Chen Lin leaned casually against the Bentley's door, his hands in his trouser pockets.
His calm gaze settled on the two approaching soldiers, and an amused smile curled his lips.
Qin Churan stopped breathing altogether.
Bracing herself against the scorching car door, she stared blankly at the surreal scene before her.
That was a major general!
The chief of staff of the Provincial Military District!
Yet now, he walked toward Chen Lin like a programmed robot, his eyes vacant and his expression wooden.
His bearing even held a trace of... respect ingrained in his very bones?
"Go guard the junction."
Chen Lin's voice was soft, yet it seemed to carry an irresistible magic, writing itself straight into the depths of the other man's soul.
"If any vehicle or person approaches, alert me immediately."
The young guard's body stiffened for an instant.
Then he executed a mechanically precise turn and jogged briskly toward the distant mountain-road junction with steady strides, taking up a sentry position.
There was not a trace of hesitation or resistance throughout the process. Its seamlessness sent chills down the spine.
Qin Churan felt her understanding of the world shattering inch by inch. Her throat was so dry it felt as though it had been scraped with sandpaper.
Chen Lin ignored Captain Qin, who had turned to stone behind him, and focused on the major general, a tall, straight-backed man with resolute features and now-vacant eyes.
"Name, rank, position."
His voice was as calm as if he were asking about the weather.
The major general's lips moved slightly as he answered in a flat, emotionless tone, "Li Yunlei. Major general in the army. Chief of staff of the Provincial Military District."
Chief of staff!
Though she had already suspected it, Qin Churan still found it hard to believe