Gu Lina Zha’s voice dropped even lower, as if she were sharing a secret.
Li Bingbing’s smile remained unchanged, but the warmth in her eyes had vanished.
“I want to hear your reasons.”
“I think this show is quite good, very challenging.”
Gu Lina Zha avoided her gaze, looking at her intertwined fingers.
“I want to train myself and also let the audience see a different side of me.”
Everything she said was a pre-planned excuse, sounding grand and impeccable.
Li Bingbing listened quietly, without interrupting her.
Only when she finished speaking did Li Bingbing slowly open her mouth, her tone still flat.
“Train yourself?”
“Naza, last year you filmed that martial arts movie, you were on wires for three months, covered in injuries—wasn’t that enough training?”
Gu Lina Zha’s lips moved, but no words came out.
“Let the audience see a different side?”
Li Bingbing continued.
“Since your debut, from pure campus beauty to scheming older sister, which role hasn’t brought surprises to the audience?”
“Your current persona is very successful, and market recognition is extremely high.”
“Do you still need to risk it in a military variety show with an uncertain future?”
Every word of Li Bingbing’s.
It was like a precise scalpel, dissecting Gu Lina Zha’s untenable reasons.
“It’s just a reality show, Bingbing Jie, it’s not as serious as you make it sound.”
Gu Lina Zha tried to argue.
“Not serious?” Li Bingbing chuckled softly.
“Any decision exposed on camera is very serious for you.”
“Naza, we’ve worked together for so many years, I understand your career plan better than you do.”
“Every step you take is something we’ve discussed together, steady and gradual.”
“You’ve never been an impulsive person.”
“So, tell me now, what exactly is it for?”
Li Bingbing’s tone wasn’t heavy, but every word struck Gu Lina Zha’s heart.
The air in the lounge grew quiet, with only the faint hum of the air conditioning.
Xiao Lu, sensing the low pressure, quietly exited the nanny van and closed the door.
Gu Lina Zha lowered her head, remaining silent for a long time.
She knew she couldn't hide it from Li Bingbing.
In front of this woman, who was both her boss and her friend, her little schemes had nowhere to hide.
Rather than let her investigate, it was better to confess herself.
She took a deep breath, as if making a huge decision.
“Bingbing Jie, I…”
Her voice trembled slightly.
Li Bingbing didn’t urge her, just quietly waited for her to continue.
“I’m in love.”
As these five words left her mouth, Gu Lina Zha felt all the strength drain from her body.
Upon hearing this, Li Bingbing’s pupils suddenly constricted.
She had anticipated countless possibilities, but this was one she hadn't considered.
After the surprise came the worry of a friend and a boss.
“When did this happen?” Her voice tightened.
“Just…just a while ago.”
“Who is he? What does he do? Do you know him well?”
Li Bingbing’s questions fired out like a machine gun.
She knew too well how deep the waters of this industry were.
And she knew too well how many people with ulterior motives would be attracted by Gu Lina Zha’s current fame and status.
Her biggest fear was that this innocent girl would be deceived.
“He…” A blush of shyness appeared on Gu Lina Zha’s face.
This was an expression she could never fake in front of the camera.
“He’s a very good person.”
Seeing her like this, the alarm bells in Li Bingbing’s heart rang loudly.
A woman in love essentially has zero IQ.
“Your participation in that show is related to him, isn’t it?”
Li Bingbing’s mind raced, immediately connecting the two events.
Gu Lina Zha hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded.
“Mm.”
“That show is being filmed in Haining City.”
“He…he works in Haining City.”
Li Bingbing’s expression grew even more serious.
“What does he do?”
Gu Lina Zha’s face showed pride and sweetness.
“He’s a soldier.”
A soldier?
This profession surprised Li Bingbing somewhat.
It was indeed a reliable-sounding identity.
But precisely because of that, it was even more suspicious.
How could a soldier in a disciplined unit have the time and opportunity to be in a relationship with a popular female celebrity?
This sounded even more bizarre than her going to a special forces variety show.
“What’s his name?” Li Bingbing asked in a deep voice.
