Xiang Jintian stretched lazily, his waist pain causing his brow to furrow.
He glanced back at her, only to see her eyes were unfocused, with sleep creases on one side of her face.
She was clearly not fully awake yet.
Xiang Jintian suppressed a smile and asked, "Xixi, are you awake?"
Xu Qian sat up and took a while to come back to her senses.
"Have we arrived?"
Xiang Jintian's lips curved upward slightly, tenderness in his eyes.
"It's still early. We just arrived in H province today. Let's rest a bit and then continue our journey."
"Mhm."
Xu Qian patted her shoulders, feeling a bit sore. Sleeping in the car was truly uncomfortable.
Xiang Jintian noticed.
"You have pillows and blankets in your space, right? Take them out, it'll be much more comfortable to sleep."
Xu Qian yawned and waved her hand.
"You must be tired. Should I drive next?"
With Xiong Yong'an injured, they only had two drivers left.
Xiang Jintian didn't trust her driving skills, but the cruel truth was something he wouldn't say.
"It's fine, I'll drive."
"But, you'll get tired if you keep driving..."
At this moment, Xiong Yong'an suddenly chimed in.
"Stop arguing. I'll call someone to drive. Boss, Sister Qian, you two go sit in the back."
He couldn't stand sitting in the boss's car all the time. Given the boss's straightforward personality, if he didn't say anything, he would drive all the way to City A without a word.
Hearing this, Xu Qian's eyes sparkled as she looked at Xiang Jintian.
Xiang Jintian pursed his lips and smiled, "Understood."
After eating and resting for about half an hour, they set off again towards City J.
The estimated drive was 10 hours, and they would rest at the City J base tonight.
Xiang Jintian mentioned he would also use the opportunity to assess their base for a day, with the official departure scheduled for the day after tomorrow.
Xu Qian felt they were truly unlucky, having to undergo an assessment just to stay overnight.
Afterward, Xu Qian was extremely comfortable. Her head was propped on the older man's thigh, and when she opened her eyes, she saw his handsome face. She was covered with a silk quilt from her space.
Xu Qian felt this kind of life could be experienced a few more times.
As dusk fell, the group arrived at the City J base.
Apart from eating and using the restroom, Xu Qian slept the entire day. In any case, Xiang Jintian had everything perfectly arranged, and she didn't have to worry about anything.
When the jeep stopped, Xu Qian automatically opened her eyes, feeling refreshed after ample sleep.
"Have we arrived?"
Xiang Jintian gently stroked her forehead, "Mhm. I'll get out and inform them. You don't need to get out."
"Okay."
Although Xu Qian didn't understand, she didn't insist.
Xiang Jintian tidied his slightly wrinkled military uniform, which had been creased from sleeping, and then he and Xiong Yong'an got out of the car.
As they approached, the guards at the gate raised their guns at them.
"Who are you!"
"Don't come any closer!"
Xiang Jintian's expression remained unchanged. Every time they went to a base, they were met with such hostility, so no one would react.
Xiang Jintian calmly pulled out a piece of paper from his chest pocket and held it up.
"I am Xiang Jintian, the commander of the Bright Base in City A. I am here at the request of the person in charge to inspect and assess the Zhao Feng Base. Tell your person in charge to come out and see me immediately."
The man was aloof, his gaze calm and deep.
An aura of implicit authority emanated from him.
The guards were startled and took a step back. This guy was even more imposing than their own boss.
The few of them exchanged glances.
This person didn't seem like a fraud. The military uniform and his demeanor indicated he was from the regular army.
One of the leaders shouted, "Then please wait a moment. I need to report to the boss."
"Mhm."
The guards did not lower their guns, which remained pointed directly at them.