Laozi Shudao Mountain

There were still thirty seconds left when he reached the People's Armed Forces Department.

Fang Huai got out of the car carrying the Camouflage Bag issued by the military. Seeing the entrance to the People's Armed Forces Department, its gate pillars bearing the August 1st emblem, so close at hand, he felt much more at ease.

30

The system began counting down.

"Mom, where's the food and cigarettes you brought me?"

There was still a long road ahead. Before entering the military, Fang Huai had planned to enjoy one last death-row meal.

The moment those words left his mouth.

20

Fang Huai's eyes widened.

It definitely hadn't even been five seconds.

Zhang Mei got out of the car and slowly rubbed her lower back.

"Wait here, I'll go get them for you."

10

Fang Huai turned and took off at a hundred-meter sprint.

"Why are you running? Fang Huai! Slow down!" Zhang Mei shouted anxiously behind him.

Fang Huai had already reached the gate. He glanced back, hesitating over whether to wait for his mother to bring his things inside.

5

So that's how you want to play it?

"I don't want them anymore!"

Fang Huai quickly turned back. The person ahead stopped and crouched down to tie his shoelaces.

3.

There was even a damn period. Fang Huai's hair stood on end.

The number three was the most mystical of all.

Sichuan and Chongqing's most badass mountain—Laozi Shudao Mountain.

Without hesitation, he braced himself, vaulted, and jumped.

Scrambling and tumbling, Fang Huai vanished through the gate and rushed into the People's Armed Forces Department compound.

After a while.

The system remained silent.

Outside the gate, Zhang Mei stared blankly at her vanished son.

Fang Kaiyang got out of the car and saw that Zhang Mei was alone.

"He went in by himself? He didn't take any of his things?"

"Mm..." Zhang Mei still had not quite recovered.

"I think he said he didn't want them... Forget it, I'll bring them in to him."

Fang Kaiyang stopped her and glanced again at the People's Armed Forces Department, a trace of satisfaction in his eyes.

"Mm... If he doesn't want to bring them, then don't let him. You've done everything for him all these years and spoiled him rotten. He's finally being independent for once, so don't hold him back. Come on, let's go home."

"There's nothing in his bag!" Zhang Mei panicked.

"Come on, come on. The military has everything."

"The troop transport will be leaving soon. We're not seeing him off?"

"No. He needs to learn how to grow up on his own! Once he's out of the New Recruit Regiment, we'll find a way to visit him. I guarantee you'll see a completely new son!"

Inside the People's Armed Forces Department compound.

The older teens around him were all anxiously saying goodbye to their families. Some were still crying, while a few looked rather resolute. Their uniforms and caps were worn more neatly, and they stood proudly among the crowd, looking as though they disdained associating with anyone else.

One look was enough to tell they had served as militia members at the People's Armed Forces Department for a while before enlisting.

Fang Huai squatted on the ground, gasping for breath.

Mission complete. Congratulations, Host, on obtaining your father's favor for the first time.

What the hell is "father's favor"?

A special item?

Complete three missions to freely choose one basic ability.

His mood instantly sank.

Fang Huai had read plenty of novels. Upon seeing those words, he once again felt that his life was set.

A wish-granting system! Why would he need to make money anymore?

He was going to become Superman.

In his previous life, he had been a pathetic soldier. He could not even get onto the bar during the third pull-up exercise. This time, he would definitely be doing Gymnastics on the Bar.

His physical fitness would crush everyone at the National Competition. He would pick up girls the moment he stepped outside his company gates, master poetry and song, have fangirls all over the place, and let the system print money for him to spend.

Why would he need his uncle to look after him? Uncle, from now on, I'll be the one looking after you!

Being this kind of soldier... wasn't bad at all.

Fang Huai felt relaxed all over. He no longer thought about PPTs or anything else. With a system like this, making money was unnecessary.

After entering this compound, his memories from this era also began to return. Blurry images gradually became clear, though he did not know whether the system was behind it.

Beside him, a young man in his early twenties was patting a newly enlisted recruit on the shoulder and speaking earnestly.

"Second Brother, I haven't taken very good care of you these past few years. Remember this: if you want to make something of yourself in the military, you need guts. When it's time to sing before meals, submit a report and teach everyone that song I taught you, 'Green Flower in the Army'!

"And when you first get in, they'll serve welcome noodles. If you don't like that topping, ask the Mess Hall Squad leader to add the beef topping you like. If they don't have any, tell him to stir-fry some fresh for you! Don't be embarrassed about asking. Squad leaders are all nice, and they like outgoing soldiers. He'll definitely add it for you!

