Chapter 311: What a Coincidence, They're Roommates

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Gu Qingjiu stayed at the hotel while waiting for Gu Qingmo.

Due to a high intensity training these few days, Gu Qingjiu hadn't been able to rest well.

While she was waiting for Gu Qingmo, she fell asleep on the hotel bed before she knew it.

She was subsequently woken up by the ringing of the phone. She sleepily picked it up and saw that it was the Chief Instructor.

"Hello, Chief Instructor."

Gu Qingjiu's voice sounded a little raspy when she answered the call.

He Niancheng could detect the laziness in her tone right away. "Were you sleeping?"

"Mm... I fell asleep while waiting for my older brother."

"You haven't got to see him yet?"

On the other end of the line, He Niancheng's brows were furrowed.

"I saw him. He went back to school to handle something first. I'm waiting for him at the hotel."

Gu Qingjiu—who had just woken up—sounded like she was mumbling. As she spoke on the phone, she went to the washroom and cupped some water to wash her face in order to sober up.

"Tell me your address. I'll book someplace to eat and pick you two up at night."

Gu Qingjiu snapped awake instantly. "Chief Instructor, are we eating together?"

"Mm." There was a hint of threat in his voice. "You don't like that?"

"No, of course not."

She certainly wouldn't dare to say she didn't like that. She was just wondering if it was a good idea for the three of them to eat together so early on.

Even she herself had yet to eat with the Chief Instructor one on one.

But it was clear that the Chief Instructor's intention was to invite her older brother along.

"Great."

He Niancheng seemed very satisfied with Gu Qingjiu's reply. "Huo Yingcheng will also be joining us at night."

After this, He Niancheng even added, "Hang up?"

Gu Qingjiu instantly laughed out loud. "Alright, let's hang up. Bye, Chief Instructor, see you at night."

She kept feeling that after they confirmed their relationship, the Chief Instructor spoke differently.

Of course, his cold tone didn't change at all.

He hung up immediately.

Her older brother was going to officially meet with the Chief Instructor tonight.

Gu Qingjiu looked at the mirror in the bathroom and slapped her cheeks.

She applied skincare daily, so her skin was extremely exquisite. But without any makeup, she looked a little ordinary.

The military school disallowed them from using makeup. Gu Qingjiu wondered if she should learn how to apply makeup.

However, she erased that thought from her mind very quickly.

The pace was too fast in the military school at that moment, and time was too tight.

There wasn't any spare time for her to apply makeup. Moreover, she had a natural beauty without any makeup on and she was still so young that she could probably do without it.

Still, she worried that the Chief Instructor might find her looks too bland at times.

But...

Gu Qingjiu slapped her forehead. Why were her thoughts running wild ever since she started dating?

As they were going out to eat that night, Gu Qingjiu fixed her appearance simply.

Taking a look at the time, it was already 3 pm.

She had merely slept for 15 minutes.

The Chief Instructor and Huo Yingcheng were coming from the military school, and no matter how fast they were it would at least take several hours. Moreover, there were always severe traffic jams in the capital.

She estimated that they would be eating at around seven or eight.

So there was no hurry.

She turned on the television and played on her phone in the room for a while, and Gu Qingmo still hadn't come back.

Gu Qingjiu got impatient, so she called Gu Qingmo, only to find out that his line was engaged.

Shortly after setting the phone down, she heard the doorbell ring.

When she went over to open the door, Gu Qingmo was still on the phone.

"Alright alright, Yefan's younger sister is here huh? Then let's go and eat by ourselves at night."

Chapter 312: I Truly Didn't Expect That One Day You Would Be Able to Find Yourself a Rich Man One Day

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

After entering the room, she hung up the phone.

Upon hearing this, Gu Qingjiu looked like she was in a difficult position. "Brother, are you meeting someone else for dinner tonight?"

"Yeah." Gu Qingmo looked towards Gu Qingjiu. "It's rare for you to drop by. I'm going to introduce you to my roommates, a few buddies of mine."

"But..." The corners of Gu Qingjiu's mouth twitched. "The Chief Instructor invited us for dinner tonight."

The Chief Instructor would definitely be displeased to have others around.

Gu Qingmo was a little surprised to hear this. "Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

As he spoke, he whipped out his phone to send a text message. "Forget it, I'll cancel the dinner plans with them. In any case, Yefan wouldn't be able to come tonight, so not everyone could be there. I'll invite them again next time. My roommate's younger sister is here to visit him today, that's why he couldn't join us."

He had mentioned his last sentence in passing as he sent out a text message.

