Lisa felt that this scene in front of her looked like those from dramas.
As she thought, she lowered her voice and steadied it. “I’m here to collect something under Huo Jimin’s name.”
In an instant, the old man looked towards Lisa.
And his gaze clouded over with something ominous in an instance.
He sized Lisa up. His gaze made her feel as if an insect was crawling all over her body.
This chill in the surrounding air irritated her skin, causing goosebumps to appear.
The way this man looked at her made her feel pressured and incredibly uncomfortable.
But it was a relief that the pressure wasn’t as bad as Jungkook’s.
He only took around ten seconds to size Lisa up, before he chuckled in a cold and dark tone. “Huo Jimin…”
With just those three words, it sounded so ominous on that chilly winter night that it scared people.
Lisa forced herself to calm down. Even if it was in the past, she had never met a person as strange as him…
But he quickly turned around to retrieve a no bigger than the size of Lisa’s palm ordinary looking box from the corner of the shop.
He took it and passed it to Lisa.
When Lisa received it, she saw the man’s eyes who seemed to be testing her.
She calmed herself and steadily took the box over.
And without a single word, she left.
After Lisa had entered the car, she passed the box to Jungkook. Only after she took her seat did she realize that the perspiration covering her back had already seeped through her clothes.
Jungkook drove the car away immediately.
After sweeping a glance over the box, he casually placed it under his car seat.
Lisa didn’t probe. It was only when Jungkook sent her home did she hear him say a single word. “Thanks.”
It terrified Lisa upon hearing that. She turned and shook her head. “Chief Instructor, you don’t have to be so polite.”
“Okay.”
Jungkook looked at her meaningfully. “It will really be tough on you in the future.”
“…”
Before Lisa could fully comprehend that statement, he drove away.
It seemed like the Chief Instructor still remembered what Jimin said in the car earlier on.
Was he referring to her becoming his maidservant?
Shrugging her shoulder, Lisa went up from the back entrance.
Lisa still couldn’t wrap her head around with what happened. Why was she suddenly helping the Chief Instructor to do something top secret?
Lisa could feel that when she went to collect the said item, the boss in that shop…
His eyes were bloodthirsty, and he exuded an aura that caused one’s heart to palpitate rapidly, as if the coppery scent of blood was choking her…
It felt so menacing that even until then Lisa still felt tense.
But with the Chief Instructor by her side, that feeling seemed to have diminished a little.
She felt that even if it was dangerous, the Chief Instructor wouldn’t ask her to do such things.
But all of a sudden, it seemed like she obtained some incredible information.
Lisa was still thinking about it after opening the door, so when Seokjin opened his room’s door, she jumped in shock.
“Older brother, you’re back so quickly?”
He was walking out from his room, already clad in his pajamas so he probably have showered. It can be easily seen that he had been back for quite some time.
Lisa probably went for around half an hour.
When Seokjin saw Lisa come back home safely, his frown relaxed. “You’re back? Rest earlier, then. Mom and the rest are already asleep.”
After that, Seokjin walked towards the toilet before he stopped, as if recalling something. “Oh yea, Xiaoxi’s sleeping on your bed.”
Lisa nodded.
There was only one guest room in her house which her Great Aunt and husband had already occupied. Their children, on the other hand, naturally shared rooms with the rest.
Seokjin looked like he wanted to ask something, but he paused. Without saying anything, he left.
Lisa did not stop him either and instead tiptoed back to her own room.
Gu Xiaoxi was already sleeping soundly on her bed.
She wasn’t the kind who tossed and turned a lot in her sleep.
She slept steadily at the side of the bed, and she was using her two tiny arms as her pillow. The little gilr looked orderly even when sleeping.
Lisa washed up and changed into her pajamas before climbing into bed. After tucking both herself and Xiaoxi in, she gradually fell asleep.
…
Early morning. Gu Xiaoxi woke Lisa up.
