Chapter 553: Past Events_1
Xue Qingyi's arms roughly encircled Lin Feng's neck, her lips awkwardly pressing against his. Her actions were clumsy, yet stubborn; she refused to loosen her grip. She seemed to fear that if she let go, Lin Feng would heartlessly abandon her.
Xue Qingyi had waited many years. This time, she wouldn't let go. She didn't want to lose Lin Feng again, whether to separation in life or by death. She wanted to bind Lin Feng tightly to her...
"Qingyi, don't. Don't do this. I'm afraid I can't control myself…" Lin Feng said, his voice hoarse as he fought to remain clear-headed.
"I don't want you to hold back. You've held back for so many years…" Xue Qingyi said, looking at Lin Feng with a resolute expression.
Seeing Xue Qingyi's stubborn gaze, Lin Feng was momentarily stunned.
He recalled the first time he had seen Xue Qingyi. She was a fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl who had traveled alone by plane to the White Wolf Troop camp to see her older sister one last time. Despite her pretty face, she lacked the vivacity and liveliness typical of a girl her age. Her expression was stubborn and aloof. The first thing she said to Lin Feng, then the team captain, was, "I want to avenge my sister…"
Lin Feng had been startled by the utter lack of emotion in Xue Qingyi's eyes. He was grieving Xue Qinghan's death, but he hadn't realized someone else was even more heartbroken than he was.
It was a look of absolute despair, as if her entire world had shattered, as if existence itself had lost all meaning… That was how significant Xue Qinghan, her only older sister, was to Xue Qingyi.
From then on, Lin Feng suppressed his own grief and took on Xue Qinghan's responsibilities. He became Xue Qingyi's "older brother," caring for her, trying to rebuild her collapsed world.
Unfortunately, Lin Feng's efforts didn't have much effect. At that time, Xue Qingyi was like an empty shell, only an immense resentment fueling her will to live.
"I want to avenge my sister!" was the phrase Xue Qingyi said most often to Lin Feng. Only when she uttered these words did a flicker of emotion appear in her eyes.
Lin Feng had all members of the White Wolf Squad investigate the truth behind Xue Qinghan's ambush and find their enemies. Meanwhile, he stayed constantly by Xue Qingyi's side, fearing she might do something reckless.
During that period, Lin Feng watched Xue Qingyi as vigilantly as if guarding against a thief. Emotionally unstable, Xue Qingyi would often jolt awake in the middle of the night, dash out of the camp crying out to avenge Xue Qinghan, or snatch a weapon from Lin Feng and fire randomly into the sky before collapsing into hysterical wails.
Lin Feng had to remain constantly alert, observing Xue Qingyi, preventing her from going completely wild. Yet, when Xue Qingyi was venting, Lin Feng didn't stop her. He allowed her to release her emotions without restraint. He would quietly accompany her, wait until she was exhausted from crying, and then hold her to soothe her.
Lin Feng knew that, from that point on, his image must have been imprinted on Xue Qingyi's heart. However, he only cherished the memory of Instructor Xue Qinghan's kindness towards him and hadn't considered Xue Qingyi's feelings. In Lin Feng's eyes, Xue Qingyi was just a little sister who would never grow up.
After some time, Xue Qingyi finally regained some composure and began attending the White Wolf Squad's intelligence meetings. She paid close attention to Lin Feng and the others' plans for revenge, sometimes even urging others to give higher priority to the investigation of Xue Qinghan's case.
Other core members of the White Wolf Squad, whether Zhou Yang, Ling Yun, or Xiang Wang, were somewhat wary of Xue Qingyi. They all knew that this seemingly shy and cute girl was Xue Qinghan's biological sister and the 'little sister' Lin Feng was so fiercely protective of. Consequently, none of them dared to provoke Xue Qingyi openly.
Indeed, Lin Feng backed up his stance with action. Once, a regular member of the White Wolf Squad complained about Lin Feng's favoritism towards Xue Qingyi and was mercilessly expelled from the squad by Lin Feng.
From that moment on, the remaining members of the White Wolf Squad understood just how unyielding Lin Feng was in his support for Xue Qingyi, and no one dared to utter another word of complaint.
Of course, Lin Feng wasn't the type to disregard brotherhood for a woman. He explained to the core members that he considered the mission to avenge Xue Qinghan as one he had personally hired the White Wolf Squad to undertake. He assured them their bonuses would not be cut, a gesture of generosity that significantly dissipated any dissatisfaction towards Lin Feng and Xue Qingyi.
Xue Qingyi naturally saw and remembered everything Lin Feng did for her. Consequently, her reliance on him deepened in her heart.
Then, with the help of Xiang Wang's exceptional electronic reconnaissance technology, the White Wolf Squad finally located the enemy group. The entire squad erupted with excitement.
Three months later, when Lin Feng and Xue Qingyi successfully eradicated the drug trafficking gang responsible for ambushing Xue Qinghan, Xue Qingyi laughed for the first time in front of Lin Feng. Her smile was light and pure, like that of an immortal, untainted by worldly dust. In that moment, to Lin Feng, Xue Qingyi became the reincarnation of Xue Qinghan...
In the days that followed, Xue Qingyi remained with the White Wolf Troop. She stayed by Lin Feng's side, learning various Inner Strength cultivation techniques and the Linglong Needle. She even acquired some medical and poison knowledge, gradually becoming the White Wolf Squad's auxiliary team physician.
As Lin Feng and Xue Qingyi's bond deepened, Lin Feng gradually grew accustomed to her presence. It was just like his relationship with Xue Qinghan; there were no barriers between them, and they could talk about anything.
Sometimes, when Lin Feng was dreaming in the middle of the night, he would mutter Xue Qinghan's name, even when camping beside Xue Qingyi.
Xue Qingyi was displeased whenever Lin Feng called her Xue Qinghan. She corrected him more than once, stating firmly that she was not her sister.
Lin Feng gradually realized that treating Xue Qingyi as a substitute for Xue Qinghan was unfair to her. So, he suppressed his longing and maintained a safe distance.
To outsiders, it seemed a rift had formed in Lin Feng and Xue Qingyi's relationship. Lin Feng deliberately kept his distance from Xue Qingyi, and she, being naturally reserved, didn't openly initiate conversations with him either.
Interestingly, Xue Qingyi did not leave the White Wolf Squad. As an official member, she gradually adapted to life in the squad, diligently carrying out her tasks. Many who had known Xue Qinghan began to see Xue Qingyi's remarkable qualities, realizing this girl was by no means inferior to her sister!
Naturally, many people came to understand Lin Feng's predicament and his pain. They wanted to help him, but since they weren't privy to their personal matters, they could only watch anxiously as Lin Feng and Xue Qingyi remained estranged, feeling helpless themselves.
This situation persisted for two to three years.
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