Tough Bones and Poisonous Bones

Lai'en watched her with scrutiny and appraisal, as though analyzing a soldier's performance on a skills assessment.

Song Zhi opened her mouth, but her throat felt dry and scratchy. She had thought up a whole list of things to say, but now her mind was blank. All she managed was a dry, "I..."

"Not the academic theories Kelante taught you. Every base has professional psychologists to counsel the soldiers, yet the higher-ups still allow every special operations squad to have a guide of its own.

"Most of them are women, though there are men too. In the apocalypse, there's no conflict between the sexes, only a distinction between the strong and the weak. They're needed, more like tools."

Lai'en bent down, bringing his face close to Song Zhi's. His fingertips gently stroked her chin, and his gaze darkened slightly.

"Some of them die on the battlefield. Others are reassigned after every member of their squad dies. Which do you hope to be?"

Song Zhi lowered her eyes and shifted her neck slightly. Of course, she wanted neither, but she had to say something.

"I wouldn't choose to be reassigned. I'd die on the battlefield with you... Kelante said the members of Group A would always stay together, until the end of their lives."

Lai'en narrowed his eyes slightly, seemingly surprised by Song Zhi's answer, or perhaps judging whether she meant it. He withdrew his hand and straightened up, folding his arms across his chest, his gaze still fixed on her face.

"Loyalty is a good thing, but blind loyalty will only turn you into cannon fodder. When that day comes, I'd rather you survive-survive on your own." His voice was low and calm, carrying an unquestionable air of authority.

Song Zhi raised her head, trying to look more resolute, but unease surged through her like a rising tide. She knew Lai'en wasn't exaggerating to frighten her. It was the truth—a cold, inescapable truth.

She took a deep breath, trying to steady her emotions, and stubbornly said again, "I won't betray my comrades, and I'm not a tool..."

The air seemed to freeze for a moment. Lai'en didn't answer immediately. He stayed silent for a few seconds, his gaze resting on her like a hawk's, as if he meant to see through to her soul, or perhaps he was weighing his words. He turned his back on Song Zhi and said,

"Of course you're not. And I hope you remember what you said today."

Song Zhi was shaken by Lai'en's nearly indifferent attitude. She lowered her head, her fingers unconsciously rubbing the rim of her water bottle, a jumble of feelings in her heart.

In her years of experience reading Yang Shizi novels, those words should have struck the softest corner of a man's heart. Even Iron Man would have shed a couple of tears before leaving.

She had thought that saying she would choose to die with them would stir Lai'en's compassion. Unfortunately, his reaction was not what she had expected. This man's heart was colder than most.

Lai'en was different from the others. He was the core of Group A, calmer and even more indifferent than the rest. He cared only about Group A's missions and the assessment data on its members, and could even freely execute anyone or anything detrimental to harmony within Group A.

He could use the authority of his position to keep Song Zhi around, and he could also send her to her death with a full-power shot.

Of the five of them, Lai'en was a tough bone, and Hill was a poisonous bone. What a headache.

The mood at the shooting range was somewhat subdued and dreary. Song Zhi put aside her little schemes and remained relatively quiet and obedient. Only when Lai'en stopped looking at her so scrutinizingly did she breathe a sigh of relief.

The afternoon training grew more intense, but Song Zhi didn't dare complain. She worked hard to carry out every instructed movement until her muscles had memorized them. She no longer had to think through the instructions, responding and executing them on instinct instead.

It rained on the way back. The car was quiet. Lai'en focused on driving while Song Zhi sat in the passenger seat, leaning against the window and watching the scenery outside.

"Keep studying with Hill tonight."

Neither of them spoke on the way. Only after they reached the apartment and Lai'en had parked did he give the instruction. It wasn't a suggestion, but an unquestionable order.

"Roger!" Song Zhi replied softly before getting out of the car.

After showering and eating dinner, Song Zhi took the initiative to knock on Hill's door. Lai'en was sitting on the sofa in the lounge, his head lowered as he wiped the kukri in his hand, yet he kept track of Song Zhi's every move.