Qi Yuefeng had already prepared breakfast. Great Aunt and the rest had already washed up and were seated at the dining table.
Mark was seated as well.
It confused Lisa.
After she had left earlier yesterday, Mark and Rosé were still fooling around.
When she reached home, Mark had yet to return, but he woke up earlier than she did.
She sat down and gulped down a cup of warm milk.
At the dining table, Great Aunt spoke up in a stern voice, “Did you guys go to play at the KTV yesterday?”
Mark nodded. “Yes, we did. Mom, didn’t you already know?”
“Of course, I do! But Lisa’s a soldier. For a soldier to be at such a place, it wouldn’t be good if people found out about it. In the future, you’re not allowed to bring her there.”
Mark eyed Lisa before he smiled. “Okay, I get it. Last night was just a gathering, so I brought her along. What could happen?”
Lisa thought in mirth. Her Chief Instructor had already caught her last night.
Would she still be afraid of these?
Father Gu was a typical family man. Upon finishing his breakfast, he read the newspaper at the table before he casually added, “What’s your plan for today?”
Seokjin was eating his bread as he replied, “What other plans do I have? I will bring Lisa and the rest to play since she wouldn’t get to do that when she returns to the camp in a few days’ time. It will be two years more before we can see her, so you guys should prepare, too.”
Cough! Gu Hong eyed Seokjin. “What is there to prepare? Isn’t it very normal to join the army? You’re not good with your words.”
Seokjin rolled his eyes.
The conversation between the two caused Lisa’s lips to curl up into a smile. At the same time, her phone vibrated. Lowering her head, she saw that it was a phone call from Commander Huo.
For him to call this early in the morning, it befuddled her.
She moved to the side to pick up the phone as she greeted, “Commander Huo, are you sober?”
He seemed to contemplate something before he spoke after a while. “Lisa, my alcohol tolerance has always been bad, but I drank too much yesterday. I probably said nothing I shouldn’t, right?”
When he woke up this morning to see Jungkook’s rare cold and mocking expression, Jimin could feel the chills run down his back.
He knew that he was drunk yesterday, but he didn’t know what had happened then.
He wanted to ask, but Jungkook threw a statement saying that Lisa was present at that time. Wasn’t that a hint for him to call her just to ask what exactly happened last night?
Lisa sympathized with him. After a deep breath, she said, “Commander Huo, I support your actions against tyranny, but I think you revealed your plan too early. My condolences!”
Jimin was speechless.
“The heavens want me to perish!!”
Before she cut off the phone, Jimin’s bitter cry was all she heard.
The tremble at the end of his statement seemed to signify the start of Jimin’s sorrowful end.
Lisa chuckled at his misfortune.
…
The Dayi City after New Year was still pretty bustling.
In the following few days, Seokjin brought Lisa around as they played around the city.
Because it was possible that she wouldn’t be able to leave camp for the next two years, Lisa cherished this time which they had dearly.
Without her realizing, Lisa almost forgot about the shadows that the Yu Family cast.
A week later, Lisa was to return to the camp.
It was already dawn. With her luggage, she left the house with Seokjin.
“You have to take good care of yourself there. If there’s anything troublesome, call Mom and she will visit you at the camp.”
Qi Yuefeng looked at Lisa with watery eyes.
Her reluctance to let her go was evident in her eyes.
After all, their farewell could mean that Lisa wouldn’t be back for two years.
Other than the three months she spent in the new recruits’ camp, Lisa had never been away from home for such a long time.
Qi Yuefeng’s state made Lisa sad as well. She held back the longing she felt in her heart as her eyes wavered slightly. “Mom, it’s okay. It’s just for two years. I will call you every week. If anything happens at home, you have to let me know as well.”
“I know, I know.”
Qi Yuefeng held back her tears as she nodded with difficulty.
“I think you should let Lisa go to the bus terminal as early as possible. If you really miss her, you can just visit her there every month.”
