Chapter 3

During a dormitory night chat in their first year, everyone talked about what kind of boy they liked.

Huang Youyi said she liked someone gentle, who could tolerate and care for her in detail, as warm as the spring breeze.

Sheng Sheng said righteously that she was different. She was firm and persistent and liked handsome guys.

As long as they were good-looking, she was fine with them—she was a die-hard face lover.

When asked about Youyi, she shook her head and said she hadn’t thought about it.

Before college, her parents were very strict with her and didn’t allow her to have a romantic relationship.

There have always been many boys pursuing her, of all types, but in Youyi’s view, they are just trouble to her.

They only caused her distress.

Huang Youyi climbed onto her bed, enjoying the sweet scent of her friend, and hugged her arm. She said that if she were a guy, she would definitely want to take Youyi home.

Such a beautiful little beauty, soft and fragrant—who wouldn’t like that?

She was absolutely smitten.

And, besides, their names were like matching couple names.

Or rather…

Best friend names.

Since Youyi moved out, Huang Youyi couldn’t climb into her bed and cuddle with her anymore.

It felt a bit nostalgic, even though it had only been half a month.

This morning, while getting ready for an early 8 a.m. class, the roommates were putting on makeup and chatting in their group chat.

Sheng Sheng: [Let me tell you, I heard that after the freshman military training, the school will invite people to start training activities for us sophomores and juniors as well.]

Tian Ning: [What? I’ve just survived military training, and now there’s more training? What kind of training?]

Tian Ning had recently gone to the playground to watch the new students’ military training, holding an ice cream and feeling quite proud, reminiscing about her own training and thinking she’d finally made it through.

Sheng Sheng: [It’s said to be for strengthening our willpower.]

Tian Ning: [Strengthening willpower? My iron willpower doesn’t need to be strengthened!]

If Youyi had been present, the discussion wouldn’t have turned into a group chat exchange.

Huang Youyi: [Ahhh! I have anatomy class today, and I forgot to bring my contact lenses!]

She had done her full makeup, including false eyelashes, and was about to admire her outfit in the mirror when she realized she couldn’t see clearly.

Right, she had forgotten to put on her contact lenses before starting her makeup.

Sheng Sheng: [You can still try to fix it.]

Huang Youyi: [Then my makeup will be ruined!]

Putting in contact lenses was a struggle for her—trying to pry her eyelids open and get her eyes to expose as much as possible, all while her eyes kept tearing up.

There was nothing she could do, her eyes were just sensitive.

Tian Ning: [Then you’ll just have to go to anatomy class blind.]

That was harsh—she would have to glue her eyes onto a little white mouse to see anything.

At this time, Youyi had finished getting ready and was heading out.

As soon as she opened the door, she saw someone standing at the entrance.

She froze, unable to step back in time, and heard Du Li’s voice as he cheerfully called out—

“Youyi!”

Youyi’s mind was buzzing.

She had specifically taken a detour when she came back yesterday afternoon and had double-checked before going upstairs. How did Du Li find her here?

He was carrying breakfast, still warm. Seeing Youyi, he was overjoyed and handed her the breakfast, saying, “I got you a sandwich, milk, and a fresh pan-fried bun.”

Youyi was wearing a small camisole dress with a light blue knitted cardigan. Du Li’s gaze was fixated on her ample chest. Youyi turned sideways and adjusted her clothes.

“I’m allergic to milk,” Youyi said with a frown. After a pause, she added, “I’m also allergic to the sandwich and the pan-fried bun.”

Her words were clearly a rejection, but Du Li didn’t seem to take the hint. He said, “That’s okay, I’ll go to the cafeteria and get you some steamed buns later.”

Youyi wanted to be angry.

Why was talking to Du Li so difficult? Did he have something wrong with his brain?

Youyi pressed the elevator button and went downstairs with Du Li following closely. Even after she left the building, Du Li continued to trail behind her.

“Youyi, there are no classes this weekend. Let’s go see a movie. The new one that just came out has good reviews.”

Youyi rejected him, saying, “I’m not going.”

Du Li had been pursuing Youyi for quite a while, and she had largely ignored him. Du Li himself couldn’t quite understand it.

He thought he was presentable enough to match Youyi. With a height of 175 cm, he was above average compared to others around him. Plus, his family background was good, so he should be within Youyi’s consideration.

He liked her so much that he came all the way to her doorstep, yet he didn’t seem to be making enough effort.

There was a considerable distance from home to school, and Youyi usually took a small gate because it provided a direct route into the school.

As she exited the neighborhood gate, she saw Fu Cheng driving out of the garage.

He glanced in her direction.

His gaze was indifferent. When he saw Youyi, his eyes lingered on Du Li standing next to her.

At that moment, his gaze seemed even colder.

Youyi opened her mouth to say something, but his car had already driven away.

Youyi bit her lip and couldn’t help but curse him in her heart.

So petty.

Couldn’t he… help her out?

