"You..."
Wu Gang uttered a word.
Before he could say anything further, Shangguan Yu'an beside him immediately saluted Chen Jinzhao, interrupting Wu Gang. Wu Gang realized something, suppressed the shock in his heart, and immediately saluted Chen Jinzhao!
"Sir!"
They both shouted in unison.
Chen Jinzhao returned a standard military salute to them!
After the salute.
Shangguan Yu'an stared intently at Chen Jinzhao, afraid that he would disappear from her sight again.
For the past three years, she had been trying to find news of Chen Jinzhao, but had never received accurate clues. She thought she would never see Chen Jinzhao again in this lifetime, but now her wish was finally granted!
She suppressed her excitement and stood as straight as ever.
Chen Jinzhao was also slightly stunned when he saw Shangguan Yu'an.
If he remembered correctly, this woman was two years older than him and was already 28 this year?
Back then in Beijiang, Shangguan Yu'an had expressed her admiration for Chen Jinzhao. However, at that time, Chen Jinzhao was solely focused and did not accept Shangguan Yu'an's pursuit, making their relationship subtle.
In short.
Shangguan Yu'an was a very strong woman.
Xu Hanchen likely had deeper considerations for making Shangguan Yu'an his deputy.
"It's just hard on me," Chen Jinzhao sighed inwardly.
Chen Jinzhao smiled and said to them, "There's no need to be so formal, come in and have a drink of water first."
Shangguan Yu'an did not refuse, but Wu Gang hesitated, not moving from his spot and appearing extremely reserved in front of Chen Jinzhao. Chen Jinzhao walked up to Wu Gang, patted the young man's shoulder, and said, "I didn't tell you my identity earlier because I didn't want Cen Binbin and the others to know. After all, my identity is rather special. If I've caused you any displeasure, please forgive me."
"Instructor Chen... you jest," Wu Gang came to his senses.
"I never dreamed that you would be my idol. I almost listened to Cen Binbin's instigation back then! Alas, thinking about it now, I was truly a terrible person!"
Wu Gang regretted it immensely, yet felt secretly fortunate.
Fortunately, he hadn't completely offended Chen Jinzhao back then, otherwise, how would he have qualified to join the Candle Dragon Special Forces?
All his previous doubts about Chen Jinzhao were now resolved.
"Come in and have a drink of water," Chen Jinzhao said.
He then turned to see that Shangguan Yu'an had already toured the place and was standing by the balcony, not moving. Chen Jinzhao told Wu Gang to drink water by himself and walked over to Shangguan Yu'an.
They stood side by side on the balcony.
Shangguan Yu'an broke the silence, her voice filled with complex emotion, "You've been living in a place like this for the past three years?"
"It's a place to settle my life, there's nothing wrong with it," Chen Jinzhao said calmly.
Shangguan Yu'an nodded, "Indeed. Mountains don't need to be high to be renowned if spirits reside within; waters don't need to be deep to be revered if dragons dwell there. This humble abode is also illuminated by your presence."
Chen Jinzhao smiled but did not respond to her statement.
Shangguan Yu'an was very proactive, the kind of woman who would not let go once she set her mind on something. She turned to look at Chen Jinzhao, "You've changed. You're more composed and less sharp than three years ago! I've waited three years for you, and it's fortunate that you've finally returned. The Candle Dragon Special Forces, dormant for three years, are returning to their peak. My blood is already boiling."
"Haha, let's not talk about this yet. We haven't even reached the military headquarters, let's chat about something pleasant." Chen Jinzhao laughed.
"Pleasant?" Shangguan Yu'an tilted her head.
"Over the past three years, countless talented individuals have sought to marry me from the Shangguan family. I refused them all, because I knew I was waiting for you."
Chen Jinzhao's smile turned stiff. He knew he shouldn't have brought this up!
He said in a relaxed tone, "You don't have to wait for me. I already have someone in my heart. I joined the army because of her back then, and now I'm entangled with her again due to certain matters. Perhaps this is the entanglement of fate. You are an excellent woman, and you will surely find a man more outstanding than me."
Shangguan Yu'an's expression was extremely calm.
Over the past three years, she had prepared herself in her heart for all sorts of scenarios, yet she still couldn't let go of Chen Jinzhao.
"It's alright."
"Even if you get married and have children, I will still follow you. I don't seek status, I don't seek your affection, nor do I seek your understanding. I just want to silently follow behind you."
Chen Jinzhao saw that Shangguan Yu'an's calm eyes were filled with a different kind of fervor!
This put him under great pressure!
"Is it worth it to do this?" he retorted.
Shangguan Yu'an nodded without hesitation. In fact, she understood that she might have love for Chen Jinzhao, but more likely, she wanted to become someone like Chen Jinzhao. When she realized she couldn't become like Chen Jinzhao, she settled for the next best thing: wanting to be Chen Jinzhao's right-hand person.
"I don't know if it's worth it, as long as it doesn't make me regret it. For you, I can do anything!" Shangguan Yu'an had already determined that Chen Jinzhao was the lighthouse of her life.
The fiery passion of Shangguan Yu'an made Chen Jinzhao feel overwhelmed.
He wanted to change the subject, or perhaps find an excuse to transfer Shangguan Yu'an away. Shangguan Yu'an seemed to see through his thoughts and said with a half-smile, "If you want to achieve the goal you've set in your heart, my help is indispensable. This is the primary reason Elder Xu asked me to be your deputy, and my family behind me can bring you great assistance."
Chen Jinzhao looked at Shangguan Yu'an deeply.
This woman was quite capable in every aspect, except for her stubbornness.
"Let's not talk about these things, let's head to the Jiangnan Military Headquarters first," Chen Jinzhao still shifted the topic.
Shangguan Yu'an smiled and followed behind Chen Jinzhao.
If anyone who knew Shangguan Yu'an were present, they would be utterly shocked. Shangguan Yu'an rarely showed any other expression on her face, yet now she was smiling so happily in front of Chen Jinzhao.
Wu Gang, seeing them from afar, couldn't help but feel suspicious.
Their relationship was definitely unusual!
However, this was merely Wu Gang's conjecture. In front of them, he could only act like a wooden post, oblivious to the outside world.
As the three walked through the residential complex, they attracted many gazes.
Among them were many people Chen Jinzhao knew. Those who saw Chen Jinzhao in uniform couldn't help but exclaim in wonder.
"I knew it, Little Chen couldn't be an ordinary person."
"Of course not. The first time I saw Little Chen, I felt this child would be successful! Now it seems he's definitely a big shot!"
"But we can't disturb them, it should be the same as before!"
"..."
Chen Jinzhao breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing the conversations of these elders. It seemed he wouldn't have to move, and staying in this old neighborhood was quite good.
The three got into the car, with Wu Gang driving them to the Jiangnan Military Headquarters over a hundred kilometers away.
The Jiangnan Military Headquarters was located in the deep mountains and old forests at the border between Jiangning City and Ninghai City. The jeep drove through winding asphalt roads and, after passing through many checkpoints, finally reached its destination.