Gu Hong walked out with his hands behind him. Although his words were straightforward, Lisa could tell from his eyes that he couldn’t bear for her to leave as well.
But as a father, he wouldn’t show his emotions as openly as Qi Yuefeng.
“I understand.”
Qi Yuefeng wiped her tears. Afraid that she would delay Lisa further, she looked at Seokjin and instructed, “Send your younger sister to the bus terminal. When she’s there, give us a call.”
Seokjin nodded. “Mom, I know. Rest assured. Okay, I’ll bring her there then.”
In order to not make it harder for her to leave, Lisa turned away resolutely.
Two years might not seem too long, but it seemed extremely distant.
Seokjin drove Father Gu’s car to send Lisa to the bus terminal.
It wasn’t convenient for him to talk when Qi Yuefeng was present, but now that there were only the two of them, Seokjin spoke up.
“I really have no idea what you’re being so stubborn about that you have to enter the army. In those two years, who knows how many things can happen.”
Lisa pursed her lips and then bit on her lower lip. She said no words of response.
It was a relief when Seokjin did not continue. He probably said his piece in the past already.
They soon arrived at the bus terminal and Seokjin helped Lisa with the luggage.
People were coming and going, and the bus terminal was bustling with activity and farewells.
Perhaps realizing that he wouldn’t be able to see Lisa for two years, Seokjin finally softened. He couldn’t bear it as well. “Since you’ve made up your mind, you should train hard inside the camp. It’s just two years. During summer break, if my girlfriend comes back with me, I will bring her to see you.”
Lisa nodded.
Under this situation, it seemed as if a million words wouldn’t suffice what she wanted to express and it simply became a single sentence of—
“Goodbye, brother. I’ll have to trouble you to take care of our parents for these two years.”
“I know, you don’t have to worry about these.”
Seokjin answered as he urged Lisa to go into the bus terminal.
Lisa lugged her luggage along silently before she turned around and went through the checks.
The army’s designated waiting area was unlike the others where regular citizens could enter easily. Without a special permit, they could not easily enter.
Hence why Seokjin could only send Lisa off outside the bus terminal and watch as her silhouette disappeared in front of him.
Lisa held her emotions back.
It wasn’t like three months ago. Before, Lisa knew that she could come back at least once, but this trip meant she wouldn’t be able to see home for the next two years,
If she entered the advanced training camp, it might take even longer.
She didn’t want to cry, but she felt it was wrong if she couldn’t hold back.
She could have enjoyed a safe and peaceful life. She had better choices.
But reality was always cruel.
Because of the Yu family!
Thinking about the Yu family, Lisa’s feeling of grievance changed entirely into a feeling of disdain and hatred.
It was not long before the Yu family would come.
It took around three hours to get from Dayi City to the camp. When Lisa arrived, it was barely noon.
It was her first day of return so she didn’t need to train yet.
When Lisa arrived at the dormitory, she unpacked her luggage and cleaned the room.
Because Rosé wasn’t here this time, Lisa felt like she was a new recruit all over again.
A strange sort of loneliness filled her.
She prepared everything and changed into her uniform before going to the canteen for food.
Besides the regulars, there weren’t many recruits.
The bulk of the people would arrive in the afternoon.
And for most regulars, it was already well past their usual dining time, so the canteen was pretty much empty other than a few others around.
Lisa finished her meal quickly and quietly. When she was leaving, she received a call from Jimin.
“Commander Huo?”
After that drunk incident the other time, Jimin and Jungkook did not contact Lisa.
So until then, Lisa had no idea if Jimin were subjected to Jungkook’s torture or not.
“Lisa, are you back at the camp?”
Oh, so this was what he wanted to ask.
Lisa said, “Yes, I’m back. What’s the matter, Commander Huo?”
“Just nice. I have an express delivery sent to the mailroom. Help me collect it.”
Lisa was speechless.
It felt like she was becoming their lackey.
