The phase assessment was divided into two main parts: the written exam and the physical fitness test. The fitness test, in turn, was broken down into three modules: basic training, combat, marksmanship, and mecha.
The written exam covered academic subjects. Before the test, Instructor Fu Siheng had specifically emphasized in the group chat that cheating was strictly forbidden.
As a result, after the exam, someone from Class 3 was actually caught cheating and received a score of zero.
Fu Siheng was called into the office by Qu Mengda for a “heart-to-heart” talk, and the news spread like wildfire in the Nightclub Group chat.
Yuezi-Lemon Sparkling Alpha: The cheater from Class 3 is fucking badass. I heard he almost got into a confrontation with Boss Gu.
Son of the Sea: Seriously? Who dares to challenge Boss Gu?
Linlin is not Yueyue: Oh my god, is it Instructor Fu’s class? I feel so bad for Instructor Fu orz
Juju has grown up again: hhh Linlin, do you have a crush on Instructor Fu? You get so active every time he’s mentioned.
Linlin is not Yueyue: 3 No!
Don’t Mess Around: …It’s not that he was challenging Gu Chongyang. It seems he just never got along with Zhao Zhifan, and Gu Chongyang deliberately singled him out.
Today’s Also Chongyang’s Licking Cat: Emmm, anyway, cheating is definitely wrong. Senior Gu is the chief examiner, so there’s nothing wrong with him catching him.
Don’t Mess Around: Sigh, in any case, I feel bad for Instructor Fu. His performance bonus will probably be docked.
Li Xiao-On Guard: Sigh, feel bad for Instructor Fu.
The student who got caught was named Shi Hongjun, the same guy who had mocked Zhao Zhifan at the training hall last time. He usually trained quite seriously, but his academic performance was uniquely poor.
Although he was caught cheating, the “cheat sheet” was actually just three formulas taped together, none of which were even used in any of the exam questions.
Fu Siheng spoke to the Dean in his office for a long time before he managed to prevent the student from being disqualified from the rest of his exams.
After leaving the office, Shi Hongjun lowered his head and said to him, “Thank you, Instructor. I’m sorry I made you lose face.”
Fu Siheng threw the document folder directly at him, showing a rare flash of anger. “Are you stupid? You don’t even know Warner’s gravity coefficient? And you still tried to make a cheat sheet?”
Shi Hongjun: “…That tape actually belonged to the guy behind me. I just happened to turn around and borrow it when the proctor caught me.”
Fu Siheng paused mid-step. “So you weren’t the one cheating? Why didn’t you say so in the office?”
Shi Hongjun scratched his head. “That buddy of mine is trying to win a scholarship this semester. His family’s in a bad spot; he can’t afford to fail.”
Fu Siheng shook his head. Someone who needs a cheat sheet for gravity coefficients is trying for a scholarship? He can only fool a big oaf like this guy.
He took the envelope back. “Tell him to come see me after his exam. Don’t let this distract you; don’t screw up the physical test this afternoon.”
“Yes, Instructor!” Shi Hongjun’s eyes lit up as he shouted, relieved that Fu Siheng had dropped the matter.
The physical tests were scheduled for one more day than the academic ones. This afternoon, they would be tested on the two basic events: a five-kilometer weighted run and tactical drills. Combat modules and other specialties wouldn’t be tested until tomorrow.
After lunch, Fu Siheng planned to rest for a while before personally supervising the training ground that afternoon.
The other two instructors in the office had already gone back to their dorms to sleep, claiming their spines were too bad to go without a bed.
Fu Siheng drew the curtains shut, sat down in his chair, and began scrolling through his communicator.
Yan Xun had sent another string of messages, first asking how the cheating incident had been handled, then worrying that Fu Siheng was too upset to eat. He was rambling on, more naggy than Fu Siheng’s own mother, Chen Man.
In their chat history, Yan Xun did most of the talking, mostly about trivial matters.
When Fu Siheng was in a good mood, he would reply with a two-word message. When he wasn’t, he simply ignored him.
