Ye Fei and Liu Junyi were both taken aback by the news. Liu Junyi quickly asked, "Were there any casualties?"
Zhang Qiang shook his head. "No fatalities. A few of our guys got hit in the arms and legs, but nothing critical."
Relieved, Liu Junyi immediately instructed the surrounding officers to gather all squadron leaders in the temporary meeting room. Turning back to Zhang Qiang, she asked, "Tell us exactly what happened."
Zhang Qiang explained that, after Ye Fei and Liu Junyi left in the morning, the teams had continued their planned, step-by-step search into the forest. By 2 p.m., they had covered only about five miles. Just when everyone thought it was going to be another uneventful day, gunfire erupted from the depths of the woods, hitting several members who had separated slightly from the main group. Shocked, the others returned fire, but the attackers quickly vanished.
Though the teams wanted to pursue them, they remembered Liu Junyi's orders to exercise caution and decided to fall back to the base and await further instructions.
Liu Junyi listened intently, her expression tightening. The team's safety weighed heavily on her, especially as she realized she had spent the day in peaceful retreat while her team faced danger. Although no one had been seriously injured, she couldn't shake a sense of responsibility.
Seeing Liu Junyi's expression, Ye Fei could guess her feelings. As he quietly took her hand, he whispered reassuringly, "It's not your fault. Even if you'd been here, you couldn't have prevented the attack. Focus on how we're going to respond."
Liu Junyi nodded, knowing he was right. She felt a warmth in Ye Fei's silent understanding, sensing that the two shared a unique bond. It felt reassuring, like he always understood her thoughts, and this brought her a comforting sense of unity.
When they arrived at the small meeting room in the temporary base, all squadron leaders and above were already assembled. After they took their seats, Liu Junyi addressed the group directly. "What are your thoughts on today's attack?"
The captains had been discussing the incident before Ye Fei and Liu Junyi returned. Many assumed that the enemy knew they'd been discovered and were now anxious to catch the task force off guard. It seemed the ambush had been intended to either eliminate them in one swift strike or at least test their strength. The leaders shared their opinions, each proposing possible countermeasures.
After hearing them out, Liu Junyi fell into a contemplative silence, unconsciously glancing toward Ye Fei. Her reliance on him had deepened without her realizing it; she now instinctively looked to him for advice on important matters.
Since deciding to help Liu Junyi take command of the special forces, Ye Fei had been strategizing how best to bolster her leadership. He knew that if she was to lead this elite force on his behalf, she would need both his support and her own solid authority.
The ideal approach would be to guide her subtly, allowing her to demonstrate her wisdom while he provided strength from behind the scenes, creating a leadership team that would inspire loyalty and respect. But for this to work, he needed her to voice his ideas herself.
Ye Fei observed their reactions with satisfaction, pleased to see the admiration growing for Liu Junyi's intelligence and his strength. Together, they were winning the team's respect and loyalty.
Understanding the shift in the room, Liu Junyi concluded, "There's no need to dwell on today's ambush. Stick to our strategy but increase caution. Stay in groups to avoid isolation."
The captains replied in unison, "Yes, Captain!"
As the meeting ended and the leaders dispersed, Liu Junyi asked Ye Fei to stay behind.
After the room cleared, Ye Fei approached her with a grin. "Calling me back for a 'special assignment,' are you?"
She blushed slightly at his teasing, though her expression softened. "Stop it!" she said, giving him a gentle nudge, though her tone quickly turned thoughtful. "Do you think we're being selfish, chasing our own goals and putting others at risk?"
Ye Fei understood her concern, sensing that the day's events weighed on her. He admired her empathy, recognizing the balance she sought between her duty and her feelings. Gently, he pulled her close, reassuring her, "Don't be hard on yourself. Even if you'd been here, the ambush was unavoidable. Tomorrow, we'll intensify the search and put an end to this. Our team deserves justice."
Liu Junyi nodded softly, her expression lightening as she rested in his embrace. They left the meeting room side-by-side, each finding comfort in the other's presence.
When Ye Fei returned to the dormitory, he found Zhang Qiang and the others still awake. As he walked in, one of the team members grinned. "Did your aunt give you another special mission?" Enjoy stories on m_v lem|p-yr
Ye Fei smiled, keeping the tone light. "Nothing different from before. I'm supposed to help find the enemy and make sure we avenge our comrades."
Zhang Qiang chimed in, "Didn't you say you found a suspicious spot earlier? Did the Captain discover anything?"
Ye Fei and Liu Junyi had anticipated this question. Smiling wryly, he replied, "Turned out to be nothing. Just some traces from wild animals. I mistook them for enemy signs."
The group laughed, teasing him, but Ye Fei sensed the change: sharing this minor mistake had made him more relatable. Not treating him as the invincible god-like. They were no longer in awe of him but saw him as part of the team, strengthening the camaraderie and mutual respect he valued so highly.