Blazing Armor

It’s been proven that Yan Jue’s unit’s training intensity is indeed higher than theirs, but for the sake of pride, no one complained. After morning training, however, Gao Ge quietly told Ren Yi that they absolutely shouldn’t let Yan Jue get involved again.PDotLtRwhjYXfOiqfaMviJOcJjzgdK

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In the afternoon, Ren Yi took Yan Jue around their jurisdiction. After dinner, Qu Yangbo organized a movie screening in the recreation room.FVcpNOyiItJUGhuNdQEHVINXDqKjlI

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When the movie ended, the soldiers went to bed. As Ren Yi was stretching his arms, Qu Yangbo approached him and said in a low voice, “Sihuo, it’s time to write the report.”CbCwCcdRZceWqvIgbdUkrwbKzKbpIe

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Ren Yi froze for a moment. The report Qu Yangbo referred to was undoubtedly the routine response report for the Wenhui Mall incident. However, there was another, less routine one: a detailed explanation and review required when a commanding officer loses personnel in action.yjWOHzjiVWFVBVgWdiggEgSaiOKcfL

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He had been delaying it, but he couldn’t avoid it forever.doXKjGELjopMnWswKQzlVYYZckFoDL

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Noticing Ren Yi’s discomfort, Qu Yangbo sighed lightly and said, “I don’t want to rush you, but…”qbSSeiynDwPqoVaOOxQSHycJmDaDoW

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“It’s fine. I understand. I’ll write it tonight,” Ren Yi replied.sNNdqFZnKEQhHPmLoCsdrkZYfDHntf

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Yan Jue walked over and offered, “Let me help you. I can organize the materials for you; it’ll make writing it much quicker.”qALgVjjqBrdEltsBlqXRxoxdbEvCpH

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“That’s too much trouble for you,” Ren Yi said, grinning. “I’d owe you several meals again.”nowaYwKemZpdLeuDgsxPOmtNrdxEdL

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Yan Jue chuckled. “You can pay me back slowly.” He looked at Ren Yi, his gaze warm and intent. Qu Yangbo adjusted his glasses and flashed a knowing smile.oFkbmLbYHBJxKCXDCfzKrRpaBfGKnM

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The two of them headed to Ren Yi’s office, where Ren Yi handed Yan Jue the materials to organize.OPoFMiQNsFOgXRlxkvIBwKklgLTtXq

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The response report required a lot of detailed work: drawing diagrams of the scene, indicating the positions of fire hydrants and fire trucks, tracking the routes of every team, and outlining the progression of the fire and the extinguishing process. The technical team handled most of the meticulous details, but Ren Yi, from his commanding perspective, needed to provide a comprehensive account. Yan Jue’s task was to sort through all the evidence and records related to Ren Yi’s team’s actions, from entering the fire scene to leaving it.YvbrzCUZyVkNjZLLpRvINSCsiggFdo

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With Yan Jue’s help, the work progressed much faster.pCKGoMpGYeSNPQMQiBUAtyMdviLXqB

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As Ren Yi typed away, he said, “I bet response reports are the most hated tasks for all team leaders.”cMVcOodpEzcoQSZWMKDPUmoWEchCQM

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“Probably. I hate these things too,” Yan Jue replied, gesturing toward Ren Yi with his chin. “See how nice I am? I took time off just to help you write a response report.”AjbGPUOwqxnswVkYBaTfwuAkkqrfeF

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“Yeah, you’re a true brother,” Ren Yi said with a grin. He knew everyone was accommodating him and helping him because of what happened with Sun Dingyi, and he felt both warmed and deeply grateful.haWnQYFMLTbVbQmNpEGcXPNoEmHaBE

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Yan Jue rested his chin on his hand, watching Ren Yi. “I think we have a lot in common. It’s pretty interesting.”THCtEzpoUuSmSstsbexBHEyUiWOyJj

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“Yeah, I think so too,” Ren Yi replied, fingers flying across the keyboard.JKxTlqPRdnXrxeXosuQtmQkCSaKmeG

