Chapter 371: Compulsory Class

Through that brief exchange with Zhen Huan, Gu Qingjiu finally understood the reason behind it.

There was a special rule in the military school and that was partnering in combat.

Apart from the specialization classes, students in every class had to pair up.

They would be allocated group points for communal training classes like combat classes and shooting classes.

Their individual marks are then added up for the total mark of the group.

A military school was just like other schools, too. Since there exists competition, someone would have to rank bottom.

Unfortunately, Feng Yumeng was that certain someone at the bottom.

She had incredibly lousy marks in combat class, nearly ranking at the bottom in the entire level.

As for the other areas though, Feng Yumeng was quite alright.

But in a military school where everyone had roughly the same average marks, a partner who didn't show exceptional results would not be able to pitch in points and carry Feng Yumeng, who placed bottom in combat class but performed averagely in other areas. Hence, their total mark as a group would naturally be better.

Simply put, Feng Yumeng was the sort who dragged down her partner.

Her previous partner was furious about Feng Yumeng dragging her results down. Hence, even though she couldn't disobey her superior's orders, she had run to the Chief Commanding Officer to cry and complain. In the end, the school had no choice but to break up the pair.

No one was willing to be partners with Feng Yumeng in Class A and as a result, she was left with no partner.

Since she didn't have a partner, Feng Yumeng's communal training classes results ranked the bottom in the entire level.

Although it didn't affect her from graduating, it was rather embarrassing.

It was at this time that Gu Qingjiu appeared.

There were no rules that forbid students from different classes from partnering up.

After all, Feng Yumeng's previous partner subsequently partnered up with someone from another class.

Without a doubt, Gu Qingjiu, who had striking results in shooting was currently the only person who joined the Shooting Department in her first year. It was just that the school hadn't announced it to everyone yet.

She would definitely have superior results in shooting over the rest. And if her combat results weren't too bad, she could help bring Feng Yumeng's results up.

As early as last week, the instructors in the specialization class already had such an idea.

However, Qin Huai played a part in this as well.

His intention was for someone to drag Gu Qingjiu's results down.

Although low marks wouldn't deter anyone from graduating, it would still influence the final marks the superior would give and the final marks would in turn affect the allocation to different units after graduation.

Qin Huai ultimately bore hatred over that incident. Although he couldn't seek trouble with Gu Qingjiu openly, no one could say anything about pairing her up with Feng Yumeng.

If Gu Qingjiu agreed, it would be easily done.

And Gu Qingjiu actually agreed.

After Gu Qingjiu had agreed to become partners with Feng Yumeng, their results for communal training classes would be tied together. The instructor permitted them to exchange a few words.

Once Zhen Huan left, Feng Yumeng confessed in a small voice, "Classmate Gu, my combat results are terrible. I might drag you down."

Gu Qingjiu shook her head, revealing an ease-inducing smile on her face. "It's okay, just try your best."

She didn't have much of an opinion regarding who she was partnered up with.

Because she currently didn't understand the implications of having low marks as a group.

To have lousy marks in combat actually simply meant that one wasn't good at fighting and combat.

Everyone was good at different things and it wasn't something that could be forced.

Moreover, her specialization was computer science, and she wasn't planning on becoming an armed police.

It was just that this was a compulsory class and that she had no choice but to take it.

Chapter 372: A New Way of Combat

Combat was the first training session they would undergo in the military.

Unlike in the troops where they fought in an outdoor field, there was a dedicated combat classroom in the specialization building.

It was spacious and was roughly the size of an indoor field.

All the four classes of that specialization would conduct their training in this area.

Since she was partnered up with Gu Qingjiu, Feng Yumeng had to stay with her in Class C during combat training.

At that moment, the entire Class C was gathered in a corner, forming a rectangle and seated on the floor.

In the middle stood the training instructor for the combat class, who was teaching them knowledge in the area of combat.

During every lesson, the instructor would impart several key points, such as how to deal more effective blows to the opponent, or how to dodge at fast speed. After this, he would let the students practice.

After an hour of training ended, they would practice in private. And during the next combat training, they would carry out a duel to put into practice what was taught.

And when all the students grasped what was taught, the instructor would move on to another key point.

This cycle would repeat itself, and when the semester ends, there would be a duel.

Comparatively, the troops took a more simple and brutal approach.

Gu Qingjiu had only entered the troops for a month when she was first made to duel with others.

She was a school, after all, so the learning process was bound to be more refined.