*

If you’ve upset someone, what should you do?

During a break, Youyi consulted her roommates about this.

“It’s not me, it’s a friend of mine.” Youyi took a sip of water and said softly, “She’s in some trouble now and wants to ask someone for help, but she previously said some bad things that made him angry.”

“What did she say?” Huang Youyi asked.

Well… how should she put it…

Youyi’s white cheeks flushed slightly. She thought for a moment and expressed it delicately: “She probably said something like he’s a jerk and that she never wants to see him again.”

Youyi quickly added, “But those were just angry words, not taken seriously.”

Although it wasn’t meant to be taken seriously, he did take it seriously.

Sheng Sheng asked, “What was the reason?”

Youyi’s expression became worried, her brows furrowed as she spoke more softly, “Maybe… it wasn’t something important…”

“They are not familiar with each other. They have only known each other for less than a month.”

“But he is very fierce and very scary.”

Given these circumstances, Huang Youyi said, “Wouldn’t he be even scarier when he gets angry?”

Youyi nodded.

Yes, indeed.

“First of all, if there’s a misunderstanding, it must be clarified.”

Sheng Sheng said seriously, “Apologize if you’re wrong. If you’re not at fault, then showing a bit of weakness is also okay.”

“But I told him before—” Youyi’s words trailed off abruptly.

Huang Youyi became worried and asked in surprise, “Is it really you, Youyi? Did you make someone angry? Is it serious?”

Youyi shook her head and said softly, “It’s not that kind of anger…”

Her statement left everyone puzzled.

Huang Youyi could only offer comfort, saying, “It’s okay. Everything will sort itself out in time.”

At the South Campus playground, there was a shooting demonstration. During lunch, Sheng Sheng insisted on taking everyone to see it.

Remembering how they had looked forward to shooting during their military training but only got to handle the guns without actually shooting, Huang Youyi was excited.

This year’s students were so lucky, getting to experience everything hands-on.

It was cool to have this experience.

Under the blazing sun, there was little shade on the playground.

The chief instructor stood straight at the front, dressed in a green military uniform. His well-defined arms were exposed, and the sunlight cast sharp shadows on his face, highlighting his rugged features.

He picked up the gun, loaded the bullets with a smooth, efficient motion. Gripping the gun with his large hand, he remained calm and composed, aiming and shooting with precise accuracy.

“Oh my god, does such a man really exist?” Sheng Sheng took out her phone, opened the camera, and zoomed in to capture his shooting stance.

“I can’t even imagine how strong he must be.”

Sheng Sheng said, “If he leads our future training, I could grudgingly endure the training to strengthen my willpower.”

For her, seeing a handsome guy was worth enduring the physical discomfort.

“He’s very fierce,” Youyi said quietly from the side.

Sheng Sheng nodded dismissively, understanding the literal meaning of Youyi’s words.

“Compared to you, though.”

Youyi was gentle and had a good temper. Even when she was angry, she couldn’t stay mad.

So, when she mentioned upsetting someone, they didn’t initially think it was her.

With how kind Youyi was, who would be angry with her?

It seemed unbelievable.

Fu Cheng demonstrated ten shots, scoring ninety-eight rings. The crowd behind him gasped in amazement. He touched the gun handle and said in a deep voice, “It’s been a long time since I handled a gun, so I’m a bit rusty.”

After retiring, he hadn’t used a gun again.

There was some dust and small wounds on his arm, but they were nothing to him. He didn’t even feel the pain.

In the past, he had endured more injuries during training.

For him, training these kids was like playing house. Fu Cheng put down the gun, gave a few instructions, and walked away.

Next was the practice session.

“Here.” Youyi waited at the back of the playground and handed Fu Cheng a bottle of water as he came out.

It was ice water she had just bought from the supermarket.

Fu Cheng stopped, turned to look at her.

The girl was only up to his chest, wearing a small dress, and handed him the water with her face lifted. In the sunlight, her eyes held a hint of childishness. Despite being scared of him, she still made the effort to speak to him.

“Don’t you have to go to class? Why are you running around here?” Fu Cheng said, not taking the water from her.

Youyi thought that his anger was still quite serious. She was trying to appease him, but he remained unmoved.

He didn’t even want her water.

Youyi awkwardly retracted her hand and explained, “Class is over. I’m about to go eat.”

“Then go eat. Why are you here?” Fu Cheng’s voice remained cold. Even though his tone wasn’t harsh, it was enough to scare Youyi into silence.

Fu Cheng stepped back into the shade and said, “Stand over here.”

The midday sun was intense, and her fair skin reflected the light. Sweat was forming on her forehead, clearly uncomfortable in the heat.

Fu Cheng directed her into the shade, and Youyi obediently moved to stand there.

It was much more comfortable out of the sun.

His face remained calm and indifferent. Not wanting to disturb him, Youyi held tightly to the water bottle and said softly, “Okay, I’ll go eat now.”