Xiao Lu's tone was hesitant.
"Hmm? What's wrong?"
Gu Lina Zha was still immersed in joy, not noticing her assistant's unusual behavior.
"There's something I need to tell you."
Xiao Lu took out a document from her bag.
It was a supplementary agreement for the program's recording contract.
She turned to a page and pointed to a regulation on it.
"Regarding the use of electronic devices, there are strict restrictions here."
Gu Lina Zha glanced at it casually.
"Isn't it just that you can't go online freely and can't post on Weibo?"
"I understand that, variety shows are all like this, to prevent spoilers."
"It's more than just that."
Xiao Lu's expression was very serious.
"The agreement states that to ensure the authenticity and closed nature of the training,"
"All personal communication devices must be handed in upon entering the camp."
"The production team will only distribute them for half an hour at a fixed time each day for everyone to contact the outside world."
"What?!"
Gu Lina Zha's smile instantly froze on her face.
She snatched the document, her eyes fixed on that regulation.
"From 9:00 PM to 9:30 PM daily is the fixed communication time."
"During other times, personal communication devices will be uniformly kept by the production team…"
Black and white, clear as day.
Half an hour.
Only half an hour each day.
This number was like a basin of ice water, extinguishing all her excitement and joy from head to toe.
Gu Lina Zha's mind buzzed, a complete blank.
What could she do in half an hour?
Making a phone call to report safety might take more than ten minutes.
Then hastily replying to a few important work messages.
And then?
Then there was no 'then'.
What about her and Lu Mingyu?
One was a busy artist, and the other was a special forces captain who could be called for a mission at any time.
They already had precious little time to meet.
Their way of maintaining their relationship largely depended on daily communication.
She was used to sending him a message after work, no matter how late, to share the interesting things she encountered that day.
He was also used to calling her during training breaks, even if only for a few minutes, to hear her voice.
And games.
Their favorite way to relax was to play a few games online together.
In the game, he was no longer the stern Captain Lu, and she was no longer the dazzling superstar.
They were just the most ordinary couple, bickering over equipment, cheering for victory.
But now, all of this would become a luxury.
Three months of recording time.
This meant that for the next ninety-plus days,
All these sweet daily routines belonging to the two of them would be completely stripped away.
She wouldn't even have time to play games with Lu Mingyu anymore.
Gu Lina Zha's heart sank little by little.
"I... why didn't I notice this clause?"
Her voice was trembling, full of regret.
"When the contract was signed, the company's legal department and team had reviewed it."
"At the time, we thought it was a rigid requirement for military-themed content, and... we didn't take it too seriously."
Xiao Lu explained softly.
After all, who would have thought their artist was in the midst of a passionate relationship?
"And her boyfriend is a soldier with a special identity."
Gu Lina Zha regretted it so much her intestines turned green.
She only thought of it as a good opportunity for transformation, a challenge that could break her 'pretty face' impression.
But she completely overlooked this devilish detail in the contract.
She threw the thin agreement on the table, feeling as if it weighed a thousand pounds.
"Xiao Lu, tell me, is it still too late for me to withdraw now?"
Gu Lina Zha looked up, her eyes filled with despair.
Xiao Lu was startled by her idea.
"Naza-jie, are you crazy! How is that possible!"
The assistant's reaction was intense.
"Deserting at the last minute, do you know how high the penalty for breach of contract is?"
"That's an astronomical figure!"
"I can figure out the money, at worst, I'll put all the money I've earned these past few years into it!"
Gu Lina Zha stood up irritably, pacing back and forth in the living room.
"This isn't about money!"
Xiao Lu also stood up, urgently trying to persuade her.
"This program was the one you repeatedly asked to choose from the beginning."
"More importantly, this is a major project in cooperation with the military!"
"If you unilaterally break the contract now, you'll offend not only the production team and the platform, but also the military!"
"Have you thought about how serious the consequences of that would be?"
"Your career might be completely halted because of this!"
The military…
These two words were like a huge mountain, instantly pressing down on Gu Lina Zha's heart.
She knew Xiao Lu was telling the truth.
She could not care about money, but she could not not care about her future.
And she certainly couldn't tarnish Lu Mingyu's reputation.
If she offended the military for this reason, how difficult would it be for him caught in the middle?
Gu Lina Zha stopped, all the strength drained from her body.
She slumped back onto the sofa, her hands clutching her head, burying her face in her knees.
The living room was silent.
After a long, long time, she finally spoke in a muffled voice.
"I understand."
"I won't withdraw."
Her voice was full of compromise and helplessness.
"Just consider it... another form of cultivation."
She comforted herself this way, and it was also like she was trying to convince Xiao Lu.
Since she couldn't resist, she could only endure.
It's just three months, she thought, she'll grit her teeth and get through it.
As she thought this, her heart still ached in waves.
Early the next morning.
Gu Lina Zha was still immersed in the sadness of being about to "lose contact" when she was woken up by Xiao Lu's exclamation.
"Naza-jie! Come look! You have a package!"
Xiao Lu carried a huge square cardboard box, panting as she shuffled it in.
"Oh my god, what is this, it's so heavy!"
She dropped the box with a "thud" onto the living room floor, rubbing her sore arms.
Gu Lina Zha walked out of the bedroom and was startled at first when she saw the box, which was almost half her height.
There was no sender information on the box.
Only a simple address and recipient name.
But she guessed almost immediately.
Besides Lu Mingyu, there would be no one else.
He had only said yesterday that he would send her equipment, and it arrived today.
His actions were always faster than his words.
The gloom of last night seemed to be dispelled quite a bit by this heavy box.
Gu Lina Zha's mood brightened.
She walked over, curiously examining the package.
"Let me open it."
She took the utility knife from Xiao Lu's hand and deftly cut open the tape.
Opening the cardboard box, there were no fancy fillers inside.
Only an item neatly folded, like black armor.
Gu Lina Zha reached in and took it out.
It was a very professionally designed weighted training suit.
All black, made of high-strength nylon material.
It was covered with pockets and buckles for attaching weight blocks.
The suit felt surprisingly heavy in her hands.
"What is this?"
Xiao Lu leaned over curiously, reaching out to try and lift it.
"Ouch!"
As soon as she exerted force, the weight made her stumble.
"So heavy! This must be twenty catties, right?"
Xiao Lu's face was full of shock; she could barely lift the suit a few centimeters off the ground with both hands.
Gu Lina Zha couldn't help but laugh at her exaggerated expression.
She weighed the training suit in her hands and explained to her assistant.
"Lu Mingyu sent it."
"This is what he said, weighted equipment suitable for beginners."
"Beginner equipment?"