It just so happened that the instructor was teaching a new knowledge key point, so a duel wasn't organized immediately. She listened attentively and meticulously made notes as the instructor spoke.

However, next to her, Feng Yumeng had a troubled expression on her face.

Although she understood what was being taught, she wasn't as quick to respond as compared to others.

She felt perturbed.

She had heard of Gu Qingjiu's reputation. That day Qin punished Gu Qingjiu, she was present and saw it ever so clearly.

Everyone said that Gu Qingjiu was a shooting genius, but she had no idea how Gu Qingjiu performed in other aspects. She worried about how badly she was going to implicate Gu Qingjiu with her terrible combat results.

"You and you. You two come out first. Try putting into practice what I just taught."

The combat instructor randomly picked two students. The two of them stood up and saluted towards the instructor. After that, they began their duel in accordance to their instructor's instructions.

They had to carry out the duel right there according to the instructor's instructions, unlike what Gu Qingjiu learned in the troops.

Such as, the instructor asked that one of them should play defense, while the others took on the offensive role. That way, they wouldn't be able to make any moves that deviated from defense and attacking respectively.

One would keep on dodging, while the other would attack simultaneously.

"No, this won't do. Like what I said earlier, the speed in which you throw out your punch needs to be fast. If you do it this way, even if your opponent is dumb, they would be able to dodge from your attack!"

The instructor berated them. Next, he went forward and corrected the students' errors.

Gu Qingjiu fell into deep thought as she watched the scene.

From the way it looks, these students' actions weren't as flexible and powerful as what was witnessed during practice in the troops.

After all, they were freshmen...

In actual fact, there were many freshmen who transferred from the local troops. However, the majority of them were ordinary students who enrolled through taking tests.

As Gu Qingjiu attentively listened, the combat lesson ended rather quickly.

Looking at the clock on the wall, it was nearly ten a.m., nearly time for her specialization class.

Feng Yumeng had to return to her own class as well. She stuck out her tongue at Gu Qingjiu. "Classmate Gu, I'll return to my own class now. I'll make sure to practice hard when I get back."

She wanted to work hard because she didn't wish to drag Gu Qingjiu down, but she could only do her best.

Gu Qingjiu revealed a light smile. "Mm, you should go back. Bye."

Chapter 373: Turning Down the Chief Instructor's Suggestion

After Feng Yumeng went back, Gu Qingjiu went for her specialization class like everyone else.

"Gu Qingjiu."

While she was walking amidst the crowd, a female classmate from ahead suddenly called her name.

She looked up and saw a girl with a pair of bewitching eyes.

Girls with bewitching eyes were a rare sight.

She gave off a coquettish charm which was rare to see in a young lady.

The corners of her lips were curled up in a smile, and she slowed down her footsteps as she waited for Gu Qingjiu to approach her.

"Hello, I'm in the same class as you. My name is Lian Beini."

She introduced herself in a friendly manner. Gu Qingjiu nodded her head calmly. "Mm. Gu Qingjiu."

"Why did you agree to become partners with Feng Yumeng? Don't you know she ranks bottom in our entire level in combat class?"

Lian Beini was extremely curious about this. Gu Qingjiu's heart skipped a beat, but she didn't let it show on her face. "I was just obeying our superior's orders."

'The superior is trying to do you in!'

Lian Beini merely thought in her heart and didn't say it out loud. She smiled affably. "What a positive attitude you have. Let's go to class together."

Gu Qingjiu didn't decline her invitation, but she also didn't appear particularly friendly as well.

When they got to class, Gu Qingjiu finally started her first proper lesson at the university.

The difficulty of the computer science specialization was a little more difficult than she had imagined since many aspects were involved.

Especially in a military school.

There were many things to be learned and Gu Qingjiu was merely starting to learn.

However, she realized that she was much more sensitive towards numbers now. This sensitivity made it easier for her to learn computer science.

Gu Qingjiu learned in a focused manner for the entire morning. When it came time for lunch, she suddenly realized that she hadn't thought about the Chief Instructor during class time.

Indeed, it was easier to focus when there was something to be done.

But after lunch, when she returned to the dormitory, she saw the Chief Instructor's text message.

< How does it feel to go to class? >

Perhaps due to what happened last night, Gu Qingjiu's thinking became a little degenerate.

The instant she saw the word 'feel', it made her think of the ambiguous encounter she had last night.

Her cheeks started heating up, and Gu Qingjiu replied with a reddened face.

