Jiang Ting also noticed the strange looks directed at them. He put down his utensils and swept his cold gaze across everyone in the room. Instinctively, everyone lowered their heads and began shoveling food into their mouths.
Wen Jiaojiao: “…”
What was that supposed to mean?
“Eat. Why are you all staring at me?” Jiang Ting asked, his imposing gaze carrying a hint of teasing.
“Oh. You should eat too, sir.” Wen Jiaojiao hurriedly lowered her head and stuffed rice into her mouth.
Because her head was lowered, she failed to notice the smile in his eyes. From Jiang Ting’s angle, he could see the girl’s slender, fair neck and her pretty face above it, flushed with a faint pink glow. She looked like a peach that had just ripened, making him want to lean over and take a bite.
His throat moved almost imperceptibly. Jiang Ting quickly withdrew his gaze and concentrated on his meal.
They were halfway through lunch when Zhang Shaobing rushed into the dining hall, sweat covering his forehead.
When he saw that the regimental commander was having lunch with his future sister-in-law, his mouth, which had just opened, immediately snapped shut.
The two had known each other for over a decade, and Jiang Ting knew something was wrong as soon as he saw him like this. He quickly finished the rest of his meal and said, “Take your time eating, I have to go.”
Wen Jiaojiao nodded blankly. “Go ahead and take care of your business.”
Jiang Ting looked at her one last time before striding away.
It wasn’t until the two men disappeared from sight that the lively atmosphere in the dining hall returned. Everyone began whispering and gossiping about Wen Jiaojiao.
Some were surprised and impressed. Others were envious. But most were laughing at her overconfidence, waiting to see her make a fool of herself.
That was the notoriously cold-faced “Yama King,” after all. What woman would dare approach him?
If this new military beauty really managed to win over the Yama King, all they could do was sigh at the old saying: even the bravest hero can be defeated by a beautiful woman.
During the final week of training, Meng Weiguo never showed up again. They heard that he had gone on a mission. Liu Xiaocui looked forward to seeing him every day, but unfortunately…
The sun rose over the horizon.
Standing at attention with his legs apart, the instructor faced the new recruits and announced, “Today is the final day of training. The assessment begins now!”
As soon as the whistle blew, the recruits began their final assessment. The main focus was on physical fitness.
Those who passed would be allowed to remain in the army. Those who failed would have to pack their belongings and go home.
Fortunately, the assessment wasn’t particularly difficult. As long as they had trained diligently during the past few weeks, most people could pass.
Except for Wen Lili, who was still bedridden and recovering, every new recruit who took part in the assessment passed.
The instructor nodded in satisfaction at the result.
“Very good. None of you embarrassed me.”
“Since you performed so well, I’ll give you some good news. You’re off this afternoon and tomorrow. You’re free to do whatever you want.”
“Ah! That’s wonderful!”
The news immediately sent the recruits into cheers.
Finally, they wouldn’t have to walk around filthy and sweaty every day!
The formation instantly scattered, everyone rushing back to the dormitory to grab their washbasins and head to the bathhouse. Watching the recruits immediately reveal their true selves, the instructors could only shake their heads helplessly.
Their torment was finally over, too.
“I can’t take it anymore. I need to shower right now!” Zhang Shaoying dashed back to the dormitory in a few quick steps and grabbed her washbasin and a change of clothes.
“Wait for us!” Wen Jiaojiao called out.
Their bodies were dirty and exhausted. If they didn’t shower soon, they were afraid they would start smelling sour.
They quickly gathered their toiletries and found the only clean set of clothes they had. Wen Jiaojiao planned to come back after her shower and wash her military uniform as well.
She had been too lazy to wash it yesterday, so today she had to wash two sets.
Wu Qin was a little slower. She had more things to use when bathing. By the time the girls finished getting ready and reached the bathhouse, it was already packed with people.
Zhang Shaoying complained, “I told you to hurry up! Why does everyone move so slowly? Look how many people there are now. Who knows how long we’ll have to wait!”
