After walking out of the command center, Lu Mingyu pondered for a moment, then sent a message to Gu Lina Zha:
"When you get to Haining, come to our unit first. After you've rested, I'll take you around."
Gu Lina Zha quickly replied: "Okay, I'll listen to you."
Putting away his phone, Lu Mingyu strode towards the Commander's office.
Inside the Cheetah Special Forces Brigade's headquarters, the Commander was reviewing an exercise report.
There was a steady and forceful knock on the office door.
"Come in," the Commander said without looking up.
The office door opened, and a tall, straight figure walked in.
Lu Mingyu was wearing a training uniform, his face resolute.
"Commander!" Lu Mingyu stood at attention and saluted.
The Commander put down his pen, looked up at him, and smiled.
"You brat, what is it now?"
"Reporting, Commander, I'd like to apply to bring a friend to visit the unit," Lu Mingyu said directly.
The Commander raised his eyebrows and leaned back in his chair.
"Friend?" He drew out the word meaningfully.
"Male or female?"
Lu Mingyu's expression instantly became a bit unnatural, his eyes even somewhat evasive.
"Female," he confessed with a hint of helplessness.
The Commander's smile deepened, as if he had expected it all along.
"If you want to bring your girlfriend, just say so. Friend, you're trying to pull a fast one on me."
Lu Mingyu's cheeks flushed slightly, but he still stubbornly argued, "I... I didn't."
The Commander waved his hand, clearly not believing his explanation.
"Alright, stop explaining."
"According to regulations, fill out the visitor application form, state the identity information and reason for visit, and I'll approve it."
The Commander took a form from his drawer and handed it over.
"I'll give you a day off tomorrow so you can properly accompany her."
Lu Mingyu took the form, relieved.
"Thank you, Commander."
"Oh, right, how long is your friend planning to stay?" the Commander added.
Lu Mingyu thought for a moment and replied, "Maybe... a day or two."
"If she's staying overnight, remember to report it in advance."
"Take the girl to the guesthouse; our conditions here aren't good," the Commander instructed, raising his teacup.
"And go to logistics to get a new set of bedding then; don't let the girl use your field bedding."
Lu Mingyu nodded. "Got it."
The Commander suddenly seemed to remember something else, a sly smile spreading across his lips.
"Oh, right, the cost of that new bedding, I've had logistics charge it to your account."
Lu Mingyu's eyes widened instantly.
"No way, Commander, you're going to deduct money for a set of bedding?"
The Commander looked completely justified. "You brat brought your girlfriend, and I'm giving you leave."
"I'm even letting you date in the unit, making things convenient for you, so what's wrong with charging you for a set of bedding?"
Lu Mingyu was utterly speechless.
He suddenly thought of something and eyed the Commander suspiciously.
"Commander, did you… did you tell on me to my second uncle again?"
The Commander's eyes widened, and he slammed his teacup down on the table with a 'bang'.
"Hey! You brat, how dare you talk like that?"
"Am I the kind of person who tattles behind people's backs?" He looked righteous, as if he had suffered a great insult.
Lu Mingyu pouted and mumbled softly, "You've done it before."
"What did you say?" The Commander had sharp ears and heard him clearly.
"I said you definitely haven't!" Lu Mingyu immediately changed his words, standing even straighter.
The Commander snorted, leaned forward, and lowered his voice, "I'm telling you, don't wrongly accuse good people."
"It wasn't me who tattled to your second uncle; it was your second uncle who called me personally to tattle!"
Lu Mingyu was completely stunned.
"My second uncle... tattled to you?"
What was all this about?
"Otherwise, what do you think?!" The Commander grew angrier the more he thought about it, pointing at Lu Mingyu and saying,
"Look at you Old Lu family members, what do you take this place for?"
"An intelligence transfer station?"
"And you even suspected me!"
Lu Mingyu awkwardly scratched his head. "I... I'll talk to my second uncle about it later."
Seeing his embarrassed expression, the Commander's anger dissipated, replaced by a look of satisfaction.
"Alright, let's not talk about that."
He tapped the table, his tone becoming serious. "Your Macrophages team has been doing well recently, especially the 'Ground Bomb' you researched last time."
"It has brought immeasurable contributions to our entire Military Region."
"Among these, you, as the captain, have the greatest credit."
Hearing the Commander affirm his work, Lu Mingyu immediately shed his previous casualness, his expression solemn.
"This is what we should do, and it's all thanks to your excellent command, Commander!"
"Stop flattering me," the Commander chuckled, picking up his pen and signing his name with a flourish on the application form Lu Mingyu had handed him.
"Approved." He handed the form back to Lu Mingyu.
"When your friend arrives, take her around the camp well."
"But remember, no military restricted areas, and observe confidentiality regulations."
"Yes, Commander!" Lu Mingyu took the form and gave a perfect military salute.
"Oh, right," the Commander added, as if remembering something else.
"Tomorrow at noon, I'll have the mess hall add two extra dishes for you two, as a welcome from the entire brigade to the family member."
The slight touch of emotion Lu Mingyu had just felt was shattered by the next sentence.
"The cost of the extra meal will also be deducted from your allowance."
Lu Mingyu's mouth twitched, and he finally couldn't help but complain, "Commander, you're too stingy!"
"Get out! If you say one more word, I'll cancel your leave!" the Commander chuckled, waving his hand.
"Yes!" Lu Mingyu grabbed the application form and fled the office as if escaping.
After the office door closed, the Commander's smile immediately became profound.
He picked up the red confidential phone on his desk and skillfully dialed a series of numbers.
The call connected quickly.
"Hello, Old Lu," the Commander's voice carried a hint of triumph.
Lu Hai's voice came from the other end of the line.
"Oh! It's rare to get a call from the esteemed Commander!"
"What are your instructions, Commander?"
The Commander didn't mind the playful tone on the other end. "Stop joking around, I have some intelligence about your precious darling!"
"If you don't want to hear it, then forget it." The Commander finished speaking and made to hang up the phone.
Lu Hai quickly became serious, chuckling as he tried to dissuade him. "Hey, hey, hey, old friend, it was just a joke!"
"What's wrong with my great-nephew?"
"Your precious nephew is bringing his girlfriend to the unit," the Commander said leisurely, leaning back in his chair.
There was a few seconds of silence from Lu Hai on the other end.
Then, a voice suppressing excitement came through. "Really?"
"Absolutely true, the application report just got approved by me and taken away."
"Good! That's good!" Lu Hai said 'good' twice.
"Old buddy, do me a favor."
"Speak."
"Tomorrow, find a way to take a few photos for me. I want clear, front-facing shots!" Lu Hai made his request.
The Commander smiled like a cunning fox who had gotten his way. "Taking photos is fine, but..." He deliberately drew out his words.
"This is a high-risk operation, risking being discovered by your nephew, so there has to be some kind of compensation, right?"