< It was fine, not too much pressure. >

The moment Gu Qingjiu replied to his text, he called.

Gu Qingjiu calmed herself down and slapped her own face before answering the call.

The young lady's clear voice entered the man's ears through the phone. He was rapping his fingers against his desk and gazing out the windows and suddenly his mood brightened.

"Class is over?"

"Mm..."

She replied in a low voice that sounded especially soft.

Merely hearing her voice gave him the urge to grab this little thing over and continuing to kiss her while holding her in his arms.

Indeed, once you get addicted to something, it wasn't quite so easy to quit that addiction.

Moreover, tasting it for the first time was inexplicably wonderful.

"Are you free now?"

Ultimately he didn't manage to hold back the urges of the devil in his heart—he wanted to dupe the girl over once more.

"Ah, I am. I just returned to the dormitory..."

Gu Qingjiu was in a difficult position. Was the Chief Instructor going to ask her over?

Who knew, that was exactly what he had in mind.

"Are you coming over?"

She did want to go over, but this was in broad daylight and there were too many people around.

No matter how hard she tried to be discreet about it, she feared someone would notice it.

She murmured an excuse. "I have physical training in the afternoon. I'm thinking of taking a nap to re-energize."

"Mm."

Although he understood, when he heard this little thing turn down his suggestion, he couldn't help feeling slightly displeased.

Chapter 374: Gossip Center

"I'm going to take a nap now. Will go and find you when I have the time!"

Gu Qingjiu felt like she could say these words in a smoother manner now.

After hanging up the call, she stared at the ceiling and chuckled to herself in a dazed manner.

When Gu Qian entered, she saw the expression on Gu Qingjiu's face which she couldn't hide in time.

"Why are you chuckling so sneakily in broad daylight?"

Gu Qian was curious while Gu Qingjiu was speechless.

How was she chuckling sneakily!?

She tossed her phone to her bed in an imperceptible manner. When she saw Chu Lian enter behind Gu Qian, she asked, "You two finished eating?"

"Of course! And you were even faster than us!"

Gu Qian pounced unto her own bed as she bared her teeth and complained of the pain she felt all over her body. "We were made to run ten rounds around the field and do several hundred squats this morning. Right after training we had to go straight for class. I'm beginning to suspect I'm not me anymore. In the afternoon we still have to continue with our training. When is this ever going to end?!"

Chu Lian didn't behave as exaggeratedly as her. As the timetables for each specialization was different, training times were different as well. She merely smiled in a gloating manner. "Thankfully, my schedule was packed with classes today."

If one's schedule was packed with classes, it meant there wouldn't be any training.

Gu Qian rolled her eyes at her.

Gu Qingjiu laid onto her bed and comforted Gu Qian. "It'll be fine once you get used to it. When I first entered the troops back then, I had felt like I was going to die every day. Later after I pushed through it, I felt that the hardship I endured was all worth it."

Although it had been a long time since she first entered the troops, it only felt like yesterday now that she recalled that time.

At that time, she wasn't outstanding in any area. It was only training some time in the troops, that she slowly started to transform.

If she hadn't entered the troops, she wouldn't have discovered her exceptional talent in shooting.

And she wouldn't meet the Chief Instructor...

Why did she think of the Chief Instructor again?

The minute she became idle, her mind was filled with that man with exquisite eyes and otherworldly aura.

Gu Qian's complaints pulled her back to reality. "How can I compare with you? You've stayed for at least half a year in the troops. In the past I was pampered and fed well by my mother. I had never imagined that life in a military school would be so tough!"

"Where else could it be tougher than a military school?"

Chu Lian rolled her eyes next to her. "So many people wish to enter the military school and don't have the chance to. You should cherish your opportunity. Our country pays for our tuition now and arranges jobs for us in the future. What else do you want?"

Those were the reasons many people chose to enroll in a military school.

One didn't have to pay tuition, and their expenses were paid for. They could even claim their transportation expenses when they returned home every year during Chinese New Year. Every single student in a military school got to enjoy these lucrative benefits.

More importantly, upon graduation, the school was responsible for allocating jobs for them.

Moreover, it would be a military position, and their family members also got to enjoy substantial benefits.

It was getting increasingly difficult to enter a military school. Those who managed to enter, did so with luck and their own merits.

This was also the reason Gu Qiannever said she wanted to leave the military school despite her complaints.

"I was merely venting. Why are you being so fierce!?"