Just sitting there without saying a word, the man could make Song Zhi feel an overwhelming pressure, and she had no choice but to obey.

"Come in," Hill's voice sounded from inside.

Song Zhi exhaled, opened the door, and went in.

The lights in the room were still off. Only Hill's computer screen was on, casting a faint blue glow. He sat in his chair with his arms folded, looking at Song Zhi mockingly. "Lock the door," he said coldly.

Song Zhi closed the door and pressed the lock. She walked over and said, "We can start."

Hill gave a few quiet chuckles as he looked at the expressionless Song Zhi. "What's the rush? Sit down first."

Sit? Where?

There was only one chair in the room, and it was under Hill's backside. Where was she supposed to sit?

Hill pointed to his bed.

Ha ha...

Song Zhi laughed in exasperation. She pressed her lips together and sat on the edge of the bed. Another obedience test!

Hill tossed her a tactical tablet. "Look through it yourself first. I still have some things to take care of." Then he turned around and put on his headphones to work at his computer.

Song Zhi turned on the tablet and found names and ingredients of various medicines on it. It was probably a detailed list of the medicines Group A commonly used. Sitting on the edge of the bed with her head bowed, she began putting together a medication list.

The room was quiet except for the tapping of fingers on a keyboard. Hill was staring intently at the computer screen when he caught sight of Song Zhi out of the corner of his eye. She had fallen asleep on the bed, still clutching the tablet to her chest.

He took off his headphones, got up, and walked over to the bed. He gently patted Song Zhi's shoulder, but she, having fallen asleep at some unknown point, didn't react at all. He pulled the tablet from her arms, then turned back to continue working.

Song Zhi slept heavily. She was too tired; the high-intensity training was more than she could bear. She even dreamed of running through the rainforest in full gear, desperately trying to catch up with the group ahead, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't run. Then she would jolt awake in the middle of the night.

Just like now. Her eyes flew open, and she gasped for breath. As she woke from the dream, she tried to turn over, but couldn't. A thick, powerful arm lay across her waist.

Her memories quickly came back, and she remembered that she had been in Hill's room organizing the medication list. Then she had actually fallen asleep in his room, as if she had a death wish!

It was Hill!

Song Zhi didn't dare make a sudden move. Her body went a little stiff.

Hill's breath brushed her neck. Perhaps he sensed her stiffness, because the rhythm of his breathing changed slightly, and he unconsciously tightened the arm across her waist.

"..."

Song Zhi let out a soft gasp.

He was awake.

Song Zhi turned over with the pull of Hill's arm. In the darkness, she met his cold, heavy gaze, openly scrutinizing her and carrying a clear intent.

"Awake?" His voice was low and still hoarse from sleep.

Song Zhi nodded.

"I told you not to sleep on my turf. Did you forget again?" Lying on his side with one hand propping up his head, he took in every one of Song Zhi's reactions. Then he snorted coldly. "Or are you testing me again?"

"I... didn't mean to. I'll leave right now..."

Song Zhi panicked, her eyes darting about. She tried to get up from his bed, but a strong arm barred her waist. She had only just sat up when he forcibly pulled her back down. Her nose hit Hill's chin, and the pain brought tears to her eyes.

"Ow! That hurts..." Song Zhi sucked in a sharp breath.

"Idiot!"

Hill held Song Zhi in his arms, moved her hand away, and gripped her chin, turning it from side to side to check her nose. Fortunately, it wasn't injured.

They were so close that Song Zhi only then noticed Hill was wearing nothing but underwear, while she was wearing an oversized men's T-shirt. It was probably Hill's.

When did he change my clothes?

This was not good! She had never thought of provoking Hill. He was like a venomous snake: once provoked, he would lock onto his target and coil around his prey until it died.

"I'm fine now. I have to go! I... mmph..." Song Zhi brushed Hill's hand away, her voice rising involuntarily, but before she could finish, he covered her mouth.

"Shh! Keep it down. Do you want to wake them all?"

Hill's tone carried a warning, though it was really a threat. His brown eyes fixed on the panicked Song Zhi like a venomous snake on the hunt.