Yun City, early summer, the season of warmth and blooming flowers, at the empty-line training grounds.
"Attention! Salute! Congratulations to the Feiying Team on their triumphant return! Congratulations on earning the title of 'Feiying'!" A few jeeps had just come to a stop at the entrance of the flight training base, and as the passengers stepped out, the personnel at the training base quickly lined up, their expressions filled with admiration and reverence, shouting slogans with remarkable vigor!
"Salute!" A robust and commanding voice emerged from one of the men who stepped out of the vehicle. The man, solemn and imposing, stood tall and upright with a lean, powerful figure. His appearance exuded a restrained and ascetic charm. The sound of his leather boots striking against the marble surface was sharp and distinct. His sharply defined facial features stood out under the sunlight. His short-cropped hair, heroic brows, slightly pursed lips, and noble aura made him the type of man women couldn't take their eyes off.
"Jingchen, you've led us to yet another great victory this time, defeating the opposing 'Thunderbolt' squad to become the new generation of Feiying. You're absolutely our pride!"
At this moment, Yu Cheng approached with a broad smile, placing a hand on the man's shoulder. As he looked at the subordinate he had personally trained, his voice brimmed with immense pride and satisfaction.
Publicly and privately, Yu Cheng deeply admired this young man — the youngest in the history of Yun City to achieve such accomplishments. If he didn't already have a son, this young man would undoubtedly be the perfect candidate for a son-in-law. Wouldn't he?
"Thank you for your praise! I will continue to strive forward, overcoming challenges and pursuing excellence!" The man shifted slightly to a relaxed stance, then stood at attention and saluted with perfect precision and fluidity. His angular face gleamed with extreme seriousness as he faced Yu Cheng.
"You rascal, putting on airs with me! Be careful, or your grandfather will track me down and give me a thrashing when you get home." Yu Cheng chuckled affectionately, extending his hand to playfully swat away the heavy, formal salute offered by the man.
"So, tell me about the mission this time, Jingchen?" Yu Cheng looked at Gu Jingchen and began to discuss work.
"During this flight mission, we engaged with the opposing 'Thunderbolt' squad…" Gu Jingchen's deep and magnetic voice began, but his words were interrupted as he noticed his orderly, Xiao Li, waving discretely and urgently from the front, seemingly wanting to pass on some information.
"I need to take care of something urgent." With a sharp, flawless salute, Gu Jingchen excused himself, looking tall and imposing as ever.
"You rascal, hurry off and do whatever you need to do! Can't be honest with me, huh? Here, I'm giving you a month's leave — afterward, you'll take on new assignments."
Yu Cheng shook his head fondly, pointing a finger lightly at Gu Jingchen with a face full of affection before turning and walking away.
"Xiao Li!"
"Here!" Xiao Li immediately ran over and gave a formal and respectful salute!
Though Xiao Li knew the man wasn't overly strict, Gu Jingchen's commanding presence, robust physique, and naturally imposing aura always made people feel an unspoken reverence.
"What happened? You've been rushing to find me as soon as I entered the training base?" Gu Jingchen's lips curved slightly into a faint smile, his demeanor softening slightly as he accepted a cup of water handed over by another orderly. Taking a sip, his jet-black eyes lifted to meet Xiao Li's.
"Professor Gu has been looking for you multiple times…" Xiao Li hesitated but eventually stammered out the message.
"Give me the phone." Gu Jingchen extended a distinctively angular hand, palm up, toward Xiao Li.
During the extensive training period, Gu Jingchen's phone had been kept off, so he could only be reached through his orderly.
"Hello, Jingyu, what's going on?" The man's sharp brows furrowed slightly; his towering build, outlined by sunlight, looked even more chiseled and commanding. His belt accentuated his trim waist, a feature so flawless it seemed sculpted.
"Boss, boss, calm down. If you're on leave, could you come home? Your unruly household member — well, I'm fed up. Come back, so I can finally be free…" Gu Jingyu, usually mild-mannered, was practically sputtering into the phone in frustration.
"Xixia?" Hearing the name, a rarely-seen softness spread through Gu Jingchen's usual austere gaze, and an almost imperceptible smile appeared on his lips.
"Yes, Shang Xixia — that girl I don't know when will officially become my sister-in-law!" Mentioning her name, Gu Jingyu practically ground his teeth in vexation.
"Alright, I'll head back right away." Gu Jingchen surmised that whatever could rouse Gu Jingyu's temper to such a degree must be serious. Nodding firmly, he stood tall as sunlight dappled through the branches, emphasizing his defined, handsome features.
In the afternoon, Gu Jingchen changed into casual wear, and Xiao Li drove the dedicated vehicle straight to Yun City Center.
"What's up, Second Brother?" Gu Jingchen went straight to Yun City University's professor lounge to meet his brother. In his new attire, Gu Jingchen's aura softened and became more understated, yet he remained strikingly dignified — perfectly composed like an aristocratic king surveying his realm.
"What's up? Do you even know? While you've been off training for a month, that little troublemaker Shang Xixia has been giving me nothing but headaches! There's been one outrageous incident after another, one after another! You'll see soon enough; just wait!"
Gu Jingyu was visibly distressed, his delicate face betraying noticeable fluster. He adjusted his glasses atop his high-bridged nose with his pale fingers, looking increasingly refined and gentlemanly. He then grabbed a business card from his desk and dialed a number.
"Hello, this is Yun City University faculty office, room 202. Once you arrive, let's discuss which option you think would work best for the situation." Gu Jingyu's voice took on a slightly altered tone as he spoke into the phone, and after receiving a reply from the other end, he hung up.
"What exactly is going on?"
Whenever Shang Xixia's name was mentioned, the usually composed and unflappable Gu Jingchen seemed to lose his grip, becoming visibly tense and anxious as he looked at Gu Jingyu for answers.
"You'll know soon enough. Don't worry—it's not far off." Gu Jingyu let out a cold snort, casting a glance at his elder brother.
"Alright, I'll quickly freshen up. Give me five minutes."