Lu Hai looked at him, finally only giving this one instruction.
"Mm."
Lu Mingyu nodded, said nothing more, and turned to walk out of the office.
Watching him leave, Lu Hai leaned back in his chair.
A smile, both relieved and somewhat complex, appeared on his face.
This kid has finally grown up.
Lu Mingyu, keys in hand, quickly walked downstairs.
In the parking lot beneath the office building, he quickly found Lu Hai's black SUV.
Though the car was understated,
its rugged lines and heavy body exuded a sense of power, just like its owner.
He pulled open the car door and got in.
Closing the door, the clamor of the training ground and the noise of the barracks were instantly cut off.
The car interior was quiet, with only the sound of his own heartbeat.
Lu Mingyu started the car and drove steadily towards the Military Region gate.
The sentry on duty saw the license plate and immediately saluted, allowing him to pass.
The car slowly exited the Military Region gate and merged into the traffic flow heading towards the city center.
The scenery outside the window changed from uniform barracks to bustling urban streets.
Lu Mingyu gripped the steering wheel, his gaze fixed straight ahead, driving out of the Military Region.
Lu Hai's SUV had ample power and drove exceptionally smoothly on the city roads.
Lu Mingyu's hands firmly gripped the steering wheel, his sharp gaze scanning the complex road conditions ahead.
A cold electronic female voice from the car's navigation system guided his direction.
"In 500 meters, turn right onto the elevated ring road."
"Drive for ten kilometers along the elevated road, then exit at the International Trade Center exit."
Lu Mingyu strictly followed the navigation instructions, not deviating an inch.
This car was different from the military assault vehicles he had driven.
It lacked cold metal and complex instruments; its interior was refined and comfortable.
It carried the faint scent of tobacco, belonging to his uncle, Lu Hai.
But Lu Mingyu's mind was not on these things at all.
In his mind, there was only the person he was about to meet.
Half an hour later, the vehicle smoothly entered the underground parking lot of a five-star hotel.
It was brightly lit here, filled with expensive luxury cars, a stark contrast to the style of the Military Region parking lot.
Lu Mingyu found an empty spot in a corner of B2 level, parked the car, and turned off the engine.
He took out his phone; the screen showed his chat interface with Gu Lina Zha.
He quickly typed a line of text.
"I'm here, in the B2 parking lot, by the white elevator entrance."
The message was sent successfully.
Soon, his phone vibrated, and the screen lit up.
It was Gu Lina Zha's reply, just one word, plus a cute emoji.
"Okay~"
Lu Mingyu put his phone away, leaned back in the seat, and waited quietly.
He watched the vehicles and pedestrians coming and going in the parking lot.
They were well-dressed, hurried, speaking business jargon and fashion topics he didn't understand.
This was another world.
A world that was out of place for him, yet one he was willing to step into because of someone's presence.
Time passed by minute by minute.
Lu Mingyu showed no impatience.
His patience had been honed in the harshest environments.
Waiting was a basic skill for people like him.
A moment later, the elevator doors not far away opened with a "ding."
Two figures emerged from inside.
Walking in front was a girl wearing a fisherman's hat and a mask.
Although she was completely covered,
Lu Mingyu still recognized Gu Lina Zha at a glance by her tall figure and unique temperament.
Following behind her was her assistant, Xiao Lu.
Both of them were carrying shopping bags of various sizes, which looked quite heavy.
Lu Mingyu pushed open the car door and got out.
"Over here," he called out.
Gu Lina Zha heard the voice.
Immediately, like a little deer that had found its direction, her eyes lit up, and she quickly walked towards him.
"Why did you get out of the car? You could have just waited for me inside."
There was a hint of playful reproach in Gu Lina Zha's tone.
But the mask couldn't hide the smile in her eyes.
"There's too much stuff; I'll carry it."
Lu Mingyu said, naturally taking all the shopping bags from her and Xiao Lu's hands.
