Lu Yan's massive physique enveloped Lu Mingming from behind. His arms, brimming with explosive power, gently encircled her, his gentlemanly demeanor ensuring no other part of her body was touched.
His broad palm rested on the back of Lu Mingming's hand, the well-defined knuckles pressing lightly on the trigger. The veins in his hand traced the muscles of his forearm, disappearing into his crisp white shirt.
It was as if a wild, desire-filled heart was hidden beneath his refined exterior.
Towering over her by more than half a head, Lu Yan perfectly concealed Lu Mingming's body within his embrace. The faint scent of cedarwood wafted to her nose, and his warm breath on her cheek made her own flush.
She felt a slight, involuntary resistance, which Lu Yan immediately noticed.
"...Like this. Do you understand?"
By the time she regained her senses, Lu Yan had finished explaining.
"...I'm sorry, I didn't quite understand. Could you please explain it again?"
Lu Mingming blinked earnestly, pleading with him.
Lu Yan fell silent for a moment.
*It's over,* she thought. *He's definitely going to refuse, since I wasn't paying attention.*
However, to her surprise, he said, "Alright, I'll explain it one more time."
With a sigh, complying with Lu Mingming's request, Lu Yan lowered his voice and began again from the start.
This time, Lu Mingming rallied her spirits, resolving to listen carefully to every word Lu Yan spoke.
"Here, you need to control your center of gravity..."
At that moment, she fixed her gaze firmly on the target ahead and launched her second attack.
"Bang—"
Another shot rang out, and the target promptly fell. A mechanical voice announced, as it had before, "Beep—Training Range 24 has hit an 8.7."
Progress!
Lu Mingming's eyes lit up with delight. She instinctively turned her smiling face towards her instructor, Lu Yan, her eyes crinkling. There was a hint of pride and a desire for praise in her expression, as if to say, *Well? Did I do a good job?*
Lu Yan was momentarily speechless. Lu Mingming's open, natural smile was like a radiant little sun, emitting warmth in all directions.
He unconsciously let a smile grace his own lips.
Less than a second later, Lu Yan quickly composed himself, returning to his usual demeanor.
"That's good progress. I hope you can do even better. Let's try again."
Encouraged once more, Lu Mingming's confidence surged. In front of Lu Yan, she gradually let down her guard and reservations, fully immersing herself in the practical training.
As it turned out, this round of practical training was quite effective.
Compared to the elderly instructor, whose knowledge was far removed from contemporary technology, Lu Yan's teaching methods were much more suitable for Lu Mingming.
By the end of the day, Lu Mingming had hit the bullseye no less than five times, with countless nines and eights, giving her a small sense of accomplishment.
Dragging her tired body back to her room to shower and sleep, Lu Mingming began to look forward to the next day.
Tomorrow would not only be Lu Mingming's last day in Starfall City but also the day she would join the first echelon to attend a meeting with the Alliance Research Institute, becoming a true spy.
Lu Mingming tried her best to relax her tense emotions.
*I will definitely come back alive and give Hong Yu a good life.*
Upon waking, Lu Mingming went to Lu Yan's office as usual.
Strangely, the door was locked. Lu Mingming knocked three times, but there was no response.
Faint voices could be heard from inside the room; someone was definitely there.
*Perhaps they are discussing something important,* she thought.
With that, Lu Mingming waited obediently by the side, waiting for Lu Yan to finish his official duties.
In the quiet corridor, Lu Mingming occasionally heard Lu Yan's deep voice. The other person sounded much younger, with a distinctive timbre that was impossible to forget.
*Is the young man's voice that of a visitor?*
Lu Mingming wondered.
With such a unique tone, it was impossible to hear it and have no impression whatsoever.
"In short, I will send her over tomorrow. You don't need to worry."
Lu Yan said.
"I hope you can do that and not let our plan go to waste. You shouldn't develop feelings for a pawn."
The young man's gentle, approachable voice conveyed undisguised targeting and threat. The stark contrast made Lu Mingming even more curious about who he was.
With a "click," the lock disengaged.
Lu Yan was the first to emerge from the room.
"Are you eavesdropping here?"
