The gym’s windows were spotless, allowing sunlight to spill in and flood the room with light.

Jiang Zheyu was working out in the gym with her four Beast Husbands.

Each of her Beast Husbands had an impeccable physique.

Jiang Zheyu had a faint suspicion they were deliberately showing off their perfect physiques for her.

She found it a little amusing, but also kind of cute.

After their workout, everyone was drenched in sweat.

Su Yan took a towel and gently wiped the sweat from Jiang Zheyu’s cheeks and neck.

Feng Qi had been wearing a white T-shirt, but now that it was soaked with sweat, it had become semi-transparent. The white fabric clung to his body, making the lines of his abs even more defined and tantalizingly visible.

Jiang Zheyu’s eyes landed on him, and she smiled in resignation. "Captain Feng, your shirt is soaked. Why haven’t you taken it off yet?"

"Oh, it’s fine. I’ll just wipe it off." Feng Qi took a white towel and deliberately lifted his shirt to wipe the sweat from his torso.

Then, with a slight smirk and narrowed eyes, he added, "Jiang Yuyu, how about you come help me wipe off my sweat?"

"No." Jiang Zheyu refused with a slight raise of her eyebrows.

Seeing Feng Qi capture Jiang Zheyu’s attention, the other three men’s expressions darkened slightly.

Feng Qi ignored the other men’s glares. He stood up and walked over to Jiang Zheyu, pressing the towel into her hand. Bending down slightly, he brought his face close to hers, a brilliant smile spreading across his features. "Jiang Yuyu, I’m so tired. Help me wipe my face, won’t you?"

’The towel is already in my hand. Can I really refuse?’

"Don’t you have hands of your own?" Su Yan remarked, his tone ambiguous.

"My hands aren’t as fragrant as our Female Master’s," Feng Qi said with a grin, looking at Jiang Zheyu. His dark eyes were practically screaming with anticipation, ’Come on, wipe my face. Wipe my face.’

Jiang Zheyu let out a resigned laugh. In the end, she lifted one hand to cup his chin and used the other to gently wipe the beads of sweat from his face with the towel.

As she dabbed the towel across his skin, she could clearly make out every contour of his face: his sharp brow, the high bridge of his nose, his broad forehead, and his messy black hair...

Feng Qi felt the dry towel sweep across his cheek. It felt like a searing brand, leaving a deep impression on his heart.

"It almost feels like you’re kissing my face, bit by bit," Feng Qi murmured with a soft chuckle. He finally took the towel from Jiang Zheyu’s hand. "I’d better do it myself. Otherwise, I’m afraid I won’t be able to stop myself from kissing you in front of everyone."

"You smooth talker," Jiang Zheyu said with a faint smile.

Deep jealousy once again welled up in the hearts of the other three men.

Later, while Jiang Zheyu was resting in her room, Feng Qi was cornered outside by the other three men.

Feng Qi had been the one to warm her bed most often.

Feng Qi’s eye twitched. "What’s wrong?"

"Feng Qi, it’s been a while since we’ve sparred," Su Yan said, his gaze cold and menacing.

"I may not be a military cadet, but I know a thing or two about fighting," Zexun added with a sinister smile. "I’d love to ’spar’ with Captain Feng, too."

"You’ve been asking for a beating lately," Jiang Yi stated bluntly.

"What’s this? Jealous that Jiang Yuyu favors me? Envious? Can’t be helped. It’s just my nature to be this likable," Feng Qi said with a casual smirk. "Want to gang up on me? Bring it on. I’ll take all three of you. I’m not afraid."

And so, for the next few days, Feng Qi told Jiang Zheyu he was rejoining his squad for patrol duty and would be back later.

’Those guys all aimed for my face. They’re absolutely vicious.’

Feng Qi had no choice but to go and lick his wounds.

Once he recovered, he returned with just as much swagger to continue hitting on Jiang Yuyu.

’He would never back down!’

And so, more than two months passed, with Jiang Zheyu spending many happy days in the company of her Beast Husbands.

As time went by, the day of departure for Zone -1 finally arrived.

The insectoid tide had receded.

Jiang Zheyu prepared to board the military vessel provided by the Imperial Army, bound for Zone -1.

"I’ll be waiting for you in the Imperial City," Zexun said, hugging Jiang Zheyu tightly.

Of her four Beast Husbands, only Zexun was not going to Zone -1. The other three were all prepared to accompany her.

Jiang Zheyu was already dressed in a sleek, black military combat uniform that accentuated her slender figure. Her hair, which had grown out, was now cut short to her shoulders. The straight, black bob made her look sharp, cool, and stunningly beautiful.

She returned Zexun’s hug and smiled. "Alright. I’ll be back as soon as I complete my mission."

Zexun held Jiang Zheyu for a long time, refusing to let go. His fingers tightened, the veins on his hand bulging.

"Mm," Zexun replied softly.

The other three men saw that they now had one less rival for her affection. Though their faces remained impassive, inwardly they couldn’t wait for Zexun to be gone.

’One less person meant more opportunities for them.’

After parting from Zexun, just as Jiang Zheyu was about to board the military vessel, she heard the voice of the Little Princess of the Empire call out from behind her.

"Jiang Zheyu!" The Little Princess of the Empire came running over, holding up the hem of her gown.

Jiang Zheyu turned to face the Little Princess of the Empire and smiled faintly. "I was starting to think you weren’t going to come see me off."

The Little Princess of the Empire had indeed changed a lot recently.

There were many new faces in the palace as well.

The Little Princess of the Empire no longer threw tantrums in the middle of the night.

"Are you really going to such a dangerous place?" The Little Princess of the Empire grabbed Jiang Zheyu’s hand, her brow furrowed in concern. She had only just found out today that Jiang Zheyu was heading to Zone -1. "How could they let a female like you go there? There isn’t a single female in Zone -1. If you go, won’t you be like a lamb walking into a den of wolves?"

"It’s fine. I have my Beast Husbands with me," Jiang Zheyu replied with a faint smile.

"I used to think you were pretty smart, but now I’m starting to think you’re a little foolish," the Little Princess of the Empire said, the corner of her mouth twitching. "The Beastmen in Zone -1, and Zone -2 for that matter, are just a bunch of brutes who only know how to fight. They have no concept of being gentle with a woman. And I’m not trying to bad-mouth your Beast Husbands, but from what I know, the Beastmen from Zone -1 and Zone -2 are incredibly strong—they’re considered the peak fighting force of the Imperial Army."

"You seem to know quite a lot," Jiang Zheyu noted, smiling gently at the Little Princess.

"Of course I do," the Little Princess said with a slight smirk. "I may have never been there, but my sources are excellent and absolutely reliable."

She followed this with a long sigh.

"Still, given your status, they probably wouldn’t dare to do anything to you," the Little Princess conceded with another sigh. "Sigh... who knows when we’ll see each other again."

"Then let’s have a hug before I leave," Jiang Zheyu said, opening her arms to the Little Princess.

The Little Princess of the Empire smiled and finally embraced Jiang Zheyu.