"In short, it's not because you're handsome, kid."

Watching Zhang Shicun force a smile, Xu Fan shook the ash from his cigarette and made a joke.

This woman is indeed not ordinary.

With no strength to even truss a chicken, she stubbornly joined the military. That takes a lot of courage.

She enlisted out of spite for one reason.

To spend more time with Zhang Shicun and to shut her parents up.

In the past, as a civilian, there would be a gap between her and Zhang Shicun, but with this brave act of hers, all obstacles would disappear.

"Hey, watching that stubborn girl train, getting injured without making a sound, I truly felt sorry for her."

After pausing for a moment, Zhang Shicun continued.

"Trying to scare her off, she wouldn't listen, and even gave me attitude."

"She said if she became ugly and fierce, no one would want her, and she'd cling to me until I wouldn't have the heart to leave her."

He sniffled, looked at Xu Fan, and his voice started to choke up.

Forcing a smile, he said, "Brother, do you think I'm rather lucky..."

"..."

Seeing Zhang Shicun's effort to smile, Xu Fan smiled bitterly, unable to speak.

Though he had never witnessed their love, hearing his murmurs now, he could see how important this woman was to him.

He had given everything for the country, even ruthlessly abandoning love.

And this woman did the same, giving up everything for him.

She left a life of luxury to join the military.

For her, she could have easily found a good man for a better life, given her conditions.

"Alright, kid, don't be too sad."

Knowing that Zhang Shicun dreamed of marrying her, the sudden bad news had brought him to the brink of collapse.

Xu Fan patted his shoulder and comforted him.

"Maybe, she's still alive."

"Alright, brother, stop fooling me..."

Hearing Xu Fan's comfort, Zhang Shicun took a deep drag on his cigarette.

"I'm not a three-year-old child..."

The previous video evidence was enough to prove that everyone from Thorn Squad had been killed.

How could she, a woman, have miraculously survived?

"I'm really not joking with you."

Seeing Zhang Shicun's bitter look, Xu Fan said seriously.

He wasn't saying this just to comfort Zhang Shicun.

In the previous video, they could clearly see everyone had fallen.

But unlike them, Xu Fan noticed something they didn't.

The guy hunting down Thorn Squad didn't deal a fatal blow.

The meaning was clear. Those soldiers fell, but he left them with some life.

He had the ability to kill them but chose not to.

"You may not believe me, but think about it, they are currently missing, right?"

Seeing Zhang Shicun's puzzled look, Xu Fan explained again.

They must find their bodies or see them alive. Without the bodies of Thorn Squad, it might be too soon to conclude they're dead.

However, Xu Fan wasn't sure why he didn't just finish them off.

Maybe he had other uses for them?

"Brother, are you really not messing with me?"

Having his hopes die, Zhang Shicun now started to feel a slight rebirth of hope from Xu Fan's explanation.

After all, he had investigated alone.

Scouring the area for miles, he found no traces.

That's why he gave up.

But Xu Fan's words suggested they were spared.

This really gave him a glimmer of hope.

He eagerly looked at Xu Fan, like an eight-year-old craving candy, expecting his answer.

Seeing this, Xu Fan couldn't help but laugh.

"What's wrong? Weren't you planning on staying single forever?"

With a smile, Xu Fan teased Zhang Shicun.

Embarrassed, Zhang Shicun scratched his head.

"Hehe, I... I do need someone to keep me in check sometimes."

"Brother, really, don't joke with me, it's hard to find a wife..."

Impatiently, Zhang Shicun couldn't handle Xu Fan's teasing, almost begging him.

Seeing this, Xu Fan shook his head, half amused, half exasperated.

"Could I be joking about this?"

Rolling his eyes at Zhang Shicun, Xu Fan asked, "When you received news about Thorn Squad's accident, when did you arrive at the scene?"

"Well..."

Hearing Xu Fan's question, Zhang Shicun furrowed his brows in thought.

"We arrived within about three hours."

He remembered clearly.

He personally led the team at that time.

"Three hours..."

Hearing the answer, Xu Fan furrowed his brow in thought.

"If so, it looks like they must have had help."

Three hours to quietly exit the military's sight, no matter how strong that guy was, it seemed too difficult for one person.

And the whole Thorn Squad disappeared with him.

Over ten people disappearing together pointed to outside help.

"Are you free now?"

Guessing blindly was too slow, and Xu Fan looked at Zhang Shicun.

"Brother, you wouldn't..."

Seeing Xu Fan's serious expression, Zhang Shicun grinned.

Xu Fan clearly planned to investigate the scene immediately.

It was already dark, and the squad disappeared in the jungle.

How would they find clues in such an environment?

"What? Aren't you anxious?"

Understanding Zhang Shicun's worry, Xu Fan didn't think it was a big deal.

It was just dark. With his Golden Pupil and Divine Sense, it wouldn't affect him.

With the Golden Pupil and Divine Sense, he thought he could find some clues.

"If so, let's go now!"

When Xu Fan decided, how could he refuse?

This was Xu Fan helping him!

With Xu Fan so invested, Zhang Shicun felt grateful.

A huge favor can't be thanked enough. He looked deeply at Xu Fan, then quickly took out his phone to notify others.

After the call, Zhang Shicun hung up and looked at Xu Fan.

"Brother, we're ready. Let's go!"

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