EM 32. Planning

The idea of incorporating mercenary elements into special forces had been debated for a long time from the very beginning. Special forces operations generally involved reconnaissance and infiltration, behind-the-lines strikes, targeted assassinations, hostage rescues, counterterrorism, and so on. Situations like the one in Malaysia were extremely rare. Still, after much consideration of various factors, the proposal had been approved in the end. As for how those elements would actually be incorporated, Xiao Mingxuan was still figuring it out. He had no clear idea how it would turn out. During this period, he spoke with Song Feng twice, but the only suggestion he got came in two words: “Chase girls.”

Xiao Mingxuan leaned back in his chair, looking at him. “So when you mercenaries have nothing to do, you chase girls?”

“Not only that,” Song Feng replied. “Gambling, drinking, getting away to the countryside, maybe some fishing. Everyone’s got their own thing. But as a man, chasing girls is universal. That’s just the way it is.” He leaned forward over the desk, blinking at him. “Come on. Let’s go.”

Xiao Mingxuan sighed. “Can you take this seriously for once?”

Song Feng’s eyes narrowed slightly, looking lazy and unconcerned. “What do you mean by seriously? You’re a full special forces unit. How many chances do you think you’re actually going to get to do mercenary work?”

Xiao Mingxuan stared at that indifferent expression. This guy acted like an idiot half the time, but there was no question he was sharp. He reached out and patted his head.

“What do you think?”

Song Feng put on an innocent face. “I’m sure those higher up have their reasons. How would I know?”

Xiao Mingxuan ignored the act and asked, “You know that aside from taking private contracts, PMCs in the U.S. also serve another common function, right?”

“Yeah. Usually when the U.S. military or government needs to handle something but can’t do it publicly, they send in the PMCs. It lowers the risk. If anything goes wrong, they can deny all involvement. That’s why the U.S. spends an enormous amount of money on this every year.” Song Feng paused, then smiled. “So the teams we’re selecting now are going to be used the same way?”

“I think the people up top are considering that. Otherwise, the application wouldn’t have gone through so quickly. But I can’t say for sure. Everything’s still in the trial phase,” Xiao Mingxuan said. “Maybe someday, this team will be split off and turned into a private security company. On the surface it’ll take all kinds of contracts, but in reality it’ll be working for the state. That’s just a possibility. For now, the standard we’re training toward is a team that could function as mercenaries outside the country. But we don’t really understand the mercenary model. Do you have any ideas?”

“Let’s go pick up girls.”

“…”

“Don’t look at me like that. I’m serious.”

Xiao Mingxuan sighed inwardly and forced himself to stay patient. “Then explain your reasoning.”

“Alright. The way I see it, soldiers get leave every year. When they go home, they’re going to hang out with friends, maybe blow off some steam. As for whether they’ll actually get laid, I don’t know. But I’d bet most of them haven’t. I’m not saying they have to,” Song Feng said, slowly working through it, “Some guys are into it, some aren’t. But either way, they have to be able to handle that kind of situation. You can’t have a guy go dumb the moment a pretty girl walks up, not knowing where to put his hands. And sometimes a client gets in the mood and decides to have a woman right there in the room. You’ve got to be able to stand aside and stay calm.”

Xiao Mingxuan raised an eyebrow. “You’ve seen that happen?”

“Plenty of times. Some were threesomes, some were worse. All kinds of heavy stuff. The scenes were wild. Want me to give you details?”

Xiao Mingxuan shook his head and gave him a doubtful look. “You didn’t get involved?”

“No. I had to protect the client.”

Xiao Mingxuan nodded. “Good.”

“Huh?”

“Nothing. Keep going.”

Song Feng didn’t think much of it and continued. “That kind of situation is rare though. Most clients don’t want anyone watching. But sometimes there are other mercenaries around, either guarding the client or tagging along with their business partners. If the client doesn’t need you at that moment, you’ll end up hanging out with the rest. Gambling, drinking, chasing girls—whether you’re into it or not, you still have to know how to act. Some useful intel comes out in those moments. You just have to get people talking. Of course there are a few who are totally stiff, only care about the money and don’t know how to do anything else. But if there’s a chance to get information, why make yourself so rigid, right?”

Xiao Mingxuan gave a quiet hum. “Makes sense.”

“So,” Song Feng said, looking at him expectantly, “Let’s go pick up girls.”

Xiao Mingxuan reached out and patted his head. “We go and come back the same day. Don’t expect anything else.”

Song Feng’s shoulders slumped. “I knew it. Too early for heavy tactics.”

“And you’re still this excited?”

“Yeah, even just looking would be something,” Song Feng said pitifully. “I’m starting to forget what women even look like. If this goes on, I really might turn to men.”

Xiao Mingxuan’s hand paused. “Why don’t you?”

“Haven’t had time. We’ve been training nonstop.”

