Just as Lin Xiaojiao was about to collapse weakly, a strong arm firmly caught her by the shoulders and back.
Another hand swiftly swept under her knees, instantly lifting her off the ground in a horizontal carry.
Avoiding any direct contact with the ground.
Chen Cheng’s lips twitched.
Was this still the same regimental commander who remained unflinching even when Mount Tai crumbled before him on the battlefield?!
Clearly, Chen Cheng wasn’t the only one paying attention.
Several school administrators who hadn’t gone far also noticed.
As did the surrounding students and instructors who turned their heads.
…
“Third Uncle, long time no see…”
Lin Xiaojiao wondered if exhaustion was making her hallucinate.
He… actually took the initiative to carry her!
She lifted the corners of her mouth toward him.
Happy~
A buzzing sound echoed in her ears—
“Jiaojiao!”
“Jiaojiao!”
Lin Xiaojiao completely lost consciousness.
Gu Tingzheng held the unconscious young girl horizontally in his arms.
His expression was icy and imposing.
“Regimental Commander Gu, what happened?”
Director Huang, the freshman year director, was the first to rush over.
“Infirmary, lead the way.” The man’s voice was steady and forceful.
“Yes, yes, this way.” Director Huang hurriedly pointed ahead.
As they passed the other administrators, Gu Tingzheng paused slightly:
“A child from the family, weak constitution. Apologies for the embarrassment. Excuse me.”
With that, he strode toward the infirmary.
On the other side of the field.
Wei Qiang was scared out of his wits!
The female student he had punished with running had fainted.
And was carried away by the regimental commander!
He was doomed…
…
With Director Huang leading the way, Gu Tingzheng quickly brought her to the infirmary.
After an examination, the school doctor said, “The young lady is a bit delicate—dehydrated and physically exhausted. Nothing serious.”
“Thank you.”
The school doctor didn’t even prescribe Huoxiang Zhengqi Shui, as it wasn’t even heatstroke.
“Drink plenty of water when she wakes up.” The school doctor gave the instruction and left.
In the rest room, only Lin Xiaojiao on the sickbed and Gu Tingzheng on a nearby chair remained.
Communications officer Chen Cheng stood guard outside. Director Huang tactfully left.
Lin Xiaojiao was struggling with how to open her eyes appropriately.
What should she say when she opened her eyes?
“What a coincidence, Third Uncle?”
“Thank you for carrying me?”
…
So damn awkward!
She had woken up long ago.
She woke up when the doctor was talking to him.
It was just a momentary dizziness.
Now she was in a dilemma.
But… she hadn’t figured out how to face him yet.
Gu Tingzheng watched the girl’s fluttering eyelashes and couldn’t help but curve his lips.
“If you’re awake, get up and drink some water.”
Fine! You’re sharp-eyed, old man—can’t keep pretending!
Lin Xiaojiao obediently opened her eyes. “Thank you, Third… Thank you, Instructor Gu.”
“It’s been a year, and Jiaojiao has grown distant from me.”
Gu Tingzheng helped the young girl sit up and handed her a cup of water.
As naturally as if that year apart had never happened.
Gu Tingzheng looked at the young girl, about to ask something.
The rest room door was gently knocked.
Communications officer Chen Cheng peeked in, his face apologetic and urgent:
“Regimental Commander, the division meeting is about to start.”
Gu Tingzheng swallowed the words on the tip of his tongue. He gave Lin Xiaojiao a deep, complex look.
But in the end, it only translated into a simple action—
He pushed the water cup in his hand closer to her, making sure she held it steadily.
“Rest well.”
He stood up, his voice returning to its usual steadiness and calm. “I’ll come see you when I have time.”
With that, he followed the communications officer and left.
Lin Xiaojiao stared at the water cup in her hand.
He just left?
Damn it!
I haven’t even recovered yet!
And you just ran off?!
…
After resting a while longer in the infirmary,
Lin Xiaojiao was fully revived.
She stretched her limbs a bit and headed back.
What awaited her was countless gazes, both overt and covert.
Like watching a panda at the zoo.
Bracing herself, Lin Xiaojiao walked back to her class’s formation.
Instructor Wei Qiang rushed over in a flash.
There wasn’t a trace of his earlier sternness on his face—he was cautious, almost speaking in a gentle tone:
“Lin Xiaojiao, you… you’re really okay? Should I grant you another half-day off so you can rest properly in your dorm?”
Lin Xiaojiao almost couldn’t hold back her laughter.
Straightening her posture and adopting her most earnest attitude, she replied crisply:
“Reporting, Instructor! I have fully recovered and request to return to training!”