Ever since they had discussed the “Excellence Plan” last time, Yan Xun had never brought it up again. Instead, he had become much more attentive.
Fu Siheng didn’t know what was on Yan Xun’s mind, but his endless pile of work left him with no mental energy to speculate. Besides, they were just casual acquaintances now; there was no need to waste any effort on him.
He looked at Yan Xun’s latest message asking how his morning had gone, sighed, and turned off the communicator to prepare for his nap.
Just then, the screen lit up again.
Linlin is not Yueyue: Instructor Fu, are you in your office? I’ve brought you some rock sugar and pear soup!
Fu Siheng froze. He stood up and pulled back the curtains, only to see Lin Yue walking toward the building, carrying a bag.
Lately, Lin Yue had been popping up in front of him constantly, using every excuse he could find. He’d either be trailing after Shi Yuanyang like a little shadow or bringing him all sorts of snacks and treats. Shi Yuanyang said he’d even gone to the cafeteria and specially begged the staff to make them.
Fu Siheng, of course, knew exactly what Lin Yue was trying to do. He’d dropped him several hints, both subtle and not so subtle, but Lin Yue seemed to turn a deaf ear and just kept at it.
Usually, whenever Lin Yue showed up at the Command Academy, Fu Siheng would have the other Class One instructors cover for him so he could hide far away. He’d already been teased about it several times.
But today, he was the only one in the office. There was nowhere to hide.
Soon enough, there was a knock at the door.
Enduring a splitting headache, Fu Siheng walked over and opened it.
Lin Yue peeked his head in, his eyes crinkling into a smile. “Instructor Fu, you’re still awake! I made you some snow pear soup.”
He lifted the insulated bag in his hand and gave it a little shake. “You’ve been overseeing the assessments these past few days and talking a lot. Your throat must be sore.”
Fu Siheng had tried refusing his gifts once before. Lin Yue’s eyes had immediately welled up with tears, and he’d turned away slowly, looking exactly like an abandoned puppy.
As an instructor and a friend of his Senior Brother, Fu Siheng couldn’t bear to let him go running to Shi Yuanyang to complain in such a pitiful state. He had no choice but to accept the gift.
“Thanks for your trouble.” He took the ice pack, with no intention of letting Lin Yue inside.
An empty office, a man and another man, it didn’t look right.
Just as he was about to close the door, the elevator around the corner chimed.
Sensing his intention, Lin Yue quickly grabbed the hem of his shirt. “Instructor Fu, how did the matter from this morning turn out? It didn’t cause you any trouble, did it?”
Fu Siheng just wanted to get rid of him quickly and didn’t pay attention to the movement by the elevator. He replied casually, “It’s fine, don’t worry about it. You should go back and rest. If I remember correctly, you have an exam this afternoon, right?”
Lin Yue said joyfully, “You actually knew we have an exam this afternoon! Okay, I’ll do my best on it!”
Fu Siheng thought to himself, The whole school has exams, alright? Of course I know.
He nodded, but out of the corner of his eye, he saw a figure standing stiffly around the corner.
He looked up and saw Yan Xun staring at them with a face full of indignation, as if he had witnessed some shocking and unforgivable scene.
Fu Siheng froze for a moment, then immediately shook off Lin Yue’s hand from his shirt hem.
Lin Yue followed his gaze and said, his face flushing with surprise, “Senior Yan, are you here on business?”
Yan Xun never expected this. Fu Siheng had ignored him all morning, not replying to his messages or calls, leaving him so worried that he had been listless the entire morning.
During the lunch break, Yan Xun couldn’t stop worrying. He rushed over to check on Fu Siheng, only to find the man actually chatting up an Omega!
It was one thing to ignore him, but Fu Siheng was actually taking the time to answer the Omega’s questions, even letting him tug on his clothes!
Yan Xun’s inner world exploded into a million pieces, his fragile heart shattering on the ground.
Fuck, fuck, fuck! He wanted to hit someone! He wanted to throw that Omega out!
He glared at the two of them for a few seconds, then turned and stormed off.
