Chapter 30 Eight Pack Abs

Regretting not having spat in Cen Yue’s lunch earlier—though only in thought—Song Yiyi still followed behind him into the military compound.

On the way to the office, they passed the training grounds, and her earlier irritation quickly melted away. Perhaps because the weather was getting hotter, all the soldiers were shirtless.

Song Yiyi’s eyes lit up, and her steps behind Cen Yue noticeably slowed.

Eight-pack abs.
Solid, corded muscles.
Perfect V-lines.
That explosive strength you could see with the naked eye.

And all of it naturally built—none of that fake, protein-powder-pumped physique from later generations.

She couldn’t help but steal several glances.

After scanning the field, she finally looked at faces. Strangely enough, at first glance, she zeroed in on Gu Chengze with uncanny precision.

She pressed her lips together as an odd feeling rose in her chest—something that made her heart beat faster without her willing it.

The Gu Chengze she usually saw was a warm, refined gentleman. But in truth, his physique was a stark contrast to that harmless face.

She was staring straight at him, her gaze not yet drifting down when a green wall suddenly blocked her view.

Cen Yue’s cold voice: “Fall in!”

That command wasn’t directed at her.

Song Yiyi still wanted to look again, but with Cen Yue now standing squarely in front of her, her view was completely blocked.

The soldiers on the field reacted quickly, and soon the sound of synchronized footsteps echoed.

Then came Cen Yue’s emotionless order: “Dismissed!”

“Iyiyi.”
It was Gu Chengze’s voice.

She quickly poked her head out from behind Cen Yue. “Ge!”

At some point, Gu Chengze had already put on a short-sleeved green military shirt.

She sighed inwardly, her eyes dimming. “Here, lunch for you.” She spoke without energy. “And one for Commissar Cen. I’ll head back first.”

Just as she turned to leave, someone called out, “Wait.”

She turned back. Cen Yue glanced at her lightly. “I have something to ask you.”

The three of them went together to the regimental office.

As before, Cen Yue poured her a cup of tea.

Gu Chengze took out the two lunch boxes from the cloth bag and asked curiously, “Yiyi, you didn’t eat either?”

She glanced at him and pointed with her chin toward Cen Yue. “That big box—Mom told me to bring it for Commissar Cen.”

Gu Chengze opened it and called over to him, “Old Cen, come eat with us. My mom still remembers you don’t eat scallions, so I’m guessing yours is celery-and-meat filling.”

If their mother made a point to remind his sister, then she clearly remembered Cen Yue’s food aversion.

After saying that, Gu Chengze looked at Song Yiyi.

She casually found a stool, propped her chin on her hand, and nodded listlessly. She had already given Cen Yue multiple pointed looks—Hurry up and ask whatever it is! Once you’re done, I’m leaving!

But alas, Cen Yue seemed oblivious.

While others were eating, she didn’t want to speak out and interrupt—after all, to her, nothing was more important than eating.

And without any beautiful physiques to look at, she had zero desire to linger here.

She watched the two men eat in boredom.

Gu Chengze even tried to offer her some.

She waved him off. “No, I’m full. Ate at home.”

Suddenly, Gu Chengze remembered something and said self-deprecatingly, “Look at me—guess I’m getting old.”

Cen Yue lifted his eyelids slightly.

Gu Chengze smiled. “Yiyi doesn’t like meat dumplings. Back home, we always made her a separate batch with zucchini and egg filling.”

Cen Yue’s lips curved into a faint, unreadable smile. “Doesn’t like meat?”

Gu Chengze shook his head. “Not exactly—she just doesn’t like dumpling filling with meat.”

By now, Cen Yue had set down his chopsticks and was slowly lifting the purple clay thermos from the table. “Quite a unique taste, this little sister.”

Song Yiyi was starting to feel drowsy, but her instincts told her Cen Yue’s tone carried a touch of mockery.

She shot him a defiant look.

He seemed not to notice, still sipping his tea.

Only, that purple clay thermos in his hand… looked oddly familiar.

Before she could think more about it, Gu Chengze spoke again, his voice full of warmth. “Well, of course—she’s my only sister.”

Hearing that, Song Yiyi suddenly remembered what Song Minghui had said last night:
“Even if we take ten thousand steps back—do you think your brother could accept it?”

At that thought, she quickly shook her head to cut it off. She didn’t even like Gu Chengze—why was she thinking about this?

She stood up. “Ge, if there’s nothing else, I’ll be going?”

Gu Chengze looked at Cen Yue. “Old Cen, what did you want to ask Yiyi?”

Cen Yue’s tone was casual. “Just now, at the military gate, little sister ran into Cen Bowen.”

So Cen Yue did know.

A glint flashed in Song Yiyi’s eyes—no wonder she had shouted so loudly and no one came out. Turns out Cen Yue had been there covering for Cen Bowen.

She asked, “Commissar Cen, you saw him harassing me?”

Cen Yue shot her a sideways glance—one that made her feel like she’d fallen into an icy abyss.

Gu Chengze set his chopsticks down with a heavy thud. “I’m going to find him.”

Being in the same military district, Gu Chengze hadn’t wanted to make things too ugly—but Cen Bowen had crossed the line again and again. First going to their house, now blocking Yiyi.

His face dark with anger, he strode out.

Cen Yue still sat on his stool, speaking mildly. “Old Gu…”

But this time, Gu Chengze was already gone.

Song Yiyi hurried to follow. “Ge, Ge, wait for me.”

She threw one last defiant look at Cen Yue.

“Commander, you back up Cen Bowen, my brother backs me up—sounds fair, right?”

Gu Chengze walked out of the office, intending to head straight for the camp. Who would’ve thought that as soon as he stepped out, he’d spot Cen Bowen lurking suspiciously in a corner.

Cen Bowen, in the middle of the day, instead of eating lunch, had run here to secretly watch. Anyone with eyes could tell what was going on.

“Cen Bowen, didn’t I tell you not to harass Yiyi again?”
The usual warmth was gone from Gu Chengze’s face. He strode over, grabbed Cen Bowen by the collar, and punched him square in the face.

Song Yiyi came running and caught the scene in full.
“Brother!” Her voice practically brimmed with excitement.

She rushed over, half-heartedly grabbing the back of Cen Bowen’s neck.
“Brother! Stop hitting him!”

Her tug actually gave Gu Chengze another clean shot. In fact, Cen Bowen hadn’t even reacted yet when he took both punches head-on.

Yiyi’s grip on his clothes was tight—not like she was trying to help, but more like she was trying to strangle him.

Gu Chengze’s expression was dark, but his tone toward Yiyi remained gentle.
“Yiyi, go back first. Let your brother handle this—don’t get yourself hurt.”

Song Yiyi still clutched tightly at Cen Bowen’s collar. He was too tall, so she could only yank him downward, her face twisted with gritted teeth. And yet, her trembling voice sounded like she was terrified.
“Brother, don’t be like this. I know you’re angry, and of course anyone would be if they saw their little sister being bullied by a bad man.”

She was on the verge of tears.

Cen Bowen was struggling to breathe and tried to pry her hand off.

Gu Chengze saw that and flew into an even bigger rage.
“Cen Bowen! I’m still standing right here, and you dare touch Yiyi’s hand?!”

Bang!