After Meng Youyou left, the two remaining men were like a long-blocked flood finally breaking through its dam—bursting into endless discussion.

More precisely… endless whispered discussion.

Zhang Yong still had a head full of questions.
“How does Translator Meng remember exactly where the battalion commander sat on which day? And why does the commander pay so much attention to her too? Could it be mutual feelings? But it doesn’t really look like it…”

Zhong Heng was practically exasperated.
“You still don’t get it? You’re hopeless. The answer is already obvious.”

He immediately launched into a confident analysis.
“Translator Meng’s behavior is way too obvious. It’s basically confirmed—she likes our battalion commander. As for the commander… that’s harder to say. But considering how sharp and perceptive he is, and how she’s been secretly watching him every day, he must’ve noticed. He’s probably just… doing a bit of ‘counter-surveillance.’”

Zhang Yong suddenly understood.
“You’re right! If even we can notice it, there’s no way the commander wouldn’t. His awareness and observation skills are top-tier.”

Zhong Heng nodded approvingly.
“See? My one-on-one training wasn’t wasted. You’re finally catching on.”

Zhang Yong, ever the “why-why-why” type, continued asking,
“Then can you tell what kind of attitude the commander has toward her?”

Zhong Heng stroked his chin, thinking deeply for a moment, then spoke with confidence,
“I’d say he’s probably not interested in her. Just now during the meal, he kept exposing the flaws in her words and actions. That was his way of hinting at her.”

Zhang Yong looked confused again.
“Hinting at her? Hinting what? I don’t get it.”

“To put it simply,” Zhong Heng said, “he’s telling her: I see through all your little tricks. Don’t think I don’t know. But you should give up—don’t keep doing this in the future.”

Meanwhile, a frustrated Meng Youyou returned to her room and immediately vented her anger at Doudou.

“It’s all your fault!”

Doudou was instantly stunned, feeling wronged.
[How is this my fault? I already told you that protection targets are usually smart and capable. Otherwise, how do you think someone becomes a battalion commander in this era? This task was never going to be easy. You think everything will go exactly the way you want, smooth sailing? That’s impossible!]

Still fuming, Meng Youyou complained,
“Why isn’t it your fault? In all the novels I’ve read, once the heroine transmigrates, she immediately knows everyone’s background, motivations, and future plot developments.”

“And me? My system is completely unreliable! It bugged out right from the start. I know nothing, and that’s why my relationship with the target is so bad right now. Tell me—don’t you have any responsibility?”

Doudou felt a bit guilty and compromised.
[…Then how do you want me to make it up to you?]

Seeing her chance, Meng Youyou dropped the act and smiled brightly.
“Simple. Tell me the future plot. If I know what’s coming, I can plan ahead and respond accordingly.”

Doudou refused immediately.
[That’s impossible!]

Meng Youyou frowned.
“Why? Don’t you want me to complete the mission faster?”

Doudou sighed and confessed,
[To be honest, after the last system update, the Mengda System restricted our permissions for standardization. I no longer have access to future plot information. Everything I’ve told you is already all I’m allowed to know.]

Meng Youyou looked disgusted.
“If you don’t have any useful abilities, how are you going to compensate me?”

Doudou’s eyes suddenly lit up.
[There is something! A new feature—still in beta—called the ‘Alert System.’]

[It’s kind of like having half a cheat ability. It will notify you at key moments when the target and a risk character are about to develop their relationship. That way, you won’t have to stalk him all the time!]

Doudou enthusiastically hyped up the feature.

Half-confused but intrigued, Meng Youyou agreed to install it.

…

Zhou Shiyan arrived at Fanzhou City Railway Station at 3 p.m. Huo Qingshan drove over to pick him up.

The two hadn’t seen each other in a long time, and Zhou Shiyan was especially talkative, constantly chatting about changes in the capital over the past two years, as well as various people and events.

Huo Qingshan didn’t say much, but he listened patiently, occasionally responding.

“How are Grandpa and Grandma?”

Zhou Shiyan slapped his forehead.
“Oh right, how could I forget? Grandpa Huo is doing great. He used to fight on the battlefield, after all—still keeps up his exercise even at his age. Strong as ever. As for Grandma… you know she’s always had some chronic issues. Her joints hurt badly in winter, sometimes even making it hard for her to walk. She talks about you often too—keeps asking why her grandson hasn’t come back this year.”

Watching Huo Qingshan’s expression, Zhou Shiyan probed,
“So? For the sake of the two elders, why not come back to the capital this New Year’s Eve? You haven’t spent the holidays with them in years.”

Huo Qingshan’s gaze remained steady as he looked ahead, replying in a businesslike tone,
“I’ll visit them when I have time. As for the New Year, it depends on the army’s schedule. Too many uncertainties—we’ll see.”

Zhou Shiyan sighed quietly.

But he quickly changed the subject, pulling out a small white tube from his bag and placing it on the dashboard. The front was printed with the word KeloCote.

“This is what you asked for. I consulted professionals—this works best for the condition you described. Imported scar gel. Not easy to get, honestly.”

Huo Qingshan glanced at it.
“Thanks. I’ll treat you to a meal before you leave.”

Zhou Shiyan waved it off.
“No need to be so polite. But you didn’t buy this for yourself, did you?”

He patted Huo Qingshan’s shoulder and grinned.
“Let me guess—you’re giving it to a girl? What’s going on? Got someone you like? Finally opening up, huh?”

Huo Qingshan replied calmly,
“Don’t overthink it. Nothing like that. It’s just for an apology.”

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