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**Long Zhan had run all the way over that morning.**
His old Harley was parked under Stella's apartment building, so his only option now was to catch a cab.
But after standing by the roadside for what felt like forever, although several taxis passed by, **not a single one was willing to stop**.
Long Zhan felt frustrated, but he was used to it.
Taxis were usually fuel-efficient sedans, with even less interior space than a private car. Trying to cram in a big guy like him was genuinely a hassle.
Like trying to stuff an elephant into a cardboard box—**uncomfortable for both the elephant and the box**.
Drivers didn't want their cars suffering. There was a good chance that once Long Zhan got out, the rear seat would be warped. The fare wouldn't even begin to cover the repair cost, so it was no surprise no one stopped.
> "**Damn it, am I really going to have to run the whole way again?**"
Resigned to his own bulky frame, Long Zhan was just about to give it a few more minutes. If no taxi came, he'd brave the heat and jog to Stella's place.
**Just then, a car rolled up and stopped beside him.**
> "Hey, need a lift?"
**Diaz** rested her left hand on the car window frame, smirking playfully at Long Zhan.
She had clearly picked up on his awkward situation.
Even though Diaz stood only about **five-foot-five**, she drove a rugged, no-nonsense **GMC SUV**, the kind that screamed military and matched her soldier's identity perfectly.
Probably only a beast of a vehicle like this—**a nearly two-meter tall, full-sized "alpha male"-grade SUV**—would dare stop in front of a giant like Long Zhan.
> "Hah! You're a lifesaver. If you hadn't shown up, I was about to take Bus Route 11."
It was almost noon and blazing hot. With a ride offered, Long Zhan wasn't about to decline. He quickly opened the door and slid into the passenger seat.
> "Route 11? That's a thing?" Diaz didn't catch the Chinese-style joke.
> "Like this."
> Long Zhan slapped his thighs.
Diaz instantly got it. The metaphor hit her like a punchline. She threw her head back in laughter, big and unrestrained.
> "Don't laugh. My Route 11 is intense—**only takes five burgers to go 100 kilometers.**" Long Zhan said dramatically.
> "A hundred clicks for five burgers? Hahaha!"
That magical metaphor sent Diaz into hysterics, laughing until she doubled over. She was completely disarmed by Long Zhan's peculiar way of speaking.
> "I ran 30 kilometers this morning, used it as my early training. All powered by Route 11. My long-distance endurance is off the charts."
Hearing this utterly shameless self-flattery, Diaz laughed and said:
> "Thirty kilometers for morning training? I gotta say, that endurance is impressive… though I wonder if you're just all bark and no bite."
Diaz was already pretty uninhibited. Now that they'd found a rhythm in conversation, she grew even more relaxed and casual.
> "Whether I'm all bite or not… well, you could always find out for yourself. I promise, you'll learn what 'sleepless nights' *really* mean."
> As he said this, Long Zhan even threw her a flirtatious glance, making his pecs bounce deliberately.
Diaz's full lips curled into a grin as she fired back:
> "Oh really? Why not now? My bed's huge—and I live alone."
Long Zhan knew she was joking, so he played along:
> "Then let's go. To your place. GO."
> "Aren't you afraid your little girlfriend will get mad? If I'm not mistaken, you're heading out to meet her right now."
Diaz started the car, laughing as she drove.
> "True, true. A beast like me doesn't get done in three or five hours… we're definitely short on time. Let's schedule it for next time."
Long Zhan knew exactly when to stop joking and used the moment to steer the conversation away, nice and smooth.
> "You guys love talking yourselves up. Nothing wrong with three to five *minutes*, you know. Though if it were *me*, I'd be disappointed."
> "Just remember what you said today—don't come begging for mercy when the time comes."
Their banter hit an easy stride. Given America's open attitude toward sexual topics, they tossed jokes back and forth all the way there, growing closer with every mile.
**Long Zhan, now riding in Diaz's SUV, made his way toward Stella's apartment.**
They'd already agreed yesterday to go house hunting today, and Stella had taken the day off to wait at home. She'd only gotten up not long ago.
After a full night of Long Zhan's "nourishment," **Stella—who had slept in until after 9—glowed with radiance and charm.**
In fact, under the stimulation of love and hormones, her body had entered a second phase of development. Her figure had noticeably changed from before.
It might not be long before she'd need to change bra sizes—
**Too small.
Can't wear them anymore.**
---
In the U.S., whether buying or renting a home, it's rarely possible to deal directly with the owner. It typically requires going through a real estate agent.
**Beach City** was a popular tourist town, and housing—especially rentals—was in high demand.
Fortunately, Stella had made her appointment well in advance.
Long Zhan had rushed over straight from base, and the two of them grabbed a Chinese lunch before heading to the location provided by the agent.
It was a **five-story residential building** in a community called **"Kelly 13."**
Stella really was a thoughtful woman. The requirements she gave the agent were mostly tailored to make things more convenient for Long Zhan.
So, instead of choosing a flashy, downtown location, the agent had found something farther from Stella's workplace, but **closer to the Oceana Naval Air Station**—just under 15 kilometers away.
That considerate arrangement touched Long Zhan. He rewarded Stella with a **deep, love-filled kiss**.
> "Youth really is something to envy."
The real estate agent, **Robert**, already in his 40s, found himself full on dog food—the modern slang for witnessing other people's love—and reminisced about his own passionate youth.
He'd once been just as full of fire.
From Long Zhan's build, the aura he exuded, and his own years of experience in the business, Robert had a pretty good idea of Long Zhan's identity.
He understood what soldiers needed and felt very confident about closing this deal.
> "Alright then, let me show you the place."
Not wanting to choke on any more romantic dog food, the agent led them up to the third floor via elevator. The apartment was completely empty.
Painted in a soft, warm shade of yellow, it gave off a pleasant vibe the moment they stepped in.
Robert quickly slipped into professional mode as he began the tour:
> "The floorplan is over 80 square meters, with **three bedrooms and a living room**.
> Hardwood flooring throughout. Spacious floor-to-ceiling windows. The balcony offers a distant view of the ocean.
> The **master bedroom has its own en-suite**, and the second bedroom could be converted into an office—or maybe, in Mr. Long Zhan's case, a home gym.
> There's also a storage room that could double as a walk-in closet—or be remodeled into a **nursery**.
> We offer custom remodeling services, by the way. If you have special requirements, just a little extra cost will ensure everything is ready before you move in."
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