236: Natasha's forceful kiss

Raozhou Base

Zhang Lei spent two days at the West Suburb Base catching up with his cousin, Yao Ke. Afterward, he set off for the newly completed Raozhou Base (which Jiang Xin had deployed using his system; meanwhile, the Jiangzhou Base had also been completed, both being 30-square-kilometer large bases rewarded by the system). At this time, Jiang Xin's military operations against Lingnan Province on the southern front were drawing to a close.

In the operations room of Raozhou Base, Zhang Lei gathered his key officers. His gaze swept over the crowd before finally landing on Chen Hao, who sat there like an iron tower.

"Chen Hao," Zhang Lei began, "get ready. Tomorrow, you'll accompany me to Hongdu Base to establish formal contact."

"Yes, sir! Mission guaranteed!" Chen Hao responded in a voice like a booming bell, crisp and direct.

Just as he finished speaking, a cold and clear female voice rang out abruptly, breaking the silence of the meeting room: "Zhang Lei, I'm going too." Everyone looked toward the source and saw Natasha, who had been sitting in the corner as silent as an iceberg. She had looked up at some point, her icy blue eyes staring at Zhang Lei without a ripple of emotion.

Zhang Lei was taken aback and a bit confused. "You? Why are you joining in the fun?" He really couldn't see what this diplomatic contact mission had to do with this ace Sniper who was used to being a lone wolf.

*Thud!* Natasha didn't speak. She simply lifted the massive god-slaying sniper rifle that had been leaning against her chair and tapped the metal-clad buttstock against the floor with moderate force. It made a dull but clear sound, as if expressing an unquestionable attitude.

Seeing her cold "I won't stop until you agree" expression, Zhang Lei helplessly rubbed his forehead. "Fine, fine. You can come along tomorrow!" He knew this "ice girl" had a peculiar personality and rarely acted according to common sense. However, having fought side-by-side for two months, her strength and insight into the battlefield had indeed helped him a lot. He didn't bother arguing with her over such a minor matter that didn't involve principles.

Hearing this, Natasha's beautiful eyebrows twitched imperceptibly as a response. She said nothing more, returning to her "iceberg" persona that warned others not to approach.

The other officers in the meeting room exchanged glances, whispering to each other with knowing smiles. Clearly, they had long since grown accustomed to this scene. This cold killer from the northern lands was usually strictly business with everyone, except when it came to Officer Zhang Lei, whom she was exceptionally "attentive" toward. Anyone with eyes could see the implications.

After all, Officer Zhang Lei was powerful, handsome, and had an extraordinary temperament. His charm was second to none in the legion, so it was only natural for him to attract female favor. It was just that he himself was always busy with military affairs and cultivation, so there hadn't been many rumors.

Ignoring his subordinates' gossip, Zhang Lei continued his deployment: "Chen Hao, make additional arrangements to allocate ten transport planes. Load them with a batch of food, medicine, and conventional weapons and ammunition. This will be our meeting gift for Hongdu Base to relieve some of their resource pressure."

"Understood, sir!"

After arranging everything, Zhang Lei declared the meeting adjourned and left the room.

Late at night.

The rooftop of the Commander's residence.

The bright moonlight spilled across the ground like liquid silver, coating the rooftop in a layer of clear light.

Zhang Lei was alone, eyes closed in concentration. He guided the gentle yet majestic water-attribute Superpower within his body, letting it circulate slowly along a profound path. Faint blue water vapor lingered around him, blending with the moonlight, appearing serene and mysterious.

Suddenly, he felt a faint chill approaching from behind, as if even the moonlight had been frozen for a moment.

"Is something the matter, Natasha?" Zhang Lei didn't look back, maintaining his cultivation posture as he spoke calmly, his tone carrying a hint of displeasure at being disturbed.

"Why have you been avoiding me these past few days?" Natasha's figure seemed to peel away from the moon's shadow, appearing silently behind Zhang Lei.

Tonight, she was rarely not in her combat uniform. Instead, she had changed into a well-tailored, jasmine-white silk gown, its hem fluttering gently in the night breeze. The moonlight fell upon her, making her pale blonde hair shine even more brilliantly. In the moonlight, her icy blue eyes lost some of their usual murderous intent, gaining a touch of haziness and depth. Love intertwined with that faint aura of danger, making her look like a celestial maiden descended from the moon palace—breath-taking, yet giving Zhang Lei an inexplicable sense of coldness.

"My dear lady!" Zhang Lei turned around helplessly to face her. Her complex and direct gaze made his skin crawl. "Just say what's on your mind! Don't look at me like that; it's a bit creepy."

