The night scene was like dark ink on a painting scroll, stars scattered throughout like embellishments, lending a poetic quality even to the sound of the wind. The handsome young man with refined features looked up earnestly at the awkward youth – viewing just this scene, it was a beautiful picture.

He Yan remained silent.

Xiao Jue spoke, his voice indifferent, “You’re He Yan?”

He Yan was shocked and blurted out, “Am I already that famous?”

In the military camp, she didn’t think she had performed well enough to catch the Governor’s attention. How did even Xiao Jue know about her now?

Xiao Jue gave a cold laugh, “Always last in weighted runs, can’t even draw a bow,” he looked down at He Yan’s head from his height, saying casually, “And so short. In the military camp, I can’t think of anyone else.”

He Yan: “…”

Still so… short…

For a moment, she seemed to return to their first meeting at Xian Chang Academy, when Xiao Jue’s four-word assessment of her was “stupid and short.”

Who would have thought that even with a different body, Xiao Jue’s assessment of her would still be the same? He was truly consistent, so arrogant, so unsympathetic. Looking at him this way, he showed less of the coldness that came with growing up, just like the brilliant but almost cruel youth in her memories.

He Yan naturally felt wronged. Truthfully, her height among women couldn’t be called “short.” It was only in the military camp full of burly men that she appeared as weak as a chick. But this wasn’t her fault. When she was He Yan before, she had been slightly taller than now, and later when He Rufei replaced her, nobody thought Flying Swan General was short. But now, she couldn’t exactly stuff padding in her shoes to appear taller.

As she was thinking, Xiao Jue unexpectedly stepped closer, making the distance between them somewhat inappropriate.

He Yan froze in place.

His eyes were exceptionally beautiful, clear, and gentle. When he looked down at her, it created an illusion, as if he were gazing at a lover. His skin was also very fair, appearing even more crystalline than Young Lady He’s, further highlighting his picturesque features. His black hair was tied up, falling on his shoulders, looking cool to the touch, carrying a faint scent of moon-scale fragrance that made one want to reach out and feel it.

He Yan thought that even the immortal riding a deer would probably turn away in shame upon seeing this person. No wonder so many women in the capital dreamed of this noble man – with such a face, one could never tire of looking at it.

“What are you thinking about?” he asked flatly.

“Thinking about what I could eat to become as beautiful as you,” He Yan answered.

His movements stiffened, and he stopped advancing as if having verified something. Looking away, he said, “How boring!”

He didn’t scold her? He Yan was surprised. She had thought Xiao Jue would use military orders to rebuke her, but then she realized – Xiao Jue hadn’t revealed his identity yet, so logically, she shouldn’t “know” who he was. Therefore, he could only act as a stranger who happened to catch her practicing.

“What’s boring about that?” He Yan blew at her bangs and spoke carelessly, “Everyone has an appreciation for beauty, after all.”

Xiao Jue’s body stilled, and he gave her a fixed look – a look as if he were seeing a dead person. He Yan fearlessly returned his gaze. Perhaps having never seen someone so reckless, Xiao Jue was also stunned for a moment. Then he seemed to laugh coldly before turning and striding away, leaving He Yan alone at the training ground.

He Yan discovered something.

Xiao Jue’s temperament had grown colder than before, but also better. In the past, angering him like this would have earned eight or ten unique sarcastic retorts, but now he merely glanced at her, unwilling to say more. Back then, she hadn’t dared to provoke Xiao Jue, but now this noble Second Young Master Xiao no longer deigned to engage in pointed exchanges like when he was young. Didn’t this mean she could freely annoy Xiao Jue to death, avenging the psychological trauma he had given her years ago?

Heaven was still fair, she thought. Here was a case of “the wheel of fortune turns, today it’s my turn.”

Very good.

…

After Xiao Jue left, He Yan practiced with the bow for another half hour, only returning to sleep when her arms became unbearably sore. The next morning, she woke up a bit late, with Xiao Mai pushing her: “Brother A’He, time to get up.”

He Yan finally opened her eyes.

Speaking of different bodies, they truly were different. In her previous youth, no matter how late she stayed up practicing swords, she could still be energetic for lectures the next day. Now, just staying up one night, and not even very late, left her whole body feeling uncomfortable.

Perhaps in her past life, she was destined for hardship, He Yan reflected.

Reflection aside, what needed to be done still had to be done. Today again they carried sandbags for running, and afterward, everyone naturally gathered with the recruits at the back of the training ground, preparing at yesterday’s archery location.

The bows had already been set up. Without the night’s coolness, the daylight was somewhat dazzling to the eyes. Instructor Liang stood beside the bows as recruits took turns trying them. Compared to yesterday, the new recruits weren’t as excited and agitated, and their technique was more stable. Fewer shots went wildly off-target – at least they were all aimed at the targets.

Hong Shan also took his turn, shooting better than yesterday. Shi Tou again won Instructor Liang’s praise. Though Xiao Mai’s strength was small, he wasn’t too bad, and with his brother Shi Tou’s guidance on the side, he showed clear improvement.

He Yan saw Wang Ba again.

Wang Ba walked forward unhurriedly. Before drawing the bow, he gave He Yan a contemptuous look. He Yan returned it with a smile, which seemed to anger him. He immediately darkened his face and drew the bow without thinking.

With a whoosh, the arrow flew through the air, piercing straight through the straw target, almost exactly like yesterday’s scene. The target tilted forward and fell over.

The surrounding recruits immediately applauded and cheered. People here always admired the strong.

Wang Ba put down the bow, walked up to He Yan, and said intimidatingly: “Your turn.” He deliberately raised his voice so everyone around could hear: “Yesterday you couldn’t draw the bow but said in front of everyone that you could do it today. Brother He Yan, today let us see how you draw the bow, how about it?”

At once, all eyes turned to He Yan.

Yesterday’s bow incident had made He Yan’s name known throughout the entire camp. Everyone knew there was a recruit under Instructor Liang who couldn’t even draw a bow yet dared to make bold claims. Now seeing the actual person, they all sized up He Yan, waiting for entertainment.

“Brother A’He…” Xiao Mai timidly pulled at her sleeve.

He Yan smiled at him and slowly stepped forward. Facing Wang Ba’s malicious smile, her expression was open, her tone humble, “How kind of you to remember my words so clearly.”

“Since you’re so eager to see, I’ll let you watch,” she said lightly.

The fan event ends today, I’m completely drained.