The door opened, and Chen Long and Sun Zhiyuan looked at each other.
"Sun Zhiyuan?" Chen Long's facial muscles relaxed, his expression calm.
"Ah! Old comrade, I didn't expect us to meet here after so many years apart!" Sun Zhiyuan chuckled, reached out to pat Chen Long's shoulder, and acted extremely familiar.
Huo Rou had just put away her phone when she heard Chen Long say the name "Sun Zhiyuan." She casually sized him up.
She didn't have much memory of this man, and he was rarely mentioned by Huo Jin'yi. She only knew that he was a deputy captain like Chen Long.
After Huo Rou finished her assessment, her gaze fell on An An, who entered shortly after. She winked at An An, who clearly understood her praise and proudly lifted her head, like a little peacock.
The two men at the door did not notice the exchange of glances between Huo Rou and An An. They were only appraising each other.
Meeting a companion of the same rank after many years, unlike Sun Zhiyuan's warmth and excitement, Chen Long appeared exceptionally calm.
He nodded and forced a smile, "Yes, it's been a long time."
Sun Zhiyuan's smile froze on his face, and the atmosphere became somewhat awkward.
"Are you here to see Old Qin?" Chen Long sidestepped to let him in.
"Yes." Sun Zhiyuan smiled again. "I've been transferred back, and then I heard the news that Old Qin was ill and hospitalized. I thought about how I had received Old Qin's care in the past, so of course I had to come and see him."
After explaining with a smile, Sun Zhiyuan's peripheral vision swept across the room, and he continued the pleasantries, "Didn't you go to Changnan? How come..."
Before Chen Long could answer, Sun Zhiyuan remembered seeing Chen Guochao earlier and looked enlightened. "Are you here to see Xiao Chao? Your son is truly accomplished now! You're blessed!"
Hearing him mention his son, Chen Long's expression warmed a bit, and the stiff situation thawed slightly. "He's still the same rascal."
Speaking of this, he finally asked, "What about you? Not married yet?"
"No." Sun Zhiyuan paused, his smile undiminished. "You know, I have no such plans."
In just a few sentences, they reached Old Master Qin's bedside.
"Old Qin, your complexion is getting better and better!"
Old Master Qin's face also broke into a smile upon seeing him. "Xiao Sun is here, have a seat!"
Sun Zhiyuan nodded and sat down, his gaze sweeping around.
According to An An, the seemingly gentle young girl beside Qin Ningyi should be An An's mother.
Beautiful, yes, but a bit too delicate. Even a genius like Qin Ningyi couldn't escape this worldly temptation. Abandoning a bright future for business, and entering the world of wealth, naturally meant being surrounded by beauties.
Heroes couldn't escape the charms of beautiful women, and it was the same for all of them.
Only...
Sun Zhiyuan's gaze, which had initially swept past, returned.
The appearance of this beauty was somewhat familiar.
Someone who could make him feel familiar was definitely not an ordinary passerby. Sun Zhiyuan searched his mind, his gaze fixed on Huo Rou, and he didn't retract it.
Huo Rou sensed his scrutiny, her face devoid of emotion, standing calmly beside Qin Ningyi.
Perhaps his gaze was too earnest and he was lost in thought for too long, Qin Ningyi couldn't help but frown and pull Huo Rou behind him.
Such scrutiny made him feel as if his property had been violated.
It was very uncomfortable.
Of course, it might just be jealousy.
"Excuse me." Sun Zhiyuan came back to his senses, looking apologetically at Qin Ningyi. "I found this lady somewhat familiar, that's why I looked a bit longer."
Huo Rou shook her head, "It's fine."
Hearing her charming voice, which was soft and penetrated to the bone, Sun Zhiyuan smiled inwardly. If he had met such a delicate woman, how could he forget her?
He just didn't expect Qin Ningyi to like this type.
"Sorry, may I ask your name?" He had vaguely heard Qin Ningyi mention a surname, Huo.
Huo Rou had only seen him a few times when she was a child, and she had changed a lot since then, so it was normal for him not to recognize her.
"Huo Rou."
Her attitude was indifferent, not overly warm nor talkative. She didn't specifically introduce herself as Huo Jin'yi's daughter, as it was meaningless to this deputy captain who hadn't participated in missions.
"Huo Rou..." Sun Zhiyuan murmured her name, and before he could ponder further, Old Master Qin pulled him into conversation.
He had no choice but to focus his attention on responding, as this involved their technical upgrades and team training plans.
After Old Master Qin finished his inquiries, Qin Ningyi had also finished packing.
Bags and packages were piled beside the sofa. Sun Zhiyuan casually asked, "Old Qin, what are these?"
"Oh, I felt too stifled staying here. I'm going home."
Upon hearing that Old Qin was returning home, Sun Zhiyuan subconsciously glanced at Qin Ningyi, then back at Old Qin, and asked with concern, "Did something happen? Why the sudden rush to be discharged?"