Lin Yue looked surprised, muttering, “What’s wrong with Senior Yan?”
Fu Siheng remained silent. He rubbed his temples and said, “Don’t mind him. You can go back now.”
Reluctantly, Lin Yue obeyed and left.
The afternoon’s basic test was held on the sports field, with all three classes participating together.
The star’s light shone down on the earth as a group of Alphas gathered.
Three sun umbrellas were set up around the track, with tables underneath stocked with bottled water, glucose drinks, and other supplies, and a resting area for the examiners and instructors.
The examiners for Class One and Class Two had already arrived. Yi Fengbei waved at Fu Siheng from a few meters away, but Yan Xun turned his back, refusing to even glance in their direction.
Due to the large number of students, the test was conducted by class, starting with Class One and proceeding in order to Class Three.
Before long, Class One had already begun their assessment.
Yi Fengbei ran over to the tent for Class Two to chat with Yan Xun, glancing back at Class Three’s group several times as he spoke.
Fu Siheng checked his watch. Class Two’s assessment was due to start in ten minutes, yet Gu Chongyang, the instructor responsible for their class, was nowhere to be seen.
Only when every student from Class Two had taken their positions did a figure with long legs finally saunter over.
The students, all already wearing their numbered vests and carrying their rifles and weighted packs, waited with eager anticipation.
Gu Chongyang had short, chestnut-brown hair and wore a black tactical uniform. His tall, lean frame seemed to be about the same height as Yan Xun’s.
As he drew closer, Fu Siheng finally got a clear look at his face.
Well, he thought, the rumors were right. He really is handsome. Gu Chongyang had pale skin, a brooding gaze, and a striking black mole at the corner of his eye. His expression was one of pure boredom.
Fu Siheng vaguely understood why Yan Xun couldn’t stand him. It was likely a case of opposites repelling, two fiercely independent spirits bound to clash.
Gu Chongyang walked up to him and offered a relatively polite greeting: “Hello, Instructor.” His voice was lazy, yet held a crisp, cool edge.
“Mm. Just call me Instructor Fu,” Fu Siheng replied, his tone flat.
“Instructor Fu,” Gu Chongyang raised an eyebrow. “So you’re Fu Siheng.”
Fu Siheng met his gaze, sensing the scrutiny in his eyes.
A nearby student gasped, seemingly taken aback by Gu Chongyang addressing him so directly by name.
Yan Xun also glanced over. He had stopped paying attention to what Yi Fengbei was saying the moment Gu Chongyang appeared.
Just as Fu Siheng was wondering what he wanted to say, Gu Chongyang extended his hand, a polite smile on his lips. “Hello, I’m Gu Chongyang, a third-year student at the Research Institute. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Instructor Fu.”
The other students stared, dumbfounded.
This was the first time Fu Siheng had encountered a student who didn’t salute him, but instead sought a handshake. However, he found nothing wrong with it and extended his own hand to meet the other’s.
Though it was summer, Gu Chongyang’s hand was cold and rough, a degree colder than his own. The deep lines on his palm felt slightly scratchy against Fu Siheng’s skin.
Yan Xun’s eyes were wide, his gaze fixed on them without blinking.
Gu Chongyang’s lips curved into a smile. He ignored Yan Xun, his eyes instead sweeping over Fu Siheng’s figure.
The exam for Class Two had already begun. Fu Siheng walked to a table and poured some of the rock sugar and pear soup Lin Yue had given him into a cup.
He had indeed been talking too much these past few days; his throat felt like it was on fire.
As he raised the cup to his lips, he suddenly felt the light beside him dim.
Gu Chongyang’s voice sounded right by his ear: “What’s this? It smells so good, Instructor Fu.”
He spoke the first half of the sentence softly, but his tone grew heavier for the last two phrases, making it sound as if he were commenting on how good Fu Siheng smelled.
The student’s jaw nearly dropped. He pulled out his communicator and started typing furtively.
Fu Siheng didn’t like strangers getting too close. Just as he was frowning, wishing the man would back off, he looked up and saw Yan Xun running over, gloves already off.