Chapter 072: The New JGS Bulletproof Vest

"Sister Lin, what’s so special about this bulletproof vest?" Li Gang, rarely seeing Lin Yan so excited, hurried over to join her, asking as he followed.

"The new JGS bulletproof vest is currently the most advanced in our country—and in the world, really. Its defensive capability is unmatched. Even medium-sized sniper armor-piercing rounds, the kind meant to break through armor, may not be able to penetrate it in one shot. You know, the kind of round I’m talking about can blow up a small tank. To think that in a base not even up to the scale of a medium military outpost, something like this is hidden away—and four pieces at once! It’s unbelievable."

Lin Yan gently caressed the metal case, her touch as tender as if she were stroking the lover dearest to her heart.

"It’s that incredible?" Li Gang couldn’t help but click his tongue in amazement.

"This vest has another nickname: the Hundred-Million Vest. That means just one costs a hundred million to produce. This one is marked as the new model—so the cost is at least two hundred million. You, kid, have really struck gold today." Lin Yan, unable to wait any longer, began to open the metal case as she spoke, her words tumbling out.

At first, Li Gang was astonished by the vest’s defensive power, but he also wondered if Lin Yan was exaggerating. But when he heard the price, he was stunned. If the vest didn’t live up to its defense, that cost would never be justified.

But then, an unexpected scene unfolded. When Lin Yan opened the box, it was completely empty—nothing inside.

"Maybe the one outside is being used right now," Lin Yan thought, a hint of anxiety flickering across her face as she moved on to another metal case.

The second case wasn’t empty. Inside was a black, rather plain-looking object. Lin Yan sighed in relief, reached in, and pulled it out, unfolding it gently. It was a vest, but its thickness was only about half of a typical bulletproof vest—maybe even less.

Li Gang, watching Lin Yan hold it, noticed how soft and flexible it seemed, not at all like he’d imagined a bulletproof vest should look. Instead, it resembled the most ordinary kind of sleeveless undershirt.

"I was right—it’s a standard men’s style. Here, you should wear it close to your skin from now on. It’s several times lighter and softer than regular vests, but the difference in defense is like night and day. And when you wear it, it feels just like putting on a shirt—not much different at all." As she spoke, Lin Yan handed the black vest to Li Gang.

She then turned to open the last two metal cases, taking out the vests from each. Her expression, however, was tinged with disappointment.

"What’s wrong?" Li Gang asked when he saw her face.

"Just as I thought, all men’s styles—no women’s," Lin Yan replied, sighing.

In fact, she’d known as soon as she saw them. During her service, the new JGS vest she’d worn had been a custom-made women’s version, specially ordered for her by her unit when she was accepted into the Viper Special Assault Squad. After her discharge, the vest was naturally reclaimed by the military. She had no idea whether it had been dismantled or was still stored somewhere in the district.

"It’s not a big deal, is it? A woman can wear a men’s vest; it’s not like it’s impossible." Li Gang didn’t see the problem.

"You don’t understand. Ordinary bulletproof vests are unisex, just sized differently. But this type is different—it’s made specifically for the elite male special forces. It’s meant to be worn close to the body for survival. The anatomical differences between men and women are significant in some areas. Forcing a woman to wear one tight against her body would seriously affect her movements." Lin Yan looked at the other two vests and sighed deeply.

When Li Gang heard her mention anatomical differences, he unconsciously glanced at Lin Yan’s chest. It was summer, and she wasn’t wearing much, so her figure was obvious.

He swallowed, thinking to himself, "Not large, but perfectly proportioned—just right."

In the quiet warehouse, the sound of his swallowing was clear as day.

Lin Yan immediately noticed his gaze and where it had landed.

"What are you looking at? Keep staring and I’ll dig those eyes out and use them for light bulbs!" Her face flushed briefly, but her rebuke was sharp and immediate.

The moment she finished scolding, Lin Yan regretted it, worried her brash habits from the military might have frightened the young man.

But Li Gang’s reply caught her off guard and made her laugh.

"Sister Lin, don’t be angry. I just looked subconsciously after what you said. That reaction just now was completely uncontrollable." Flustered, Li Gang apologized and explained, afraid she wouldn’t forgive him—even admitting it was an impulse.

Lin Yan’s stern words didn’t actually scare him, but they did leave him bewildered, apologizing profusely as if desperate for her forgiveness.

Watching his panicked and helpless expression, Lin Yan found herself both amused and delighted. But then she silently admonished herself to break her rough military habit of cursing—otherwise, if she ever really scared this silly boy away, she’d feel terrible.

"Alright, just pay attention next time. It’s really no big deal." She waved her hand, playing it cool and acting as if she hadn’t minded at all.

But inside, she thought, "You better not take this too seriously, kid, or you’ll never dare sneak a look at me again—how will you ever get closer to me? Am I supposed to chase after you instead? Not that the idea is unappealing…"

She glanced at the now shy and nervous Li Gang and sighed inwardly, already regretting spoiling such a perfect opportunity to deepen their intimacy with her outburst.

Li Gang, of course, had no idea what Lin Yan was thinking. Seeing her expression change, he was convinced his image in her eyes had plummeted.

Then he remembered the secret folders of sorted adult movies she’d found on his computer, and felt sure she thought him nothing but a hopeless pervert. With that, he despaired—his goddess was right before him, yet seemed impossibly far away.

From then on, pursuing Lin Yan became a long, arduous journey, full of desire yet lacking the courage to act. Even when sneaking a glance at her, he was extremely cautious, terrified of being caught.

"So, Sister Lin, why is this new JGS vest so amazing?" Li Gang, anxious, changed the subject in a low voice, wishing the previous few minutes could simply be forgotten.

Lin Yan couldn’t have known how much had gone on in his mind in such a short time. This, as it happened, would be the reason their relationship, though close and often ambiguous, would never take that final step for a long while—and if she’d known, she’d have regretted it even more.

"This vest—the soft outer layer is made with the latest nano-synthesized flexible threads. It’s impervious to heat, cold, knives, and bullets—most kinds of damage can’t even scratch it. Inside, it’s divided into countless small compartments, each filled with an ultra-fine, ultra-thin layer of diamond sand, which absorbs much of any external impact. That’s why the vest must be worn close to the body. Over time, the threads can adjust and adapt to the wearer’s shape, fitting even better."

She held up the black vest, explaining in detail. Then, as if remembering something, she raised her right wrist, showing off her black smart bracelet.

"In fact, I’ve often suspected that the technology behind this black bracelet is related to the vest—at least in part. But the creator’s technique is so perfect that, when you wear it, it feels like a part of your own skin. Without looking, you’d hardly know it’s there."

Li Gang immediately asked Xiaobai about this in his mind, but, as usual, the reply was: insufficient clearance. It wasn’t that the AI couldn’t answer—it was that he didn’t have the necessary access. This left him frustrated and stifled.

"Hey, what are you thinking about?" Lin Yan asked, seeing him lost in thought with the vest in his hands.

"Nothing," Li Gang replied.

"Hurry up and put it on. I want to see if it fits," she said, anticipation in her eyes.

"Here? Right now?" Li Gang, under her direct gaze, felt embarrassed.

"I won’t look. Besides, what’s a man got to be shy about? There’s no one else here but us," Lin Yan said, her dark eyes gleaming mischievously.