Thinking to herself that things couldn't be so coincidental, Gu Qingjiu asked casually, "Is his surname Qi?"

Gu Qingmo was astonished. "How did you know this? Have I mentioned him to you before?"

Gu Qingjiu was speechless.

Such coincidences indeed happened in this world.

She was unsure whether to laugh or to cry. "Is he especially handsome? His younger sister's name is Qi Xiaoran. She belongs to the same school as me, and is also my roommate."

"Right, right, right..."

Gu Qingmo was curious. "You actually know his younger sister? But I'm not familiar with his sister. I think her name is Ran. I keep hearing him call her Ran Ran. My roommate's name is Qi Yefan, he's a big shot in our law school. Our teacher's favorite student. He's also the school hunk! He's in a different league from us. Already there are top law firms in the country trying to recruit him."

Gu Qingjiu halted for a moment, then said with a smile, "Brother, I sense intense jealousy in your voice."

Gu Qingmo coughed. "Fine, maybe I'm jealous. There aren't many people in law school who aren't jealous of him. But there's no conflict between the two of us because I'm not planning to pursue a career in the law industry."

"Then why did you choose to read law in the first place? Nothing better to do?"

After Gu Qingjiu had finished this sentence, Gu Qingmo turned around and waved a fist at her. "Sister, do you believe that I will thrash you?"

Gu Qingjiu laughed out loud. "I'm not afraid. You might not be able to win me in a fight now."

She hadn't trained her combat skills in the army for several months for nothing.

Gu Qingmo was speechless.

Ouch. His younger sister was revolting now.

The two of them jested around for a while. Since there was still some time, Gu Qingmo decided to bring Gu Qingjiu to walk around.

It was especially because the Chief Instructor wouldn't be around yet for some time.

It was the first time Gu Qingjiu came to this side of the capital.

In her previous lifetime, she didn't have the chance to walk around the place.

As this was the capital of China, it was naturally a bustling and prosperous place.

Especially since it was the weekend, and the weather was splendid, the streets were crowded with people.

Gu Qingmo brought Gu Qingjiu to famous attractions in the capital. Time flew by quickly.

Over at around six, the Chief Instructor called Gu Qingjiu to notify her where they were going to eat.

Gu Qingmo didn't think much of it, but the instant Gu Qingmo heard the venue, he was stunned.

After hanging up the call, Gu Qingjiu was curious. "What's wrong, Brother?"

Gu Qingmo couldn't hold back from marveling. "Sanders Garden, one of the poshest restaurants in the capital. If others wish to eat there, they need to make a reservation several days in advance. I'm surprised this Chief Instructor of yours was able to make a booking just like that. I truly hadn't expected that one day you would be able to find yourself a rich man."

Gu Qingjiu was speechless.

Chapter 313: Eating Together

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

"What do you mean by finding myself a rich man?"

Caught between laughter and tears, Gu Qingjiu reached out a hand to hit Gu Qingmo.

This pair of siblings talked without any inhibitions.

Gu Qingmo let out a peal of cheerful laughter, before putting one arm around Gu Qingjiu's shoulder and leaving with her.

It would take them around half an hour to get to Sanders Garden from where they were, and by then the Chief Instructor would more or less have reached too.

When they got to Sanders Garden, Gu Qingmo told the waiter the suite number He Niancheng told Gu Qingjiu.

Upon hearing the suite number, the waiter instantly brought them inside in a respectful manner.

But Gu Qingmo looked like he knew his way around the place.

This piqued Gu Qingjiu's curiosity. "Brother, is this not your first time here?'

Gu Qingmo froze, before saying awkwardly, "I came here by chance before."

Gu Qingjiu got even more curious.

She knew her own brother well.

If Sanders Garden was a posh place, knowing her older brother's spending patterns, even if he could afford to come to such a place once or twice, he absolutely wouldn't do so.

And now, he was saying he had been to this place?

Gu Qingjiu felt it was strange. "Did you come here with your roommates?"

Gu Qingmo responded blandly. "Mm."

This made Gu Qingjiu feel all the more that there was a problem.

But looking at Gu Qingmo's expression, it was clear that he wasn't willing to speak about this. Hence, she simply left it at that.

The two of them entered the suite. Shortly after, He Niancheng came together with Huo Yingcheng.

Sanders Garden was indeed a posh restaurant. At least from the exquisite interior decor, Gu Qingjiu felt that there was a low key luxurious vibe as compared to the five-star hotels in Dayi City and North City.

When He Niancheng and Huo Yingcheng came into the room, they gave off a charming glow under the warm-toned lighting from the chandelier.

