In Chapter 403, on the fighting field, the injured but arrogant Bai Wei continued her performance while looking at Su An with an expression that said, "I'm thinking of you."

"The final unrestricted combat assessment is just around the corner. As the squad leader, I'm worried when I see my comrades have weaknesses! So, I thought... I wanted to take this opportunity to 'help' her one-on-one, to give her some pointers, and to let her get used to the intensity of real combat. This is all for her own good, and for the collective honor of our Third Battalion!"

How grand and righteous these words sound!

He disguised his sinister intentions of settling personal scores as noble virtues of selfless dedication to the public good and concern for his comrades.

The trainees around looked at each other in bewilderment, and many male soldiers who were unaware of the truth even showed expressions of agreement.

"What Bai Wei said seems to make sense..."

"Yeah, that Su An is as skinny as a monkey, so fighting is definitely his weakness. It's good for him to start training in advance."

But those who knew the inside story almost vomited on the spot when they heard these words.

"Pah! What a shameless bastard!" Li Si couldn't help but spit under his breath next to Gao Kai. "Like a weasel offering New Year's greetings to a chicken, he's up to no good!"

"I object!"

A violent voice suddenly rang out, and Gao Kai, like a leopard whose scales had been touched, suddenly rushed out of the ranks, staring at Bai Wei with bloodshot eyes.

"This is unfair!" He pointed at Bai Wei and roared at Instructor Lei Kuan, "Bai Wei's weight and strength are far superior to Su An's! She's clearly trying to bully others by abusing her power! This isn't 'helping,' it's murder!"

Gao Kai's reaction was more intense than anyone expected. His feelings for Su An now went beyond mere admiration. After what happened with Wang Xiaoya, he felt an even greater sense of guilt for failing to protect them. Now, Bai Wei dared to bully Su An in front of him using such despicable means—he simply couldn't tolerate it!

"Gao Kai! What are you yelling about? Get back to the team!" Lei Kuan was furious at his outburst. "This is a challenge, not a dinner party! Do you think the enemy will treat you fairly on the battlefield?"

"But……"

"There's no 'but'!"

Just as the scene descended into chaos, another voice rang out.

"Instructor, I...I volunteer to fight in place of Sister Su An!"

Chen Xiaocao mustered the greatest courage of her life and stepped forward, her eyes red. She knew she couldn't beat Bai Wei, and might even be badly beaten, but she couldn't just stand by and watch Su Anjie fall into danger because of them.

Little Ya is already gone, she can't let Su An get into trouble too!

"Nonsense! Get the hell back here!" Lei Kuan was completely enraged.

In the queue not far away, Jiang Yan's brows were tightly furrowed. His usually calm eyes were now turbulent. He wasn't Gao Kai; he wouldn't impulsively jump out. But he saw things more clearly than anyone else.

Bai Wei's motives were despicable and blatant.

Gao Kai's defense was sincere yet reckless.

Chen Xiaocao's act of stepping forward was a form of protection that transcended fear.

All of this revolves around that slender figure who remained silent throughout.

Jiang Yan's gaze fell on Su An.

He was somewhat puzzled.

Faced with such obvious provocation and crisis, why was she so calm? What was hidden beneath that calm? Was it helplessness and despair, or... something else she was relying on?

He instinctively wanted to say something, to try and mediate the out-of-control conflict in a more prudent and rational way.

However, just a second before he was about to speak.

The center, which had been silent all along, finally spoke.

Su Tang raised her head. Her eyes, which had become even clearer and deeper after a week in solitary confinement, calmly glanced at Bai Wei, who was beaming with pride, and then at Gao Kai and Chen Xiaocao, who were extremely anxious.