As soon as Qian Ran drove away, Jiang’s second uncle directly asked Jiang Zhiyi, “When did you two start dating? You weren’t together with him when you were in Yangcheng, were you?”

Jiang Zhiyi walked toward her home and replied, “Yes. Xiao Ran is successful in his career, has a harmonious family, and looks perfect; I’ve waited for so many years while being abroad. Dad, is there anything you’re still not satisfied with?”

Jiang’s second uncle paused, frowning as he thought carefully.

Indeed, he couldn’t find any faults with Qian Ran. In fact, he thought he was quite a good match for his daughter.

“He is a bit older,” he finally said after a long pause.

Jiang Zhiyi replied, “Being older means he can take care of you.”

This wasn’t really an issue; many parents prefer their daughters to marry men who are a few years older, thinking that they can take better care of their daughters.

Jiang’s second uncle felt even more gloomy; his daughter had just returned home not long ago, and now she was about to be taken away by a wolf.

However, a daughter should marry when she is of age, and Jiang Zhiyi was indeed at the right age to marry.

Plus, Qian Ran was a good choice.

“What stage are you two at?”

Jiang Zhiyi said, “We’re at the stage of discussing marriage.”

“Cough, cough, cough!” Jiang’s second uncle choked on his own saliva and coughed violently for a while before he could finally speak in shock, “You… you two!”

“It’s not what you think; it’s just that we should get married. In a few days, his parents will come to discuss the engagement.”

Jiang’s second uncle almost choked again. The series of news was too much for him to handle all at once.

“Why so fast?”

“It’s not too fast,” Jiang Zhiyi explained. “We’ve been together for several years. Dad, you and Mom should talk about it at home. I’m afraid that if we talk about it, we’ll start arguing again.”

Jiang’s second uncle wore a pained expression.

In Yunmengze, Zhang Lu got up early and came over.

She had gotten used to running every day and woke up at the same time each morning, while her parents were still asleep.

Zhang Lu didn’t wake them; after getting up, she ran several laps before returning home, conveniently buying breakfast along the way.

By the time she got home, her parents were awake.

While eating breakfast, Zhang Lu told them about her plans to go out to have fun.

When Jiang Zhi looked at Zhang Lu’s hair, it made her eyes hurt.

Upon hearing her words, she quickly waved her hands and said, “Go ahead; that hair of yours is hard for me to look at.”

Zhang Lu quickly finished several buns and drank a bowl of soy milk in one gulp before wiping her mouth and running out.

Jiang Zhi and Zhang Wei stared wide-eyed at her as she gobbled down her food.

After Zhang Lu dashed out, Jiang Zhi revealed a look of sadness. “Lu Lu must have suffered a lot at military school.”

Zhang Wei sighed. “Sigh, what can we do? She likes it.”

If it weren’t for Zhang Lu’s own passion for it, Zhang Wei would never have allowed her daughter to apply to a military school.

While eating breakfast, the two of them felt that the food didn’t taste as good anymore.

Zhang Lu didn’t think much of it; during their special training, they were taught to eat quickly.

If they didn’t eat fast, they would have less time to rest, and if they didn’t finish their meal before the rest period was over, they would just have to go hungry.

She took the bus to Yunmengze, which hadn’t opened yet.

Jiang Zhi hadn’t stayed there the night before.

If Zhang Lu hadn’t brought her special card, she might not have been able to get in at all.

Her appearance had changed so much, plus Yunmengze had new staff, so it was normal for them not to recognize her.

While staying in the special room left by Jiang Zhi, Zhang Lu called her friends one by one using her pager.

All her friends who received the calls happily agreed to come, excited to meet Zhang Lu at Yunmengze.

It had been a long time since she last saw these friends, and they were eager to see her.

Tang Song was the first to arrive at Yunmengze.

After receiving the call, he didn’t even want to wait for the bus and took a taxi instead.

He took a few deep breaths at the door of the private room, calming himself down before finally knocking.

A familiar bright voice came from inside, “Come in, no need to knock!”

Tang Song pushed the door open and walked in, only to see Zhang Lu sitting there with a buzz cut, wearing a sweater, camouflage pants, and high-top leather boots.

He hesitated for a moment, unable to recognize her, and called out cautiously, “Zhang Lu?”

“It’s me! What’s wrong? You don’t recognize me just because I changed my hairstyle?” Zhang Lu brushed her hair back and patted the spot beside her. “Come in and sit! I just ordered a song called ‘Green Flower in the Army.’ Do you know how to sing it? If you do, let’s sing together!”

Zhang Lu’s familiar voice and sunny personality made it impossible for you to feel distant from her.

Even if you were quiet, she would keep the conversation going so you wouldn’t feel bored.

Tang Song walked over and sat beside her, still staring at her hair.

Ever since Zhang Lu went to college, they hadn’t seen each other, and her appearance had changed tremendously.

But no matter how much she changed, her personality remained the same; she was still the familiar Zhang Lu to Tang Song.

He missed Zhang Lu so much.

Seeing her now made him want to look at her more, knowing that once she started school, he wouldn’t know when he could see her again.

Zhang Lu handed Tang Song the other microphone. “It’s starting! ‘The cold wind blows, and the leaves fall…’”

Zhang Lu began to sing. Although it was a song tinged with a hint of sorrow, her rendition was bright and sunny, as if she were singing an uplifting military song.

Not hearing Tang Song’s voice, Jiang Zhiyi turned around to look at him, signaling for him to sing along with her.

Tang Song picked up the microphone, and the two of them began to sing, each taking turns with the lyrics.

He sang with more emotion than Zhang Lu, expressing his own feelings, and his gaze never left Zhang Lu.

However, Zhang Lu was so immersed in the song that she didn’t notice.