He Niancheng's style was casual that evening—he wore a light-colored long coat that made his body appear long and slim.

There was a similar vibe between his elegant face and the faint sandalwood scent in the room.

Next to him, Huo Yingcheng wore a simple denim shirt, which made him look way more casual than He Niancheng.

"Aye, Qingjiu's older brother, how do you do?"

Huo Yingcheng, who came in first, instantly smiled and extended a hand to shake Gu Qingmo's at the sight of him.

Gu Qingmo, too, hurriedly got up to shake his hand. "Hello, hello."

Compared to Huo Yingcheng, Gu Qingmo still appeared a little too tender. After all, Huo Yingcheng was the sort of man who went through the rough military.

Although the three of them appeared similar in ages, Gu Qingmo gave off the vibe of someone inexperienced in the society.

Unlike He Niancheng and Huo Yingcheng, who both exuded a mature vibe.

Gu Qingjiu's eyes were staring at He Niancheng.

He Niancheng naturally went to Gu Qingjiu's side, before nodding slightly at Gu Qingmo. "Hello."

Since they had met previously, they weren't as formal with each other this time around.

Gu Qingmo looked towards He Niancheng and realized that although this man bore a cold countenance, he was unfathomable. It did not even allow one to detect the slightest emotion from his face.

One look and it was easy to see that he was a scheming man.

But he was still irresistibly handsome nonetheless.

Even as a man, Gu Qingmo couldn't help but marvel at him.

This younger sister of his was truly god damn lucky.

"My brother is like that, don't mind him."

Huo Yingcheng sat down with a chuckle, helping to ease up the atmosphere.

When he was outside, he would sometimes address He Niancheng as 'Brother.'

But ever since she heard him address He Niancheng as 'Major-general,' Gu Qingjiu felt that the relationship between the two of them wasn't so simple.

Chapter 314: Piercing Through Huo Yingcheng's Heart

"What do you want to eat?"

With her gaze still upon Huo Yingcheng, next to her He Niancheng edged close to her ear and asked this.

There was an unintentional seductive quality to his raspy and deep voice.

As the hot air entered her ears, she felt an itchy sensation on the tip of her heart.

She subconsciously squirmed. "Anything will do."

This ambiguous action made Gu Qingmo and Huo Yingcheng feel their heart congest.

Huo Yingcheng picked up the menu, and after rolling his eyes, started to order the food.

Gu Qingmo, too, turned his head and quietly looked at the menu.

He Niancheng reached out to pick up the menu from the waiter by the side, then placed it before Gu Qingjiu. "Just order whatever you wish to eat."

Honestly speaking, the way He Niancheng was behaving made Gu Qingjiu feel overwhelmed with honor.

In the past, she was used to a cold and aloof Chief Instructor, and now the warmth that he was occasionally exuding felt surreal.

Although his tone and the way he spoke didn't much change, Gu Qingjiu was still able to detect certain subtle differences especially after they both started dating each other.

Before they had started dating, it was impossible for the Chief Instructor to even get close to her.

Much less behave in such an ambiguous manner.

Although her eyes were staring at the menu, she could clearly feel He Niancheng's breath falling upon her.

They were way too near.

Although her eyes were on the menu, Gu Qingjiu's heart was a jumbled up mess.

She had no idea what the hell was written on the menu.

She didn't know that the Chief Instructor could behave in such a fatal manner.

He pointed at a meat dish with his fair and slim finger. "This is not bad. Don't you like spicy food? Mm?"

That "mm" was said in a deep tone and brought about an itchy sensation to one's heart, making one's bones feel numb.

Gu Qingjiu felt kind of embarrassed. After all, there were two waiters, and also her older brother and Commander Huo around.

No matter how thick-skinned she was, she couldn't behave so ambiguously.

But clearly, He Niancheng didn't at all care about what those people think.

With her thoughts all jumbled up, Gu Qingjiu nodded at He Niancheng's suggestion. "Then let's order this."

She had no idea what exactly it was that He Niancheng ordered.

She only wished for this embarrassing scene to end.

Huo Yingcheng and Gu Qingmo couldn't bear to look anymore.

They unanimously tossed the menu onto the table. "I'm done ordering!"

"Me too."

Next, they ordered the dishes in a ferocious manner, as though they were carrying out a massacre.

Huo Yingcheng ordered whatever was most expensive, whilst Gu Qingmo was more toned down. However, it was evident that the scene they witnessed earlier affected him quite greatly.

He ordered a bottle of the most expensive wine.

'Damn it. If you want to display affection in public, you need to pay the price for it!'

