Qiao Zhen nodded vigorously, expressing her complete agreement with Lin Zhao's insights.

[Ding—Qiao Zhen's character has exceeded her limits. Warning issued, one Life-Extending Pill confiscated.]

Upon receiving the warning, Qiao Zhen seemed to be put on pause. Her head, which was nodding, suddenly stopped, and her eyes narrowed. "What does it matter to me where you look? I was just saying a few words casually."

Lin Zhao didn't care about her sudden change in attitude. "Let's look at the past then. There are always some things that are unforgettable. If we can't let go of them, how can we move forward with a clear conscience?"

"No way! Didn't we agree not to look back at what happened before?" Qiao Zhen gave a curt "Mm."

She let out a sound, but inside, it felt like a spinning top was churning within her. "Aren't you going out yet?"

Lin Zhao glanced at Qiao Zhen silently, then left.

From then on, the relationship between Qiao Zhen and Lin Zhao seemed to ease. Every time Commander Qiao returned home, he no longer had to be as fearful as if he were fighting a war. Oh, Commander Qiao felt that even fighting a war was not as intense as when Qiao Zhen fired at Lin Zhao.

Qiao Zhen rarely mentioned the man from the An family anymore, claiming that time heals all wounds and that she needed to forget her past feelings. She had also interacted with Aunt Yun, who was no longer the timid and submissive woman she had been ten years ago. She was completely transformed, confident and elegant, and the two of them interacted like friends.

Qiao Zhen didn't reveal her identity as the daughter of Marshal Qiao, so she had no inhibitions when interacting with her colleagues. She thrived at the newspaper, and some of her opinions on social issues were even adopted.

Three months passed in the blink of an eye. On this day, Commander Qiao sent Lin Zhao to protect Qiao Zhen and go out to buy some summer clothes. Most of Qiao Zhen's wardrobe consisted of rigid work clothes, so Qiao Zhen did not refuse.

Qiao Zhen still enjoys shopping as always, especially when someone helps her carry the bags; she can walk for six hours in two-inch high heels.

"I didn't expect this store to still be around."

She was referring to the traditional Chinese clothing store that made the tiger-patterned clothes and shoes for Lin Zhao. The owner was still the same one with round glasses. It's a pity that Qiao Zhen, because of her own carelessness, missed seeing little Lin Zhao wearing the tiger-patterned clothes and shoes.

Lin Zhao carried several bags, his gaze somewhat deep. "Would the young lady like to go inside and take a look?"

"I'm not going. I'm not wearing a long gown anyway." Qiao Zhen walked past Lin Zhao in her high heels, missing the dark glint in his eyes.

A man in military uniform strode up to Lin Zhao, whispered something in her ear, and cautiously glanced at Qiao Zhen.

Qiao Zhen wasn't blind, so she naturally saw it. "Is there something you need? Then let's go back first."

Lin Zhao handed the bags to the officer, then led Qiao Zhen back to the car, saying, "Let's go home."

Qiao Zhen played with the peach blossom fan she had just bought, unfolding and closing it repeatedly, thoroughly enjoying herself. She didn't care what the officer had just said; if she wanted to know, she could just ask Chu Chu.

【Chuchu, what just happened?】

Chu Chu, far away at the Marshal's Mansion: [I don't know, I'm dead.]

[Hurry up and tell me! It seems like failing the mission will deduct five candy beans.]

No, it's eight.

【Then why don't you hurry up and tell me?!】

Chu Chu, munching on sunflower seeds, rolled her eyes. [While I was AFK, Qiao Zhen stole some information on the T-30 rifle and gave it to An Jun. Oh, An Jun is the male lead. The man you dislocated that night has already confessed everything. Don't worry, I've prepared eight candies. Consider it a hardship from heaven for my life, which has been too smooth sailing! After all, nobody's perfect, and nobody's perfect either (；一_一)]

"That's easy! Chu Chu, you haven't been out of the mountains for a long time, have you? Here's a task for you: steal back the data or destroy it, and all eight candies will be yours."

Suddenly filled with hope, Chuchu swallowed the sunflower seed in her mouth, thinking, "Wait for this hamster's triumphant return!"

[Qiao Zhen has closed the mental channel and left a message: Solve your own problems, don't bother me.]

She stole matches from the Qiao family's kitchen with an air of arrogance and pride, and no one saw her petite and agile figure heading towards the An family's residence.

Lin Zhao didn't ask Qiao Zhen anything. However, after returning to the Qiao residence, Qiao Zhen was met with a furious and exasperated question from Commander Qiao: "Zhenzhen! Dad thought you had truly let go, but... but why did you...!"

Qiao Zhen sat innocently on the sofa, watching Qiao Dashuai pace angrily in front of her. "I have let go, but I hadn't let go when I was stealing the information. Don't worry, Dad, I will clean up the mess I made myself. I will definitely not let you lose a single soldier."

It would be a miracle if Commander Qiao believed Qiao Zhen's lies, but deep down he couldn't bring himself to blame Qiao Zhen. He was blinded by greed when he sent Qiao Zhen abroad to study, and he was also blinded by greed when he deliberately arranged for her to meet several young masters of the An family. Who knew that Qiao Zhen would fall for An Jun of all people?

Lin Zhao also spoke up to advise, "Uncle, things have come to this point, it's too late to pursue the responsibility now. Let's think of a solution. Since Miss says she has a way, let's wait and see."

Qiao Zhen trusted Chu Chu as much as she trusted her father (not General Qiao), so she leisurely brewed a pot of coffee and asked, "Would you like some?"

Qiao Dashuai had no interest in drinking coffee anymore. He asked worriedly, "Zhenzhen, what kind of method are you talking about? Tell Dad, maybe Dad can help you?"

Could Qiao Zhen tell? Her method was to have Chu Chu, the little hamster, steal back or destroy the data. She looked at Commander Qiao meaningfully and slowly said a few words: "I have my own brilliant plan."

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