Page 31

On the broad avenue leading to the new recruits’ company in Division Z, four military vehicles were in transit.

This was the last batch of recruits enlisting, totaling forty people.

Quan Shaoqing’s car arrived just in time, dropping Gu Xiaoxi off at the entrance of the new recruits’ company.

Quan Shaoqing sat in the car, without getting out.

He handed the backpack to Gu Xiaoxi, then fastened the collar of her uniform, and placed the military cap on her head.

His eyes were filled with tender doting.

“Train hard!”

Without saying a word, Gu Xiaoxi got out of the car.

However, before she left, she turned back seriously, “Find out how my mom really died for me.”

Quan Shaoqing was startled but then nodded.

Gu Xiaoxi didn’t say much more and walked toward the barracks with her baggage.

Quan Shaoqing looked through the car window at the figure of Gu Xiaoxi.

Slender though she was, she stood as straight as a pine.

The morning sun shone on her, casting an air of casual grace and cool indifference.

Truly, when she got serious, the impression she left was deep, especially those eyes—it was impossible to guess her thoughts.

A soldier by Quan Shaoqing’s side delivered Gu Xiaoxi to the doors of the new recruits’ company and, after giving a few instructions, the guard sent her to the new recruits’ check-in.

By then, the last batch of new recruits had already disembarked from the vehicles.

Several dozen people had already congregated under the national flag in the courtyard of the new recruits’ company.

Gu Xiaoxi, with her backpack, naturally blended into the crowd.

Many new recruits around her were whispering and laughing, their faces beaming with curiosity and excitement about the army.

Standing under the national flag, backpack on shoulders, Gu Xiaoxi looked up at the flag rippling in the wind.

Her face, pure and serene, revealed a slight smile while her cool brows and eyes radiated determination, her pupils fiery with the reflection of the sun.

To become a soldier.

She had arrived!

Just as you wished, Quan Shaoqing.

She embarked on a path she wasn’t willing to take, but now that she had chosen it,

She would carve out a splendid avenue of her own.

There she stood, effortlessly poised, exquisitely beautiful and tall in stature, her silhouette dazzling.

She quietly became the center of attention.

Groups of male recruits stood together, sneaking glances at her, and even though some wanted to approach and strike up a conversation, they were deterred by her cool demeanor, not daring to get close.

“Gu Xiaoxi, you’re here too?”

Gu Xiaoxi heard someone call her name and turned to find the source of the voice.

She saw, not far away, a girl with bright eyes and white teeth, tall and beaming with a splendid smile.

Those lively large eyes always shimmered with a foxy cunning.

She certainly hadn’t forgotten that she had once stolen from her.

“Yo, you’re recovered?” Gu Xiaoxi set down her backpack and greeted calmly.

Feeling a bit warm, she took off her cap to fan herself.

Song Jingyi almost choked on old grievances upon hearing that, her brows furrowing fiercely, “Hey, are you trying to infuriate me on purpose?!

Considering your good deed of helping the orphanage, I won’t hold it against you, sister.”

Gu Xiaoxi’s gaze returned from wandering, locking onto her chest, “Tsk, your chest isn’t as big as mine, and you still want to be my sister?”

“…” Song Jingyi.

Alright, she conceded.

Song Jingyi put down her bag and stepped forward, resting her hand on Gu Xiaoxi’s shoulder, the two of them standing nearly the same height, “Then you show me, how big…”

“Ouch ouch ouch… Gu Xiaoxi… you…”

Suddenly, Gu Xiaoxi’s pale fingers were wrapped around Song Jingyi’s wrist, and in Song Jingyi’s hand was Gu Xiaoxi’s cellphone.

It seems in the brief moment she spoke, Song Jingyi had managed to steal Gu Xiaoxi’s phone.

Gu Xiaoxi raised an eyebrow nonchalantly, glancing sideways at Song Jingyi, her cool eyes flashing with a hint of cold sharpness, “Next time, if you dare to extend your hand in front of me again, I’ll break it.”

Song Jingyi’s face turned as white as a sheet from the pain, her entire arm numb, “Fine, I was just kidding.

I’ll call you ‘boss,’ is that okay?