Gu Qian was puffed up with anger. "But it's truly too tough in a military school. With so many male soldiers around us, we're not even dating any of them! Speaking of which, Qingjiu, did you find that boyfriend of yours in military school or did you know him before you entered? You had the mood and time to find a boyfriend when you were in the troops?"

Gu Qingjiu was speechless.

Why was she suddenly dragged into this?

She gave the question some thought. She got to know the Chief Instructor in the troops, but she only confessed to him after she entered the military school.

But...

"After entering the school. Indeed, I didn't have the mood and the time when I was in the troops."

Mainly, she had thought that she would never get to see the Chief Instructor again back then.

Chapter 375: Not Doing Well With a Fifty-Meter Target

"Look, I was right wasn't I?!" Gu Qian jumped up on her bed. "Who is it?"

Clearly, she refused to give up on finding out who it was.

Gu Qingjiu's lips curled. "I'm going to take a nap now. I have training in the afternoon, I need to rest well."

Then, without waiting for Gu Qian to reply, she fell onto her bed and started her nap.

Seeing that she was about to nap, Gu Qian and Chu Lian couldn't very well disturb her rest.

Hence, they too took a nap.

The training in the afternoon was physical training, unsurprisingly.

They were made to run more than ten rounds around the field before doing squats.

Merely the thought of it made one feel a sense of despair.

Thankfully, Gu Qingjiu had trained in the troops for so long that she was quite used to it already.

Many of her classmates couldn't even get to their feet by the time they were done. After standing straight for half an hour in their military posture, they still had to go for class.

Since their training was intense, if one wished to stay awake in class, taking naps was a necessity.

As with an ordinary university, no matter how lousy one's results were, the most important thing was to ensure that they didn't fail in any subjects.

When the rest were done with their classes, they could go back to their dormitory to rest. However, Gu Qingjiu still had to undergo training at the Shooting Department.

Since she was given an additional option than the rest, she had to put in the corresponding effort.

She had just started training with a moving target and she couldn't slack on that.

When she reached the Shooting Department, Gu Qingjiu started practicing with a fifty-meter moving target without even taking a break.

As usual, she was the only one practicing with a fifty-meter target, making Gu Qingjiu seriously wonder how many people there were in the Shooting Department.

As it started getting warmer indoors, Gu Qingjiu removed her jacket, revealing the army green short-sleeved T-shirt underneath that the school gave her.

The loose T-shirt perfectly displayed her wonderful figure. Even though she was wearing baggy military pants, she looked like a model in that outfit.

A good-looking person with a good figure would look good in anything—that was true.

If this good-looking person was also hardworking...

The moment Lu Yibin entered, he saw Gu Qingjiu staring at the target ahead with a serious expression.

He could feel that every shot she fired, she had put in her utmost effort.

The droplets of perspiration on her forehead seemed to glisten, making one fall into a daze looking at her.

He kept silent and watched for a while until Gu Qingjiu sensed a presence and turned around and saw him. "Vice-Commander?"

"How does practice feel?"

Lu Yibin walked over with a smile. Gu Qingjiu shook her head. "So-so."

Indeed, her condition wasn't as good as when she was practicing with a stationary target.

"But I saw that in every shot you fired, regardless of how fast the target was moving, you never missed the target entirely and would strike at least the third ring. This was a strong performance. You're just lacking precision. With your outstanding results with a stationary target, you're bound to catch up with your moving target sooner or later."

Lu Yibin encouraged Gu Qingjiu, revealing a charming smile on his handsome face.

Too bad Gu Qingjiu couldn't appreciate that.

Instead, she gazed seriously at him, and she said, "I'm not making much improvement with a fifty-meter target. Should I change to a twenty-meter target?"

Lu Yibin was unsure whether to laugh or to cry. "You're merely practicing with a moving target for the second time. If this isn't considered an improvement, how should your comrades in the Shooting Department think? Some of them primarily used a five-meter target when they started practicing moving targets. And yet, here you are, starting with a fifty-meter target. Just think about how scary that is."

"No, I merely feel that..." She wasn't doing well with a fifty-meter target.

Gu Qingjiu, who wasn't doing this on purpose, smiled in embarrassment.

Her considerations were based on her own condition, and she hadn't thought so much.

Chapter 376: Abnormality

"It's alright, that's perfectly normal. Because your starting point is different."

As the Vice-Commander of the Shooting Department, Lu Yibin naturally understood Gu Qingjiu's way of thinking.

