When Qiao Lin was called out, she saw this scene and felt a mix of abdominal cramps and jealousy burning inside her, making her feel like her internal organs were out of place.

The little potato she had always looked down on had now become the focus of everyone's attention, while she could only go hungry.

When the team assembled, female instructor Zhang Ruobing walked over. With her sharp eyes, she immediately noticed Chen Xiaocao, who was being half-supported by Liu Landi, and the bloodstains on her knees.

"What happened?" Zhang Ruobing asked.

Chen Xiaocao instinctively tried to pull her legs back.

Wang Xiaoya mustered her courage and spoke first: "Report, Instructor! Chen Xiaocao accidentally fell during the final sprint!"

She concealed the fact that Zhao Yan had deliberately knocked her down. Su An had told them on the way that accusations without evidence were just powerless shouting, and that the score should be settled when it could be dealt a fatal blow.

Zhang Ruobing's gaze lingered on Wang Xiaoya's face for a second, a knowing glint in her eyes.

She simply said to Wang Xiaoya and Liu Landi, "You two, take her to the infirmary and let the army doctor treat her wounds. Come back for dinner after that."

“Yes!” Wang Xiaoya and Liu Landi replied immediately.

"Su An, go eat first," Liu Landi said to Su Tang. "We'll come over as soon as we've settled Xiao Cao in. Could you save us a seat?"

Su Tang nodded.

The army's mess hall has dozens of long tables and benches, and huge red slogans are painted on the walls: "No talking while eating, no talking while sleeping!" "Discipline is combat effectiveness!" "Every grain of rice on your plate is the result of hard work!"

All the new recruits, in their respective squads, lined up in neat rows and entered the mess hall.

The line at the food window was eerily quiet, with only the clanging of stainless steel scoops and bowls colliding.

Tonight's dinner consists of two multigrain steamed buns, a spoonful of stewed cabbage and potatoes until it's mushy, and a bowl of soup so thick you can see your reflection in the bottom.

Even so, the aroma of carbohydrates and oils is still a fatal temptation for young people who have run ten kilometers and are hungry all day.

Everyone stared intently at the cook's ladle, praying that his hand wouldn't shake.

Su Tang carried her rice bowl and found a corner to sit down. She ate slowly but rhythmically, chewing each bite carefully to maximize the absorption of energy from the food.

Her eyes swept across the entire scene, and the soldiers, who had been starving all day, silently wolfed down their food.

On the male soldiers' side, one person stood out.

It's that guy named Jiang Yan.

He sat alone at a table, his posture upright like a pine tree, his eating movements refined and efficient, a stark contrast to the ravenous eating around him.

Seemingly sensing her gaze, the man named Jiang Yan suddenly raised his head and met her gaze precisely.

His eyes held a scrutinizing quality, and a faint smile played at the corners of his lips.

Su Tang didn't flinch. She calmly looked back, then casually looked away and continued to nibble on the steamed bun in her hand.

Jiang Yan has extremely keen perception.

When Su Tang was almost finished eating, Wang Xiaoya and the other two still hadn't returned.

Just then, female instructor Zhang Ruobing walked to her table with a lunchbox in her hand.

"Not back yet?" Zhang Ruobing asked.

"Reporting to the instructor, not yet."

Zhang Ruobing nodded, then glanced at Su Tang's nearly empty rice bowl and said, "Chen Xiaocao's wound needs time to heal. By the time they come back, the food will be cold. Go and get the food for the three of them, including Wang Xiaoya's reward, and take it back to the dormitory."

"Yes!" Su Tang immediately stood up.