Gu Lina Zha’s eyes sparkled as she answered without hesitation.
“His name is Lu Mingyu.”
Lu Mingyu.
Li Bingbing silently repeated the name in her heart, her face showing no emotion.
She stood up and straightened her clothes.
“I know about this.”
“You focus on filming for now; don’t worry about other things.”
Her tone returned to its usual calm and efficient demeanor.
“Bingbing Jie…” Gu Lina Zha looked at her uneasily.
“Don’t worry, I won’t interfere with your romantic life.”
Li Bingbing patted her shoulder, “But, the premise is that he is someone worthy of your trust.”
After speaking, she didn’t linger, turning and walking out of the nanny van.
The bright sunlight shone on her, but Li Bingbing felt a chill in her heart.
She quickly walked to a secluded corner, took out her phone from her bag, and dialed a number.
The call was quickly connected.
“Hello, Bingbing Jie.”
A crisp, clear male voice came from the other end of the line.
“Duan Wen, help me look up someone.” Li Bingbing’s voice was as cold as ice.
“Okay, Bingbing Jie, tell me.”
“Lu Mingyu, male, works in Haining City, claims to be a soldier.”
“I need you to use your connections to verify within the military system whether such a person exists.”
Duan Wen on the other end paused, then immediately understood the seriousness of the matter.
“Bingbing Jie, you mean…”
“I suspect he’s impersonating a soldier to commit fraud.”
Li Bingbing’s tone was firm.
“Gu Lina Zha might have been deceived by him.”
“Investigate as soon as possible, and make sure to find out his background thoroughly.”
“If there’s no such person, or if his identity is fake.”
Li Bingbing paused, a cold glint flashing in her eyes, “Report him to the police directly.”
“Understood, Bingbing Jie, I’ll get on it right away.” Duan Wen immediately agreed.
After hanging up the phone, Li Bingbing stood rooted to the spot.
Looking at the bustling film set in the distance, her eyes became deep and complex.
She hoped she was overthinking it.
But years of experience told her she had to prepare for the worst.
Meanwhile, hundreds of kilometers away in Haining City.
Night had already fallen, and the city’s neon lights were gradually turning on.
And in an area far from the city center.
The training ground of the Megakaryocyte Special Operations Group was bathed in the cold light of several tall pole lamps.
A military truck slowly drove into the training ground and came to a stop in the open space.
The rear tailgate of the truck was opened, and a group of young people in camouflage training uniforms jumped down.
They were the Rookies who had just been selected and sent here to participate in a new round of selection.
Each person’s face showed the fatigue of a long journey, as well as curiosity and awe for this unfamiliar environment.
A tall team member stepped forward to greet them; he glanced at his watch.
“It’s getting late, Li Xiaoniu, take them to the dormitory first.”
A figure emerged from the darkness; it was Lu Mingyu.
He had just come out of the command room, still wearing his training uniform, his expression stern.
His gaze swept over the Rookies, sharp as an eagle’s.
The new recruits he looked at unconsciously straightened their backs.
“Yes, Captain!” The team member called Li Xiaoniu immediately stood at attention and replied.
Lu Mingyu nodded and instructed Li Xiaoniu.
“It’s already late, and they’re tired from the journey.”
“Arrange for them to rest first and settle their belongings.”
“Training will start tomorrow.”
“Yes!” Li Xiaoniu saluted, then quickly left.
At 4:30 AM, the entire training base was immersed in a deathly silence.
The night was inky black, with only a few tall pole lamps emitting a lonely, cold light, illuminating the training ground in a pale white.
In the dormitory building, the Rookies who had just finished their long journey were sleeping soundly.
Snores rose and fell, completely unaware that a storm was about to break.
Lu Mingyu stood in the open space in front of the dormitory building, his posture as straight as a pine tree.
Beside him, Li Xiaoniu, Zhou Chenguang, Wu Tianlong, Wang Yanbing, and other veteran members of the Megakaryocyte Special Operations Group were already fully prepared.
Each of them had a solemn expression.
Each person’s face carried a cold indifference.
As if what they were about to do was not to wake up comrades, but to launch a surprise attack.