"Don't smoke the cigarettes I gave you all by yourself. Once you're in the military, you need to understand social etiquette. When you see the squad leader, offer him one, especially anyone with stars on his shoulders. Call him Brother when you see him! Pull out the cigarettes quickly! And light it for him!

"Don't let your squad leader find the whistle I gave you.

"During weekend breaks, the military will give you phones so you can call home. But the leaders are busy. If the company commander or Political Instructor forgets, take out your whistle and blow it loudly to remind them.

"Oh, right! The military has confidentiality rules, so no taking pictures! If you see someone in casual wear taking photos with a camera, that person is definitely an enemy agent! If you run into one, your chance to earn merit has arrived! Take him down, and you'll get at least a Second Class Merit!

"If you get the chance, go in by yourself! If two people go together, it might turn into two Third Class Merits!

"These are all secrets your brother only learned after spending two years in the military. The squad leaders won't teach you this! Don't tell anyone casually!"

Fang Huai was numb just listening to him.

Damn, are these really blood brothers? This is a feud of blood!

He wasn't planning to let him come back alive, was he?

The new recruit listened with a face full of gratitude and remorse. "I understand, Brother! I'll never laugh at you for failing to get into military academy again! I'll work hard to get into military academy, stay in the military, and become an officer!"

Damn, brother, you're thinking too far ahead. You might get discharged early before you even make it to your assigned unit.

With that IQ, even if you stay, getting into military academy will be a struggle!

As Fang Huai listened, a hand landed on his shoulder.

"Brother, what did it mean when you stepped over me just now?"

Fang Huai turned around. The newcomer was huge and burly, with a fierce face and glaring eyes.

Damn, a little boss.

"...Sorry, I was growing... No, I just didn't notice."

The man snorted and suddenly slapped him twice, nearly knocking him over.

"Didn't notice? You jumped pretty high, didn't you?"

Fang Huai gritted his teeth, slowly stood up, and looked at him.

"Brother, we'll all be comrades from now on. Is this really necessary?"

The man's eyes widened. The bag in his hand slipped loose and dropped to the ground.

The tension was palpable.

"Fang Huai is over there!" A female voice suddenly rang out from beyond his line of sight.

"Damn, why did you get here so late?" A male voice complained as well.

Fang Huai did not need to look to know who had come.

His classmate and best friend of twelve years, Chen Shuang. They had gone through elementary school, middle school, and high school together, both perpetual bottom-feeders, and now they had enlisted together.

And Chen Shuang's younger sister, Yang Shaoqing.

They were biological siblings, but one took their father's surname and the other took their mother's.

Yang Shaoqing was someone every one of their group of brothers admired to varying degrees, yet none of them dared say it aloud.

There was no helping it. This second child had turned out way too stunning.

Chen Shuang was one meter sixty-eight, while Yang Shaoqing was one meter seventy-two. She looked a whole head taller than her brother, and her skin was unbelievably fair. People said pale skin hid a hundred flaws, but Yang Shaoqing did not need that excuse. Ever since she grew up and stopped wearing her low-prescription glasses, Fang Huai had not dared look directly at her.

He still did not really dare now.

Mainly because a thickly built young man who looked fierce as hell was staring at him directly ahead.

Mission: The first step after rebirth—break up with Huang Jiaojiao completely.

Fang Huai was a little stunned when those words appeared before his eyes.

What counted as completely?

I haven't even seen her!... Could this big brother in front of me be named Huang Jiaojiao? Parallel world?

"Brother, what are you trying to do?" Fang Huai did not want trouble.

Mainly because he could not afford it.

A system was a system, but if a fight broke out in his current condition, he would still choose to protect his kidneys first.

After all, his father had hereditary kidney disease.

The broad-shouldered, thick-waisted man strode over, carrying the oppressive aura of a natural powerhouse, and tapped Fang Huai on the chest.

Pouting, he said, "What do you want to do? Whatever you want!"

If this were outside the middle school gates, the proper reply to that line would be, "Whatever you want too," while poking him back with a finger.

If they were more cowardly, the two could keep saying whatever they wanted for twenty minutes.

The two people beside him both noticed something was wrong.

A bright white figure appeared before him.

Yang Shaoqing stepped in front of Fang Huai, bringing a burst of warmth with her.

"What are you doing!" Yang Shaoqing shouted.

Of course, he could not really do anything. This was the People's Armed Forces Department compound.

A cadre walked over and pointed at the pouting man across from Fang Huai, who clearly had the upper hand.

"Hey! You two, step apart!"

Only after hearing the cadre did the man click his tongue in dissatisfaction and defiance. His gaze lingered briefly on Yang Shaoqing in front of Fang Huai before flicking toward Fang Huai behind her.