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Yan Jue stared at Ren Yi’s sharply defined, handsome profile, feeling his heart stir.MzhtthCsYydEdtkeDiZtNLZqAdUvJp

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Sensing the intense gaze, Ren Yi suddenly turned his face without warning. Startled, Yan Jue immediately straightened up.dNLcHXySSdzbzrznqqKoQmiUXfhVPG

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Their eyes met, and a trace of awkwardness flickered between them.BoPfKocUgeYjBGesVttrVpkLsDwrLr

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“…Are you done?” Ren Yi glanced at the documents in Yan Jue’s hand.PjKswTfgavEchttYEWFzdzIqPcwygc

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“Oh, yeah, I’m done.”QmIWBfhtArqEnWwYiMrlaMYGgtYKSa

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“Then you should go rest. It’s so late.”hVWfYyHWQMfpiQaYVDPEQRjMHyOgUe

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“It’s so late; you should rest too.”opPHTpdySqhWaOxLAJpmzhPRgJlWEP

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“I’ll finish this first.”BghkTyoKrqfxcmDMsFMTxwsmTpbJQP

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Yan Jue glanced at the computer. “Forget it. This isn’t just a little bit of work; you won’t finish it tonight.”MipNJdwgPoafBXzLwdhqAwmYPpFWBx

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Ren Yi shrugged and muttered, “I can’t sleep.”buroRWBxiOLRSzOwUzYnSGXDYzUhHV

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“What do you feel like doing? I’ll keep you company.”CQDWChlsWGyEQDzbnqKaQTKatFPWRz

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Leaning back in his chair, Ren Yi thought for a moment. “Sitting for so long is stifling. Some of the equipment needs oiling anyway.”LIGGeLyZYStCrTBRZshwWIJZIwmasM

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“Let’s go.”fFLZqcRervEqNPucfJBPXBLkzwdexA

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The two of them headed to the garage. Ren Yi flipped on the lights, gazing at the massive fire trucks lined up in a row. He let out a long sigh.lVGqaDlEvEeqifcQufWhbmbbGoFBUf

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He had grown up in the firefighter family quarters. As a child, his favorite place to play with his friends was the fire station. To them, the fire trucks, ladders, equipment, and countless tools were the coolest things ever. If an adult let them play with anything for even a short while, they’d be over the moon for days.ezhsnJRfHwuLRkLjiqgIrCNAgyrQtO

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Ren Yi had always idolized his father. He had vowed to one day wear that uniform, ride those impressive trucks, and save the world. Now, that childhood dream had come true. But after becoming a firefighter, he realized the weight of the responsibility—heavier than a mountain. The excitement had faded, replaced by reverence.YypBTDUWowVsZWwTDTNuUxVjkcUqQU

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Ren Yi walked over to a fire truck, took out a toolbox and some oil, and sat down on a small stool. Yan Jue joined him, and the two began working.WRBWXPLBKpEdoOaavyxBSyddxNqTDg

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“Yan Jue, why did you become a firefighter?” Ren Yi asked casually.YEFOtElobsgLjImioGtTtHYENdTdGj

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“Me? I originally planned to join the navy,” Yan Jue replied. “Qinghai’s called a ‘sea,’ but there’s no real ocean there. I’ve always been drawn to the sea. But, by some twist of fate, I got assigned to firefighting instead. At first, I wasn’t happy about it, but then I realized this is probably where I’m truly needed. In peacetime, this is the real battlefield.”HvpbONyvlmJlEShdyhaAxuVvXfEYvh

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Ren Yi clicked his tongue twice. “You’re so competitive—how’d you end up becoming a leader?”wPnQxjsheggrrHMFnAjMhdJMNtoxDF

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“Because I’m amazing,” Yan Jue said smugly.LLFLrwdIQNrJyhMYlbzUDBkcmDmxxC

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Yan Jue, like Ren Yi, was a captain in a special operations unit, and he’d earned his position at a similarly young age. His self-assessment wasn’t entirely unfounded.PqypnANEJvditOjRQnWUxiFzrSvDMm