As they were singing, other classmates gradually pushed open the door and entered, but they didn’t interrupt the duo.

When they finished, the group erupted in cheers and applause, shouting, “Great!” “Another one!”

Zhang Lu beamed at them with a radiant smile, reminiscent of a sunflower, and waved excitedly: “Hello everyone! Next, I’ll perform ‘Returning from Target Practice’ for you!”

“Great!”

“Oh, oh, oh~”

The crowd enthusiastically supported her. Zhang Lu sang again loudly; everyone knew this song, as the music teacher had taught it to them in school, and the classmates had sung it together for competitions.

Suddenly, the entire room was filled with the deafening sound of “The sunset on the western mountains glows red.”

As Cen Huai’an pushed open the door to the room, he nearly lost his hearing from the noise.

He rubbed his ears, took a moment to adapt, and then walked in, discovering that everyone was enjoying the singing, acting as if they had transformed into the “warriors returning from target practice,” competing on who could sing louder and who was happier.

Tang Song didn’t join in the madness with everyone else; he passed the microphone to someone else but remained seated beside Zhang Lu, watching her sing passionately, like an unwavering sun striving to illuminate those around him.

It wasn’t until the song ended that Cen Huai’an finally entered, but instead of going to the singing area, he walked over to the pool table, listening to the crowd’s exuberant singing while silently picking up the cue to play.

After playing a game, Zhang Lu finally passed the microphone to someone else and went to get some water, spotting him in the process.

Zhang Lu ran over with her drink: “An An, why aren’t you singing?”

Cen Huai’an, slightly hunched over, focused on the ball his cue was aimed at, and with a swift stroke, the ball rolled steadily into the pocket.

He straightened up and replied, “I can’t carry a tune.”

Zhang Lu had indeed never heard Cen Huai’an sing, so she believed him.

“Do you want something to eat? There are drinks; the chef at my uncle’s shop hasn’t taken a day off.”

Cen Huai’an replied, “Wait until I finish this game.”

Zhang Lu set her drink aside and grabbed a cue: “Let’s play together; I want to see if my skills are rusty.”

Tang Song stood not far from the two; he had also stepped out from the group of singers.

Hearing this, he took a few steps forward and said, “I’ll be your referee.”

“Great! Tang Song, I remember you’re pretty good at pool, right?”

Tang Song replied, “I can play.”

“Then after An An and I finish, let’s have a game?”

Tang Song naturally agreed, his heart racing slightly as he wished for Cen Huai’an and Zhang Lu to finish their game quickly while also wanting them to take their time to give him enough preparation.

Some classmates noticed that Zhang Lu and Cen Huai’an were playing pool and gathered around, while many others continued singing.

Everyone understood the rules of pool; they watched quietly, making sure not to interrupt the two players.

Some, itching to play themselves, found partners and picked up cues at the nearby table.

On the other side, Cen Huai’an took his shot, giving Zhang Lu no chance, sinking every ball in. He broke the rack first.

Zhang Lu didn’t mind missing her shot; instead, she laughed and praised Cen Huai’an for his skills.

“An An, have you been secretly practicing at home? You used to at least give me a chance to play.”

Cen Huai’an wiped his cue and said, “I’m just feeling good today.”

Zhang Lu had promised to play with Tang Song, so she didn’t continue with Cen Huai’an and asked if Tang Song was ready.

Tang Song nodded, preparing to break.

Zhang Lu, sitting with her cue, took a sip of water and said to Cen Huai’an beside her, “I hope Tang Song gives me a chance to take a shot.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Tang Song took his shot, and the ball almost went into the pocket. He smiled at Zhang Lu: “So close, it’s your turn.”

Zhang Lu perked up immediately, grabbing the cue and grinning at Tang Song: “This is your chance for me; I’m definitely going to win this game!”

Tang Song replied, “Well, then it means I’m just not as skilled.”

Zhang Lu laughed, “I’m just joking; I’m not that good; I haven’t played pool in a long time.”

She moved her wrist, bent down, and her expression turned serious.

At that moment, Zhang Lu lost her earlier cheerful and lively demeanor, transforming into a poised and ready leopard, preparing to pounce on her prey.

Now Tang Song noticed the true change in Zhang Lu; it wasn’t in her appearance but in her fighting spirit, a presence that could only be acquired through military training, like a sword drawn from its sheath—unstoppable!

Cen Huai’an watched Zhang Lu and straightened up, his expression changing.

He and Tang Song shared the same thought: the military had a significant impact on Zhang Lu.

Zhang Lu took shot after shot, sinking ball after ball.

She showed no pride or smile; her expression remained as focused as at the beginning, her eyes locked onto the balls on the table, which were now her enemies.

One by one, until the last ball dropped into the pocket, Zhang Lu suddenly retracted her intensity, beaming brightly at Cen Huai’an and Tang Song: “I won!”

Her smile was pure, like that of a child, completely unrecognizable from her earlier fierce demeanor while playing.

Those classmates who had been intimidated by Zhang Lu’s fierce gameplay now turned back, clapping and cheering.

Zhang Lu gestured for them to stop applauding and ran up to Tang Song, stuffing a candy into his hand: “Here, don’t cry just because you lost; have some candy.”

This was the candy she had casually picked up from the table earlier, which she had intended to eat herself, but now it served to comfort Tang Song for losing.

After giving him the candy, Zhang Lu dashed over to Cen Huai’an, her eyes squinting into crescent moons as she smiled: “Am I awesome or what? If I had broken, I might have won!”

Cen Huai’an asked, “Want to play another game?”

Zhang Lu shook her head: “Forget it, playing continuously would get boring; let’s do something else.”

As they chatted about going ice skating, Tang Song held the candy tightly in his palm, feeling a rising wave of emotions within him.