Thrive in Catastrophe - Chap 49
Suddenly a cold voice drifted from behind Xiao’s head.
“If you can’t go on, we can stop here for today.” Heine stood nearby but it seemed as though an insurmountable distance separated them.
Didn’t he already leave?
When did he come back?
“I’m alright……”
The researchers had assumed that the long distance running was the end of the training session.
They were all wrong.
Winn takes them over to a wall designed to simulate a rock climb. Everyone lifts their heads to follow the height of the structure with a blank look on their faces.
“Climbing is a basic skill for combat troops. You don’t expect to climb a cliff with all of your gear, but you may have to. Climbing is the best way to improve your coordination and strength. Now that the warm up is over, we can formally begin your training.”
The last syllable had just fallen when all of the researchers collectively groaned as though they were dying. They had just opened their mouths to protest when Winn grabs one of the rocks from the wall and crushes it in his palm. As the debris sifted through his fingers, the researchers went silent.
Soon, a group of researchers are hanging in the air. Winn was shouting evaluations of their technique, which ended up being a looping yell of “Wrong!” Several of the researchers fell asleep while hanging in the air and the few that struggled, to complete the climb, were uselessly attempting to get a good grip of the wall.
Xiao dangled from the air, frustrated. Every movement was incorrect and Winn seemed to be exceptionally strict with him.
“Xiao Yan! Aren’t you a technical soldier? Is all your knowledge of physics and mechanics useless? Surely you understand the concept of force!”
Xiao became so flustered he just wanted to let go of the rope and land on Winn’s face.
Heine easily climbed to wall to reach Xiao’s side. of course, he didn’t even bother with a safety rope. His posture was clean as his limbs easily stretched up the rock, his long legs pushed powerfully off of the wall. His lean figure and skilled movements were gorgeous and captivating.
He reached and grabbed at a rock protruding out from the wall, then his left leg raised, moving him fluidly upward, until his hand holds the inside of Xiao’s knee, the side of his face is almost touching his back. At the close contact, Xiao can feel his breath.
As he touches him Xiao recalls the intensity and warmth of Heine’s palm.
Distracted by his thoughts, Xiao stumbles and Heine grabs onto his shoulder, his arms tightening around him.
“Don’t be afraid to fall.” The command was short but full of power.
“understand.”
This is not the first time Xiao has fallen from heights with Heine, he has done so on many missions, but it is the first time he is able to take a moment to look closely at Heine. His face is very close and his perfectly chiseled features are so clear and exquisite that his eyes blur. Even still, he cannot drag his gaze back.
Winn stands on the ground, looking up at the wall, with a thoroughly baffled look.
“Hey Mark. If you were to just stare at the Boss, what would happen?”
Mark is absentmindedly scribbling circles on the ground. He answers casually with no intonation.
“He would cut off my head.”
“Then why is Xiao Yan still alive?” Winn’s eyes are reddened to the point of tears, the other researchers thought his strange glare was directed at them so they scrambled to work harder.
