Lu Hai laughed and scolded on the other end of the phone.
"We're old friends, and you're still extorting me. Tell me, what do you want?"
"Not much, three bottles of Maotai."
The Commander made an exorbitant demand.
"Are you robbing me? Two bottles!"
"If I hadn't been a bit busy these past two days, I would have gone to see my future niece-in-law myself, no matter what."
"How could it be your turn to extort me!"
Lu Hai began to bargain.
"Just three bottles, not one less, or there's nothing to discuss. And don't even think about getting photos."
The Commander's attitude was firm.
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone.
"...Fine! Three bottles it is! Deal! Make sure the photos are good!"
Lu Hai finally compromised.
"Don't worry, mission accomplished."
The Commander hung up the phone, satisfied.
Meanwhile, in another office, Lu Hai, after hanging up the phone, couldn't suppress the joy on his face.
He almost didn't hesitate, immediately dialing another number.
The phone rang for a long time before it was answered, with the sound of waves and wind in the background.
"Hello, second brother, what's up?"
A slightly hoarse but powerful voice spoke.
It was Lu Mingyu's father, Lu Qi, the captain of the First Fleet.
"Big brother, great news!"
Lu Hai said excitedly.
"Your son, Mingyu, is bringing his girlfriend to the military base!"
The sound of the wind on the other end of the phone seemed to pause.
"What did you say? Say it again!"
Lu Qi's voice clearly rose.
"I said, your 'wooden block' son is bringing his girlfriend to the military base soon!"
Lu Hai repeated.
Lu Qi's hearty laughter came from the other end of the phone, filled with surprise and relief.
"Good boy! You finally made me proud!"
"Big brother, I've already talked to the Commander of the Special Forces Brigade and asked him to help take some photos."
Lu Hai continued.
"I can give you the photos and subsequent news as soon as possible, but..."
Lu Qi immediately understood what he meant.
"You little rascal, you dare to extort your own brother?"
"Of course, the news source is exclusive."
Lu Hai said proudly.
"Alright! Tell me, what do you want?"
Lu Qi was very straightforward.
"The Commander asked for three bottles of Maotai. You decide what to do; you can't let me work for nothing, right?"
"No problem! I'll buy you five bottles! Plus two cartons of special-issue cigarettes! Photos and news, reported daily!"
Lu Qi generously agreed.
In the afternoon, at the main gate of the Cheetah Special Forces Brigade.
The sentries standing guard were upright, like rooted pine trees.
The sun cast long shadows of them.
It also shone on a figure, also in military uniform, but appearing somewhat distracted.
Lu Mingyu stood not far from the gate, clutching a document stamped with a bright red seal.
He occasionally raised his wrist to check the time on his watch.
Every tick of the minute hand seemed to tug at his heart.
As the captain of the Macrophages Special Operations Group of the Cheetah Special Forces Brigade.
Lu Mingyu was usually as steady as a mountain.
But today, on his usually stern face, a hint of anticipation was subtly revealed.
Time passed minute by minute.
Finally, at half past four in the afternoon.
A low and distinctive engine roar approached from a distance.
As the sound grew closer, a car came into view and finally stopped steadily in front of the guard post.
The car door opened, and a slender, beautiful leg emerged first.
Immediately after, Gu Lina Zha, wearing sunglasses, stepped out of the car.
She was wearing simple casual clothes today, yet she still couldn't hide her dazzling celebrity aura.
"Comrade, hello, please show your entry and exit pass."
The guard on duty stepped forward with standard marching steps, his voice loud and devoid of emotion.
Gu Lina Zha evidently hadn't anticipated this situation.
Considering the special nature of the military base and her personal privacy.
After arriving in Haining, she had told her driver to rest and drove herself to find Lu Mingyu.
She took off her sunglasses, revealing a flawless, delicate face, and said with a smile:
"Hello, I... I'm here to see Lu Mingyu."
The guard's expression remained unchanged, his tone still strictly businesslike.
"Without a pass, no one is allowed to enter."
"I..."
Gu Lina Zha was a bit speechless; she thought Lu Mingyu had already arranged everything.
The atmosphere instantly became a little tense and awkward.
Just then, Lu Mingyu quickly walked over.
"Xiao Zhang."
He called out to the guard.
The guard saw Lu Mingyu and immediately stood at attention and saluted.
"Captain!"
"This is my girlfriend, Gu Lina Zha. The Commander has already approved her visit application."
Lu Mingyu said, handing over the stamped document he was holding.
The guard took the document, carefully checked it, and after confirming everything was in order, saluted again.
"Reporting, Captain, the procedures are complete, she may enter."
Lu Mingyu nodded, just about to tell Gu Lina Zha to drive the car in, when the guard spoke again.
"Captain, according to the military's security and confidentiality regulations."
"For all external vehicles entering the camp, the in-car dash cam needs to be temporarily kept by us."
His gaze fell on the car's front windshield.
Lu Mingyu followed his gaze and indeed saw the small black camera.
He turned his head and explained to the somewhat startled Gu Lina Zha:
"Naza, this is a military regulation. To prevent the leakage of internal camp video footage, please cooperate."
His voice was very gentle, with a calming power.
Although Gu Lina Zha found it a bit troublesome.
But seeing Lu Mingyu's serious expression, she still obediently nodded.
"Okay, I understand."
She bent down back into the car, skillfully unplugged the dash cam's power cord, and removed it from its bracket.
"Here you go."
She handed the dash cam to Lu Mingyu.
Lu Mingyu took it and then handed it over to the guard.
"Thank you for your trouble."
"Serving the people!"
The guard replied loudly, then turned to take the dash cam back to the mailroom for registration and safekeeping.
Lu Mingyu pointed to the parking lot not far away and said to Gu Lina Zha:
"Park the car over there, in the visitor's parking space."
Gu Lina Zha nodded, got back into the car, and slowly drove it into the designated parking lot.
After parking the car, she almost immediately jumped out and quickly ran to Lu Mingyu.
The next second, she could no longer suppress her emotions and threw herself into Lu Mingyu's broad and solid embrace.
"Ugh... Lu Mingyu..."
Gu Lina Zha's shoulders trembled slightly, her tearful voice muffled against his chest.
"I'm here for an event this time, and it's going to last for over a month..."
"I won't be able to see you for over a month."
Lu Mingyu's tall body stiffened slightly.
Then he extended his strong arms and gently wrapped them around her.
He wasn't good at sweet talk, so he could only clumsily pat her back, once, and then again.
"Okay, don't cry. I'll be back once the mission is over."
His voice was low and gentle, as if comforting a wronged kitten.
"Over a month, that's so long."
Gu Lina Zha rubbed against him in his arms, insisting.
Lu Mingyu was silent for a few seconds.
He knew that at such a time, any promise would seem a little hollow.
He skillfully changed the subject.
"You've been driving for so long, are you hungry?"