Things were different now from when Zhou Cheng and Pan Bohua first arrived on Qiong Island.

Last year, they not only had to lead the people here, but their subordinates were also unaware of their capabilities… While there was an official leadership relationship between officers and subordinates, following orders out of discipline was different from genuinely respecting their leaders.

After nearly a year of training and integration, Zhou Cheng and Pan Bohua had become familiar with the unit, and the unit had grown accustomed to them and recognized their abilities.

Pan Bohua was a walking weapon wherever he went, an absolute leader.

Zhou Cheng’s progress was slower, perhaps because he appeared less intimidating than Pan Bohua and was particularly young.

The veterans couldn’t help but wonder privately why such a young parachuted officer could command them!

But it didn’t matter – Zhou Cheng had ways to earn their respect if anyone doubted him.

Physical punishment was the last resort. Even if subordinates showed some defiance, as long as they didn’t violate discipline, arbitrary punishment wasn’t appropriate. That wasn’t iron-fisted leadership but pure foolishness that would only result in superficial compliance without genuine respect.

Zhou Cheng didn’t engage in such petty tactics. Questions were normal, and he simply addressed all doubts head-on!

After three months of closed training, the troublemakers under Zhou Cheng became much more compliant… They had no choice but to accept his outstanding professional expertise, skillful shooting abilities, and theoretical knowledge. It became difficult to find fault with him.

Later, Zhou Cheng and Pan Bohua led their team on a major operation.

The unit’s first appearance was triumphant, with both Zhou Cheng and Pan Bohua receiving commendations. The subordinates’ attitudes naturally transformed from initial skepticism to acceptance and finally to support.

Xia Xiaolan felt this change when she visited the unit.

The closed training period had ended, and family members could now visit normally.

When she entered the unit, it reminded her of Zhou Cheng’s time at the Beijing suburban unit – she was welcomed here.

Of course, she wasn’t some important figure – titles like “Director Xia” didn’t matter here.

She was welcomed solely because of Zhou Cheng.

Everyone called her “Sister-in-law” with bright, cheerful voices!

Xia Xiaolan couldn’t help but smile – was she destined to be a military spouse? No wonder she increasingly enjoyed the unit’s atmosphere, with everyone standing tall and straight, exuding such vigor!

If Xia Xiaolan felt this way, Bai Zhenzhu felt it even more strongly.

Visiting under the pretext of family relations, she looked around with intense interest.

Bai Zhenzhu liked this unit…

“Do you regret not joining here?”

Bai Zhenzhu did feel a slight regret.

Although the unit recruited few women, with her physical qualities, she could have passed the selection process back then if she had wanted to.

Unfortunately, one couldn’t always follow their inclinations. Her grandmother needed care, and after her elder brother Bai Zhiyong went north to join the Highway Administration, who would look after the elder if she left too?

While joining a classified unit would have been good, her current life wasn’t bad either.

“I don’t regret my choice. If I had gone too, my family wouldn’t be living as well as they are now. Having my elder brother go was enough!”

The place indeed stirred one’s blood.

But after the excitement, what then?

People still had to face reality.

She thought that if she had also gone north, her elder brother Bai Zhiyong would have had to stay in Yangcheng. Considering her brother’s personality, even if he had met Xia Xiaolan, he couldn’t have achieved her current business scale.

Different personalities led to different choices – her brother would likely have ended up like Brother Ge at best.

No, that wasn’t right – if her brother hadn’t gone north for work, he wouldn’t have met Zhou Cheng, and without Zhou Cheng, how would the Bai family have met Xiaolan?

Without meeting Xiaolan, there wouldn’t have been a subsequent series of opportunities.

She would have stayed at that fruit stand, and when business was poor, gone to the countryside to buy pigs, becoming a female butcher.

While she could have managed to keep her grandmother from worrying about food and clothing, they would have remained modestly comfortable, unable to support the brothers from the Bai family martial arts school… At this thought, Bai Zhenzhu couldn’t help but look at Xia Xiaolan.

It was Xiaolan who changed the fate of the Bai family and the lives of all the martial arts school brothers-

Xia Xiaolan had no idea about Bai Zhenzhu’s thoughts, as she had already spotted Zhou Cheng and was quickly walking toward him.

Recently married but separated, they hadn’t seen each other for over two months. If not for being at the unit, she would have jumped into Zhou Cheng’s arms.

She had to control herself and restrain her enthusiasm.

Xia Xiaolan felt it was difficult to hold back, unaware that Zhou Cheng was struggling even more.

“I’ve been waiting for you to come,” he whispered in Xia Xiaolan’s ear, “I couldn’t sleep well for several nights after returning to Qiong Island without holding you.”

She felt Zhou Cheng was flirting but couldn’t quite prove it.

This man who had insisted on being properly licensed had evolved into such a smooth operator so quickly after getting his “license”?

Xia Xiaolan felt guilty herself, worried Bai Zhenzhu might hear, and her ears turned red.

Well, it must be because Qiong Island was too hot.

It was only April, but the heat made it difficult to stand still.

She was overthinking it.

Even if Bai Zhenzhu heard, she would take Zhou Cheng’s mention of “insomnia” literally… Comrade Bai Zhenzhu was as dense as a rock in these matters.

There was no chance of her catching on – when facing refined, cultured potential matches, Bai Zhenzhu’s main concern was whether they could withstand one of her punches.

Finally able to fulfill her years-long wish to fight Pan Bohua, Bai Zhenzhu was excited and blood was rushing.

The oblivious single even tactlessly interrupted Xia Xiaolan and Zhou Cheng’s intimate moment, loudly asking Zhou Cheng:

“Where’s Third Brother? I’m here to challenge him to a fight. I originally wanted to follow jianghu customs and send him a challenge letter first, but Xiaolan said it wasn’t necessary!”

Pan Bohua, hearing from his liaison officer that Zhou Cheng’s family member had arrived and guessing it was Xia Xiaolan, hurried over just in time to hear Bai Zhenzhu’s words.

He was amused too.

“You want to fight me? I thought you were joking. Bai Zhiyong couldn’t beat me, yet you’re so bold!”

Bai Zhenzhu’s expression changed, “Third Brother, were you just humoring me at the wedding?”

Pan Bohua scratched his head – why was this girl so persistent?

She had followed them to Qiong Island.

Except during missions, Pan Bohua had never fought with women.

Like Jiang Yan, who had good physical qualities and outstanding combat skills before her injury, women naturally had strength differences from men. Even when occasionally practicing with Jiang Yan, Pan Bohua had always held back… Looking at Bai Zhenzhu’s serious expression, Pan Bohua felt embarrassed to admit he had indeed been patronizing.

He realized he hadn’t handled it right.

Coming so far just to fight him – he shouldn’t have dismissed such a serious sparring opponent.

Pan Bohua’s expression turned serious:

“Alright, when do you want to fight? You and Xiaolan have traveled a long way, do you need a couple of days to rest and get in your best condition?”

Bai Zhenzhu was overjoyed, “I’m in my best condition right now!”

Pan Bohua stopped hesitating:

“Then follow me, let’s find an open space and have a proper fight!”

Xia Xiaolan also followed along with Zhou Cheng. Not just her – after hearing the news, many people came to watch. Sparring with Pan Bohua was practically a live combat training demonstration!