That night, everyone went to bed, and Cen Father called Cen’s Eldest Brother to the study.

“Have you disciplined Xiao Ze and Xin Xin?”

Cen Zhengshi was also troubled, frowning tightly, “I have disciplined them, but they are getting more rebellious as they grow older. They don’t listen even when I’m gentle with them.”

Cen Zhengshi slammed the table, “That’s just an excuse! If you want those two children to become useless and cause big problems in the future, keep letting Xi Wang spoil them.”

Cen Zhengshi realized the seriousness of the problem and changed his expression, “Dad, what should I do?”

“Don’t be soft-hearted. Train the children properly. The best solution is to send them to the army for three months of training with new recruits.”

Cen Zhengshi’s face showed hesitation, “Dad, new recruit training is very tough. Xiao Ze and Xin Xin haven’t done any heavy work at home. Will they be able to handle it?”

He knew the hardships of new recruit training and was reluctant to send the children there.

Additionally, this decision would surely face opposition from West Wang and her family.

Cen’s Father said, “That’s why I said you can’t be soft-hearted.”

The method was given. If Cen Zhengshi couldn’t make the decision, Cen’s Father would help him.

The Cen family’s children could be unskilled, but they couldn’t be ruined from the start.

The next day, Cen Zhengshi decided to send Cen Huai Ze and Cen Huai Xin to the new recruit training camp.

There wasn’t time for three months of training now, but a month during the winter break was feasible.

Not just the two of them, Cen Huai’an would go as well.

Cen Zhengnian and Cen Zhengshi had both trained with the army as children, and their grandchildren couldn’t lag behind.

So Cen Zhengshi directly asked Cen Huai’an if he was willing to train with the soldiers.

Chuxia felt it was too strenuous and hoped Cen Huai’an could have a lighter time during the New Year.

However, Cen Huai’an agreed, wanting to experience the military life like his father did when he was young.

Once Cen Huai’an decided to go, Hu Panden and the other children also wanted to go along.

It was a good thing.

Their parents were thrilled to see them collectively engaging in something positive and quickly packed them off, afraid they might change their minds.

Once the training began, it couldn’t be interrupted, and adults were not allowed to visit.

During the Spring Festival, parents could send dumplings, but no visits were allowed.

Otherwise, if they felt sorry for the children, the previous training would be wasted.

This was Cen’s Father ’s rule to prevent Cen Zhengshi and Xi Wang from pulling the children out halfway.

Cen Huai Ze and Cen Huai Xin were unwilling to be sent off but were overpowered by Cen Zhengshi and pushed onto the bus.

Xi Wang argued with Cen Zhengshi that day, “We came back for the New Year, not for you to discipline the children! Where did you send Xiao Ze and Xin Xin? Go get them back!”

Cen Zhengshi rubbed his forehead, “I can’t bring them back. I don’t even know where they are.”

“I’ll go find your dad,” Xi Wang said, standing up to go.

Cen Zhengshi stopped her, “You’ve been spoiling them all this time. Do you really want Xiao He and Xin Xin to turn out like Cheng Kai from the family compound?”

Cheng Kai was a child Xi Wang knew well, a few years older than Cen Huai Ze, who spent his days loafing around, fighting, bullying others, smoking, drinking, and constantly causing trouble for his parents, who had to constantly clean up after him.

Xi Wang recalled Cheng Kai and couldn’t believe Cen Huai Ze would become like him.

“Xiao Ze and Xin Xin are not like that.”

However, her own tone sounded unsure.

“Whether they are or not, An An and the other children are going. No one is asking to bring them back. If you’re not embarrassed, go ahead and get them.”

Xi Wang, hearing this, fell silent.

She wasn’t embarrassed, but she was afraid that bringing Cen Huai Ze and Cen Huai Xin back would make other children mock them.

Chuxia wasn’t worried about Cen Huai’an’s training.

He ran and practiced martial arts every day at home, so he could handle the intensity of the military training.

She only worried about whether An An would have good food and accommodation there.

Without Cen Huai’an at home, Chuxia found the days even harder to endure. She locked herself in the study every day, reading medical books and researching the prescriptions left by her grandfather. Besides mealtimes, she rarely interacted with Xiwang Cen Zhengnian.

Meanwhile, Xi Wang often went out, gradually building relationships with the neighbors in the family compound.

………

Cen Huaian and the others were not at the main Gansu military headquarters but at a training camp nearby, designated for intense drills for soldiers. The training here was far harsher and more exhausting than what the soldiers at the main camp experienced, where Chuxia and her family resided.

When Cen Huaize and Cen Huaixin first arrived at the training ground, they hadn’t yet realized how tough it was. They treated it as if they were visiting their father’s military base, curiously looking around and even wanting to explore.

Cen Huaize, in his naive boldness, asked the trainer, “When can I handle a gun?”

He had come here specifically to shoot; otherwise, he wouldn’t have agreed to come.

No sooner had the words left his mouth than he was punished. “When you speak in the ranks, you must request permission. Now, run five laps around the field!”

“Five laps? I’m not doing that. Why should I listen to you? I’m not your soldier.”

Cen Huaian averted his gaze, not wanting to witness Cen Huaize’s foolish behavior.

The trainer quickly made sure Cen Huaize understood the consequences of his words. The military had many ways of disciplining recruits. Every year, the boot camp brought in a wide range of people from all over the country. If they couldn’t find ways to manage them, the army wouldn’t function.

First, the trainer made Cen Huaize stand at attention. When that didn’t work, he was locked in solitary confinement without food. Cen Huaixin, who had spoken up for her brother, was locked up too.

No one knew what the two experienced in that small, dark room, but when they emerged, they looked frightened and obediently followed the trainer’s instructions without a word of complaint.

Though their movements were clumsy and often earned the trainer’s rebukes, neither Cen Huaize nor Cen Huaixin dared to argue back again.

Hu Pandeng and the others became curious about the “little black room.” “An’an, do you think that room is really that scary? Cen Huaize and Cen Huaixin have changed so much.”

Cen Huaian was washing his hands, lathering soap as he replied, “If you’re curious, you could make a mistake on purpose and see for yourself.”

Cen Huaian had actually considered doing just that but didn’t want to deliberately mess up. His grandfather was watching their training closely, and Cen Huaian wanted to show his best side.

Without hesitation, Hu Pandeng shook his head. “Forget it. What if they beat me in there, and then my mom finds out? She’d beat me again.”

Cen Huaian wiped his hands dry. “Then just focus on the training.”

Though their training wasn’t as intense as actual recruit training, it was still tough for kids just starting out. Pushing them too hard could be counterproductive, so the training needed to progress gradually.

At this point, the difference between those who had practiced martial arts and those who hadn’t became clear. While Cen Huaize and Cen Huaixin struggled with their poor physical stamina, Cen Huaian performed exceptionally well, his movements more precise than some of the seasoned soldiers.

The trainer grew more and more fond of him. “This kid has real potential for the military,” he thought. As a result, the trainer started paying even more attention to Cen Huaian’s training, which led to Hu Pandeng and the others groaning in their dorms that evening. “Did the trainer have too much energy today? Why was the training so intense?”

Cen Huaian had no idea he was the cause, though he too felt the training had been tougher than usual. His body could handle it, but Hu Pandeng and the others, who hadn’t practiced martial arts, struggled. They had only done occasional jogging with their parents, and the increased intensity of the training was too much for them.

Cen Huaian said, “I’ll go talk to the trainer.”

His martial arts teacher had once told him that at their age, excessive physical exertion could affect their growth.

When Cen Huaian approached the trainer, the latter was surprised but didn’t show it. His expression remained stern, and with his dark skin, he looked even more imposing.

“What’s the matter, Cen Huaian?” the trainer asked.

Cen Huaian brought up the issue of the day’s training intensity. “Coach, the previous intensity was just right for our bodies, but now it’s too much. Everyone is struggling.”

The trainer put down his pen. “Are you struggling?”

Cen Huaian replied, “No, I’m not.”

“Then why can’t they handle it if you can?”

“I’ve practiced martial arts since I was young.”

A glimmer flashed in the trainer’s eyes. “I can reduce the intensity, but you know that as a new recruit, questioning your superiors comes with consequences, right?”

The military’s rule is unconditional obedience.

Regardless of whether the superior’s orders are right or wrong, they must be followed.

This ensures strict military discipline; otherwise, if a soldier can act against their superior, the entire unit would fall into chaos.

Of course, if a superior cannot manage their soldiers, even the strictest discipline won’t prevent the unit from falling apart.

Cen Huai’an was punished.

His mistake wasn’t severe enough to warrant solitary confinement, as it wasn’t a direct confrontation with a superior.

Instead, he was punished with running ten laps around the field.

The instructor made it clear that he had to complete the run tonight before he could go to bed.

Normally, Cen Huai’an and the others ran every morning for half an hour.

Although running for such a long time was exhausting at first, they gradually got used to it.

Ten laps was indeed a lot, but it wasn’t much of a challenge for Cen Huai’an.

He nodded without any negotiation and headed straight for the field.

Hu Panden and the others were very anxious as soon as Cen Huai’an left.

They couldn’t stay in the dorm and followed him down to the field.

Only Cen Huai Ze remained in bed, unwilling to move at all.

Cen Huai Ze sneered internally when Cen Huai’an went to see the instructor, thinking Cen Huai’an was a fool.

He anticipated Cen Huai’an being sent to solitary confinement.

Seeing Hu Panden and the others heading down, Cen Huai Ze hoped they would all be put in solitary confinement so they could experience the suffering he had endured.

The training in the military didn’t make Cen Huai Ze better; instead, it made him more narrow-minded.

As a high school student, it was difficult to correct his selfish personality with just a month of training.

When Cen Huai’an came out of the instructor’s office, Hu Panden and Xiao He, who had been anxiously waiting outside, immediately surrounded him.

“An An, did you talk to the instructor?”

“I did,” Cen Huai’an nodded.

Hu Panden and Xiao He’s expressions grew more worried.

“Was the instructor angry?”

“Will you be punished?”

“Cen Huai Ze was put in solitary confinement before for confronting the instructor. You won’t be sent there too, will you?”

The group of boys was so anxious that they even considered asking the instructor themselves.

Seeing their unmasked concern for him, Cen Huai’an felt a warmth in his heart and a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, though he quickly suppressed it.

“No, the instructor just told me to run ten laps around the field.”

“Ten laps?!” the boys exclaimed in shock. “That’s too much!”

Hu Panden immediately turned around to find the instructor. “You went to see the instructor for us. I’ll run the ten laps instead.”

“Yeah.” Xiao He and the others agreed.

They were determined that Cen Huai’an shouldn’t run those ten laps alone.

Cen Huai’an grabbed Hu Panden and Xiao He.

They couldn’t break free from his grip.

“If you go, you’ll also be punished. It’s already been resolved. Don’t cause more trouble.”

By now, they had arrived at the field.

Cen Huai’an took off his jacket and handed it to Hu Panden, then started stretching before heading onto the track.

Hu Panden and the others looked at each other, then removed their jackets and placed them on the ground by the track, following Cen Huai’an.

“An An! Good friends run together!” Hu Panden called out as he caught up.