A Farewell Without Goodbye

Jing University's freshman military training arrived as scheduled. The initial excitement everyone felt quickly dissipated after the first day of standing at attention. Only then did everyone realize that military training was truly not a game; it was a test of one's endurance.

Under the scorching sun, in the second row, furthest to the right, of the Third Battalion, Second Company, Mo Jingchun, like all the other students in the company, leaned slightly forward, having already stood at attention for half an hour.

Under the blazing sunlight, sweat poured out non-stop as if it were free. Sometimes, the sweat flowing down from his forehead would run into his eyes, making it impossible to keep them open.

By the time you recovered, you couldn't tell if the wetness at the corner of your eyes was sweat or tears.

"Lean slightly forward, fingers together, chest out!"

"Who was that? Who told you to scratch? What did I tell you before?"

"You must report before doing anything. Did you report?"

The tall, thin instructor's face was stern, inspiring awe with just a glance.

"Reporting, Instructor, no."

Sun Hongwei, holding a stopwatch, checked the time and said lightly, "Everyone's time standing at attention is increased by ten minutes."

"You were just over a minute away from resting. Blame your teammate. Why didn't you report before scratching? Is it that hard to report? Or do you think I wouldn't let you scratch if you reported?"

"It's hot, you're sweating, and you're itchy. That's normal, I understand."

After speaking, Sun Hongwei strolled behind the group, checking everyone's posture one by one to see if it was standard.

"Report!"

Sun Hongwei frowned. "Speak!"

"Reporting, Instructor, I want to scratch."

"Endure it!"

"You can't even endure such a small itch. What will you be able to persevere through in the future?"

Someone couldn't help but let out a chuckle, and instantly, this laugh was like a spark igniting a powder keg, causing everyone in the entire company to burst into laughter.

"What are you laughing at? What's so funny? Do you want another ten minutes of standing at attention?"

These words were very effective, like a basin of cold water splashed on their faces, instantly calming everyone down.

Unlike the others, Mo Jingchun, although standing at attention, was always distracted, especially when he heard his sister crying. Mo Jingchun always wanted to turn around and take a look, but to avoid dragging down the group, he could only endure it.

Behind the formation of the Third Battalion, Second Company, there was a row of large willow trees. In the shade under the willow trees, Li Na and Zhang Huizhen were trying their best to coax the child, but no matter how they coaxed, the little one just cried. The little one's eyes kept searching back and forth among the sea of military uniforms.

Looking out, except for the instructors, all the students were wearing the same uniforms and were facing away from Candy. The little one had no idea which one was Mo Jingchun.

"Sister Na, how about I go talk to the instructor and ask Mo Jingchun to step out? It's really strange. That night during the class meeting, she was held by so many people and didn't cry or fuss. Why is she suddenly crying and fussing for no reason after being held for half an hour today?"

Neither Li Na nor Zhang Huizhen had much experience with children. When the little one cried, they had no idea what to do.

They initially thought the little one had wet her pants and was crying because she was uncomfortable, but when they checked, she hadn't.

Li Na held Candy, patting and comforting her non-stop, frowning as she looked at the Third Battalion, Second Company, who were still standing at attention.

Sun Hongwei looked at the teachers holding the child under the tree, then looked at the stopwatch in his hand. Half the time he had announced for the 10 minutes was still left.

The next second, Sun Hongwei shouted loudly:

"All stand at ease! Ten minutes break. Those who need water or the restroom, hurry up. Everyone else, rest in place."

During the break, running to a shady spot was impossible. Having time to rest at all was already good enough.

As soon as the instructor finished speaking, Mo Jingchun turned and ran back. However, many people were faster than Mo Jingchun. The difference was, they ran to get water, while Mo Jingchun ran directly towards his sister, who was crying in the counselor's arms.

Ignoring the sweat all over him, Mo Jingchun immediately hugged his sister to comfort her.

"Don't cry, don't cry, big brother is here."

Mo Jingchun smelled of sweat, but the little one didn't mind at all. Instead, her little head rested securely on Mo Jingchun's shoulder, and she stopped crying. Only her little nose was still twitching, and there was still a hint of fear on her face.

"Huh? Mo Jingchun, you're amazing. Just a little coaxing and Candy stops crying." Zhang Huizhen looked at Mo Jingchun with admiration.

"But I want to make it clear, Sister Na and I really didn't mistreat the little darling. She was fine before, I don't know why she started crying, and it was the kind of crying that couldn't be soothed no matter what."

Mo Jingchun said apologetically to Counselor Sister Na and Senior Zhang Huizhen, who was filling in, "It's probably because my sister Candy is a bit shy around strangers, plus she couldn't find me, that's why she's like this."

"You should also hurry up and get some water. With the amount you're sweating, it's not good if you don't replenish fluids in time. Later, I'll bring your sister Candy over to stand next to you for a while from time to time to see if Candy will still cry like she did just now. If it's really not working, then let's just forget about the military training."

Mo Jingchun was silent for a moment and then nodded.

Although Mo Jingchun wanted to experience the sense of collective honor, compared to his sister Candy, it wasn't that important.

Mo Jingchun considered himself a selfish person, and he had to be a selfish person, otherwise, how could he raise his sister to adulthood?

Fortunately, the method suggested by Counselor Sister Na was very effective. As long as the little one frowned a little and her little head looked around, Li Na would hold Candy and stand next to Mo Jingchun for a short while. It didn't need to be long, just about a minute, and the little one would regain her smiling face. As for who was holding her, Candy didn't care.

Two or three days later, the little one completely adapted. Occasionally, she would cry, but as soon as she saw Mo Jingchun's face, the little one would change like a chameleon, instantly stopping her crying and fussing.

"Bathed in the morning light, carrying the morning dew, stepping with youthful strides, accompanied by stirring melodies, look! This is the Third Battalion, Second Company walking towards us, raising confident faces, we are full of passion, displaying confident smiles, we have firm beliefs. The green grass is filled with the breath of youth, the clear blue sky is filled with the hopes of youth, step by step, filled with firm beliefs. Please believe, we will definitely embrace future success with confidence and courage."

On the plastic track, the commentator explained each formation that had passed.

On the track, Mo Jingchun and his classmates had serious expressions, their steps were strong and powerful, their pace was uniform. Accompanied by the leader's command, "March, forward!", everyone simultaneously marched in goose-step and saluted as they passed the rostrum.

More than two hours later, accompanied by the leader's declaration, "Military training perfectly concluded," only after everyone relaxed from their military posture did they realize that all the instructors had quietly left at some point.