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“What about you? Following in your father’s footsteps?” Yan Jue asked in return.ZsoMxCUIveKRhsWnppkzRrNmeifWRe

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“Yeah.”rLFyYAmukApHaGEcGMQAhWbzuPHgwc

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“Your old man was a legend. Every firefighter has studied his rescue cases.”VIuRMLinVmVLIrhPPiVAcwmbZkMKKC

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Ren Yi sighed. “Unfortunately…” He paused, deciding not to mention his father’s current situation. He and Yan Jue weren’t close enough for that; it would feel too much like complaining, and there was no need for that.oscAsXoTInkyXtGbrROhHVuoCMQKcL

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Yan Jue didn’t press further. Instead, he scooted closer to Ren Yi. “Did you oil this valve? Let me see.”KzMlTuGbWOtXlqpJmCWmZtLDHFBCwW

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“I’ll get to it last. I’m doing the components first.”BVsKUoOnkyYhmzhvawbpWLadhNpYlT

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“You’re doing it out of order. It’s going to be a pain to reassemble later.”nZgSPmqahxIQMaANCbJyBzVTFVRPvO

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The two fell into a back-and-forth discussion. Thanks to their profession, they had endless topics to talk about and an innate understanding of each other’s challenges.DRrVEMNrgKAGfbJVGluCpfrHEHscor

VmabuLDWaIHJOmb

Once they finished oiling the equipment, Yan Jue shook his dirty gloves in the air and jokingly reached for Ren Yi’s face. “How about a little oil here?”GFuqOSkdqfCDGUsUJkzJUYQkFkWRcm

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“Get lost. My skin’s way too good for that.”RpurBdyYbSPMxOhbZbeaHiKZKzExOs

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“Haha, come on. This is imported oil,” Yan Jue teased, stretching his hand toward Ren Yi.nrBzPgypbkXLfpRuWTyatwoHIrodvs

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Ren Yi leaned back with a laugh, but his stool wasn’t steady. He toppled backward, nearly hitting the ground. Yan Jue instinctively grabbed his wrist, smearing oil all over Ren Yi’s sleeve. In retaliation, Ren Yi kicked over Yan Jue’s stool. Yan Jue stumbled forward, and they both ended up on the floor, with Yan Jue half-lying on top of Ren Yi.wRmHVygOaRIsAoZwRpOdkNBJdqyklA

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“Goddamn it,” Ren Yi grumbled. “I’m covered in this crap. I’ll need gasoline to get it off, you bastard.”uOVvlzMngaHjsebgRQmsIiUjUYUCDX

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Yan Jue didn’t respond. His breathing had noticeably deepened.CZdvPVxHpGelfRSOAHNEgCSoNuGjel

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Ren Yi looked up and met Yan Jue’s gaze. Those sharp, intense eyes seemed to pin him down, radiating a force that was almost binding. The atmosphere shifted, becoming strangely charged.HsHYcxlzeYgpyDHJklhKYOlmKPkAeE

DmvEXoDzBptZLLU

Ren Yi suddenly recalled a moment from some time ago. During training, Yan Jue had been lying on his bed playing games. There had been a brief instance, almost like this one, that felt a little…YiCqHulxeRgaVyjCzvttwpYgxjohMI

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Frowning, Ren Yi shoved Yan Jue off. “Get up. The garage doesn’t have floor heating.” He pretended to inspect the oil stains on his clothes as if nothing had happened.qcgNnyXbhqywWBQkzdrJfjbShEgCyf

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Yan Jue stood, brushing the dirt off his pants in silence.XdQBTCpKzwIvKEJuGBLeTMOwRYCEsM

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Ren Yi began packing up the tools. “It’s late. Go to bed.”VUMagtEDDEXVrUWZBCwOXVRcOlrMgu

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Yan Jue looked up, his gaze steady and penetrating. “Do you want to know where I first saw you?”qLKdTYLnJSeGmpEnjilThPIqxxnWqt

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Ren Yi instinctively felt he didn’t want to know, but he could tell Yan Jue was eager to say it. Pressing his lips together, he didn’t respond.qoYWPQzelDcSZEUQFAgMMgtvOZIKuu

