Military Training

After chatting in the dormitory for a while, Liu Chang'an received a message from Qin Yanan, reminding him of the location and time of the military training in the afternoon, and also sending a hand-drawn map from the dormitory to the training location.

Liu Chang'an replied with a "thank you," and couldn't help but smile, remembering that he had done something similar for someone in the past.

Today is a scorching hot day. Since the rainy day of Qixi Festival, it seems that the coolness and rain of autumn have been completely wiped away by the sweat of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl. Today, only the Queen Mother's temper is left, spewing down on the Junsha.

This is a good day to dry chili sauce, and also a good day for military training. Without sweating profusely, how can there be such a deep memory and a faint nostalgia for the past when facing the hardships of new students?

The period after lunch break is the hottest time of day, but military training cannot be postponed until the temperature drops further.

Groups of green-clad students lazily emerged from the male and female dormitories, gathering in various squares, gymnasiums, and playgrounds. The School of Biology couldn't compete with the larger schools like the School of Civil Engineering for large facilities, so its smaller campus naturally occupied the retired teachers' sports center—a place for gateball and, in the evenings, for the retired teachers to do square dancing... On a university campus, it's impossible for these retired teachers, who have dedicated their lives to educating students, to engage in a farce of fighting with students for space during military training. Even if the weather weren't this hot, they wouldn't come to fight over it. Some bad people get old, while others, even in their old age, still uphold their principles.

Last night and this morning, while Liu Chang'an was away, the class had already formed a preliminary leadership team, with two temporary leaders for military training, one male and one female. Judging from their demeanor and speech, it was clear that they had also undergone training in high school and were actively preparing for the selection of formal class officers after the military training.

The girl was the only one taller than Zhu Juntang. Naturally, she couldn't compare to Zhu Juntang in looks, but as a young girl, she wasn't bad-looking, and with fair skin and a tall figure, she was enough to attract attention.

Wei Xuanyi told me her name was Yan Qingcheng, which sounded a bit sour and naive, but she was very poised and graceful in her words and actions.

Another temporary leader of the military training was Lin Feng from the next dormitory. He was a little taller than Wei Xuanyi and was the lean and muscular type. He looked quite thin, but when he rolled up his sleeves, they reached his shoulders, and he had obvious muscles on his arms. Wei Xuanyi regarded him as a potential rival, and there was a feeling that he wanted to compete with him.

"The sycophants are already making their moves," Qin Zhiqiang said to Liu Chang'an after observing the situation closely.

Liu Chang'an laughed. There were more girls in the class than originally said, actually exactly ten, the ratio was still exaggerated. Qin Zhiqiang said that the girls were standing under the shade of the trees, and several boys were helping to move the mineral water bottles to their side. The boys were also cleaning the area.

"There aren't many good-looking ones, but Yan Qingning is really tall," Sun Shutong exclaimed. He glanced at Liu Chang'an again, but didn't say anything to boost her morale. In terms of height, there weren't many people at Xiangtan University who could compare to Liu Chang'an's girlfriend. After all, Xiangtan University wasn't a film, drama, or modeling academy.

"The average height of this generation of children is much taller than it was twenty years ago. Actually, it's not noticeable on average, but compared to boys who are over 1.8 meters tall, twenty years ago there might have been only one or two who stood out in a class, but now they are much more common." Liu Chang'an was very gratified for the current situation of those people he remembered. A hundred years ago, children were mostly skin and bones, and the extent of their poor health was shocking and hard for people today to comprehend.

"I wish I could grow another five centimeters taller," Wei Xuanyi said with some regret. Some common health problems contracted during adolescence can affect height.

The instructors hadn't arrived yet, and the students were scattered in small groups chatting, mostly from their dorm rooms, not yet forming a cohesive class.

"You must be Liu Chang'an." Lin Feng said to Liu Chang'an as he walked over, holding a black iPad in his left hand and a stylus in his right, tapping the screen as he did so.

Liu Chang'an nodded.

"This marks you as absent." Lin Feng smoothly tapped the screen, wrote Liu Chang'an's name, and then turned and left.

Wei Xuanyi said with a hint of schadenfreude, "We haven't told anyone, so no one knows that our counselor is your cousin."

He was both happy that Liu Chang'an had lost face and happy that Lin Feng had messed with a tough nut like Liu Chang'an.

Liu Chang'an didn't mind, and praised, "This student handles matters impartially and is skilled in using electronic office tools; he has a bright future."

Wei Xuanyi and Sun Shutong looked at him in disbelief. Qin Zhiqiang said indignantly, "Look at how capable he is, acting like a leader right now."

"You're right. This kind of work style doesn't seem to connect with the people. It's not suitable for grassroots service or leadership work." Liu Chang'an agreed with Qin Zhiqiang's view.

Sun Shutong sneered, "I wonder if he recorded Zhu Juntang's absence."

"What's the point of recording Zhu Juntang's absences? He knows it's pointless, so he won't record them," Wei Xuanyi said confidently.

"Maybe he still wants to pursue Zhu Juntang," Qin Zhiqiang said. "This kind of 'popular guy' is very cunning."

Wei Xuanyi and Sun Shutong felt inexplicably worried. If Lin Feng could successfully get close to Zhu Juntang, it would mean that their self-esteem would be hurt again.

This man's thoughts are quite peculiar; he thinks it's best if a girl who isn't his girlfriend doesn't have close relationships with other boys.

When the instructors arrived, the heads of military training from each class gathered, counted the number of students, and then reported to the instructors.

Liu Chang'an's instructor Chen Cicheng. He was only a few years older than the students and had some acne on his face, but his temperament and masculinity, honed from years of military service, were unmatched by ordinary college students.

"You took the morning off, didn't you?" Chen Cicheng noticed Liu Chang'an's absence immediately.

"Yes."

"Even if you've taken leave, you should still stand at attention for half an hour. Do you know how to stand at attention?" Chen Cicheng said.

"Meeting."

Liu Chang'an quickly and efficiently ran far away and stood in the shade of a tree.

Chen Cicheng opened his mouth, but the student was so quick and obedient that Chen Cicheng felt a little embarrassed to assign him to stand in the sun.

The other students, standing under the sun, started sweating after only two or three minutes and couldn't help but envy Liu Chang'an, who was standing at attention.

At this moment, Qin Yanan arrived and stood beside Liu Chang'an.

"What are you doing here?" Liu Chang'an asked.

"I came to see you. What are you doing standing here?" Qin Yanan asked curiously.

"I'm standing at attention, can't you tell?"

Qin Yanan was genuinely surprised and pointed to the instructor in the distance, "I told Instructor Chen you had asked for leave."

"Whether it's taking leave or any other reason, if you miss training, standing at attention as punishment is perfectly justified. Military training is not child's play; everyone must obey orders," Liu Chang'an said calmly. "You can leave now; don't bother me while I'm standing at attention."

Qin Yanan smiled. She had actually been a little worried that others would provoke Liu Chang'an, but she had almost forgotten that he was not only her great-grandfather's elder brother, but also his comrade-in-arms. Naturally, he was different from those arrogant second-generation students who couldn't stand the slightest grievance or discipline... He could take leave to make chili sauce, but since he was here, he would take it seriously.

She was being overly cautious, always feeling she should take extra care of him. But the real him wouldn't concern himself with such things.

She remembered that Liu Chang'an always liked to reason things out; he would reason with anyone who had a point.

Qin Yanan looked around and assessed the situation before leaving.

Chen Cicheng watched Qin Yanan and Liu Chang'an talking and realized that Qin Yanan had specifically asked for permission. It would be disrespectful to make Liu Chang'an stand for too long, so he let Liu Chang'an return to the team.

Qin Yanan's arrival caused quite a stir. After all, the instructors were all young men around the same age as Qin Yanan, full of youthful vigor. Qin Yanan's stunning figure was bound to attract attention. Not to mention the instructors, many students from other classes also turned their heads to look, and couldn't help but envy the counselor of the next class for being so charming.

