Chapter Two

Training began, but Cheng Xiangbei remained distracted.

The spacious playground was divided into several small sections, with a team training in each section.

Cheng Xiangbei's company had a strength of 120 men, divided into three platoons for training. Similar platoons were everywhere on the parade ground; he realized for the first time how many freshmen there were. Finding Lu Nan among so many people was like finding a needle in a haystack.

As Cheng Xiangbei performed the exercises, he was secretly plotting something in his mind. However, those who are distracted are destined to be punished. One wrong turn, and Cheng Xiangbei was dragged out to stand at attention. Well, standing for a while is fine; it allows him to let his mind wander. The sun grew increasingly intense, and Cheng Xiangbei stood for a full hour before the instructor, finally having a change of heart, let him rest.

"Boss, what are you daydreaming about?" Squatting under the shade of a tree, Li Weide fawned over, handing over a water bottle.

Cheng Xiangbei took a sip of water and looked around. Luo Ming, noticing this, asked curiously, "Squad leader, what are you looking for?"

With so many people on the playground, forget about finding anyone; he didn't even know anyone in his own team. Cheng Xiangbei sighed and said, "We haven't looked for anything." All he could see was green; he couldn't even make out faces. What was the point of looking?

"Hey boss, stop spacing out all the time," Li Weide laughed. "The instructor's been glaring at you for ages. What are you thinking about all day? You look like you've lost your soul."

Cheng Xiangbei gave a bitter laugh. Yes, his soul was wandering around this playground, but he just couldn't find it. It had been several days, and being confined to the yard, he still couldn't pinpoint Lu Nan's location. How could he get used to being separated from Lu Nan, the two of them who had been inseparable during the summer vacation? Not to mention that the two of them had... you know, for a passionate young man who had just tasted forbidden fruit, the shy face and warm skin of his lover were the most unforgettable memories.

The break ended, and Cheng Xiangbei roused himself to training. Just then, several figures, hats off, running towards the restroom, caught his attention. Lu, Lu Nan! He watched Lu Nan walk past their formation, but strict discipline prevented him from making a sound. His eyes followed Lu Nan's retreating figure as it disappeared behind the willow trees. Cheng Xiangbei's heart pounded. Finally, he saw her again! It hadn't been easy!

"Concentrate! Look straight ahead!" The instructor's voice came from behind, and Cheng Xiangbei felt a jolt.

Knowing that Lu Nan was in the team next to his, Cheng Xiangbei felt immense comfort.

The training subject for the day was military boxing. The boys spread out and occupied a large area. Everyone was excited to learn a few intimidating moves. Cheng Xiangbei also wanted to see how this boxing style differed from the moves he had practiced before, so he studied it with extra seriousness.

Following the instructor's movements, everyone learned each move one by one. "Hey!—Ha!—" A powerful shout rang out across the playground, and the instructor, hearing it, taught with extra enthusiasm.

The group next door also started to stir, clamoring for the instructor to teach them boxing techniques. However, the group was spread out and took up too much space, so the request was rejected.

Cheng Xiangbei's boxing technique was the most standard and powerful. The instructor circled him several times, nodding repeatedly. "Squad leader, not bad!"

Cheng Xiangbei grinned.

"Be serious!"

Quickly shut your mouth. Damn it, this is ridiculous!

After learning the entire set of boxing techniques, the boys were exhausted. "Instructor! Let's take a break!"

"Alright, rest here for ten minutes!" Finally, they were let go. Everyone scattered. Rest here? Pshaw, the important thing is to have some fun!

The instructor shook his head and sat down on the stool.

"Instructor, do you know any other styles of boxing? Could you teach us some more combat techniques?" As soon as the instructor sat down, everyone rushed over to fawn over him.

"Why are you learning this?" He took the water without ceremony and drank a couple of sips. "Students, after all, should take learning as their responsibility..."

Everyone picked at their ears, exclaiming, "The sky is so blue today!"