"It's only you who thinks that your condition isn't so suited for this, but think about it. You're talented, but if one simply relied on talent to achieve perfection, there wouldn't be so few outstanding talents in this world. It's not necessarily a good thing to speed up. You need to learn to take it slowly."

Upon hearing Lu Yibin's words, Gu Qingjiu looked as though she was deep in thought.

Then, she nodded solemnly. "I got it. Thank you, Vice-Commander."

"You're welcome!"

Upon seeing the cheerful smile on the girl's face, Lu Yibin felt his heart stir slightly, a feeling that he couldn't suppress.

The girl's eyes were pure and clean, exuding an aloofness that made one curious and at the same time didn't dare to go near to her.

Lu Yibin's abnormality made him feel a little uneasy.

However, he concealed his emotions extremely well and didn't show it. Very quickly, those feelings dissipated.

"Our Shooting Department would hold an out-of-school event once every two weeks. There's one that's taking place this week. I'll take this opportunity to introduce you to the other people in the Shooting Department, mainly the Commander."

"Commander?"

Gu Qingjiu felt extremely curious about the Shooting Department's commander. But this week...

"We seem to have emergency training this week. I don't know if I can go."

Gu Qingjiu said with a frown.

"That's additional training tasks as there would be superiors coming to our school to inspect. But this doesn't affect the activities of our Shooting Department. You only have to notify the Chief Instructor for the first-year students."

Notify the Chief Instructor?

She hadn't expected that this matter was under the charge of the Chief Instructor. Gu Qingjiu instantly agreed. "Okay got it, Vice-Commander."

"For the event, you have to gather after class on Friday afternoon. There would be a vehicle that would take us there, and we would be staying for two days. Make sure to pack the stuff you're planning to bring along. If there's something you don't understand about this, just ask me. If there's nothing else, I'll go upstairs now. As the Vice-Commander, I will work hard alongside all of you!"

"Alright, bye Vice-Commander."

Gu Qingjiu revealed a sincere smile at Lu Yibin. At least with someone willing to lead the way, she could be spared from taking unnecessary detours.

Upon seeing her smile, Lu Yibin felt an inexplicable feeling. His heart stirred, and he even feigned calmness and nodded before taking the lift and leaving the fifth story.

When he was in the elevator, he coughed slightly.

He felt like he was falling for someone for the first time...

The first time she met this girl with a smile as elegant as lilies, he felt that he was the kind of girl he had imagined.

But there was for some reason he felt a distance between the two of them

This made Lu Yibin feel hesitant about whether he should try to get closer to her.

Over on this side, Gu Qingjiu had no idea that Lu Yibin had developed such a thought about her.

Mainly, he had behaved perfectly as always, such that Gu Qingjiu couldn't detect it at all.

Moreover, she didn't have particularly acute senses in this aspect. Hence, she had no idea.

Else, she would have made sure to keep a distance.

In her heart, Lu Yibin was merely a friendly Vice-Commander.

Now that she had the Chief Instructor, Gu Qingjiu maintained a polite distance with other men.

Unless it was her kin, she wouldn't reveal her friendly and intimate side.

This was the most basic respect when one was in a relationship.

After Lu Yibin left, Gu Qingjiu turned her head and picked up her gun and loaded it with bullets to continue with her practice.

Chapter 377: She Couldn't Bear To

Gu Qingjiu practiced until seven p.m. and headed to the canteen for dinner right afterward. After that, she returned to her dormitory.

Since she had lessons for the day, she didn't bring her phone along, so she had no idea if the Chief Instructor had called her or sent her text messages.

Or perhaps Gu Qingjiu had now grown accustomed to looking forward to hearing from He Niancheng in any form at all.

She pushed open the dormitory door and saw that it was quiet inside, with Gu Qian and Chu Lian not around.

She didn't have the time to ponder over where the duo had gone off to. Gu Qingjiu picked up her phone from inside her jacket pocket hanging outside her closet and took a look.

Although the school didn't openly forbid its students from bringing their phones, there would be instructors who would come to the dormitory during the day to inspect the cleanliness.

Once these electronic gadgets were discovered in places where they shouldn't be in, they would be confiscated with no exceptions.

Hence, most students would place such items among their private belongings.

Indeed, there was a text message

Gu Qingjiu revealed a happy expression, and she quickly opened the text message.

< Qingjiu, you were very serious in class today. Hehe. >

Without even needing to look at who the sender was, just by looking at the contents of the text she knew that it must be from Huo Yingcheng.

