Chapter 64 Military Training
In September, the heatwave raged across City A, the sun scorching the earth relentlessly until even the air seemed warped by the heatwave. On the playground of University A, a neat formation of soldiers in camouflage uniforms underwent their first baptism of duty: military training.
"Keep your chest up, head up, and stomach in. Stretch your shoulders back, lean your body slightly forward, and keep your center of gravity on the soles of your feet!" The instructor's loud and stern commands echoed over the playground, accompanied by suppressed gasps.
In the Geology College formation, the freshmen stood as straight as pine trees, beads of sweat rolling down their sunburned cheeks, hitting the scorching plastic track and disappearing instantly. Their camouflage uniforms, already soaked with sweat, clung to their bodies, sticky and unbearable.
In this team suffering from the scorching sun, Chu Yan's presence seems particularly out of place.
He, too, stood perfectly straight, his movements so perfect they could serve as a teaching model. But unlike the other students, who appeared to be struggling and shaky, he remained calm, his breathing steady, not even a single bead of sweat visible on his forehead. Most enviably, his stunningly bright face remained as white as jade, even under the scorching sun, showing no sign of darkening. It was as if it had a built-in soft filter, a dazzling white against the otherwise uniformly dark and reddish complexion.
[Host, that girl in the third row on the left has secretly glared at you seventeen times today. She's almost used up her sunscreen spray. Hahahahaha.] The system's cheerful voice echoed in Chu Yan's mind, accompanied by the crisp sound of chewing something. [Oh, this ice-cold data watermelon is so sweet. It's imported from Interstellar. It's just different.]
Chu Yan: "..." He still maintained the standard military posture, looking straight ahead without even blinking.
The system had recently become like a lottery winner, bucking its usual stinginess and embarking on a frenzied spending spree within its own consciousness. Not only had it upgraded its living space, installing a simulated beach sunbathing system, but it was also constantly shopping online for all sorts of bizarre interstellar snacks. Currently, while enjoying the virtual air conditioning, it was munching on a data bar of iced watermelon supposedly from some glacial planet, watching Chu Yan's military training with gloating glee and providing real-time, mocking reports on the other devastated students.
[Tsk, the boy on the right has a different shade of brown on his neck and face. It's like he's wearing a reddish-brown mask.]
[Oh wow, another one stumbling around! The instructor gives him a murderous glare. Host, how many minutes do you think he can hold on?]
Chu Yan remained silent, simply standing at attention, as if the noisy figure in his head didn't exist. He was able to maintain such an extraordinary state thanks to the [Constant Temperature and UV Protection Bio-Energy Field] sponsored by the system and purchased at great expense. In layman's terms, it was an invisible personal protective shield that blocked the sun's intense heat, regulated body temperature, and had a bonus whitening effect. In the system's words, this was called an investment in the host's image, which was beneficial to the mission.
"Rest here for a while and then disperse." The instructor finally showed mercy and gave the order.
"Oh my..."
"My legs..."
"Water, my water!"
The square formation collapsed in an instant, and the freshmen collapsed on the ground as if their bones had been pulled out, frantically drinking water, fanning themselves, and wailing.
Chu Yan followed everyone to the shade of the tree, picked up his own cup of water, and drank slowly. His calm demeanor made him stand out among the bewildered group of classmates, and also attracted a lot of hatred.
"Brother, tell me the truth, do you have any exclusive sun protection secret? Or are you actually a mutant vampire who is not afraid of the sun?" A boy from the same formation came over with a face that was about to peel from the sun and asked weakly, his eyes full of envy and jealousy.
These words resonated with the students around him, and they all looked at him eagerly for knowledge.
Chu Yan smiled, put down the water cup, and said nonsense seriously: "Maybe it's my ancestral constitution? Or maybe it's because of the calmness of the mind?"
"Tsk..." Everyone booed, but the atmosphere became relaxed.
Military training is indeed the fastest way to bring strangers closer. Sharing the sun together, being drenched in rain together, being drilled by instructors together, and sharing jokes during breaks makes it easy to become familiar with one another. Chu Yan, despite his striking appearance, is not aloof. During breaks, when everyone sits together and chats, he joins in, occasionally making surprising remarks, throwing out a dry joke or a precise comment that makes everyone laugh. Over the course of a few days, he has completely integrated into the Geology College community. His unique physique, which resists tanning, and his striking appearance have even made him a landmark attraction within the group.