"By the way, the squad leader's boxing skills are pretty good. Have you been practicing?" Most beginners wouldn't have that kind of imposing presence. Every move he makes is extremely powerful. He's a promising talent.

Cheng looked around and saw everyone staring at him expectantly. He shook his head and said, "I only learned a couple of moves when I was a kid."

"Squad leader! Let's spar with the instructor!" someone egged on.

"Yeah, yeah! We don't even know if this boxing technique will be useful. Let's have a real sparring demonstration!"

Cheng Xiangbei quickly shook his head. "What kind of instructor is that? Are you sending me to my death?!"

However, things did not go as he wished.

Amidst the cheers of the crowd, the instructors' competitive spirit was also stirred. After all, what's wrong with sparring with army academy students who aren't much older than them?

Cheng Xiangbei couldn't refuse, so he reluctantly agreed to work with the instructors.

The resting boys formed a circle, surrounding the two of them. Cheng Xiangbei quickly pleaded with the instructor, "It's just a friendly spar! Please go easy on me, Instructor!" The instructor nodded with a smile. Even if Cheng Xiangbei had some training, he couldn't possibly be better than someone with formal training like him, could he?

At a command, the two attacked simultaneously. Professional skill makes all the difference; one wielded an ancient style of martial arts, combined with countless hours of fighting experience; the other focused on practicality and effectiveness, devoid of flashy moves. They exchanged blows, punches and kicks, making for a truly spectacular fight.

Sensing his opponent's strength, the instructor abandoned his initial toying mentality. Cheng Xiangbei also played cautiously, striving for a draw. The crowd cheered loudly, feeling proud of Cheng Xiangbei's outstanding performance. Having lived under the instructor's suppression for so long, this time they finally felt a sense of triumph.

Cheng Xiangbei carefully parried his opponent's attacks, pondering whether to concede subtly or to win. A draw was too difficult in the current situation; his opponent's offensive was becoming increasingly fierce. Just as he was caught in this dilemma, a voice suddenly rang out—"Tiger! How dare you fight someone?!"

Cheng Xiangbei was startled; it was Lu Nan's voice. In that moment of distraction, the instructor lost control of his foot. —Thump! Cheng Xiangbei took a kick to the back and fell flat on his face.

Lu Nan ran up to him and squatted down in front of him worriedly. "Tiger, are you alright?"

Cheng Xiangbei raised his head, looking disheveled and glaring at Lu Nan with a mournful expression. "Even if I miss you terribly, don't distract me at this crucial moment! It's so embarrassing, boohoo."

Because of Lu Nan's shout, everyone in the company now knows that Cheng Xiangbei's nickname is Tiger, and that he has a carefree childhood sweetheart.

When the two companies took turns resting, they would chat and sing songs to build rapport. Although Cheng Xiangbei lost the competition with the instructors, he gained high respect among the boys. The instructors would pat him on the shoulder and say, "Good job, young man!" Once he opened up his interpersonal relationships, life became much smoother.

For example, during breaks, he could sneak off to the overpriced convenience store a few courtyards away to buy groceries. Some people would also report to Cheng Xiangbei if they encountered Lu Nan. What made Cheng Xiangbei even happier was that Lu Nan lived in the courtyard right next to his—so close, yet so far…

However, fate still smiled upon the young couple. It was a rare occasion for both companies to have a break at the same time, and Lu Nan waved to Cheng Xiangbei as she went to the restroom. Cheng Xiangbei dropped his cup and followed her eagerly, followed by Li Weide's laughter. "Boss, these days it's still fashionable to hold hands while going to the restroom!"

"Get lost!" and ran off.

He used to run to the toilet; it was such a long distance from the playground to the toilet. But now, he desperately wished the road could be even longer. The two walked side by side, the long path filled with students coming and going. Even though he desperately wanted to hold hands with the other person, he had to consider the situation.

Lu Nan smiled at Cheng Xiangbei, a smile that made Cheng Xiangbei's heart itch. A week without physical contact was torture for a couple deeply in love. Cheng Xiangbei took a deep breath, put his arm around Lu Nan's shoulder, and ran forward. Lu Nan laughed, following his steps.

