Zhou Cheng was completely bewildered.
This investigation had been all thunder and no rain, ending as abruptly as it began, leaving him puzzled.
He returned to the group camp carrying his personal belongings. The chattering trainees immediately fell silent, as if someone had hit pause. After two or three seconds, people began speaking again, regarding Zhou Cheng with a mix of curiosity, scrutiny, and distance.
Zhou Cheng had just accomplished a major achievement before suddenly being placed under isolated investigation.
Rumors flew everywhere, suggesting Zhou Cheng’s accurate judgment came from dealing with smuggling groups.
No one knew who started these detailed rumors.
Zhou Cheng was indeed very young, and some people preferred to believe he had “cheated” rather than admit his genuine capabilities.
Otherwise, wouldn’t that make the older trainees look useless in comparison?
Only Shi Kai, the trainee whom Zhou Cheng had saved by taking a bullet in his thigh, spoke up loudly:
“Squad Leader Zhou, how’s your leg wound?”
During Zhou Cheng’s isolated investigation, the wound on his thigh had just started to scab over.
Whatever others might say, Zhou Cheng had taken that bullet for him, and Shi Kai remembered this debt of gratitude!
Zhou Cheng was startled. Shi Kai still called him Squad Leader and mentioned his injury in front of everyone, trying to bring him back into the trainee circle and prevent others from distancing themselves.
The old Zhou Cheng would have proudly refused, believing the truth would eventually come out, disdaining any explanation!
But the current Zhou Cheng had grown. This was Shi Kai’s way of showing concern.
“The scar’s even gone now. Everything’s fine, thanks for asking!”
Zhou Cheng responded energetically, appearing completely unaffected by the isolated investigation. His casual attitude encouraged other trainees to start talking to him again.
Zhou Cheng truly didn’t mind, even asking them about how many missions they’d completed.
During his isolation period, the trainees had been on another mission, this time with naval support:
“We only caught small fry, nothing like the big fish from last time.”
“We need Squad Leader Zhou’s expertise…”
“Squad Leader Zhou, will you join the next mission?”
Someone finally asked the most important question – would Zhou Cheng participate in the next mission? In other words, did the higher-ups still trust him? What were the investigation’s findings?
“That depends on the academy’s arrangements. How would Squad Leader Zhou know?” Shi Kai jumped in again to defend Zhou Cheng.
Zhou Cheng appreciated Shi Kai’s support, but seeing others’ probing looks, he knew he had to face this himself.
He addressed the issue directly:
“The isolated investigation is over, and of course, I want to rejoin everyone in combat as soon as possible. But as Comrade Shi Kai said, as soldiers we must follow orders. I’ll abide by the academy’s arrangements!”
Being sidelined was unavoidable.
This investigation had come mysteriously and ended roughly; Zhou Cheng could only express his stance.
His words earned nods from other trainees.
The investigation had ended without disciplinary action, so the rumors about collusion with smugglers must be false.
He’d originally earned merit, only to face this unfair ordeal. Fortunately, Zhou Cheng’s psychological resilience was good – he still appeared cheerful rather than depressed!
Setting aside his pride, Zhou Cheng easily blended back in with the group.
The isolation had forced him to spend time with only books for company, developing his patience. He wasn’t in a hurry – what was meant to be his would come, whether mission opportunities or deserved merit… It might take longer, but it would happen. He had promised Xiaolan he would become more outstanding.
Just two years – they would pass quickly.
Somehow, though reason told him Xiaolan couldn’t know about his isolated investigation – even if she visited the Army Academy, they would make excuses or simply cite regulations.
Despite logic, Zhou Cheng felt he wasn’t alone during his isolation.
The cold words and symbols in books felt like Xiaolan’s company.
Bah, that sounded ominous – the isolation must have made him foolish.
Most frustratingly, even after the investigation ended, Zhou Cheng still couldn’t contact Beijing. This rule wasn’t just for him; every trainee had to comply.
Zhou Cheng kept a book under his pillow, wondering what Xiaolan was doing now.
Finals were coming – was she reviewing?
…
Xia Xiaolan wasn’t studying.
She had been cornered by Du Zhaohui.
The wealthy young man scrutinized her as if assessing her value.
“Xia Xiaolan, since you won’t accept the Chengrong Group’s job offer, have you considered becoming a star in Hong Kong? Hong Kong actresses are different from mainland actresses – they don’t live on fixed salaries. What use is studying architecture? How many world-famous female architects are there? You’re wasting your talent—”
Du Zhaohui looked down on Xia Xiaolan’s major.
This wealthy heir probably looked down on many things.
Xiaolan had planned to ignore him, forgiving his arrogance considering his recent 5-million donation to Huaqing University. But suggesting she become an actress in Hong Kong – his intentions weren’t good!
“Go to Hong Kong to act, become a star, end up as a poor victim forced to act by gangsters, become a plaything for wealthy businessmen – that wouldn’t be choosing the wrong path?”
Xiaolan’s tone was full of mockery.
The Hong Kong entertainment industry of the 1980s was no good place!
Even if she had been reborn in Hong Kong, she wouldn’t choose to rely on her looks for entertainment. Using her brain remained the best choice.
Hong Kong’s 1980s were only slightly better than the ’70s in terms of security, but still rife with triads. Even future superstars were forced to act by gangs – Xiaolan didn’t think she could escape that fate.
Female stars had it worse than male stars. Beyond forced acting, they faced sexual assault, kidnapping, and compromising photos – unless they had powerful backing, these were unavoidable experiences… The best outcome was becoming a wealthy man’s plaything, a high-class socialite.
Du Zhaohui’s suggestion was vicious!
Du Zhaohui hadn’t expected Xiaolan to understand Hong Kong’s situation so well, leaving him speechless. But with the Du family’s backing, who would dare force Xiaolan to act?
He finally confirmed that Xiaolan truly had no interest in Hong Kong, nor any intention of accepting young master Du’s help or maintaining connections with Xia Dajun.
Young Master Du found it interesting – she wouldn’t take the shortcut, but what did she think she could achieve through hard work?
She seemed smart, just inflexible, with an untimely sense of “pride.” Was this common among mainland university students, or was Xiaolan special? A girl who could be called a beauty naturally caught Young Master Du’s attention, but his interest wasn’t the kind of love at first sight between a man and woman.
Seeing an attractive kitten or puppy, Young Master Du felt like playing with it, but unexpectedly it had such a fierce temperament – didn’t that make it stand out among the many pets?
Du Zhaohui wasn’t a good person, but rather a malicious troublemaker.
When people didn’t follow his wishes, it always made him extremely agitated.