Song Lili, not far away, only saw the helicopter stop at the entrance of the tent. She didn’t even know who was on board or how many people there were before it flew away again.
Bathed in the moonlight, she vaguely recognized it was the same helicopter that had circled above her and Shen Lingxi during their ride on the Skybridge. It was military green like most military helicopters, marked only by a red star on the wings.
After Wen Nian left, Lu Ziqing sat alone in the tent for a while longer.
When Qi Yong entered, he found Lu Ziqing lost in thought,
"Commander, who was that just now? Did the higher-ups give you another tough problem?"
"...No, it’s nothing like that. Don’t speculate," Lu Ziqing said, then added another reminder for Qi Yong, "Make sure no one at the bottom spreads rumors. This is not something to gossip about."
Upon receiving the order, Qi Yong thought the visitor must have been a commander from the Military Department or some high-ranking secretary.
"Commander Lu, those new recruits are still waiting for you to announce the selection results. They’re all anxious to know who made it through and who didn’t."
"Let them be anxious."
"Commander... what are you really thinking?"
Lu Ziqing narrowed his eyes, "Curious?"
Qi Yong hurriedly said,
"Not curious, not curious at all. I’m heading out now; call me if you need anything!"
Qi Yong touched his head, sensing Lu Ziqing was in a bad mood.
Strange... who could put Commander Lu in such a state?
Even when those sharp-minded officials from the Military Department came to give him a hard time, they usually left in low spirits. It was rare to see Commander Lu displeased or upset.
He couldn’t figure out the reason no matter how much he guessed.
Lu Ziqing was truly bothered...
Wen Nian was so composed, seemingly not worried at all that Lu Ziqing would do something to Lili, seemingly convinced that he had complete emotional control over his feelings for Lili...
Wen Nian came composedly and left just as composedly.
The things he said were direct, yet seemed to carry deeper meanings.
He didn’t wish for Lili to pass the selection, didn’t wish for...
Lu Ziqing took a deep breath, his eyes firming with resolve.
The new recruits who had completed their mission slept in the tent for a night, and the sun had already risen, but Lu Ziqing had yet to come talk to them.
This left the new recruits involuntarily feeling restless.
Lili didn’t sleep well. The drill instructor blew the assembly whistle outside, and everyone quickly got up and assembled.
"Pack your bags and prepare to descend the mountain!"
At the command, everyone hurried into action.
"Xiao Hua, where did you go last night? I woke up twice and didn’t see you."
"Nothing, just went out to get some fresh air. I came back quickly."
Lili noticed her sullen look and asked.
Lili raised her eyebrows, unable to understand what was troubling Lin Xinglan, "What happened?"
"Xiao Hua, when I woke up this morning, everyone was saying that only the top twenty would really pass the selection. We... we were exactly twenty-first and twenty-second... Just thinking about it makes me feel awful."
"Do your best, and leave the rest to fate, I suppose... I think... the process was still meaningful, right?"
Lili took a deep breath; if that was really the case, that was the only way she could console Lin Xinglan, but no matter what, she found no consolation for herself.
"But if that’s true, then I really feel like I’ve held you back..."