A kiss couldn’t last too long.

This wasn’t their first kiss.

They had shared deeper kisses before, but this one caused such a flutter – a contradictory feeling that was both alluring and comforting.

Previously, Zhou Cheng felt Xia Xiaolan’s heart was drifting, but this time he truly caught hold of a piece of it.

Just a piece – why not all of it?

Because Xia Xiaolan’s heart held other things, and she hoped he could make room for other things too. They should enjoy their time together while also managing their separate lives well. Though inexperienced in love, she was willing to learn how to be a qualified girlfriend.

Not neglecting her boyfriend and then trying to compensate with material things.

It wasn’t about how much money was spent.

A relationship involves two people – Zhou Cheng shouldn’t be the only one putting in effort.

Zhou Cheng had always been chasing after her, naturally feeling insecure. Sometimes he didn’t need to chase; he could wait for her, and if Xia Xiaolan found herself moving too fast, she could run back to him.

She told Zhou Cheng honestly what she wanted, like having no marriage plans during her time at Huaqing.

And Zhou Cheng should tell her what he wanted too.

Both should listen to each other’s thoughts, seek common ground while reserving differences, and even argue if they can’t reach an agreement.

“Small arguments are a form of communication, just no cold war! Like when you didn’t reply to my letter, I thought you weren’t even willing to discuss it, just focused on settling down with a wife and kids… And during military training, I know you’re concerned about appearances, but admit it – weren’t you deliberately being cold to me?”

Xia Xiaolan was still angry about that bowl of porridge – Zhou Cheng’s impartial iron-rooster act, counting each grain of rice as he ladled it out!

Zhou Cheng chuckled quietly, finding it novel and adorable that Xiaolan was fussing over such small things. Like when she got jealous of Gao Fei and unreasonably pinched his waist.

“I was worried about affecting you badly, otherwise I would’ve brought you food already. Tomorrow’s rest day – what would you like to eat? I’ll buy it for you, okay?”

Reason told Zhou Cheng he had been talking with Xia Xiaolan for too long.

But he selfishly wanted to spend more time with her.

Military training had one rest day per week when they could use the army’s bathhouses and leave the base for a day. Xia Xiaolan knew Yang Yonghong was ecstatic, repeatedly discussing with dormmates about possibly visiting home. Military bases were usually in suburban areas, including the Artillery Guidance Regiment. Going out would only reach the township market – could they find transportation for Yang Yonghong to get home?

Speaking of food, Xia Xiaolan felt hungry.

“I want meat – buy lots of meat, I’ll share with my roommates!”

They all knew she had a boyfriend now, so Zhou Cheng treating them to meat would seem normal. Though they couldn’t reveal their relationship during training, it wouldn’t matter back at school.

Having just agreed to be a qualified girlfriend, she was already familiar with Zhou Cheng’s friends Kang Wei and Shao Guangrong.

Her friends… well, she hadn’t made like-minded friends yet, so her roommates would do for now, letting Zhou Cheng into her social circle.

They talked a while longer before reluctantly parting.

As soon as Xia Xiaolan left, Zhou Cheng’s expression changed: “Whoever’s hiding there, come out!”

Rustling sounds – did they think he couldn’t hear?

Zhou Cheng drew his gun and loaded it. From the barracks wall emerged Ji Jiangyuan, hands raised high.

“Instructor, this is a misunderstanding.”

How could he have known he’d witness the Chief Instructor’s romance with Xia Xiaolan?

He initially thought Xia Xiaolan was reporting something to Zhou Cheng and planned to leave after they finished. The main group was having a singing competition on the training ground, men’s and women’s training companies singing enthusiastically, the noise so loud Ji Jiangyuan couldn’t hear Zhou Cheng and Xia Xiaolan’s conversation.

But when they kissed at the end, Ji Jiangyuan wasn’t blind – he naturally understood their relationship.

So, Xia Xiaolan’s boyfriend was Instructor Zhou?

Ji Jiangyuan had accidentally made noise, thinking it was covered by the singing, but hadn’t expected Zhou Cheng to be so alert.

Seeing it was him, Zhou Cheng was also speechless.

“Student Ji Jiangyuan, you left formation without permission…”

Ji Jiangyuan wore an expression like he’d eaten something awful.

Could the instructor have some shame? One moment being intimate with a Huaqing student, the next acting so formally.

“Instructor Zhou, love is free. I’m not a gossip – this is your privacy, I’ll keep it secret!”

…

Xia Xiaolan sneaked back to camp. Su Jing pulled her aside:

“Where did you go? The instructor just took attendance. I said you were in the bathroom – don’t slip up!”

Xia Xiaolan was touched: “Good sister, I’ll treat you to meat tomorrow on a rest day.”

Hearing “meat,” Su Jing swallowed hungrily. Everyone was eating simply now. Though Su Jing was from Beijing, her family didn’t eat meat daily. After a week of military training with such high-intensity exercise, everyone wanted something more substantial.

At the mention of meat, Lu Xiujiao stopped singing.

“Is the nearby market far?”

“Of course not, just a few li away.”

Lu Xiujiao turned to ask Ning Xue, “Want to go together tomorrow?”

Ning Xue shook her head. “You go ahead, I want to rest for a day.”

The training intensity these days made it hard for Ning Xue to keep up. Though she could physically endure, she had no time to study after training. Ning Xue firmly believed that learning was like rowing upstream – without moving forward you fall behind. Without 120% effort, don’t expect 100% success.

She didn’t want to visit any market.

She could endure the poor food.

She wanted to quietly work on her drawings.

Lu Xiujiao complained a bit before dropping it. Xia Xiaolan guessed Ning Xue’s thoughts – living together, she often saw Ning Xue with her drawing tools, probably itching to use them. Such dedication and effort – no wonder she achieved her current success.

Xia Xiaolan felt a bit guilty.

Military training, living and eating together, forced everyone into close quarters. She learned so much from those around her.

Supposedly after rest day, new students faced harsher tests – besides practicing formations, there would be field training, shooting assessments, physical fitness tests… Each assessment would be scored, and combined with overall performance during training, they would select “Outstanding Military Camp Graduate” representatives.

Previously, Xia Xiaolan hadn’t cared much about these things.

After several days of training, she discovered that with enough dedication to any task, you’d gain most people’s recognition!

Everyone else at training was interested in becoming an “Outstanding Military Camp Graduate.” Xia Xiaolan felt motivated too – her sweat wasn’t fake. Both “Outstanding Graduate” and “Outstanding Class” would earn bonus points back at school.

No one wanted to give up these opportunities – why admit defeat before even competing?