After returning from Nanshan, Lin Yiqiao immediately went to sign up for the women’s soldier company. Since she was originally from the cultural troupe and met all the requirements, her application was smoothly approved.
Lin Yiqiao didn’t expect to see He Yujie’s name on the list of accepted recruits.
Wenhui was famously talkative in the troupe. She got along well with He Yujie, but Yujie kept a low profile, making it hard for others to figure her out.
Qian Ru naturally learned about this as well. She couldn’t understand Lin Yiqiao’s choice—joining the cultural troupe was a dream for many girls, offering both stability and respectability. But since she couldn’t persuade Lin Yiqiao, she simply let her go.
Zheng Qingxia also tried to convince her to stay in the cultural troupe. However, after hearing Lin Yiqiao’s impassioned reasoning, she couldn’t help but admire her courage and ideals, and promptly issued the transfer certificate.
Lin Yiqiao packed her belongings and reported for duty.
The newly built women’s dormitory in the military district had six people per room, each with a small bed. The living conditions were quite decent compared to other regions.
Her new roommates seemed fine. Only Liu Hongying and Lin Yiqiao were from Beidu; the others were selected from different regions.
Lying on her small bed, Lin Yiqiao thought about the new recruit training starting tomorrow—it definitely wouldn’t be easy.
The faint scent of locust trees in the military district brought her a sense of calm, and she soon fell asleep.
The wake-up call blared before dawn, jolting Lin Yiqiao awake with a headache.
She got up slowly, while the other girls in the room dressed and washed up briskly, as if they were already accustomed to the morning bugle.
Lin Yiqiao didn’t need much preparation. After a quick wash, she tied her hair into a braid, her face glowing with a healthy flush.
Breakfast time was only ten minutes.
Lin Yiqiao jogged to the mess hall. The food was decent—steamed buns, stuffed buns, pickled vegetables, and millet porridge for breakfast.
Li Xiumei took a bite of a large stuffed bun and felt a lump in her throat. “I’ve never eaten such a big meat bun in my life. Beidu is really wonderful, no wonder everyone fights to come here.”
“Silly girl, you’ll have big buns to eat every meal from now on,” Liu Hongying said with a laugh.
Lin Yiqiao kept her head down and ate. Silly girl, with all that talking, you could’ve eaten a few more buns.
As soon as they put down their bowls, everyone rushed to the training ground.
Once in position, Lin Yiqiao quickly put on her hat. She’d heard their trainer was a female instructor and wanted to make a good impression.
“At ease!”
A stern female voice came from behind. Lin Yiqiao quickly extended her foot along with the others.
A woman with neat short hair walked to the front of the formation. Her skin was somewhat tanned, but she looked sharp and capable.
“Attention!”
Everyone stood at attention as ordered.
“My name is Wang Xue, and I’ll be your instructor for the next three months. You are the first batch of female soldiers in Beidu, and everyone is watching your performance.”
“Can you set a good example?”
“Yes!” everyone replied in unison.
“Good. Prepare for one hour of military posture.”
What?! Lin Yiqiao wanted to cry.
But there was no turning back now. She had chosen this path, and she would have to walk it, even if it meant tears.
“Feet apart at sixty degrees, lean forward slightly, hands pressed against the seams of your trousers.”
Under the blazing sun, dozens of women in the company stood at attention for an hour. Their faces were flushed from the heat, sweat leaving streaks on their skin.
Lin Yiqiao’s chest and back were soaked with sweat, and her face was slightly red. Fortunately, she didn’t tan easily—a splash of cold water would fade the redness.
“Adjust.”
Hearing this, Lin Yiqiao relaxed completely. Even the slightest movement of her legs hurt, and she gritted her teeth as she bent them slightly, pounding her stiff muscles.
“Today’s training task is simple. We’ll practice saluting for a bit, then finish up and go eat.”
“Alright!”
At the mention of food, everyone seemed to come back to life. Lin Yiqiao also raised her arm, saluting with perfect form.
But why hadn’t the command to lower the salute been given yet? It had been almost five minutes. Lin Yiqiao’s arm felt as heavy as lead, and she clenched her teeth to keep it from dropping.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Wang Xue walking around to the back of the formation. Lin Yiqiao quickly relaxed her arm slightly and clenched her fist.
“Regiment Commander Qi.” Wang Xue’s voice suddenly came from behind.
Lin Yiqiao was startled and immediately straightened her arm. She heard the sound of military boots hitting the ground—steady and powerful.
Qi Jun stopped in front of her. He was wearing training gear today, and from Lin Yiqiao’s perspective, she could only see his chin.
“Step out of formation.”
Oh no. Lin Yiqiao resignedly stepped out of the line.