participating in training exercises. The Flying Eagle Combat Group doesn't have such a rule either. So if you're willing, I doubt the recruits' instructor would object."