Chapter 44

On the way to the county town, Nie Huaishang drove with a blank expression, while Ma Qitong persistently questioned him.

In response, Nie Huaishang awkwardly said: “Myself and Zhang Xiaofan are now mechanics; this trip is mainly for tourism.”

After getting the answer, Ma Qitong still enthusiastically introduced herself:

“I’m Ma Qitong, you can call me Tongtong. My dad has always wanted me to study abroad, but lately I’ve decided to travel on my own.”

“Oh, nice to meet you.”

Nie Huaishang smiled awkwardly.

Hearing Nie Huaishang’s words, Ma Qitong was about to say more, but he stopped her:

“Tongtong, I need to focus on driving—just let it go.”

“Alright, I’ll listen to you.”

Though Ma Qitong stopped asking, she kept watching Nie Huaishang with bright eyes throughout the journey—he looked so adorable.

Thinking of his earlier commanding presence, her heart began to pound.

This gaze made Nie Huaishang uncomfortable; honestly, if it were any other situation, he’d be delighted a beautiful woman liked him.

On the way here, he’d assumed Ma Qitong would like Guo Jing or Zhang Xiaofan, since both had luck with women.

In contrast, his own luck with women was terrible—in his original world, he was just a good-for-nothing who relied on his older brother.

In this world, he’d always focused on his studies and rarely interacted much with girls, and he’d just deliberately shown his ruthless side.

But he didn’t realize that by showing his ruthlessness, he’d also revealed his strength—and women usually admire strong men.

Soon, the group drove through the military zone into the county town, dropped off the pretty boy at the hospital, then headed to a hotel.

Upon arriving at the hotel, Nie Huaishang said to Ma Qitong as she got out:

“Alright, since you’ve reached your destination, we should find a place to sleep too—let’s part ways here.”

Nie Huaishang turned to leave; his emotions were conflicted and he needed solitude.

But Ma Qitong wouldn’t let him go, blocking him directly:

“You helped me so much—just stay here. I haven’t properly thanked you yet.”

Zhang Xiaofan and Nie Huaishang both refused repeatedly:

“No, we can’t use such a nice place—we’ll just find somewhere cheap to sleep.”

“How can that be? You carried that heavy load all day—you need proper rest!”

After speaking, Ma Qitong pulled them into the hotel.

Lying in bed, Nie Huaishang stared blankly at the ceiling, his mind conflicted—he had much to do tonight.

He and Zhang Xiaofan would infiltrate the Blue Army’s logistics hub with Ma Qitong’s help and blow up the logistics center.

He wasn’t conflicted about the mission, but the next step was hard to decide: Ma Qitong was a woman who gave her whole heart once she fell in love.

She’d abandon everything—even her life—for the one she loved; this love was fiery and heavy.

He was about to use her love for him to achieve his goal—even as a man without scruples, he found it hard to choose.

Though he was cunning, he was also deeply emotional; his years of silent planning for his brother proved it.

Using someone who loved him deeply was something he couldn’t easily do—but he quickly regained control. Nie Huaishang was not a man who confused love with right and wrong.

He knew the devastation drugs caused—how many families were shattered, wives divorced, children orphaned.

The scale of Ma Shichang’s drug network weighed on him; Nie Huaishang took a deep breath and said firmly to Zhang Xiaofan beside him: “Let’s prepare tonight.”

On the other side, Ma Qitong noticed the firearm Zhang Xiaofan carried and came personally to knock on their door; upon seeing her, Zhang Xiaofan wisely left.

Inside the room, only Nie Huaishang and Ma Qitong remained; she closed the door and spoke to him alone:

“You don’t need to explain—so long as I know you’re not police, not sent by my dad, and not his enemy, that’s enough.”

Hearing her words, Nie Huaishang internally scoffed: I’m not any of those three, but I’m about to kill your father.

But remembering those destroyed by drugs, Nie Huaishang put on a brilliant performance before Ma Qitong, portraying himself as a killer.

Ma Qitong asked him eagerly: “Tell me—what can I do to help you?”

“The whole town is filled with soldiers—you won’t be able to do what you want.”

“But I’m different—I’m a woman, I have advantages. I can drive, I can pick you up.”

Hearing this, Nie Huaishang was stunned—he knew Ma Qitong was impulsive, but not this fast.

It had been barely a day—he’d only fixed her car—and already she was ready to risk her life for a killer.

In the room, Zhang Xiaofan saw Nie Huaishang return with Ma Qitong and knew the biggest victory of this exercise had arrived.

Zhang Xiaofan excitedly sent a message to the group chat.

Zhang Xiaofan: “Everyone, Ma Qitong has fallen for Huaishang.”

Guo Jing: “Is Huaishang alright?”

Nie Huaishang: “Don’t worry about me—I still know right from wrong, and what matters most.”

Ma Qitong drove Nie Huaishang and the others to the Blue Army’s logistics hub.

They donned masks, slipped inside, swiftly eliminated the guards, and successfully blew up the logistics center.

After the explosion, they drove back to the operational zone; upon arrival, Ma Qitong, eyes filled with tears, asked:

“Can I see you again?”

“Of course. I like you too—but I have a mission. If I survive, I’ll come find you.”

Nie Huaishang answered firmly, then walked away with Zhang Xiaofan without looking back, heading into the deep mountains.

“Nie Huaishang, I’ll never forget you—please come back alive.”

Ma Qitong shouted after them.

Her posture was like a wife calling out to her husband.

Unaware, Nie Huaishang, with his back turned, was already weeping—he’d always believed himself emotionally strong.

As the old saying goes:

“Heroic spirit is rare to find; a beauty’s favor is hardest to bear.”

Using a woman brought Nie Huaishang little guilt—but using a woman who loved him deeply? That burden was heavy.

Nie Huaishang had once believed he’d never face such a dilemma—he thought any woman who liked him did so for wealth or power.

That was essentially a transaction; even if it broke, he wouldn’t care.

But today, this woman who merely loved Nie Huaishang—he doubted he’d ever forget her.