After preparing all the necessary files and documents, Qin Yao went to find Commander Gu to get his signature in the afternoon. According to Gao Jianguo, Commander Gu usually had more free time around three or four o’clock in the afternoon.

The Navy had high requirements for technical skills, but their physical demands were not as stringent as those of the Army. Typically, after completing their afternoon tasks, the officers had some free time before or after dinner. During this time, they either exercised, went running, or participated in activities like playing sports.

When Qin Yao needed Commander Gu’s signature, Gao Jianguo had already spoken to him in advance. Originally, Gao Jianguo had planned to handle it himself, but Commander Gu insisted she come in person. With no other choice, Gao Jianguo gave Qin Yao a few instructions and reminded her to answer truthfully if there were any questions.

Chen Baozhen wanted to accompany Qin Yao, but she had class that afternoon. Qin Yao reassured her that she could handle it alone.

Gao Jianguo assigned a young soldier to guide Qin Yao. Holding the documents in her arms, she felt a mix of unease and apprehension at the thought of meeting Gu Cheng again.

If she had known the so-called Fishing Company employee was actually part of this “Fishing Company,” she would never have approached him in the first place.

Whether it was Gu Cheng or the so-called Commander Gu, their images were now blurred in her mind. The two seemed so different that it was impossible to reconcile them into a single person, let alone discern their true nature.

— Once this signature is done, I hope we never cross paths again.

“We’re almost there, Comrade Qin. Don’t be nervous.”

The afternoon sky was a pure, vivid blue, as if someone had painted the entire canvas with a brush, leaving a uniform tone adorned with a few heavy white clouds. It was as brilliant and beautiful as an oil painting.

Qin Yao’s mood mirrored the clouds—suspended in the sky, heavy yet stubbornly refusing to fall.

Outside the office building, a few people were standing around, some in white naval uniforms, others in sailor suits.

The soldier guiding Qin Yao knew one of the sailors and briefly explained her purpose.

The sailor, tanned from the sun with striped shoulder marks and a cheerful demeanor, smiled brightly, his teeth resembling rows of seashells. His name was Jiang Chao. He whispered, “I heard Commander Gu is in a good mood today. That should make things easier.”

“Our boss figured it out too. That’s why he sent me to report all the ‘difficult’ tasks quickly while the mood lasts.”

“Some things have to be done when the leader is in a good mood.”

Hearing this, Qin Yao suppressed the urge to laugh out loud.

She thought being a leader must be tough. When you’re in a bad mood, no one dares to bother you, but as soon as you’re happy, they seize the moment to rain on your parade.

It’s just a matter of time before this little spark of joy gets extinguished, leaving only a cold, stern expression.

“Comrade Qin, you just need a signature. You go in first; it’ll be easier for you to handle things without me getting in the way.”

Qin Yao flashed a bright smile. “Thank you, comrade.”

Qin Yao had come with the intention of finalizing her transfer here while also preparing all the required materials. With the supporting telegrams and Commander Gu’s signature, Head Nurse Ge would help process her file, completing the paperwork.

Head Nurse Ge seemed confident she would stay and had actively offered to assist, for which Qin Yao was grateful.

After spending so much time with her best friend Chen Baozhen, Qin Yao felt that besides acquiring a “X-ray” skill, she had also gained a “luck” skill. While her one-hour-long “X-ray” was reusable, luck seemed to be a one-time ability.

Staring at the tightly shut office door in front of her, Qin Yao wondered if her “luck” was needed here.

She knocked on the door and entered.

Gu Cheng was seated behind his desk, still dressed in a pristine white naval uniform. The neatly pressed sleeves and collar were immaculate.

Unlike the slimming effect of black, white uniforms visually enlarged the frame. The naval white accentuated Gu Cheng’s tall, slender figure, making him appear anything but frail. His sharply defined features were striking and profound.

It was clearly the same face, but from different angles, he seemed like two completely different people.

“Commander Gu, Head Nurse Ge asked me to come to you for a signature. These are my documents.” Qin Yao stood upright, took a step forward, and handed over the materials.

Her parents were both workers, and their background documents and personnel reviews were spotless.

Gu Cheng accepted the documents and glanced up at her.

Compared to the first time they met, Qin Yao looked noticeably thinner. Her clothes now appeared a bit loose on her, yet they highlighted her graceful curves.

She had been on the island for a few days, but her skin remained fair and smooth, like solidified cream under the light.

Her braids were coiled neatly at the back of her head, fully exposing her lively, youthful face. Her round cheeks were slightly plump, and her bright eyes sparkled with vitality.

Gu Cheng flipped through the documents in his hands, the corners of his lips curling upward slightly. Lowering his head, he tried to suppress his expression, adjusting his features into a composed demeanor. With a calm tone, he asked, “Training isn’t easy. Have you thought this through?”

“Yes, I’ve thought it through,” Qin Yao said, calculating her plan. Participating in a period of military training would help her slim down naturally, making it a believable transformation.

During high school, university, and graduate school, she had already experienced military training. Moreover, Head Nurse Ge had mentioned that the physical fitness requirements for medical personnel were not very demanding.