"Are you men of Huaxia all this cowardly?" Natasha took light, cat-like steps, her figure flickering between light and shadow a few times before she was pressing right up against Zhang Lei—the distance between them was less than a centimeter! She looked up, her burning gaze staring straight into Zhang Lei's eyes, her warm breath almost puffing onto his face. "Or is it that you simply have no thoughts about me at all?"

"Holy crap!" Zhang Lei's heart skipped a beat at her sudden approach. The unique fragrance lingering at the tip of his nose—unlike ordinary perfume, cold and mysterious—made him curse inwardly. This "ice girl" from the Soviet army really was bold and direct in her actions. With this posture, was she planning to "force" herself on him?

"What exactly do you mean?" Seeing him silent, Natasha reached out a long, fair finger—one that contained terrifying power—and lightly traced Zhang Lei's cheek. The fingertip was slightly cool, but the pressure was subtle, as if it could turn from a caress into a tear at any moment. "Do you look down on me?"

Zhang Lei was unsettled by her bold actions and direct questioning, but he quickly steadied his mind and decided not to avoid it anymore. He took a deep breath, looking straight into Natasha's icy blue eyes that seemed capable of capturing one's soul, and asked back, "Natasha, do you... like me?"

"Yes." Natasha's answer was crisp and direct, without the slightest hesitation. She looked at Zhang Lei wistfully, her sexy red lips parting slightly as she exhaled like a fragrance. "You are very charming." At this moment, the cold killing intent on her seemed to melt completely, replaced by a fatal, primitive, and pure allure. It formed a massive contrast with her usual image and was incredibly impactful.

Zhang Lei felt his willpower undergoing a severe test. Even though he had seen many beauties—be it the pure and innocent Yang Yiyu, the capable and intellectual Ye Anhe who hid strength within her softness, the mature and wise Tanya, or the gentle and pure Jiang Feifei—their beauties each had their merits, but none could compare to the intense, exotic temptation Natasha was exuding from her very bones. In terms of delicate features, fair skin, and a proud figure, Natasha was indeed second to none among the women he knew.

Just as Zhang Lei's mind was wavering, Natasha went a step further. She reached out both arms and naturally looped them around his neck. Their noses were almost touching, their breaths mingling, and she could clearly feel his suddenly accelerating heartbeat.

"Your heart is beating very fast," a hint of a successful smile flashed in Natasha's eyes. That trace of killing intent had completely vanished, leaving only a pure allure that could almost drown a person. Under the bright moonlight, the two of them maintained an extremely ambiguous posture, gazing into each other's eyes as the air filled with an ambiguous atmosphere.

Zhang Lei's heart was indeed drumming in his chest, but his powerful willpower quickly regained the upper hand. The daze in his eyes rapidly receded, replaced by a more determined light. "Natasha," his voice was low and clear, "I understand your feelings. However, my goal is to pursue the peak of martial arts and explore more possibilities of life. I... cannot be distracted by this for now."

"You really are... different from other men." Instead of backing down because of his rejection, a thicker sense of interest and a desire for a challenge flashed in Natasha's icy blue eyes. She didn't give Zhang Lei any more time to react. Standing on her tiptoes, those two thin, rosy lips—like rose petals stained with dew, carrying a sweet, icy coolness like rock candy—firmly and with a hint of irresistible predatory intent, accurately covered Zhang Lei's lips!

Zhang Lei's brain went "buzz" and instantly went blank! That soft touch and that cold yet sweet scent swept through his body like a powerful electric current, causing the willpower he took pride in to collapse in an instant. He stood there stiffly, letting Natasha take from him clumsily yet passionately.

He didn't know how much time had passed—maybe just a few seconds, maybe a long century—before Zhang Lei slowly woke up from that unprecedented shock. He abruptly stepped back, but there was no one in front of him anymore. Only the faint fragrance remaining on his lips proved that everything just now wasn't an illusion.

In the night breeze, Natasha's cold voice, carrying a hint of determination, drifted from all directions: "I will make you fall in love with me, Zhang Lei!"

Zhang Lei stood where he was, subconsciously raising a hand to touch his lips. The expression on his face was complex, finally turning into a helpless, bitter smile. "It's over... I really was 'force-kissed' this time. Damn! If Brother Jiang finds out, he'll laugh his head off... This Soviet girl's after-effects are just too strong..."

He wasn't actually devoid of desire. It was just that deep in his heart, he had always had a faint premonition—when one's strength broke through to a certain higher level, the limits of human lifespan might be shattered. At that time, if he were in love with an ordinary person with only a hundred-year lifespan, it wouldn't bring eternal happiness, but the endless torture of watching his lover pass away over the long years. He was someone who pursued the ultimate and exclusivity in his bones. If he were to choose a love, the other person would also have to be a powerhouse who could stand by his side and break through the shackles of life together. This was the true concern and pursuit deep in his heart.