He had originally planned on being polite and just ordering a few dishes, but now he couldn't hold it back anymore.

Looking at this, Gu Qingjiu immediately understood...

That the person footing the bill was the Chief Instructor.

However, he nearly didn't even look at the other two in the eye properly. It was like all he could see was Gu Qingjiu. "What else do you like? One dish wouldn't be enough."

Huo Yingcheng was speechless.

Was the food he ordered not food?

He didn't order that much to finish by himself.

The extremely embarrassed Gu Qingjiu cast a glance at her older brother who wore a look of disdain. She then lowered her head and said, "Enough, Chief Instructor. Commander Huo has ordered so much already. It'd be a waste if we can't finish later."

"That's his business."

That one sentence pierced right through Huo Yingcheng's heart.

Chapter 315: Going Overboard with the PDA

If it weren't for the fact that there were many people around at that moment...

Huo Yingcheng would very much want to put up a resistance to this tyranny.

But since he wasn't the one paying, he had no choice but to suck it up.

As though he heard nothing, Huo Yingcheng handed the menu to the waiter.

After the waiters went out to prepare their orders, Huo Yingcheng immediately voiced his displeasure.

"Brother, we're in public, can't you be more mindful of your own image?"

He Niancheng's gaze instantly turned icy. "What image do I need to be mindful of?"

Huo Yingcheng was speechless.

He was speechless in the face of such a ferocious gaze.

Holding back a smile, Gu Qingmo asked, "So Commander He and Commander Huo are brothers?"

"We're considered brothers."

Huo Yingcheng replied to his question first, before He Niancheng added leisurely, "One is a biological son, while the other was picked up from the streets."

It was very obvious who he referred to about being picked up from the streets.

Huo Yingcheng felt ten thousand arrows pierce through his heart.

Gu Qingjiu couldn't resist laughing out loud.

Right away, Huo Yingcheng gazed at her as though he was looking at a traitor.

Next, perhaps because both couldn't stand the way Gu Qingjiu and He Niancheng were displaying PDA, Gu Qingmo and Huo Yingcheng banded together against them.

The two of them chatted merrily throughout the meal.

They chatted about anything from geography to astronomy.

Underneath the table, in a spot where the others couldn't see, Gu Qingjiu's heart started getting restless.

She reached out her finger and, feigning casualness, touched He Niancheng's finger.

The man in front of her, however, laughed softly and arched his lips slightly, before spreading out his palm to hold Gu Qingjiu's finger.

Next, his entire palm completely wrapped around Gu Qingjiu's wrist.

That warm touch—that sensation of him holding her by the hand made Gu Qingjiu feel a sense of ease.

She could feel her cheeks secretly heating up, making her wonder if she was blushing.

She subconsciously used her free left hand to raise her cup to take a sip.

Shortly after, when the waiters came in with the food, Gu Qingjiu was afraid that the waiters would see it and wanted to break free from his grasp.

She twisted twice, yet that palm held her hand in place as though it was made out of iron.

There was no way she could break free of that.

Gu Qingjiu was dazed.

There was a pleading glow in her eyes as she looked at He Niancheng.

If her older brother caught sight of this, he would certainly shoot her a scornful look.

When a waiter came near He Niancheng's direction with a plate of food, Gu Qingjiu felt her heart drumming.

But He Niancheng didn't look like he had the slightest intention to let go.

The waitress set down the dishes, and while doing so, her gaze shifted and saw those two hands holding each other underneath the table.

And their fingers were intertwined.

Envy welled up in that waitress's eyes.

That was a silent sigh of emotion.

Never mind that her boyfriend was so handsome—the two of them were also so affectionate.

But as staff of Sanders Garden was trained to show their customers respect, she quietly left the room without saying a word.

Huo Yingcheng and Gu Qingmo had already started chowing down the instant the dishes were brought to the table.

How awkward. With the Chief Instructor holding her hand down, she couldn't use her right hand to hold the chopsticks by herself.

Who asked you to flirt with him!?

What are you going to do now?

Seeing that she wasn't eating, Huo Yingcheng felt puzzled. "Qingjiu, why aren't you eating? Are you going to be an immortal like him?"

He Niancheng didn't touch his chopsticks too.

Gu Qingjiu responded with an awkward chuckle. "I..."

Just then, He Niancheng suddenly reached out to pick up some celery for Gu Qingjiu with his chopsticks.

Huo Yingcheng was dumbfounded.

Unable to keep quiet about this any longer, Gu Qingmo interjected, "Gu Qingjiu, don't you have hands yourself?"

Damn it, they were going overboard with the PDA!

Chapter 316: You're Even More Deranged Than Me When You're in a Relationship

This wasn't Gu Qingjiu's fault. The thing was, she didn't even eat celery!

He Niancheng was doing this on purpose!

Gu Qingjiu went straight to the point, "Chief Instructor, I don't eat celery."

He Niancheng likely hadn't expected that Gu Qingjiu didn't eat celery. But since he had already picked it up with his chopsticks, he revealed an expression that showed he disagreed with this. "Eat it, don't be picky with food."

Gu Qingjiu was speechless.

"Yeah, you even asked him to pick up food for you. So spoiled!"

Gu Qingmo voiced his agreement by the side.

Gu Qingjiu suddenly felt like the shyness in her heart had transformed into grief that made her feel an urge to stab these people to death.

Huo Yingcheng laughed, not showing an ounce of sympathy.

It really appeared as though Gu Qingjiu was being pretentious.

Gu Qingjiu struggled with force, before finally succeeding in pulling her hand out of He Niancheng's grasp.

She glared at He Niancheng. Refusing to eat that celery, she reached out to pick up a big slice of beef with her chopsticks.

Kobe Beef!

She had never eaten these in this lifetime and the previous one.

She had to eat something good. Who cares about eating celery!

The food here tasted superb.

After all, it was extremely expensive.

When Gu Qingjiu was glancing through the menu earlier, she didn't remember anything...

Except for the fact that even prices for the vegetarian dishes started from a four-figure sum.

Much less these meat dishes...

After breaking free from He Niancheng's grasp, Gu Qingjiu could clearly sense that the person sitting next to her seemed unhappy.

Ignoring that, she ate some food herself, before quietly picking up a slice of meat for He Niancheng. "Chief Instructor, eat this meat."

He Niancheng tapped the beef with his chopsticks, looking a little hesitant. But he ended up eating that slice of meat with a reluctant expression.

Aiyah, the meat was so tasty, and it was handled so perfectly. What was so difficult about eating it?

Huo Yingcheng was stunned. "I thought you never eat with other people?"

Gu Qingjiu instantly understood.

Could it be that the Chief Instructor was a clean freak to this extent?

Then...

She had eaten with the Chief Instructor several times prior to this...

He Niancheng's gaze was so distant and cold. It was like he wanted to skin Huo Yingcheng alive. "You sure talk a lot."

Huo Yingcheng immediately lowered his head and focused on eating.

He Niancheng raised his chin in a haughty manner. "Continue to bring me the food. But don't give me something they have already touched."

The three of them were speechless.

Gu Qingjiu suddenly had a bad feeling.

She felt that this relationship would be plagued by difficulties in the future.

Although the food was delicious, Gu Qingjiu felt tormented.

The reason being, she had to pick up food for He Niancheng while eating, else he wouldn't touch the food on the table.

Although it seemed like the Chief Instructor—who was giving the treat—wasn't giving a face to them, Gu Qingmo already knew what this man's temperament was like.

So he didn't mind this.

In any case, he had a great meal!

"Chief Instructor, we'll go back first."

When they reached the entrance of the hotel, Gu Qingjiu and Gu Qingmo got out of the car and waved goodbye to He Niancheng who sent them back.

He Niancheng looked up towards the hotel and seemed like he wanted to say something. Ultimately though, he merely and calmly nodded his head. "Come back earlier tomorrow."

Huo Yingcheng waved at Gu Qingjiu, too. "Qingjiu, we'll go back first. Bye!"

They had some matters to attend to tomorrow, so they had to rush back to the military school tonight.

"Bye-bye."

Gu Qingjiu waved her hand in a friendly manner. Gu Qingmo also waved at them.

After they had gone in their car and had disappeared in the corner...

Only then did Gu Qingmo turn his head and burst into laughter. "I was full from eating tonight, full from eating the dog food you two dispensed[dispensing dog food refers to the public display of affection]. Gu Qingjiu, I couldn't tell that you're even more deranged than me when you're in a relationship."

Gu Qingjiu felt shameful, an emotion she rarely felt.

Chapter 317: Comparisons Are Odious!

"It wasn't me."

Gu Qingjiu tried to explain herself. "It was the Chief Instructor..."

"Why? Did your Chief Instructor force you into it?"

Gu Qingmo clearly didn't believe her. "You didn't seem pleased and happy when you looked at the time."

Gu Qingjiu was speechless.

She had an urge to wallop someone.

"Alright, it's so late already. Let's go back and rest."

After they had joked around, Gu Qingmo didn't waste time with Gu Qingjiu outside.

The two of them went back to their respective rooms to rest.

Early the next morning, Gu Qingjiu returned to the military school first.

She had called Qi Xiaoran, but the latter said she would return in the afternoon.

Hence, Gu Qingjiu didn't ask her any more questions.

The first thing Gu Qingjiu did after returning to the military school was to begin her target shooting training.

After all, she only had an afternoon to practice.

She had to practice for a bit to make sure that she would pass tomorrow.

As it was a Sunday, there weren't many people in the shooting range.

There were no individual shooting ranges for the different faculty buildings.

But in order to save space, several specializations that were located near to each other would train together.

This was the reason why Gu Qian and Chu Lian would train at the same shooting range as Gu Qingjiu.

When Gu Qingjiu arrived at the shooting range, she saw that there were only a few students training there.

To engage in additional training time in the shooting range, one would need to use up some military points. They weren't allowed to use the place for training as much as they pleased.

Else with so many people in the school, there wouldn't be enough shooting ranges for everyone to use.

The only benefit Qin Huai provided Gu Qingjiu was perhaps the unlimited usage of the shooting range.

What surprised Gu Qingjiu was seeing that Xiong Xuejian was around as well.

He seemed to be supervising these students who were training.

Upon seeing Gu Qingjiu, his eyes lit up and he waved at her. "Gu Qingjiu, come over here."

Gu Qingjiu paused for a moment before walking over. She saluted at Xiong Xuejian. "Hello, Instructor."

Xiong Xuejian nodded at Gu Qingjiu with a benign countenance. "Here to train?"

Gu Qingjiu nodded.

"Just as well. Let me see what you're capable of."

Xiong Xuejian seemed to wish to see Gu Qingjiu perform with his own eyes.

Gu Qingjiu naturally didn't raise any objection.

Whether or not Xiong Xuejian was watching her by the side didn't affect her at all.

After she had selected the gun she was going to use for training, Gu Qingjiu carefully examined the item.

Having confirmed that there wasn't a problem with it, she prepared to commence her training.

Xiong Xuejian watched her by the side, slightly astonished.

He felt that after Gu Qingjiu held a gun in her hands, her calm manner made her exude a swift and fierce aura.

As though she was an entirely different person when she was holding a gun.

After getting into position, she looked at the faraway target with her eyes narrowed, before firing a crisp and clean shot with a bang.

"Beep! Target number 3, ninth ring!"

Ninth ring, but still Xiong Xuejian felt astounded.

Witnessing Gu Qingjiu hit this close to bullseye with his own eyes was still pretty shocking.

Most importantly, this was Gu Qingjiu's first shot. It was obviously a quick and casual shot.

This result was indeed shocking.

Those students around her, who saw Gu Qingjiu hit the ninth ring, couldn't help but widen their eyes.

They even slowed down their actions.

With Gu Qingjiu giving them such great pressure, they felt embarrassed to practice as their results paled a lot in comparison.

Moreover, they also heard that she had just transferred over and that this was her first time practicing with a hundred-meters target.

This result easily beat theirs.

Indeed, comparisons are odious!

Chapter 318: Shooting Department

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

...

After Gu Qingjiu fired over ten continuous shots, Xiong Xuejian saw that she had maintained her result of hitting the tenth ring from the third shot onwards.

Rubbing his temples, he called out to Gu Qingjiu. "Gu Qingjiu, stop for a moment."

Upon hearing this, Gu Qingjiu—who was focused on training—quickly halted.

She placed the gun on the table, gazing at Xiong Xuejian with a confused look. "Instructor? Is there a problem?"

"No, no, no."

Xiong Xuejian waved his hands. This was the first time he felt conflicted about this incredibly talented student.

"Regarding yesterday's matter, I didn't deliberately speak up for Qin Huai. I heard that you and that Chief Instructor who newly arrived were transferred from the same place?"

After much pondering last night, Xiong Xuejian decided to find out more information about He Niancheng from Gu Qingjiu.

Gu Qingjiu's information was basically transparent in military school.

But she and He Niancheng's matter was after all a private matter. Hence, there wasn't much trace of it.

What they knew for sure from the Dayi military, was that He Niancheng was like a "Living King Yama"[also known as the 'King of Hell'], the kind who wouldn't give new students a chance at all.

But his relationship with Gu Qingjiu didn't seem simple.

More accurately speaking, Gu Qingjiu and that brother of his—Commander Huo—their relationship didn't seem ordinary.

There was plenty of gossip going around in the military—gossip which alarmed Xiong Xuejian upon hearing them.

After his senior Nian Chusheng's reminder, how could he not know that He Niancheng had an influential background?

But he hadn't heard of a character like He Niancheng among the younger generation.

Hence, Xiong Xuejian felt perturbed about it.

After all, he had certain connections in the capital, yet he wasn't able to dig out any information about He Niancheng's identity at all.

This was dangerous.

Upon hearing Xiong Xuejian's words, Gu Qingjiu started to think.

It wasn't that she didn't understand that He Niancheng's identity was sensitive. She figured this Instructor Xiong had obtained some news, plus the fact that he had spoken up for Qin Huai yesterday...

At this thought, she looked up and smiled. "Instructor Xiong, Chief Instructor He and I indeed were transferred from the same military zone. However, he's my superior, and I'm a soldier."

Gu Qingjiu deliberately phrased the last sentence in a vague way.

She only stated the difference in her and He Niancheng's identity, but that didn't mean that there wasn't a relationship between the two of them.

However, to Xiong Xuejian, it sounded like Gu Qingjiu was making it clear that she and He Niancheng weren't connected to each other.

Xiong Xuejian's brows slightly furrowed.

Since that was the case, why did He Niancheng say that Gu Qingjiu was under his charge?

What did this mean?

The lass before him was calm, steady, and had a smile in her eyes. One look and it was obvious that she wasn't someone easy to deceive. Although she was young, she had courage and insight.

Even when speaking to an instructor, she spoke clearly and coherently.

Xiong Xuejian sighed in his heart. He decided that since he couldn't get a clear grasp of the situation, he had better wait and see.

Hence, with his hands behind his back, he said to her with a smile. "Since that's the case, I shan't hold you up from training. Carry on. I think you definitely won't have a problem with Commanding Officer Qin tomorrow. I'm pinning all the hopes of the shooting department on you this year."

Xiong Xuejian then patted twice on Gu Qingjiu's shoulders, before letting out a sigh and leaving.

Shooting department?

Gu Qingjiu knew that the school had corresponding departments for each area of training, but this was the first time she heard of the shooting department from an instructor.

Seems like she was more or less confirmed to be heading there in the future.

Chapter 319: School Assembly

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

"Are there any problems with the shooting department recently?"

After she was done with her practice, when Gu Qingjiu returned to the hostel she asked Gu Qian this.

With half a slice of dried beef in her mouth, Gu Qian's eyes lit up upon hearing this. She laughed out loud. "Did the Instructor mention it to you? I knew that the shooting department would definitely ask you to join them this year!"

Chu Lian, too, looked up from her book. In a refined manner, she said, "Ah, shooting department? This department is something like the student council. Apart from having great power, it is also very special. Those shooting talents in the military were chosen from the shooting departments in the schools."

"But for our school, our shooting results aren't too great. For three consecutive years, we placed last among all the military schools in the capital, and in the entire nation we rank fifth from the bottom!"

Gu Qian laughed out loud. In any case, she didn't belong to the shooting department, so she didn't feel like its glory was tied to her.

"I think they're pinning their hopes on you."

Chu Lian voiced out her speculation.

Gu Qingjiu raised an eyebrow. "I'm one person..."

In terms of shooting, she had absolute confidence in herself after she had been through all that training. But for her to single-handedly save the entire school?

Gu Qingjiu didn't feel that she was capable enough to do that.

"What are you afraid of? Every year the shooting competition has only two categories—individual and group. For the group category, it would depend on the competition venue, for different venues influence the competitors differently. You haven't started practicing free targets and moving targets. There's no hurry. In the group category, it wasn't unheard of for one person to beat an entire team."

Gu Qian seemed to have a lot of confidence in Gu Qingjiu.

Gu Qingjiu now had a rough understanding of some information regarding the shooting department.

But Gu Qingjiu had to admit, when she heard that their school placed bottom in the shooting competition, she found it rather funny.

They were after all a military school in the capital!

However, there were also plenty of outstanding talents in the local troops. Wasn't she transferred here from the local troops?

Perhaps there were even more such cases in the other schools.

After getting a clearer understanding of the situation, Gu Qingjiu prepared to wash up and go to bed.

Opposite of her, Qi Xiaoran was still busy.

However, she appeared rather weary today.

Usually, she would study 'till around eleven, but today it was only 10 and already she was preparing to go to bed.

Perhaps she had gone somewhere with her brother to have fun.

With this thought, Gu Qingjiu didn't bother Qi Xiaoran and simply took a shower before going to her bed to rest.

Early tomorrow morning, she had to go to Qin Huai to perform before him!

...

Monday, flag-raising ceremony in the military school.

