115: Chapter 115: Bringing the Little One Home

The early morning sunlight of the next day filtered through the gaps in the infirmary's curtains, casting a thin golden line on the floor.

Su Qingcheng slowly opened her eyes; the wound on her wrist had already scabbed over, but the muscle soreness still lingered like a shadow.

She turned her head to look out the window—people were already jogging on the training ground, the rhythmic sound of footsteps echoing like drumbeats.

PHWEEET—

A sharp whistle suddenly pierced the morning silence.

"Fall in!"

Su Han's voice echoed through the hallway like a clap of thunder.

The infirmary door was pushed open violently, the sound of combat boots hitting the floor drawing closer.

"Assemble on the training ground in five minutes!" Zhou Mo stood at the door, his gaze sweeping across the seven hospital beds. "Anyone who can move, get up!"

No. 18 Zhang Meng was the first to spring up from her bed. The sudden movement pulled at her wound, making her grimace in pain, but she still forced herself to start putting on her training uniform.

"This is crazy..." Li Xue whispered, her fingers trembling as she buttoned her shirt. "We just crawled back from the gates of hell yesterday..."

Su Qingcheng had already neatly dressed. She turned to Li Xue and said, "Hurry up. If we're late, who knows what kind of lecture we'll get!"

Li Xue bit her lip and didn't say another word.

Five minutes later, the seven female soldiers stood unsteadily on the training ground.

The sunlight beat down on their pale faces; everyone looked as if they had just been fished out of water, drenched in sweat.

Su Han stood before them with his hands behind his back, his training uniform sleeves rolled up to reveal his sturdy forearms.

His gaze swept over everyone's faces like an X-ray.

"It seems you're still alive," he sneered. "Zhou Mo!"

"Here!"

"Take them to the gym for basic recovery training."

"Yes, sir!"

"All units, right face! Double time, march!"

The female soldiers moved toward the gym with heavy steps.

Su Qingcheng noticed a fresh wound on the back of Su Han's right hand; the blood hadn't completely dried yet.

Inside the gym, various equipment were arranged neatly.

Zhou Mo pointed to a few treadmills in the corner. "Jog for ten minutes first to warm up."

No. 18 Zhang Meng was the first to step onto a treadmill and press the start button.

As the belt began to move, her legs felt as heavy as lead; every step felt like walking on the edge of a blade.

"Ah!"

A sudden scream rang out.

Li Xue's legs gave way, and she tumbled forward. Just as she was about to hit the control panel, a large hand suddenly reached out from the side and firmly steadied her shoulder.

"Stand firm." Su Han had appeared in the gym at some unknown point.

Li Xue's face instantly flushed red as she scrambled to readjust her pace.

Su Han let go and looked at the female soldiers. "Today's goal: everyone completes three sets of basic strength training."

No. 12 Lin Yu stared at the barbell, her throat bobbing. "Report! Our current condition..."

"On the battlefield, there is no good or bad condition, only life and death." Su Han set down the barbell, the sound of metal clashing particularly piercing in the quiet gym. "Begin."

For the next two hours, under the supervision of the War Eagle Squad members, the female soldiers completed basic training such as jogging, pull-ups, and squats.

Everyone's training uniform was soaked with sweat, and their faces were as pale as paper, but not a single person called for a stop.

...

On the training ground, the seven female soldiers stood straight in a row.

A week of recovery training had restored much of their condition, but the shadows left by the interrogation training still lingered in their eyes.

Su Qingcheng had a small piece of gauze on her temple, and No. 18 Zhang Meng's wrist was still wrapped in bandages, but their gazes were firmer than ever.

Su Han stood before the formation with his hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping over everyone's faces like a blade.

"Congratulations," he said with surprising calmness. "You have completed the Anti-POW Training."

The female soldiers' breathing visibly hitched; the corners of Li Xue's mouth curled up uncontrollably, and No. 12 Lin Yu's eyes instantly reddened.

Even the usually tough Zhang Meng trembled slightly, her fists clenched until they turned white.

"Report!" Zhang Meng suddenly shouted, her voice carrying uncontrollable excitement. "Does that mean we are qualified Special Forces Soldiers now?"

A cold sneer curled at the corner of Su Han's mouth. "Qualified?"

This rhetorical question was like a bucket of ice water poured over the female soldiers' heads.

"You have only completed the basic selection," Su Han's voice suddenly rose. "You are still far from being true Special Forces Soldiers!"

The joy on the female soldiers' faces instantly froze. Su Qingcheng bit her lower lip, her fingernails digging deep into her palm.

This month of hellish training was actually just "basic selection" in Su Han's words?

"Next," Su Han pulled a training plan from his pocket, "you will undergo a year-long Special Operations Skills Training."

He shook open the schedule; the densely packed training items made the female soldiers gasp—sniping, demolition, diving, parachuting, wilderness survival, infiltration behind enemy lines...

Each item was marked with rigorous assessment standards.

"Only by passing this final stage will you be considered qualified." Su Han put away the schedule. "Instructor Zhou!"

"Here!" Zhou Mo jogged forward.

"Take them to the study room; today will be Special Operations Theory Study."

Su Han checked his watch. "Tomorrow morning at six, assemble on the training ground to officially begin skills training."

"Yes, sir!" Zhou Mo turned to the female soldiers. "All units, right face! Forward, march!"

The female soldiers executed the order mechanically, but their steps were noticeably heavier than usual.

When the group reached the edge of the training ground, Su Han suddenly spoke: "No. 18, stay behind."

Zhang Meng's body visibly stiffened, but she quickly turned and ran back to Su Han. "Report, Chief Instructor! No. 18 awaiting instructions!"

Su Han didn't speak immediately; instead, he pulled a bank card from the inner pocket of his combat uniform and handed it to Zhang Meng.

"There's 200,000 in here. The password is the month and day you joined the training camp."

"Send it back for your mother's medical treatment."

Zhang Meng's eyes widened, and the color instantly drained from her face.

Her lips trembled, but she couldn't make a sound.

"Take it." Su Han nudged the card forward.

"I... I can't..." Zhang Meng took a half-step back, her voice hoarse. "This is too much... I can't pay it back..."

Su Han raised an eyebrow. "Who said I'm giving it for free? This is a loan."

"But... but where did you get so much money?"

Su Han gave a haughty smile, looking like a nouveau riche. "I'm a Tenth-generation Wealthy Heir!"

He stepped forward and forced the card into Zhang Meng's pocket. "Once you become a real Special Forces Soldier and your allowance increases, you can pay me back slowly."

Zhang Meng's eyes suddenly reddened. She bit her lip hard, her shoulders shaking slightly. "Why... help me..."

"Don't flatter yourself." Su Han turned toward the office building, his voice cold. "I just don't want you distracted by family matters, wasting the energy I spent training you this month."

Zhang Meng stood in place, watching Su Han's receding back as tears finally fell uncontrollably.

She reached into her pocket with a trembling hand and pulled out the bank card; the metal card shimmered in the sunlight.

"I'll pay you back..." she murmured softly. "I definitely will..."

In the evening, after dinner, Su Han said to Zhou Mo and the others, "For the next week or so, you guys lead them in basic special ops skills training."

"I need to go home for a few days; it's time to take Xiao Budian back."