Gu Qingjiu's face fell.

It wasn't that she had an opinion of Huo Yingcheng or something.

It was just that she was disappointed after getting her hopes up.

She replied with a pouting emoticon perfunctorily. If Huo Yingcheng could see her expression right now...

He would likely howl at her.

With sweat all over her body, Gu Qingjiu entered the bathroom to take a shower.

She then washed the clothes she had just removed amidst the cooling night breeze on the balcony.

Since the weather was hot, they had to change their military uniform nearly every day.

The school was rather generous though, to give them three sets each.

So that they didn't run out of uniform to change into while one set was being washed.

Hence, one had to wash their clothes diligently.

This was torture for lazy students.

But having entered the school for so long, no matter how lazy the student was, most of them had already been more or less brainwashed by the school.

Gu Qian was one such example.

According to her, she had never even washed socks before she entered military school. After entering though, she was forced to become an all-rounder.

And she didn't have any complaints about it!

While Gu Qingjiu was washing her clothes, her phone suddenly started ringing.

As though something had snapped in her brain, she briskly jogged to her bed and picked it up. It was He Niancheng.

Suppressing the excitement in her heart, Gu Qingjiu responded in a calm voice.

"Were you waiting for my call?"

There was a smile in He Niancheng's voice. Gu Qingjiu's face flushed instantly, despite the fact that He Niancheng couldn't see that.

"No, I was washing my clothes!"

She replied in an indignant tone.

"Really?"

There was a teasing manner in his deep voice. The embarrassed Gu Qingjiu got annoyed. "Chief Instructor, you're making fun of me."

Clearly, the Chief Instructor used to appear so cold and aloof, and he didn't even smile at all.

How did he suddenly become a little evil now?

She suddenly missed the Chief Instructor of that time.

"No, hurry up and come over. If you don't come over today, you won't get to see me in the following month."

Upon hearing this, Gu Qingjiu got anxious. "Why?"

"Come over and I'll tell you."

His voice was gentle, and he was urging Gu Qingjiu in an unflustered manner.

Gu Qingjiu felt as though her heart had tightened into a bunch. She hung up the phone and set down the clothes. She was prepared to continue washing later when she came back, and she was going to rush over to the Chief Instructor's office now.

Why wouldn't she get to see him in the following one month?

Could it be that he had to return to the Empire from time to time like Commander Huo?

But He Niancheng was from the Empire, to begin with. Even if he had to go back from time to time, it wasn't something to be surprised about.

But she couldn't bear to handle it.

Chapter 378: She Merely Placed This Man in the Depths of Her Heart

Once she reached the office building, Gu Qingjiu crept over like she usually did.

He Niancheng's office wasn't lit up today.

This secretive vibe suddenly made Gu Qingjiu feel a sense of thrill.

Spit! She had degenerated!

She used her hand and felt her way to the office door. As usual, before she even knocked on the door, someone opened the door from inside.

As though he was a clairvoyant, He Niancheng lifted Gu Qingjiu up just like he did yesterday.

"I feel like you're a thief every time you come over."

He made fun of her in his deep voice, but Gu Qingjiu didn't feel ashamed.

This time, perhaps due to what had happened yesterday, she was much more submissive and natural than before.

With her arms around He Niancheng's neck, her lips curled into a smile as she took the initiative to edge closer to him.

Exerting his force slightly, He Niancheng carried Gu Qingjiu into his arms and graciously accepted the tender lips offered to him.

Their lips and teeth grazed against each other, and He Niancheng—who was breathing unsteadily—let go of her. It was an act which was quite rare of him. "If this goes on, I won't be able to leave."

"But where exactly are you going?"

Only then did Gu Qingjiu remember her purpose for coming.

"I'm going on a mission. I can't bring my phone along and it will last a month. I will only be back next month. During this period, be good and stay in school for your training. Wait for me to come back."

"You're going on a mission..."

Gu Qingjiu knew that her superiors not only needed to manage the school, they sometimes would also be assigned missions.

It was a common situation in the troops.

It was just that all along, this was the first time she saw the Chief Instructor go on a mission.

Considering they were now together, Gu Qingjiu naturally felt that a month was way too long.

"One month is too long."

With her arms around He Niancheng's neck, she inhaled the certain scent that belonged to him.

She felt that only then would she feel at ease.

"Hur, it's only a month. Focus on your training and time will pass very quickly.

