Chapter 325: Chapter 325: Take Away
"Absolutely not! Ning Han is part of our medical center. What right do you have to enlist him? With his small frame, sending him to the battlefield would be a death sentence!" Hu Jingjing shouted in protest.
"So what if you’re the commander of Zone 11? Even if the supreme commander of the entire base showed up, you can’t just ignore enlistment procedures and arbitrarily draft my people!" Hu Jingjing yelled furiously.
"That’s right. You just see how handsome Ning Han is and want to snatch him for yourself. You’re jealous, aren’t you? With a face like yours, no one would want you even if you are a commander," Hou Yan jeered at Ning Xuan, now sharing a common enemy with Hu Jingjing.
Hu Jingjing glanced at Ning Xuan’s murderous expression, then at Yun Han, who was trembling and looked ready to faint from fright. She nodded in fervent agreement, scurried over to Yun Han’s side, and whispered comfortingly, "Ning Han, don’t be afraid. I’m an S-level Controller and a very promising Alchemist. I’ll make sure you stay. No matter who she is, she has no right to take you away."
"Even without going through the Military Department’s procedures, as the commander of a military zone, I possess discretionary recruitment authority during wartime. As long as he personally consents, the enlistment takes effect immediately." Ning Xuan raised her voice and asked, "Do you consent to enlist?"
"He does not consent," a female Doctor about the same age as Hou Yan said as she walked over. It was Ding Xiangyang, the director of the medical center.
"Major General Ning, Ning Han’s Spiritual Power Level is only A-level, and his Comprehensive Combat Power is A-," Ding Xiangyang told Ning Xuan with utmost seriousness. "He has never received formal military training. On the battlefield, he would just be cannon fodder. I’m aware of what just transpired. While Hou Yan and Hu Jingjing were fighting over him, it isn’t his fault. Life is precious. He shouldn’t be subjected to such a severe punishment."
’As far as Ding Xiangyang was concerned, Ning Xuan enlisting Yun Han was a death sentence. Yun Han was blameless in today’s dispute, yet he was about to die an innocent man. She couldn’t bear to see such an outcome.’
"Exactly! Ning Han can’t go. Even if you have some authority, you can’t be so reckless with someone’s life!" Seeing Ding Xiangyang step forward to protect Yun Han, Hu Jingjing felt even more emboldened.
"Dean Ding, thank you for your kind intentions, but I am willing to enlist," Yun Han said to Ding Xiangyang. "I’ve admired Commander Ning since before I even came here, so I’m doing this voluntarily."
’Yun Han was frantic. He desperately wanted Ning Xuan to take him away at once. The whole reason he came here was to be by her side and look after her.’
"Ning Han, as long as you’re in our medical center, I am responsible for your safety. You’ve had no military training; going to the battlefield is suicide. You don’t need to be afraid of her. Even if you consent, I won’t," Ding Xiangyang insisted. She was a person who took her responsibilities very seriously. ’Ning Han has done nothing wrong,’ she thought, ’so there’s no way I can accept such an absurd arrangement.’
Ning Xuan shot Yun Han an impatient look. "He doesn’t have to go to the front lines. I happen to be short a nursing aide. As the commander of Zone 11, wanting a nursing aide isn’t an excessive request, is it, Dean Ding?" Ning Xuan said, her gaze fixed on Ding Xiangyang.
"As long as you don’t send Ning Han to the battlefield, you can have him assigned to you. However, when you are on the front lines, Commander Ning, he must come to the medical center to help," Dean Ding conceded.
She made this request out of fear that Ning Xuan would sneak him onto the battlefield.
"Fine. I’m taking him now." With a tug, Ning Xuan pulled on the Vine Whip, yanking the bound Yun Han into her arms.
Yun Han nestled into Ning Xuan’s embrace. To any onlookers, there was a strange, inexplicable sense of harmony between the two.
"Am I the only one who thinks something’s off about those two?" Hu Jingjing murmured suspiciously, pinching her chin.
"I think something’s off, too," Hou Yan chimed in.
"Hmph. Director Hou, this is all your fault. If you hadn’t jumped in to fight over him, we wouldn’t have attracted that Demon King. Now that Ning Han has fallen into her hands, who knows what kind of torture he’ll have to endure?" Hu Jingjing said with a worried tone.
"How is this my fault? I saw him first! You’re the one who interfered, and now you’re acting like you’re in the right? Haven’t you seen how I’ve been treating him? Or are you blind? I think you’re just doing this on purpose!" The moment the topic was raised, Hou Yan’s anger flared.
’This Ning Han... his face wasn’t what you’d call drop-dead gorgeous, but his build and the way he carried himself had a unique charm. The more she looked, the more her heart fluttered. She had set her sights on him long ago, but Ning Han was exceptionally wary. He was never caught alone and turned a blind eye to all her overtures of kindness.’
’Hou Yan had even secretly sent a few students to rough him up, trying to force him to submit to her. But the man was stubborn. Even after suffering in the shadows, he refused to yield.’
"Enough! Hou Yan, how old are you? Have you forgotten why you were exiled here in the first place? Don’t you know? You’re still not showing any remorse, still don’t know how to keep your head down. Your service term is almost over. If you get punished again for something like this, do you still hope to return to the Central Star?" Dean Ding scolded Hou Yan sternly.
"And you, Hu Jingjing," Dean Ding continued, turning on her. "Are you short on Contractors? What kind of Contractor could you possibly want that you can’t find? Do you really need to be here harassing him?"
"Ning Han got dragged into this entirely because of you two. From now on, watch your words and actions. Don’t pull this kind of disgraceful stunt and drag others into it again." Having said her piece, Dean Ding turned and stalked away.
Hu Jingjing and Hou Yan were left alone, glaring daggers at each other.
Meanwhile, Ning Xuan carried Yun Han back to her commander’s quarters.
As the commander with full authority over the war in Zone 11, Ning Xuan had her own standalone residence in the core area of the underground base. The perimeter was protected by layers of guards, making it exceptionally secure.
’Listening to Ning Xuan’s footsteps and feeling her heartbeat, Yun Han’s own heart throbbed. He had finally seen her again. He hadn’t seen her in half a year. He felt his body flush with heat, and he couldn’t help but tighten his embrace around Ning Xuan.’
Yun Han felt the arms holding him tighten slightly, and Ning Xuan’s pace quickened.
"Salute!"
At the sharp command, the sound of soldiers snapping to attention echoed through the corridor. Yun Han glanced around, seeing two rows of fully armed soldiers standing at attention on either side. The eyes visible beneath their black tactical helmets, however, could not hide their astonishment—their commander had returned carrying a young man.
Truth be told, Commander Ning had never been short of admirers who threw themselves at her, including Chief Hua Shangnan of the Special Defense Forces. But their commander had always coldly rejected anyone who tried to get close.
’Who was this man, to be carried back in the arms of their perpetually cold commander?’
"Yun Han, loosen your grip a little," Ning Xuan couldn’t help but say, as he was hugging her too tightly.
