After the holiday ended, when they returned to the training field, the scene before them left them astonished.
Flame looked at the drastically changed training ground and couldn't help but tease the two of them.
"Oh my, how come all the equipment on the training field has been relocated? You guys surely worked hard!"
Thunder also laughed and said, "Yeah, I nearly thought I walked into the wrong place earlier. Relocating all this equipment is quite a major project!"
Wild Ox responded irritably, "Are you two done yet? We barely managed to move all these ridiculously heavy things!"
At this moment, Flying Eagle suddenly stepped forward and said with a righteous air, "You two, could you show some empathy?"
Wild Ox looked at Flying Eagle, moved, thinking he'd finally found someone who understood him. However, Flying Eagle's next words left him dumbfounded.
"What major project is this? For us Wild Ox, doing it all over again wouldn't be an issue!"
Wild Ox growled in exasperation, "Flying Eagle, you..."
Just then, a cold voice suddenly emerged, "What are you guys doing here?"
Upon hearing the familiar voice, they felt a jolt in their hearts. Wild Ox felt a chill especially. They hurriedly formed a neat line and stood at attention with serious military posture.
Xia Luyao slowly walked up to them, looking at them sternly, "The holiday's over, save the chit-chat for after training. Now, prepare to start training. We're using the previous training plan, any problems?"
They were stunned, having originally expected Xia Luyao to dutifully chastise them, but instead, she merely mentioned it in passing.
They looked at Xia Luyao in bewilderment and noticed her gaze was intentionally or unintentionally glancing at Lin Beichen.
They suddenly realized, Xia Luyao refrained from punishing them because she was mindful of Lin Beichen.
They felt secretly delighted, finding themselves a "get-out-of-jail-free card."
During the training that followed, Xia Luyao adjusted the training plan, allowing them to improve their physical fitness and various metrics without extending training duration.
Old Dao had been performing well lately, so the extra training previously imposed on him was exempted by Xia Luyao. He was immensely grateful for this and trained even more earnestly.
As time went by, the weather gradually turned cold.
That day, after completing a round of training at the training ground, the Venomous Snake Special Team took a break in the rest area.
They only wore light training clothes but didn't feel cold due to having just finished training.
Flying Eagle wiped sweat from his face and remarked, "Time really flies; it's almost winter already. I remember Lin Beichen joining the camp when it was spring."
Thunder nodded in agreement, "Yeah, who could have imagined a new recruit achieving so many merits in just over half a year? Lin Beichen, you're the number one in our guard district!"
Old Dao also sincerely admired, "It's not just our guard district; there's never been an example like you in all of Huaxia's military districts."
Lin Beichen merely smiled lightly upon hearing this; he didn't care much about these military merits, but wouldn't refuse them if offered.
What he cared about more was his Daoist temple, which was where his true passion lay.
Lin Beichen glanced at them, puzzled, wondering if his focus on developing the Daoist temple was somehow improper.
Flying Eagle walked over, smiling, and patted him on the shoulder, saying, "Lin Beichen, your priorities are spot on. For men, it's only natural to prioritize their careers."
Upon hearing this, everyone found the view irrefutable and thus dropped the topic, starting to chat casually.
During the chat, Flame suddenly remembered something and curiously asked, "Lin Beichen, you just mentioned your Daoist temple is being refurbished and expanded; how's the progress now?"
"It's almost finished," Lin Beichen replied casually.
Wild Ox looked at him expectantly, "Will we have a chance to visit it? We've known you for so long but haven't been to your Daoist temple yet."
Lin Beichen considered for a moment and nodded, saying, "Next week during the holiday, the temple should be done; you can come back with me."
As soon as he finished his words, excitement and anticipation appeared on their faces. However, a voice suddenly cut in.
"What are you all discussing?" Xia Luyao came over from the training field and asked curiously.
Seeing this, Wild Ox quickly responded, "Captain, we're discussing visiting Lin Beichen's Daoist temple during next week's holiday."
Old Dao also chuckled, "Yeah, Captain, come with us and join the fun."
Xia Luyao, however, sighed lightly, shook her head, and said, "I'm not going next week, and you all won't be able to go either."
"Why?" Wild Ox asked perplexed.
Lin Beichen glanced at him and calmly asked Xia Luyao, "Is there a task?"
Xia Luyao nodded, "Just received notice from Commander Fu, there's a task assigned to us. Let's go to his office."
Though they felt somewhat disappointed about not being able to visit the temple, they were acutely aware of the urgency of the task. Hence, they promptly reined in their smiles and marched toward the administrative building.
Once at Commander Fu's office door, they made the report proficiently before entering. Seeing them, Commander Fu immediately gestured for them to come over.
"You're here," Commander Fu said, handing Xia Luyao a stack of documents, "Here is the task information, take a look."
They crowded around and found the documents detailed a Port City tycoon. Xia Luyao looked up at Commander Fu in confusion, "This is..."
"This Port City tycoon has been kidnapped by a secret foreign organization," Commander Fu explained, "Moreover, he just developed a crucial light quantum chip technology, vital to Huaxia's chip development."
Lin Beichen directly asked upon hearing this, "So, our task is to rescue him overseas?"
Commander Fu nodded, "Exactly. This mission is highly significant; I'm hoping you'll successfully rescue the hostage and return safely."
"Understood!" Xia Luyao responded confidently, "We will complete the mission!"
Commander Fu exhaled a long breath as he watched them leave.
He believed with the Venomous Snake Special Team taking action, this mission would surely be accomplished successfully.
Soon, the seven members of the Venomous Snake Special Team boarded the plane bound for Bernier.
On the plane, they meticulously reviewed the mission information once again, thoroughly preparing for the upcoming operation.
Despite the myriad of unknowns and challenges in this mission, they had the confidence and capability to undertake it.
Lin Beichen chuckled lightly and jested, "Reporting someone? Don't compare me to a little child; I don't have the leisure to snitch."
With these words, everyone instantly recalled the scene when Wild Ox reported someone last time, unable to hold back their laughter.
Flame was laughing so hard he nearly bent over, teasing, "Wild Ox, you seem quite adept at reporting incidents!"
Embarrassed by everyone's laughter, Wild Ox hurried to defend himself, "I was only in a hurry last time, don't peg me as a habitual snitch."
Seeing Wild Ox's anxious expression, everyone was overjoyed.
Flying Eagle and others joined in the teasing, filling the cabin with cheerful laughter, the previous banter about Lin Beichen and Xia Luyao long forgotten.
Xia Luyao watched the scene quietly from the side, her gaze unintentionally falling on Lin Beichen.
She found herself increasingly attracted to observing this man; every move, every expression drew her deeply.
Noticing Xia Luyao's gaze, Lin Beichen turned to her and smiled, "Why are you looking at me like that? Thinking I'm particularly handsome?"
Caught off guard by his direct question, Xia Luyao quickly looked away, coughing to cover her embarrassment, "No way, I was just casually looking."
Lin Beichen watched her feigned calm demeanor, inwardly amused.
He spoke slowly, with a hint of teasing: