Chapter 208

Xu Jintang pulled out a chair next to him, sat down, picked up his bowl and chopsticks, and began to eat.

Song Tianqi sat down opposite her and began to inquire gossipily, "Duoduo, you're representing Red Ridge Military Academy in this competition, do you have any secret preparations?"

Song Duoduo chewed her food heartily, then shook her head. "No. We're just a small military academy with a little over a hundred students, what secret preparations could we possibly have? But..."

She changed the subject, winking at Song Tianqi, "I've heard quite a bit about other military academies."

Xu Jintang looked over as he ate, "Tell me about it."

"The league policy changed this year, and many military academies that weren't eligible to participate before have now registered. However, the students from these military academies are generally not very strong, so several military academy teams are planning to form a joint team to participate."

"Each military academy should send out its strongest student from their class to form a formal team to compete. That way, they might be able to achieve a higher ranking."

Song Tianqi looked over with a surprised expression, "If we do it this way, which military academy will get the final ranking?"

"They said it would be decided by a final draw, based on luck." Song Duoduo finished chewing the food in her mouth and continued, "Actually, they're not at a disadvantage this way, because if they participated on their own, they might not even make it into the top 200, but by teaming up, they can probably break into the top 100."

Xu Jintang chewed on his food, "Any rumors about the five major military academies?"

Song Duoduo paused for a moment, her hand holding the food stopped in mid-air.

"This... I've never heard of that before. The competition among the five major military academies this year is probably quite fierce, and they're doing a good job of keeping their members' information confidential."

It is common knowledge that the official teams of the five major military academies cannot be their true trump cards, so now most people are quietly inquiring about the reserve team members of their respective military academies.

Xu Jintang withdrew his gaze. "It seems the secrecy has been handled very well."

"So, what secret preparations has Leikedasi made for this league?" Song Duoduo asked gossipily.

Xu Jintang immediately sat up straight and waved his hand seriously, "I don't know."

Song Tianqi also shook his head, "I don't know."

Seeing that the two of them were so tight-lipped, Song Duoduo didn't ask any more questions and continued eating. "Okay, okay, I won't say anything more. Let's eat."

At that moment, the communicator started vibrating.

Xu Jintang put down his cutlery and turned on the communicator's light screen.

It was a call from Teacher Jiang Lu.

Xu Jintang paused for a moment, then quickly answered the call.

A miniature version of Jiang Lu's figure immediately appeared in front of him.

"Jintang, your teacher has come to the Federation Star Region. Are you free now?" Jiang Lu's voice came through the phone.

Xu Jintang was taken aback. "Teacher, what brings you to the Federation? I'm free right now, having dinner with Song Duoduo and Song Tianqi. Where are you? We'll come pick you up."

Jiang Lu: "I just got off the aircraft and am still at the terminal. I also brought you junior students with me this time."

Xu Jintang: "Okay, let's go over there now."

After saying that, she hung up the call and looked at Song Duoduo and the other girl who were still eating, "Stop eating, let's go pick up Teacher Jiang."

Song Tianqi quickly ate two bites, "Let's go, let's go!"

Song Duoduo swallowed the food in her mouth, picked up the water glass next to her and took a few sips, "Let's go!"

About half an hour later, Xu Jintang and the other two appeared on the platform of the Federation Terminal.

Jiang Lu led a large group of people over, waving, "We're here!"

The younger students following behind him all cast expectant glances their way.

Those innocent, smiling faces radiated youthful energy.

Xu Jintang walked up to them, smiling and waving, "Hello, juniors."

"Hello, senior!" A loud, unified voice rang out.

Jiang Lu's face still wore that familiar gentle smile. "Jintang, how is it? Are the course arrangements and training requirements at Leikedasi more rigorous?"

He walked over and gently patted Xu Jintang's shoulder, his tone conveying a sense of warmth.

Xu Jintang smiled and scratched his head. "It's alright, we're all used to it."

Song Tianqi stood to the side, scratching his head, abandoning his usual unruly demeanor and becoming obedient and well-behaved. "Teacher, why did you suddenly lead the team here?"

"The Military Academy League is about to start. I brought my students over for a look around, and I also wanted them to share their experiences on how to get into Leikedasi."

At this point, Jiang Lu turned to the students behind him, "These are Xu Jintang and Song Tianqi, whom I often mention to you. They are model students in our college; you should learn from them."

The students' eyes lit up, and they instantly surrounded Xu Jintang and Song Tianqi.

Fearing she would be implicated, Song Duoduo quickly moved to the side.

"Senior, I've always heard from our teachers about your amazing achievements in getting into Leikedasi Military Academy. You're my idol now! I really want to learn from you and strive to get into one of the top five military academies!"

"Senior, I heard you were specially recruited into Leikedasi? Your superpowers must be amazing!"

Seeing the noisy scene, Jiang Lu raised his arm and gestured, "Alright, alright, stop arguing. Let's go check into the hotel first, and you can go find them to ask for advice and exchange ideas later when you have time."

The students then calmed down and lined up again.

Xu Jintang followed Jiang Lu out, asking, "Teacher, how long are you staying this time?"

Jiang Lu: "The current plan is to stay for a week, mainly to let the students experience the atmosphere before the league starts. We'll come back after the league officially begins."

"Okay, just call me anytime if you need anything during this time," Xu Jintang said proactively.

The group quickly completed the hotel check-in procedures.

Several younger students surrounded Xu Jintang, asking various questions out of curiosity, "Senior, are you particularly diligent in the college?"

"A student as excellent as this senior must be very hardworking, is that even a question?"

"But I heard that you used to be... quite unconventional in the college?"

"Then you must have misheard, right, senior?"

Xu Jintang cleared his throat and nodded seriously, "Yes, it's still necessary to attend classes properly. I used to be considered a good student in the eyes of teachers, so stop spreading rumors about me."

Song Tianqi, who was listening nearby, couldn't help but cough twice.

The class monitor still has the nerve to call herself a model student; she wrote the most self-criticisms.

But outwardly, he still wanted to set an example for his juniors, so he nodded like Xu Jintang, "Yes, back in my college days, I was also a diligent student who got up early and went to bed late. I listened attentively to every class with my eyes wide open."

Xu Jintang glanced over silently, "..."

Chapter 208

Jiang Lu, who was standing nearby, finally couldn't stand it anymore and raised her hand to interrupt their conversation, "Alright, stop causing trouble for your seniors."

After saying that, he walked over, patted Xu Jintang on the shoulder, and looked at them earnestly, saying, "You two should go and rest for a while."

Xu Jintang coughed lightly, becoming slightly more composed, "Okay."

Song Tianqi straightened his back, put his hands behind his back, and said, "You all listen to Teacher Jiang. We'll be leaving now. See you again sometime."

"Goodbye, seniors!" The clear and youthful voices rang out in unison.

Jiang Lu gave a few brief instructions, and then immediately announced the disbandment of the group.

The students dispersed in droves, each going about their own business.

Song Duoduo, who had been watching the show from the sidelines for a long time, walked over with a smile, "The former underachievers have transformed into outstanding seniors, you two are quite something!"

Salted fish

They've turned things around!

Those who were in the same class as Xu Jintang back then all know that one of them was always getting into trouble and writing self-criticisms, while the other was always slacking off and dozing off in class.

Song Tianqi shrugged and said casually, "It proves that academic performance has nothing to do with ability. Anyway, in the end, we got into Leikedasi."

Jiang Lu walked over and interrupted them, "Alright, it's rare for the teacher to come all this way, so I'll treat you to a meal today, let's get together."

Xu Jintang and the other two answered in unison, "Yes!"

So, not long after they finished eating, the three of them went to another restaurant.

Inside the private room.

Jiang Lu sat in the main seat, raised his glass, and said, "Come on, let's have a drink."

The three of them, Xu Jintang, raised their glasses and clinked them together.

The crisp sound of glasses clinking together rang out, followed by a "ding".

Jiang Lu was in high spirits and downed a glass on the spot. "Jintang, Tianqi, and Duoduo, the three of you are all people I've mentored. I'm so happy to see how well you three are doing now."

"I'm confident that your future prospects will be even brighter than mine! Come on, let's have another drink!"

As he spoke, Jiang Lu filled his glass to the brim and downed it in one gulp.

Xu Jintang and the other two exchanged glances. Seeing that he was in such high spirits today, they all raised their glasses in response.

"Come on, let's have a drink with Teacher Jiang."

Xu Jintang also stood up, filled his glass, and clinked glasses with Jiang Lu again.

"Back in the day, I also dreamed of attending the First Military Academy. I thought I was pretty good, but after participating in the All-Star-Region Joint Examination, I realized what it means to be outmatched. Sigh..." As he said this, Jiang Lu's expression revealed a hint of sadness and disappointment, as if he was reminiscing about the past.

Xu Jintang silently put down his wine glass and said nothing more.

Song Tianqi and Song Duoduo exchanged a glance and remained silent.

Inside the private room, only Jiang Lu's drinking could be heard, and his mood grew increasingly somber.

As everyone knows, Jiang Lu's academic journey in his youth was not particularly smooth.

His special ability was a support type that was not valued by everyone, and he was subjected to countless cold looks and neglect until he graduated from military academy and became a teacher at the academy, at which point this neglect began to improve.

"Alright, let's not dwell on sad things on a happy day." Jiang Lu brought her thoughts back to the present.

He downed his drink in one gulp, sat down at the table, and said, "Let's eat. We should drink less; I have to take the students to visit various tourist attractions tomorrow."