But since it was an order from a superior, Lisa did not dare to object. She helplessly answered, “I understand. I will go right now. Should I send it to the Chief Instructor’s office? I don’t know where your office is.”
“Sure, sure. You can leave it in his office. Just don’t let him see you when you put it there.”
Jimin instructed.
“Okay, Commander Huo, I will take note.”
She had nothing on, so it wasn’t too bad to help a little.
From where she was at, it would take her around ten minutes to reach the mail room.
The items ordered by people inside the camp would be delivered to the mailroom first. And when the receivers are free after their training, they can come and collect their packages.
She arrived at the mailroom. She assumed that Jimin came by to inform them since the personnel at the mail room only made Lisa write her name and squad before she collected the item.
Jimin’s item was square but was rather bulky. She even had to hug it to carry it.
And carrying it in that manner almost blocked her entire view.
She couldn’t properly see what was in front of her.
The thing wasn’t too heavy, but Lisa couldn’t guess what was inside.
Deliveries nowadays all made use of QR codes, so other than the names, one wouldn’t be able to tell its contents.
She carried the box all the way to the Chief Instructor’s office. When she arrived there, it was silent, and no one was around.
She looked around her and made sure that she was alone.
Lisa remembered Jimin’s orders, so she didn’t let anyone know. She quietly walked inside the office and placed the parcel down before leaving straightaway.
But when she reached the door, a sudden breeze of frosty air assaulted her.
Jungkook’s silhouette appeared from the corner outside the office, scaring the wits out of Lisa.
His posture was perfectly straight while his exquisitely sculpted face revealed a hint of surprise.
“Chief… Chief Instructor, good afternoon!”
For her to be caught red-handed entering his office without asking for his permission made her feel a little guilty.
Jungkook gazed at her, as if not realizing the parcel inside the office yet.
“What are you doing here?”
His tone was unspeakably cold.
He frowned slightly, and his expression turned stern.
It was as if he was displeased at Lisa for entering his office without his permission.
Lisa could sense that, and her heart shuddered. She apologized, “I’m sorry, Chief Instructor. I…”
She was still in the middle of wondering whether she should keep it a secret when Jungkook shifted his body and turned his line of sight to the parcel on his table.
He walked past Lisa and strode into his office. When he saw the parcel, his voice became colder. “I don’t like that you’re making your own decisions to give me something.”
Lisa stood unmoving at her original spot, feeling frightened. She tried to explain, “That… It’s Commander Huo’s…”
Jungkook abruptly turned around as his gaze locked on Lisa’s form. The frown between his brows deepened. “This is your gift for him?”
Lisa immediately shook her head and sold Jimin out without hesitation. “Commander Huo instructed me to collect his parcel and to leave it in your office without you catching me in the act. I… I…”
‘I didn’t expect you’d catch me.’
Jungkook seemed to laugh out of anger.
His mouth twitched into a sneer, and the surrounding temperature made a drastic drop!
The weather was already cold enough to make her shiver, and this just added on to that.
“Call Huo Jimin and ask him to get his ass down now.”
With that statement, Lisa immediately called Jimin.
Seeing that Jungkook was already sitting at his desk and clearing his documents, she inched to the door slowly.
When Jimin answered the call, his voice was still boisterous. “Have you collected the parcel?”
“I’ve collected it!” Lisa then continued softly, “Commander Huo, I think we’re fated to be unlucky. I’ve just placed the parcel down when the Chief Instructor caught me…”
“…”
Jimin remained silent for a few seconds before he sighed. “And so you sold me out?”
Lisa felt ashamed. “I was just scared that the Chief Instructor would scold me…”
Jungkook appeared too suddenly. If it was any other person, their hearts would probably jump out of their throats.
He was so menacing. In order to protect herself, Lisa had no choice but to sell Jimin out!
Furthermore, if he collected the parcel on his own, this wouldn’t have happened!
“Aish, when you gave me away, didn’t your conscience hurt?”
Lisa replied, “Nope, it didn’t!”
Jimin was speechless.