The intensity of the military training was no joke, and coupled with the sweltering heat, not only the girls but even many of the boys were groaning in discomfort.
“It’s so hot, I’m about to be roasted into jerky.”
“I want to go home, lie on the couch with the AC on and eat ice cream.”
“Yeah, I’m craving ice cream too. Oh, there’s this one shop with amazing frozen treats, what’s it called again?”
“Is it that ROES place? Their stuff isn’t cheap, a small box costs over a hundred bucks. Better forget it…”
During the break, the students chattered away.
“What should I do? I’m about to be scorched,” Cao Lin leaned against Jiang Chen, listless.
“You should thank the sun for giving you a chance to roast off that layer of fat. Consider it free weight loss,” Zhang Meng chimed in.
“You!!” Cao Lin flipped over and lunged at Zhang Meng, and the two ‘fought’ playfully.
“Hang in there a little longer. Once we’re done, we’ll go get ice cream,” Jiang Chen wiped her sweat and comforted with a smile.
At that moment, Du Cheng, who had been chatting with a few male classmates, looked up. “The weather really is brutal. Everyone, hold on a little longer. After today’s final drill, I’ll treat everyone to cold drinks.”
Hearing Du Cheng’s words, the students immediately perked up.
“Wow, Brother Du, you’re the best!”
“Thank you, Brother Du! You’re practically my real brother!”
“Enough with the flattery,” Du Cheng grinned mischievously. “Give it your all during the final drill later! Otherwise, no treats.”
“Got it!”
With the temptation of delicious food, the group performed exceptionally well during the final drill that day, securing a solid victory.
“Brother Du, we were pretty awesome, right? Time to keep your promise?” A group of eager girls surrounded Du Cheng.
“Don’t worry, not only will I treat you to cold drinks, how about adding dinner too?” Du Cheng laughed.
“Wow!! That’s my Brother Du for you!”
“Brother Du is the best!”
Du Cheng glanced around as if searching for something.
Suddenly, his gaze settled. “You, come with me.”
“Me?” Jiang Chen pointed at herself, confused.
“We’re buying a lot this time. Classmate Jiang, give me a hand.”
Du Cheng’s car was a dark-colored Hummer.
“Get in,” he casually opened the car door for Jiang Chen.
Alone together, for some reason, Jiang Chen felt a bit uneasy.
Silence filled the entire ride.
“ROES?” Standing at the shop entrance, Jiang Chen froze for a moment.
“What are you standing there for?” Du Cheng pushed the door open.
“Hello, ten of each flavor, please.”
“Buying this much?” Jiang Chen’s eyes widened. “This place is expensive, one serving costs over a hundred! Are you crazy? Are you trying to go broke?”
“So talkative,” Du Cheng muttered softly, pulling out his wallet. “Add one strawberry ice cream cake to shut her up.”
“You!”
The server stifled a laugh, while Jiang Chen’s face flushed with ‘anger.’
She accidentally caught a glimpse of Du Cheng’s fluffy wallet, and a mischievous smile curled at the corner of her lips.
“Instructor Du, I never expected your wallet to be so cute. So you like capybaras too.”
Sure enough, Du Cheng froze for a moment before quickly hiding the wallet behind his back.
“I, I… this is… I found it.”
“That can’t be right. I remember this is the butt-exposing capybara design, a limited edition that’s really hard to get.”
“I… I…”
Du Cheng was thoroughly embarrassed, stammering “I” for a long time without managing to explain himself.
“The strawberry ice cream cake is ready. Would you like it to go or to eat here?” the server asked.
“We’ll eat here,” Du Cheng said, glaring “fiercely” at Jiang Chen. “Get your own cake—don’t expect me to help you!”
“It’s so delicious!” After just one bite, Jiang Chen’s eyes sparkled.
“Have more,” Du Cheng said with a smile. “This shop’s cakes are really good. I’ve always liked them.”
“I’m sorry for making you spend money,” Jiang Chen said, feeling a bit embarrassed.
Du Cheng waved his hand dismissively. “No need to be polite. Consider it my way of apologizing.”
“Apologizing? For what?”
Du Cheng seemed conflicted. After hesitating for a moment, he stammered, “After all, it was my fault that day for making you suffer heatstroke. I’ve been feeling guilty about it.”
Jiang Chen was taken aback.
She looked up at the boy in front of her, his handsome face slightly flushed and his hands fidgeting nervously. A warm feeling surged in her heart.
“Actually, I was at fault too,” she said, smiling as she shook the small fork in her hand. “The strawberries are sweet, and the cake is soft. Thank you.”
When she smiled, her gaze softened, and her already beautiful features became even more radiant.
Du Cheng stared, mesmerized.
It wasn’t until a fair hand waved in front of his eyes that he snapped out of his daze.
“Why are you staring at me like that?”
“Stupid, you idiot,” Du Cheng exclaimed, leaping up from his seat and nearly knocking over the table. He retorted loudly, “Isn’t it because you’re so clumsy? You even got cake on your face while eating! How ugly!”
“Alright, hurry up and take the ice cream. The others are waiting impatiently,” he said, pushing open the shop door and rushing out on his own.
“That guy has such a weird temper!”
Jiang Chen gritted her teeth in frustration.
At the time, she was too busy being angry to notice the bright blush on the tips of Du Cheng’s ears.
“Don’t fall asleep! Confess honestly—what did you and Du Cheng do during those two hours alone together?”
In the dormitory, it was already lights-out time, but Cao Lin insisted on squeezing onto Jiang Chen’s bed for a “strict interrogation,” refusing to let it go.
“We didn’t do anything. Sis, it’s already eleven, and we have training tomorrow. Can you please spare me?” Jiang Chen yawned repeatedly, “begging for mercy.”
“I have a feeling Du Cheng likes you,” Cao Lin said.
Even Yang Ying, who usually avoided “gossip,” joined in. “Du Cheng is handsome, comes from a good family, and has a great personality. I think he’s a good match for Jiang Chen. I support them.”
Zhang Meng nodded in agreement. “Don’t talk nonsense,” Jiang Chen said, both annoyed and amused. “He just feels guilty about the heatstroke incident and wanted to make it up to me. That’s all.”
“That’s all?” Cao Lin’s “gossip” radar immediately activated. She nudged Jiang Chen playfully and said with a sly smile, “Even though I really like Du Cheng, if the two of you got together, I’d step aside and sincerely wish you both the best.”
“Du Cheng may be a rich second-generation heir, but our Jiang Chen isn’t lacking either. We all saw her brother that day—so noble and elegant, clearly from a wealthy or prestigious background. Our Jiang Chen is a rich young lady, more than a match for Du Cheng,” Yang Ying asserted confidently.
It felt like a bucket of cold water had been poured over her.
These past few days, she had almost forgotten about that man.
“Alright, it’s getting late. Let’s go to sleep,” Jiang Chen urged softly.
“Shy, you must be shy!” Cao Lin teased with a mischievous laugh. “Alright, I’ll let you off tonight, but we’ll continue tomorrow.”
Jiang Chen didn’t respond, pulling the blanket over her head.
That man’s eyes and his playful smile surfaced in her mind once more. This weekend, she would be going back—she would have to face that man again.
A chill ran down her spine.