He laughed softly. Gu Qingjiu could feel the vibration of his chest as he laughed.

That voice was right next to her ears and from time to time she would feel an abnormal sensation graze her ears.

Ignoring this sensation, Gu Qingjiu knitted her brows. Ultimately, she asked what was bothering her. "Is the mission dangerous?"

There were many missions assigned by the country that were highly dangerous.

In fact, some soldiers had to write their wills in advance before going on to these missions.

Just this point alone was enough to send a chill down one's spine.

But soldiers didn't fear things like that.

Regardless of what it was they were asked to do, they wouldn't so much as show a frown.

Military orders cannot be disobeyed. But Gu Qingjiu really didn't dare to imagine if the Chief Instructor was to fall into danger...

She didn't even feel so worried about herself when she thought of her future missions.

"No, it's not. I am from the Penalan Empire."

Although he was serving in China, his nationality was after all Penalan. Hence, China wouldn't ask him to go on those perilous missions where one needed to write his will in advance.

However, it wasn't that he had never accepted such missions before.

His words made Gu Qingjiu feel slightly relieved.

Right, how could she have forgotten that the Chief Instructor was from the Penalan Empire?

Thing is, he spoke Mandarin too well, so subconsciously she had thought that he was Chinese.

"It's just more troublesome, so it's going to take a long time, and it's the border I'm going to. But if I see something good, I'll bring it back for you. Is there anything you want?"

He softly explained to her. At the same time, he asked her if there was anything she would like.

She shook her head, still feeling quite depressed. "I just want you to come back safely."

She didn't ask for a lot.

It was just that she truly placed this man in the depths of her heart.

Chapter 379: Together With the Principle and Interest

Because he was the only person who touched Gu Qingjiu's heart ever since she was reborn.

Him helping her time and again had long rooted his position in Gu Qingjiu's heart.

Her words made He Niancheng pause slightly.

His lips then curled slightly, revealing a charming smile.

Only when these words came out of Gu Qingjiu's mouth, did it make him feel happy.

He gently pecked upon Gu Qingjiu's forehead, then grazed the side of her face with his nose.

Since he was leaving tomorrow, Chief Instructor He thought that he had to kiss her enough to make up for the interest that would accrue over his absence.

His breathing got heavier, and he planted a deep kiss on Gu Qingjiu's lips.

Towards the end, his actions got urgent and intense, as though he was going to eat up Gu Qingjiu.

Gu Qingjiu was dazed while he was kissing her.

Since she was inexperienced, she wondered if the Chief Instructor had exceptional talent in this area because he seemed to be really skilled in this.

Just as Gu Qingjiu's mind was in a mess, He Niancheng's phone rang at the same time.

His face turned instantly cold and the air around seemed to become thinner all of a sudden.

He fiercely gazed at the offending phone that had interrupted the moment.

If the phone had spirituality, it would perhaps have frozen to death right now.

Because of their passionate kiss, Gu Qingjiu's eyes now appeared misty. When they stopped, her rational senses rapidly returned to her.

She subconsciously touched her own lips.

It was swollen!

She was done for. How was she going to return to the dormitory later? How was she going to face the nosy Gu Qian and Chu Lian!

If this phone hadn't suddenly rung, her lips would perhaps have ended up even more swollen.

She looked towards the phone instantly. He Niancheng's slim and long arm had already picked up the phone.

But Gu Qingjiu still caught a glimpse of the words "Huo Yingcheng" on the phone.

Commander Huo, what a good person!

He Niancheng answered the call with a cold expression. Even though he didn't turn on the speaker mode, Gu Qingjiu could hear Huo Yingcheng's startled voice.

"Major-General, where are you? I saw that your office isn't lit up and there's no one in your dormitory. Don't tell me you went out for a stroll."

"Cut with the nonsense and get straight to the point."

He Niancheng scolded with gritted teeth.

Huo Yingcheng was shocked to hear something like this coming out of He Niancheng's mouth, and he instantly understood what was going on. "Did you go to look for Qingjiu?"

Gu Qingjiu was speechless.

Why is Commander Huo's guess so accurate?

She felt too embarrassed to face him now!

Upon hearing this, He Niancheng didn't reply, and his aura became deeper and more dangerous.

Even though Huo Yingcheng couldn't see the look on He Niancheng's face, he could feel a chilly sensation.

He felt cowardice.

"Err guess I... should hang up first. I merely called to remind you that the car's coming at five tomorrow. Don't forget!"