Let go, or I might as well say goodbye to this arm.”

Gu Xiaoxi glanced at her sideways, took her phone back from her hand, and tucked it back into her pocket.

This was, after all, her private possession.

Massaging her wrist, Song Jingyi grimaced in pain.

Her thievery had always been stealthy and unnoticed, yet she repeatedly failed in front of Gu Xiaoxi.

Though Gu Xiaoxi’s brazenness was infuriating, deep down Song Jingyi felt not just admiration but also gratitude towards her.

If it hadn’t been for her help, she wouldn’t have been able to leave the orphanage to pursue a career in the army.

“Huff, huff!

All assemble!”

The company commander of the third company for new recruits, Li Shaoyun, stepped out alongside the instructor.

The piercing whistle commanded everyone to assemble.

With the team drawing together, everyone stood up straight.

“All present, attention!…

At ease!”

Gu Xiaoxi’s gaze slipped past the speaking company commander in the front row and noticed a few men approaching from not far away.

At that moment, the corner of her eye involuntarily twitched fiercely.

One of those men was the instructor she had splashed with a bucket of cold water.

Her gaze shot over, and as if the man had felt it, he suddenly looked up and met her eyes.

Their eyes collided in mid-air, and Gu Xiaoxi nonchalantly turned her head away.

Wu Yi, however, narrowed his eyes coldly.

How could he forget that arrogant wild girl from just three days ago?

He had been dreaming of catching her and teaching her a harsh lesson.

He never expected to encounter her here.

After the new recruits were called by name, the platoon leaders from above began selecting people.

Although Gu Xiaoxi wasn’t afraid of Wu Yi, she had splashed water on him after all.

To avoid unnecessary trouble, she still prayed not to be chosen by Wu Yi.

But of course!

Wu Yi stopped right in front of Gu Xiaoxi.

The man was clad in camouflage, with an imposing bearing.

Beneath his thick eyebrows, his eyes narrowed dangerously.

“Gu Xiaoxi, right!”

“Report!

Yes!”

Wu Yi sneered, “It’s you.

The one who ran away a few days ago!”

At his words, the surrounding people cast unusual glances at Gu Xiaoxi.

In the army, desertion is the greatest taboo.

“Report, not a deserter!” Gu Xiaoxi stood up straight, her tone cold.

Wu Yi found it amusing.

“Oh!

Not running away?

Then tell me, is our military base a leek patch?”

“You’re mistaken, Platoon Leader.

Last time I was kidnapped here, this time I came willingly.”

Wu Yi was instantly furious; he hadn’t expected Gu Xiaoxi to dare talk back to him.

“Fall out!”

Gu Xiaoxi pushed the military cap on her head.

She looked at Wu Yi, her eyes shining like gems harboring dazzling brilliance.

Her thin lips curved up slightly, her smile’s arc seemingly cold yet alluring.

For a moment, she exuded an aloofness that kept others at bay.

Much like the clouds on the horizon, bright and dazzling, yet unattainable.

Wu Yi’s heart quivered.

Why did he suddenly have such an unreal impression?

She was just a little girl…

At the same time, he had to admit, among all the new recruits he’d seen, Gu Xiaoxi was the most special.

An indescribably complex aura surrounded her, irresistibly compelling one to uncover more.

Gu Xiaoxi lifted her foot, stepping out.

It was at this moment that another cold and angry voice rang out.

“Report to the company commander.

I’ll take this soldier.”

There was a commotion!

Were two platoon leaders competing for a new recruit?

As another resounding male voice filled the air, Gu Xiaoxi once again became the focus of everyone present.

The one who had just spoken was the platoon leader of the fourth platoon.

A soldier who had returned from Special Forces, a king among soldiers who had been tricked by Gu Xiaoxi, the deputy commander of the Flame Special Forces, Shao Changfeng.

Gu Xiaoxi turned her head and saw not far off, a man stood with his arms crossed, his stance ironclad, his eyes like a wolf’s, tinged with crimson, glaring menacingly at her.

Suddenly, Gu Xiaoxi felt a cold breeze hit the back of her neck, sending chills down to her heels.

Cry me a river!

She seemed to have only been in the military for three days, so how did she manage to offend so many people?