Xiao Mingxuan tested the waters. “If you had the time, would you?”

“Maybe. You want me to hold it in forever and explode?”

“Then who would you pick?”

“Never thought about it. Why?”

“Just curious.” Xiao Mingxuan looked at him. “If you had to choose right now, who would it be?”

Song Feng thought for a moment. “Doesn’t really matter, honestly. As long as it feels good.”

Xiao Mingxuan quietly reassured himself. The answer was shameless, but at least he was included in the pool.

“Oh, right.” Song Feng tugged at his sleeve. “When are we moving into the dorms?”

“After one more elimination round.”

Song Feng raised an eyebrow. “Another half gone?”

“Not necessarily. Depends how well they absorb this round. Why?”

Song Feng looked resigned. “Xiao Bai refuses to sleep on his bed now and keeps squeezing into mine. That camp cot’s tiny. How are we supposed to fit? And I’m not about to sleep on his either, not after the mice. Just get me a new one, alright?”

Xiao Mingxuan narrowed his eyes and thought for a moment. “Why don’t you just sleep in my place? I’ve got a lot I need to discuss with you anyway. It’s a private room, with its own bathroom, and the bed’s big enough.”

“Really?” Song Feng brightened immediately. “Alright, deal. I’ll move in tonight. That camp cot’s been killing my back.”

Xiao Mingxuan gave a calm nod and glanced at the time. “Come on. Let’s go eat.”

Song Feng responded and climbed down from the desk to head out with him. The training intensity for the next few days remained the same, but since he had to oversee this round of assessment, he no longer had to join the drills himself. The rest of the group had no objections. Everyone knew what he was capable of, so there was no resentment.

It was nearly noon. After lunch, most of the trainees were resting. As they came down from the main building, they saw Bai Xuyao lying under an off-road vehicle, apparently repairing it. Wei Xiaoyan and Duan Qing stood nearby.

Song Feng was immediately surprised. “What’s Xiao Bai doing?”

Xiao Mingxuan glanced over. “I remember the main unit mentioned yesterday they wanted to upgrade the off-roaders. I guess they had him do it today.”

Song Feng looked even more surprised. “Xiao Bai knows how to do that?”

Xiao Mingxuan didn’t mind explaining. “He’s one of the few the unit specifically asked to keep. He has dual degrees in communications and mechanics. He’s a genius.”

“So my student’s that impressive?” Song Feng said proudly. He walked over, crouched down, and called out cheerfully, “Comrade Xu Xu, what are you doing down there?”

“Modding the car,” Bai Xuyao answered. A moment later, he crawled out, wiped the sweat from his brow, took off his gloves, and climbed into the driver’s seat. After driving around the area a few times, he pulled back in.

“It’s done. The speed’s solid.”

“Let me try,” Song Feng said, already climbing in with excitement. He looked over at Xiao Mingxuan. “Driving around like this isn’t fun. I’m heading out to the mountain roads.”

Xiao Mingxuan turned to Bai Xuyao. The latter stood at attention and saluted.

“Sir. There won’t be any issues.”

Xiao Mingxuan nodded. “Go ahead.”

Song Feng honked the horn twice. “Who wants a ride?”

“I do!” Wei Xiaoyan shot up into the passenger seat and waved to the others. Bai Xuyao looked at the commander. Seeing no objection, he followed him in. Duan Qing hesitated for a second, then got in too.

Song Feng grinned as he started the engine. “I’m going full speed.”

Wei Xiaoyan fell silent, then quietly got back out.

The other two looked at him, puzzled. “What’s wrong?”

“Boss at full speed is terrifying,” Wei Xiaoyan said sincerely. “You two might want to reconsider.”

Bai Xuyao raised an eyebrow. “Will he flip the car?”

“No, probably not.”

“Then we’re good. A real man doesn’t back down from speed.”

Duan Qing had been about to get out, but after hearing that, he changed his mind. He thought to himself, how fast could Song Feng really drive?

Wei Xiaoyan looked at them with sympathy. Song Feng saw that neither of them moved and grinned. “Get ready. Let’s go.”

The off-roader pulled out of the base and sped up fast. Within seconds, it had vanished.

Xiao Mingxuan was planning to eat with him, so he remained where he was. Wei Xiaoyan wanted to see their reactions too, so he stayed put.

“When do you think Song Feng will be back?”

“Soon.”

Xiao Mingxuan asked no further. A few moments later, they saw the vehicle return. It tore back into the base at full speed, screeched to a sideways halt, and parked smoothly.

The door opened. Bai Xuyao stepped out, took one step forward, then his legs gave out and he collapsed to the ground. His face was pale, and he couldn’t get a word out.

Duan Qing got out silently and walked away.

Wei Xiaoyan ran up quickly, glanced left and right, then asked carefully, “Want to go another round?”