Her attitude was so good it caught Wei Qiang off guard.
As long as I’m thick-skinned enough, nothing’s a big deal!
If I’m not embarrassed, they’re the ones who should be!
The effect seemed pretty good.
At least no one dared to ask her directly.
And, being given special treatment by the instructor, she felt too awkward to slack off anymore.
Every movement she made was exceptionally precise and standard.
Wei Qiang nodded repeatedly but didn’t dare to praise her too much.
By the end of the morning, Lin Xiaojiao felt as if she’d shed a layer of skin—more exhausted than if she’d actually run three laps.
Finally, she made it to lunch.
The cafeteria was buzzing with noise.
Lin Xiaojiao and Zhou Yunyun managed to find a corner seat.
After just a few bites, Zhou Yunyun couldn’t hold back anymore.
Leaning in, she whispered, her eyes sparkling with curiosity:
“Xiaojiao… um… can you share? What really happened?”
Lin Xiaojiao stuffed a bite of cabbage into her mouth, pretending to be casual. “Oh, it’s nothing, just an uncle from home.”
Her voice wasn’t loud, but a few nearby eavesdroppers still heard.
The loud-voiced Jiang Wendi immediately chimed in, her tone filled with unabashed envy:
“Wow! So jealous you have a high-ranking official uncle! Lin Xiaojiao, you’re so lucky! Look out for us in the future, okay?”
Lin Xiaojiao paused mid-chew.
She shot a quick glance at Jiang Wendi.
Was this person genuinely straightforward, or was she being sarcastic?
Just then, Hu Guozhi, the temporary class monitor sitting across from them, adjusted his glasses. A few years older than the others, he appeared mature and steady.
Putting down his chopsticks, he spoke with a tone of seasoned advice:
“Jiang Wendi, that’s not the right attitude. We’re university students of the new era, destined to contribute to the nation. It’s better to rely on ourselves in everything, not always depend on connections.”
Lin Xiaojiao: …
Great, this one’s the master of subtlety.
She could feel the faint gazes and whispered comments throughout the cafeteria crawling over her back like tiny insects.
She silently lowered her head, stabbing forcefully at the rice in her bowl.
Gu! Ting! Zheng!
You’re really causing trouble for me!
It’s only the start of university!
Can you let me live?!
…
Over the next few days, Lin Xiaojiao’s military training life became unusually “comfortable.”
She truly experienced what it meant to “borrow power from the tiger.”
Instructor Wei Qiang basically turned a blind eye to her.
Forget punishing her with running—he didn’t even raise his voice at her anymore.
When standing at attention, if she swayed slightly, Wei Qiang’s gaze would sweep over, then immediately shift away as if he’d seen nothing.
Wei Qiang had his own unspoken grievances.
What exactly is the relationship between this ancestor and the regiment commander?
He made her run less than half a lap, but that night back at the company, he was punished with a ten-kilometer weighted run.
Better not mess with him!
As for Lin Xiaojiao’s curiosity, after observing for two days, her classmates gradually lost interest.
After all, there was nothing particularly special about her.
Nor did they see that “officer uncle” appear again.
Instead, they gradually became more familiar with Lin Xiaojiao.
When they met on the road, they would smile and nod.
When queuing for hot water, they would even let her go first.
Indeed, no matter the era, the dynamics of social connections remain the same.
Lin Xiaojiao was happy to take it easy and adapted very well to university life.
Except for one thing—
That old man who said, “I’ll come see you when I have time,” seemed to have vanished from the face of the earth since their parting at the infirmary.
Despite holding the title of chief instructor, not even his shadow could be seen.
The military training schedule was already halfway over.
Was his so-called “when I have time” just an empty phrase?
…
Sunday, military training was suspended for the day.
With a rare day off, the twelve people in the dormitory had all sorts of plans.
In the end, most of them went out in small groups to explore the provincial capital.
Zhou Yunyun tried every trick in the book to persuade Lin Xiaojiao to join her.
Lin Xiaojiao was torn.
By nature, she was someone who would rather lie down than move…
Especially since the training intensity these past few days had been quite high.
But looking at the little girl’s eager, pleading eyes, she couldn’t bring herself to refuse.
Just as she was almost convinced by Zhou Yunyun and ready to give in—
The dormitory auntie’s piercing voice echoed through the hallway from downstairs:
“Room 203—Lin Xiaojiao! Someone’s here to see you—!”
Lin Xiaojiao jolted.
The voice was as powerful as a landlady’s, and she hurriedly responded:
“Coming, coming!”
Wondering to herself, who could possibly be looking for her?
She slipped on her sandals and headed downstairs.