Qiao Lang was about to hand Xia Zhining some water.

Shen Jiaer quickly stuffed the water and towel that Secretary Jiang had prepared into Xia Zhining's hands, his emerald eyes filled with a bright smile: "Ningning, you've worked hard! Quickly wipe your sweat!"

Qiao Lang looked at the handsome mixed-race man who suddenly appeared in front of him, and then glanced at Gu Huaiye, who was sitting not far away with an imposing aura. He immediately felt immense pressure.

It seems like these two are here specifically for Expert Xia.

Qiao Lang put away the bottled water in his hand and turned to go to the warehouse to find a wristband for Xia Zhining.

Xia Zhining was taken aback by Shen Jiaer's sudden appearance.

Before she could react, Shen Jiaer leaned closer and whispered, "Ningning, look at my Ye-ge. He's sitting here and he's practically turned the training base into a freezer."

"Why don't you do him a favor and give him a proper status? That way he won't haunt you like this every day."

As soon as he finished speaking, he felt Gu Huaiye's icy gaze behind him almost pierce through him.

Shen Jiaer immediately raised his hands in surrender, backing away while grinning and saying, "Okay, okay, I'll shut up."

"But Ningning, if you really like this reliable and steady one..."

He glanced at Qiao Lang, then at Gu Huaiye: "My brother Ye can actually pull off a convincing act!"

Shen Jiaer's words were like a thunderclap, leaving Xia Zhining stunned.

Her entire face flushed bright red instantly, even her ears turned crimson. "What?!"

"I'm here to seriously learn grappling techniques!"

She looked at Shen Jiaer, then at Gu Huaiye, and said earnestly, "Officer Qiao was entrusted by my brother to guide me. This is the first time we've met."

Gu Huaiye loosened his collar, his expression softening slightly.

Seeing this, Shen Jiaer became even more enthusiastic, deliberately drawing out his words: "Oh~ so this was specially arranged by Officer Ji? Then isn't this just a disguised blind date!"

"A blind date?" Xia Zhining's eyes widened. "Who goes on a blind date at a training ground? Aren't they usually at a restaurant?"

"They hadn't even had a chance to move on before my brother Ye snatched it away!" Shen Jiaer replied with a grin.

Gu Huaiye stood up and gently pressed Shen Jiaer's shoulder: "Alright, stop teasing her."

He turned to Xia Zhining, his gaze lingering on her flushed cheeks for a moment: "Training is over. Let's go, I'll take you to eat."

Xia Zhining hadn't even realized why Gu Huaiye was here and taking her out to eat when Qiao Lang walked over with a brand new wristband: "Expert Xia, take this wristband, you can use it for the next training session..."

Shen Jiaer quickly took the wristband and said to Qiao Lang with a smile, "Thank you for your kindness, Officer Qiao! But Brother Gu will prepare all this equipment, so we won't trouble you."

"I'll gladly accept this wristband. Next time, Ningning and I will work out together!"

He deliberately emphasized the words "our Brother Gu" and gave Gu Huaiye a look that said, "This is all the help I can give you, brother."

Gu Huaiye took a step forward, his figure perfectly blocking Qiao Lang's gaze, completely protecting Xia Zhining under his shadow, silently drawing a boundary and bringing her into his territory.

He nodded slightly to Qiao Lang, his tone polite yet distant: "Instructor Qiao, you've worked hard teaching. I'll have Secretary Jiang send the investment proposal to your father."

After saying that, Gu Huaiye took Xia Zhining's wrist and led her outside.

Xia Zhining followed closely behind, looking up at him: "Where are we going?"

Gu Huaiye did not stop walking; his profile appeared particularly deep under the lights of the training ground.

"Let's go to a restaurant for dinner."

Seeing Gu Huaiye pull Xia Zhining away without saying a word, Shen Jiaer asked, "Brother Ye, what about me?!"