Gu Cheng held a fountain pen in his hand, tapping the pen cap lightly against the paper, creating a soft rustling sound.

But he didn’t sign.

Even now, Gu Cheng couldn’t quite figure out what Qin Yao was thinking. The day he met her at Gao Jianguo’s house, he thought she must have already known his identity. Yet, reflecting carefully on their interactions, he was sure this chubby girl didn’t reveal any flaws in front of him.

At the port, it was clear she had met him for the first time. She had clung to him, expressing her affection.

That night, on the deck, she had looked at him with sparkling eyes, full of light.

Later, pretending not to know him at Gao Jianguo’s house was because of Chen Baozhen.

Now, her decision to join the nursing training program and stay on the island—was it for him? Was it to get closer to him?

Gu Cheng tried not to entertain such thoughts, but his mind ran wild, and a rush of elation bubbled up uncontrollably, like a dam bursting.

In the past, there had been women who pursued him relentlessly, and he had always firmly rejected them. Yet, when it came to this chubby girl, he couldn’t help but want to see how far she would go in “pestering” him.

He decided to give her that chance.

With swift decisiveness, Gu Cheng signed his name.

Qin Yao visibly exhaled in relief. She quickly gathered her documents, winked playfully at him, and whispered, “Commander Gu, I won’t tell anyone about what happened those days. I’ll keep it a secret for you. Let’s just pretend we’ve never met before.”

“Today marks the second time we’ve met. Thank you so much!”

Qin Yao saluted him, then turned and left with her materials, humming happily.

Closing the office door behind her, blocking the sight and presence of the man inside, she looked up at the sky. The white clouds drifted lazily across the azure sky. At that moment, she felt an overwhelming sense of freedom, like a light boat gliding through countless mountain ranges.

As expected, she didn’t like serious, solemn men like Commander Gu. Seeing him didn’t stir any romantic feelings in her.

Qin Yao realized her brief affection had been for an illusion—a false image of “Gu Cheng” that never truly existed.

Since it was never real, there was no need to hold onto it. Qin Yao let it go completely.

She also understood now why Gu Cheng might doubt her. The things she had said before were unfiltered, but her intentions were pure. Moving forward, she resolved to be more mindful.

She had made herself clear today. With Commander Gu being such a busy man, he probably wouldn’t remember someone like her.

She also promised not to tarnish “Commander Gu’s” image.

“Comrade Qin, how did it go?” asked Jiang Chao, a sailor in uniform.

Qin Yao replied in a low voice, “He signed it. Commander Gu must be in a good mood today.”

“Then I better hurry in,” Jiang Chao grinned, straightened his clothes, knocked on the door, and entered with a report.

The moment he stepped inside, the atmosphere cooled drastically, like someone had opened a refrigerator. An invisible chill filled the room. Jiang Chao felt the hair on the back of his neck stand on end as he met Commander Gu’s icy gaze.

This didn’t bode well.

Comrade Qin lied!

Commander Gu’s good mood from the morning hadn’t lasted until evening. By dinnertime, no one dared to approach him. After dinner, he filled his insulated mug with hot water. As he passed by, he overheard two male officers chatting by the window during their break.

“Head Nurse Ge is here to ask Deputy Director Xiao to act as a proxy again.”

“Again?”

“That’s right. Deputy Director Xiao is kind-hearted and willing to get involved in these matters. With his scarred face and intimidating appearance, he frightens the young women. After meeting him, the next suitor looks like a dream in comparison. It’s like setting up a contrast.”

“She must have someone gentle in mind.”

“Which girl is it this time?”

“A comrade named Qin. She’s a friend of Teacher Chen in the compound, and she’s from the city. Everyone who’s seen her says she’s fair-skinned, a bit chubbier than the average girl.”

“I bet Head Nurse Ge wants to introduce her to Doctor He. This girl also wants to stay here as a nurse. Isn’t this a match made in heaven?”

“Talk about destiny!”

“Pfft—cough, cough!”

Gu Cheng, who was drinking water, choked violently, his once indifferent expression faltering. His eyes, which usually radiated stern authority, now betrayed a slight redness.

“Commander Gu,” the two male officers greeted him, surprised to see him. They exchanged glances and decided not to continue the conversation, bidding him goodbye before leaving.

Gu Cheng wiped the corner of his mouth, his handsome face darkening.

Setting his mug down, he walked to the sink, turned on the tap, and lathered his hands with soap. Splashing cold water onto his face, he tried to extinguish the restless agitation surging within him, but no amount of cold water could quell it.

A doctor and a nurse—a match made in heaven?

This chubby girl was preparing for a blind date. No wonder she pretended not to know him. The man in the mirror had redness in his eyes, resembling a provoked lion. Gu Cheng clenched his fists, veins bulging on the back of his hands.

She had the audacity to provoke him and then plan to meet another man.

And she had even given him a pink handkerchief.

If she didn’t have feelings for him, why would she give him something pink?

Gu Cheng took out the neatly folded pink handkerchief from his pocket. Even his roommate, the deputy captain, had no idea that Commander Gu kept a pale pink handkerchief hidden in his pants pocket.