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“The Morning Star Bar.”YTLWYpRVBrwQIoaXRMrSAZpcsfCifo

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Ren Yi froze.PNzyiwEFvERWGKBBOvirhDihRQToum

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That was the gay bar he used to frequent.mEiHdAUsrGYDsynJobknoLBGPAAbFG

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Yan Jue smirked mischievously, giving a casual wave. “Goodnight.” With that, he turned and walked off, his stride unhurried.uBLFTZXldrKWepaBqDyTnZcKBzQase

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Ren Yi rubbed his forehead in frustration, trying to shake the unease bubbling in his chest.rJLZswKFVpFnezMfqqVWNMJpdsEFWF

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***WPYOmXgBSmLJdzFfLDguYaqnRVBkdX

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The next morning, Yan Jue left early. They had breakfast together in the canteen, but it was as if the events of the previous night had never occurred. Both of them acted completely normal.bQLpCBNMrxFmdZNVBPlSHgbbSaxVIj

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After Yan Jue’s departure, Ren Yi received a WeChat message from him: “We’re still friends, no need to feel burdened.”rKwEUfprSoTyrEUyblQXfryeQHQUVm

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Ren Yi stared at the message for a long time, unsure how to respond. He couldn’t decipher Yan Jue’s intent. Did Yan Jue have feelings for him? The message wasn’t clear enough to suggest so. But to say he didn’t have feelings at all? That didn’t seem quite right either.arFxKlWXLPzGojSxVVpobgwRNPPByn

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After thinking it over, Ren Yi decided ignoring it would seem rude. He replied with a simple “OK” emoji.OdFyuVaqyGgeApJmCuNwyOrQQJqIjV

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To his surprise, Yan Jue replied quickly: “Officer Gong doesn’t seem like just your boyfriend, nor does he seem like an ordinary friend. I’m very curious about your relationship.”uFIlzaxKvDuycyMrrqPOxgZagQLCrP

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This time, Ren Yi didn’t respond.ikwpvsddWKwTPLJIyPWGGwBXwHbzFl

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Although the matter was troubling, Ren Yi didn’t dwell on it. After all, they didn’t see each other often, and he figured the awkwardness would fade with time. What stayed on his mind, however, was Yan Jue’s curiosity about his relationship with Gong Yingxian. It made him reflect—his undefined, ambiguous relationship with Gong wasn’t something he wanted either.TSfojjyiYtDoUDNTgqbEEcsylHglqR

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In the final days before the New Year, Ren Yi was consumed with preparations—scheduling duty shifts, arranging personnel leave, organizing holiday supplies. This year, with plans to celebrate together, there were many visiting family members to accommodate, and there was no shortage of things to handle.pbTjIqBSGdJxnpHInyOYcYqMdNAzRe

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He had two major plans for the New Year. The first was to bring his father from the hospital to the station so they could celebrate as a group. The second, which had been brewing in his mind for some time and solidified after Yan Jue’s comment, was something he had decided with newfound determination: he was going to confess to Gong Yingxian.xILWjFkBusfDnRMZhveIhgtRMPQwTu

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There was no doubt about it—the two of them had grown increasingly close. Regardless of how Gong had viewed Ren Yi and his profession in the past, he had come to accept him now. More than just accept him, Gong was even taking the initiative in their interactions.rSBUDLtTUsPpiWwhHJcfOczTKKtZqj

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Even if Gong’s initial steps toward intimacy had been driven by curiosity—seeing Ren Yi as a safe, no-strings-attached option for exploration—Ren Yi was now certain that Gong genuinely enjoyed their connection.sWMHIFUTorHaNxwFHmrcDwheoZNmJF

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Perhaps he could convince Gong to take things a step further, to explore a bond that went beyond physical attraction—a connection rooted in true emotions.UALSdACbAvGuVScCzWwCPJAGzGElal

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And so, he resolved to confess. Gong’s desire for him, his care, and his trust had given Ren Yi the courage he needed.qEIVFPLMWjYxnCgtotfypwukzcfwGx

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