He volunteered.
The instructor did not insist that Cheng Zhou do frog jumps around the playground, but instead used a more insidious way to retaliate against Hu Tong's offense.
Indeed, Hu Tong described his actions as insidious.
Hu Tong understood the importance of military training; they needed to develop strong enough willpower and physical strength to better prepare for their high school studies.
No one can easily get through this ordeal, but the joys and sorrows are relative, and the core of the comparison is the instructors of each class.
Some instructors are soft-hearted and let students train in the shade, while others are hard-hearted and make students stand in the scorching sun even during rest periods.
The instructors of the Rocket Class once had hearts that were half hard and half soft, but now they've become harder than stone.
He specifically sought out the sunniest spots for training, and even during breaks, he wouldn't dismiss the students, making them continue standing at attention. Halfway through, he would have the formation turn around, ostensibly to ensure everyone got a more even tan.
Even more critically, this instructor possessed eagle-like eyesight; whenever a student looked unwell or had pale lips, he could always call them out of the formation to rest immediately. More than half a week passed, and not a single student in the miserable "Rocket Class" had fainted and become a savior.
The students were driven to the brink of despair, hating both the hard-hearted instructors and the catalyst for this change, Hu Tong.
Hu Tong wished she would get sick during training to make up for her classmates, but her physical condition was so good that it made her despair.
After enduring it for a few days, Hu Tong finally accepted the fact that he was as strong as an ox. During a break after an evening self-study session, he bought a box of ice cream at his own expense and distributed it to his classmates. He also bought several boxes of water and piled them up at the back of the classroom for students who needed them to take.
Of course, her helper and accomplice was Cheng Zhou. After all, before Hu Tong bought ice cream, no one in the class except Cheng Zhou was willing to talk to her.
Seeing that Hu Tong made a gesture, most of the students' resentment dissipated, and those who still harbored resentment towards her found it inconvenient to refuse her overt gesture.
Who could resist an ice cream served to them on a hot summer day? The girl delivering the ice cream smiled so warmly, repeatedly saying, "I'm sorry to have bothered everyone."
In truth, how much wrong did Hu Tong really do? She only said a few words of righteousness, while it was clearly the instructor who took his anger out on the students for no reason.
A sense of justice began to swell infinitely in the hearts of the young people.
Hu Tong gained the understanding of most people.
Several girls held hands and approached Hu Tong, extending an olive branch of friendship.
"Actually, I also felt uncomfortable hearing the word 'effeminate,' but the instructor was too fierce, so I didn't dare to say anything..."
"Exactly, exactly. His sullen face makes it look like we all owe him money."
"You were so cool when you stood up last time. If it were me, I would have burst into tears the moment I opened my mouth."
"It's nothing, just a small matter," Hu Tong said with a smile as she chatted with her new friends. Suddenly remembering something, she turned to Cheng Zhou, who was wiping his sweat, and said...
"By the way, Cheng Zhou, let's split the money for what we bought today. Remember to give me the money! Do you have any objections? If you do, say so now!"
In order not to waste time with his new friends, Hu Tong spoke rapidly, his tone not exactly friendly. The girls exchanged glances, their expressions unreadable.
Cheng Zhou pursed his lips slightly and said "okay".
That tiny smile, falling on that handsome little face that everyone adored and even dogs would fawn over, somehow carried an indescribable sense of pitifulness.
But Hu Tong, the "bully" in the eyes of the masses, arrogantly said, "That's more like it."
A girl with short, ear-length hair stepped forward.
“You shouldn’t… take advantage of his kindness, Hu Tong. You did say a few words for Cheng Zhou, but he also spoke up for you and helped you carry water. Besides, the instructor likes to yell at people randomly. If you hadn’t talked back that day, none of this would have happened.”
Hu Tong remembered this girl, He Qiuying, the class representative for Chinese. Her Chinese score in the high school entrance exam was ten points higher than Hu Tong's. She was gentle and artistic, just like her name.
Those eyes were like pools of autumn water, clear and lively; one glance from them was enough to melt away any temper.
"No, I'm sorry." He Qiuying said, then regretted it and lowered her eyes slightly. "You were right to talk back... but I still think you shouldn't have treated Cheng Zhou like that. It's like you're bullying him."
"I bullied him?" Hu Tong pointed to herself, feeling resentful. She had wanted to be friends with He Qiuying, but she had misunderstood her like this!
"Cheng Zhou, tell me yourself, did I bully you or not!"
Cheng Zhou was stunned by the sudden roar and shook his head blankly.
"Of course not."
Hu Tong forgot the saying, "The more you explain, the worse it gets."
She turned her head, grinned at He Qiuying, and struck what she thought was a cool and dashing pose, flicking a non-existent strand of hair from her forehead with one finger. "See? He helped me willingly. I didn't bully him."
He Qiuying's eyes reddened with anger at Hu Tong's rude attitude, tears welling up in them. Her friend stepped in to continue the argument: "What kind of person are you, yelling at people, demanding money, and making them do manual labor? Does he like you?"
“Yeah, that’s right.” Hu Tong nodded matter-of-factly. “It’s perfectly normal for him to like me.”
He Qiuying bit her lip and turned to look at Cheng Zhou. "Cheng Zhou, you tell us what happened. Did she bully you? Don't be afraid, we'll help you talk to the teacher."
He Qiuying came from a rural town and had witnessed too many bullying incidents: those with strong fists bullied those with good tempers, those with good grades isolated those with poor grades, and those from wealthy families bullied those whose parents were away working.
She was lucky enough to have good grades and the support of her teachers, and successfully got into a top-tier high school. Before, she only wanted to do better and go further in her studies. Now that she's in a top-tier high school, things should start to change for the better, and this is where it all begins.
He Qiuying's gaze swept over Hu Tong's brand-name sneakers with a swoosh pattern, then landed on Cheng Zhou's plain canvas shoes with round patches and five-pointed stars printed on the patches, before returning imperceptibly to Cheng Zhou's endearing face.
Hu Tong was completely unaware that she was being treated as a woman who was trying to take advantage of others, and kept urging, "Hurry up and tell her, Cheng Zhou."
Meeting Hu Tong's expectant yet smug gaze, Cheng Zhou felt his mind go blank.
He certainly couldn't admit that he liked Hu Tong, but he also couldn't deny it, lest he upset her and make others see Hu Tong as a bully.
Cheng Zhou secretly pinched his palm, looked at the bright, upturned face, and quickly came up with a solution, "I did it voluntarily, because... because she looks like my mother."
Everyone was stunned for a moment. Hu Tong was the first to react, and he grinned so hard his mouth almost reached the back of his head.
"Did you hear that? I look like his mother!" Hu Tong felt proud and touched. Looking like Aunt Xiaoyin was a much higher compliment than just liking someone. She casually added, "I also look like your father."
Cheng Zhou frowned slightly, thought for a moment, and answered seriously, "I don't quite remember what my dad looks like. I'll have to go back to my hometown and find some old photos before I can tell you if it looks like him."
"Then remember to check when you go back to your hometown, and also, my money!"
"Okay, I'll give it to you when I get back."
Now that the misunderstanding was cleared up, Hu Tong waved to Cheng Zhou and turned around excitedly, intending to chat with her new friends. However, there was no one behind her, and she could only see He Qiuying's cute back of the head.
Ring ring,
Another evening self-study session has begun.
Hu Tong received a small note with a few neat, small characters on it.
I'm sorry, I misunderstood you.
Hu Tong looked up and saw He Qiuying giving an awkward, pursed-lip smile.
That smile was quickly hidden by her short hair as she lowered her head.
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