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Faced with Fiona Tang's confused gaze, Shawn Young was at a loss for words. His face turned bright red as he stood there shirtless, clutching his chest, looking for all the world like a shy bride who'd just been forcefully kissed by Jade Swann. He couldn't get a word out for quite a while.
Jade Swann, on the other hand, was completely unbothered. She suddenly stepped up next to Shawn Young and said directly to Fiona Tang, "Of course we started with a little Taoist sparring. But this guy pulled out some pervy Daoist trick and blasted my clothes to shreds! If I hadn't countered with our Celestial Thunder Society's 'Eightfold Divine Thunder Incantation,' I probably wouldn't be alive to talk to you right now!"
"Uh—so that's what happened!" Fiona Tang's face softened a bit after hearing this. She'd already noticed Jade Swann's shredded leather jacket and pants on the ground and couldn't help but find the whole thing funny. Although she and Jade Swann belonged to different sects, they worked in the same department of the National Paranormal Task Force and often teamed up for operations and training. She knew Jade's personality well: as the young princess of the Celestial Thunder Society, Jade was bold, fiery, and stubborn—fierce with most men, but always kind to Fiona or anyone she liked. Plus, Jade always spoke her mind, never sugarcoating anything. That's exactly why Fiona believed her story.
Still, Fiona Tang wanted to laugh but didn't dare. She also knew Jade Swann might seem straightforward, but deep down she had a fierce sense of pride. So Fiona just smiled and said, "Oh—so you really have to wear Shawn Young's clothes now, Jade?"
Jade Swann shot Shawn Young a fierce glare, her face flushing as she declared, "Of course! He's the one who blasted me with that pervy fire move and wrecked my clothes. Who else am I supposed to wear? If I don't, how am I supposed to show my face ever again?"
Shawn Young was utterly embarrassed. He stared at Jade Swann, frustrated, and said, "Come on! You think you're in the right? You attacked me out of nowhere! Now you steal my clothes, and I'm left standing here half-naked. How am I supposed to face anyone now?"
"Hmph, that's your problem! I don't care! Besides, it's summer, and you're a grown man—what's so weird about being shirtless? All those meatheads in the training field are shirtless every day!" Jade Swann retorted without thinking, sounding so shameless that even Fiona Tang was surprised. This was the first time she'd seen Jade act so domineering.
Fiona Tang looked at Jade Swann with a teasing smile and said, "Hehe, Jade, you always wear girly outfits, but I never thought you'd look so good in men's clothes! Teehee—"
Jade Swann's pretty face flushed again. She shot Shawn Young a glare, huffed coldly, and didn't say a word.
Just then, Colonel Hank Han, who'd been searching on the other side, came running over. He hadn't even arrived yet and was already shouting from afar: "Wow, so you're all here! No wonder Shawn Young disappeared in a flash—wait, is that Shawn Young? Why are you shirtless? And in front of the ladies?! Man, that's... that's seriously impressive!"
Jade Swann's face turned icy when she heard that. She picked up a dagger from the ground, honestly tempted to silence Hank Han for good—this guy just couldn't keep it down, shouting so loud that it was impossible not to draw attention. Fiona Tang saw Jade's expression and knew she was on the verge of snapping, so she quickly glared at Hank Han and said, "Colonel Han, could you please go to the security office and bring Shawn Young a set of clothes?"
Hank Han blinked in surprise and asked curiously, "Oh, right now? I thought you two liked checking out Shawn Young's physique!"
Jade Swann was so mad she nearly spat blood. She really wanted to stab him with her dagger and snapped, "Damn it, Hank Han, you idiot! Are you begging for me to fry you with lightning?!"
Fiona Tang blushed and scolded Hank Han, "Colonel Han, what nonsense are you talking about? Hurry up and get those clothes!"
"Oh! Got it! Just wait a sec—" Hank Han was chilled to the bone by Jade Swann's icy glare. He remembered her terrifying thunder spells were no joke, so he quickly agreed and scurried off.
"Uh, Brother Shawn, just hang tight. Once Colonel Han brings you some clothes, we'll head to the command center. Grandmaster Owen Yuan and my dad are inside waiting for you." Fiona Tang couldn't quite look directly at Shawn Young's muscular figure, so she turned her head and blushed as she spoke.
