Chapter 12: No, It Was Like Kicking Cotton

Lei Po held the candy in his palm, feeling the wrapper press against his skin—it was oddly warm and uncomfortable. “I’m fine,” he grumbled. “Stop trying to suck up to me.”

He wasn’t about to be swayed by the enemy’s sugar-coated bullets!

But then, the brown-haired Alpha in front of him lifted his curls, flashing a dazzling smile. “Don’t be shy. Low blood sugar feels awful.”

Who the hell is shy?!

This wasn’t shyness—it was a firm rejection of the enemy’s advances! It was the unwavering resilience of his spirit!

Lei Po tugged at the corner of his mouth, ready to fire back.

“I really like making friends with strong people. Consider this candy a token of our first meeting.”

“Take it, Po-ge.”

Lei Po: !!!

All thoughts of a retort vanished. His mind was stuck on the last thing Ji Laili had said.

He—he actually called me Po-ge…!

Lei Po’s usual look of disdain crumbled. His mouth twitched uncontrollably, barely suppressing the grin that threatened to spread. He glanced smugly at Zhai Yifei.

Your little follower? Just switched sides. Called me ge right in front of you.

Sure enough, Zhai Yifei’s face looked awful.

Lei Po’s mood skyrocketed.

He had competed with Zhai Yifei for so long, and now, after just one meeting, Zhai Yifei’s little underling had betrayed him and called him big brother. This was too good. Lei Po felt like he had just won a major battle.

Damn it, the enemy’s sugar-coated bullets were too effective.

Lei Po decided to surrender.

Barely managing to keep up appearances, he said, “Fine. Your Po-ge will accept you as his little brother.”

Ji Laili: ? I said we should be friends.

“Po-ge, I don’t take on big brothers,” Ji Laili reminded him.

Lei Po: “…You’re kinda troublesome. Fine, friends it is. But since you’re so sincere, I’ll take care of you. From now on, you’re my little brother.” He lifted his chin, full of arrogant pride.

What a ridiculous turn of events.

The new recruits, who had been expecting a fight: “……”

Zhai Yifei, who had been ready to throw a punch and thought he was the only one worthy of being called “ge”: “……”

On the viewing platform, Instructor Aige let out a laugh full of mockery. “I take back what I said.”

He re-evaluated, “Messing with him? More like kicking cotton.”

Kicking iron? No, it was more like kicking cotton.

Shen Yu: “.”

His killing intent had risen quickly but vanished just as fast… leaving behind a feeling that was… difficult to describe.

“This is embarrassing,” Instructor Aige shook his head, unable to bear looking at Lei Po’s foolish expression. His disgust was palpable.

A single piece of candy, a single “ge,” and that was all it took to win him over? Were his standards really that low?

He turned to Shen Yu. “If this kid ends up on the battlefield and the enemy shamelessly calls him ‘big brother, please spare me,’ he’s not seriously going to fall for it, is he?”

The mental image was too vivid. Both Shen Yu and Aige involuntarily pictured the scene, shuddering in unison.

“Damn, that’s disgusting.” Aige couldn’t help but curse.

Shen Yu simply said, “Find something to keep them busy so they stop making a fool of themselves.”

“Good idea.”

Shortly after, Lei Po—who had just been celebrating his “victory”—suddenly received an order from Instructor Aige: eight hundred meters, ten laps with extra weight.

Lei Po, who had just been in high spirits, now stood on the track, realizing that everyone else was on break. “…?”

What the hell did the instructor mean by this?

Ji Laili walked past and casually consoled him, “Po-ge, look on the bright side. The instructor is just trying to train you.”

“!”

That actually made sense.

A truly outstanding Alpha would always be seen as exceptional, no matter where they went.

Lei Po smirked arrogantly and shot Zhai Yifei a mocking look. “Zhai-shao, looks like I’m the best in the instructor’s eyes.”

Zhai Yifei’s expression darkened. There was no way he would accept this. Even if he had to grit his teeth until they shattered, he would still put on a calm and indifferent facade. “The instructor just thinks your physical fitness is too weak.”

Lei Po scoffed. “Is that so?”

With a cocky grin full of provocation, he strapped on the weight and started running.

Zhai Yifei stood there for a moment before he could no longer endure it. His face dark, he ordered someone to bring out a weighted vest for him and joined the run.

Meanwhile, Ji Laili remained completely unaware that his casual remark had just caused his two companions to suffer. Instead, he simply admired their work ethic.

Looking at the two of them, drenched in sweat, uniforms soaked through, panting like dogs…

Ji Laili clenched his fists. I’ll work harder next time too!

After a grueling day of physical training, the Alpha recruits finally sighed in relief when they were dismissed.

Ji Laili declined Zhai Yifei’s invitation to grab a meal, intending to head straight back to his dorm.

“Do you need me to have someone bring you something?” Zhai Yifei offered.

“Thanks, Zhai-ge, but I still have some nutrient packs left,” Ji Laili said, scratching his head. “I’ll just make do with those.”

Since he hadn’t been able to return to the dorm yesterday, Ji Laili wanted to tidy up and also avoid another unexpected situation like before.

But more than anything, he was genuinely curious—he had eaten real food so often, what would nutrient packs taste like?

“You’re drinking nutrient packs?”

Lei Po suddenly butted into the conversation, shoving Zhai Yifei aside without hesitation and slinging an arm over Ji Laili’s shoulder. “I’ve got plenty of flavors—what do you want?”

“I’ll give you some,” Lei Po coughed awkwardly before adding, “Uh, as payback for that candy.”

Ji Laili’s eyes lit up. “Which flavors are good?”

That question made Lei Po pause. “…They all taste the same, don’t they?”

“?” Ji Laili asked, “Didn’t you say there were different flavors?”

Zhai Yifei chuckled. “Regular nutrient packs and custom ones are completely different. The flavors they advertise are just a marketing gimmick.”

“If you want actual taste, you have to get custom-made ones.”

Of course, only the wealthy bothered with that. Zhai Yifei cast a disdainful look at Lei Po, clearly mocking him.

Lei Po sneered. “Oh? So, Zhai-shao, do you have any custom flavors for us commoners to try?”

Zhai Yifei froze, his brows furrowing.

Of course, he had some. But with real food available, why would a high-class young master like him bother drinking nutrient packs?

Lei Po’s smirk deepened as he read the answer in Zhai Yifei’s hesitation. Just as I thought.

Zhai Yifei’s face darkened even further.

Sensing the brewing storm, Ji Laili quickly made his escape, but not before securing a promise from Zhai Yifei—next time he went home, he’d bring back a whole box of custom-flavored nutrient packs.

Ji Laili beamed, looking genuinely thrilled. “Wow, Zhai-ge, you’re the best.”

Then he turned to Lei Po, eyes sparkling. “Po-ge, you’re great too! If I ever run out of nutrient packs, can I mooch off you?”

Lei Po waved a hand grandly. “Mooch all you want.”

And just like that, all three of them left the conversation completely satisfied.