The military school would hold an assembly once every two weeks.

This time, He Niancheng, whose word had spread around in the military school these two days, finally appeared in front of everyone in the school, at the assembly.

When he went on stage in his black uniform, Gu Qingjiu could hear people gasping around her.

Clearly, they were astounded by his appearance.

Aloof, noble, elegant.

It was like all the wonderful adjectives were applicable to this man.

When he stood on stage and spoke to the teachers and students, there was a cold and arrogant glow in his eyes.

Just like a deity who was high up in the air, looking down at the mere mortals below.

Despite the fact that his speech was very simple.

Even though the military school imposed strict rules, the instant He Niancheng's identity was revealed to be the chief instructor of the first-year students...

Many freshmen couldn't resist cheering out loud.

The military school leader could only shake his head helplessly at the sight of this.

Chapter 320: Could Make Qin Huai's Eyes Pop Out

The assembly ended.

Everyone headed to their respective training grounds.

Gu Qingjiu, however, was called to go to the shooting range.

Qin Huai was going to test her.

But when Gu Qingjiu reached the shooting range, she was shocked.

There were now many chairs in the originally empty shooting range. And on those seats, there were many familiar faces.

He Niancheng, Huo Yingcheng, Nian Chusheng, Xiong Xuejian.

Several leaders were seated in a row.

Although Qin Huai was seated in front of everyone, his face was a little green and his countenance was stiff.

At the sight of Gu Qingjiu, a vicious glint flashed across his eyes, but he quickly concealed it.

However, Gu Qingjiu still caught that.

Her heart sank at the sight of that.

"Commanding Officer Qin, she's here."

The person who spoke was Huo Yingcheng. Upon seeing Gu Qingjiu, he winked at her while no one was paying attention.

But the sharp glint in his eyes was obviously targeted at Qin Huai.

Gu Qingjiu was speechless.

She was merely here to be tested, yet it turned out to be so serious.

He Niancheng was seated among the crowd, one hand placed on the armrest of the adjacent chair, and the other rapping against the armrest of his chair.

His faintly discernible gaze fell upon Gu Qingjiu.

There was a faint smile in his deep gaze.

When others looked over though, this smile quickly vanished.

With everyone staring at her, Gu Qingjiu held back the urge to wave at He Niancheng.

"Gu Qingjiu!"

The instant Huo Yingcheng spoke, Qin Huai seemed to be holding back something. He spoke with clenched teeth.

"As I have instructed, show me the result of your training over the past week."

With that, he closed his eyes. His lips were a little pale and it was mildly quivering.

Clearly, he was the one punishing Gu Qingjiu, yet it felt like he was the one being punished.

Gu Qingjiu stored away her thoughts and straightened her back before saluting at Qin Huai. "Yes, Commanding Officer!"

"Right, if your results don't make the cut, little classmate, you won't be able to stay on in the military school. This was what Commanding Officer Qin said personally."

Huo Yingcheng spoke, adding fuel to the flame.

He especially emphasized the word 'personally.'

He Niancheng's finger that was rapping against the armrest, halted.

Noticing this detail, Qin Huai's face turned even paler.

Gu Qingjiu didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

'Commander Huo, stop scaring him! He's about to burst into tears!'

Seeing that something wasn't quite right with the situation, Nian Chusheng glanced at He Niancheng and Huo Yingcheng, before saying with a smile, 

"How can we take something Commanding Officer Qin said in jest seriously? He asked Gu Qingjiu to practice all because she entered the school because of her outstanding results in shooting. You can't blame the Commanding Officer to test her on it. Threatening to expel her from the military school was just to scare her, one shouldn't take it seriously. Of course, since you have startled our little classmate, Commanding Officer Qin, you owe her an apology later on."

He was asking a commanding officer to apologize to a student in front of so many people.

This was unbelievable.

He was both helping Qin Huai to get out of this sticky situation, and also siding with Gu Qingjiu.

Who asked Qin Huai to get himself into such trouble?

Xiong Xuejian looked at Nian Chusheng in surprise, and Huo Yingcheng also thoughtfully cast a glance at him.

On the other hand, Gu Qingjiu—the central party in this matter—couldn't speak up for herself.

However, Qin Huai was surprisingly insistent. With a dark look, he said, "If she passes, I'll naturally apologize to her."

This was his greatest concession.

He was persevering with gritted teeth and refusing to admit defeat.

Clearly, he ought to have heard about Gu Qingjiu's practice results over the past few days.

Gu Qingjiu laughed in her heart.

Passed?

Not only pass, but she could also make Qin Huai's eyes pop out!