Lu Yan frowned. The immense anger he felt was suppressed by half upon seeing Lu Mingming, but the gloom and displeasure on his brow were enough to scare anyone away.
"Without my notification today, didn't you know to find someone else for training?"
After speaking, his eyes filled with regret. His lips parted, and he uttered an apology.
"I... I apologize. I lost my composure. Come find me in a moment."
Seeing Lu Yan lose his temper so severely for the first time, Lu Mingming felt flustered and a little wronged.
Having been unfairly reprimanded, Lu Mingming didn't respond. Without thinking, she turned to leave.
The next instant, the young man's voice suddenly rang out.
"Hey? Is this the little... spy you secretly found? Lu Mingming, right?"
Hearing her name, Lu Mingming turned around, feeling distinctly annoyed. She greeted him politely, adhering to the etiquette she had learned.
"Hello, I am Lu Mingming."
With her speaking, the young man squeezed himself freely through the door crack and Lu Yan's back. His radiant smile was adorned with two small dimples.
He was dressed casually, looking clean and handsome. Compared to Lu Yan, he was much younger, like a campus heartthrob from a sports academy who was visiting the interstellar team.
The young man had been observing her secretly for an unknown amount of time and discussing unknown matters with Lu Yan. He immediately stated Lu Mingming's basic information.
"Hello there~ I just turned eighteen this year, so I should be younger than you. Shall I call you Sister? I'm Yi Fu."
After speaking, Yi Fu familiarly extended his hand, shaking Lu Mingming's up and down.
"Since we've met, we're friends now!"
Lu Mingming was unaccustomed to such overly familiar actions and reactions. She forced a friendly smile and nodded.
Lu Yan looked at their clasped hands, then shifted his gaze to Yi Fu's face. He reached out and pulled Yi Fu's hand away, then disdainfully wiped his palm with a wet wipe.
"I recall you have a meet-and-greet this afternoon. If you're carrying the scent of another woman, aren't you afraid your fans will devour you?"
Her identity was completely different from the student she had imagined. Lu Mingming couldn't help but ask Yi Fu, "Are you a big celebrity?"
"Not a big celebrity—"
Yi Fu scratched his head.
"It's just a hobby. I seem to have suddenly become popular on the Star Net, quite well-received."
Lu Yan, feeling inexplicably ignored, interrupted Yi Fu without hesitation.
"Don't listen to his nonsense. Search the Star Net, and you'll learn more about this kid."
Lu Yan flipped his wrist, summoning a small optical computer and handing it to Lu Mingming.
"My original task today was to teach you basic optical computer operations, but I have something to attend to. Take a look at the optical computer, and if you have questions, come find me. We'll talk later."
Without her boss's supervision, Lu Mingming was happy to be free. Moreover, Lu Yan's previous words still bothered her, so she decisively strode away.
"Goodbye, Sister Lu~"
Yi Fu waved his hands reluctantly, like a puppy waiting faithfully at the door for its owner's return.
"Can you not act like that?"
Lu Yan said unceremoniously.
"Don't you find it interesting?"
Yi Fu's expression, initially one of simple excitement when facing Lu Mingming, gradually shifted to that of a calm lake.
"I'm very curious, what is it about this girl that has captured your attention? To the point where you would disregard Oranar's orders."
Yi Fu put his hands in his pockets and walked towards the elevator.
"Mind your own business. Don't make me deal with that young lady; you know I can. Don't forget, everything we're doing is for the Alliance's revival."
As everyone left, Lu Yan rubbed his temples, his heart in turmoil.
Returning to her room, Lu Mingming changed into comfortable clothes and snuggled up next to the little cub.
Hong Yu looked at her with mild confusion: *Weren't you going for training?*
Then, little by little, the cub crawled to Lu Mingming's side, and the two nestled closely together, supporting each other.
Holding the soft, fluffy cub in her arms, Lu Mingming slowly put on the optical chip on her wrist.
Actually, the old woman had taught her the basic operations, so she wouldn't be completely lost.
She quickly logged into her account. Lu Mingming hesitated for a moment, then tapped a name into the Star Net search bar.