“No,” Duan Qing said immediately and walked off, his path curving strangely like he couldn’t walk in a straight line.

Wei Xiaoyan stood there speechless.

Song Feng climbed out of the car, still smiling. Since he wasn’t participating in training lately and needed to be ready at all times for girl-chasing assignments, he had already swapped out his combat uniform for his usual getup. Black fitted t-shirt, low-waisted camo pants, combat boots. With that face of his, the look was dangerously charming. He leaned lazily against the car door.

“All I need now is a cigarette and the moment would be perfect.”

Xiao Mingxuan stared at him without blinking, silently thinking to himself. This man might be shameless, but he certainly had the looks to match. He stepped forward, pulled out a pack of cigarettes, braced one hand on the door frame, and used the other to light a cigarette for him. His eyes lowered slightly, gaze fixed on Song Feng’s lips as he held the cigarette between them.

Wei Xiaoyan saw it clearly. There was something strange about the way Xiao Mingxuan was looking at Song Feng. Was it really what he thought it was?

Song Feng, completely absorbed in his cigarette, didn’t notice Xiao Mingxuan’s expression at all. After taking a drag, he strolled to the side, nudged Bai Xuyao with his foot, and said cheerfully, “Get up.”

Bai Xuyao finally snapped out of it. He lunged forward, looking like he was ready to bite his leg off.

“What the hell is wrong with you? That mountain road didn’t even have guardrails. It wasn’t even asphalt. Hell, it wasn’t even paved with concrete. And you tried to drift? Do you have a death wish? It’s one thing if you die on your own, but you had two other people in the car. Are you trying to murder us?!”

Song Feng pushed him away. “I didn’t crash, did I?”

Bai Xuyao climbed to his feet with resentment. “I’m never getting in a car with you again.”

Song Feng shrugged, then turned to Xiao Mingxuan. “Come on. Let’s eat.”

Xiao Mingxuan’s lips curved slightly. He reached out and ruffled his hair, then walked off with him.

Wei Xiaoyan felt another jolt in his chest. So it really was what he thought. He stood there frozen for a moment, then suddenly flared up. Damn it, coming to the military base really had been a trap.

Training continued as usual that afternoon. At four o’clock, the whistle blew for assembly, and everyone changed into casual clothes. Bai Xuyao and Duan Qing were still in disbelief and went to find Wei Xiaoyan.

“We’re really going to pick up girls?”

Wei Xiaoyan nodded excitedly, eyes shining. “Yeah.”

Bai Xuyao stared at him.

Duan Qing stared too.

Song Feng came running down from the main building, full of energy and bouncing with every step. But just as he reached the bottom, his feet stopped short. He quickly ducked behind Xiao Mingxuan.

“He’s… he’s coming too?”

Xiao Mingxuan looked ahead. Zheng Qiyong was standing next to the off-road vehicle, listening to someone report. After a moment of thought, Xiao Mingxuan said, “No. He’s probably just here to check the vehicle.”

Song Feng slowly crept forward. Bai Xuyao was explaining the details of the vehicle modifications to the commander. Zheng Qiyong listened carefully. When he noticed Song Feng sidling up, he remembered that this man was supposed to supervise the current round of assessments. He patted both Bai Xuyao and Song Feng on the shoulder.

“Not bad.”

Then he turned and walked away.

Song Feng stood frozen.

Xiao Mingxuan lowered his head slightly. “Song Feng?”

Bai Xuyao and Duan Qing looked confused. “What’s wrong?”

Wei Xiaoyan ran over and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Boss? Boss. Hey, boss?”

It took a full minute for Song Feng to come back to life. He grabbed Wei Xiaoyan’s wrist in disbelief.

“That sadist just said ‘not bad,’ right? He really said it, didn’t he?”

Everyone nodded.

Song Feng floated into the car like he was walking on clouds, almost tripping over his own feet. The vehicle slowly pulled away. After sitting for a bit, he turned to Bai Xuyao and gave him a wide-eyed, puppy-like look.

“He said ‘not bad.’”

Bai Xuyao’s mouth twitched. “Honestly, I think he was complimenting me. You were just standing next to me.”

Song Feng ignored him completely, then turned to look at Wei Xiaoyan and Duan Qing. “He said ‘not bad.’”

The two of them stared at him in silence. What the hell had that man done to you in the past? One compliment and you’re like this?

Song Feng slowly looked at Xiao Mingxuan and blinked. “He said—”

Xiao Mingxuan reached over and patted his head. “Yes. He really did say ‘not bad.’”

“Mm.” Song Feng sat up straight, quiet for a while, then suddenly started spiraling again.

“I’m going to pick up girls. Why would he say I did well? That doesn’t make any sense.” He paused, then slapped his thigh. “I get it. It used to be physical torment, now it’s psychological. Damn it.”

Everyone fell silent.