Today's training consisted of basic drills, including standing at attention, standing at ease, squatting, standing up, and marching. In some colleges with a large number of students, the military training was conducted in platoons, while in the College of Biology, it was conducted in class formations.

Training sessions are followed by breaks, but these breaks are not dismissal; instead, they involve the traditional "singing contest." The instructors may not have naturally good voices, but their experience in the military has honed their skills in singing military songs and revolutionary songs. While they may not be particularly technically proficient, their imposing presence is unmatched by many sentimental and melancholic singers.

I don't usually think much of pop songs, but the impact of these soldiers singing military songs and revolutionary songs in their loud voices is like a red sun tearing through the clouds, letting the sunlight shine down, and making all the evil spirits disappear.

Many songs, especially those in the ancient Chinese style music circle, are written with a grand and passionate tone, conveying a sense of melancholy and longing. However, when sung by those voices, they always sound a bit like a castrated rooster crowing.

After singing for a while and practicing for a bit, it was time for a real break. After the group dispersed, the girls drank some water and then went to the restroom together.

Because their physiological structure is more in line with the superior standards of natural evolution, men are naturally more tolerant. After drinking the water, they sat down in twos and threes under the shade of the tree.

Liu Chang'an remained seated with Qin Zhiqiang, and Qin Zhiqiang praised Liu Chang'an for his wit.

"Liu Chang'an, I've erased your absence." Lin Feng walked over to Liu Chang'an and said this. Seeing that Liu Chang'an didn't react, he walked away expressionlessly.

"I have a bad feeling. People like this usually end up getting what they want and becoming class officers." Wei Xuanyi looked around at the others, exchanging glances. "Right? You've all met people like that, haven't you? Nobody likes them, but they still manage to get to the top."

Sun Shutong nodded in deep agreement.

Qin Zhiqiang nodded as well.

All three people's eyes were fixed on Liu Chang'an.

"Why are you looking at me?" Liu Chang'an felt it wasn't appropriate for everyone to be staring at him, especially since they weren't familiar with each other.

"Liu Chang'an, you should be the class monitor. Just talk to the counselor about it," Qin Zhiqiang said.

Wei Xuanyi and Sun Shutong strongly agreed. Although they didn't particularly like Liu Chang'an either, he was still their roommate, which was better than Lin Feng.

"No." Liu Chang'an had absolutely no interest.

"He's no match for you. The appointment of class officers in university is all decided by the counselor's word," Wei Xuanyi continued to encourage.

"Exactly, would you want someone who doesn't give you any face on the very first day to be your class monitor?" Sun Shutong seemed to be defending Liu Chang'an.

Liu Chang'an smiled.

"Liu Chang'an, you want to be the class monitor?"

Qin Zhiqiang and the other two looked up. It turned out that Lin Feng had somehow gotten behind them and overheard their conversation.

Wei Xuanyi turned back without saying anything. Sun Shutong chuckled awkwardly, but Qin Zhiqiang shook his head. "He didn't say he wanted to be in office, but when it came time to vote, we voted for Liu Chang'an."

Wei Xuanyi and Sun Shutong also did not respond to Qin Zhiqiang's suggestion. Liu Chang'an turned to look at Lin Feng and said, "I didn't say I wanted to be one."

"If you want to be it, then be it. We'll compete fairly." Lin Feng smiled slightly.

"I don't want to be it, but I don't think you're suitable either. I will support Yan Qingcheng." Liu Chang'an smiled as well.

Lin Feng then turned to look at Yan Qingcheng, who was with several girls. He didn't actually consider Yan Qingcheng a competitor. Although there were two people in charge of military training, there could only be one class monitor. Yan Qingcheng was ultimately a girl, and he only had an advantage in canvassing votes from the boys. At most, Yan Qingcheng could get ten votes from the girls; how many votes could she possibly get from the boys?

"Whatever." Lin Feng glanced at his iPad, then walked over to the instructor to speak.