I actually wanted to hug his waist, but... cough, I held back.

That night, Cheng Xiangbei couldn't sleep again.

Lu Nan had told him during the day that he would be on the night shift that night. Cheng Xiangbei thought it over and over, and then insisted on being switched shifts with the second shift leader. The second shift leader didn't know what he meant, but nobody wanted to work the second half of the night shift, so a switch was better.

By 2:30, Cheng Xiangbei couldn't stay in bed any longer. He got dressed and went out. Luo Ming and Liu Fei, his platoonmates, were sitting at the gate wearing military overcoats. They were surprised to see him come out. "Platoon leader, there's still half an hour before the shift change. Why are you up?"

Cheng Xiangbei rubbed his hands together. Damn, the temperature in the middle of the night was really intense; he was already wearing a sweater and still felt cold. A sky full of stars hung in the air, like the most dazzling diamonds embedded in the dark backdrop. The air was extremely cold, carrying a unique, crisp chill.

"Squad leader, you go in first!" Liu Fei whispered, "In this temperature, you can't go in without a military overcoat."

"Yes, it's time, we'll call you." The two of them work for an hour at a time, all day long.

Cheng Xiangbei hopped twice and then went into the house dejectedly.

I waited until 2:50, then couldn't wait any longer. I woke Li Weide and said, "Dezi, get up, time to change shifts!"

Li Weide woke up groggily, put on his clothes with his eyes still closed, and staggered out the door after him. As soon as he stepped into the corridor, the icy air hit him in the face, and Li Weide shivered, fully awake. "Damn, it's so cold!"

Luo Ming and Liu Fei waited for them to approach, then took off their military overcoats and handed over their long flashlights. "Tonight's password is 'Yangtze River'."

The two nodded to each other and watched each other happily go inside to sleep.

"Boss, this is the first time I've ever seen so many stars! It's so beautiful!" Li Weide, huddled in his military overcoat, looked up at the sky. The sky was filled with twinkling stars, so dazzling they seemed ready to fall at any moment. For a city kid, this sight was absolutely breathtaking!

"Hmm." Cheng Xiangbei also looked up. He had to admit that the night sky in the mountains was very pure and beautiful, but at the moment his mind was clearly not on that. "Dezi, I'm going to take a walk around."

"Oh, be careful!" Although standing guard at night is just a formality, it's not good to get caught by your superiors.

Cheng Xiangbei took a long flashlight and went out. It was quiet all around, with only the starry sky accompanying him. Cheng Xiangbei didn't use a flashlight; the road was flat, and Lu Nan's company was next door. Tonight was probably their only chance to reunite.

"Lu Nan! Lu Nan!" Cheng Xiangbei called out. Lu Nan was on duty at three in the morning; he remembered correctly.

"Who?" someone called out.

A few words were muttered under their breath, and a figure ran over. "A tiger?"

Cheng Xiangbei responded in a low voice, then grabbed the other person's hand and pulled him forward. Lu Nan didn't say anything, letting him pull her behind a willow tree by the roadside.

"Baby, I've missed you so much," Cheng Xiangbei sighed, cupping Lu Nan's face in his hands. They gazed at each other for a long time before their passionate lips pressed together. They missed each other so much that they didn't care about the time or place.

Lu Nan, her hands clad in a military overcoat, awkwardly encircled Cheng Xiangbei's waist. The two nestled together, greedily inhaling each other's scent. "Tiger..." she murmured sweetly, melting Cheng Xiangbei's heart.

After a tender moment, Cheng Xiangbei took a chocolate bar from his pocket and gave it to Lu Nan, then cupped her face and kissed her repeatedly. Only when they heard the distant calls of Lu Nan's companions did the two reluctantly part ways.

Li Weide watched Cheng Xiangbei stroll back from afar. He couldn't believe his eyes—his boss's unsteady gait and wide grin. Good heavens, did he float back?