The second floor wasn’t particularly high.

Though Zhou Cheng’s roommate apologized, Xia Xiao Lan felt the one who broke the glass was more likely the female trainee by the basketball court.

With very short hair and striking features, she was a stark contrast to Xia Xiao Lan’s delicate charm.

When the woman stared directly at them, Xia Xiao Lan smiled back before turning to ask Zhou Cheng:

“You know each other?”

Surely this wasn’t another Fei Gao—if she was that type, Xia Xiao Lan wouldn’t even bother dealing with her.

Zhou Cheng hesitated before nodding:

“Yes, her name is Jiang Yan.”

Xia Xiao Lan was perceptive—Zhou Cheng’s answer was intriguing!

“…You mean you knew her before coming to the Land Forces Academy?”

Zhou Cheng had just begun to say “Yes” when thundering footsteps interrupted—his roommates had returned.

“Zhou Cheng, are you both alright?”

“Look at the glass shards, let’s clean this up quickly.”

The two roommates explained the situation in a jumble: everyone was playing basketball, men versus women, when Zhou Cheng’s roommate tried to shoot and Jiang Yan jumped to block, sending the ball flying into their window.

“Lucky it only hit our room’s window!”

Zhou Cheng’s roommate remarked. Xia Xiao Lan didn’t show any displeasure, agreeing: “Yes, breaking someone else’s window would’ve been worse. Be careful not to cut yourselves on the glass.”

While Xia Xiao Lan was accommodating, Zhou Cheng remained silent, making his roommates uncomfortable.

Even if it was accidental, it was embarrassing—the couple rarely met, perhaps sharing an intimate moment, when the ball shattered the window. Even without injuries, it was quite a shock!

As they were leaving, Zhou Cheng suddenly asked:

“Was it Jiang Yan who hit the ball?”

His roommate set down the dustpan, glancing at Xia Xiao Lan, unhappily:

“Everyone was fighting for the ball. Jiang Yan did knock it away, but it wasn’t intentional…”

With the glass broken and apologies made, they just needed to report it to the logistics department for replacement.

If logistics wouldn’t cover it, they’d pay themselves—all being advanced trainees with salaries, no one would miss that small amount!

“It’s fine, Zhou Cheng just wants Comrade Jiang Yan not to worry. It was an accident, unintentional. You should continue your game, don’t let this interrupt you.”

Xia Xiao Lan’s diplomatic words quickly eased the tension. The roommates said nothing more, cleaned up the glass, and went back downstairs. When Xia Xiao Lan looked down again, Jiang Yan had disappeared.

“Zhou Cheng, you think she did it deliberately?”

Zhou Cheng nodded, “If it were someone else, it would be accidental. With Jiang Yan… it was intentional.”

Xia Xiao Lan patted the bed, “Then why would Comrade Jiang Yan deliberately break the window? You knew her before, but I’ve never heard you mention her.”

Jiang Yan was quite beautiful.

Zhou Cheng said the female Communications Squad was just established this year, after the New Year.

Despite Jiang Yan’s short time at the academy, Zhou Cheng’s roommates instinctively defended her. Xia Xiao Lan could tell this woman was someone significant!

For such a notable person, it was strange that Xia Xiao Lan had never heard Zhou Cheng mention her. Even Wei Kang and Guang Rong Shao hadn’t mentioned her—unusual.

“Because I never thought I’d cross paths with Jiang Yan again. Do you know why Third Brother Pan retired early? It was because of Jiang Yan’s cousin!”

Zhou Cheng’s tone showed a clear dislike for Jiang Yan.

Xia Xiao Lan had wondered about Third Pan’s early retirement. If there were “champions” like in romance novels, in her impression, Third Pan epitomized that definition. During Zhou Cheng’s isolation investigation, since it involved Third Pan, Guo Bin Zhou had told Xia Xiao Lan that Third Pan was truly exceptional in the unit, winning first place in major competitions for several consecutive years… Someone like that shouldn’t retire early.

“The specifics are under a gag order, but Third Brother Pan had a conflict with Jiang Yan’s cousin Jiang Wu. Jiang Wu was disabled, and the Jiang family had a significant influence in Nanjing. Third Brother Pan didn’t want to trouble the senior leadership, so he retired early.”

This wasn’t a pleasant memory for Zhou Cheng.

Third Brother Pan had been two ranks above Zhou Cheng then. According to police, leaving the unit meant returning to work in his hometown, one rank lower, but still at least a deputy division-level official.

Though the Jiang family was overbearing, Third Pan had support—Zhou Cheng’s family had helped, and he could have returned to work in his hometown.

But Third Pan considered it his feud with the Jiang family and didn’t want to trouble the Zhou family, directly giving up his hometown position… Zhou Cheng found it hard to like Jiang Yan.

Xia Xiao Lan gasped, “What a shame.”

She felt sorry for Third Pan.

An eagle should soar in the sky—clip its wings, and no matter how luxurious the nest, it won’t be happy.

Once a champion, an elite, forced to leave the unit early, and now suspected of smuggling? How did Third Pan end up suspected of smuggling, with Zhou Cheng also under investigation?

“It’s the Jiang family—”

If someone had been watching Third Pan, the recent events made sense.

But Jiang Yan’s window-breaking seemed more like a tantrum than revenge.

“Before Third Brother Pan’s incident, you and Jiang Yan weren’t enemies, but friends, right?”

Nothing seemed to escape Xiao Lan’s notice. Zhou Cheng hadn’t planned to hide it: “More like colleagues.”

Had Jiang Yan been on the front lines too?

Even if in logistics, that was impressive!

The Jiang Yan incident had interrupted their time, and Xia Xiao Lan didn’t stay long at the academy. She stayed at the guesthouse by the academy gate that night. Zhou Cheng said he could leave the next day to spend the whole day with her until he saw her off at the train.

“Just see me to the door, I won’t get lost.”

Xia Xiao Lan urged Zhou Cheng to return.

They parted at the academy gate, with the guesthouse just steps away. At the guesthouse entrance, Xia Xiao Lan saw Jiang Yan—honestly, she wasn’t surprised. Jiang Yan’s window-breaking must have been to attract either Zhou Cheng’s or Xia Xiao Lan’s attention.

Jiang Yan looked her up and down, seemingly surprised at Zhou Cheng’s taste:

“You’re Zhou Cheng’s girlfriend?”

Jiang Yan was tall, slightly taller than Xia Xiao Lan.

Even in civilian clothes, her bearing matched her uniformed presence.

Xia Xiao Lan smiled distantly: “I’m sorry, I don’t know you. When stopping someone, you should introduce yourself first to avoid appearing rude.”

Jiang Yan frowned, “Zhou Cheng didn’t tell you who I am?”

“Why should Zhou Cheng tell me?”

Xia Xiao Lan widened her eyes, imagining how punch-worthy her expression must look without needing a mirror.