"Hmm—Sis Fiona, which Grandmaster Yuan are you talking about?" Jade Swann asked curiously.
"Oh! It's the honorary chief instructor of the Blue Beret Unit—Grandmaster Owen Yuan! I've never met him myself, but I've heard all sorts of stories—he's a legendary master of Xingyi, Bajiquan, and Taijiquan," Fiona Tang explained.
"Oh! My master told me about Grandmaster Yuan too. He was the very first instructor for China's special forces! He used to be great friends with Du Xinwu of the Natural School. Is Grandmaster Yuan really over a hundred now?" Jade Swann exclaimed in awe.
At that moment, Colonel Hank Han hurried back from the security office with two brand-new sets of military uniforms. He handed one to Shawn Young, who wasted no time in grabbing it and slipping away to change. He felt awkward with both Fiona Tang and Jade Swann—two gorgeous women—constantly sneaking glances at his bare torso.
Hank Han carefully handed the other set of men's uniform to Jade Swann and said, "Deputy Team Leader Jade, the security office didn't have any women's uniforms, so you'll have to make do with this for now!"
Jade Swann still hadn't forgiven Hank Han, so she glared at him and snapped, "Hmph! I'm not wearing men's clothes. Take it away!" Hank Han stuck out his tongue and quickly scurried off with the uniform.
Once Shawn Young put on the uniform—even though there were no stars on the shoulder boards—he looked even sharper and more heroic than usual. It was his first time wearing an official military uniform, and both Fiona Tang and Jade Swann's eyes lit up, though their reactions were totally different. Fiona Tang sincerely praised, "Hehe, Brother Shawn, that uniform really suits you! You look so spirited—almost like a real soldier!"
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Jade Swann pursed her lips and said coldly, "Hmph, acting all high and mighty! It's still fake, little man!" Her words left Shawn Young feeling awkward.
Fiona Tang stepped forward, took Jade Swann's hand, and said, "Jade, let's head to the command center. I have a private tactical locker room there with some casual clothes you can choose from. Our figures are pretty similar, and I brought lots of black outfits—which you like! I'm sure you'll find something that fits."
"Mm-hmm, sounds good—" Jade Swann nodded naturally. Fiona Tang then turned to Shawn Young and said, "Come on, Brother Shawn, we've wasted enough time. I don't want Grandmaster Yuan and my dad to wait too long."
Jade Swann blushed, knowing full well that the delay was because she was curious and competitive about Shawn Young's abilities.
Fiona Tang led Shawn Young and Jade Swann toward the metal wall. In front of the advanced security system, Fiona entered a special code, updating the system to grant Shawn Young and Jade Swann access—now they could come and go from the command center just like Hank Han.
Once inside the tall metal walls, a two-story gray building appeared before them. Fiona Tang handed Jade Swann a keycard and said, "Jade, take a left—the first room is my tactical locker room. Go pick out some clothes and come back out when you're ready."
"Okay!" Jade Swann didn't stand on ceremony, grabbed the keycard, and headed straight for the room. As soon as Jade left, Fiona Tang's expression turned shy and nervous. She smiled anxiously at Shawn Young, "Brother Shawn, let's go in. My dad and Grandmaster Owen Yuan are already waiting for us."
Just then, a booming voice rang out behind Fiona Tang: "Hey, Fiona, aren't you guys inside already? Why are you still hanging around outside yakking?!" A tall, broad-shouldered man in full military regalia appeared at the doorway. Three gleaming gold stars adorned his shoulders, his thick brows and bright eyes radiated energy, and his hair was streaked with gray. He carried the natural authority of a true leader.
"Oh! Dad, we just got here. This is Brother Shawn Young." Fiona Tang blushed as she nervously introduced them.
"Uh—hello! General Tang." Shawn Young immediately recognized the three stars as the insignia of a Lieutenant General.
"Haha, no need to be so formal, Shawn. You're not military, so just treat me as Fiona's dad and call me Uncle Tang! My name's Ethan Tang." The general smiled kindly, and Shawn Young noticed the family resemblance between Fiona and her father.
"Oh! Hello, Uncle Tang—haha—" Shawn Young felt as nervous as if he were meeting his future father-in-law.