"Chu Yan, how about going to the second cafeteria later? I heard that there is a limited supply of sweet and sour pork ribs there today!" another classmate asked while pounding his leg.
"Sure." Chu Yan nodded. He was not picky about food.
As he was speaking, the phone in his pocket vibrated. In principle, cell phones were not allowed during military training, but everyone would secretly carry them and check them during breaks. Chu Yan took it out and saw the caller ID: Shan.
He walked to a slightly more secluded spot under the shade of a tree and answered the phone.
Gu Xu's slightly tired but still low and pleasant voice came from the other end of the phone. The background sound was a bit noisy, as if he was in the car: "Are you done?" He was asking about military training.
"Just disbanded." Chu Yan replied. Hearing the weariness in his voice, he casually asked, "How about you? It sounds like you're still busy?"
Gu Xu was silent for a few seconds, then a barely audible sigh came from him. Then, he said in a tone that was a bit complaining and a bit coquettish: "No, I have a lot of things to do and I can't finish them all. But I miss you a little bit."
Player Gu Xu's straight attack hit player Chu Yan.
Chu Yan was slightly startled, then laughed softly, his voice coming through the microphone with a hint of teasing: "Boss Gu, do you miss me, or do you want to see me?"
Gu Xu on the other end of the phone seemed to be stunned by the question. He paused for a moment and then asked in confusion, "Did you see me?" He subconsciously looked up and looked around through the car window.
Chu Yan looked at the classmates who were waving at him not far away, indicating that they were going to the cafeteria, and said to the phone: "No, I just guessed it." As he spoke, he made a gesture to his classmates, saying "You go first, I have something to do."
"Guessed it?" Gu Xu laughed on the other end of the phone. His fatigue seemed to have dissipated a lot. He complained, "Chu Yan, did you install surveillance cameras here? How come you know everything I think?"
Chu Yan answered the phone while turning around naturally and walking towards the school gate. A smile curled the corners of his lips. "I don't need surveillance, I'm not in the habit of that. But..." His tone was clearly teasing, "If Mr. Gu wants, I can also consider installing one, so that I can check at any time whether Mr. Gu is eating and sleeping well, and whether he only knows how to work overtime."
"Smooth talk." Gu Xu cursed with a smile, but the amusement in his voice could not be concealed. The two of them exchanged a few more jokes over the phone, and the tense work nerves seemed to relax.
Chu Yan hadn't known Gu Xu was here at first, but he knew him. Though he was a rational and controlled person, he could occasionally be impulsive and willful. When he missed someone, instead of just talking on the phone, he'd rather be there, acknowledging their presence with a genuine hug and warmth. So, when Gu Xu said, "I miss you," in that tone, Chu Yan guessed it.
He walked slowly to the school gate and scanned the cars parked at the gate.
Gu Xu was still saying something on the phone.
Chu Yan suddenly spoke, interrupting him: "Look up."
"Hmm?" Gu Xu subconsciously looked up as he was told.
Then he saw a Chu Yan who was different from usual.
At the solemn gate of University A, amid the bustling crowd, a figure in green camouflage training uniforms stood. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled spots of light on him. Even in his ordinary military uniform, it couldn't conceal his upright posture and outstanding demeanor. He held a cell phone to his ear in one hand, the other casually tucked into his trouser pocket. He tilted his head slightly, gazing in his direction, a smile of mischievous yet knowing intent clearly visible on his face.
Through the car window and at a distance, Gu Xu seemed to be able to see the tiny gleams in Chu Yan's eyes, which was very tempting.
Gu Xu opened the car door and walked out.
Chu Yan also put down his phone and walked towards him.
The military training uniform outlines Chu Yan's slender waist and smooth leg lines. In the sunlight, his overly fair face has a healthy blush after exercise.
Gu Xu stood by the car, watching Chu Yan walking towards him step by step. He suddenly felt that leaving the executives in the conference room waiting for his decision and driving dozens of kilometers to University A might be the most correct decision he had made in the past few days.
"It seems," Chu Yan walked up to him, stopped, and swept his eyes across his face, which was unable to hide his surprise. His smile deepened, "I guessed right. Has Mr. Gu come to the school to check on him?"
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