The moment the words left his mouth, the air in the entire room seemed to freeze.

This is no longer recruitment; it's a blatant, overt scheme.

Xiao Dongsheng laid all the cards on the table, forcing Su Tang to make a choice.

Qin Ye could no longer hold back.

He suddenly stood up and stood in front of Su Tang, completely blocking Xiao Dongsheng's extremely oppressive gaze.

"Commander, I understand your analysis completely. I also thank the organization for valuing Su Tang and for wanting to protect her."

"Excuse me for speaking frankly, but if your so-called 'protection' means putting her at greater risks, treating her as an invincible tool, and sending her to carry out more dangerous missions, then I, Qin Ye, will be the first to disagree."

This was the first time he had ever lost his composure in front of a high-ranking official.

He doesn't care about the future or discipline.

All he knew was that no one could force his wife to make a choice she didn't want to make.

Looking at Qin Ye's eagerness to protect his wife, Xiao Dongsheng was not angry at all. Instead, a hint of approval flashed in his eyes. He slowly said, "Qin Ye, are you done? Then let me ask you, can you protect her?"

Qin Ye's breath hitched.

"In the military compound, right under your nose, you might be able to protect her. You can fight for her, you can take a bullet for her."

"But what if we leave this military region? Can you stay by her side every moment? Can you be there for her 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, without ever leaving her side?"

"Can you stop a bullet fired from Moscow? Can you stop a document stamped with an official seal from Beijing?"

These questions struck Qin Ye like a heavy blow to his weak spot, and a sense of powerlessness surged in his chest.

Just then, a soft and warm hand gently covered his arm, which had become a little stiff.

"Chief Xiao."

Su Tang finally spoke, instantly breaking the tension between the two men.

She stepped out from behind Qin Ye, stood beside him, and looked up at Xiao Dongsheng.

“Chief Xiao, you were right about my hesitation before. I was afraid of bringing danger to the person I love.” Her gaze turned to Qin Ye beside her, and she saw the tense lines of his jaw and the bloodshot eyes.

"But the truth is, as you said, danger never disappears just because you back down. It only gets bigger and bigger."

“I won’t passively wait for trouble to come knocking on my door; that’s not my principle. So, I agree to join ‘Dragon Flame’.”

"However, I have one condition."

Xiao Dongsheng's eyes lit up: "Go ahead."

Su Tang looked at him and slowly said:

"What I want is not passive 'protection,' but the 'power' to take the initiative."

"I want to know who wants me dead. I want to personally uproot these troubles."