She exercised a lot every day and was naturally prone to sweating. It was the end of July, and everyone was still wearing short sleeves. Sweat mixed with dirt and rolled down their bodies.
How could anyone stand it?
The bathhouse was far too crowded. Even after the first group finished washing, they were reluctant to leave, staying in the bath and chatting with others. Meanwhile, more and more people continued squeezing inside, making it nearly impossible to bathe.
Zhang Shaoying suggested, “Since we’re off this afternoon, why don’t we go outside and take a shower?”
Wang Xiaomei hesitated. “It’s more expensive outside than here.”
Zhang Shaoying rolled her eyes. “It can’t cost that much more. If you want to wait here, then go ahead. Who’s coming with me?”
Wen Jiaojiao smelled herself and gritted her teeth.
“I’m coming with you.”
There were simply too many people inside. Even if it was eventually her turn, she probably wouldn’t feel comfortable stripping completely naked in front of dozens of people.
Wu Qin agreed to go outside as well. Seeing that everyone else was going, Wang Xiaomei decided to follow the majority. Besides, she really was filthy.
The four girls carried their clothes and toiletries toward the main gate. Just as they reached it, a military-green off-road vehicle drove toward them.
The four of them stepped aside to let the vehicle pass first.
Unexpectedly, the vehicle stopped at the gate.
Zhang Shaobing stuck his head out of the window.
“Where are you going?”
Zhang Shaoying replied, “We’re off today, so we’re going out for a walk.”
Seeing that each of them was carrying a small bag and that they were all covered in dirt, Zhang Shaobing guessed, “You’re going outside to take a shower?”
Zhang Shaoying rolled her eyes. “You already figured it out, so why ask? What, do you want to come with us?”
The moment he heard his sister’s cheeky remark, Zhang Shaobing’s face darkened.
“Are you even a proper young lady? Watch what you say!”
“Just go. Come back early.”
With that, he started the vehicle again.
As the car passed them, Wen Jiaojiao finally noticed Jiang Ting sitting in the passenger seat through the window.
His gaze was fixed on her, as if he had been looking at her the entire time.
Surely that was just her imagination?
After parking the vehicle, Zhang Shaobing was still frowning.
“Commander, why is my sister so different from other girls?”
Jiang Ting replied calmly, “That’s just how Yingzi is. Haven’t you gotten used to it yet?”
Zhang Shaobing felt a headache coming on.
“Whether I’m used to it or not isn’t important. I’m worried my future brother-in-law won’t be able to get used to her.”
“Someone like Sister-in-law has a much better personality. She’s gentle and soft-spoken. Just standing there is pleasing to the eye.”
Jiang Ting stopped mid-step.
He turned around with a frown.
“Sister-in-law?”
Zhang Shaobing gave a mischievous grin.
“Wen Jiaojiao, of course. Commander, you can’t seriously say you’re not interested in Comrade Wen Jiaojiao, can you?”
They weren’t on a mission this month, yet he had already wandered over to the cultural troupe two or three times.
And he still dared to claim he had no ulterior motives?
Jiang Ting didn’t answer the question. Instead, his sharp black eyes turned cold.
“Pleasing to the eye?”
Realizing what he had said, the corners of Zhang Shaobing’s mouth twitched.
“My mistake. I didn’t phrase that properly!”
“But Commander, why are you taking your time? Sister-in-law is so beautiful. What if Meng Weiguo snatches her away?”
At the mention of Meng Weiguo, Jiang Ting’s sharply defined handsome face turned cold.
“He won’t be able to.”
Walking behind him, Zhang Shaobing’s mouth twitched.
“Commander, I may not be as good as you in other areas, but when it comes to relationships, you’d better listen to me. When it comes to fighting the enemy, you have to be fast, ruthless, and decisive. The same goes for pursuing a woman—you have to make the first move.”
“Comrade Wen Jiaojiao is outstanding, and Meng Weiguo has already set his sights on her. Meanwhile, you’re so busy that you barely see her once a month. Now you’re even being sent out on another mission.”
“Even if you manage to keep Meng Weiguo away, aren’t you worried that someone else will take advantage of your absence while you’re gone?”