"Coward. Hiding behind a woman for protection."

With that, he gave a crooked smile and took a step back.

Just then.

"Fang Huai!"

A third voice came from the entrance to the People's Armed Forces Department.

Huang Jiaojiao looked somewhat disappointed. She took out her phone and pointed at the screen.

"I was wondering whether I should wait for you. I kept calling, but you didn't answer, and now you're fighting again!"

Why did she say "again"?

When Fang Huai was in school, he had been rather "loyal." Whenever there was some trivial nonsense, he would go help a few friends argue things out.

He was just backing people up and making up numbers. It had been pretty stupid.

But Fang Huai had enjoyed it back then.

Huang Jiaojiao had initially thought it was fine, but after one of her inseparable "sisters" started dating a real street thug and she went out with that "sister" to watch him beat people up at the slightest disagreement, she began to think Fang Huai's routine was lame.

Seeing this woman again, Fang Huai felt nothing but an indescribable disgust. He did not know what he had ever liked about her.

Perhaps seeing her reminded him of his incomparably pathetic former self. The person he truly hated was that version of himself.

He was also considering another question: what did breaking up completely mean?

Would getting a new girlfriend count?

Fang Huai looked at Yang Shaoqing before him.

Brother Yang was also a very loyal person. Headstrong and fearless—that described her perfectly. Her brother Chen Shuang had been protected by her since childhood. At school, everyone saw how pretty she was, and she had plenty of admirers, but no one had ever seriously tried to pick a fight with her.

Because of Chen Shuang, the two of them had played together since childhood and were quite familiar. If he needed to borrow money, Brother Yang, this little rich girl, could hand him several hundred yuan in minutes. But if he asked her to be his girlfriend now, he did not know whether she would slap his left cheek or his right first.

"Brother Yang, I need an emergency favor."

Fang Huai spoke quietly, stepped forward, and casually put an arm around her shoulder. Her shoulders were smooth as carved jade... Too cliché. Put simply, she was a little thin.

Not that she was thin everywhere.

Yang Shaoqing visibly froze. Her breathing suddenly became tense as she turned and glared hard at him, about to break free.

"Huang Jiaojiao was with someone else, and I saw them. We already broke up, but she keeps coming to bother me. I can't take it anymore. Help me out," Fang Huai continued in a low voice.

When you were out in the world, your identity was whatever you said it was.

If that was not enough, he could make up an even more miserable story.

Brother Yang did not move.

She merely shifted her shoulder slightly, adjusting so he would not touch her shoulder strap.

Sensing Yang Shaoqing's nervousness, Fang Huai seized the moment and smiled at Huang Jiaojiao.

"Wait for me? You're really too kind. You don't need to agonize over it anymore. Save your time and waste it on someone in society who needs it."

When Fang Huai said that with his arm around Yang Shaoqing, he did not feel particularly thrilled, but he did feel the lightness of being freed.

"You... and Yang Shaoqing? You liked her all along, didn't you?" Huang Jiaojiao raised a hand and pointed at Yang Shaoqing. She was smiling, tears welling in her eyes as though she had suffered some tremendous humiliation.

That was the kind of sorrow only someone who watched too many Taiwanese dramas could perform.

What real heartbreak looked like—Fang Huai had seen it in the mirror every day for a long time.

Huang Jiaojiao only felt that she had lost face.

Fang Huai made no response, merely watching her.

But Yang Shaoqing beside him swayed slightly again, her expression a little unnatural as she glanced at Fang Huai.

Fortunately, the other side had no intention of continuing to embarrass herself here.

Huang Jiaojiao snorted instead, hatred in her eyes. "I knew it, Fang Huai. Let me tell you, I don't like you either!"

She turned and left.

The warmth he had only just held onto vanished in an instant. Brother Yang lowered her head, then, like an actor taking a bow after leaving the stage, arched backward and stepped out of Fang Huai's embrace.

All he felt was the faint fragrance retreating.

It felt a little empty.

Fang Huai also noticed that things had gone a bit awkward around them. Even quite a few parents were watching the spectacle, so he immediately clasped his hands together and bowed in a circle with utmost apology.

"Sorry, sorry. Sorry for making you laugh."

Task complete. Congratulations, host. You have obtained Brother Yang's shyness for the first time.

What kind of item was "Brother Yang's shyness" supposed to be?

A hand landed on Fang Huai's shoulder again. The veins standing out on it showed that its owner had used all her strength.

"Fang Huai, I treated you like a brother, and you fucking wanted to become my brother-in-law?"