Chapter 1096 - 390: Long-Suppressed Excitement—This Is the Proper Way to Battle the Life Ghost!

This exclamation instantly drew the gaze of all the journalists, unanimously fixed on Chu Kuanglan.

Filled with astonishment and curiosity.

The fierce warrior, towering like an iron tower, actually called out "wife" towards their direction?

In the center of the crowd, Hua Jing heard this familiar-to-the-bone voice, her body suddenly stiffened. Then her small face quickly flushed red, even the tips of her ears were dyed with a red glow.

She took a deep breath and mustered immense courage.

With her head lowered, she quickly stepped out of the crowd.

Chu Kuanglan already covered the distance in a few quick strides, reaching the front.

Looking at Hua Jing, who walked up with a flushed face, his eyes held not the anticipated anger, but only full of heartache and astonishment.

He instinctively wanted to reach out and touch her frostbitten red cheeks.

However, considering that his hands might be stained with blood, his large hand paused in mid-air.

"Wife, why are you here?! Weren’t you supposed to be in the City of Dawn?"

Chu Kuanglan’s voice lowered, filled with urgency and concern.

With a flushed face, Hua Jing explained, "I’m not very sure. Originally, no one heard any news, but then orders suddenly came from above, so I came along."

Hearing this, Chu Kuanglan wore a wry smile.

"This is the frontline, a battlefield where we will soon risk our lives. It’s very dangerous!"

Hua Jing raised her head, her clear eyes reflecting Chu Kuanglan’s anxious face.

Though her blush had not faded, she grew serious: "I know... I was prepared before coming. You don’t need to worry about me."

She puffed out her chest.

Trying hard to make her voice sound more mature.

"I am a war correspondent from the Federal Arctic War Zone News Bureau’s special frontline coverage team. I have my duties."

As her words fell, Arin already walked up from behind with a playful grin, embracing Hua Jing’s shoulders, mischievously winking at Chu Kuanglan: "Hey, hey, hey, Captain Chu, what you said is unfair! Our little Hua’s safety is taken care of by our News Bureau’s escort team, you don’t have to worry. Besides..."

She intentionally prolonged her tone, looking teasingly at Hua Jing, "Our little Hua applied to join the war correspondent team after much difficulty just to be closer to you, so don’t say things that dampen her enthusiasm."

Chu Kuanglan was left speechless by Arin’s words.

Looking at Hua Jing’s simultaneously shy and anxious yet extraordinarily stubborn look.

All his worries turned into a helpless sigh.

Ultimately, he just couldn’t handle her.

He raised his large hand, rough and covered in calluses and tiny scars. This time, without hesitation, with all the gentleness he could muster, he clumsily rubbed Hua Jing’s head, covered in a thick cold-resistant hat.

His voice was deep and solemn: "Well then... you all must stick close to the escort team, be very careful. Don’t run around, you hear me?"

"Got it! Captain Chu!"

Arin answered, seizing the opportunity, cheerfully holding the still-blushing Hua Jing, pulling her back to the journalist team.

"Let’s go, let’s go, little Hua, don’t delay people’s business."

Returning to the crowd,

The group of journalists burst into a fit of good-natured laughter.

They heard clearly what Chu Kuanglan just called Hua Jing.

Hua Jing, held by Arin, with a flushed face, head buried, didn’t dare to look around at all.

Only felt her face burning hot, yet her heart was sweet like drenched in honey.

After all, Chu Kuanglan’s call was as good as making an official announcement in front of their colleagues.

Chu Kuanglan looked at Hua Jing’s shy appearance.

The corners of his mouth couldn’t help but curl into a silly grin.

Just then, a few figures emerged at the entrance of the command hall.

Fang Qingyu, impeccably dressed in a Star Point Robe, wore a calm expression.

Wei Banmeng was as cold as frost.

Lu Jiuyuan, on the other hand, looked at Chu Kuanglan with a mischievous smile.

"Hey, Captain Chu, is this... settled?"

Lu Jiuyuan walked up a few steps, elbowed Chu Kuanglan lightly, glancing towards Hua Jing’s direction, mockingly imitating Chu Kuanglan’s tone.

"That ’wife’ just now, we heard it loud and clear in there."

A faint smile also graced the corners of Fang Qingyu’s mouth as he looked at Chu Kuanglan.

Chu Kuanglan scratched the back of his head, the normally decisive warrior on the battlefield now showing a rare bit of sheepishness and embarrassment.

He nodded, "Hmm, before going to the City of Injustice last time, I told her if I, Chu Kuanglan, could come back alive, I would propose to her. She... she agreed."

"Good lad." Lu Jiuyuan yelped and pounced, skillfully locking Chu Kuanglan’s neck with his arm, tightening it, feigning anger.

"Alright, you, such a big thing as proposing, you kept it secret, didn’t even call us brothers to celebrate with drinks, and if you dare not invite us to your wedding, just you wait!"

Though Chu Kuanglan was forced to grimace in pain, he didn’t show any intent to resist, instead giggling foolishly: "That can’t be! Can’t be for sure! I’ve already promised Jing, once this damn war is over, we’ll have a grand celebration! Then..."

He looked around at Fang Qingyu and the others, his eyes earnest.

"None of you can escape, you must all come and be the groomsmen and bridesmaids for Jing."

The wind and snow seemed to be softened by this iron-blooded tenderness.

Amidst the rare laughter filled with hopes for the future, it quietly dissipated.

Far away, Hua Jing heard Chu Kuanglan’s words.

Though too shy to raise her head.

She couldn’t suppress the wide smile on her lips.

After the brief warm interlude.

The solemn military bugle inside the base rang again, penetrating the wind and snow.

"Assemble——!!!"

Sixty thousand troops swiftly transitioned from a state of rest.