After uttering out the last word, Huo Yingcheng hung up the phone right away.

Gu Qingjiu covered her face in embarrassment. "Chief Instructor, I should go back now. It's getting late. You need to get up at five tomorrow, so you should tuck in early too."

"Mm."

He finally let Gu Qingjiu off benevolently. However, he raised a last request. "I want a goodnight kiss."

He asked in a natural manner.

Gu Qingjiu was speechless.

In the past, she had never imagined that there would come a day when the Chief Instructor would be so... torturous.

With no one around, she worked up the courage to edge closer to He Niancheng's face, before gently pecking him and speedily running away.

Behind, He Niancheng's figure blended into the night scenery. He narrowed his eyes as he watched Gu Qingjiu flee from his sight.

Never mind, when he returned, he would get it all back from this little thing, together with the principle and interest.

Chapter 380: The Shooting Department Outdoor Activity

She went out at approximately 8:10 p.m. She got back around nine.

It didn't feel like she had been gone for so long.

No wonder her lips were rather red and swollen now.

Gu Qingjiu realized that she had become increasingly degenerate.

When she got to the entrance of the dormitory, she heard Gu Qian and Chu Lian chatting merrily inside.

With the two busybodies inside, if she was caught in her current state, she would certainly face interrogation from them.

Gu Qingjiu could only purse her slightly swollen lips tightly, before pushing the door and entering.

"Eh, Qingjiu you're back."

At the sight of Gu Qingjiu, Gu Qian greeted her like she usually did. "I helped you wash the clothes you placed on the balcony when I was washing mine."

Gu Qingjiu, who was originally planning to nod in a reserved manner, had no choice but to speak upon hearing this.

"You washed it? Ah, thank you! Thank you so much!"

She hadn't expected Gu Qian to help her wash her clothes.

But the instant she opened her lips, those swollen and red lips gave off an abnormal glow under the lights.

Chu Lian noticed her lips almost immediately.

Even Gu Qian opened her mouth in astonishment. "What happened to your lips?"

Gu Qingjiu pursed her lips and turned her head away. She went to lie on her bed, then said in a dull voice, "It's nothing. I ate something spicy and got a bit heaty."

Gu Qian believed her.

Chu Lian clicked her tongue. "Must have been something really spicy."

There was a deeper meaning to her words.

Gu Qingjiu pretended she didn't hear that.

Thankfully, Gu Qingjiu fell asleep in no time as she laid on her bed.

The next day when she woke up, the minute she opened her eyes she touched her own lips. Thankfully her lips were no longer swollen.

There was an unread message on her phone which was placed beside her pillow.

It was from the Chief Instructor, who informed her that he had left.

< Try not to miss me. >

As she gazed at this text message, Gu Qingjiu felt something tug at her heart. After all, the Chief Instructor would be gone for a month.

To be separated when they were passionately in love, was a form of torture every waking moment.

Especially since she couldn't even contact him.

But Gu Qingjiu could only set these matters aside.

At that moment, her priority was to focus on learning and training.

Time passed in such a stress-free manner all the way until Friday.

Gu Qingjiu had formed a fixed routine by then—that is, to study and train in the day, and after class, she would head over to practice at the Shooting Department in the afternoon.

After some practice, Gu Qingjiu was able to consistently hit the sixth ring or better with a fifty-meter moving target.

It was something to feel glad about.

Moreover more importantly, she was starting to develop a sensitivity towards that red dot, which would increase the probability of her striking the bullseye.

On Friday afternoon, when her classes were about to end, the Vice-Commander sent her a text message asking her to gather at the school entrance.

They were setting off to take part in the event.

Gu Qingjiu returned to the dormitory and packed two sets of clothes. As it was an activity with the Shooting Department, she brought along her military uniform.

When she reached the school entrance, Gu Qingjiu saw Lu Yibin from a distance.

Behind him were more than ten members of the Shooting Department. At that moment, they were standing in a neat row behind Lu Yibin.

This was the first time Gu Qingjiu saw so many people from the Shooting Department.

She walked over and offered Lu Yibin, who was filling in some form, a salute. "Vice-Commander Lu, Gu Qingjiu from the first-year computer science and technology specialization Class C is here to report."

"Mm, you're here?"

Lu Yibin straightened his body and smiled at Gu Qingjiu. "Fall in and just stand next to your seniors."

Gu Qingjiu nodded. She found a suitable spot and stood with the rest.

Almost everyone's gazes were fixed upon her.