The bags felt heavy in his hands; he weighed them, and his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
"Why so many things?"
Lu Mingyu opened the trunk and put the pile of bags inside.
"They're for you and your comrades, of course."
Gu Lina Zha took off her mask, revealing a bright and captivating face. She leaned close to Lu Mingyu and whispered.
Xiao Lu, the assistant, was perceptive and opened the back door to get in, giving the two of them space.
Gu Lina Zha also pulled open the passenger door and got in.
Lu Mingyu closed the trunk, returned to the driver's seat, and closed the door.
He turned his head, looked at Gu Lina Zha, and repeated:
"For me and my comrades?"
"That's right," Gu Lina Zha said, taking out a box of something from a small bag next to her seat, as if presenting a treasure.
"Look, these are imported energy bars, high in protein and low in fat, suitable for you to replenish energy after training."
She then pulled out a bottle.
"And this, it's a spray to relieve muscle soreness. I saw online that it works really well."
"And this, hand cream. Your hands will definitely crack from training in winter."
"There are also watches and a few T-shirts. The styles are common, so they should suit you all."
"Oh, and there's a lot of food, all durable items like jerky and nuts."
Lu Mingyu listened quietly as she introduced each item, his gaze unconsciously softening.
These were all details he had never cared about, never even thought about.
A thought flashed through his mind, and he asked:
"Did you use the card I gave you?"
Gu Lina Zha's movements paused for a moment.
Then she stuck out her tongue, and shook her head somewhat guiltily.
"No."
"Why not?" Lu Mingyu's tone became a bit more serious.
"Oh, those are things I wanted to buy for you myself, and I didn't spend much money either," Gu Lina Zha tugged at his sleeve, softening her voice.
"Next time, I'll definitely use it next time, okay?"
Lu Mingyu looked at her pouting, and the seriousness in his heart instantly vanished.
What else could he say?
"Got it," he responded helplessly.
"Hehe," Gu Lina Zha immediately laughed.
Then she remembered something else, took out a delicate small pillbox from her bag, and put it in his hand.
"And this, the most important thing."
Lu Mingyu opened it and saw various pills neatly divided inside.
"Multivitamins. I've divided them into a week's supply for you."
"You train so hard every day; you must remember to take them on time, okay?"
Gu Lina Zha instructed, her tone as serious as a little housekeeper.
Lu Mingyu looked at the pillbox in his hand, then at her serious face.
The corners of his mouth finally couldn't help but curve slightly upward, revealing an extremely faint, yet incredibly genuine smile.
"Okay, I promise you."
Xiao Lu, sitting in the back, saw all of this through the rearview mirror.
She silently lowered her head, but her heart was stirring.
She had been with Gu Lina Zha for so long.
She had seen countless talented young men and wealthy businessmen who adored and flattered her.
The gifts they gave were either designer bags, jewelry, or sports cars and luxury homes.
But she had never seen Gu Lina Zha as happy as she was now.
The man in front of her wore a simple training uniform.
He drove a seemingly ordinary SUV, didn't talk much, and his expression was cold.
Yet, it was this man who made the dazzling superstar Gu Lina Zha
willing to cook for him and worry about trivial matters like daily necessities.
Xiao Lu now understood a little.
That sense of security emanating from his very core.
That unspoken care, evident in his every action.
It was something no amount of money or superficiality could replace.
This man was worth it.
The atmosphere in the car was warm and quiet.
Lu Mingyu started the car and slowly drove out of the parking lot.
Gu Lina Zha looked at the rapidly receding streetscape outside the window, feeling exceptionally good.
She turned her head and looked at Lu Mingyu's profile as he concentrated on driving, his features distinct and rugged.
"Mingyu, do you have any plans after this?"
"Are you going on another mission?"
Gu Lina Zha asked, a hint of nervousness in her tone.
She dreaded hearing an affirmative answer.